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Weekly Gardening Thread VOLUME 19 MAY 9, 2014
Free Republic | May 9, 2014 | rightly_dividing

Posted on 05/09/2014 10:16:25 AM PDT by rightly_dividing

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: Agriculture; Chit/Chat; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: gardening
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To: tubebender

My front yard today. The guys left me a nice pile of chipped wood/leaves. But it was a real dusty mess. I had to use the leaf blower to clean off the porch and flower beds.

/johnny

121 posted on 05/09/2014 7:17:17 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

Score! I am happy for you (and a bit jealous)...Front door delivery of free wood chips. Party time!


122 posted on 05/09/2014 7:24:54 PM PDT by SisterK (behold a pale horse)
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To: tubebender

Hanging my head in shame. I don’t often post and when I do it is not a ping list.

I’ll be glad when the boss is back.


123 posted on 05/09/2014 7:26:33 PM PDT by rightly_dividing
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To: Marcella

I hope that you enjoy the mortgage lifter tomatoes. They are rather ugly, but absolutely delicious.


124 posted on 05/09/2014 7:26:52 PM PDT by SisterK (behold a pale horse)
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To: tubebender

How long till harvest on that corn?


125 posted on 05/09/2014 7:32:31 PM PDT by rightly_dividing
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To: trisham

Iirc, Frankie is about 5-6 months now, right? I haven’t uploaded any photos since she was 10 days old. Will post when I get the time.


126 posted on 05/09/2014 7:50:55 PM PDT by Silentgypsy (Mind your atomic bonds.)
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To: itssme

In our area I’ll sometimes bother Campari tomatoes. No matter the brand They always come in a little clear box and they are called cocktail size. For store-bought they’re pretty darn good.


127 posted on 05/09/2014 7:52:21 PM PDT by texas_mrs
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To: tubebender

OK, corn guy, you can answer my question about corn. When the leaves unfold showing lots of those round yellow stalks, what happens next? That’s what I have with the Deck Corn right now.


128 posted on 05/09/2014 7:55:12 PM PDT by Marcella (Prepping can save your life today. Going Galt is freedom.)
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To: Arrowhead1952

I was wondering how the fish mysteriously appeared in ponds without intentionally stocking them. Thanks for posting that!


129 posted on 05/09/2014 8:25:16 PM PDT by Silentgypsy (Mind your atomic bonds.)
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To: tubebender; All

I looked it up, now I know:

CORN
The corn kernel sprouts roots first, followed by its shoot. The root system will grow up to 7 feet deep and spread 2 feet out into the soil during the plant’s short life cycle. The roots are fine in appearance, which enables them to traverse through the soil. Directly below the soil’s surface, the plant forms root nodules. Roots grow upward from the nodules to the base of the plant above the soil line to anchor the tall corn plant in place, according to Oregon State University. Besides holding the plant in place, the brace roots also absorb nutrients and water.

Pollination
During the corn plant’s life it will develop a large stalk with 20 to 21 leaves, according to the Iowa State University. Silk production begins when the corn plant reaches around 65 days old. The top tassels form first. Pollen falls from the tassels downward to the silk of the plant to produce kernels. Insects, birds and the wind also aid in pollination. The tassels contain the female reproductive organs and the flowers of the corn stalk contain the males. Pollen is shed for up to eight days to ensure fertilization occurs.

Ripening
Most corn plants will produce one to two ears per plant. The very tips of the corn ears will stick out past the silk. Once they begin to protrude outward it indicates that the corn is ready for harvest. The silk surrounding the corn ear also begins to turn from golden to brown.

Harvesting
Large-scale commercial corn farmers use combines to harvest corn. The backyard gardener simply tears the corn from the plant using their hands, pulling the ear downwards. Pick the corn at the height of ripeness for maximum sweet flavoring. The end of the ear will feel rounded to the touch instead of pointy when the corn is ready for harvest. Promptly refrigerate picked corn to ensure its flavor remains at its peak until it can be consumed. Once the corn ears are harvested, the plant begins to dry up and die. It has completed its life cycle.


130 posted on 05/09/2014 9:09:28 PM PDT by Marcella (Prepping can save your life today. Going Galt is freedom.)
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To: Marcella

When did you plant and how tall is your corn?


131 posted on 05/09/2014 9:46:33 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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To: rightly_dividing

Our climate is nothing like anywhere else in the US as we are right on the north pacific coast which acts as a air conditioner with our average summer highs of 68 and evening lows of 54. The corn matures late August normally...


132 posted on 05/09/2014 9:52:20 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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To: Marcella

Looks like you found your answer.


133 posted on 05/09/2014 9:57:56 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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To: who knows what evil?
Has anyone ever tried ‘planting by the signs’?

Since Marcella already outed me, Yes, I do (mostly) plant by the phases of the moon.

134 posted on 05/09/2014 10:12:37 PM PDT by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
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To: texas_mrs

I’ll check them out...thanks for the suggestion.


135 posted on 05/10/2014 12:16:20 AM PDT by itssme
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To: CynicalBear
Thanks for the suggestion...I probably could grow beefsteak tomatoes on my patio in a four or five gallon pot..I’’ look into this.
136 posted on 05/10/2014 12:19:30 AM PDT by itssme
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To: sockmonkey

I’m getting so much help with my question about tomatoes...thank you for your suggestion..I now have knowledge and so many options!


137 posted on 05/10/2014 12:22:06 AM PDT by itssme
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To: itssme

Patio tomatos are another very popular variety of container tomatos. They have a thick, strong stalk that resembles a small tree, and will support a number of tomatos. The tomatos are supposedly very tasty from what I hear.


138 posted on 05/10/2014 1:51:33 AM PDT by rightly_dividing
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To: Marcella

Yes, the Sun Gold cherries are yellow-orangish.

This’ll be my third or fourth year to plant them and they might be my favorite cherry tomato and I’ve tried lots and lots of different cherry tomato varieties over the years.

I think that tomatoes like heat but maybe not too much heat because people in South Texas have told me that, when it gets too hot down there, their tomato season is over.

I live in the NW, the Portland, OR area and it isn’t until after Mother’s Day when most gardeners around here generally think the danger of frost (below 32* temps) is past.


139 posted on 05/10/2014 2:36:10 AM PDT by bluedogpdx
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To: Black Agnes

Thanks for the garlic info!

A couple of months ago, I bought a big bag of garlic from Costco with the express intent to plant most of the bulbs (when we still had cold temps like down to 32*). But I never got around to it and I’ve noticed that some of my bulbs have little green stalks.

Anyway, if I don’t get garlic this summer, won’t it just come in next year?

And, BTW, I’ve had onions come back year after year.


140 posted on 05/10/2014 2:36:18 AM PDT by bluedogpdx
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