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

Skip to comments.

WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 24 JUNE 12, 2015
freerepublic | June 12, 2015 | greeneyes

Posted on 06/12/2015 1:14:58 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.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; hobby
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last
To: MomwithHope
also have 8 or 9 broccoli plants. they do well also, except the deer like them. I started spraying with ammonia water and no more problems. Other stuff I did not take pictures of, tomatoes, mostly better boys and 6 different Russian ones that I like. Also have carrots 2 kinds, one last volunteer redskin potato, green beans and bush cucumbers

 photo garden2015i.jpg

61 posted on 06/13/2015 9:09:36 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope
Also have 4 really big pots, these are shishito peppers. Also have banana peppers and poblano and one jalapeno. My cherry tomatoes are in a huge pot also. In the main garden I also have some spaghetti squash, dill and a pear shaped Yugoslavian gourd I hope the seeds are not too old.

 photo garden2015b.jpg

62 posted on 06/13/2015 9:14:46 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: EQAndyBuzz; greeneyes
EQAndyBuzz :" Looks like my cucumber plants are dying. Not sure if it is from the heat because I cannot imaging crops dying from too much sun."

If it is too much sun , you might consider a shade cloth for the high noonday sun , even a cedar shingle (10 X 10) might provide adequate shade for the roots.
If it is a virus infection , consider moving the cukes to another area , or consider another cultiver , preferably virus resistant.
Also , cukes don't transplant well , or like to have their roots disturbed , (.. just like summer squash !) .
It can be done successfully , but they seem to go through a 'transplant shock' when the roots are disturbed.
The same is true if you buy plants , and put them in your garden

63 posted on 06/13/2015 9:59:12 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope
MomwithHope :" ..except the deer like them. I started spraying with ammonia water and no more problems."

Mom , what is the ratio of water to ammonia ?
Do you use any surfactant (dishwater soap; makes the brew stick to the plant) like a couple of dishwater soap like "Dove Diswasher" ?
What is your recipie ?.. and does it work ?

64 posted on 06/13/2015 10:06:05 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

MomwithHope , I am enjoying your photos.
Which reminds me , I have to plant more basil !


65 posted on 06/13/2015 10:13:27 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Tilted Irish Kilt

I am 5 days into in and no further damage than the first day. Other years I would have hubby go out and relieve himself in front of the garden but that was only sporadically effective because sometimes I forgot to ask him. I just mixed half and half water nothing else. My daughter works for a big botanical gardens and she said that’s what they use. It’s the taste that turns them off. I’ve sprayed every day, once after a rain even.


66 posted on 06/13/2015 10:20:23 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope; greeneyes
MomwithHope:"My daughter works for a big botanical gardens and she said that’s what they use. It’s the taste that turns them off. I’ve sprayed every day, once after a rain even."

Yes , rain seems to weaken the effectiveness of the solution.
So you are using a 50 /50 solution of ammonia to water,as a foliar spray, and it is effective as a deer repellent.
Correct ?

67 posted on 06/13/2015 10:37:38 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Tilted Irish Kilt

Yes, I just got a sprayer at the dollar store, it sprays a fine mist. I just get all the leaves. I already had ammonia because we use it to clean the glass on our woodstove. Cheap fix. A bottle of deer repellant at the hardware was over 16.00. I’m not going to get 16.00 worth of broccoli out of it.


68 posted on 06/13/2015 11:33:17 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes

Trader Joes sells tart cherry juice, if you have one near you.


69 posted on 06/13/2015 3:28:09 PM PDT by heartwood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope
MomwithHope:" Cheap fix. A bottle of deer repellant at the hardware was over 16.00.
I’m not going to get 16.00 worth of broccoli out of it."

You make me laugh (!!) because you are so right about the expense versus the productivity of the garden !
Thanks for the information about cheap deer repellent. I will try it here to see if it works here .
A disabled friend of mine said that we have spent $28.oo to establish an elevated garden, and nother $4.oo in seed, whereas she can go to the market and get 3 bunches of broccoli for $1.99 at the store.
But I pointed out to her that she could now successively plant veggies , or flowers, that she CHOOSE , and this same garden was available to her until first frost.
The fact that this garden was available to her for the next few years pointed out to her that this was , in fact, economical,
and is dependent on her CHOICE of veggies/flowers for many years- not just what is available in the market.
It is an investment into the future, and was economical in the long run .
Thank you for you insight in a cheap , inexpensive deer repellant which seems to perplex all of us as gardeners.

