WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD OCTOBER 30, 2015

freerepublic | October 30, 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. 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.

[greeneyes]

I used to make pizza crust - I just don’t want to spend my time slaving away in the kitchen these days. So I have developed other methods. Not as tasty, but good enough.

I prefer meals that are along the grab and go type. Once a week or so I make a meal or sometimes several to reheat and eat.

[greeneyes]

Absolutely. We ordered and planted 4 different types, and they all have seeds.

[greeneyes]

A full pantry is truly a blessing and God’s gift to those who toil in the soil.

[greeneyes]

Water is a precious commodity. Glad you are getting some.

[Ladysforest]

Hi there! :) Glad to see you

[greeneyes]

I face the season with a bit of reluctance - first one for my healthy low carb lifestyle. During the year has been no problem - Just one bite of the pie or whatever.

Gonna be hard to limit that when all the goodies are long term family favorites. LOL

[greeneyes]

I am in total agreement about Mulch. Mulch the gulch, and grow incredible stuff. LOL

[Ladysforest]

Speaking of mulch, the ONLY spot in our garden that flourished this summer was where I had dumped the hen coop clean-out over the winter.

Yep. Hubby bailed on his side, and since I had planned to give my side a rest, I only planted 9 tomato plants - all but one being heirloom. They did beautifully! One tomato weighed 1.7 lbs. At first I couldn’t understand why they did so well, while the few other plants we put in failed badly - then I realized I had dumped the clean-out in that end of the garden. Never will I doubt the power of chicken poo again.

[EternalVigilance]

Amen.

[KGeorge]

:-D Low carb isn’t all that easy, but it does work great. Kudos for your self discipline!

[Ladysforest]

OH, what I forgot to mention about the clean-out - we use clean pine shavings for the bedding in the hen coop, which is what I like to use for mulch between rows as well. So after the hens have scratched and scraped and er, used it, it gets rather pulverized and permeated and becomes fantastic.

[IM2MAD]

I’m sprinkling tomato slices with a variety of spices and parmesan. Then drying them in the dehydrator. They make a tasty snack. The meatier types of tomatoes work best.

[greeneyes]

Chicken poop, rabbit poop, horse poop it all revitalizes the soil. LOL

[WHATNEXT?]

Is it a conspiracy? : ^ ) Really, I might not be kidding.
They don’t have the seedless and they can get away with it because we don’t know about it till 3-4 years later. I wonder how widespread this might be?

[greeneyes]

Probably rampant!

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

WHATNEXT? :" I have 4 arbor gates into the garden, planted seedless grapes,
three years later...you guessed it...they have SEEDS!"

Buy your plants early in the transplant season , rather than 'on sale' in the later part of Spring.
Unscrupulous growers have been known to change the tags on their plants towards the end of the season
as 'seedless varieties' command a higher price , and are more desireable by the consumer.
It's the law of 'supply and demand'....

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

WHATNEXT? :" They don’t have the seedless and they can get away with it because we don’t know about it till 3-4 years later.
I wonder how widespread this might be?"

Widespread enough that you should make your complaint to the grower (possible complimentary plants or replacement).
Or, better yet , take your business elsewhere , and let them know of your dissatisfaction.
Whats the expression ?
Oh yeah ,.. Good news travels fast , but bad news is repeated 9 times more often and spreads faster .

[ApplegateRanch]

20F a couple of nights ago. Knew it was coming, so got the last of the beets & carrots out; taters were already dug. Needless to say, gardening is finished for the year.

Have a happy Halloween, and looking forward to next year.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Ladysforest :" So after the hens have scratched and scraped and er, used it, it gets rather pulverized and permeated and becomes fantastic."

Annimal bedding becomes mulch
Chicken scratching becomes surface tilling and insect pest control
But the best part is annimal manure nutrients : SOURCE :www.//squarefoot.creatingforum.com/t9518-animal-manure-comparisons
N / P / K (Nitrogen/ Phosphorus/ Potassium)
Alpaca/Llama 1.7/ 0.69/ 0.66
Chicken 1.0/ 0.8/ 0.4
Horse 0.7/ 0.25/ 0.55
Sheep 0.95/ 0.35/ 1.0
Cow 0.6/ 0.15/ 0.45
llamas take the prize for nitrogen
chickens win the phosphorous dept
* please note the high nitrogen content of various manures, as they require 'ageing' or they will burn plants if applied while 'fresh'.

[cherry]

I’m going to plant concord grapes this spring...I know they’re work, but they are so good and so tasty....and easy, I should add that, once you get them established...