Garden thread
Replies
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moonangel12 wrote: »So far, after two nights of covering, things are looking OK. We got quite a bit of rain last night so the plastic ended up squishing a couple plants as puddles formed, we’ll see if those rebound (one was a watermelon, the rest mainly sunflowers and onions). A father and daughter duo from church stopped by, had a quilt frame of his moms to give me, and he said he doesn’t usually plant anything until Mothers Day... good to know for next year! Last year I got lucky... but probably won’t be as eager next year (I am learning from seasoned gardeners that many don’t plant until two weeks after the listed frost date. My husband’s grandmother was the same way).
FWIW, if your plants/rows are small, you can make quick impromptu supports for row covers out of wire coat hangers, something many of us have extras of. Cut or unwind, bend into U shape. If worried about sideways flopping, use 2 at 90-degree angles, fasten the top interection with string, twist tie, whatever. Inelegant, but functional.
Pushing the season by a couple of weeks is usually going to work, it's just a little fussy.2 -
I had hula hoops up for support, but it was windy off and on as well so they got bent and twisted in the process... the overall design has been a bust for both bird netting (access wasn’t as easy as I had hoped and the kids moved my nice neat “pile” to mow, so I ended up with a tangled mess), and then benefit of dealing plastic didn’t go quite as well as hoped either. Oh well... I’ll keep trying! Planning out some cold frames for next cold season - our split level has a brick lower level, and a stretch of wall facing SE, it’s just begging to be used!moonangel12 wrote: »So far, after two nights of covering, things are looking OK. We got quite a bit of rain last night so the plastic ended up squishing a couple plants as puddles formed, we’ll see if those rebound (one was a watermelon, the rest mainly sunflowers and onions). A father and daughter duo from church stopped by, had a quilt frame of his moms to give me, and he said he doesn’t usually plant anything until Mothers Day... good to know for next year! Last year I got lucky... but probably won’t be as eager next year (I am learning from seasoned gardeners that many don’t plant until two weeks after the listed frost date. My husband’s grandmother was the same way).
FWIW, if your plants/rows are small, you can make quick impromptu supports for row covers out of wire coat hangers, something many of us have extras of. Cut or unwind, bend into U shape. If worried about sideways flopping, use 2 at 90-degree angles, fasten the top interection with string, twist tie, whatever. Inelegant, but functional.
Pushing the season by a couple of weeks is usually going to work, it's just a little fussy.
ETA: I have more of a square foot set up so that makes it a little harder to get covered I think...1 -
They might not grow many cold weather crops?kshama2001 wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »So far, after two nights of covering, things are looking OK. We got quite a bit of rain last night so the plastic ended up squishing a couple plants as puddles formed, we’ll see if those rebound (one was a watermelon, the rest mainly sunflowers and onions). A father and daughter duo from church stopped by, had a quilt frame of his moms to give me, and he said he doesn’t usually plant anything until Mothers Day... good to know for next year! Last year I got lucky... but probably won’t be as eager next year (I am learning from seasoned gardeners that many don’t plant until two weeks after the listed frost date. My husband’s grandmother was the same way).
Here in 6b, two weeks after the last frost date is about the date for warm annuals like tomatoes. We can plants hardened-off cold annuals like kale a month before the last frost date.
I start planting pea seeds between St. Patrick's Day (March 17) and April 1, depending on how organized I am and how much snow we have - irrespective of temperature, if the soil is too wet, the seeds can rot.
I use a kitchen thermometer to measure soil temp:
https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-measure-soil-temperature-for-planting/
Garden Vegetable Seed Germination Temperatures
The soil temperature for planting vegetables should be:- 40° F or warmer: Lettuce, kale, peas, spinach.
- 50° F or warmer: Onions, leeks, turnips, Swiss chard.
- 60° F or warmer: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, beans, beets.
- 70° F or warmer: Tomatoes, squash, corn, cucumbers, melons, peppers.
The seed germination temperature is often much warmer than the plant’s growing temperature. Once established, many veggies can handle much cooler air temperatures as long as the soil is warm enough. To get a head start on spring planting, plant seeds indoors or use plastic row covers to warm the soil more quickly.
I did get some cold weather crops started a couple/few weeks ago, but since they are 3x8 and 4x12 beds I just tried covering the whole thing with a sheet of black plastic... other areas I used spare pots to cover individual plants such as a couple herbs I put in last week.0 -
My seedling squash plants and chives will have to stay inside under the lights for a while more, as it snowed yesterday and today. I have some canteloupe seeds potted, but they haven't sprouted yet. My daughter has a garden big enough that she shares, so I'm just growing a few oddball things!0
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I killed some plants this year by having them out too early. I think a week from today will be fine for the more delicate ones (such as the tomatoes and peppers and maybe artichokes), although today is supposed to be a safe day (although it was super windy and below freezing this year). My mistake was putting more delicate plants out on Easter for seasonal reasons and letting them get snowed on.
