Weekly Gardening Thread – 2011 (Vol. 09) March 04

Free Republic | 03-04-2011 | Red_Devil 232

[Red_Devil 232]

Good morning gardeners. It is finally March and in Central Mississippi it has come in like a Lamb so far, does that mean it will go out like a Lion?

People used to believe that bad spirits could affect the weather adversely, so they were cautious as to what they did or did not do in certain situations. Those beliefs often included ideas that there should be a balance in weather and life. So, if a month came in bad (like a lion), it should go out good and calm (like a lamb).

I am still waiting for my tomato seeds to germinate. I am not worried about them yet as they take 14 – 21 days. A couple of my squash seeds have sprouted. Time to get the garden ready and my soil tested. The testing only costs $6.00 at the county extension. Regular tests include: pH, Lime Requirement, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Sodium.

If you are a gardener or you are just starting out and are in need of advice or just encouragement please feel free to join in and enjoy the friendly discussion. Our Freeper community is full of gardeners, each with varying interests and skill levels from Master Gardener to novice.

[Arrowhead1952]

I don’t know about garlic hating weeds. You should have seen the bermuda and weeds I dug it out of at the farm. That garden hasn’t been touched since my dad passed away over a year ago.

[who knows what evil?]

You can go to the trouble of using tule netting, isolation cages, or bagging your blossoms. Most people don't even bother, as tomatoes don't cross that much...that's where you get unique new varieties from, anyway...

Peppers WILL cross unless you take the preventative measures indicated above, or keep a couple of plants scattered among your neighbors.

I'm going to save seed this year; so we will see what works best...

[Arrowhead1952]

Other than radishes, I’ve never had any luck with root crops, but we are going to give beets and carrots another try this year.

I was reading some replies on this thread, and noticed this. Do you ever thin your beets or carrots? You need enough room between them to let them grow to full size without touching when fully grown.

[goodwithagun]

Hello all! I just got all the hierloom seeds I ordered. I’m trying winter sowing for the first time. Anybody try this method? I hope the experiment doesn’t crash and burn!

[metmom]

That’s good to know about tomatoes. I have a couple OP varieties and wanted to plant a couple but didn’t want them cross pollinating.

I have two sections of garden a good 50 feet apart. The one upwind should be safe no matter what. The downwind one is the one I’d worry about. We get the prevailing westerlies here so consistently that I would not worry about it coming from the east. The tomatoes upwind will be fine for saving seeds, I’m sure.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the link - I'll give them a try. I make my own salsa - grow my own jalapenos, but I'm a novice. After reading your original post, I sensed you were special - that you knew the old ways - the dark ways of a true salsa maven ... so I tried to trick you into giving up your secrets. Can't blame a freeper for trying... right?

[Redleg Duke]

They aren't cheap. I want to see what the components will cost for a well-equipped one.

One thing I would like to do is replace the bin of the sifters with something that doesn't rust.

Hey, I is ingineer...I is lovin' gagets!

[Red_Devil 232]

YOU HAVE BEAN

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YOU HAVE BEAN

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The Weekly Gardening Ping Listspace

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[Gabz]

Aren’t reading the replies so much fun?? I learn so much.

I’ve never tried beets before, but I think my problem with the carrots was not deep enough and lumpy soil....among other things. That was a really bad garden year for me. I had broken my ankle the week after Independence Day........

I’m hoping for better luck this year. LOL!

[goat granny]

Potato's are a great root veggy to raise. You can buy seed potato I have had plants grow great that have developed eyes in the refrigerator...If a potato has several eyes, you can have a plant grow from each eye....3 eyed potato can give you 3 plants....make sure each eye has a hunk of potato on it. Plant it shallow, so that the eye is just below the surface of the ground. Thats the plant and it uses the potato attached to it for food until the root system develops. You spade them out after the plant starts to die back is late summer or early fall. One plant can sometimes give you 10 potato's. When you dig them up, use your spading fork at about 10 inches from the plant stem and dig toward the plant so as not to stick the potato.. Don't wash the potato when dug up. Wipe the dirt off with your hands and leave outside on a table for a couple of days for the skin to harden up...It keeps the potato from rotting or drying out too soon. I have had potato's dug up in Sept last until February. If you have a root cellar they may last even longer.. I have gently lifted a plant when the potato's are small and you can rub the skin off with you hand and munch it in the garden and lower the plant back down and the remaining potato's on the plant will continue to grown. A new potato is about the size of a small italian plum..tasty..

[Red_Devil 232]

ME TOO!

[Redleg Duke]

What a great coop! Do you have plans for it or did you do it extemporaneously? I am going to leverage your idea, for sure! Thanks!

[Gabz]

I’ll trade you snow for tree pollen...........JUST KIDDING

Of course we didn’t get anywhere near the kind of snow you did, but my 12yo got real bored with it real quick which made the snow days even less fun for mom :) It feels like I spent most of the winter with her and hubby under my feet.

[goat granny]

Hoosier's are beautiful antiques. Some quite expensive. And still useful in todays kitchen...Use to have a house with lots of antiques and generational furniture from my hubbys grandmother..circa 1900-1920 some have gone to my kids who have adult children of their own now..

[Red_Devil 232]

Yep! Tomatoes self pollinate. I rarely see bees or other insects visiting and flitting around their flowers. There must not be much pollen or nectar to intice the pollinating critters. When walking through my garden I always give the tomato plants a few wacks or thumps with my finger.

[who knows what evil?]

If you have a hankerin' for real homemade salsa; make sure you have one of these.

[Red_Devil 232]

I like the flour sifting bin! I bake bread just about every week and that set up would be perfect!

[who knows what evil?]

I have plenty of wind in my area...tomatoes are always dancing around...

[Red_Devil 232]

"I have plenty of wind in my area..."

I thought Teddy the Lion Died a year or so ago.

Sorry just could not help it

 

 

[who knows what evil?]

There are clones a-plenty running loose...