WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD, VOLUME 2 JANUARY 10, 2014

Free Republic | Jan 10, 2014 | greeneyes

[greeneyes]

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!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.

[tubebender]

Welcome Home RD232

[Drayah]

Will you please add me to the ping list? I also have green eyes. Thank you,Dray

[Free Vulcan]

Got some sad news, I lost my garden buddy this week. We had to put our dog Tank down. He was a 1/2 Shepherd, 1/2 Black Lab that was the constant companion for 15 years. He was a dog's dog, always ready to go and right there with you no matter what you were doing, sun up to sun down. Never took a collar, never strayed far, great with kids, guard dog, one of the fastest and smartest dogs I've ever seen, and death do mice, skunks, coons, rabbits, squirrels, and even the occasional fawn.

We've had many good dogs but never one like him. He was just that kind of dog, king of the manor and owned it like he signed and paid the mortgage himself. We are blessed with the time we had as he lived nearly twice as long as dogs his size, but would give nearly anything for just one more walk around the place. He was the best I've ever known and it will never be the same without him. RIP good buddy.

[tubebender]

Condolences. We lost our 12 year old english pointer a little over a year ago..

[sockmonkey]

Sorry for your loss. Tank sounds like he was a gteat buddy.

[Nepeta]

He sounds like a great dog. My condolences. It is always so hard to lose our companions.

[OftheOhio]

Sounds like you’re the woman to have in a flood :)

[OftheOhio]

yes, dogs have taught me many lessons over the years, from my friends German Shepherd who could say “river” when we went fishing to Mom’s Yorkie who learned “spelled” words.
After my fathers passing she sometimes looked up in the air as if looking at something, always made me wonder.

[rightly_dividing]

I’m sorry for your loss. It was great that ya’ll were together for so long. Lab and Shepherd, my favorite two dogs, and a mix, what could be any better that that. RIP good buddy.

I lost my best buddy a year ago, but he will always be there in my heart.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I’m out in California where people are planting pansies right now. ;( But, there still is a drought here, and half the lawns are dead.

[Jed Eckert]

Here in east central Florida I'll be getting ready to plant some collards and other greens out in the garden today.

Last year I planted lots of stuff in containers as well as in the ground. Despite our 'freeze' (low of 29 F for a couple hours) last week, some of my plants refuse to give up.

My 'Ping Tung' eggplant is still going strong and has quite a few 'fingerlings' almost ready to pick.

Some of the fruit have a few 'scabs' on the skin. Not sure what that's all about since I've never run into that before.

Also was surprised to find a few Radicchio Red Chicory had sprouted up from where I cut off the heads last year. I'm wondering if these sprouts will actually make heads. We'll see.

[tillacum]

My Christmas cactus is about 17 years old and still full of blooms, as is it’s off spring, which is about 9 years old.

[tillacum]

What are you starting?

[tillacum]

It’s hard when a pup leaves us. Ours has been gone 3 years.
We have a flower garden over her. She was something, loved to play golf and had very good golf manners.

[tillacum]

It looks like a lot of CA will be getting rain or snow today. Hope you get some.

[bgill]

Hugs for you and Tank. He looks like a grand being. I lost my best friend ten years ago and still cry over her. She was one of those special dogs, too. They never leave our hearts.

[JRandomFreeper]

Catnip later this week. Then, at the end of the month, tobacco, tomatoes, peppers.

/johnny

[Marcella]

Good news, the celery is up today under the grow lamp. Peppers are still thinking about it, not up.

[Marcella]

“I save all sorts of plastic containers for use in the garden, and also metal tuna cans etc.”

Hmm, does a tuna/chicken/whatever small tin hold enough or about the same of seed starting mix a 5 oz. paper cup holds? I don't have such a can or I would measure it myself. That has to be enough mix to feed the sprouting seeds until they are big enough to remove from the cup/tin.

Maybe I should ask this question in regard to this:
At what point do you take seedlings out of a 5 oz. paper cup? I may be screwing that up and leaving them in too long or not long enough.

[Marcella]

Those newspaper pots:
Are those pots going to hold up with seed starting mix inside them and sitting in a tray which I keep about an inch of water in? Won’t they collapse sitting in an inch of water?