Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 18, May 4, 2012

Friday, May 4, 2012 | JustaDumbBlonde

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Good morning FRiends and fellow gardeners! I really enjoyed all of you that participated in last week's thread. I've been so busy that I didn't have time to respond to each and every comment, but I think about what y'all write and the photos that you post while I'm out working on my own projects. You truly inspire me!

Looking forward to reading your updates this week. We welcomed 2 new members to the ping list last week, bringing us to 525 members. That is fantastic, and we are on track to add 100 members this year.

In my own little patch of earth, I've worked on many projects this past week and I did take plenty of photos along the way. If I get a chance I'll share some later on this evening, but if I don't, I'll post them all as next week's thread. My mind is reeling going from one thing to another and it would be easier to tell you what doesn't hurt on my body. It is all very rewarding though, as I'm sure y'all understand.

Happy gardening!

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 ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Previous weeks' threads:

Weekly Gardening Thread (Catalog Fever) Vol. 1 Jan 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Seeds) Vol. 2, January 13, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 3, January 20, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (U.S. Hardiness Zones) Supplemental Vol. 1
Weekly Gardening Thread (Soil Types) Vol. 4, January 27, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 5, February 03, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 6, February 10, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation?) Vol. 7, February 17, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Home Sweet Home) Vol. 8, February 24, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Soil Structure Part 1) Vol. 9, March 2, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Transplanting Tomatoes) Vol. 10, March 9, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Useful Links) Vol. 11, March 16, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread -- Vol. 12, March 23, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread -- Vol. 13, March 31, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Happy Easter!) Vol. 14, April 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 15, April 13, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 16, April 20, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 17, April 27, 2012

[JustaDumbBlonde]

center>

Ping to the Weekly Gardening Thread Member List

Please let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from the ping list.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Detailed State Plant Hardiness Zone Maps

Alabama	District of Columbia	Kentucky	Montana	Ohio	Texas ( East )
Alaska	Florida	Louisiana	Nebraska	Oklahoma	Texas ( West )
Arizona	Georgia	Maine	Nevada	Oregon	Utah
Arkansas	Hawaii	Maryland	New Hampshire	Pennsylvania	Vermont
California ( Northern )	Idaho	Massachusetts	New Jersey	Puerto Rico	Virginia
California ( Southern )	Illinois	Michigan	New Mexico	Rhode Island	Washington
Colorado	Indiana	Minnesota	New York	South Carolina	West Virginia
Connecticut	Iowa	Mississippi	North Carolina	South Dakota	Wisconsin
Delaware	Kansas	Missouri	North Dakota	Tennessee	Wyoming

International Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
Australia
Canada
China
Europe
Japan

[Augie]

It’s been a wet week here in Central Missouri. I dumped 4.1” out of the rain gauge on Tuesday. It stopped just long enough for me to mow the yard and now it’s raining again. Mrs. Augie called awhile ago to tell me that it was hailing at the house. If it doesn’t dry up soon I’m going to have to re-pot my tomato plants for the third time.

[Gabz]

Good morning!

I think the weather is finally cooperating here in eastern Virginia1

[momtothree]

I need some FReeper gardening advice. I have several Lilacs that grow but won’t bloom. Does anyone have a trick or some helpful tidbit? One Lilac use to bloom but stopped several years ago. I have read online that adding Epsom Salt to the soil or in the water helps. Any advice is truly appreciated. I’ll be in and out today (dealing with tons of little fires that I need to put out) but I will check the Gardening Thread throughout the day. Thank you in advance. Hugs, Mom

[MichaelP]

I live in Michigan about 40 miles east of Lansing. I have an 80x20x40 vegetable garden, as well as planters and flowers around my property. I have already planted Blueberries, rasberries and Roses in the yard, not in the garden. I got the garden tilled last Tuesday and plan to put in some of the cooler weather crops this weekend. I'll be planting broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and sewing radishes. I may try some zucchini early too. I will be planting a strawberry plot this year too, a first. Too early for tomatoes, peppers and cukes here...

Mike

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Well, if you would be so kind, you can add me to your list.

I’m looking forward to the last frost in hopefully the next week so I can get my starts in the ground. Down here the old-timers say you look at the mountains and if you see snow don’t plant, if you don’t see snow plant. Works everytime.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I wouldn't recommend putting anything on the lilacs until you get some idea of what's going on. Get an inexpensive soil test kit at a garden center, or better yet, get a sample kit from your local extension office and send off the test. I suspect it is a nutrient problem, but I couldn't begin to know which one.

You might also do a search engine query on how to fertilize a lilac. That will give you a formulation that is recommended to get the best results.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Great! I hope you get some of your projects done!

[TheRhinelander]

I’ll be planting all of my stuff this weekend. Frost is over up here in New England. My asparagus still hasn’t come up yet (this is the year after I just planted it) and I’m getting a bit worried. Other than that my spinach and lettuce is kicking butt!

As for the lilacs not blooming, I’m not sure. Epsom salts won’t hurt. It’s usually a feeding issue. Test the soil around it as well.

[MichaelP]

Are they getting enough sun, 5 hrs? Are you getting lawn fertilizer on them, too much nitrogen? Try this link:

Here

Mike

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I'm proud to add a cowboy from one of my favorite states! Welcome.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

All of that sounds great! Please keep us up-to-date on how everything comes along. I didn't get any cole crops planted this year, as it has been too warm. Hopefully, I'll get them in this fall.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Good morning, all. I might actually buy some seedling starts of flowers and veggies in the next couple of weeks. I think we are finally beyond the chances of a frost here. I moved my 25 year old Jade Plant out to the front porch this week and also have some Crysanthemum starts out there. That is the beginning.

On the home front, I’m still recovering (slowly) from my slip on the ice in Jan. Might have to have a knee replacement and am fighting the idea mightily. But, everytime I think I’m out of the woods, by knee will catch and bring me to my senses.

[painter]

I’m going to have to re-pot my tomato plants for the third time.

You need to put your tomato plants in double 5 gallon bucket planters. They self drain so your plants don't drown.

[texas_mrs]

I've finally gotten my whole garden planted and everything is doing well. I've been watering every day until I get a gravity-fed drip system put in. Advice regarding this is welcome!

Does anyone know of any problems putting okra next to tomatoes? They don't show as companion plants anywhere I've looked, but also don't show to conflict with each other. I still have a few okra in peat pots in the greenhouse ready to plant.

On another note, I had read that cornmeal would kill fire ants. Didn't believe it, and it took a while, but they are gone! I used it in the greenhouse beds where I couldn't use pesticides AND in the yard and if they've only moved, not died, I haven't been able to find where they've gone and hubby hasn't seen them either.

[OB1kNOb]

Does anyone have a successful approach to prevent rabbits from mowing down young bean plants....short of an impenetrable fence, bullets, or dogs tied to the area at night?

[afraidfortherepublic]

How old are your lilacs? I have several 40 year old lilac bushes that are not blooming well any more. I’ve been told that I should prune them half off and wait 2 years. They should come back strong the 2nd year.

But, I’ve also noticed that nobody’s lilacs are doing well in Wisconsin. I think it might be our strange weather this year.

[afraidfortherepublic]

How old are your lilacs? I have several 40 year old lilac bushes that are not blooming well any more. I’ve been told that I should prune them half off and wait 2 years. They should come back strong the 2nd year.

But, I’ve also noticed that nobody’s lilacs are doing well in Wisconsin. I think it might be our strange weather this year.