Posted on 03/08/2013 1:17:48 PM PST by greeneyes
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 won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
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We had 64 mph winds a week and a half ago. That ended my squash plants but I figured I’d have to replant them so whatever. Everything outside, including the kiddie pool, went down the street and it pulled off some of the roof.
It’s misting out today and we’re supposed to have rain tomorrow. The night temperatures are in the 40s so hopefully they won’t dip too low.
Welcome to the thread. I have added you to the ping list per your request.
Try the website:
www.squarefootgardening.org
Sq. Foot gardening is what got me started a little over 3 years ago. I started with one 3’x8’ bed next to the patio. Hubby laughed the whole time he built it for me.
It was a great success, so hubby offered to build more and encouraged me to expand. Which I did.
I used Mel’s mix. Vermiculite is expensive, but superior to Perilite. You must have compost to use to replenish the mix. I plant crop covers in the fall to plow under in Spring, and add compost from my pile, and manure from various sources.
My suggestion is that you try one with Mel’s mix, and one with top soil to see which you think does best.
Several of us are using the sq. foot methods or raised beds, so just chime in as you go. I found the sq. foot divisions helpful at first. Now, all those divisions just get in my way.
I just mark the wood around the beds in 12” lenths and visualize the sq. foot. It’s close enough for my purposes.
City health department sent me notice and threatened fines if I didn't get it mowed within a certain time frame. Most of the neighbors had my number, but the one that didn't had called the health dept. No one called me.
I knocked on the doors of everyone, and apologized for what had happened, told them I fired the guy, and to let me know if the new one fell down on the job.
It was embarrassing, and of course they track the number of incidences and become less and less tolerant even if the recurrence is many years later.
Last year, the squirrels were picking the green ones too because of the drought, they needed the moisture.
That sounds great. We don't get enough rain here to fill up a pool, but it would definitely would be nice to have at least a rain barrel. Right now it's just containers--buckets and stuff.
We try very hard to respect the rights of our neighbors, and we hope that they do the same. It's not easy, but we believe in individual freedom.
We have 2 days of moderate temps and rain is forcasted for the weekend. Then it’s back to 40’s and high 30’s during the day and freezing at night.
We won’t get the same opportunity for early planting that we had last year - that’s clear.
I was planning to do some weekend garden work outside, but that’s not happening now, so I have decided to go out of town to a seminar on growing native Missouri plants, and get some R & R with my daughter.
We had a bunch of barrels, and before last year they were sufficient to get through the July and August drought. Last year they were empty by mid June, and little or no moisture.
We hauled water daily for the perennials, fruit trees and bushes and let the garden burn up except for the batch of heirlooms grown as seed stock.
This pool is about 4000 gallons IIRC, so we should be okay this year, if we get decent spring rains.
Well, yes I agree with you and wish it had happened differently. However, I don’t hold it against the man, he was trying to sell his house.
A call to city hall to find out the owner and look up the phone number would have been possible, but I just said sorry, and he took my number and promised to call me first next time.
He never sold the house - bad market, but he has been quite friendly and helpful with watching the place since then. Alls well that ends well.
WOW. I wish I had a friend like that. I just want one of those garden rooms AKA sun rooms. LOL.
The Texas Gardener Magazine is a good source of veggies, flowers and trees.
NORM??? What’s a dirty old man like you doing on a nice thread like this...
I live 200 to 300 miles south west of you and Wild Onion is taking over the town. My research says only vinegar with the PH of Sulfuric Acid will “retard” it. I’m ready to try Garlon full strength...
I now have seven potted plants at the bottom of my stairs with Plumeria, Palms, Aloes, and Begonias.
However, the people that bought my house (and 1/6 acre garden) have flipped the house. I read the listing. Here is my favorite line:
“Immaculate Renovated house surrounded by lush, tropical, mature landscaping.”
I couldn’t help but feel a little pride in that, as it was all done by hand, and all since hurricane Wilma in 2005.
By ME.
Good job LTOS, you should be proud!
I try to grow Plumerias in Georgia and have to overwinter them in my garage.
Like I said, I build a 4 ft fence around the plants then stretch bird netting over them. Haven’t had a problem in two years.
All my Plumerias come from a single cutting brought from Hawaii in 1999.
They have survived The Abominable Hurricane Season of 2005, (Including Katrina and Wilma), a weird yellow fungus that ONLY attacked Plumeria, and a Move.
The mango tree, which was over twenty feet high, has stayed behind for the new owners.
It’s nice to see Spring finally showing up here in MO!! Last weekend we put seeds in peat pods for starting the vegetable garden. Lots of green things showing up already. I’m hoping its dry enough soon to get out and weed and prepare the garden for transplants.
It’s my first full growing season in this house so I’m excited about getting my flower gardens going.
I have been told wild onions indicate acidic soil. If true, spreading lime would deal with them.
That having been said, I use them like chives.
Good for you!
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