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Weekly Gardening Thread – 2011 (Vol. 24) June 24
Free Republic | 06-24-2011 | Red_Devil 232

Posted on 06/24/2011 5:15:19 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232

Good morning gardeners. Well this past week brought a respite from the sunny hot weather here in Mississippi. We received two days of beneficial rains, which helped to revive my garden. Watching the radar it looked like a good portion of south-central Texas from San Antonio to the northeast corner received some rain also. I hope it was helpful to our gardeners over that way. My winter squash are growing like mad and my hot and sweet peppers are doing great. What is left of my tomatoes seem to have revived a bit during these rainy and cloudy days. I really hope that what ever weather you have had improved a bit for you and your gardens this past week.

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.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: garden; gardening; recipes; weekly
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I know, that girl can accomplish more in a day than I can in 2 weeks. As my great-nephew said once time, “she must be a whizbang”. I really covet their garden. lol.


161 posted on 06/25/2011 8:35:21 AM PDT by tillacum (The whining, gasfumed, presstitutes are following Sarah's bus.)
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To: tubebender
I would not really care what the air control freaks thought ... I'd get across the state line and buy what I wanted. Rebellious like that, I am. If you ordered it online, would they ship it to you?
162 posted on 06/25/2011 8:37:45 AM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
I bought mine on line at Newegg.com $149.99 no shipping charges. I ordered it Wed. morning and it arrived via UPS ground yesterday afternoon. Works quite well and accepts most trimmer attachments And a brush cutter blade can be subbed for the string head. As you might be able to tell I am happy with it. No nasty gas/oil exhaust fume smell or taste when using.
163 posted on 06/25/2011 8:39:58 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

BTW... I should add that you took some great photos of the new machine.


164 posted on 06/25/2011 9:03:30 AM PDT by tubebender (The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some very good ideas)
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To: tubebender

Thanks Mr. Bender! I finally got the camera back from my wife’s sister a few months ago it is just a small inexpensive Kodak EasyShare Z1285.


165 posted on 06/25/2011 9:45:43 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: tubebender
I just found this interesting info on 2 cycle oil. It was at the web site of the manufacture of my old gas trimmer, Shindaiwa.

Shindaiwa One, Shindaiwa Red Armor or ECHO Power Blend 2-Stroke Oils can be used in all of our 2-cycle air-cooled equipment ever made. You may also use these oils in any other brand of 2-cycle air cooled equipment, but it should always be mixed at the 50:1 ratio whether or not it was a 32:1 or 16:1 etc. machine. There is no need to have more than 1 tank of fuel for your 2-cycle equipment any more! I wish I had know this info before.

166 posted on 06/25/2011 9:49:31 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: tubebender

I just noticed that the 3rd picture down was originally posted up side down and now it is right side up! Strange.


167 posted on 06/25/2011 10:01:26 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Is that one of those red furry creatures in the background of that bottom photo? What are your little fig trees doing? I looked at mine yesterday and they are covered with little green figs. One of the trees that is a different variety already had some that were ripe, but the birds were feasting on those. I am happy to share. The birds are also doing quite a number on my Thompson seedless grapes that are almost ready. I’m a little more concerned about those, as this is the first year that they have produced.


168 posted on 06/25/2011 10:02:23 AM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
Yes that is a furry but big creature named Aladen, seen from the rear. He was hunched down facing the road with his front paws stretched out in front of him and his head high. Kinda like seeing the Sphinks from the rear! LOL

The one fig tree I received from gardengirl a couple of years ago has figs all over it! We ate a couple that were big and very ripe a few days ago. I just weed whacked around it this morning and noticed a few more had over ripened and had ants all over them. These are good sized figs 1 and 1/2 times the size of a golf ball. I need to check this fig tree more often. I would like to propagate this one. If you have any info I would like to know how!

169 posted on 06/25/2011 10:22:09 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: tubebender
The fabric shown in the picture is Tufflite IV Greenhouse Film.

For my application, I'm going to use plain suncloth over the top portion, and chicken wire along the sides and ends. I feel that a little shade during the hottest part of the day, and protection from deer and rabbits will be a winning formula.

