WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 11, MARCH 13, 2015

freerepublic | 3/13/2015 | 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. Planting, Harvest to Table(recipes)preserving, good living - 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.

[greeneyes]

We are enjoying our nice temperatures too. Our ground is so soaked right now that we had flash flood warnings last night, because the ground just can’t absorb any more moisture right now.

[greeneyes]

I will be doing some research, and probably switch. The shelter I got her from, advised to stay away from store brands such as best choice, and gave Pedigree as a dogfood that they consider good, but I am beginning to doubt that.

[greeneyes]

Thanks for the link. Some good info there.

[greeneyes]

LOL. I understand. Once upon a time, and looooooong ago, I used to be one of those people who read the instructions first.

Now, I just can’t stand it. Between the squinting and trying to see, and not being able to remember anything longer than 30 seconds, reading directions just doesn’t work so well anymore.

All I really want to do is make and receive calls. I hate texting.

[greeneyes]

You know I am praying every day for that.

Now as to the pictures - just make sure his pants are on him and not the roof.LOL

[greeneyes]

I have actually done this a couple of times since I got my new computer, and it doesn’t have an office suite, but I will still have a hard copy for the most important stuff from now on. I like the search function on the computer, but that may not always be available.

I have the same problem with Kindle even though they are handy when traveling. I have one, but continue to buy books, because I just prefer leafing through a book.

[Marcella]

“I hate texting.”

What is this “texting” you speak of? :o) I have never done it, don’t intend to do it. Israel is the country who “invented” texting. I support Israel but not their texting invention.

[Ellendra]

I've had some experience carving a garden out of a field of weeds. Landscaping fabric can work, but only if you get the right kind. Most brands will disintegrate within a year. There's a kind I get at the Jung's down the road that has a 20-year guarantee. So far that's the only one that's held up. I'll see if I can find the name.

If you go with plastic solarization, make sure you take shade and wind into account. Johnny solarizes his land, but he's in Texas and gets more direct sun than I do. When I tried it, both the clear and the black plastic were full of holes after the first week. My spot is too windy for that to work. But Johnny has had good luck with it.

Weedkillers. I'll be honest, I have a personal grudge when it comes to glycophosphates such as Roundup. If you decide to go that route, be super careful with it, and read the directions every single time.

But there are other kinds of weedkillers that are less toxic. One recipe is to mix a gallon of white vinegar, a cup of epsom salt, and 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap. Spray whatever you want to kill. It breaks down into things that actually nourish the soil. I'd suggest spraying the area you intend to plant, then wait a week and spray again, then wait another week and plant your seeds.

[greeneyes]

I do as little as possible. Am plagued by a daughter and grand daughter who text instead of calling, don’t have their voice mail set up, and often don’t answer their phone.

If I need them, I sometimes send a text and say call me ASAP.

[SLB]

Once the rain stopped here in Central Kentucky I started pruning and shaping our apple and pear trees. One apple had really gotten out of hand so it is taking lots of time and effort to bring it back into what we hope will be a productive tree once again.

[Augie]

Cold frame is up and running. Was put to the test Saturday night by a heavy frost. Passed with flying colors.

[greeneyes]

Thanks for the pics. Looks really good. Will be wanting one for sure, if I can get hubby to make it.

[Mad Dawgg]

DIY Miracle Grow

Has anyone tried this and does it work?

From the link:

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 gallon of water
1 tbsp Epsom salts
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp powdered milk
1/2 tsp ammonia
2 drops blue food coloring

Here’s how to make this concentrate:

Simply mix all ingredients together, except for the powdered milk

Add 1 tablespoon of powdered milk to each feeding, to prevent spoilage.

Store labeled, in a cool, dry area within your home.

Also, I add two drops of blue food coloring, which is non-toxic for your lawn and plants, to indicate that this is a mixture which should not be consumed; the idea being that if it resembles miracle grow, and is placed in my original miracle grow concentrate containers, cross contamination or accidental injection would be limited.

Here’s the correct ratios per mixing:

Spray Bottles: Mix 1 ounce of concentrate (1/8 cup), 1 tablespoon powdered milk, with three cups water.

Manual Feedings: Mix 2 ounces of concentrate to 1 gallon water 64 ounces) of water, with 2 tablespoons of powdered milk.

For Hose Attachment Garden Feeders: Add 8 ounces (1 cup) to your feeder, add 3 tablespoons of powered milk, and water accordingly; this method feeds my entire garden, yard, and various beds for six feedings.

This formula works as the original, and costs a mere $0.35 a bottle to make, whereas Miracle Grow costs $9.98 a 12-ounce container! I have never had an issue with this mixture clogging my home attachments, and my plants seem not to notice either! I highly recommend this blend!

Here’s to saving!

[greeneyes]

Never tried this particular recipe, but I have used Epsom Salts and bone meal together to feed tomatoes.

[ApplegateRanch]

Do you use a hiller on your tiller for the wide rows, to make raised wide rows; or just ground level?

I normally till full depth, then make raised rows for a lot of what I plant. Opposite for corn; plant it in the furrows created, then later hill by partial backfilling.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

ApplegateRanch:" Do you use a hiller on your tiller for the wide rows, to make raised wide rows; or just ground level?"

I find it easier to till everything at ground level
That includes the pathways. That way I have extra fill to use elsewhere with little physical exertion.
What you are doing for corn is just right !
Corn generally needs a little side-dressing of fertilizer as it grows
And it definitely needs soil side-dressing as it matures. Good Call !

[ApplegateRanch]

Our conifers are ponderosa, Black Hills Spruce, and various junipers. There are few others in isolated habitats, but no white pine.

Ribes of all sorts are State-Ag Dept approved; some are natives, and grow wild in our area...even on our ranch.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Sorry , That was an incomplete response
I have used my Troy-Built with a Furrower for corn
When it come to corn, it can use additional fertilizer as it matures
If organic , it is easier to add compost into the furrow and build up the soil .
If using chemical fertilizer, it can be integrated into the loam during side-dressing of soil, thus filling the furrow.
The side-dressing of soil, in any regard , helps it to withstand wind gusts/stress, and will not fall over (reducing productivty); sorta a "Two-fer" with fertilizer.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

ApplegateRanch:" Our conifers are ponderosa, Black Hills Spruce, and various junipers. There are few others in isolated habitats, but no white pine."

Then gooseberries should do well there, especially if they are already 'in the wild' there.
I can't grow gooseberries here as there are too many white pine varieties in close proximity to my home and garden.
As I recall from my MG training many years ago , gooseberries and currants were plant varieties that couldn't be grown in the NorthEast,
as they were "alternate hosts" of disease ( the disease couldn't exist without both hosts being present)
Thank you for tickling my MG memory from years ago as I had seen gooseberries for sale in catalogues, but restricted sale prevented them from comming into the NorthEast .
I had seen them and wanted to grow some, but couldn't in this restricted area .
P.S.: I covet your growing Loganberries (cross between raspberry and blackberries), especially a syrup over pancakes or waffles.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Augie:" Cold frame is up and running. Was put to the test Saturday night by a heavy frost. Passed with flying colors."

Hot DANG ! (Don't know if i can say Dam on this forum)
If you expeirience any prolonged cold weather (ie: 10's, or 20's) with seedlings
#1)you can add a 20 Watt light bulb on an outdoor electrical extension, or
#2) cover with a quilt or heavy blanket during the nights, remove after sunrise.
In general, a Cold Frame should provide you with an additional 2 months of growing time .