WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD NOV. 16, 2018

freerepublic | NOV. 16, 2018 | greeneyes

[greeneyes]

he 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 any time-and don't have to be about gardening.

[greeneyes]

Well, I guess that’s good for the ski resorts, and we all gotta make a living somehow.

Me, I really wish that Globull warming was going to last enough to make MO. a zone 7 climate. Alas, we are going into the Grand Solar Minimum and I expect that our weather will be more like the 70s for all the rest of my life.

However, that does mean that there can be an occasional anomaly such as shirt sleeve weather at Thanksgiving.

[Lopeover]

Thank you! I would just buy young plants at my local garden store.

[tubebender]

Sorry I’m late again. We are still harvesting tomatoes from our little green house here in Eureka Ca. I’m late planting my vetch winter cover crop and the weather has been fabulous for this time of year. We may get our first rain Wednesday Lady Bender is cooking for 16 or 18 for Thanksgiving...

[oldvirginian]

A determinate is commonly known as a “bush” tomato, it only grows to a determined height. Big Boy, Better Boy and others are determinates.

Indeterminate tomato plants just keep growing. As long as they have water and good soil they keep growing
A couple of my plants had vines approximately 8 feet long.
I think tomatoes from indeterminate plants have a better taste.
Others disagree.
In any event the indeterminates take a little more work due to their extra vine growth.

[greeneyes]

Glad to hear from you. I wasn’t sure where you were located as it related to the fires. Was hoping it wasn’t close to you.

[heylady]

Hi, Thanks for the advice on using row covers for my carrots. We had three mornings of temps in the 20’s down here in Texas and my carrots made it through just fine with the row covers. I did use two layers to be on the safe side. Going to have to pull them in the next 2 weeks because I’m going to Colorado for the winter. I’m getting cold already just thinking about it.

[bgill]

Not sure why you need the plastic, if it’s going to be inside, in front of windows.

Cats.

[caww]

Hello oh wise garden people.....I need help to identify what the tan colored center pieces are? I know next to nothing about gardening or plants so would appreciate any help you can offer....than you kindly.

CW

[Eric in the Ozarks]

A stumble this morning put a crack in the glass coffee pot.
Luckily, we saved the previous pot when the old coffee maker crapped out.

Not a good way to start the day.

[left that other site]

Cute little bushy-tailed RATS.

[Lopeover]

Thank you for this information. I had no idea. Sounds like I have been purchasing determinates.

[Lopeover]

Gosh, looks like some kind of grass wrapped together and trimmed.

[daniel1212]

Thanks for posting. Pulled most of the last of the Butternut Squash and tomatoes by the end of Oct. due to predicted below freezing temps, about 40 squah and 150 tomatoes, but have been seeing the toms ripen since, and eating them, thank God. Still better than supermarket ones.

They say you can hasten ripening buy putting them, in a paper bag with a yellow banana, but we are in no rush. Should have enough to go into Dec. I gave some to a neighbor, and the ice cream truck driver - who loves them and he gave me a couple treats. Praise the Lord.

Quite a contrast of before and after (two different gardens):

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:1-5)

[Psalm 73]

Thanks for the PING, greeneyes.
Winter came MUCH earlier than (I) expected this year. Because of all the rain didn't get a chance to dig up potatoes.
Knowing a little snow might be coming (we got eight inches), I piled a foot of ground-up leaves on top - hopefully insulated them enough for me to dig up Thanksgiving weekend.
Chicken coop and run have been winterized, all of our garden beds have been prepped for winter (with the exception of the above mentioned potatoes).

Now we wait. (Is it Spring yet?)

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping....

[Redleg Duke]

Well, all of my plans to ready for winter got shot in the ass with a 6” snow storm!

The day before, I:

1. Put the plywood underlayment on the back steps’ roof,
2. Moved the lumber for the front porch/pergola, including four 12’ 6 by 6 posts over to the front yard and trimmed two of the posts to fit under the eaves,
3. Blew all of the leaves from the front planters and the driveway,
4. Disconnected, de-cubed and stored the leaf vacuum system,
5. Removed the mowing deck from the garden tractor and installed the snow thrower (Found out someone took some parts and messed with the lift mechanism...damned annoying!)
6. Took a sofa table back to the storage locker and brought back a rolling buffet.

I also took a chill and ended up sleeping for nearly 4-hours.

Yesterday, I did clear the decks of snow.

Problem, I never got my garlic or flower bulbs planted!

[imardmd1]

Just pull the whole plant, tomatoes and all, and drape it (them) over a rack in the cellar where it is cool and dark. Good until Christmas. at least. To save space, wrap each undamaged tomato in tissue or newspaper and store them in a box where it's cool.

We picked the tomatoes before frost and just laid them out on the floor of the back porch, canning them as they ripened, a few jars at a time. Fed my family, six of us, all year, fresh or canned. Never bought tinned tomatoes. Grew peppers and made chili sauce with them, too. I guess they call it "salsa" in the stores nowadays.

[daniel1212]

Just pull the whole plant, tomatoes and all, and drape it (them) over a rack in the cellar where it is cool and dark. Good until Christmas. at least. To save space, wrap each undamaged tomato in tissue or newspaper and store them in a box where it's cool. We picked the tomatoes before frost and just laid them out on the floor of the back porch, canning them as they ripened, a few jars at a time. Fed my family, six of us, all year, fresh or canned. Never bought tinned tomatoes. Grew peppers and made chili sauce with them, too. I guess they call it "salsa" in the stores nowadays.

Glory to God, that is wise. I did read about pulling the whole plant, but space (we do not own the building) is an issue. Most of the plants with lots of green toms on them were pretty big.

[imardmd1]

If you have a big garden like mine was, you don't need to stake up tomatoes. Just roll out 12 foot-wide 3 mil black plastic sheet over the designated plowed and dragged area and put some rocks on it at the edges and in the midst to keep it from blowing away, then wait for the first rain.

The water will gather in the low spots, and that is where you poke a hole in the plastic sheet with your trowel, and plant the tomato seedling (abt 8 inches or taller) up to the first branches, the hairs on the stem will grow into a strong root system. All the rain water later on will funnel down the hole. The plastic will prevent quick evaporation, and the black will draw the heat for the plants.

Just let the vines grow on it, and harvest the tomatoes as they ripen. Brings a great harvest, every time. Mo staking or pruning. Let the birds have their share and you take yours. At the end of the season, just pull up the vines, roll up and dispose of the plastic, and scatter the vines to decay and be plowed back in come spring.

[Bulwyf]

Looks good brother. I’m hoping to plant some stuff in spring. It’s all better than the stuff you get from the store.