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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 31, AUGUST 1, 2014
Free Republic | August 1, 2014 | greeneyes

Posted on 08/01/2014 12:20:34 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
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Greetings from Missouri. It's a really nice sunny day here. A bit dry, but unusual weather for this time of year. These are usually the real dog days of summer with heat in 3 digits not unusual. So hot that even the nights are uncomfortable.

Eighty two today and in the 60s at night is quite welcome, but unusual. We have plenty of water to last the rest of the growing season, I think.

Cukes, squash, beets, and maters are growing like gangbusters, and adorning every available cabinet space, and boxes on chairs. Got to get with it and do some processing.

I am feeling so much better. Thanks to all for your best wishes and prayers. Feeling lots better, just not as much get up and go. I think I need to eat some yogurt, to get back good bacteria balance.LOL

Have a great weekend. God Bless.

1 posted on 08/01/2014 12:20:34 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: greeneyes; Diana in Wisconsin; gardengirl; girlangler; SunkenCiv; HungarianGypsy; Gabz; ...

Pinging the List.


2 posted on 08/01/2014 12:23:28 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

Woodchucks feasting on the leaves of many veggies.
I probably took the tomato pruning too far this year...live and learn......the few we’ll have will be big and juicy.

Unseasonably cool here in Southern NH.


3 posted on 08/01/2014 12:30:36 PM PDT by rights with responsibilities
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To: greeneyes

North Central Texas here. Having a relatively cool summer so far - thank God!! - although the drought continues. Still many inches behind on rain for the year, and still haven’t made up for deficits in the past several years.

I have a question for fruit tree experts. I have a very old pear tree that came with the property, but I can’t identify the variety. For whatever reason, it has gone gangbusters this year with little or no care (I remain completely organic and never use chemical pesticides or fertilizers - more out of laziness than principle) and the tree is loaded with very large, quality fruit for the first time in years. I’ve done a little research and have narrowed it to either an Anjou variety or Bartlett, though I lean toward Anjou. Any more fine-tuning tips for identifying?

Oh, and I DID prune pretty radically for the first time this year, so maybe that played into the performance. Just rogue lower branches and suckers, but it took off about 15% of the tree’s limbs.

Also, I have been trying to become an expert on when to pick, how to ripen and how to store. The only respectable resource I’ve found is from the U. of Oregon, but wanted something more specific to Texas. Any reference or help would be appreciated.


4 posted on 08/01/2014 12:32:23 PM PDT by fwdude (The last time the GOP ran an "extremist," Reagan won 44 states.)
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To: greeneyes

We’re getting a bit of badly needed rainfall here in Central Missouri this afternoon.

I can’t pick and preserve as fast as things are growing right now. That is a good problem to have.

I’m taking off a bit early from work today so I can go in town and fetch Mrs. Augie’s new Kubota zero-turn mowing machine. Tomorrow is mvi on my truck and new tires on the horse trailer. In between all of that we’ll be salvaging barn lumber and trying to get some more canning done.

I sure do hope I get to sleep when I’m dead...


5 posted on 08/01/2014 12:32:42 PM PDT by Augie
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To: rights with responsibilities

Every year brings me a new lesson.LOL


6 posted on 08/01/2014 12:34:06 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

I have been harvesting San Marzano tomatoes and others over the last few weeks. Canning most, roasting a few and making some good pasta sauces with some. My garden is still producing but not as prolific as in years past, but I am grateful to just have a small garden.


7 posted on 08/01/2014 12:34:18 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
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To: greeneyes; All
Here in Massachusetts we are presently having lows in the mid-50s to low-60s. It was much cooler at night in May and June. Out tomatoes are still green, and our corn seems to believe that it is an ornamental. Our jalapeno peppers are wonderful, as were our radishes and most of our herbs, so that's a good thing.

I'm glad to hear that you're on the mend!

8 posted on 08/01/2014 12:36:08 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: fwdude

We are struggling with our fruit trees not doing much. No fruits any bigger than a pea. Thinking that the drought followed by extra hard winter may be our reason.

I too, need tips, so I hope someone has some.LOL


9 posted on 08/01/2014 12:37:01 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Augie

No rain here, and I haven’t heard the weather reports today.

At least it’s not so hot this year, so canning some pickles will be a lot more pleasant than usual.


10 posted on 08/01/2014 12:38:26 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Red_Devil 232

My gardens are small, and I never got them all planted this year. Lots of seeds didn’t sprout, and I decided to just let a couple lie fallow with cardboard on them.

Hauling water every day during the summer gets old. I need to figure out a gravity system like hubby has.LOL


11 posted on 08/01/2014 12:42:02 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: trisham

Tomatoes don’t do much when the weather gets into the fifties. You might need to cover them with row covers at night or something to give just a little extra heat.


12 posted on 08/01/2014 12:43:37 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

Hi Green Eyes!

I wish i could share some of my tropical monsoons with my fellow FReeper gardeners!
:-)


13 posted on 08/01/2014 12:53:49 PM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: greeneyes

That would help. Pinching them back might help, too.


14 posted on 08/01/2014 12:56:22 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: left that other site

Many could use some of that moisture to be sure.LOL


15 posted on 08/01/2014 1:23:48 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: trisham

Worth a try I guess.


16 posted on 08/01/2014 1:24:13 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

So glad to hear you are on the mend. Rain was predicted here yesterday, but not one drop fell, and now the chances are gone until the end of next week.

I’ve be pruning things, started fall tomato plants. Have some volunteer swiss chard up, and have been looking through seeds to plant for fall. Luckily, the moon dates for above ground cropas are next Sunday & Monday, August 3rd & 4th, so I can procrastinate a few more days.

For Texas Gardeners:
http://www.fanicknursery.com/Downloads/2014/Calendar_2014.pdf


17 posted on 08/01/2014 1:33:27 PM PDT by sockmonkey (Of course I didn't read the article. After all, this is Free Republic.)
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To: greeneyes

It’s usually warm here until mid-October, so it’s not hopeless, but this season has been weird.


18 posted on 08/01/2014 1:33:40 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: sockmonkey

I am really into procrastination even more than usual right now.LOL


19 posted on 08/01/2014 1:36:38 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: trisham

Weird all over it seems to me. At least we are getting a decent crop here this time.


20 posted on 08/01/2014 1:37:24 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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