Weekly Gardening Thread – 2010 Vol. 05 – March 05

Free Republic | 03-05-2010 | Red_Devil 232

[Red_Devil 232]

Good morning gardeners! Here in Central Mississippi spring type weather will be here soon. I can feel the warmth at the other end of the tunnel! Highs for the next week will be in the 60’s and 70’s and I will be out in the garden and yard cleaning up. I will have around two or three weeks to get the garden area in shape before any plants get transplanted into the garden. Spring officially starts March 20.

If you are just starting out gardening and are in need of advice or just encouragement please feel free to join in. There are many Freepers from all over the Good Ol’ USA that are willing and eager to help.

The Weekly Gardening ping list has grown to 303 Freepers as of yesterday.

[Red_Devil 232]

Here is a site that gives estimated last frost dates. Just enter your Zip Code.

Last Frost Day By Zip Code

[Daisyjane69]

To save yourself some aggravation and money, it’s okay to fill the base (no more than 1/4-1/3) of your raised beds wit styrofoam packing peanuts and or empty pop cans for drainage. Don’t kill yourself by trying to fill the base with stones, like houseplants!

[hoosiermama]

Morning. We are finally seeing sunshine, but it’s still very cold. Hopefully, Spring will be here soon.

[Red_Devil 232]

Good morning, Diana! Don’t work to hard today.

[WakeUpAndVote]

I plant early anyhow. If there is a threat of frost, I cover up.

[SCalGal]

Chestnut trees.

I bought five chestnut trees (including pollinator) after researching.... I know they will grow in my zone.

BUT - do they tolerate hot dry winds???? I need to know if they need a little protection or not??

Anyone?

[Red_Devil 232]

Daisyjane have you made your move to Texas yet?

[mrs. a]

I want to put in a lilac or two this year. We are in Zone 7 - I have been told that that is pretty far south for lilacs to do well. Is this true? If so, is there a particular lilac that does well in Zone 7? I REALLY REALLY want lilacs!

[wita]

I’m not sure a PA frost is the same as a SD frost which could include sub zero temps, and a foot of snow with drifts up to four or five feet. Temp before 70 degrees, and temps a week later 70 degrees. Covering becomes useless. Of course this would be worst case, but Spring blizzards are usually an annual deal. We had three in a row last year. That was the first year I had a four wheeler with a plow blade. Bless me.

[Thermalseeker]

....so I hope to get some cleaning up done in the garden.

I need to do that, too, but it's just too wet here in SE TN now. I'd love to be able to turn over my garden spot, but if I try to now I'll surely sink the tractor up to the axles. My greenhouse is producing well and has all winter, though. Broccoli, lettuce, spinach, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and onions. I'll be starting 'maters, peppers and more broccoli shortly in the greenhouse for the raised outdoor beds.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Well, I have the day off, so I have to work really hard at home, LOL! This past week was ‘H3ll Week’, but I lived through it. Now I have a day off, then I get to go back for ‘H3ll Weekend’, LOL!

I really do love my job. It’s exciting and tiring this time of year and I pretty much goofed off all winter. Time to pay the piper! :)

[Daisyjane69]

Not yet, but I’m getting ready. Weather has been rainy here and snowy in TX! Yikes...

But I think the weather is normalizing. The daffs are blooming finally. :)

[housemouse 1]

GoodMoring !! Gardening Ping . :-)

add me too, pleaese . :-)

[trisham]

Cool.

Each winter, on average, your risk of frost is from October 3 through May 6.
Almost certainly, however, you will receive frost from October 14 through April 24.

You are almost guaranteed that you will not get frost from May 18 through September 22.

Your frost-free growing season is around 150 days.

[Red_Devil 232]

I think there are species of lilac that would survive Zone 7. From the chart below it seems that Zone 7 could be ok.

[housemouse 1]

Thank you ,this is helpful.:-)

[hoosiermama]

Thanks that puts my summer planting time up about a week.

BTW Anyone that wants to plant something now, plant peas. Sow the seed on top of the ground (or even snow) A scattering up to a foot wide works.

Then cover with some warmer soil. I usual just buy a bag or two of composted top soil as it is easier than filling a wash tub full in the fall, store either in a garage or porch to warm.

This year I’m spreading the seed in a wider trench and adding some chicken wire in the middle for them to grow up on.

[Red_Devil 232]

YOU HAVE

ADDED TO THE WEEKLY GARDENING PING LIST

YOU HAVE

[Ditter]

Spring is late here in Houston too. My azaleas are usually in full bloom by now but the buds are still tightly closed. Must be globul cooling like we had in the 70s.

[housemouse 1]

Thank You! :-)