WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD NOVEMBER 13, 2015

freerepublic | November 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]

IIRC, pine needles can make the ph of your soil acidic, which is good for blueberries, and azaleas etc. Depending on how much, and what you are planting, it should be ok.

[greeneyes]

Got to run. I’ll check back later.

[trisham]

Me too! I guess we’ll see. :)

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

oldvirginian :" ..I had also thought about leaving them in a pile until next year and using them between rows in the garden to keep down grass and weed growth."

Good Idea to use the pine needles as a much, but as they breakdown and enrichen the soil, they will slightly acidify the soil.
The use of a small amount of lime would sweeten the soil, thus counteracting the soil acidification.
I would reccomend a soil test in the spring to see if lime is necessary, because soils react differently (ie: clay, sandy loam, loam, gravelly, glacial debris, etc.)

[machogirl]

Hi johnny!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’m tearing apart my store this week. Fresh cut Christmas Trees and all the trimmings are coming next week, as are Christmas Cactus, Norfolk Island Pines and the Poinsettias.

All I can say is I’ll be glad when it’s over, LOL!

And then I’ll be leaving my job at the end of January after training up a new Manager and moving from my little farm, to our BIG FARM and retiring to a life of ease...

Oh, wait. I’m pretty sure that ‘ease’ part ain’t gonna happen, LOL! At least I’ll be ‘working’ for myself! Veggie gardens to plan, chickens, hogs and a milk cow to buy and that farmhouse needs some decent landscaping and some TLC!

[Redleg Duke]

Househod Six has now retred and sold her business. She found an ad for a used John Deere 318 with a loader, snow thrower, mowing deck and Cyclone leaf vacuum. The next thing I realized, we had bought it!

It is fabulous for leaf removal. The loader will be invaluable for our proects next year and the snow thrower will be well-used this winter.

I raised the back roof on our side deck and will start framing out our heated pantry tomorrow. Busy...busy!

[oldvirginian]

Yeah, I need to do a soil analysis anyway so it won’t put me out any.
I have red clay so use a powdered lime in the planting furrow along with the 10-10-10 fertilizer I usually use.

Thanks much.

[tubebender]

It doesn’t get much better than that Johnny and we continue to Pray for you and all the cancer survivors in our circle of FRiends

[tubebender]

LOL You’ve been saying that for many years DiW

[oldvirginian]

I have red clay that can be hard as concrete during a dry summer.

I have been using a good 10—10-10 fertilizer and adding powdered lime in the planting furrow with good results.
I plan to expand the garden area so I will be doing a soil analysis on the entire area.

I grew up on a farm,, but we only had hardwoods, no pines, so using pine needles is new to me.
So when in doubt, I ask.

Thank you.

[tubebender]

Another stunning beautiful day on the Far Left Coast and Bender Bay. I took this photo while on our way to Costco this morning. The buildings across the way is a former pulp mill that is being recycled into many uses including a fish farm and some type of agriculture

[Twinkie]

Posting after the horrible world news of the night; but we
gotta try to keep on keeping on. - Husband brought in
several beautiful green variety peppers, fairly large ones.
Think I’ll try to stuff them. Also, the last of the little
tomatoes. Not ripe; but we had to bring them in due to the
freeze forecast tonight. - Well, I guess that’s about the
end of our garden for the season. Winter’s on the way!

[greeneyes]

Wishing you the best in your new endeavors. Hope you can keep us updated as you go.

[greeneyes]

Sounds like a good deal, and lots to do with it too.

[greeneyes]

You are welcome.

[greeneyes]

Thanks for the picture. That water looks beautiful.

[greeneyes]

If you wrap them in paper, they will ripen/keep for a while.

[mojo114]

Good for you, johnny. We are all hoping so for you for a long time. Stay Strong.

[sockmonkey]

Oh those last few tomatoes are precious-the memory has to last till next season.

A possum ate my lemon boy tomatoes the night before they were vine ripe. I set a trap, but he doesn't seem interested in venturing in it for store bought tomatoes. Jerk. He instead ate the green lemon boys, but just took a few nibbles. Double jerk.

Put a new plastic skin on my greenhouse. It has peppers and tomatoes in it. Still have tycoons, yard long green beans, Juliet's, cukes, and cucuzza in the garden.