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

Skip to comments.

Weekly Gardening Thread – 2011 (Vol. 28) July 22
Free Republic | 7-22-2011 | Red_Devil 232

Posted on 07/22/2011 5:42:39 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232

Good morning gardeners. I canned all the tomatoes I had picked the previous week this past Wednesday. Sadly it did not take very long to do the canning. I also roasted (chared and peeled) about half of the Jalapenos I had picked and froze the other half. I also cut up and froze some green Bell Peppers and zucchini squash.

On Wednesday I had a pop up T-storm visit the garden and then yesterday it was cloudy all morning and around 11 am a very nice, lazy, soaking rain started falling and it lasted for about two and a half hours. It dropped the temps down into the high 70s for a few hours and then the sun came out and the temps went to the low 90s, not a bad day at all!

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.

I hope all your gardens are flourishing.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: garden; gardening; recipes; weekly
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-179 next last
To: Red_Devil 232

Still hot and very dry in Texas and no relief in sight. 38th day of 100+ temps this year.


21 posted on 07/22/2011 6:22:41 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (zero hates Texas and we hate him back. He ain't my president either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: melissa_in_ga

If you’re going to shred it for muffins and breads (any baked item) then mushiness doesn’t matter, but make sure you drain it well and squeeze it out before measuring and using in a recipe.

I chop up some of them and spread them on a cookie sheet and freeze, then put the chunks in ziplock bags for use in soups, stews, chili, lasagna, etc. The chunks stay pretty firm if you add them to the recipe while still frozen. And this way, they’re individually frozen so you can take what you need, versus just a frozen BRICK of zucchini. :)


22 posted on 07/22/2011 6:26:33 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Texas Fossil

I’ve used blossom set with mixed results. This year it didn’t do much good. I think the heat is not letting the fruit set. I set up some shade for my tomato plants last weekend to see if any more set. My neighbor has huge tomato plants and there are a lot of fruit near the center where there is a lot of shade.


23 posted on 07/22/2011 6:32:32 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (zero hates Texas and we hate him back. He ain't my president either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232
Farm thieves target...

Interesting article for those of us who maintain larger properties.

24 posted on 07/22/2011 6:32:57 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

‘Mornin’, Diana. I heard a clap and a rumble of thunder just now, but no precip yet.


25 posted on 07/22/2011 6:35:46 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Mrs. Don-o
That's a pretty good site, Mrs. Don-o. Do you know if they are shipping now?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
26 posted on 07/22/2011 6:36:40 AM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

We lived in a company town of about 1000 people. We were overrun with skunks. Finally, a proffessional hunter trapped more than 350 skunks in just a few weeks.
Some people were hoping he would release the skunks far from town. He refused to work on those terms as the skunks will travel miles to favorite hunting grounds.
The only solution was to take them out to a remote area and use a shotgun.
I know they can appear so cute this is hard to do, but the alternative is pretty stinky. They will anything they are in the mood for.


27 posted on 07/22/2011 6:41:47 AM PDT by WestwardHo (Whom the gods would destroy, they first drive mad.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

Here is a pic of a mist cooling kit:

http://www.orbitonline.com/products/Kits/04/04/07/1301/

Here is a pic of the nozzle:

http://www.orbitonline.com/products/Maintenance%20and%20Accessories/04/13/01/54/

I brewed my test up with 5 nozzles and a 10’ section of SCH 40 PVC Pipe. Put a PVC Hose Thread Male adapter on the pipe so I could couple it with garden hose. At this point it is a test.

The nozzles make a 2-1/2 ft. cone spray, very fine. The idea is to use evaporation to lower the outside temperature in a small area. It works better where it is somewhat confined but still a breeze.

The more efficient systems have a pressure booster that boosts up to 160 PSI.

There are even “personal coolers” that you can carry around. The company sent a lot of them to the troops. Thought that was a good gesture.


28 posted on 07/22/2011 6:42:55 AM PDT by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: ConorMacNessa

Wow! I looked up where you are gardening and couldn’t help seeing your home page! You have an impressive c.v. and a wonderful family. Congratulations, and thank you for your service.

I hope your daughter enjoys Wisconsin and I hope she isn’t swayed by all the liberals in Madison! Gov. Scott Walker is our hero. If she’s teaching in Madison, she should be warned to keep her mouth shut if she’s conservative. Walker is a breath of fresh air to this state and is NOT the ogre that the wild eyed faculty at UW wants to portray. Note the tag line that Redleg Duke uses, quoting another of our Governors.