My chives are great, they survived over the winter and I used them on some potatoes today.3 -
This was a Mother's Day gift straight from God for someone who has very little faith in her own capabilities. I walked outside yesterday to see this little Bell Pepper sprout in my pot. Now I have faith that I will see more sprouts. I am excited...
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moonangel12 wrote: »
Not sure if you want to get rid of them entirely, or just tame the patch, but came across this video and thought I would pass it on (disclaimer, I have not watched it, but skimmed the article).MeganD1704 wrote: »I like this thread- I am a very amateur planter compared to most here lol!
Still to cold here to plant (3b), however I have my line up ready.
I do have a question though- how do you get rid of strawberry plants? The house we bought has a contained little tree with so many strawberry plants it seems to be starving the tree
those are the only thing that are currently growing so far despite the 30-low 40 temps last week. Hardy buggers.
https://lovelygreens.com/reviving-overgrown-strawberry-patch/
Thank you so much! I couldn't find the thread again- favorite'd now lol. It snowed here this weekend of course so looking like late late may before we can plant.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »MeganD1704 wrote: »I like this thread- I am a very amateur planter compared to most here lol!
Still to cold here to plant (3b), however I have my line up ready.
I do have a question though- how do you get rid of strawberry plants? The house we bought has a contained little tree with so many strawberry plants it seems to be starving the tree those are the only thing that are currently growing so far despite the 30-low 40 temps last week. Hardy buggers.
@MeganD1704 yes, my strawberries sure do spread like weeds
Every spring I give them away on freecycle.org and my gardening group on Facebook. I've also planted some at two neighbors'. At the one, we planted in large pots with the intent of letting them die over the winter, but one jumped overboard and two years later has now planted itself all around her mulch bed
I segregated some against the fence with modular fencing and will add some bird netting when the berries get ripe so they don't all go to the squirrels and birds.
At my last place I had enough to share with the critters, but my gardens are smaller here and I have to protect my berries.
Oh that is a great idea! I am going to post on our local free/nothing group and see if anyone would like some first.1 -
My parents planted some alpine strawberry plants... if they ever make it across the country for a visit (they were supposed to be here a couple weeks ago, boo Covid
) I am hoping they can bring me a couple plants... the ones I planted last year, including the runners, look fantastic this year! Here’s hoping I can get to them before other critters do (ants and birds were the main issue last year... going to put something under them to keep them off of the dirt and they are covered with wire mesh baskets now). 2 -
moonangel12 wrote: »My parents planted some alpine strawberry plants... if they ever make it across the country for a visit (they were supposed to be here a couple weeks ago, boo Covid ) I am hoping they can bring me a couple plants... the ones I planted last year, including the runners, look fantastic this year! Here’s hoping I can get to them before other critters do (ants and birds were the main issue last year... going to put something under them to keep them off of the dirt and they are covered with wire mesh baskets now).
That is one of the other problems with ours- the birds get to them faster and we end up with berry poop all over the deck
-I put wire mesh over top for now considering the weather is still to cold to do much at this point, 0 -
MeganD1704 wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »My parents planted some alpine strawberry plants... if they ever make it across the country for a visit (they were supposed to be here a couple weeks ago, boo Covid ) I am hoping they can bring me a couple plants... the ones I planted last year, including the runners, look fantastic this year! Here’s hoping I can get to them before other critters do (ants and birds were the main issue last year... going to put something under them to keep them off of the dirt and they are covered with wire mesh baskets now).
That is one of the other problems with ours- the birds get to them faster and we end up with berry poop all over the deck -I put wire mesh over top for now considering the weather is still to cold to do much at this point,
I use modular fencing that I cover with bird netting once the berries start to ripen.
I had to put bird netting over my 12 x 2 bed that my cat recently discovered he liked >.< I had hoops with mesh to keep the cabbage worms off my kale, and during the cold spell covered it with a sheet, which became his preferred outdoor spot for the next few days until I netted it.
Here's the fencing: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NB1EECB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=14 -
I just bought a raised garden bed. I found one that matches my patio furniture. My patio gets mostly dappled sunlight so I will be planting things that do OK in semi shade like greens, bunching onions, carrots, and peas.
We had several nights of freezing temps and had snow on Sunday. Looking at the 10 day forecast, we are finally (hopefully) past frost so I will be planting my tomatoes, etc. tomorrow.