70 posted on 06/13/2015 3:40:56 PM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Tilted Irish Kilt

No guarantees, it just works on my Michigan deer. Hope it works for you. Just came in from walking the dog and spraying. We have never grown corn as that really attracts the deer. Fortunately we are out in the boonies and there is lots of natural food available.


71 posted on 06/13/2015 4:12:14 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

Great garden photos. Thanks for sharing!!!


72 posted on 06/13/2015 4:53:14 PM PDT by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: tubebender

Thanks tubebender! I am guilty of a little pride this year, I am doing a much better job of weeding this year. At 63 I am in better shape than in the last 5 years. Hope to post some barn photos next week. After 15 years it needed repainting and I painted it all myself. Took 2 weeks and I still have some trim to do. I have really pushed myself even getting 16 feet up on a ladder many days. It’s move it or lose it for me.


73 posted on 06/13/2015 5:51:52 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

No more ladders for me at 82. The HTML for a new paragraph is < p> with no space


74 posted on 06/13/2015 7:05:41 PM PDT by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: tubebender

Thanks. after looking at your beautiful garden photos I can’t believe you are that age. puts my efforts to shame. I don’t need those kneeler seats. I can still bend all the way over to weed without kneeling. Knees are shot.


75 posted on 06/13/2015 8:34:37 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

My wife is only 74 and she can still touch her toes even after a hip replacement a year ago. She starts HUNDREDS of flowers from seed in our little greenhouse and she transplants them on and around the back deck and the big vegetable garden out front. I call her Wonder Women


76 posted on 06/13/2015 9:17:41 PM PDT by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

BTW ~~~ You take excellent photos. What do you use for a camera?


77 posted on 06/13/2015 9:21:02 PM PDT by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: tubebender

I have an old canon powershot elf. Have to download into an old desktop, put upon photobucket and then link to FR. Takes awhile. Good for your wife. I only have one fake knee, big regret there.


78 posted on 06/13/2015 9:45:24 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Please support efforts in your state for an Article 5 convention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes

I swear I will never, ever, never ever, take another vacation the first two weeks of June.

My garden is an absolute disaster.

The tomato plants that haven’t drowned are 4’ tall and the weeds are taller.

The garlic was 2’ tall when I left. Now I can’t even see it.

The broccoli that I didn’t harvest before we left has flowered and is rotting.

The cauliflowers, brussels sprouts and cabbages look OK.

The kale, dill and horseradish is flourishing.

Sweet corn is 2’ tall and looks good; what I can see of it amongst the weeds.

Green beans and cucumbers are sick.

Peppers are sick.

The basil is drowning.

There’s some yellow squash ready to harvest. The butternut squash is buried in weeds. Zukes are only a foot tall and look awful.

It rained so much while I was gone most of the potatoes are laying on top of the ground.

The snap peas are 6’ tall and loaded. Need to be picked asap.

Every inch that wasn’t covered in feed sacks is knee-high in weeds.

I’m going out there after work tomorrow with the weed whacker to do some killing.

I’ll salvage what I can and start over on the rest.

Ugh...


79 posted on 06/14/2015 6:00:04 PM PDT by Augie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes

Finally dried out (barely) enough to do some work hilling the potatoes Friday...so a wasp stung me on the wrist as I was about half finished. Had to head for the house, as some breeds of those buggers can send me to the ER for shots. Fortunately, Benadryl & ice packs were all that it required...but it still itches.
Saturday couldn’t do too much, as we had to leave just after noon to attend a funeral, but it dried out more, soooo

Today, I spent over an hour tilling under out of control weeds, as well as plot for planting. I added finished compost from the bin, as well as a liberal amount of mixed rabbit droppings & chicken litter, and planted green beans, yellow zucchini, and 2 types of acorn squash. Part of one garden fencerow got 2 varieties of runner beans along it; they’ll have 8’ of chicken wire to climb. By then, it was time to clean up, have dinner & leave for Flag Day ceremonies at the State Veterans Home

My new seeds are getting watered with pennies from heaven as I type & listen to the thunder. No planting tomorrow, as the radar shows the storm still has another solid 60 miles of rain slowly chugging along.


80 posted on 06/15/2015 12:56:57 AM PDT by ApplegateRanch (Love me, love my guns!©)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 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