WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 14 APRIL 5, 2013

Free Republic | April 5, 2013 | greeneyes

[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.

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!

[JRandomFreeper]

You are north enough to grow ginger. Not sure it would grow around here. Good luck with it.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

You don't have to remove the papery stuff. It will be fine with it on.

Break them up into cloves if there are multiple cloves though. 5 shallots should yield at least 12 starts. Leave a bit of the root part when you break them up.

/johnny

[Black Agnes]

I’ve moved since I registered. You’re more north than I am. I got the idea from a gardening site that essentially planted stuff they found at the grocery store. They were in SoCal IIRC.

[JRandomFreeper]

Sunday-Tuesday are root planting days

You plant by the moon phase?

/johnny

[Black Agnes]

I do. I actually did side by side comparisons. Saw a difference that causes me to pay attention now.

I need all the help I can get LOL.

[JRandomFreeper]

I use old pantyhose for support when growing muskmelons on a trellis. Keeps them from breaking off early.

And it's fun collecting them. ;)

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

I do, as well. There's a reason for all of that stuff. We learned it over thousands of years as a species.

I even have a mark on my front porch for sunrise on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. My little stonehenge marked on asbestos siding.

/johnny

[HopeandGlory]

And it's fun collecting them. ;)

I'll bet it is, you cheeky monkey . . . Smile!

[JRandomFreeper]

Let me know how the ginger works out. I may try that experiment myself. I've got a shady spot where it might do well.

/johnny

[Black Agnes]

Scroll down to the post by ‘TriangleJohn’:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ginger/msg0914522029527.html

[JRandomFreeper]

I'm a sworn celibate, so all I can do is tease. ;)

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

Thanks for that info. I will try that experiment. I may be late this year, but I'll try it anyway. Can't hurt.

My younger daughter married into a Cambodian family so I can get some info and good ginger root from them. They supply my garlic sets and lemongrass sets.

/johnny

[Marcella]

OK, I’ll check out Asian long beans. It’s going to be hot as hell against that fence.

[Marcella]

“Scarlet Runner Beans will grow up a trellis, so will cucumbers, squashes and melons, including cantaloupe. Good luck with your gardening experience and I hope you get a lot of fun and eating enjoyment out of it, despite our Texas weather . . . Smile!”

This is NOT fun. I hate the outdoors. I’m doing this so maybe I won’t starve if TSHTF.

Will Scarlet Runner Beans stand up to hot heat? What about cucumbers?

[Black Agnes]

We plant the red noodle beans on this page and have been very happy. I’ve saved seeds for 3 years now.

http://www.rareseeds.com/store/vegetables/beans/long-beans/

[Silentgypsy]

Tax-chick said she attempted Three Sisters with no luck. :(

[Silentgypsy]

Thanks for posting the photos!

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you!

[JRandomFreeper]

I've had good fortune with it. I'll credit my instructors. They were harsh old women. One was over 90.

/johnny

[ApplegateRanch]

Believe it or not, I'm a lazy loafer.

The old Troy did the 150 X 50 garden (minus maybe 1/8 of it that's planted to perennials, wheat, and fall planted onions & garlic) in about an hour at low speed & full depth. Moisture just right, and several years of organic matter added...and rocks removed.

The peas went in with the old Earth Way seeder in less than 30 minutes. Put the right seed plate on it, set the depth, fill it up, and push it down the new row.

The onions were about 4 hours of work over 3 days, and I got to lounge while replanting.

Oh, my! Mrs. A.R. just heard something strange, so I looked outside: it's raining! Perfect for the peas & the onions. And if it continues, I won't have to do anything tomorrow!

THANK YOU, LORD!