Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Weekly Garden Thread Volume 12 March 21, 2014
Free Republic | March 21, 2014 | greeneyes

Posted on 03/21/2014 12:44:59 PM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; hobby
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 321-326 next last
To: Marcella

I’d bring them in. If they’re not planted, getting them too wet can cause them to rot.


121 posted on 03/22/2014 7:29:17 PM PDT by Ellendra ("Laws were most numerous when the Commonwealth was most corrupt." -Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]

To: bgill; JRandomFreeper

I can’t say how it would hold up to TX summers, but it held up to a 105 degree Wisconsin summer just fine. And mine has never been covered with mulch.

Johnny has had success with solarizing using plastic sheeting. But when I tried it the plastic seemed to encourage the weeds instead of killing them, and then it started to crack and tear. I tried both the clear and the black, and the area where I tried it is first on my list for the Dewitt’s fabric this year. Maybe the plastic works better in Texas? I’m afraid you’d have to ask him.


122 posted on 03/22/2014 7:36:40 PM PDT by Ellendra ("Laws were most numerous when the Commonwealth was most corrupt." -Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

To: bgill

Random thought, try watering with boiling hot water (BEFORE you plant, obviously). That would kill the tops of the weeds, at least, and possibly the seeds closest to the surface.

I’m actually thinking of doing that with my backyard garden beds. There was a touch of powdery mildew last year, and while I got rid of all the infected plant parts that I could find, I’m still worried I might have missed some.


123 posted on 03/22/2014 7:42:10 PM PDT by Ellendra ("Laws were most numerous when the Commonwealth was most corrupt." -Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

Thought this was interesting. I might post it on one of the prepper threads sometime:

http://www.caroldeppe.com/The%2020%20Potato%20a%20Day%20Diet.html


124 posted on 03/22/2014 9:35:46 PM PDT by Ellendra ("Laws were most numerous when the Commonwealth was most corrupt." -Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rightly_dividing

Thank you rightly. Last year the squash bugs had a field day
with everyone’s squash. So this year, hopefully we can find
something to rid the critters.


125 posted on 03/23/2014 5:54:11 AM PDT by tillacum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper; All

Hahahahahahaha!!! I have at least 4 peanuts coming up in a starter tray and from the looks of the soil more!!!! Ok, folks, this is proof that 15 year old peanuts will germinate, hahahahahaha!!! Yes, 15 years old. They’d been in the freezer which may have helped. I couldn’t throw them out because they were from some little seedlings kiddo brought home from pre-school in a styrofoam cup. We’d grow peanuts for market but these are special. Now that’s what you call true heirloom plants. Can’t get over this little miracle, lol.


126 posted on 03/23/2014 6:52:13 AM PDT by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey
There was another Tycoon tomato up this morning so that is four of them up. There is another Tromboncino squash up so that is two. Other seeds have also sprouted, some haven't yet. It is six days since I planted all these seeds.

Onions from the onion bulbs, in the net room, grew another 1/2 to one inch last night.

I haven't mentioned broccoli but several plants are in a big container and about six inches tall.

The only plants that concern me are the tomatoes. They just aren't as strong looking as they were before that last cold. I do have replacement/other tomatoes under the grow lamp and I think I will need them.

127 posted on 03/23/2014 7:13:33 AM PDT by Marcella ((Prepping can save your life today.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 101 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes; rightly_dividing; sockmonkey; All
greeneyes, you were interested in the Cherry Punch tomatoes from Burpee. I said this is the one I will start later to grow in the house in winter. This is a Burpee only seed they developed. It grows best in containers and is like no other tomato in terms of vitamin C. I got two envelopes of them (20 seeds in each envelope) and will freeze one envelope in a glass jar, keep it in the freezer. I'll start a couple of seeds today to see what this plant will do, but my objective is to see if I can grow it totally inside for winter and have tomatoes in the winter - it is indeterminate so will keep producing through the winter.

On the envelope it says:
“More than 3 times the vitamin C of standard varieties. Compact 24 inches tall by 36 wide plants do best in containers. Indeterminate. Harvest about 48 days after transplanting.”
“Start indoors. Plant 1/4 inch deep. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.”

128 posted on 03/23/2014 7:36:16 AM PDT by Marcella ((Prepping can save your life today.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

They are now in paper bag in pantry.


