Posted on 10/01/2024 6:10:14 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a 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.
If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.
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Does anyone know of a good site or book telling what to plant and when for a garden in different climates (like NY)?
I wanted to start a garden this year, but I didn’t kow what to plan and when to plant things
That might work :-)
The website for the recipe is “loaded” with board recipes ... all are beautiful & would be great for different gatherings. Parties, etc.
People tend to ‘eat with their eyes’ ....
https://reluctantentertainer.com
Great foodie web site.
October means the 18 day countdown for our annual pilgrimage to Pensacola Beach has started. There are two Blue Angels practice flights on the schedule for our time there. With any good luck the weather will have calmed down a bit by then.
We’re moving & probably going to have an ‘open house’ for about 25-30 relatives once we get settled in enough to find all my kitchen ‘stuff’! The large ‘boards’ would be perfect for a crowd - have several (dessert, maybe tacos, cheese, etc.) for a variety. I think everyone would find something they would/could eat. Two of the relatives would probably eat an entire taco board ... very tall, skinny, with “hollow” legs, LOL!
Here.
If you’re interested in planting garlic, or trying your hand at it, now is the time.
Here are some links for planting garlic.
The Farmer’s Almanac - How to Grow Garlic: The Complete Guide
https://www.almanac.com/plant/garlic
The Spruce - How to Grow and Care for Garlic
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-great-garlic-3016629
Both the Almanac and The Spruce are very good sites for gardening info.
Basically, dig a trench, amend it with well rotted manure, some fertilizer, I often use spent potting soil from my house plants when I repot them.
I place mine 2-3 inches deep and then loosely cover with soil. It will settle over the winter. Then when the ground freezes, I put a layer of straw over the rows to mulch them.
Usually I plant them 8” apart but this year I’m planting only two rows of each kind and putting them 6” apart.
Last summer, I made the tactical error of planting 8 rows in one spot, next to the fence. That only allowed access from one side and the end for weeding and harvesting. I decided this year to not plant them more than two rows together so I could reach them from both sides.
Garlic is VERY worthwhile to grow. The varieties I plant are called hard neck because I’m also in the north, and I use Music, Great Northern White, and something called Romanian Red. Music and Great N. White are available pretty much everywhere.
Each year I save some plants out of my harvest, break the bulbs apart, and use those cloves for next year’s crop so the investment was only a one time deal.
You’re a great hostess.
People that want to SELL you onion seed every year will tell you that. ;)
Rule of thumb: The smaller the seed, the longer the viability.
‘Empress of Dirt’ says 1 to 2 years for onion seeds. Longer, but you ‘MAY’ have less that germinate, so plant 3 seeds instead of 2 with older onion seed. I’m sure they ‘average’ all of this out because not everyone has optimal storage and/or seed starting capabilities.
https://empressofdirt.net/seed-viability-chart/
Old Farmers’ Almanac: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/seeds-garden-viable
Again, call the company to find out when they’ll be shipping 2025 seed. Any reputable company will gladly answer your questions, I’m sure. :)
My go-to site is ‘The Old Farmers’ Almanac.’ Amazingly detailed information to be found there.
https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar
For beginners I always suggest a gardening book specific to your Growing Zone. You can also find out what that is at The Almanac.
And, I also like the ‘Square Foot Gardening’ book. Look for the most current printing - it’s been updated a number of times. Lots of charts and such as to when to start seeds inside, or when to direct seed, how to make the most use of your space, crop rotation, and planting succession crops to keep things going well into the Fall.
Looks like the FOURTH edition is the newest edition, and will be available December 2024. (Per Amazon)
In the past there have also been recommendations for Johnny’s Seed catalog/site for planting guides and timing, etc.
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/online-tools-calculators.html
Keep checking NautiNurse’s posts - she’ll let you know when ‘Surf’s Up!’ in Florida. ;)
IIRC, I’ve been finding almost everything I need at Johnny’s. I’m sure they can tell me that.
The problem this year is not wanting to wait to buy seeds because of the uncertainty of the whole situation in the US.
I’d rather order them now and be sure to have them than not and be screwed. Plus, I’ll have fresh seed viable for more years out by replenishing now as opposed to what I have now.
As far as the onion seeds, I had some of the Rossa di Milano’s that were two years old and figured I had nothing to lose planting them so sowed heavily and almost all came up. I was thrilled to see that.
One of the things I want to do for next year is build a couple cold frames just to try and see how much of a start I can get on cool weather crops.
Northeast = Northeast of us
Northwest = Northwest of us
Southwest = Southwest of us
Southeast = Southeast of us
Midwest = North of us
Flyover = us
Our weather in the Ozarks? NE, NW, MW & SE which is also our four seasons. We can go through three seasons in a month.
I found another one. A woman after my own heart.
FOOD SECURITY: Full Tour of Our Basement Grocery Store (plus tips!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fht5Xe1uSQ
*BOOKMARKED* Thanks! :)
Nature almost always wins! Life Goes On. :)
Cold frames and unheated greenhouses make a HUGE difference in starting the season off early and extending it later into the fall.
In the middle of the Summer heat? Forget it, LOL!
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