WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 21 MAY 23, 2014

Free Republic | 5/23/2014 | 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.

[CynicalBear]

>> Using different approach this year to keep the fungus from getting my tomatoes—newspaper, instead of forage mulch.<<

I had that same problem. I had it start this year but I think I’ve beat it. I did two things. I cut the bottom out of those plastic pots landscapers get their plants in and put them around the bottom of the tomato plant after trimming the bottom branches. Then after watering or after every rain put 1 ½ tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water in a pump up sprayer and wet the entire plant both bottom and top of leaves to wash it thoroughly. The fungus is neutralized by the baking soda and kills it. I had the fungus start this year after the first rain so did that and the fungus is gone and hasn’t happened again and the plants look great!

[JRandomFreeper]

My understanding is that they eat insect larvae. The potato wasn't eaten so much as a segment chewed out to make the tunnel round.

I'm not going to worry about the moles too much. I know people around here that drive themselves nutz trying to get rid of them with traps and poison.

This yard is big enough for me and a few moles.

/johnny

[tubebender]

Got Moles Call Mr Bender…

[trisham]

I’d rather avoid the poison as much as possible, and traps seem more trouble than they’re worth. One issue with moles is that they eat earthworms, but we’ve yet to see a shortage of those, so I think that we’re all right.

[trisham]

Poor little Mr. Mole. :)

[John 3_19-21]

Peppers like heat and it has been kinda cool up here lately.

I've found That plants grown in pots or buckets do well provided the soil in the buckets does not get too hot;

Even on the hottest days here in Anderson county, the soil just a few inches under the surface of the ground is relatively cool. The soil or potting mixture in pots or buckets can get really hot and "cook" the roots of plants.

[JRandomFreeper]

Their fur is incredibly soft. I'd like to have a set of gloves made of mole hide, but collecting them.... that's the problem.

/johnny

[Red_Devil 232]

Yes I did get a couple of pups about a week before we moved from Texas. My wife rescued them from being taken to the pound and brought them home one evening. They were about 7 weeks old and very cute and from the same litter of mixed terriers. I named the brown one (male) Semper and the black and white (Female) Fi. So together they are Semper Fi!

[trisham]

How sweet!

[Red_Devil 232]

Mr. Bender I purchased from them because they were who you recommended a few years ago. Thanks.

[Free Vulcan]

Things are growing, greens nearly ready to pick, putting summer stuff in this weekend.

[Red_Devil 232]

Yes I am doing fine and very glad to be gardening again. About 6+ months ago I applied for my VA medical benefits and got a call from the local VA Outpatient center, here in Meridian, yesterday. It was for me to set up an initial medical screening with them. I go next Thursday. My wife and I have heard nothing but good news about the service this local center gives. Referrals to good local doctors etc.

The Drip system is working great!

[Red_Devil 232]

I have been lurking in behind the scenes on all the threads and was just waiting to get back posting.

[rightly_dividing]

Does your drip system use 5/8” dripline with built in emitters, or 1/4” line with built in emitters? What I have used for years in the ones with 1/2”mainline with 1/4” tube with emitters every 6” coming off the 1/2” mainline. It works so good, we are hesitant to change. I started with a small kit to do hanging baskets and expanded on it a bunch of times. We have it run in flower beds, container gardens, veggie garden, and hanging baskets. I have 3 timers, with a multi-gang manifold at each timers.

When we get ready to travel, we don’t even think about plants.

We are coming to Ms. in a few days, but it will be to the Pascagula and Lucidale areas.

Post some pictures of your drip system and plants on here, please, sir.

[Red_Devil 232]

Thanks for taking up posting the Gardening Thread. You have done a great job.

Yes I have already the urge of tilling that empty space in the garden and planting it.

[OneVike]

I love this thread, and I'm glad I joined the ping list.

I have been planting a garden every year since we moved into our new home in 2008. In California I need to make garden boxes that are lined with galvanized wire to keep out the gophers, moles, and voles however. Eventually I will have to put up low fences to keep out the squirrels and pets, along with tall fences around anything the dear like. I tried all kinds of potions and things, so far only a fence works.

I began with one I recklessly put together that was 6X4 feet. Since then I've have come up with a good design, and put together three more. Row of them are 8X4 feet, and one is 8x8 feet. My wife is beginning to worry that I may fill the whole 3/4 acre behind our home with garden boxes.

Interestingly the first one I built is falling apart due to the poor quality of materials used. So after this Summer it will be retired to the burn pile. So I will be replacing it, but in a better location that has more hours of sunshine.

This was the first year I actually planted a Spring garden. The vegetables in the pictures are some of what I harvested from it. I also had Broccoli. The Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower I planted failed to grow. Not sure why yet, but I'll try again next Spring. Right now I have all 4 boxes with my Summer veggies;

Box # (1) Bell peppers, strawberries, yellow onions, and Indian corn.
...........(When the Indian corn reaches about 6 inches I will plant green beans next to them so that the corn stalks will serve as a trellis for the bean plants to climb.)

Box # (2) Green Onions (in pic at top in bowl), Watermelon, both traditional red melons, and orange or green melons.
...........(unsure which seeds on the colored melons I got in pack)

Box # (3) Sweet Peas (in pic at top in my hand), String Beans (multicolored), Straight 8 Cucumbers,

Box # (4)Cherry Tomatoes, Beefsteak Tomatoes, Sweet yellow Corn.
...........(I have room to plant more corn at two week intervals so we will have corn through the Summer this year. At least that is the plan)

Later in August I plan on planting a Fall garden also. I hope to plant more potatoes, some Winter corn, Broccoli, Cauliflower, carrots, beets, and radishes.

The good thing of living in Ca, is the four growing seasons. Sadly, I can see the politics of this state forcing my wife and I to leave when I retire for another state that is not nearly as blessed for growing gardens as California is.

[OneVike]

That’s great.

[rightly_dividing]

Marcella has a heavy date, out looking at free slave labor and teaching the basics of urban farming. lol

[Red_Devil 232]

Sorry, I have not taken any pictures yet. I am using 1/4 inch drip lines with 12 inch emitter spacing and 1/2 inch mainline. I have a timer but have not set it up yet.

[tubebender]

1/4" drip line with emitters spaced 12" on Lady Bender's Marigolds…