Posted on 08/28/2015 1:33:15 PM PDT by greeneyes
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.
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We garden on the FAR North coast of California so you should try growing them from seed but be prepared to buy then incase they fail for you...
Cinderella Pumpkins maturing for Halloween and Thanksgiving…
My grape vines are under severe attack by unknown predators here in the south, while my grapes are doing well on my northern property. What’s up with that?
The Northern grapes are cuttings from a plant brought over from Greece to America in 1900, while the southern grapes are $4.95 on-sale plants from Wal-Mart. Could that be the problem?
Waitin’ for Erika. :-(
Hi, I live in Connecticut and plant mums (bought at Walmart for $3.96 each). Many have lasted year to year. You are in the South so they should last beautifully year after year (I would think).
Blecch!
Mine was an absolute bust this year.
“Decide that you can start at least 4 5oz Dixie cups with a seed or two of whatever”
Or, you can do what I did in spring of 2014, and have bunches and more bunches of Dixie cups with multiple seeds under a grow lamp until you have 135 containers of food growing outside.
I had a plan when “x” number of seeds had to be planted in those cups and I did it every day until that number of seeds was planed in those cups. Then, another date would come up and “x” number of seeds had to be planted in those cups so did it every day until it was done.
Thinking about it now, I made myself do it because it was inside my house so I had to see it everyday. If it had been outside, I could have ignored it thinking I would do it later.
If it’s done outside, I think your plan is a good one but I would put more than two seeds in a cup. :o)
I can’t put more than 2 seeds in a cup. It’s too hard to separate them without damaging the roots. I also have trouble thinning plants - I just have to avoid wasting any that sprout. LOL
I also only have 84 squares to fill up in the spring. I do have expansion space, but I won’t use it unless I have more energy next year - hoping to improve for sure. Gave it all over to Hubby this year.
I also picked 4 because that’s what size my plastic containers hold and I only have a 2x3 foot cart to put them on. But the main reason is, I had to pick a small number, because there would be absolutely no excuse why I couldn’t do that piddly amount in a whole week’s time.
Once I got going, I often did more - See it’s the getting started that I have trouble with. So I’ve learned that the best thing for me is to break stuff down into small steps and give myself a deadline. I’m funny that way.
Yes, you need to get them while they are smaller for pickling, otherwise you’ll have mush. I do use some of the large ones for the quick frig pickles that are fresh and not exposed to hot water like I talked about up thread.
We went to three casinos on the way, the last one was in West Virginia yesterday and now we are in Canton, Ohio, where Bob's son lives. Thank goodness we can rest a few days until we head to Ithaca, New York for a few days, then to just this side of the Canadian border where his sister lives.
It was still hot in Oklahoma and began to cool little by little after we left that state. It's cool here in Ohio - wonderful.
About Johnny:
He is doing okay after the last chemo which was over a week ago. I see he has posted a few comments on FR threads and he hasn't done that in a while. He tells me he is able to cook his meals and then clean up the kitchen and that is an accomplishment. He has to space out his energy and the first part of the day is the best to get something done.
So, he is still with us and not giving up.
I am posting from a small computer I brought with me so don't have my gardening list of people to put at the top of the post.
I just get mine from the local feed store because it is cheap, but they are available on line. I usually dig it into the ground before harvest though - it’s just a soil rejuvenator for me.
I do sometimes grow winter wheat, and that I will harvest and use a handful if/when I make bread.
Thanks, I’m sure that helped.
Thanks for the pics. I always thought the Iris bloomed in the spring - I guess that’s what is meant when they talk about a “late bloomer”? Ha.
Might get a lot from that!
I know the feeling. So was mine. Hubby got some stuff, but I got a couple of tomatoes and one cantaloupe. LOL
I was able to make a quart or two of tomato juice.
Nicked a few herbs for dinner here and there.
A pint of grape juice.
Three or four zucchini. Half a dozen little pumpkins.
One itty bitty spaghetti squash.
Normally we can barely keep up with our produce. Not enough to put up but enough to take care of sides for dinner during the season.
I usually do that and make loads of salsa and spaghetti sauce.
Usually have zucchini and green beans all summer.
Collard greens.
I got busy with other things this year and just wasn’t into it. Couldn’t keep up with the pests, neglected to put down a truckload of manure and of course the drought.
Mine is just the edges of the backyard. We usually get a lot for the tiny space and minimal effort(okay laziness-there I said it!)but this year it wasn’t worth the water I put on it.
I also planted everything in the wrong place.
I’ll try and do better next year I guess.
I just yanked the last sad little remnants of my tomatoes out tonight. I usually pick tomatoes until October.
I’m glad to hear he’s still hanging in there.
I’m all for lazy gardening! The least effort for the most produce - that’s my goal. LOL
I think I am going to try planting both - seed and plantings.
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