Weekly Gardening Thread – 2011 (Vol. 24) June 24

Free Republic | 06-24-2011 | Red_Devil 232

[Red_Devil 232]

Good morning gardeners. Well this past week brought a respite from the sunny hot weather here in Mississippi. We received two days of beneficial rains, which helped to revive my garden. Watching the radar it looked like a good portion of south-central Texas from San Antonio to the northeast corner received some rain also. I hope it was helpful to our gardeners over that way. My winter squash are growing like mad and my hot and sweet peppers are doing great. What is left of my tomatoes seem to have revived a bit during these rainy and cloudy days. I really hope that what ever weather you have had improved a bit for you and your gardens this past week.

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.

[Red_Devil 232]

Weekly Gardening Thread

FREE SEED EXCHANGE

 

This EXCHANGE is brought to you by FReeper 

Mrs. Don-o

Thrifty? Gifty? Curious? Generous? Spare seeds? Rare seeds? For a tiny plot? Or a flower- pot? Send seeds? Befriend seeds? Just want 10 seeds?

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 a few of these seeds (say, 10) for free to anybody who wants to send me a SASE:

Basil (“Genovese” 2010)

Beans (“Jackson Wonder Butterbean “2011)

Broccoli (“Bonanza” 2011) Chard (“Bright Lights” 2010)

Fennel (“Florence” 2011)

Kale (“Redbor Hybrid” 2010)

Squash (“Acorn 2009”… and I had really good germination with it, this year!)

Squash “(Georgia Candy Roaster” 2011.. a terrific winter squash!)

Tomato (“Brandy Boy” 2011)

INTERESTED IN

Seeds for Fall

Anything (surprise me!)

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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

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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

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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

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Free Winter Squash or Stevia seeds or Heirloom Tomato/Pepper Seeds (says Black Agnes) The ‘Patio Marconi’ seeds are container peppers that are sweet and good for salads, sandwiches or frying. Open pollinated if that interests you. Cilantro seeds too. It’s good used fresh to detox heavy metals. Contact Black Agnes

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swheats Has the following packets of seeds to share. They were a gift and never used contact swheats if you would like any of these packets.

Ferry Morse seeds Dated 2010

Arugula
Organic Watermelon(Moon&Stars,100%certified organic seed)
Swiss Chard (rainbow of colors)
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Turnip
Tomato (brandywine heirloom variety)
Gourd (swan)
Carrot (nutri-red)
Carrot (Big Ideas Veggie Tales)

Burpee Seeds Dated 2009

Coriander
Cilantro (Chinese parsley)
Tomato (Delicious)
Organic Cucumber Sumter (100% certified Organic Seed)
Parsley (single Italian Plain Leafed
Spearmint
Basil (Summer Long)
Sweet Corn (Jubilee Hybrid)
Green Bean (gourmet mix)
Cucumber (bush Champion)
Lettuce (Loose leaf mixture)
Squash (Fordhook Zuchini)
Pea (Sugar Daddy)

Weekly Gardening Thread

[Red_Devil 232]

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.

[mbynack]

I live in Panama City, FL. It’s been miserably hot and dry here. I don’t think we’ve had an inch of rain at my house since March. My peas and string beans died after producing a pretty meager harvest. The cucumbers died last week. A couple of tomatoes died and the survivors are barely holding on. It’s been a pretty rough year for gardening.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Mornin’, Red.

[Red_Devil 232]

Good morning. I read where you got some rain also. Did it help?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Good morning all. It’s been raing al week. When I was checking my garden yesterday between shouwers, I noticed something “funnY’ about my tomatoes. Keep in mind that these plants have been in the ground only about 2 1/2 weeks. In that time, they have more than doubled in size, set a few tomatoes, etc. ut, I noticed yesterday that one out of the 16 plants looks funny” on top. The topmost leaves are bending back upon themselves so that the leaf looks more like a poinsietta leaf than a tomato leaf. They are sort of pity around the edges.

All the rest of the plants look fine. It’s an “Early Girl”. I’ll post pictures later on. I took some photos last night, but I want to take some more. I need to get at another computer to post them.

My question: Should I just pull out this plant before it contaminates the others? Should I spray it with something?

[Red_Devil 232]

Sorry to hear that. Yeah it has been very sunny and hot hear also. I lost some of my tomato plants to the heat!

[Gabz]

Good morning! We finally got some rain, but could sure use more. However, I’m not complaining, others are in far worse shape than we are.

[Redleg Duke]

Greetings from soggy southern New Hampshire! It is still raining and the place is very lush! I love green!

Our two raised beds are doing swell. We have zucchini and tomatoes forming and the mellon vines are looking good. Our pepper plants are also looking promising.

Last weekend, our eleven pullets moved into their new coop and run. They seem okay, but Barb has to pick them up and place them in their coop every evening. They huddle together in the corner closest to where their cage used to be.