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kshama2001 wrote: »MeganD1704 wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »My parents planted some alpine strawberry plants... if they ever make it across the country for a visit (they were supposed to be here a couple weeks ago, boo Covid ) I am hoping they can bring me a couple plants... the ones I planted last year, including the runners, look fantastic this year! Here’s hoping I can get to them before other critters do (ants and birds were the main issue last year... going to put something under them to keep them off of the dirt and they are covered with wire mesh baskets now).
That is one of the other problems with ours- the birds get to them faster and we end up with berry poop all over the deck -I put wire mesh over top for now considering the weather is still to cold to do much at this point,
I use modular fencing that I cover with bird netting once the berries start to ripen.
I had to put bird netting over my 12 x 2 bed that my cat recently discovered he liked >.< I had hoops with mesh to keep the cabbage worms off my kale, and during the cold spell covered it with a sheet, which became his preferred outdoor spot for the next few days until I netted it.
Here's the fencing: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NB1EECB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thank you so much! going to look into this option if we decide to keep them.1 -
I just bought a raised garden bed. I found one that matches my patio furniture. My patio gets mostly dappled sunlight so I will be planting things that do OK in semi shade like greens, bunching onions, carrots, and peas.
We had several nights of freezing temps and had snow on Sunday. Looking at the 10 day forecast, we are finally (hopefully) past frost so I will be planting my tomatoes, etc. tomorrow.
I feel like we must be close zone wise lol! we had frost again this morning so now I remain uncertain
Edited to add I love your planter- its a nice size! 0 -
Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
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Lettuce is en route
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@AnnPT77 - that is a LOT of rhubarb! Wow! I would bundle it up and sell it or even give it away?? I planted 3 plants this year (one is battling the hosta for growing space, forgot they were there), mainly for jellies and jams since they were family favorites when my uncle made them.2
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moonangel12 wrote: »@AnnPT77 - that is a LOT of rhubarb! Wow! I would bundle it up and sell it or even give it away?? I planted 3 plants this year (one is battling the hosta for growing space, forgot they were there), mainly for jellies and jams since they were family favorites when my uncle made them.
I'd be more inclined to do that, if not for our current stay-at-home orders. I've offered some to friends, who could come and cut their own, but I'm daunted at handling food for strangers, and this is not the kind of neighborhood where you can put bags out by the sidewalk for strangers to take (busy secondary road, 55mph speed limit, no sidewalks, not a good place to encourage people to stop at the roadside).0 -
@AnnPT77 that is so much rhubarb. Not sure if you have a farmers market in your area but you might have someone at one who likes to make Jam that would take it off your hands lol!1
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Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
Rhubarb pie at @AnnPT77 ‘s house!! 😁☺️
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Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
Jealous!
I love rhubarb but mine died last year. If I didnt live on another continent and know that customs would throw them all away, I'd come by and take them all
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Safari_Gal_ wrote: »Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
Rhubarb pie at @AnnPT77 ‘s house!! 😁☺️
She needs to get together with @MeganD1704 next month for strawberry-rhubarb pie 3 -
moonangel12 wrote: »@AnnPT77 - that is a LOT of rhubarb! Wow! I would bundle it up and sell it or even give it away?? I planted 3 plants this year (one is battling the hosta for growing space, forgot they were there), mainly for jellies and jams since they were family favorites when my uncle made them.
I'd be more inclined to do that, if not for our current stay-at-home orders. I've offered some to friends, who could come and cut their own, but I'm daunted at handling food for strangers, and this is not the kind of neighborhood where you can put bags out by the sidewalk for strangers to take (busy secondary road, 55mph speed limit, no sidewalks, not a good place to encourage people to stop at the roadside).
Drat, I was going to suggest giving it away via freecycle.org or the Free section on craigslist.
Maybe there is a local charity that takes food? My neighbor gets a misfit vegetable box delivery and gives me what she doesn't want or recognize, which lately included a 4 pound jicama. Now, I like jicama, but there's no way we can finish 4 pounds worth.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »@AnnPT77 - that is a LOT of rhubarb! Wow! I would bundle it up and sell it or even give it away?? I planted 3 plants this year (one is battling the hosta for growing space, forgot they were there), mainly for jellies and jams since they were family favorites when my uncle made them.
I'd be more inclined to do that, if not for our current stay-at-home orders. I've offered some to friends, who could come and cut their own, but I'm daunted at handling food for strangers, and this is not the kind of neighborhood where you can put bags out by the sidewalk for strangers to take (busy secondary road, 55mph speed limit, no sidewalks, not a good place to encourage people to stop at the roadside).
Drat, I was going to suggest giving it away via freecycle.org or the Free section on craigslist.
Maybe there is a local charity that takes food? My neighbor gets a misfit vegetable box delivery and gives me what she doesn't want or recognize, which lately included a 4 pound jicama. Now, I like jicama, but there's no way we can finish 4 pounds worth.
