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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 39 SEPTEMBER 27, 2013
Free Republic | Sept 27, 2013 | greeneyes

Posted on 09/27/2013 12:37:17 PM PDT 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.

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!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; garlic; hobby
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To: Marcella

Looks good to me. The ratio is right with double the amount of phosphorus to nitrogen. That spike will be slow release, so you may want to get something that is water soluable with the same type ratio, and give it a shot in the arm so to speak.

The directions for bonemeal are on the package. I use it as a side dressing in my beds, and just work it into the soil a little away from the plants a little so I don’t accidentally disturb anything I shouldn’t. It is stinky, though, so sometimes I just use the spikes, and a little miracle grow type stuff with double the phosphorus to nitrogen ratio.


61 posted on 09/27/2013 3:36:20 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Marcella

My tomatoes actually do better if they have afternoon shade, from around 1pm to 4pm. They still get more than 8 hours, but heat can also delay and/or negatively impact tomato blossums.

Sometimes, you just gotta do some experimentation. Read the article I linked to and see which you think is the possible reason, and try something on one plant and something else on another if you can’t decide what the problem is.


62 posted on 09/27/2013 3:40:40 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes
I stake out bones near the captive ant bed so the neighborhood catz don't run off with the bones. When the ants have cleaned and polished the bones for me, I sun dry them and then grind them in my Corona mill.

/johnny

63 posted on 09/27/2013 3:42:14 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: Marcella

If the heat was too much for you, that could have impacted your tomatoes too.


64 posted on 09/27/2013 3:42:40 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: JRandomFreeper
We had such a bumper crop this year that many will be given away. The little lady has canned 50 some pints of salsa so far and is anxious to stop.

These were taken about 30 mins. ago.

 photo 9-27-132.jpg

 photo Limelight9-27-13.jpg

65 posted on 09/27/2013 3:47:40 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: JRandomFreeper

Do the ants keep away the neighborhood dogs too? We have big problems with dogs roaming around. Even though one of the few restrictions here is that all dogs be either in the house, on a leash, or in a pen. No free roaming allowed.

The person that violates the rule the most, is the Mayor’s brother. Since they are nice dogs, no one ever officially complains. I don’t like it when they cut through my spring garden though.


66 posted on 09/27/2013 3:48:50 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

“If the heat was too much for you, that could have impacted your tomatoes too.”

That’s why I put them where I did, so the sun all day wouldn’t burn them up. Ssshish, do this and it’s wrong, do this and it’s wrong.


67 posted on 09/27/2013 3:49:28 PM PDT by Marcella (Prepping can save your life today. I am a Christian, not a Muslim.)
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To: Marcella

Well, yeh it’s kinda like that till you learn what works in your area. Here the sun beats down like a furnace between 1 pm and 3pm. So that’s when they need the shade the most.

But as a rule of thumb you need to get about 8 hours of sunlight. So if you are getting 8 hours or more, then shade may not be the problem.

I’d probably move 1 plant to the sun, add the high phosphorus fertilizer to another, and then take one pot and do both-leave one pot as is. A little experiment with one pot as the “control” pot ya know?


68 posted on 09/27/2013 3:56:55 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes
Dogs can't get in the yard. Catz, however, walk through walls (and fences).

/johnny

69 posted on 09/27/2013 3:57:25 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: gorush
My spring tomatoes didn't do well. I'm hoping my fall tomatoes will let me can enough to take me through the winter.

/johnny

70 posted on 09/27/2013 3:58:36 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: gorush

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.


71 posted on 09/27/2013 3:58:56 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: JRandomFreeper

Let me know if you need some...seriously.


72 posted on 09/27/2013 4:01:23 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: JRandomFreeper

I wish I had a fence around my whole yard. We just have a fenced in play yard for the kids and the dog that I dog sit during the day.

Dag Dog has seperation anxiety issues.LOL


73 posted on 09/27/2013 4:03:18 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: sockmonkey; JRandomFreeper; greeneyes; All
I got “The Joy of Pickling” big book. This book uses only the water bath canner. I can pickle any veggie I want.

If the T squash produces bunches of squash, there are two recipes for it and both are good in that its still a veggie and not a tart pickle.

One is called, “Sweet Pickled Pumpkin or Squash”. Cloves, allspice, black peppercorns, cinnamon stick, fresh ginger. My, that sounds good.

Another is “Crisp Pickled Pumpkin or Squash”. This is a mildly sweet pickling.

Really, all veggies are in here, plus some meats.

I also got “The Joy of James, Jellies and Other Sweet Preserves” big book. Again, only water bath recipes. With these two books, I could can anything.

EXCEPT, I have the water bath canner and utensils to use with it so I don't burn my hands/arms off, BUT I HAVE NOTHING ELSE: No vinegar, no pickling salt, no whatever else I'm supposed to have, also no jars, no lids. I'M JUST DOING GREAT - NOT.

74 posted on 09/27/2013 4:08:26 PM PDT by Marcella (Prepping can save your life today. I am a Christian, not a Muslim.)
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To: Marcella
Who is James?

/johnny

75 posted on 09/27/2013 4:27:39 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: tflabo

I don’t get it. Back in April I started a 4x4 and then in July I started another one.

It is now the end of September and I have exactly 1 tomato and 6 string beans.

They were watered and I cared for them. Every plant looked beautiful. Just couldn’t get a veggie. I am in central Texas. HELP!!!!!

What is the next crops to plant now that we are in October? Should I just rip everything out, put it in my compost heap and start fresh? Is there anything to make them bloom?


76 posted on 09/27/2013 4:58:07 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Make today a great day. Insult a liberal.)
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To: Marcella

All in good time. Rome was not built in a day. The jars are a little expensive, but you do get to use them again. I buy lots of that stuff at the end of the year when they have sales on.

Once I picked up a good sale on lida and rings-got a whole case enough to last a long time. I love to look at the produce in these jars. So nice to see the actual product.

I pickeled green beans, zukes, and squash this year in addition to regular pickles, so I’m going to have something new to try this winter.

Part of my long time storage is lots and lots of salt of all kinds. Rock Salt, Kosher Salt, Pickling Salt, iodized salt, Sea Salt, even have some potassium salt-mostly to use as a supplement in case we don’t have enough high potassium veggies somewhere down the line.

Around here we always have sales on vinegar at the end of harvest time too. I try to get at least 6 gallons of each white and apple cider. I use vinegar a lot to clean with, so I never have less than 3 gallons of each on hand.

I like to keep some red wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar on hand for cooking too.


77 posted on 09/27/2013 5:26:51 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: JRandomFreeper

James is my new lover - got him mixed up with jams.


78 posted on 09/27/2013 5:43:41 PM PDT by Marcella (Prepping can save your life today. I am a Christian, not a Muslim.)
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To: Marcella
LOL! I wondered if I'd have to explain the question. ;)

/johnny

79 posted on 09/27/2013 5:44:30 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: greeneyes

I gave a friend some excess cucumbers and she made Kimchee with with some of them. Anyone ever tried that?


80 posted on 09/27/2013 7:10:59 PM PDT by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
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