You've BEAN
This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won't be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that makes it fun and interesting. Jump in and join us!
SOUTH FL UPDATE:
GLOBAL WARMING UPDATE:
26 degrees in South FL at 7:10 am. Sprinklers are going trying to save what’s left of my garden and the new crops I planted.. I am leaving them running till the temp goes up to 32 degrees...
Anyone know where I can order some Global warming? They talk about it on the news but I can’t seem to find any!
Thanks!
Keep warm
I have a huge fire going in the fireplace keeping my butt and back warm.. Only bad part is going out and getting more firewood. Next year I am going to put the wood pile closer to the house!
Please welcome SumProVita as the 500th member of the Weekly Gardening Thread ping list!
As I mentioned last week, I am contributing $25 to the FReepathon in SumProVita's honor, to celebrate this milestone Thank you, Jim, for providing us with this wonderful place to gather each week!. Thank you to all of the new members of the ping list.
Special thanks to Red Devil_232 for making this possible through his tireless efforts over the years!
“Here is the general Seed-Starting Schedule for seeds that should be started eight weeks before the last expected spring frost date.
Eight-week General Seed-Starting Timetable
Horticultural Zones 9 & 10: Start seeds indoors in early to mid January.
Horticultural Zone 8: Start seeds indoors in early February.
Horticultural Zone 7: Start seeds indoors in mid February.
Horticultural Zone 6: Start seeds indoors in late February.
Horticultural Zone 5: Start seeds indoors in early March.
Horticultural Zones 1-4: Start seeds indoors in mid to late March.
Here is the Seed-Starting Schedule for vegetables, herbs and flowers that require more or less time prior to transplanting out into the garden.
More-or-Less-Than-Eight Weeks Seed-Starting Timetable
Four Weeks: Melons, Bitter Melon and Cucuzzi Edible Gourds.
Six Weeks: Asparagus, Fennel, Onions, Rhubarb, Shallots, Tomatillos, Basil, Echinacea Root and St. John’s Wort.
Eight Weeks: Eggplant, Tomatoes, Chiles, Sweet and Bell Peppers, Chives, Sage, Stevia and Thyme.
Nine Weeks: Broccoli, Cabbage and Kohlrabi (transplant out four weeks before the last frost date).
Ten Weeks: Celery, Celeriac, Jicama and Lemongrass.
Eleven Weeks: Leeks, Artichokes and Cauliflower (transplant out four weeks before the last frost date).
Twelve Weeks: Cardoons and Brussels Sprouts.
Sixteen Weeks: Strawberries (for first year crop) and Rosemary.”
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/
Celebrity
4th of July
BHN 640
Husky Cherry (Thanks, JustaDumbBlonde)
Ladybug Cherry
These should do well in our scorching, dry, South Central Texas Summers
Some of these may make it into the garden or into 15 gallon containers, just to see what thrives:
Container Choice
Cherokee Purple
Hillbilly
Big Rainbow
Tomasu Grandeur
Big Rainbow
Beefy Boy
German Giant
First Prize
Brandywine (pink)
Tomatilla, Cisneros (not really a tomato, but something I've yet to grow successfully)
Going into the seed trays today are:
Hot peppers:
Biker Billy Jalapeno
Jalapeno Grande
Big Thai
Ancho San Luis (mild)
Cayenne (Mystery variety. A gift.)
Sweet peppers:
Camelot (These always do well, both in the Spring and the Fall. Stops producing with the central Texas Summer heat and starts producing again when tempature drops.)
Big Early
Chinese Giant
Eggplant:
Shoya Long
Fengyuan Purple
Squash
Waltham Butternut
Cucumbers
Soyu Long (Love this one. Cukes grow to at least 12 inches. Few seeds. Sweet. True even for those I've let grow to almost 2')
Baby Cucino (Love this minature cuke even more. Seed is EXPENSIVE. But, after picking the first six from a single plant, cost is more than justified. Yum.)
Dasher II (A recommended variety for our area.)
Tanja (Another long cuke. First time I'm growing it.)
Now thriving in the garden: Georgia Collards, 3 varieties of onion, lettuce, cabbage, and garlic.
South FL update:
I got the Garden part way cleaned up and part of it plowed. I was then able to plant the Rattlesnake Watermellon, Sweet Meat Squash and my Giant Russian SunFlowers... I have no idea why I plant the Giant sunflowers other then I like looking at them.. The corn is about 4” tall and the Brussle sprouts which are taking forever are looking good. I am heading into town today to get some live plants.. I have 3 53 foot rows left.. I will have to see what they have. Brok, Cali, Cabbage, and I am not sure what else..
Has anyone ever grown Tomatoes on a Fence? I have a 20’ x 6’ fence in the middle of the garden I don’t know what to do with.. Thinking 3 tomatoes on each side. That or I will grow Morning Glories or something that climbs. I hate to have unused Garden space.. I should have my old computer back up and running latter this week so I can start posting Picture again.. Looks like the Banana’s made it. They are sending up new green shoots from the TOP so I might get too many little Banana’s latter in the year..
Plow um stright!
I got a hand plow a year and a 1/2 ago. With my back it’s nice to be able to plow. It’s got wooden handles and one big wheel and works perfect in the FL sand other then the FACT I still have to push it. I tried one of those tiny roto tillers but my back can’t handle it.. It sucks to be disabled after 34 years of climbing telephone polls and working hard in the FL heat but I am slowly getting used to being retired.. Strange how they pay me to not work. Guess saving my money and working hard all my life was worth it..
Now if I could just talk my 27 year old son into helping me.. He dosn’t seem to want to help me put the garden in or weed but he loves the fruit and veggies and loves to take them to his friends and his work.. They love the sweet FL watermellons!
C-Ya
20 Varieties Heirloom Tomatoes Tomato Seeds SALE
I do not know this person ... he/she appears to be in Kentucky. For less than $12, you can get 20 different open pollinated or heirloom varieties, you choose which ones. You can buy more than one offer, so you could get 40 or 60 varieties to keep!
Sounds like a great deal to me, and as much as I DON'T need a single tomato seed this year, I'm going to try it. Some of these seeds are very expensive in the catalogs.