Weekly Gardening Thread – 2010 Vol. 08 – Febuary 26

Free Republic | 02-26-2010 | Red_Devil 232

[Red_Devil 232]

Good morning gardeners! Most of us are still dealing with winter weather and freezing temperatures and we are eagerly looking forward to the arrival of warmer weather. While we wait for the arrival of spring we are planning our gardens, buying our seeds and other supplies and we are also asking questions and sharing advice.

If you are just starting out gardening and are in need of advice or just encouragement please feel free to join in. There are many Freepers from all over the Good Ol’ USA that are willing and eager to help.

Freeper madamemayhem asked me to let the Hoosier gardeners know that the Indy Home and Flower Show is March 5-7 at the Lucas Oil Stadium. There is $10 fee to get into the 25,000 sq. ft. of gardens and outdoor products.

[stefanbatory]

well, I was gonna plant a total of 3 but staggered over my 3 startings of seeds. my friend had bushels of them from only 7 plants...but his peppers were’nt ready at the same time...

[Red_Devil 232]

What kind of tomato plant are you planting?

[stefanbatory]

i forgot was on the seed packet...lol

maybe brandywine?

[hoosiermama]

Add the following 6X10 last fall, but hurt shoulder before it was finished and the wind/winter came.

www.riongreenhousekit.com

It's made in Israel and snaps together similar to legos.

Hope will be able to get back in gear in the next couple of days, will be able to get things moving again.

[Petruchio]

I have a bad back, so I would stay with what U got. As long as it is braced, you will do ok.

I set mine against the south facing wall for max sunshine. It does warm up nicely. I also set 1 gal. milk jugs filled with water on the bottom inside a black garbage bag. They warm up during the day and slowly provide some heat throughout the night.

This is my first year doing all the gardening. In the past, Mother was the real pro. She passed away, so I guess you could say she was the only thing we planted last year. Between her passing and my cancer surgery during planting season, the only thing that grew here was weeds.

This year is gonna be different! I am planning, and carefully choosing which seeds to use. I will either get a lot of tasty veggies or some terrific designer weeds. [grin]

[Petruchio]

Ooooooooo , me jealous.

It is just me here so a walk in would be too big.

[hoosiermama]

Am planning on putting in a door directly from the garage and electricity outlet in this spring....

[Red_Devil 232]

I tried Brandywine my first year of gardening. The summer heat here in Miss. shut down their production, they do not do well in very hot weather.

You might check your average summer temps for the area of Fla you are in. Oh and check with your Grandad about what has been successful for him. Your area may not be a problem but when the daily temps are continuously around 90 and above most tomatoes will stop producing. When the temps start falling back into the mid 80's they will perk right back up.

There are varieties of tomatoes that are heat tolerant. My best producers last year were Marion and Arkansas Travelers in that order. I have to add that last summer here was kind of mild. By mild I mean we did not have a week of constant 95 degree and above weather.

[tubebender]

We had 1 inch of rain from midnight to 6 am with a overnight temp of 56 degrees. Our clay soil here on Humboldt Bay is heavy stuff but all the beds are loaded with years of compost and slightly raised for good drainage. We are slowly getting the weeds under control and I got the Heritage(?) Raspberries tipped and paths cut through them for access. I am looking for volunteers to dig and divide 45 Dahlias, only a wetsuit is required and we supply the mud etc.

My first wife got the strawberry bed renovated and fertilized and the lawn mowed before the rain returned.

[stefanbatory]

ok, thanks! I will double check and spend another 20 cents for the right type if needed...

[afraidfortherepublic]

Good idea (milk jugs) and I already have some saved. Good luck with your garden. If it is anything like the pictures you’ve posted of past gardens, I know it will be wonderful.

[Petruchio]

Just in case anyone is interested, I found a picture of another two feet of snow.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Don’t forget to plant some cherry tomatoes. THose are great just for eating while you are working in the garden. I like Sweet 100s. (So does my dog.)

[afraidfortherepublic]

ROTFLOL!

[who knows what evil?]

...as long as I don’t have to shovel it...

[who knows what evil?]

I have several trays of black cherry tomatoes started...I have never grown them before; but everyone raves about them...

[MtnClimber]

Has your garlic come up yet? The ground is still frozen here so I don’t expect to see any activity for 2 more months.

[Western Phil]

In my younger years, Gurney’s and Henry Fields used to have Conglomerate Packages for kids to order. You were to to write that on the order and include your penny. They would send you a large package which included many different things. Castor beans, yard long beans, cushaw squash, different flowers, etc. Among the mix was a very good yellow cherry tomato which came back volunteer the next year since there were always a few that did not get picked. She never saved seed or planted any, but had some for over 30 years until she accidentally hoed all of them out one year, since they did not always come up in a good spot.

[tubebender]

Because of our mild winters temp wise our garlic was up in a matter of 2 weeks after planting in Oct. There are 7 varieties and they vary 6 to 9 inches high. I really need to figure out getting my photos on line and posting a few here. Our raspberries are leafing out as are the Roses but as I said the Dahlias must get dug and devided. Our Pastor wants to be here when we do that as he wants to learn and wants a few tubers for his garden. It is still raining and I’m watching Nascar live on Speed and Sprint Cup practice up now!