WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 17 APRIL 25, 2014

Free Republic | 4/25/2014 | 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!

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.

[greeneyes]

Even North of Mexico, like here in Missouri, full sun actually means a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sun. We also have issues with heat in the afternoon especially for southern and/or western exposure.

Several of my beds are located where they get shade from trees in the afternoon for this reason.

I use the standard Mel's mix for about half of my beds. That's equal parts, Vermiculite, Peat, and Compost the first year. Replenished each year with compost. Almost impossible to over-water.

I now understand that is the reason I had success the first year - I was using that mix/sq. foot gardening. Drainage so good that I didn't over-water. Figured out that's why I killed almost everything before then - too generous with the water.LOL

[Starstruck]

We could still have a snow storm

Well I too have that possibility. I 'm taking a chance because I still have another 15 Tomatoes in the greenhouse just in case. If mine survive friends , family and neighbors get tomato plants. The peppers are in pots so they can be brought back to the greenhouse.

[greeneyes]

Well, I am hoping your neighbors get lots of maters.LOL

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You might consider “Chickgrit,” available at farm and feed stores. It is finely ground limestone, comes in five pound bags and is clean and ready to use.
We used this in the seed starting phase of our veggies back in January.

[lee martell]

I could only pose as a Garden Whisperer for now, and a very amateur Whisperer at that since I have no place right now for a real garden. You have a lot of practical knowledge. I’m renting out the room with the little terrace. The present renter is tickled to death sticking plastic flowers in dirt. No accounting for taste, right?

[ApplegateRanch]

Well, apricots are blooming; the cherry, peach, grapes, plums, and apples are all budding out. The season's first asparagus will be on tonight's plates; 16 garlic are up so far, and 15 more planted. The rhubarb is leafed out, and the two I transplanted last week are thriving, so there is a full complement of 21 in the bed again for the first time since before we bought. We also have at least 4 up in the "temporary" bed I put them in about 10 years ago.

3 plots in the main garden, 14 X 28, 12 X 28, and 10 X 14, have had 3" of compost double tilled into them.

We have violets blooming, and the lilacs are budding. Bulbs and iris are thriving, though a long way from blooming yet.We are inundated with wild pasque flowers, the SD state flower; never had so many before.

A friend of a friend is selling me her 10 X 10 King Canopy greenhouse frame for $25, and is throwing in the anchors. A neighbor's tree limb broke in a windstorm and tore the cover; they replaced it with an entire new one for her, and she doesn't have room for both. I am ordering a new cover for it from Amazon for another $112, and free shipping. On the rear wall there is a vent window.

The spousal unit had me grind pine bark, then help her lay weed fabric around our elm. She then circled it with large pieces of quartz, petrified wood, and other rocks we've collected while wandering through the Black Hills; and then mulched with the bark.

[greeneyes]

Now that’s gonna be a nice greenhouse. We are getting flowers and buds on our fruit trees too.

I took a picture of the mystery tangerine which is fully decked out loads and loads of blooms on every branch. We are hoping this will be the year we actually get some fruit to eat and preserve.

Last year we go a few peaches, but the tree dropped the fruit while it was still small and immature. We got nothing on the rest. The trees were still a bit young I guess, and the dreadful summer of drought no doubt had a negative impact.

If we get a pool full of water this next week, we’ll be set to make sure they get the water they need, even if the summer is drier than usual.

[DuncanWaring]

How far apart should fruit trees (apple/pear/peach) trees be planted?

I’ve heard anywhere from 10’ to 20’.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Is there a heat source ?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

We have several million gallons of water available. A pump on our boat dock lifts lake water to all the zones hereabouts.

[greeneyes]

It kinda depends on the fruit tree, and the type. There’s the standard size, the dwarf size, and something in between for lots of fruit trees.

Then there’s the “columnar” trees. So you would have to know the anticipated height and diameter of the mature tree to be able to answer the question.

Usually, the catalog or instructions that come with the tree contains that info.

[SAJ]

Guess your renter could always make grilled cheese with melted plastic flower, and just a sprinkling of fresh basil.

De gustibus non disputandum est.

Takes all kinds, m'FRiend...

[greeneyes]

That's a precious resource you have. We don't have that. We have a well, and try to keep our usage to a minimum, because we don't want it to go dry.

We've had several that did go dry on our hill. We paid extra to have ours drilled deeper than usual. Our next door neighbor on the lower end had to drill a new well a few years back.

Now some new people own that house, and they did a bunch of remodeling, and had to plant new grass. I couldn't believe they were out there during the last big summer drought watering their lawn.

We never water the lawn. What will grow will grow. What will die won't get planted again. That's the way it is for us.

We hauled water that summer for the perennials, and fruit trees, nut trees, and berries. Let the entire garden we planted burn up, except for some of my heirloom beds, where we grow the seeds for the next year.

If we had ever been able to build on our 20 acres, we have a big stream we could have used. I still think it would be good to plant some native trees like paw paws, persimmons, walnuts etc on the property. Then there would be more forage-able food that wouldn't require much attending.LOL

[DuncanWaring]

They’re bare-root trees that came with no instructions.

Full-size, eventually, to the best of my knowledge.

I got them from the county “Conservation District”, the woman who runs that operation suggested 8-12 feet, depending on how ambitious I intended to be in pruning.

[rightly_dividing]

Just got back into the house from another scooter wreck. I wound up in the ditch with the scooter on top of me, pinning me against some concrete. Eventually some neighbors came along and helped me out. Wife is more upset than I am, I only had one bloody place, which is great for me, I bleed easily. Now for a shower and a pain pill and some sleep, and we’ll see how tomorrow goes.

Hope you’re havin a better day.:)

[left that other site]

That is exactly how I would have done it!

[twyn1]

I’m new to this list — wanted to say hi and ask a quick question.

We’re just outside Philly, PA, so it’s a little early to be planting just yet. We have 3 raised beds (~ 4’ x 8’) and some side areas where we can plant but we haven’t graduated much past the herbs/tomatoes/peppers/cucumbers/beans/lettuce/zucchini stage yet, so I am hoping to get some tips and confidence as I read here.

My question is about composting. We recently purchased a barrel-type composter where you throw the stuff in and tumble it every day or so. It’s about half-full right now, with close to the recommended proportions of “green” & “brown” stuff along with some garden dirt and a starter. The instructions say it takes 4 to 6 weeks to become compost, but it doesn’t look like it is doing anything at all. Should I just keep adding stuff in the right proportions, keep it moist and hope magic happens?

[ApplegateRanch]

I have heaters & thermostats I can use.

[DuncanWaring]

I’m guessing it’s still too cold.

[ApplegateRanch]

I should add it won’t be used year round, but as a season extender, especially in Spring for seedlings; and Fall for some containers. Summer usage, we’ll see.