WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 4, JANUARY 24, 2014

Free Republic | Jan 24, 2014 | 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!

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.

[trisham]

Cool.

[greeneyes]

Some one tried this last year or year before, but I don’t remember who it was. I think it worked really great. I read about this method on the website: http://wintersown.org/

They also have some free or inexpensive heirloom seeds in small quantities so people can try out other varieties.

[JRandomFreeper]

I was out screening compost for my seedlings earlier today. The next 2 months will be pretty busy for me, since our season starts earlier than up north.

BTW, never leave a bus tub half-full of screened compost in the kitchen floor. The catz think it has another use. Yuk.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

I was going to ask if that was 8C or 8F, but it doesn't matter. It's freeping COLD. Spring will come eventually.....

/johnny

[greeneyes]

Brrrrrr. We are hovering just above freezing, so you are really colder than here.

Plus, my bones can tell it’s warmer than it was, and my feet aren’t tingling from the cold floor. We have carpet on the basement floor, but somehow it’s really cold on the feet anyway, even with shoes and socks on.

[patriot08]

Our local weatherman, Dale Nelson of KRIS TV, Corpus Christi, Tx has a serious green thumb and has even created his own highly sought-after tomato formula prized by backyard gardeners. He is highly sought after by Home and Garden shows.

Dale Nelson's tomato formula:

There are two Tomato formulas... One formula for sandy soil and one for clay soil. The first time you use the tomato formula use the "Original" formula no matter what type of soil you have.

Original Formula / Sandy Soil 1 cup 10-20-10 (1-2-1 ratio) fertilizer 1/4 cup super phosphate 1/2 cup gypsum 2 cups cow manure Dig a hole and mix ingredients. Then, add regular dirt on top of formula before placing tomato plant in hole. Otherwise, formula will burn the roots of the plant. Don't let formula touch the roots when they are first planted. Let the plant grow into the formula. Water regularly. Stand back and watch them grow! Best varieties are Sonny, Bingo, Carnival, Heatwave, Celebrity, Big Boy, Better Boy and President. Best cherry tomatoes to use are small Fry and Cherry Grande. Everything needed is available at any local nursery.

Caution: Please be aware that excessive use of phosphorus in our clay soil over a long period of time can be non beneficial to your plants.

Clay Soil* 1 Cup 21-0-0 (1-0-0 Ratio) Ammonium Sulphate 3/4 Cup Gypsum 2 Cups Cow Manure Mix these ingredients together with existing garden soil and plant one tomato plant per hole mixture.

*Most clay soils in this area already have too much super phosphate, which tends to stay in the soil for a long period of time. The local nursery people tell me, the best way to correct this is by adding ammonium sulphate which is 21-0-0.

[trisham]

We’re getting a new puppy in a week, so I hope it warms up a bit. Housebreaking isn’t easy when it’s this cold.

[rightly_dividing]

I’ve seen those online and they called them strawberry pyramids.

[trisham]

I wore my warmest parka today on a trip down to see some puppies, one of which is going to be ours in a week. I was barely warm enough. Thank goodness the breeder had a fire going in her fireplace. Having 13 dogs and 4 puppies in the living room helped, too!

[rightly_dividing]

My mom used to do sweet potatos the same way. My wife does that too, but in a saucer.

[rightly_dividing]

I subscribe to her channel, too.

[rightly_dividing]

What kind of puppies are they?

[tflabo]

I had a job assignment today in Spencer, MA. Cold but the wind was pretty calm. National Media weatherheads got all in a tizzy about the cold weather but it wasn’t too brutal up here. Add in some stiff winds though and its a different story. Back home in North Texas my arugula and lone parsley plant have survived so far. Wouldn’t stand a chance in MA without some sort covering up if even that.

[Silentgypsy]

That is a neat website. Thank you for posting!

[Silentgypsy]

I think fanfan tried winter sowing last year.

[mom3boys]

I’m almost embarrassed to say, since so many people are suffering from the cold, that we had a high of 73 degrees here today.

I spent the late afternoon repotting some of my starts, planting “Pink Lemonade” blueberries in a couple of pots (wish me luck with these!) and general garden clean up. I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and had an ice cold drink.

Don’t worry — we pay for this in the summer when we’ll suffer through the 110 degree heat!

[KosmicKitty]

http://wintersown.org/

That's the web site that I read about this technique. I figured I've got nothing to lose and I will let you know if it works. I do hope it doe as it is cheap and easy. My kind of gardening :-)

[greeneyes]

I think my face just turned green.LOL I hate the cold, now that I am older. It makes my bones and joints ache.

[greeneyes]

I think that’s right, now that you mention it. I couldn’t remember.

[greeneyes]

Yikes. That was a crowded room no doubt.