129 posted on 03/23/2014 7:40:12 AM PDT by Marcella ((Prepping can save your life today.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: rightly_dividing

Trading a DIY idea with the one you gave me for the pallet corner planter..This is for a folding trellis that costs over 25 bucks at Lowe’s..

http://www.harvestinghart.com/2011/06/diy-folding-trellis.html


130 posted on 03/23/2014 8:04:26 AM PDT by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 113 | View Replies]

To: Marcella

You should start seeing something in a few days.


131 posted on 03/23/2014 8:17:11 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Let's make Mark Levin's The Liberty Amendments a reality!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey

Thank you, I like that trellis! I’ve been looking for something that was that shape, but a little sturdier, for my cucumbers and melons this year.


132 posted on 03/23/2014 9:37:14 AM PDT by Ellendra ("Laws were most numerous when the Commonwealth was most corrupt." -Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 130 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey

That’s an interesting idea. Thanks.

With a table saw, I could cut the strips from a 2x4x8 and bring that cost down to around $3 with 8 strips left over, or make it a little longer, and I know I have hinges around here and staple gun and SS staples. You could cut wedge shaped pieces of wood instead of hinges, if you wanted ultra cheap and didn’t have hinges. I have found that like casters, hinges are a bit pricey. I save them as well as casters.

I sent the link across the room for my wife to look at. :)


133 posted on 03/23/2014 9:39:36 AM PDT by rightly_dividing (Hate is what people that hate the truth call the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 130 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey; Marcella

I went outside just now, and it was really cold feeling being cloudy and windy,15-25mph and being used to the warm sun for a few days. I did not stay out there long, for sure.

I planted T squash, yellow squash, and pickling cukes in plastic cups, in the sifted potting soil.

While outside, I salvaged 2 pieces of 3/16” hardboard(Masonite) from some old store fixtures that I am parting out. I will use it as a backer boards for the chalk board and dry erase boards on the childrens easel that I am going to build. That means I dont have to spend $14 for some thin plywood to do the same job. I have salvaged a could of maple shelf boards, some grooved tracks for sliding doors, some pieces of oak, and, of course, the casters. :)

After saying that I wasn’t cheap a week ago, maybe I am. I get it from my dad, his favorite price for anything was FREE.

sockmonkey-—My wife liked the trellis. So it may happen. Her new thing is quilting. She has made a sewing room in the 3rd bedroom and finished her first quilt, a baby quilt for the new grand coming in Oct. She has always sewed a bit, but seems to like it more and more. She is a creative person and likes to make stuff.


134 posted on 03/23/2014 10:47:47 AM PDT by rightly_dividing (Hate is what people that hate the truth call the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 130 | View Replies]

To: Ellendra; sockmonkey
Here is a consideration for trellising:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/feedlot-panel-cattle-16-ft-l-x-50-in-h

Stake the short ends in the ground to form an inverted "U". I use this for my cukes and other vining plants. It's sturdy, and will last forever.

135 posted on 03/23/2014 11:02:11 AM PDT by Sarajevo (Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 132 | View Replies]

To: Marcella

Fantastic is right! Great start to this year’s garden.


136 posted on 03/23/2014 11:35:46 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: painter

Not this year. The last 3 years I did, but not this year. However I do have some cherry tomatoes that have started to turn - they are orange, so they should be ripe soon. This tomato was grown totally indoors from seed.


137 posted on 03/23/2014 11:41:10 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 83 | View Replies]

To: don-o

That’s a great pet for a gardener’s spouse to have. I thought about setting up one of those bins that has red worms, but just couldn’t figure out any space to put it, since I am wall to wall with stuff as it is.


138 posted on 03/23/2014 11:43:04 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies]

To: Mrs. Don-o

That’s good, and good for the garden too.


139 posted on 03/23/2014 11:43:36 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: Marcella

I went to Walmart yesterday. First thing I saw was a display of flusable wipes. Second thing was the potato pots. Naturally I had to get some.

Now I have some wipes and a potato pot. I think I have some old nursery pots around that I can use to make some more pots.

I am short on places to grow potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers this year, since 8 of my beds are too close to walnut tree to use for those, and I grew so many last year. I used 3 of the remaining 5 beds for them.

So I’ll be growing more of these in pots this year. Fortunately, I have plenty of pots and soil on hand.

Still no mushroom compost at Walmart. Maybe they won’t have any this year. I just have one bag left from last year.


140 posted on 03/23/2014 11:51:35 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 321-326 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson