WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 15 APRIL 12, 2013

Free Republic | April 12, 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!

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[Augie]

I’ve made a bit of progress this week in spite of the storm that came through on Wednesday. Set out my cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower Sunday evening. Monday and Tuesday after work was spent sowing lettuce, kale, carrots, beets, various other assorted salad greens and setting about 75’ of red potatoes.

The blossoms on my peach trees survived the light frost of the past two nights. The plum trees all started to blossom yesterday. Pears are just starting, nothing showing on the apples and cherries so far.

It’s too muddy to get in the garden now so Mrs. Augie and I spent most of the morning planting trees. Half a dozen scotch pine, half a dozen hazelnut and a few sycamore. Pops bought a whole bunch of stuff from the state nursery this spring but he ran out of gas before they all got planted so he gave us what was left. We have a few more hazelnut and ten or so persimmons to set out tomorrow.

[greeneyes]

That reminds me, we also have some peach trees and almond tree blooms. Here’s hoping that the frost doesn’t get them.

Many years ago we had a peach tree growing on the trailer lot we rented. It only had peaches about once every 5 years, because the frost would zap it almost every year.

Now that we are zone 6 instead of 5 though, perhaps we can expect a yield a little more often?

You have a great start to your garden this year so far, it sounds like.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Update of my strawbale gardening experiment . . .

Heirloom Tomatoes ... both determinate (Rutgers)... on the right... and (Beefsteak) indeterminate... on the left... are doing well. So is everything else! The mushrooms, popping up by the thousands are a good thing for the 'soil'.

Plan for the future ...

Meanwhile by the pool are citrus trees, herbs and flowers...

[Augie]

I’m not buying that we’re really Zone 6. I think there’s an agenda behind those changes. Night before last we were within 1° of a bad frost. Three years ago I think it was we had a hard freeze on April 20.

I’m keeping my orchard trees pruned down to 15’ or less so I can cover them if necessary. I didn’t do that the other night and got lucky.

[Petruchio]

It has been in the 40’s for the last week. Last night the low was 38. Todays predicted high is 74. Tomorrow the predicted high is 45, low 30 . . .

grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble

[fidelis]

Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Is it OK to let the mushrooms stay, even in actual soil? I've been picking them out because I thought they'd do something nefarious to my plants, and have been tossing them in the compost pile.

[Alice in Wonderland]

I was frantically picking them out too when they first appeared but after researching it a bit I now let them stay. They're gone by the end of the day ... only to be followed by a new bunch tomorrow.

These are the same tomatoes I posted a photo of earlier. Most of their "mushrooms" (fungi) are gone now.

[JRandomFreeper]

My understanding is that the mycelia (sorta like roots) of the mushrooms are particularly good for the soil and should be encouraged.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

This is crazy. All of the sunflower seeds have sprouted, and the peanuts are already sprouting. Less than a week, and it's supposed to take 7-14 days. Yay!

Started corn today, so that should be up by next Friday.

/johnny

[fidelis]

Thanks guys; I’ll probably just leave the ‘shrooms where they are, then. One less thing to do.

[JRandomFreeper]

The mycelia break down things like wood and other large organic bits and provide food that the plants can use directly. Some bacteria do the same thing.

That's part of the reason I don't use harsh chemicals in my garden. I want the dirt full of beneficial bacteria and fungi so the plants have plenty of nutrition that the plants can use.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

I wanted to test posting a picture. Let me know if you recognize it.

upload foto

/johnny

[Marcella]

Yes, it’s one of the pictures you sent me - exact copy.

[Marcella]

My heirloom seeds are here. Tomorrow, I plant the seeds in paper cups like Johnny does and put them in my NEW GREENHOUSE. Then, I wait and either cut my wrists because they don't grow or I have several adult beverages in celebration that they are growing.

A month ago, I went to the liquor store and asked the drink expert to show me what I needed to make margaritas - got what he said. Then, realized I had no margarita glasses (I'm not big on alcohol), so ordered some beautiful ones that weren't expensive (by Libby) and they are gorgeous and I make the best margaritas north of the border and I'm not even an illegal.

[Marcella]

Your picture - how many pink Flamingos do you plant/grow?

[JRandomFreeper]

My first few years of trying gardening I had about 80% failure. So put up the razor blades and accept it. The adult beverages are good for coping with the disappointment.

/johnny

[tob2]

In the space of 24 hours, Lily of the Valley and Calla Lily shoots appeared.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Every Florida garden needs a palm tree and a couple of flamingos.

[greeneyes]

Good news. Thanks for the pics.

[greeneyes]

I too am sceptical about the zone 6. We ordered dwarf trees so they wouldn’t grow too tall in case of spring freeze too.