Back to tomatoes. I saw one at my local nursery the other day that was begging to be planted and was laden with fruit. I think you’ll find tomatoes in your nursery if you hurry. Good luck.


29 posted on 07/22/2011 6:49:52 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: WestwardHo

My husband uses a .22 from a distance and shoots them in the trap, but (shhhhhh) I wasn’t going to mention it. Another solution some of the farmers around here use is to put a bag over the trap and drop them in a barrel of water until they drown. Supposedly they won’t spray if they can’t see.

My fear is that if I’ve seen one there is a whole family out there and trapping will become a full time occuupation or the rest of the summer. I haven’t seen a skunk around here for 20 years.


30 posted on 07/22/2011 6:55:21 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: trisham
Here in Massachusetts we’ve harvested tomatoes up through the first week in October, when we often experience 80 degree temps.

I'm north of you, and I am still planting more tomatoes...the last of my black cherries and sungolds are going in this weekend. I hope everyone (plants) deals with the 95 degree day we are being dealt today...back into the 70's starting Sunday...until then; we're broiling. Peppers in 3-gallon containers are inside.

With regards to cooling plants with the hose...I have never had a problem with that...after all; they get wet when you get hit with a spot thunderstorm during periods of intense heat.

31 posted on 07/22/2011 6:55:37 AM PDT by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic
Thanks very much, FRiend! I'll be out early in the morning!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
32 posted on 07/22/2011 6:58:40 AM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic
I saw one at my local nursery the other day that was begging to be planted and was laden with fruit. I think you’ll find tomatoes in your nursery if you hurry. Good luck.

Avoid any tomato that is blossoming or setting fruit in a small pot...potential for production will be greatly reduced...try your best to find a plant that hasn't hit the blossom stage. None of the ones I am planting this weekend have hit the 'blossom stage', although I bet they will quite quickly once they are in their larger containers.

33 posted on 07/22/2011 7:00:30 AM PDT by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Texas Fossil

Very cool! I have my sprinkler on a timer. It is one of those ratchet affairs mounted on a tall tripod. I can never figure out the timing. I was showing a lady around my garden the other evening when it suddenly turned on. scared that poor woman right out of her shoes! We got out before we got wet, but I think she thought she was going to be shot. the sound of the sprinkler turning on was quite unexpected and startling, if you didn’t know what it was.

I was tired of the tour, so I didn’t turn it off. I was glad to get out of the garden. LOL.


34 posted on 07/22/2011 7:00:38 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: who knows what evil?

Yes, even here in New England the growing season is fairly long in many locations.


35 posted on 07/22/2011 7:01:23 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Rain, blessed rain is falling....


36 posted on 07/22/2011 7:03:22 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Mrs. Don-o

Fun fact: it is TWELVE DEGREES COOLER where you are (78 degrees) than 1000 miles to your northeast in New Hampshire (currently 90 degrees just shy of ten o’clock).


37 posted on 07/22/2011 7:06:39 AM PDT by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: melissa_in_ga
We have more zucchini than we can eat or give away.

Find a local soup kitchen to donate excess to. I donated about 13 pounds of cucumbers this morning to the soup kitchen my church volunteers with. The same soup kitchen the master gardeners plant-a-row garden donates to. It was good timing, they needed more cucumbers for their menu today.

38 posted on 07/22/2011 7:13:59 AM PDT by Tatze (I reject your reality and substitute my own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

What is a c.v.?


39 posted on 07/22/2011 7:14:38 AM PDT 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 29 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232; All
Thanks for the thread. So glad to read that you got some rain and a little heat relief. We are currently at 79 degrees on the way to 96(index of 105). Heat advisory to last a while longer. Last night I went out to dump the kitchen compost at about 11 pm, it was stifling hot still!

Hubby has been bringing in a hand full of green beans and blackberries each day. We finally have enough for a mess of beans, and some blackberry jelly.

Corn from the first planting is supposed to be ready by the end of July. The silks are still a little pink, so I know the soil is probably deficient in something, plus none of the stalks have more than 1 ear.

We have only harvested 4 cucumbers to date. I have two 3-inch midget cantaloupes and numerous tiny ones with lots of flowers. Tomatoes planted this spring finally have flowers. The indoor tomatoes that I stuck in a pot have some green tomatoes.

Everyone have a great weekend. Hope everyone gets the rain they need. God Bless.

40 posted on 07/22/2011 7:17:36 AM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-179 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