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Weekly Gardening Thread – 2011 (Vol. 12) April 1
Free Republic | 4-01-2011 | Red_Devil 232

Posted on 04/01/2011 5:34:48 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232

Good morning gardeners. Wow April 1 and there is snow falling in the Northeast! Y’all just can’t catch a break! Here in East Central Mississippi we have had some cooler Temperatures this past week but are looking for warmer weather starting today. Forecast id for upper 70s and 80s for the next week. I will have to do some repotting of some of my seedlings today. Butternut and Honey Bear squash are up and thriving. My paste tomatoes are up and will need repotting late next week. I also have some Salvia and Teddy Bear Sun flowers that need to be moved to larger peat pots. I am thrilled when seeds start sprouting! I am still waiting on my ground cherries to germinate. The packet says they can take up to 35 days to sprout.

If you are a gardener or you are just starting out and are in need of advice or just encouragement please feel free to join in and enjoy the friendly discussion. Our Freeper community is full of gardeners, each with varying interests and skill levels from Master Gardener to novice.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: garden; gardening; recipes; weekly
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Weekly Gardening Thread

gardeningtools_Full-1.jpg picture by wjb123


1 posted on 04/01/2011 5:34:57 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; gardengirl; girlangler; SunkenCiv; HungarianGypsy; Gabz; billhilly; Alkhin; ...
Ping to the Weekly Gardening Ping List.

I hope all of you will stop by.

This is typically a low volume ping list. Once a week for the thread and every once in a while for other FR threads posted that might be of interest.

If you would like to be added to or removed from the list please let me know by FreepMail or by posting to me.

2 posted on 04/01/2011 5:36:07 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

In before the ping???? LOL!

Good Morning.


3 posted on 04/01/2011 5:36:20 AM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Gabz

Missed by 13 seconds! Good to see you back and once again active on the thread!


4 posted on 04/01/2011 5:39:55 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Gabz

In AFTER the ping.....


In before the ping


5 posted on 04/01/2011 5:40:18 AM PDT by Dacula (Proud husband of a Breast Cancer survivor.)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Tomorrow i will plant the corn i have sprouted indoors! Trying to have fresh corn before the 4th of July. If it fails I’ll just replant. I’m in Fairfax, VA


6 posted on 04/01/2011 5:42:07 AM PDT by Bulwinkle (Alec, a.k.a. Daffy Duck)
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To: Red_Devil 232
Anyone know it the red salvia is a bee or hummingbird attractor?
7 posted on 04/01/2011 5:42:07 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Oooo! Made it into the Top Ten today! :)


8 posted on 04/01/2011 5:47:00 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Red_Devil 232

I’m trying!!!!

We’re supposed to get into the 50s today and 70s by MOnday. I think it is finally going to stop raining, but everything is totally water logged and mucky.


9 posted on 04/01/2011 5:49:15 AM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Spinach that survived the winter!

10 posted on 04/01/2011 5:52:21 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Red_Devil 232; Gabz; Bulwinkle; Dacula
FREE SEED EXCHANGE

Thrifty? Gifty? Curious? Generous? Spare seeds? Rare seeds? For a tiny plot? Or a flower- pot?

Send seeds? Befriend seeds? Just want 10 seeds?

If you have garden seeds you can offer other FReepers for free, for a SASE, and/or in exchange for other seeds, please send me your info. (Private Message Mrs. Don-o) and I will add you to this list, which I will post on the garden thread from time to time. Please also Private Message me to be removed when you no longer have the seeds to offer. FReepo-seedoholics can contact each other by Private Message to arrange any transactions.

Remember that old seeds may have reduced germination. (Although I’ve had great luck with them. And for free, you can't lose...) If possible, list year and variety.

Mrs. Don-o

I CAN OFFER
Acorn Squash (2009)
Basil (“Genovese” 2010)
Rainbow Chard (“Bright Lights” 2010)
Kale (’10)

INTERESTED IN
Kefir grain (live culture)


I HAVE HEIRLOOM TOMATO SEEDS (FREEPER TDSCPA) from about 75 popular, open-pollinated heirloom varieties. Tell me via PM what varieties you’re interested in, and if I have them I could send you a few seeds (10?) if you will send me a SASE.

