Weekly Gardening Thread – 2009 Vol.23 – October 23

Free Republic | 10-23-2009 | Red_Devil 232

[Red_Devil 232]

Good afternoon to all of you gardeners. I apologize for the late post today. Well the last days of October are upon us and the garden is finally tilled for the last time this year. I seeded it with an annual rye grass. I also started rebuilding my compost pile. The oak and pecan trees have yet to drop their leaves so I will have to wait for their contribution to the compost pile until November.

[Red_Devil 232]

Beautiful place you have!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you. It’s a lot of work, but we enjoy it.

[cripplecreek]

Despite our political problems I’m a shameless Michigan booster. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

If you ever decide on taking a Michigan vacation I suggest Grand Marais on the lake superior shore. I stayed at a little village owned campground there last summer and found it surprisingly enjoyable. They have nice clean bathrooms, private showers and laundery and all you have to bring is the roof over your head. I believe it was under $25 per night. Its also within an hour or so of some of the main natural attractions in the upper penninsula.

[rightly_dividing]

We had already planned our Michigan trip when you recommended Hidden Lake.

We planned on going to Greenfield Village on Sunday, and it was a beautiful sunny day for the Village. We stayed till closing at 5pm. Monday we did the Henry Ford museum, another all day visit looking at history of not just automobiles, but trains, planes, tractors, carriages, fire apparatus, and much more.

The gardens were on tap for Tues. We really thought that may be a quick drive through, but we were there till 2:30. We didnt miss anything, I think.

We stopped at the orchard and picked apples, a first for us southerners, then proceeded to drive home from the orchard, arriving 17 hours later, Wed. morning.

A lot of miles, a lot of beautiful sites, amazing historical exhibits and 780 photos. The wife says thanks. We will return.

[nina0113]

Can you tell us how you do your compost pile?

What I did was go to Lowe's and spend 50 bucks on a gorgeous plastic compost bin that's happily composting away. What a good ole boy told me, after he finished laughing at me, was to put my compostables in heavy black plastic bags and sprinkle in a bit of regular yeast to get it started. I haven't tried that, since the bin hasn't gotten full. I assume there's compost at the bottom, but I don't need it till spring so I haven't looked. There's little doors on the side to take it out.

[tubebender]

Within 3 weeks the cage was totally encased in bind weed. Impossible to turn, or to tend, or to even dismantle. It’s still there, LOL.

Run, don't walk from Bindweed! Find a clear place to build your compost pile. Roundup will knock down Bindweed but it is so tenacious it takes years to control. I have been gardening for 70 years and have forgotten more then I ever knew. The last 55 years on the shore of Humboldt Bay where some of the best dope in the world is grown but you won't find any in my yard so don't ask. Our 10 day Forecast...

[nina0113]

Funny, I mentioned to my daughter that I hoped we didn’t have to sit up at night to protect our veges, from all those folks who presently can’t get involved with us low lifes who actually work with our hands in the dirt,

They won't recognize root vegetables from the plants. Your tomatoes and corn may be endangered. As soon as I finish the patio and retaining wall, so that the adoption people will pass me (piles of gravel and bricks all over the yard look really bad), I'm getting a good big dog.

[hoosiermama]

I combine “square Foot” gardening with Lasagne method...Also do some container gardening...It all depends on the food I’m tryint to grow. Sweet potatoe in container, Potatoes= Lasagne etc etc.

Have almost finished building my 6 X 10 Greenhouse....Brought in my ferns and herbs....What Can I grow in it this winter (besides start plants) any ideas??????.....One hour north Louisville/west of Cinncinnatti

[afraidfortherepublic]

$50 is a good price. The only ones I see are $250. I’ll have to take a peek at Lowes. The problem is that they have put everything away already for the winter. All garden departments have been transformed into hunting departments, Halloween departments, or Christmas departments.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Lasagne sounds like dinner with garlic bread! Can you describe it?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Oh, I learned that within 2 years of living here. I had never encountered it before. At first I thought it was some kind of WI Morning Glory!

I have 11 acres here, and we mow and tend about 6. Really, the “tending” is confined to just a few beds around the house. There is no way I could ever get rid of all the bindweed around here. Another bad one that is impossible to kill, remove, prevent is buckthorn. The birds drop berries everywhere and when it gets in your beds and gets a start, it is impossible to pull.

I really need to find some full strength poison and a paintbrush and treat it directly.

