Posted on 02/24/2012 7:48:38 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde
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Greetings from hot and sticky NE Louisiana! We set a record high yesterday at 89 degrees. I miss the mountains of Montana already. It averaged around 15 degrees while we were there and I was walking around in shirt sleeves. Without the extreme dampness, the cold is really comfortable.
I want to extend a big THANK YOU to Red Devil_232 and Ellendra for taking care of the thread in my absence. Y'all did wonderful work and I appreciate your efforts more than you will know. I had expected to be able to post the thread for the past 2 weeks, but things did not go as planned and the only internet access I had -- when I could get a signal -- was my smartphone. Trying to post a thread from that is just beyond my level of patience.
Most of you have healthy and happy plants started indoors by now. I am getting mine started this weekend, about 2 weeks later than I should have, and the anticipation is really exciting.
My short series on soil structure is coming along nicely, and I apologize that it is not ready to publish today. Structure is such an important part of growing a healthy plant. Now that vacation and some health issues are out of the way, I will be able to devote a bit more time to this endeavor that I love so much.
Let us know what you doing! I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you! 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!
That was a timely chart - a rumble went through about 15 minutes after the initial post, didn’t last long, some rain received later in the afternoon. Hope more follows!
Damm Goats??? I got a little weeding done in the Blueberry patch today and Lady Bender finished weeding the Garlic plot then a Church member/friend brought a PU load of garden debris to dump in the gulch. The Church has about 10 volunteers for the gardens that have won the City Beautification a couple of years ago. They give one award per year...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le-Nmg0q9jE&feature=related
Just found this.. compost sifting.
It’s giving me ideas.
Well, I done did didit.
I just placed my order for this year’s seeds.
Sweet Peppers, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Golden Beets, Swiss Chard, Summer Squash, and Honeydew Melons.
Where can I place an order for the energy to plant all this???
Not much going on ‘round here garden-wise; still a little early to start tomatoes and peppers...but I’m doing a lot of sprouting for salad greens and we have the third floor walk-up attic prepped as the ‘Chick-a-Torium’ come April. (We have a brooder pen - they don’t get the full run of the attic!)
We had a clear, cold day with no snow, so we did get a lot of the orchard trees trimmed and the scrap trees that were crowding out the chicken coop are now GONE - and Good Riddance! I can FINALLY paint the west side of the coop, and there’s more firewood to boot. Happy, happy! :)
Nice contraption he has designed.
Do not panic! You are not late. I’m 300 miles west of you and probably 2 weeks behind your season, because of higher altitude.
Previously, I usually started peppers about March 1 and Tomatoes about March 15. I have decided that is too early, and will delay those dates by about two weeks this year. Last year, we were still having freezing temps on May 15, which is considered our “last frost date”, and my seedlings were huge, and a pain to take care of before I got them set out.
Good plan on the early/late tomato crops. There are many members of this group that report tomatoes not producing in extreme heat, but I’ve never experienced that. Wish I knew why. What variety of eggplant are you growing?
What kind of fruit trees are you pondering?
Enjoy that cold frame!
Very nice selection of veggies! Y’all will be eating very well :)
Do you have the cheddar cauliflower or the purple? Have you grown colored ones before and, if so, is the taste similar to the white?
Thanks, trisham! Good to see ya.
Thank you! It’s good to be back home and in touch with my gardening FRiends. :)
I don't know much about hazelnut bushes, except that the Arbor Day Foundation has been working on bushes that grow well almost anywhere. This is the link, if you're interested in checking them out. I was planning on trying some.
Sounds like your gardening is well underway! Thanks for checking in!
Hey! I’ve been following the ducklings on Facebook and they are precious. Sounds like y’all are pretty good at doctoring too. Be sure and post some pics when you get all those implements going in the garden. I’m so excited for you.
Glad you checked-in, Dolly, and doubly glad that you are enjoying a pleasantly mild winter. With no more cold weather than we’ve had here in LA, I cringe to imagine the insect pressure we’ll have in the Spring/Summer. I’ll really have to be on my game with the spraying.
Good luck with the okra! I was grocery shopping in Bozeman 2 weeks ago and ran across some fresh okra in the produce section. $5.99/pound. People in the Deep South would die laughing as they walked on by.
Don't be apprehensive, you'll go just fine. Check with your local county extension office. They will have tons of useful information and you can get your soil tested. Hey, we pay their salaries anyway, might as well take advantage.
I don't know a thing about 4-in-1 fruit trees. If they are offered by a reputable company, you don't have to worry much.
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