Posted on 04/12/2013 12:55:20 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. 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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Not being burdened with anyone else in the house, I'm free to use the kitchen table as I please, and no-one complains.
Yes, that's a carburator in the bathroom sink. I'm single. ;)
/johnny
Plants of all kinds, limbs, twigs, kitchen scraps, leaves are all like gold for the garden. It helps to put nutrients back into your soil. Otherwise, your soil will be depleted and crops will not do so well.
If you click the link tubebender provided last week (posted above) there’s a video that explains a lot about mulching with wood chips. Mulching is a good idea to help keep the moisture in the soil and decrease the amount of watering you need to do among other things.
No the compost pile doesn’t stink as long as you have plenty of air available. When everything is decomposed enough you have great fertilizer for your garden it is just as sweet smelling as the best dirt you can buy. LOL
We brought some Spanish moss back from Georgia and are interested in getting it to grow in central north Carolina. Do you think if we install mister line up the side of the tree and keep the moss moist that it will survive? I have seen it on the Carolina coast in new Bern. But since we are inland we are hoping to imitate those conditions near our pond.at least during the hot months.
Well I improvise and use a Milk Carton to make markers. Just take kitchen shears and cut out a thing rectangle. Then write on it with permanent marker and stick it in the dirt of the container I am using. It’s cheap and helps get rid of Milk carton trash.
I have a baking station sort of in my downstairs basement. It’s about 39 inches long. I just take a newspaper and cover the counter, do my thing, then wad up the mess and stick in into the big compost bin. I have a grow light on the downstairs kitchen table, which we don’t really use to eat on anyway, because I put the containers on an old pan covered with aluminum foil.
Since I pass by the table constantly during the day, I don’t forget to check on the progress of the starts.
It’s always better to share the chores with someone, even if its just the kids, and even if all they do is talk about what you do. At least that’s the way I am. I find it hard to get as motivated when it’s just me. That’s why this garden thread is so helpful to me.
Reading what everyone is doing or especially seeing pictures gets me motivated big time.
I second that motion. I'm also telling myself “You have always been able to learn anything, and you MUST do this.” That “MUST” keeps bugging me until I do what is necessary, plus I know the people on this thread are working at this, and I'd better have something every week to report that shows I'm trying, along with these master growers.
I'm also impressed with the number of growers that have physical problems that should limit what they can physically do and they do it anyway.
/johnny
Something creative and motivating about growing plants and gardening plus connecting here with other FReeps who do.
I think the Lord put the desire deep within—after all, Adam and Eve tended the garden of Eden from the start.
I agree with my esteemed buddy, all you said is true!!! I am so glad that you decided to join us!
You may be on to something there for sure.
/johnny
Are these late cold snaps going to kill a lot of seedlings?
My cilantro seeds planted in the little side raised rockbed are popping up with vigor now. Its a semi-shaded area so I hope the Tx summer heat on this side of the ‘Metro-mess’ wont wilt them too excessive. All this highway construction in mid DFW most certainly IS a mess lately.
Cilantro does great for me, even if we have a really hot summer. Mine are in full sun. They also tend to self-seed if you let a few of them bolt and make seed.
/johnny
I am not a big squash eater.
However I do have 6 heirloom old summer squash seeds that I am going to plant in a couple in pots just to keep the line going.
Also might have some old table queen squash to do the same.
Well they could potentially, but that’s why I keep my seedlings indoors. Once I transplant outside, I cover them up with a row cover if the weather gets too frosty.
I also had a friend give me a dried dipper/drinking gourd with seeds in it a little while ago. The gourd spent 2 minutes out in the shop with the drill press and a home-made seed hook to get the seeds out. I've already got the seeds in dirt in Dixie Cups(tm). I would love to have drinking gourds on the property. Friend said they came from AZ and were growing wild.
/johnny
Drinking gourds just might come in handy.
johnny do you save any seeds for next season? Not just cilantro either! I planted seeds from a store bought jalapeno pepper but no such luck in sprouting any of it.
/johnny
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