Posted on 05/04/2012 7:31:41 AM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde
Good morning FRiends and fellow gardeners! I really enjoyed all of you that participated in last week's thread. I've been so busy that I didn't have time to respond to each and every comment, but I think about what y'all write and the photos that you post while I'm out working on my own projects. You truly inspire me!
Looking forward to reading your updates this week. We welcomed 2 new members to the ping list last week, bringing us to 525 members. That is fantastic, and we are on track to add 100 members this year.
In my own little patch of earth, I've worked on many projects this past week and I did take plenty of photos along the way. If I get a chance I'll share some later on this evening, but if I don't, I'll post them all as next week's thread. My mind is reeling going from one thing to another and it would be easier to tell you what doesn't hurt on my body. It is all very rewarding though, as I'm sure y'all understand.
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.
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pee around the perimeter...
Not too many projects getting done around here today. Tonight is the middle school equivalent of a prom - I have to pick her up from school, take her to get her hair done, help with her makeup, then take her over to the school to meet her “date.”
However, I do have my entire day planned practically to the minute for tomorrow!
Indeed we need help! Rabbits and Bugs are eating our potatoes and beans. The fence helps against the rabbits and the spray help against the bugs but there does not seem to be enough spray nor fence to result in skinny rabbits nor bugs.
I made several of those 5 gallon self-contained buckets for some of my tomaotes. The last one I made using only 1 bucket, putting a platform and basket in the bottom of it. The tomatoes seem to be doing the same as the double buckets.
I remember those days and don’t envy you a bit.
Whew, it was over 80 degrees at 8:30 this morning in Central Texas when I was headed out to the garden. Far too hot already. Still weeding and I think I pulled up some alyssum from the side bed, oops. I’ve given up on veggies in the that bed and am just going to throw out some flower seeds. The garden is doing well (as are it’s weeds that I can’t keep up with) and I’ve been sharing green beans, onions and greens. There are blooms on the tomatoes and peppers. The cuke I’d moved and thought was done for is perking up.
The herbs I started are slow to come up in their pots. Don’t know why since the seeds were this year’s and they’re in starting mix.
The cat was sniffing around some and tossing jalapeno seeds I had drying in a dish. I gave her a get out of my stuff look and she just stared back like “What you lookin’ at?” Well, if she really wants to eat jalapeno seeds then go for it and maybe it’ll teach her a lesson. I won’t tell you what she left in another dish of drying seeds but I’m gathering recipes for bbq cat...
We haven’t been able to catch our county extension agent in the office. Can anyone here tell us how to control ticks and vegetable garden pests without harming the lizards? Thank you in advance for input.
Do not trim your lilacs!!! They hate that!!! It cuts off new growth, and they will not bloom for a long time!
Old time gardeners fed their lilacs vinegar water because they like acid soil.
I’d consider using an iron/sulpher solution.
I think keeping the yard too tidy can be a problem. I think they like dead leaves left over the roots.
I learned the hard way about trimming.
Just my thoughts.
Old time gardeners fed their lilacs vinegar water because they like acid soil.
I’d consider using an iron/sulpher solution.
I think keeping the yard too tidy can be a problem. I think they like dead leaves left over the roots.
OUCH!!!
I don’t know who I feel more for - you or the cat!
I don't know any thing about cornmeal and fire ants, but I have 100 bushels of shelled corn in a grain cart and I may grind some and try it out. I've been battling those rascals for 6 weeks now.
I’ve read that proper pruning is the secret to getting lilacs to bloom. I haven’t had a lot of luck with my Persian Lilac. It has gotten to where it only blooms on the very top. The areas where I trim it back on the sides seems to never bloom well again.
Too much water isn’t the problem, too much plant for the pot is the problem. Some of the are getting close to 2’ tall. I need to get em in the ground.
I think you are right. Everywhere I trim mine, to keep it back from the lawn, stops blooming completely. Now, only the very top that never gets trimmed is the only place I get flowers on my Persian Lilac. It appears that blooms only come from new growth on old wood. I am wondering if a severe trim and then just leaving it to grow untrimmed for several years would rejuvenate it. Over the years mine has outgrown it's allotted space. I had no idea that they grew so large.
I don't like using the fire ant killer because all of the rain that falls in my yard eventually ends up in my pond. Nothing has ever been killed, but I still worry about it.
If the cornmeal will work, it would be a wonderful alternative for me!
Did you know that Okra is first cousin to cotton...just sayin and I think you knew this. Okra a favorite vegetable of mine
No wonder my shirts are so tasty ---
Two feet tall? What size pot are they in?
Ended up with 570’ of Yukon Golds planted. Also added another packet of peas; plus 150 sweet red onions. Pink Banana Squash & Pattypan seedlings are also doing well in the small plastic “4 tier greenhouse” we bought last Fall.
Next week (2 weeks prior to ‘last frost) I’ll plant seeds of some of the less tender veggies.
Just about time to pull the grass clippings off the carrots, as they are starting to sprout.
A neighbor gave us 5 each “Bonnie Best” and “Delicious” tomato seedlings; and will give us some Egyptian Walking Onions in a couple of weeks.
Last night, I trimmed the fat from a whole brisket, and put it into brine, to make pastrami...spiced & smoked corned beef. I’ve corned beef before, which comes out (no surprise) way better than the stuff in stores, so I have high hopes for this. Here’s a link to the recipe/instructions I used:
http://blackgirlchefswhites.com/wordpress/2011/04/07/homemade-pastrami/
For the first time, we’re seeing tiny green apricots swelling on the trees, so maybe....
Strawberries are starting to bloom.
Two broody hens glued to nests; fryer bunnies just about ready for the freezer.
All is well in our little corner of the world.
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