WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD April 29, 2016

freerepublic | April 29, 2016 | greeneyes

[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.

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. Planting, Harvest to Table(recipes)preserving, good living - there is no telling where it will go and... that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.

[txhurl]

I saw the niftiest grape propagation method ever: google two-liter grape propagation. I reckon it would work on anything able to send roots along the branches or canes.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

greeneyes :" That is so cool, and so nice of you. As long as we have good people helping others in our communities, we know that the spirit can spread .."

Suggestion : visit a Mexican seed house on the web and copy what they offer, preferably with pictures .
Perhaps those folks have some unusual requests that don't translate well, or that you understand ,.. but pictures can fill 1000 words !

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Chick grit seems to keep the soil dry around the stem of the baby plant. Just a small amount is all you need. A package will last a couple of years,
Get the “fine” grit.

All babies are out from the lake front starter beach house/sun room.

Bird netting draped over pvc pipe around our gardens. Works 100 percent.
Critters just don't like the feel of the netting.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

painter :" We cleaned out the weeds and composted them.
For the last couple weeks we have been cutting asparagus like crazy."

I have heard to leave the skinny asparagus shoots in place to build up strength and production for next year.
The foliage that they produce provide the nutrients and photosynthesis to improve vigor for next year, just as you dont harvest a new bed for 2-3 years.
However, I will defer to Augie, since he is the commercial grower, and has more practical experience than me .

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

weatherbell.com Joe Bastardi, Saturady summary
more snow in Colorado rockies is moving/ ambleing to NE ,
snow in high grounds all the way from Backley West Virginia to -Bradford, Pa.
MAJOR STORM ALONG THE EAST COAST , WILL PROVIDE SNOW AND RAIN ; PATERN TO SOON CHANGE to summer patern of troughs, stabilizing temperature variables.
out to 9 day interval , another snow for Denver, and Texas rains will lead to flooding like in 2007
weather , out day 8-15 warming in NE, this pattern is not conducive to tornadic activity ( for month of may).

IN GENERAL : hotter than normal summer this year thru out the US due to weather troughs,
La nina is coming as it normally follows El Nino ,and oceans waters will be cooler, will result in cooler air temps,
since ocean water can retain heat/cold about 1000 times more than air .

[trisham]

Thanks, TIK!

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Eric in the Ozarks :" Chick grit seems to keep the soil dry around the stem of the baby plant."

I assume the chick grit is high in calcium , minerals , and perhaps in micro-nutrients too ?

[Starstruck]

Went to pick up my heirlooms. The guy growing them for me has a large asparagus patch. His family has been having asparagus cooked every way they can think of. He was very happy to give me a nice bunch of them.

[txhurl]

I’m one of those neanderthals that eat the tender top of asparagus dipped in garlic lemon butter, then dip the tougher stems in ranch with fingers. You can just stuff it in ziploc bags in the freezer and microwave till done, about 4 mins.

[Starstruck]

I’m one of those neanderthals that eat the tender top of asparagus dipped in garlic lemon butter, then dip the tougher stems in ranch with fingers.

I'm just suprised this guy could get his pre-adolescent kids to eat asparagus. I hated it as a kid but love it as an old man.

[greeneyes]

Thanks for posting this. Cooler Air? Cooler ocean? But what of Global Warming? LOL

[greeneyes]

That’s lucky for you!

[cherry]

good person....

[cherry]

don’t you go and get yourself sick....we enjoy your posts and all of your photos...lucky man to be living where you are...

[cherry]

wonderful....we were in Seattle last weekend and everything is in bloom there...rhodies, azaleas....nothing prettier and splashier than red rhodies...

[cherry]

we got for free about 13 yrds of wood chip material...wood chips plus needles all chopped up....and we've been slowing trying to line the areas between our boxes to help cut down on the weeds....its work but I think in the long run it'll make managing our garden easier....

for our new blueberries, we put a lot of older slightly decayed pine needles to help cut down on the weeds plus add a little acid to the soil....

with gardening...it never ends...

[tubebender]

Seattle is very similar weather to the Humboldt Bay region. Some things we can’t grow and some things thrive here. We have had lots of sunshine but it is windy and cool...

[tubebender]

Did someone ask about a Weather Rock…

[sockmonkey]

No, Sadly, I won’t be able to participate in World Naked Gardening Day as this year it happens to fall on the same day as World Naked Chainsaw Day.

[tubebender]

As long as you use the proper bathroom...