WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 37 SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Free Republic | Sept. 14, 2012 | 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 ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!

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[greeneyes]

So glad to hear that Texas has finally had some rainfall.

[Ladysforest]

I meant to mention - I HATE collards! LOL - a carry-over from my childhood in VA.

[greeneyes]

Thats a good list. I have trouble using up garlic, so I plant quite a bit of that after I have it on hand for a while. Most everything else we use so quickly I don’t have to mess with planting.

An occasional potato and the garlic is about it.

[greeneyes]

Good thing it didn’t hit soomer - sounds like you got some good results this year.

[greeneyes]

Is it possible to treat the soil to prevent late blight next year - or is it not a problem that gets carried over?

[djf]

Well, for one, most fungi thrive in an acidic environment - the soil in the PNW is quite acid due to the pine trees. So I need to lime it good, better yet, I have about 50 lbs of wood ash from burning up tons (literally) of limbs last spring, I’ll use some of that.

And I have a couple pounds of potassium bicarbonate which is an excellent fungicide, I just didn’t catch it in time.

But no matter what, it would be complete foolishness for me to plant tomatoes next spring in the same place, so I’ll have to move them elsewhere!

[greeneyes]

Well, yeh I always rotate my crops, but I wasn’t sure if you could plant anything there once you had late blight. Thanks for the additional info.

[Bellflower]

Are there those on this thread that save seeds from their own veggies, and If so can you please share tips on what to do to save them?

[Bellflower]

I just sampled some vegetable beef soup made from veggies from my first garden. It was so good!

[greeneyes]

Yes, quite a few do. A week or so ago we had a discussion about saving Tomato seeds, which can be kind of a pain.

Red Devil_232 has a simpler way by using oxiclean.

Most of my seeds like cantaloupe, watermelon, etc. I just scrape out the seeds and wash them off in a strainer, then when clean drain on paper towels. Then I put them on a dixie paper plate and label it.

Cover the plate with a plate that has a number of holes in it. Secure it with a clothes pin or paper clips, and put it on top of the refrigerator to dry.

Then I put them in an envelope or empty medicine bottle. Label and date the contents, and pitch them all in a coffee can with lid and place in the Refrigerator till spring.

For Corn, I just strip the husks and leave them attached at the bottom, remove the silks, and use the husks to hang them up and let them dry.

[rightly_dividing]

I didn’t like collards as a kid, but I married a woman that is the Queen of cooking collards.( it’s a southern thang, collards and cornbread ) Also, they are an excellent carrier for homemade pepper sauce. yum

[Sarajevo]

I did mush the same as you several years ago and had my Pitaya plants in my greenhouse, but they didn't grow well. I replanted several of the longer sections in a mixture of manure and potting soil and I placed them under an oak tree. They have been growing very fast.
Dragon Fruit cactus are a plant from the dry tropics and like shady locations. I keep the basal roots and soil moist. The plants also like to climb brick walls.

[Sarajevo]

Does anyone know how to leach herbicide out of soil?
I have been amending my soil with horse manure from a local ranch. I recently found out that they been spraying herbicide along their fencelines. The horses graze on the sprayed grass, and it passes right through them, then out into the manure. So far, it has only affected my tomatoes with small curled leaves and reduced fruit production. All other garden plants seem to grow and produce well.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Go ahead and get some Round-Up. It's glyphosate and the EPA doesn't regard it as particularly dangerous to humans or animals. Look to see if the formulation you are using contains the surfactant POEA which has controversy regarding toxicity issues. Round-Up is something that works best when applied to actively growing broadleaf plants and grasses. It does break down very quickly and you don't need to fear it like the anti-Monsanto scare machine likes to pretend.

I use it and I consider my garden techniques as “natural” but not strictly organic. I always choose the softer path, if possible, but I will use appropriate chemicals when, and if, needed and then with strict attention to directions and local conditions (wind, time of day, etc.) Eradication is the goal and loss of labor involved in 19th century peasant agrarianism doesn't appeal to me. I work hard enough that I am not going to overlook all possible tools available. Use it in moderate schemes and continue on with soil building and other “organic” practices and you will have very little impact, if any.

Use caution, use care and use enough.

[WorkingClassFilth]

This is THE book you want. It is the singel best seed saving book available on the market for the lay person to use for all conventional crops.


http://www.amazon.com/Seed-Growing-Techniques-Vegetable-Gardeners/dp/1882424581


If you wish, FReepmail me for additional information.

[Rightly Biased]

thanks

I will try as you suggested

After the 3” of rain yesterday it will really get going... I wish it grew as well in the yard as it does in the garden

[tdscpa]

Roundup (or an equivalent glyphosate product) kills Bermuda grass. It does not affect your soil. It only kills green plants, including grasses. It is minimally effective on woody plants (trees).

Once it contacts soil it is done. Spray with it, and you can immediately plant seeds where you sprayed, and even transplant into the soil that was sprayed as long as the foliage does not contact the spray.

Bermuda grass is tough to control, but if you spray it 2-3 times several weeks apart, you can kill it. If you leave some alive near the treated area, it can invade again.

I use a small artist paintbrush to paint and kill Bermuda sprigs that grow under my fence foundation to infest my lawn and my garden from my utility easement, where I like to let it grow. (It needs little water, and I only have to mow it about five months/year.)