The pipe is standard 1 3/8 toprail fence pipe available at Lowe's, Home Depot, or any home inprovement store. Your redwood stumps sound like a good option for bending the pipe. Just make sure you use an extension when bending the last 3-4ft.

170 posted on 06/25/2011 10:22:42 AM PDT by Sarajevo (The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

If forgot to mention The fig tree has a great aroma, kinda sweet but pungent, nice when mowing or trimming around it. Also my Balwin Pear tree is loaded with pears! The lower limbs are bowed down and almost touching the ground!


171 posted on 06/25/2011 10:43:14 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

I had a rechargable weed wacker that I used for several years. I really liked it, but eventually the battery gave up the ghost, and I went back to using an elelctric one till we moved. Here we don’t need one; with a jungle canopy overhead and the Texas drought, no yardwork is necessary.


172 posted on 06/25/2011 12:13:48 PM PDT by rightly_dividing
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To: Sarajevo

Tube Bender is my middle name... or is it my last name... or maybe my first name... now I’ve confused myself


173 posted on 06/25/2011 2:17:13 PM PDT by tubebender (The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some very good ideas)
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To: Red_Devil 232; tubebender

Wait until your fig trees are huge and the figs that fall on the ground underneath ferment. It’s probably just me, but I love that aroma also ... like fig wine would be. Wonder if the whip cracker at Mrs. Bender’s house has ever had a bottle of Chateau le Fig.


174 posted on 06/25/2011 3:07:17 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

The flowers are BEAUTIFUL and will bring in pollinators. I’ve had Borage in the garden for years - planted it ONCE 15 years ago, LOL! I freeze the flowers in ice cubes for summer drinks - really pretty! The very young leaves are tender and taste like cucumber. Eat one! But get them before they develop their prickles. You can eat the blossoms, too.


175 posted on 06/25/2011 3:50:14 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

If and when I can harvest a good quantity of figs I will have to try make a fig wine.

I will have to learn what all the terms mean.

I will name it

Cassiller del Diablo Rojo


Chop figs . Place in large, finely woven nylon straining bag, tie top, and put in primary fermentation vessel. Stir in all other ingredients except yeast. Check S.G. (should be 1.085 to 1.100; if not, add up to 1/2 cup more sugar, stirring very well before re-checking S.G.). Cover with cloth. Add yeast after 24 hours and stir daily, pressing pulp lightly to aid extraction of juices. When liquor reaches 1.040 (3 to 5 days), hang bag over bowl to drain, lightly pressing to aid extraction (do NOT force or you will cloud the liquor). While pulp drains, siphon liquor off sediments into secondary. Add drained liquid and discard pulp. Fit airlock to secondary. Ferment to dryness (S.G. 1.000 or lower -- in about 3 weeks). Rack into clean secondary, top up to 1 gallon and reattach airlock. Rack again in 2 months. Rack again and bottle when clear. This is a good dry wine. If you want it sweeter, add 1/2 tsp stabilizer per gallon after last racking (but before bottling), then add 1/4 lb dissolved sugar per gallon. Bottle. This wine can be drank young (after 3 months in bottle), but will improve immensely with age.

176 posted on 06/25/2011 3:51:02 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

LOL, I like the name! I haven’t checked the specific gravity of liquid since I kept saltwater aquariums. Would imagine that a fermentation vessel would be the same as that for pickles, which is a stoneware crock. Interesting.


177 posted on 06/25/2011 4:11:19 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
I trimmed up this softneck garlic yesterday and put it in the greenhouse to cure further. I'll be digging the hardneck soon as the leaves are drying on most of them...


178 posted on 06/25/2011 4:57:45 PM PDT by tubebender (The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some very good ideas)
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To: tubebender
Very nice ... we have so many insects here I have almost given up on root crops other than sweet taters.
179 posted on 06/25/2011 5:37:44 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Boll Weevils???


180 posted on 06/25/2011 5:57:47 PM PDT by tubebender (The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some very good ideas)
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