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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 3, JANUARY 17, 2014
Free Republic | Jan 17, 2014 | greeneyes

Posted on 01/17/2014 5:49:09 AM PST 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!

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.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; hobby
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To: tillacum

I’ve heard about eating the berries too. I may try that for a change. I cleaned the windshield of my pickup with a handful of paper towels, and it was a yucky green color.

Just watching the clouds of pollen this morning makes me want to stay in the house all day. My neighbor’s wife stays inside all day for now.


21 posted on 01/17/2014 7:44:31 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: ruesrose

I’ve always pruned roses down about one third of its height. The best time to prune them, is on or about Valentines day. That is in central Texas. I feed mine all year with compost. It builds the soil too.


22 posted on 01/17/2014 7:48:45 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: tillacum

I’ve heard the same treatment for poison ivy. The cedar cure might be doable but no way would I try the poison ivy!!


23 posted on 01/17/2014 7:54:37 AM PST by bgill
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To: tillacum

Dale is famous for his tomatoes around here.
Do try his formula!


24 posted on 01/17/2014 8:01:10 AM PST by patriot08 (NATIVE TEXAN (girl type))
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To: All

Dale Nelson’s famous tomato formula:

(Dale has a serious green thumb and has even created his own highly sought-after tomato formula prized by backyard gardeners.)

Original Formula / Sandy Soil
1 cup 10-20-10 (1-2-1 ratio) fertilizer
1/4 cup super phosphate
1/2 cup gypsum
2 cups cow manure
Dig a hole and mix ingredients. Then, add regular dirt on top of formula before placing tomato plant in hole. Otherwise, formula will burn the roots of the plant. Don’t let formula touch the roots when they are first planted. Let the plant grow into the formula. Water regularly. Stand back and watch them grow! Best varieties are Sonny, Bingo, Carnival, Heatwave, Celebrity, Big Boy, Better Boy and President. Best cherry tomatoes to use are small Fry and Cherry Grande. Everything needed is available at any local nursery.

Caution: Please be aware that excessive use of phosphorus in our clay soil over a long period of time can be non beneficial to your plants.

Clay Soil*
1 Cup 21-0-0 (1-0-0 Ratio) Ammonium Sulphate
3/4 Cup Gypsum
2 Cups Cow Manure
Mix these ingredients together with existing garden soil and plant one tomato plant per hole mixture.

*Most clay soils in this area already have too much super phosphate, which tends to stay in the soil for a long period of time. The local nursery people tell me, the best way to correct this is by adding ammonium sulphate which is 21-0-0.


25 posted on 01/17/2014 8:10:04 AM PST by patriot08 (NATIVE TEXAN (girl type))
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To: Arrowhead1952

Our friend took 2 berries from each tree. It’s not quite as bad here, as it is in your area, but hubby’s allergy is in full bloom, here.


26 posted on 01/17/2014 8:17:18 AM PST by tillacum
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To: bgill

POISON IVEY??? That would be a REAL challenge.


27 posted on 01/17/2014 8:19:36 AM PST by tillacum
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To: tillacum

Here is the history for cedar pollen in Austin. One day it was over 16,000 and the second highest ever recorded. I think today may be higher.

http://www.kvue.com/community/Allergy-History-136749988.html


28 posted on 01/17/2014 8:33:50 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: greeneyes
Greetings from Massachusetts! We have crocuses up! This pic was taken in our back yard on 1/15/14:

And yes, this is very unusual.

29 posted on 01/17/2014 8:38:18 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: greeneyes

I am in SWest MO. Got a quick, heavy snow last night. 10 minute flurry and gone.
I am interested in what seeds you are starting in Feb. I have never done starter seeds, but want to this year. Trying to figure a way to do so without a green/hothouse.
Am putting in some raised beds so we can plant a bit earlier. Just have not decided on what to start early.


30 posted on 01/17/2014 8:51:18 AM PST by ExpatGator (I hate Illinois Nazis!)
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To: All
This is what Austin, TX looked like this week. No, that's not haze but cedar pollen.


31 posted on 01/17/2014 8:55:10 AM PST by bgill
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To: ExpatGator

Starter seeds are fun. I just buy those little pellets that you fill with water. The pellets then expand and you push the seeds down the middle. You then place the clear plastic cover over it (it comes with the pellets) and that works as the greenhouse. Obviously, you need a sunny window.


32 posted on 01/17/2014 9:30:50 AM PST by miss marmelstein (Richard Lives Yet!)
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To: greeneyes

Hi all, just checking in. No gardening going on here in west Michigan. It is a warmer 20 degrees today, we have about 2 feet of snow in the ground and almost 60 inches so far this winter. I do have a basil plant on my windowsill, taken from a cutting fro the garden that spouted easily in water last fall. It’s even flowering. I’ll have to make a trip to the local botanical gardens just to be around some greenery or I really will go nuts.


33 posted on 01/17/2014 9:41:19 AM PST by MomwithHope (Let's make Mark Levin's The Liberty Amendments a reality!)
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To: miss marmelstein

I never knew if those were worth using. Thanks!


34 posted on 01/17/2014 9:49:02 AM PST by ExpatGator (I hate Illinois Nazis!)
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Comment #35 Removed by Moderator

To: miss marmelstein

I’ve never heard of those “water” pellets. Where do you get them? I’d like to try some.


36 posted on 01/17/2014 10:22:12 AM PST by tillacum
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To: bgill

Well, best of luck then! With it being such a cold winter, it might just work out perfect.


37 posted on 01/17/2014 10:34:06 AM PST by KGeorge (Till we're together again, Gypsy girl. May 28, 1998- June 3, 2013)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Southeast Texas where I am is pine tree country - pine tree pollen is yellow. When that starts, everything is covered with yellow pollen. One has to wash the windshield of the car so one can see out before driving.


38 posted on 01/17/2014 10:35:55 AM PST by Marcella ((Prepping can save your life today. I am a Christian, not a Muslim.))
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To: greeneyes
Hard frost here in east central Florida this morning.

Planted collards and red radicchio the other day. They handled the frost with no problems.


39 posted on 01/17/2014 10:49:16 AM PST by Jed Eckert (Wolverines!!)
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To: Marcella

The male cedar trees are rust colored now. The dust that covers the windshields, outdoor furniture, etc., is chalky colored. When you clean the car glass, it turns the towels olive drab green. I wash my windshield about every two days.


40 posted on 01/17/2014 11:33:10 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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