Make a container planter from old tshirts and wire fencing. Hey, it's something different.
Posted on 04/03/2015 1:24:44 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. Planting, Harvest to Table(recipes)preserving, good living - 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.
Oops, short term memory loss..it says Chieftain Red.
Sneaking in here late! Hi guys!
Class this week was on SOIL. I learned so much! I’ve heard many of you speak about it here on the thread, so I wasn’t completely at sea. I thought what I would try to do is to type up my notes so in later years I can read my hen-scratch, and in that process, I would share at least some of them with you.
Our presenter is a professor at OSU in the soil department. That is where the soil tests are done in our state through the county ag programs. He is from China and has been here in Oklahoma for almost 20 years. Excellent English and teaching approach. We all really liked him!
I hope these are useful to you!
Have a very blessed Easter weekend!
texokie
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
4/2/15
SOILS – Hailin Zhang
Soil and Nutrient Management
Difference between “soil” and “dirt?” Dirt is the stuff beneath your fingernails. Soil is feeding a plant.
Analogy: Soil is like the foundation of a house. It is fundamental to everything else working well.
EFFECTS OF SOIL
Soil can affect things like if basements are built in an area. In areas with heavy clays, you will see fewer basements because the heaving of the clay will cause the basements to crack. In areas with other materials, you will see basements very commonly.
An example of how soil can affect things is the example of a plant with lots of lush leaves with no fruit. One thing to think of in that situation is that there may be too much nitrogen in the soil.
If you know how to manage soil, you can have a good harvest.
He showed us pix of his garden. Lots of wonderful Chinese veggies.
He showed us his loofah gourds. They looked like cucumbers.
[Texokie note: He stated he and his family eat them. I had not heard of this. Did a search and here is a representative link: http://globaltableadventure.com/2010/07/08/technique-thursday-how-to-prepare-and-eat-loofah/ ]
He had pix of a 15 lb Chinese cabbage! They had only a few of them, and would harvest only a few leaves at a time so they had it all the time.
CLIMATE
He discussed climate a bit. He said you need to know what plants like your climate. Remember there are microclimates as well and the larger general area climate.
He said that Bok Choy does well with cold, but in the cold part of the Oklahoma winter, he just covers it up, and somehow they last longer in the winter. He is also able to grow daikon radish here. Must have good soil deep enough to accommodate the root.
PLANT REQUIREMENTS
Plants need a number of things including [but not limited to! – Texokie missed some of these!]
Soil, nutrients, sun light…
Lawns and flowers – need proper soil and fertility of soil too! Otherwise, you get weeds, and your lawn and flowers are actually more difficult to tend. So, having good soil helps cut down on work.
INFLUENCES ON PLANT GROWTH:
[Texokie DID get these!] Some of these you can’t do anything about. We manage what we can:
Air Temp Light Mechanical Support Nutrients Water
BASIC SOIL SCIENCE (LOL! NOT DIRT!)
WHAT IS SOIL?
Showed pic of a cross section of a cut in a field. Plants on top. About 2 feet of black soil full of organic matter. Beneath that is a layer of hard pan. The plants growing above this soil are very healthy and happy. He noted that the pic had been taken in Minnesota. Humus decomposes very rapidly in Oklahoma, while the organic matter soils in cooler areas do not break down as quickly, and so can build up like this.
SOIL DEFINITION:
Unconsolidated cover of the earth, made up of mineral and organic components, water and air and is capable of supporting plant growth.
12 DIFFERENT SOILS PROFILES IN THE WORLD which each have unique physical, chemical, biological, properties
The factors used to define these profiles involve color, texture, structure, consistency, roots, pores, other features.
Oklahoma has 8 out of the 12 of the distinct soil types. Some of these not in Oklahoma exist in places like Hawaii with a lot of volcanics. He did not specify the other 4 or the areas in Oklahoma of the diffent types.
SOIL FORMING FACTORS:
Climate, organisms, topography, parent material, time
He glanced over some of the processes, but not I great detail. Mentioned some of these factors being represented by such things as alluvial sediments, rocks, etc. He noted that soil bldg. is a long process. We need to protect our soils. While he did not mention it, the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma in the 20s and 30s came to my mind. It took a while for areas of good soil to build back up again.)
This is the end of the first installment on SOIL.
Make a container planter from old tshirts and wire fencing. Hey, it's something different.
Gee. I wonder if I coud “poof” DE around the windows and threshholds of my house so that it would cut up those pesky Oriental Beetles before they get inside?
Your dad sounds like a fun guy. I wish that I’d known him.
Thanks for saying that. He’d be the first one to reach out and shake your hand and call you brother. He only went to the 9th grade but was self taught as he read voraciously. I am truly the best parts of my mom and dad.
Going to be on the road in about an hour, going to Johnny’s house. Will make a report when I get home from there.
Well,I’d be proud to shake his hand, but I’d hope that he’d call me ‘sister’. LOL
That's ok. Maybe we can get a photo or two.
/johnny
I’ve got 30 orchard trees. Most of them would take a 20x20 tarp to cover. Some years they make, some years they don’t.
We had a pretty serious frost last night. Just have to wait and see.
Another idea.
Forgot to add this. Ooops, guess what happens when you water them!
OOPS! Egg on face!
In Florida, when there is danger of frost, they use "smudge pots" in the citrus orchards, trying to keep warmer temps close to the crops, to keep away frost.
That would work for isolated frost instances , not so for a prolonged cold spell
20 X 20 foot tarps doesn't sound practical unless you had a specific variety for which locals would be willing to pay a premium for.
Like I have said previously, farmers and gardeners are the worlds premier gamblers , frequently fighting 'Mother Nature'; sometimes you win / and sometimes you lose.
And here are Marcella and I this afternoon. Not lots of gardening got done here today, just plain,old fashioned fellowship with a couple of good friends. Those two are fun to have around. Her Bob tells some great stories.
It's too bad that I get worn out so fast these days.
I miss my ponytail.
/johnny
You’re looking good, Johnny. That ponytail will grow back.
At this point, I'll see about the ponytail. I may just keep it buzz cut for a while. Easy of maintenance is paramount.
/johnny
Ease... sheesh. A little brain surgery and poof. there goes my speeling LOL!
Yes, that’s certain. :)
Being out in the sun and fresh air with friends is a very good thing, too.
Wow! That is cool.
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.