WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 4 JANUARY 23, 2015

freerepublic | Jan 23, 2015 | 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.

[Ladysforest]

Hi TIK,

Trinidad Scorpion Maruga (sp) which is reputed to be the second hottest pepper in the world according to Husband, did not prosper.

We brought it inside (from the garage) after the temps dropped below 20 degrees, and it struggled soon after. Even though I still have one branch that has newer little leaves - the peppers never matured to brown. Most of the peppers failed. Only one is left, and that is showing signs of yuck. I still think either my husband was wrong on the maturity, or he was sent the wrong seeds.

We gave it a good go though, and saved the peppers that failed for the seeds anyway.

I got pissed because it was a BEAUTIFUL plant. He has started new seeds a few days ago. Getting a jump on it this year.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Ladysforest:" We gave it a good go though, and saved the peppers that failed for the seeds anyway."

Exactly , well done!
That's part of the education of dealing with certain select plants - it's a learning expierience, just like gardening.
One learns more from their losses, than learning from their successes .
Then we try it a slightly different way, and learn from that too .
(Ladysforest:" He has started new seeds a few days ago. Getting a jump on it this year.")
I noted in the information about the "Carolina Reaper" that it was raised in South Carolina, and felt that inforation was pertinent.
Some of those seeds may need 180+ days to maturity , especially in Northern climes.

[TEXOKIE]

Oh wow! That’s cool about your splitter. I think the new faucet will make a great deal of difference.

Thanks. I do feel much better!

[TEXOKIE]

Can they be used as a predator deterrent?

[greeneyes]

Thanks. It is not.

[greeneyes]

I have dragged out some seeds from last year’s leftovers, and the seeds saved from last year to maybe start a few during the next few days.

Waiting till payday to order the new seeds and stuff. Got to whittle the wish list down.

[greeneyes]

Yep time to get a few going indoors here too.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Creosote is a deadly poison and is carefully controlled under TSCA. It is made from the oil that comes off metallurgical coal when the coal is “coked” (volatiles driven off to make a pure carbon product) in a coke over at a steel mill. I think the majority of US creosote is made at a Monterrey, Mexico steel mill.

[goodwithagun]

Started ‘mater seeds last night: Druzba, pink Brandywine, Dr. Wyche’s yellow, and Minibell. It was nice to start the process. I’m going to get some herbs started in Chinese takeout containers tomorrow.

[goodwithagun]

In what zone are you, and how much earlier can you plant in the greenhouse versus outdoors? I’m thinking about investing in one.

[Mad Dawgg]

I been following the gardening thread for a couple of years now and I am starting my third year of mobile urban gardening. And recently I discovered a nice tip I would like to pass on.

I have a Bing Rewards account. Getting one is easy just go here Bing.com/explore/rewards to sign up for a free account.

Then all you need do is go to the Bing search page and do about 30 searches a day. And this is very easy. I found that if I enter say "Urban Gardening" and then click on the image tab it will give me all sorts of pictures BUT it gives me a whole list of links just above the pictures.

The area marked in blue is the "search box" and above it you will see the "images" tab.

On the top right you will see an area marked in yellow. this is you points total.

The area marked in red is "Related searches". Once you enter your search on the bing page and then click the image tab you should get a page that looks like the above. Then all you need do is click one of the related links marked in the red area and it will bring up a new page with new links. click 30 unique links a day and you have your 15 daily points. plus there are always bonus clicks daily that will show up on your Bing Rewards Dashboard.

Why do this you ask? Because you can get all sorts of gift cards. I got two 5 dollar Amazon gift cards and cashed them in on my Amazon account then ordered 4 different kinds of heirloom seeds. All will be delivered free in just a few days. Next gift cards will go for some Red Wiggler worms because I am going to try composting via worm farm.

It takes a bit to get you accounts set up with Amazon and Bing but once you do you can use those free points to buy all sorts of gardening supplies, and all it takes is a few mouse clicks each day.

[MomwithHope]

Just checking in with greetings to all. Nothing going on here in west Michigan. Still too much of winter left. Just growing lots of alfalfa sprouts. Since I try to avoid carbs, my favorite way to eat them is on top of some tuna or salmon salad. With a liberal sprinkle of dulse powder on them. SO looking forward to spring!

[tubebender]

Hmmmmm... I thought I posted a couple of photos last night just before I went to bed but I must not have completed the post after I tested it???

[Qiviut]

Very soggy day after heavy rains last night. Water is standing in places where we don’t usually see it. Later, another band will come through and may end up as light snow.

I saw some jonquils that were up about an inch last Monday. It’s been fairly mild with a shot or two of arctic air now and again to remind us it’s still winter. I am looking longingly at my raised beds, but can’t do anything with them yet.

After helping an ailing relative out the last two weeks, she gave me two jars of homemade muscadine jelly and a jar of Hyacinth Bean Vine seeds as a “thank you” .... love the jelly and the seeds!

[CynicalBear]

Actually I grow all winter in the greenhouse. Mostly lettuce, spinach, and other greens but this year I also had tomatoes. I’m in zone 8 with lowest temps about 15 so do need heat in there at times. The lowest temp I’ve seen this year is 20 at night. Most days the sun keeps the heat up and it’s only at night that it dips. By the beginning of Feb the freezing temps are very few if any although it can happen. The median last freeze here is March 28 so no plants get set out until then and then with protection of needed until mid April.

[tubebender]

Amazing weather continues to dominate our area as shown in these photos. The Garlic grew a little but could use a bit of nitrogen and the Vetch is weed free and nice and uniform. Lady Bender is 95% healed from her hip replacement surgery 6 months ago but Briar Bender has run out of gas and the best I can do is walk 3 or 4 blocks up the street and back. I still feed the birds and go for a ride in my pickup to take photos once a day

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[tob2]

It is raining again! Later today temperatures are going to be at or below freezing. Had to cover up the planters again. Daffys are about to bloom, no matter what the weather.

[goodwithagun]

I’m zone 6 so year around might not be an option, but almost year around could be. I would like to get a big jump on seedlings for earlier and longer harvests. My father-in-law can get 55 gallon drums for free, and I’m wondering if I could use a couple of those filled with water to help heat at night.

[CynicalBear]

They use drums filled with water as a heat reservoir all the time in greenhouses. I’ve never studied the temp variations to see what temps it will protect against. Lot’s of variables would come into play. The greenhouse I keep going all winter is only 6x8 so is relatively easy to keep heated. I can at least grow all the greens we need in there.

[tillacum]

It might. I’d make a pepper solution and send it down the tunnels. I’d sprinkle it around the openings. But that’s just me, I’m mean.