Posted on 03/23/2012 8:53:54 AM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde
Good morning, FRiends and fellow gardeners! Hopefully everyone has received beneficial rain this past week. We've had an additional 2 inches, which was a blessing because just to the south and southwest of us as much as 10 inches fell. While the area needed the rain, it didn't need it all at one time.
Looking forward to reading what you're doing with your gardens and plans this week. Photos will earn you bonus points! :^)
It is too wet for me to do anything in the garden, but I do have lots of raspberry bushes to get planted. Then, the beeyard. They are already capping honey in the supers and I will have a bountiful late spring harvest. Mark and I have 2 cutouts of bees in buildings that are coming up this week, which will make a total of 7 hives in my beeyard. We did a huge cutout 2 weeks ago and Mark added those to his beeyard.
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you wont be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isnt asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!
If you decide you're interested in keeping bees, I would suggest that you get a copy of Beekeeping for Dummies and/or The Backyard Beekeeper. Both are excellent references and will give you a better idea if this is something you will enjoy.
Once you acquire the bees, you keep them in the hive by providing them with plenty of room so that they won't seek out a larger home. The will forage for up to 3-5 miles, but will go no further than they find adequate pollen and nectar. You will notice a definite difference in your garden.
Can’t wait to get further down the thread, but I have so many chores that need to be done today. Be back this evening!!!
Snow White Cherry
and
Pink Oxheart
Killing off the last of my aphid invasion.
Shame on you for disparaging my late mother in law, the Queen of Yard Sales... LOL
Yes, please.
Thanks!
Anyone have tips on growing tomatillos in a 15 gallon container? Have four seedlings ready to be transplanted. Last year the seedlings up and died right after. Growing medium is Miracle-gro potting mix.
Visited Schultz nursery on Broadway in San Antonio. Found some really healthy Merced Tomato plants. Don’t really have room for them in the garden, but I thought Merced was an “abandoned” tomato variety and just couldn’t pass up the chance to grow them. I’ll put them in pots.
Wait until I publish the picture of the side deck with the new planter!
Dear Lady, You are a wealth of information!
I had soil tests done last week (NE Texas) and have received the results back. How much was your soil test? Mine was only $14 as I requested a few other things be tested other than the basic $10 test. I posted the results in post 40 on this weeks thread. I will go see the county agent tomorrow to have him give me an explanation of these results and ask him what he recommends I do for my new garden and where to buy what he recommends.
Thanks JDB, just finished my “grow room” - new lights, tables, plastic, etc in my basement. Started my seeds this weekend, lots of tomatoes, beans, peas, squash, even some corn, see how it goes.
Neponset Valley, MA, growing zone 6B
I just planted my seeds in a Burpee seed-starting dish. They’re all non-hybrid. It seems a bit late, but our spring got the drop on us this year and I’m playing catch up.
I’ve never grown a vegetable garden from seeds before, especially non-hybrids, so wish me luck!
Here is a short but good article I just ran across on ‘How to Build & Install Raised Garden Beds’ from Popular Mechanics. What I like is that it also includes a way to attach a simple framework of hoops so you can add a cover & a diagram/instructions for a simple drip irrigation system.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/lawn-garden/4308264
Good luck Ghostie, I’m in the same boat.
Planting zone 6b
Keep in mind this is Cook County, ground zero for corrupt government. I paid $40. $25 for the first sample and $15 for an additional sample.
I ordered the test kit on Monday. Rcvd. it on Wednesday, and shipped the samples the same day. UPS tracking shows the lab got them Friday morning.
WOW those are some hefty prices for a soil test!
I was pleasantly surprised today when I checked the garden. The radishes and snap peas are up with what looks to be almost 100% germination. Amazing considering that we got a little over 3” of rain in just a few days time.
Set out 16 cabbage and 4 broccoli plants today. Crazy...
Thanks. Good luck to you, too. Sparky.
Let me know how your garden turns out.
We also have an ancient yard .... not much grass really, mostly weeds. Were in the country and having a grass lawn isnt all that practical - we cant really water it and when the dry summer days hit, the weeds stay greener than grass .... you just keep them cut so they dont bloom or go to seed.
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OMW, you described my yard. We have 1.5 acre in a semirural area. I refer to the assorted weeds as “the lawn greens”.
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