Weekly Garden Thread Volume 30 July 25, 2014

Free Republic | 25 July 2014

[JRandomFreeper]

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.

[JRandomFreeper]

I was asked to start the thread because Greeneyes isn't feeling well. Prayers up for her.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

Ping to the Weekly Garden Thread.

/johnny

[skr]

May God bless her with healing.

[JRandomFreeper]

It's been hot here in this part of Texas. I've spent the last week clearing fence line and getting a field ready for some calves, and I'm whipped and scarred from all the briars and barbed wire.

I don't want to do that again anytime soon.

My garden is burning up.

I need cheap shade cloth that I can put up to protect the sensitive stuff.

/johnny

[ApplegateRanch]

This week, we have received 3” of rain, 0.3 more than the entire July average. Unfortunately, it was partially hail, though it looks like everything is recovering from the damage, except the various beans.

We did pick about 6 quarts of cherries from the bush cherry; and have another couple of quarts that will be ready tomorrow, to finish. Also getting cucumbers, but not much else yet.

That gives me a respite to harvest the winter rye...and discover just how dangerous a scythe can be. At least I didn’t need stitches. LOL Also discovered that scything is NOT nearly as easy and effortless as several Youtube videos make out.

Now it’s your turn; take it away Gardeners!

P.S., to keep it coming, if you haven’t already, Click the link to DONATE! https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/

[matthew fuller]

My neighbor and I have been looking for the fall shipment of pepper plants (in Central TX/Austin area) and it seems that they aren’t in the stores (Lowes, Home Depot, WallyWorld, others) yet, and that they are about three weeks late. Has anyone else run across this, or seen their normal fall shipment?

[JRandomFreeper]

and discover just how dangerous a scythe can be. At least I didn’t need stitches.

Ow! Don't do that.

There's a reason that Death carries a scythe. ;)

/johnny

[hoosiermama]

Fair this week. Got a ribbon on my pumpkin. Volunteer came up in compost pile. Little early to have a ripe one here. Tomatoes are getting ripe. Will be busy soon

[JRandomFreeper]

My peppers are not doing well this year here in Texas. I've been blaming it on late cool weather.

I started some new pepper plants from seed for the fall garden, but they are going slow, too.

/johnny

[ApplegateRanch]

Lesson learned. Got the side of my my thumb while sharpening it, when the file slipped.

[OftheOhio]

I gave my neighbor a two year old Century plant. I have a nice one on the porch (Hungarian princess vintage) as well as a Blue Agave plant, they do surprising well in Ohio.

[JRandomFreeper]

I got hit by wasps while clearing the fence line. I'm done with dangerous stuff for a while. And 4:00 AM mornings. And Texas heat.

I'm babysitting the grandkids next week. Inside. ;)

/johnny

[tflabo]

Greeneyes get well and rest up. Hope your all having at least some measurable success at the gardening ‘thang’ out there.
Always a mixed bag it seems. Yeh we got the Tx heat from hades showing up now—whats new? My cukes were growing just dandy until the oven came along-— I got a total of 4 fruits from 4 vine plants——not a so a good a. Swiss chard in pots is surprisingly good even in the heat but with some PM shade.
Maters were all replacements so have to wait for Fall if I can get them past the scorch of August. Peppers got big and leafy and finally some blooms but same as above. The sweet and cinnamon basil are good, reliable soldiers out there and I salute them before eating them up on their designated food entries.

[Graybeard58]

Over run with cukes, put up 42 qts so far- b&b pickles. should get at least that many more. Will probably make maybe a dozen pints of dill with some of them. lots of rain this year (central Illinois).

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

About bedtime here (early day tomorrow), but here are a few pictures from a couple of recent harvest days (plus a sunflower picture). My garden is elevated slightly and tends to be a little dry, so the wet weather here over the last few weeks has been a Godsend.

Squash is mostly gone now, and banana peppers and cucumbers are fading. Purple hull peas are doing really well. Cantaloupe, too. I picked eight cantaloupes within the last few days. Will be giving some away at church. (What I've taken thus far has been much appreciated.) Picked one watermelon. Several more almost ready. Yellow-meated variety a little later.

Green beans are doing fair. Tomatoes are doing well...not the prettiest in the world, but still doing well. First batch of corn is about ready. Okra amounts are modest but steady. Bell peppers are doing well. Baby lima beans and butter peas will be ready to start picking within a week. Have a giant pumpkin starting to fruit. Have some seedlings started also.

Grass and weeds are ready to harvest. A bumper crop as usual, although thankfully not as bad as most years.

Gardening is good for the soul.

Night all.

[ApplegateRanch]

I’m babysitting the grandkids next week. Inside.

---

Thought you said you were done with dangerous stuff. LOL

[matthew fuller]

I have one Gypsy Pepper plant, and it is my favorite variety. It is still blooming and setting peppers, and they are very great tasting peppers, large, sweet, and thick skinned, and very prolific. I highly recommend it for Central TX. I will have more when and if I can find them.

Also have a couple of “Yummy” plants, peppers are good, but don’t compare to Gypsy.

[ApplegateRanch]

Not sure how many years 42 quarts would last us.

[Starstruck]

Prayers up for Greeneyes. Canned 9 quarts of salsa yesterday. My 15 tomato plants are heavy producers this year. It’s starting to get hot now so I imagine they will slow down.

[tflabo]

What varieties are your fertile ‘maters?