Posted on 07/14/2010 5:46:01 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA
I just tried some veggies, tomatoes and strawberries, and neither have done well. Live in Zone 9-10, Bugs or something. It sure seemed easier to do when I was a kid, but then it was probably my parents who did all the hard work..
Assuming you're not the one buying the difference, do you have any feel for what people are buying compared to previous years, and are there any events in your area that might account for the change?
Specifically, I'm wondering if you are seeing more vegetables than decorations, a trend toward perennials vs annuals, etc.
It takes 3 yrs before strawberries really pay off. Put some fire place ash around them for the slugs, or a dish of beer (away from the plants) and be sure to put straw down this fall it keeps the berries from getting water logged when it does rain. We are in Memphis and have had 6 wks of 95+ weather with little rain. Gardening is not easy, but it is well worth the results.
My thornless blackberries which are just 2 yrs old had a quart of berries on them. They take about 3 yrs too.
Tomatoes are iffy because of weather. Sevin dust usually takes care of most pest, especially on green beans. Then some mild fertilizer once a month.
“...so I’d plan for a small Christmas rush and then a deadly slow winter.”
We are. We changed up Christmas last year; we cut out all of the artificial stuff and ornaments and baubles and concentrated on gift ideas and pretty holiday plants and nice pottery, all in holiday displays. It worked well. I mean, name a gardener among us that wouldn’t want an EarthWay Seeder or a gardening book or a new pair of leather gloves or a quality spade as a gift? If nothing else we’re practical people, LOL!
We still do a great business in locally grown fresh-cut trees, living (potted) Christmas trees and garland, wreaths, etc. People weren’t willing to give those up last year, and most are clueless as to what’s going to hit them come January, so Turkey Day going into Christmas should follow suit THIS year, anyway.
The Socialist EneMedia in these here parts keeps the local Aging Hippies under-informed and in the dark as much as possible. I truly DO live in ‘40 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality...’
But...it’s coming. Big time. I think we can make it through the Christmas season without losing a dime, but you’re right; winter is going to be long. And cold. And dark. And I don’t doubt that ‘they who must be obeyed’ at Corpoarte insist upon a skeleton crew through January. It makes total business sense.
I can live with that, if it means I still have a job come Spring, 2011.
LOL! I LOVE that picture! :)
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