[scottteng]

yes square foot fan here in Florida I am afraid I will not be much help to you as you are in the frozen tundra of south canukistan. I planted lettuce and spinach last weekend along with radishes and some other stuff that likes cooler weather all my last lettuce having bolted in June. Our climate here is much different than yours sq ft style works well so one does not have to enrich large expanses of sugar sand. Put the herbs where you can get them easily to cook with even a window box is good.

[hoosiermama]

There is a book, but it basically is a no till method of amending and working the earth. You put a thick layer of wet newspapers down first (On top of grass). For potatoes add the seed potatoes and cover with straw. No digging just lift the straw when you want to steal a “new potatoes”

For other things add layers of kitchen waste, grass clippings, shredded paper, compost, manure, old sawdust, between layers of peat or any other organic material. You don’t have to plow etc. Just add plants, mulching with wet newpapers to keep the weeds down. (no hoeing) Add more material each year....My yellow clay is about a foot down now on original beds.

Now is the time of year to put the wet papers down on the wet grass to create new beds.....Add any material thoughout the winter with first grass clippings and peat on top for next spring.

I’m also preparing my pea bed....Will sow them Feb 1st in snow or not......Just sprinkle seeds thickly in a wide trench and cover with a half inch or so of warm dirt.(you’ve kept in basement or garage.)

[hoosiermama]

Seeing your sweet potatoes, inspired me to go out and dump my barrel.....Got about the same amount you did. Started my own splits from a sweet potatoe I was given by our green grocer (It had started to sprout and was going to be thrown out.) Next year I’ll add another barrel.

[MtnClimber]

How long does it take for sweet potatos before harvest? I used to grow them in Florida were there was not much worry about growing season. Now I ive in Colorado.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Got the remainder of my shrubs planted Wed. eveining; two Birchleaf Spirea and two Emerald Arborvitae. I’m starting the ‘bones’ of what will be a ‘gorgeous, dahling’ Evergreen Garden on the east side of my property. I still need to find a spot for my Champagne Pink Currant, which I thought was a Red Lake but will blend in just as well when it’s all jelly. Or wine. ;)

I have a bushel of fall bulbs to plant; daffodils, crocus, big, fat red Dutch tulips...if it ever stops raining! We had 2 inches again today. It’s messy, cold and just plain icky out there. No fall tilling for me; it’ll all have to wait until spring at this rate. Grrrrrr!

I would like to report to the team that despite the cr@ppy economy and the pending ‘End of the World as We Know It,’ I had $60K in nursery and perennial and veggie plant and annual flower sales ABOVE last year! Wa-Hoo! I’m really getting the hang of the business end of gardening. That will bode well for me in the future whether I’m working for myself or for someone else. :)

As for the inside of the house: got new carpeting in our bedroom today. It’s very nice; short-loop chocolate brown with various colored flecks in it. Of course, it was a barter; Husband traded web page design and maintenenace for it. Gotta love that man...and I do! :) The kitchen flooring is next.

Wait a minute! It just dawned on me...our new carpeting looks just like DIRT, LOL! Guess I CAN have an indoor garden and an outdoor garden, too. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I also wanted to add that NOW is the time to get some bulbs potted up in soil and placesd in the back of the fridge (or in your unheated, dark garage) for a long chilling period. 14 weeks is good.

I am using a wide, flat bulb pan and filling it to the brim with 'Angelique' tulips.

When they start sprouting, I'm adding Cat Grass (rye) to the soil, so it will look like the tulips are coming up through grass. It's so pretty and should be right on time for Easter.

Pull them out in February or March, add water and a sunny window and you will be thanking me when you need a shot of spring or you're going to CHOKE somebody, LOL!

In the upcoming weeks you can get Amarylis bulbs and Paperwhites and Hyacinth for forcing for the holidays, too. A gardener always plans ahead!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Chilling times for various bulb forcing:

http://gardens.bobvila.com/Article/282.html

[Tatze]

There are various times depending on the variety. I think I used 90 day, but there are 100 day and 120 day varieties as well. But you can also let them go longer to get bigger or more potatoes.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Or, should I forget the whole thing and leave them for the Spring?”

Yes. Iris need to be moved in August in our zone. If you move them now, the rhizomes will not get any roots down and will likely rot in their new home.

If they are happy where they are (as in blooming and setting lots of nice greenery) then leave them alone until next August. Mark your calendar now!

Add yes, I am ‘into’ gardening, LOL! Just a little. I manage a local garden center and I have had an organic garden on my farm for 15 years now. I was also a manager for The Seed Savers Exchange when they had a shop in Madison, and I’m a few credits shy of being a Master Gardener. Ran out of time, and besides I was already ‘living the dream’ by then.

Ask me anything. I’m glad to help. :)