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

Skip to comments.

Weekly Gardening Thread – 2010 Vol. 05 – March 05
Free Republic | 03-05-2010 | Red_Devil 232

Posted on 03/05/2010 5:04:40 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: garden; gardening; recipes; weekly
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 161-168 next last
To: Ellendra

As I recall the spring parsnips were pretty good. I know that’s when I used to dig them for my great grandmother.


81 posted on 03/05/2010 11:21:20 AM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

LOL, you’re a good saleswoman.


82 posted on 03/05/2010 11:21:49 AM PST by tillacum ( It is the military, not the press, not the politicians who keep America free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: hoosiermama

Brilliant! I’ll try that this year.


83 posted on 03/05/2010 11:23:33 AM PST by fanfan (Why did they bury Barry's past?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: chickpundit
Any good suggestions on a beautiful tree that produces something edible as a bonus?

Wow, I'd have trouble narrowing it down to just one! That's how I wound up buying 5 acres, I want to plant everything!

You could plant a pawpaw and just see how it goes, or even try grafting two together. I'd suggest starting one from seed, though. They don't transplant well. I've lost more money than I'd care to think about buying pawpaws only to have every single one of them die, no matter how carefully I planted them. Persimmons will usually grow in zone 6 just fine.

For most fruits, there are self-pollinating varieties. Just make sure it specifically says self-pollinating or self-fruitful in the description somewhere. I'd suggest choosing whatever fruit you love eating the most, but is usually expensive enough that you don't like buying it. For me, that's cherries :D
84 posted on 03/05/2010 11:30:10 AM PST by Ellendra (Can't starve us out, and you can't make us run. . . -Hank Jr.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

That reminds me, any idea when you guys are going to start hiring spring help? And am I still in the running?


85 posted on 03/05/2010 11:33:20 AM PST by Ellendra (Can't starve us out, and you can't make us run. . . -Hank Jr.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Ellendra
Persimmons will usually grow in zone 6 just fine.

Do you mean Asian persimmons? I love those. I am in SW Ohio in Zone 6.

I found the first crocus of the season in my yard yesterday.
86 posted on 03/05/2010 11:48:16 AM PST by Nepeta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies]

To: 4everontheRight; Diana in Wisconsin; gardengirl
First you want to start your seeds in a potting mix or use peat pellets. You can get seed starting kits at Wal-Mart they will have the tray and the peat pellets all in one.

Plant the seeds so they are just covered with soil mix or peat (don't plant deep), usually three seeds per peat pellet. It seems that three is conserded the number to plant just so you will get at least one that germinates. If all three germinate you will cull two keeping the one looks like the best.

During this germation stage you need to keep your planted seeds in a nice warm area and the planting medium damp. All you need is water at this point do not use a ferilizer the seed does not need it. In a week to ten days you should see signs of life.

Once you get the first leaves you will need lights florecent or florecent grow lights. Keep these lights about 2 inches above your seedlings this keeps them from getting leggy (tall and skinny). Lights on about 16 hours a day.

That is the basics.

Maybe Diana or gardengirl will chime in they do this for a living.

87 posted on 03/05/2010 11:59:22 AM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: wita

northern michigan

still have a foot of snow


88 posted on 03/05/2010 1:04:41 PM PST by jimpick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: jimpick

Thanks, our snow finally melted. Actually the snow turned to solid ice which is really treacherous, and then melted, but we haven’t seen that particular situation ever before. It is supposed to snow three inches from today through tomorrow night in western South Dakota.


89 posted on 03/05/2010 1:23:11 PM PST by wita
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: tillacum

I’m sellin’ the sizzle, Baby. Not the steak! :)

No, I really love the company I work for. It’s owned by a couple of old white guys; Brothers, Christian, conservative, hard-working. ETHICAL, if you can believe that these days! They are very generous to their employees; I lack for nothing in this job...plus it’s a lot of fun and I lose weight and get tanned and toned each Spring, LOL!

The business has been around for 103 years now; their Great Grandpa started selling seed from a horse drawn wagon and hand printed his first ‘catalogs.’

Most family businesses FAIL by the third generation or are sold off; we’re still going strong. :)


90 posted on 03/05/2010 1:58:11 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: Ellendra

I think The Boss is going to start calling and interviewing next week; she wants new hires to start March 15th or so.

I’ve got my fingers crossed for ya, and I put in a good word for you, but she makes all the hiring decisions.

Give her a call next week and see what she says. Can’t hurt; might help! :)


91 posted on 03/05/2010 2:02:28 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

Purchased spinach plants and they are outside, covered up with plastic. My lettuce seeds are up and each plant now has at least 2 leaves. They are ready to go out as soon as temps rise a little higher. The red romaine lettuce seeds are up. The seedlings are green. I wonder at what point they will turn red.


92 posted on 03/05/2010 2:08:05 PM PST by tob2 (I would rather have a nuclear power plant in my backyard than Gitmo detainees.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232; 4everontheRight; All

Sounds good, Red. It’s really not hard to grow your own plants if you have the basic equipment. But, it’s an acquired skill; you’ll have successes and losses along the way. I did...and I’ve been doing this for-ever. (Well for about 30 seasons; I’m not as old as dirt. Yet...)

I just love my Newbie Gardener customers. They soooo want to grow Blue Himilayan Poppies in the worst way, LOL! I tell them to start with zinnia and marigold first, maybe some cosmos...and we’ll see how it goes from there, LOL!

I have yet to meet the person that CAN grow a Blue Himilayan Poppy. If you can, speak up because you definitely deserve to pat yourself on the back!!


93 posted on 03/05/2010 2:13:09 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies]

To: All
Here are some photos from last season. Today's theme is 'Homegrown Veggies.'

A perfect peck of peppers picked...Say THAT ten times fast! These are 'Margaret's' pepper from Jung's. One of the best peppers ever. Crunchy like a bell, but colors up nicely. Shiny, good for frying, too. The little guys on the lower right are 'Mucho Nacho' jalapenos.

94 posted on 03/05/2010 2:16:05 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

Oven-dried tomatoes swimming in good olive oil and fresh rosemary. Yum!

95 posted on 03/05/2010 2:17:10 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

My favorite paste/roma-type tomato, 'Speckled Roman.' An heirloom variety from Seed Savers, of course! That's an ice cream pail; they're a pretty big tomato.

96 posted on 03/05/2010 2:19:49 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies]

Big, juicy, red slicers. 'Goliath' and 'Celebrity' from Jung's. Awaiting BLT assembly...

97 posted on 03/05/2010 2:21:33 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

Apples from one of our dozen trees. Not sure which kind; most likely 'Bonnie Best.' Tess, Pie Inspector, approves.

98 posted on 03/05/2010 2:23:57 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

All of your photos are gorgeous!


99 posted on 03/05/2010 2:24:53 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

The finished proof. French Apple Pie. Needs a little whipped cream and it's good to go!

100 posted on 03/05/2010 2:25:08 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 98 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 161-168 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