If you were closer, I'd trade you rhubarb for jicama. I live alone, and I'm pretty sure I could eat a 4 pound jicama before it spoiled . . . I'd love to try.
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I'd love some rhubarb, but, yeah, not that much!1
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Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
I dislike rhubarb but this showed up in my FB feed. Thought of your right away.
80 Rhubarb Recipes to Make This Spring (and Summer!) https://tasteofhome.com/collection/rhubarb-recipes-for-spring/?trkid=soc-toh-facebook
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Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
I dislike rhubarb but this showed up in my FB feed. Thought of your right away.
80 Rhubarb Recipes to Make This Spring (and Summer!) https://tasteofhome.com/collection/rhubarb-recipes-for-spring/?trkid=soc-toh-facebook
OOoo: Some of those look really good. I especially like the looks of that tart with amaretto and mascarpone! (Now, how much do I want the tart, vs. not want to go to the grocery store for mascarpone and puff pastry . . . ? ).
Thanks!0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »@AnnPT77 - that is a LOT of rhubarb! Wow! I would bundle it up and sell it or even give it away?? I planted 3 plants this year (one is battling the hosta for growing space, forgot they were there), mainly for jellies and jams since they were family favorites when my uncle made them.
I'd be more inclined to do that, if not for our current stay-at-home orders. I've offered some to friends, who could come and cut their own, but I'm daunted at handling food for strangers, and this is not the kind of neighborhood where you can put bags out by the sidewalk for strangers to take (busy secondary road, 55mph speed limit, no sidewalks, not a good place to encourage people to stop at the roadside).
Drat, I was going to suggest giving it away via freecycle.org or the Free section on craigslist.
Maybe there is a local charity that takes food? My neighbor gets a misfit vegetable box delivery and gives me what she doesn't want or recognize, which lately included a 4 pound jicama. Now, I like jicama, but there's no way we can finish 4 pounds worth.
If you were closer, I'd trade you rhubarb for jicama. I live alone, and I'm pretty sure I could eat a 4 pound jicama before it spoiled . . . I'd love to try.
I'm with you, I have jicama every day on my salad and decided it's the one thing I DON'T want to run out of, it's great dipped in salsa too! Haven't tried making tortillas out of it yet or cooking it but love it raw.2 -
kshama2001 wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »@AnnPT77 - that is a LOT of rhubarb! Wow! I would bundle it up and sell it or even give it away?? I planted 3 plants this year (one is battling the hosta for growing space, forgot they were there), mainly for jellies and jams since they were family favorites when my uncle made them.
I'd be more inclined to do that, if not for our current stay-at-home orders. I've offered some to friends, who could come and cut their own, but I'm daunted at handling food for strangers, and this is not the kind of neighborhood where you can put bags out by the sidewalk for strangers to take (busy secondary road, 55mph speed limit, no sidewalks, not a good place to encourage people to stop at the roadside).
Drat, I was going to suggest giving it away via freecycle.org or the Free section on craigslist.
Maybe there is a local charity that takes food? My neighbor gets a misfit vegetable box delivery and gives me what she doesn't want or recognize, which lately included a 4 pound jicama. Now, I like jicama, but there's no way we can finish 4 pounds worth.
If you were closer, I'd trade you rhubarb for jicama. I live alone, and I'm pretty sure I could eat a 4 pound jicama before it spoiled . . . I'd love to try.I'm with you, I have jicama every day on my salad and decided it's the one thing I DON'T want to run out of, it's great dipped in salsa too! Haven't tried making tortillas out of it yet or cooking it but love it raw.
Please help me with the jicama here! https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10796365/recipes-needed-to-use-up-a-4-pound-jicama1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Safari_Gal_ wrote: »Sharing because I find this funny: A couple of years back, my next door neighbor asked if he could use my veggie garden area, which I was not planting. Of course, I said "sure". What he didn't say was that he planned to plant, um, ample? amounts of rhubarb, a perennial (comes back every year, very robustly in its case). He planned to make rhubarb wine, but would let me cut what I want, too.
Now, my neighbor, who's a dear man but a little bit of a fibbertigibbet, has decided not to make rhubarb wine (as far as I know, never did make any). He will maybe plant some other things out there (still fine), but called to let me know I should cut whatever rhubarb I want, up to and including all of it. This is enough rhubarb for at least 20 normal (non-rhubarb-obsessed) families, I think. I don't even like the stuff all that much, I mean, it's OK, but I'm not going to cut it by the bushel, and freeze/can it.
This is like a 30-foot row of rhubarb.
Rhubarb pie at @AnnPT77 ‘s house!! 😁☺️
She needs to get together with @MeganD1704 next month for strawberry-rhubarb pie
Mmmm that would be delicious. I will let you know when they start poppin up lol0
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