Weekly Gardening Thread – 2009 Vol.2 – May 22

FreeRepublic | 5-22-2009 | Red_Devil 232

[Red_Devil 232]

This is the second edition of the 2009 Weekly Gardening Thread. If you are a gardener or an aspiring gardener please stop in from time to time during the next week and share your experiences. Last weeks thread was a great success. Thanks to all who participated!

[Gabz]

My maters and peppers aren’t ready for transplanting yet, but today I’m going to transplant sugar baby watermelons, some kind of asian squash, cukes and yellow crookneck squash.

Our tiller is still on the fritz, so I’m doing all the “tilling” by hand...........before this summer is out I’ll have biceps sure to rival those of MO :)

[AirForceMom]

I kill all houseplants...usually. I have one that thrives. It’s a plant that friends sent me after my Mom passed away in 2001. She had a very green thumb ( why didn’t I get that gene?), I think she has a hand in my care of that plant. :)

[RSmithOpt]

Something I have found that seems to help is to apply Safer Insecticidal Soap and then immediately follow with 7% Sevin Dust. The soap will not kill flea beetles if that is your problem.

I am having the same problem this year too on my eggplants. This is what they look like:

[Red_Devil 232]

My tomato plants have been begging for me to get them staked. I was planning on doing it last week - but ...

So now this weekend it is raining again and forcasted rain the next 5 days. I may have to do the staking between showers.

[RSmithOpt]

From the Safer Soap Label:

What It Is: Safer® Brand Insect Killing Soap with Seaweed Extract is a special formulation of insecticidal soap. This ingredient kills insects, yet is gentle on plants with no unpleasant odor. What It Kills: Aphids, Earwigs, Grasshoppers, Harlequin Bugs, Leafhoppers, Mealybugs, Mites, Plant Bugs, Psyllids, Sawfly Larvae, Soft Scales, Spider Mites, Squash Bugs, Blossom Thrips, and Whiteflies.

[RSmithOpt]

Just don your jungle hat and a poncho and get on it!

[Red_Devil 232]

Yeah I did use sevin also.

[Arrowhead1952]

Thanks for the ping.

We have been eating fresh straight neck yellow squash for the past couple of weeks. Those are SO good. I never thought I’d get the wife to eat them, but she ate the better part of two the other night.

We also have small yellow tomatoes ripe and actually had one red tomato that has ripened. The lettuce is on the downside, so I’ll pull it and plant something in that area today.

I may empty my compost bin today and start with a new batch. It has been done for several weeks, but really don’t have any plants that need extra compost now.

[murrie]

please add me to your ping list. Thank you!

[RSmithOpt]

I just dusted with Pyrethrum yesterday evening after the rains we had (2.5 inches in 3 days). I usually alternate between that and Sevins being careful to apply early morning or late evening. I like Pyrethrum because one can harvest the very next day.....flea beetles scram too when it goes on.

BTW Red, I need to tie my maters to their stakes this weekend too......amazing how quick the weeds come on once it warms up.

Looks like the rain will be in your area a while whis weekend.

I got a few hours (6+) I need to put in the garden this weekend too plus mowing and car cleaning.....whew.

How's the 'kids' this morning?

[Red_Devil 232]

Added!

[Red_Devil 232]

The “kids” are out in the rain! For some reason it does not bother them to get wet with rain but just bring a hose and soap around them for a bath ... they resist until they get a good massage with the soap.

[Gabz]

No tomatoes ready for staking yet. In fact I only have 2 in the ground.

Rains and a couple of late frosts have held me up. Those frosts drove me nuts because it had been 90 the week before. I really hate DelMarVa weather.

[Cudjo]

we tried 4th of July tomatoes a few years ago, we were so late didn’t get them until the 30th of May, really surprised that we did have tomatoes by the 4th of July, they were really fast

[PROTESTBYPROXY]

Please add me.

[Red_Devil 232]

The rains earlier in the season held me up in getting my soil ready. But since I got everything in the ground they have come around just at the right times and I have only had to use my new drip system 3 or 4 times so far. I am sure come the heat of summer the drip system will be a big asset!

[Red_Devil 232]

Added

[HiramQuick]

Go ahead ... rub it in. My tomato plants just got in the ground (I helped them lol) wednesday of this week. We had frost the night before. Fortunately all my plants were under glass in my make shift cold frames.

Ohio weather is a nightmare. Warm 70’s and everything needs to be pulled out of cold frames or else plants scorch. 8 hours later and it is 29 degrees. Our Frost free date is May 11th. Where is global warming when you need it???

Enjoy your sandwhich ... I personally enjoy a good heirloom like rutgers, while standing in front of the plant I picked it from. Yes, I carry a salt shaker in my overall’s plier pocket. Yummmmm .... life is good.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I found ‘Fourth of July’ tomato PLANTS already started. that was the amazing part! Sorry, no seed. :(

[Diana in Wisconsin]

‘Sevin’ isn’t available everywhere, anymore. Stupid EPA!

A good replacement is ‘Eight’ spray made by Bonide. Kills flea beetles dead!