Don’t know what variety to grow? I can make suggestions, if you want to grow plants from seed. Contact Tdscpa


If anyone needs or wants okra seeds (says JustaDumbBlonde)… please let me know. I saved a ridiculous amount in the fall of 2010. Two different varieties, Clemson and Jade, are both are heirloom variety so that you will be able to save seeds from your plants. Both are spineless and heavy producers. Jade is a bit darker green than Clemson and the pods are a bit shorter and fatter. Both are good for frying, soups, freezing, dehydrating or canning. Don’t be shy, l have more than plenty to share! Tip for planting okra: soak your seeds for 24 hours before planting. Okra seeds are hard like peppercorns and soaking will assist in quicker germination. Contact JustaDumbBlonde


I have some black-seeded Simpson lettuce seeds and some Buttercrunch lettuce seeds if anyone’s interested. (says Oberon), And... anybody have any Gold Nugget yellow cherry tomato seeds? I’m interested. Contact Oberon


I have about 100 Canna seeds that I would be glad to share (says Dacula), These plants are tropical and last up to the first frost. I live north of Atlanta and my cannas grow up to 6 feet and have beautiful flowers. I leave them in the ground over winter, but you can take the bulbs and over winter them. . In order to get the seeds to germinate, you have to lightly sand the outside of the seed and soak them overnight. Contact Dacula



11 posted on 04/01/2011 5:52:39 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Gardeners abhor a vacuum.)
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To: All

Best Lettuce Ever. :)

12 posted on 04/01/2011 5:53:44 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Good morning RD. I’ll be turning my compost piles, and probably putting one into the garden or into bags. I also have to stake or cage a few tomato plants.

Everything is growing like crazy. Squash plants are already blooming as well as a couple of tomato plants. I have several onions that are just about ready to pull. My lettuce is getting close to being ready for salads.

I also have a bunch of heirloom tomato seedling that will be going into the garden this weekend. I just wish we would get some decent rain. It is really dry and we are headed for the 90s already.


13 posted on 04/01/2011 5:54:42 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (TX and MI - When the going gets tough, the dims run and hide.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Eight is great! I have some Cosmos, Calendula and Bachelor Button seeds to plant I think I am missing one or two types to make up your benificial insect mix. Can you repost your special mix?


14 posted on 04/01/2011 5:57:51 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232; All

Diana’s Beneficial Bug Mix:

Orange Cosmos
Blue Bachelor Buttons
Calendula (yellow or orange)
Dill
Cilantro
Fennel

Mix a package of each of these together and plant a row of this, or just patches of the mix throughout the garden. If space is a problem, grow this mix in a pot near your garden bed or other potted veggies. Let the dill & cilantro go to flower, and the fennel go to ‘frond’ stage. These flowers and herbs bring in the Good Bugs, who will eat the Bad Bugs for you. It really brings in the butterflies, too! :)

Borage and parsley in the garden also bring in good bugs & pollinators! And, of course, cut yourself a bouquet of the mix for the kitchen table, and use the dill for pickles and the cilantro leaves for salsa, etc. This mix makes plenty for the use of man and bugs alike, LOL!

I’ve been using this mix in my 100% organic food garden for a decade or so. Works like a charm and I absolutely LOVE the fragrant and beautiful bouquet it makes, too!


15 posted on 04/01/2011 6:16:35 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Thank you! I do have the Dill, Cilantro and Fennel seeds. I am set to go! How much room do these take up? I plan on making a 3 or 4 foot long by 2 foot Planter to plant these seeds in. So I can just mix all these seeds together and sew all-together in my planter?
16 posted on 04/01/2011 6:25:02 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232
Greetings from southern New Hampshire, where there is 5" of fresh, heavy, wet snow on the ground and large flakes falling!

Barb's seed flats are starting to show seedlings in the flowers and tomatoes. She has an old electric blanket warming two shelves and I bought a 20" by 48" warming pad for the third shelf. We should have pretty decent plants before long.

We have picked out the location for the chicken coop and run and hopefully, I can get started on it in a couple of weeks. We should be getting our two running duck chicks any time and the six Black Jersey Giants and four New Hampshire Red chicks (All hens) in May.

17 posted on 04/01/2011 6:32:08 AM PDT by Redleg Duke ("Madison, Wisconsin is 30 square miles surrounded by reality.", L. S. Dryfus)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Question for you experts out there - is it to late to start some annual seeds indoors? I would like to start some geranium and zinnia but don’t think I started early enough for them to flower by June. Should I bother to start from seed or just wait and try earlier next year? Thanks for any advice you have!


18 posted on 04/01/2011 6:32:56 AM PDT by MissH
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

That sounds good, I may try that in pots.

We patched up my little greenhouse last week, so we’re ready to grow now. This week I sowed 130 bell peppers of various varieties thanks to the freeper who posted links to the dense planting method. Saving me LOTS of space and time up front. What I can’t use, I can share with neighbors. This year I added flowers to what I’m growing, I have young daughters, after all. :)

Since I sowed so heavily, I may not transplant into individual pots, I may go with popping them right into the garden. Depends on how my garden soil looks.


19 posted on 04/01/2011 6:34:22 AM PDT by Marie Antoinette (Proud Clinton-hater since 1998.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I passed your post on to the War Department. It sure is worth a try! Thanks!


20 posted on 04/01/2011 6:37:36 AM PDT by Redleg Duke ("Madison, Wisconsin is 30 square miles surrounded by reality.", L. S. Dryfus)
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