Posted on 02/24/2012 7:48:38 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde
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Greetings from hot and sticky NE Louisiana! We set a record high yesterday at 89 degrees. I miss the mountains of Montana already. It averaged around 15 degrees while we were there and I was walking around in shirt sleeves. Without the extreme dampness, the cold is really comfortable.
I want to extend a big THANK YOU to Red Devil_232 and Ellendra for taking care of the thread in my absence. Y'all did wonderful work and I appreciate your efforts more than you will know. I had expected to be able to post the thread for the past 2 weeks, but things did not go as planned and the only internet access I had -- when I could get a signal -- was my smartphone. Trying to post a thread from that is just beyond my level of patience.
Most of you have healthy and happy plants started indoors by now. I am getting mine started this weekend, about 2 weeks later than I should have, and the anticipation is really exciting.
My short series on soil structure is coming along nicely, and I apologize that it is not ready to publish today. Structure is such an important part of growing a healthy plant. Now that vacation and some health issues are out of the way, I will be able to devote a bit more time to this endeavor that I love so much.
Let us know what you doing! I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you! Happy Gardening!
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!
Weekly Gardening Thread (Catalog Fever) Vol. 1 Jan 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Seeds) Vol. 2, January 13, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 3, January 20, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (U.S. Hardiness Zones) Supplemental Vol. 1
Weekly Gardening Thread (Soil Types) Vol. 4, January 27, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 5, February 03, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 6, February 10, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation?) Vol. 7, February 17, 2012
I’m already planting in the garden here in Las Vegas. Some Early Girl tomatoes and an egg plant. My tomatoes don’t produce in the hot summers, so I’m trying to get an early and late crop this year. Not a lot, just like twn plants.
Home - fun to go on vacation - great to be home!
Two raised beds planted + a trench of purple potatoes.
Eleven to go - waiting for post fear of frost - early March here in Charleston.
Took delivery of eight 55 gallon barrels yesterday - should make for a great rain collection system. $20 each = $15 delivery.
About to order some fruit trees and last orders of seeds.
Thanks for the great weekly gardening thread.
Garden on!
Mr sneakers got me a cold frame for Christmas. I don’t know if it’s too early or not, but we’re putting it out this weekend and planting a few things. Stuff like lettuce, brussels sprouts and cabbage. It’s February in western Pa and we will probably get some bad weather between now and April, but I can’t wait to get started! I might start some tomatoes indoors!
Detailed State Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
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The wrath of G-d isn't always 'fire and brimstone'.
Broccoli, 'colored' cauliflower, and 'colored' peppers chugging right along...tomatoes going in over the next few days. As an experiment, I sowed lettuce seeds into one of those store 'clamshells' filled with 'Pro-Mix'. It is coming up just fine...we'll have fresh lettuce on the table in no time.
I have two very enthusiastic Bonnie ‘Tami G’ grape tomatoes in the whiskey barrel on the deck that already have set two fruit in a 10-fruit cluster, and two Bonnie Goliath that are doing the same thing.
Last years’ drought drove the deer to we lakefront people’s yards so I’m not risking ground plantings. It all has to grow in containers in the high winds on the deck. Not going to be a very experimental year, I need yields.
Back here in Teaxs, I had my soils anylasis translated to English for me and I am about to till the patch along with some nitro and calcium. The ext serv said it was luck that anything grew here last year! I had no nitrogen and low PH.
I have about 200 tomato babies about 2 1/2 --3in tall and a few hot chili peppers about an inch tall. I hope to supply all my neighbor gardeners with seedlings this year. I can only use about 10-12 plants myself. I got the tiller running the other day, so now its just me holding up the tilling, scheduled for tomorrow am.
We’re supposedly in zone 6a, but that’s completely inaccurate. We should be listed as 5a. It makes ordering plants very difficult, because I’ve yet to find a company that will ship according to a zone 5a hardiness timetable.
Beautiful!
Welcome back!
You NC/SC/VA people keep watch. Looks like wrath is coming your way.
Yeaaahhhh...Glad to see this thread this morning!
We had a very warm day here in Middle Tennessee yesterday so I spent the entire day outside. I did some much needed cleaning in the garden and planted lettuce and kale.
I DO have a question. I would like to plant two hazelnut (filburt)bushes. What varieties would be best for Tennessee? Anyone know?
I am putting out the arugula, spinach, and kale this weekend. My garlics are starting to sprout. I have some good sized indoor rosemary, flat leaf parsley, and mint that I am going to try and transplant in about six weeks.
Our ducklings are growing and developing their tail feathers. We had a problem with one of the hens. She appeared to be in distress, unable to eat or drink and was noticably smaller than the other five. I held her while Barb gently massaged her throat. Then she fed her a vinigar/water solution from an eyedropper. Later, she was eating normally, but her crop was distended. Barb did a lookup on the web and then had be hold her again while she used a makeup spatula to put cat hairball medication in her bill. Chased it with the water solution again. The next morning, she was lively and normal. She seems to have caught up with the rest of her brood mates in size. They are now in the X-pen and are about 1/3 grown.
My Sears Craftsman GT5000 garden tractor is here! The mowing deck is enormous, and the Johnny Bucket and Plow is enroute via UPS! I am already thinking about an electric assist sleeve hitch for it to handle a box scraper and cultivator. The garden isn't going to know what hit it!
doesn’t look like L’sianna! LOL
thanks for new thread & the extras you add to inform us. It is always good to see everyone’s input along the way.
Mild winter thus far (KNOCK ON WOOD) here in NE Ohio & I am very happy for that as I am heating only with space heaters this year (long story, but not uncommon)
We have had several mild days & I note the little first bulbs in bloom..snowdrops.. (and in the shade still piles of snow).
Going to simplify even more this year with plants. I have a lot of personnel and will just do some simple(reasonable) annuals & a few container tomatoes. Last year I think I spent more on veggie plants than the produce harvested. Lots of good farmer’s market & roadside stands to give reasonable food.
Wow, I can't believe that you have maters already. Color me green with envy.
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