Yesterday, my son cleared the area around our back door and its suicide steps. When I got home, I took the string trimmer and cleared the weedes. Tomorrow morning, I start the deck. It is going to be a temporary affair, 14' by 14' and will eventually be taken down and moved to serve as the deck off of the future sun room. But, it will give us a nice place until the sun room is built.

Today is supposed to be the last day of rain. As my late Grandmother Schulz used to say, "We'll see!"

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning RD. Not much to say about the garden, but we did get over 2.5” of much needed rain in central Texas. We are in a severe drought, and the weather people say it will take seven or more rain events like we had the other day to break out of this dry spell.

[Red_Devil 232]

I think your tomato plant is telling you that it has had to much water. The leaves will turn/curl under trying to expose as much of the leaf to the air in an attempt to expel water vapor.

[ConorMacNessa]

Things are going fairly well in my garden this year although I lost a rose and most of my Casa Blanca lilies. Tomatoes and peppers coming along nicely and my numerous hostas are just about ready to bloom. Daylilies in the front yard have passed their initial flush - should pick up again in about a week. My son is assisting me this year and doing a good job. Happy Gardening!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[afraidfortherepublic]

With typos corrected!

Good morning all. It’s been raining all week. When I was checking my garden yesterday between showers, I noticed something “funny” about my tomatoes. Keep in mind that these plants have been in the ground only about 2 1/2 weeks. In that time, they have more than doubled in size, set a few tomatoes, etc., but, I noticed yesterday that one out of the 16 plants looks “funny” on top. The topmost leaves are bending back upon themselves along the edges so that the leaf looks more like a poinsietta leaf than a tomato leaf. They are sort of pointy around the edges.

All the rest of the plants look fine. It’s an “Early Girl”. I’ll post pictures later on. I took some photos last night, but I want to take some more. I need to get at another computer to post them.

My question: Should I just pull out this plant before it contaminates the others? Should I spray it with something? All suggestions would be appreciated.

[gramho12]

It's been dry here in MD - one of those summers when we hear thunder and see lightning and the storms go to the North or South of us. But we have had some nice rain this past week and I don't have to water as much.

My strawberries are gone, but now I have lots of red raspberries. I planted my lettuce pretty thick in my raised beds, so it seems to keep it cooler, so I am still getting some lovely lettuce. Have lots of green tomatoes, my cabbage and broccoli are not doing that great (got too hot too soon) and my squash is forming and the corn is doing well.

Here's to enough and but not too much rain to you all.

Have a great day - I'm off to do much needed weeding.

[chickpundit]

I am looking for some advice. We just moved to a new place this summer, and I am excited about extra space we have now for a garden ... just one problem. When we tilled, the amount of rock we have is astounding. Clay and rock is typical for our area, but where are, or where we tilled anyway, it is much more rock than clay. We picked up lots of rocks, but didn’t even make a dent, and ended up bringing in a load of top soil for a small section of the garden, as it’s late in the season and just wanted to get something in.

I thought about trying lasagna style gardening on the rest to start building up some organic material, but imagine it would take years to build up the amount I need? Raised beds are an option, as I had those at our last home, but that would get expensive over such a large area, unless there’s a cheaper method of which I am not aware?

Anyone else dealt with lots of rocks and have some ideas for me? I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thanks.

[Betis70]

‘Misty’ describes the weather here this week. Lettuce loves it. Everything and everyone else is wondering when the sun is coming back.

Barney Kessel (jazz guitarist) playing a nice version of the jazz standard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjI0XyrgtCU

[afraidfortherepublic]

Well, my tomato plant should tell God that it has had too much water. I did disconnect the automatic sprinkler. We sure don’t need that in the rain! LOL.

[stefanbatory]

My tomatoes are also doing quite nicely. they have been getting watered quite well and as with yours, one has already some fruits on it.

Unsure on your malady, but red’s explanation sounds quite reasonable...

[Mrs. Don-o]

I've got some big squash vines growing up a trellis --- North Gergia Candy Roaster is the variety. The upper leaves (up on the trellis) look great, it's growing vigorously, and it's setting fruit. But the bottom leaves, the ones closest the ground, are all turning yellow, then brown, then falling off. What's happening, do you think?

They're in big 20 gal. containers with plenty of drainage holes, but it's been phenomenally rainy for the past 7-10 days. Do you suppose they could be getting root-rot from too much water? Or could it be I've over-fertilized it? (Before it got so rainy, I was feeding it a high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer: diluted properly, but pretty regularly. Maybe too much?)

No visible sign of fungus or mold, by the way. And the upper plant looks swell. Just yellowing and dying of lower leaves.

BTW, this isn't happening to other cucurbit-types that I planted in the ground (not in containers.) Tubebender, I'm pinging you to this because I consider you a Wise One. Any ideas?

[stefanbatory]

two possible courses of action come to mind right away: keep picking rocks and globalbuckets.org