Minnesota Outdoorsman

General Category => Lawn & Garden => Topic started by: Dotch on January 01/10/23, 03:53:15 PM

Title: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/10/23, 03:53:15 PM
Posted the last pic in the 2022 gardens thread so figured we'd get a new one going. Made some headway since Dec. on the left. The one on the right is very much alive, the bulb is firm, it has some green color and if you examine it closely there is a leaf just starting to poke thru the old tissue.

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/10/23, 03:57:48 PM
i got a Jungs catalog a few weeks ago!!!!! :rolleyes: :whistling: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/10/23, 04:01:40 PM
You should plant your snow peas!  :coffee:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on January 01/10/23, 06:05:58 PM
I just ordered a tree from the Gurney's catalog... :)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on January 01/10/23, 07:02:22 PM
That is great Dotch.  Refresh us on what it is?  Sure growing great.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/14/23, 03:47:53 PM
It's getting close!! :rotflmao: they had them out at runnings, I thought why not!👍
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on January 01/14/23, 06:47:40 PM
red kohlrabi??  not sure I have seen that, or purple I have.. 

good eats this summer!!!  and fall!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/14/23, 06:53:42 PM
red kohlrabi??  not sure I have seen that, or purple I have.. 

good eats this summer!!!  and fall!!!
that's what i thought to and i thought..why not!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on January 01/14/23, 06:59:21 PM
red kohlrabi??  not sure I have seen that, or purple I have.. 

good eats this summer!!!  and fall!!!
that's what i thought to and i thought..why not!!!!!!!!

I'll take 2 for sure!!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on January 01/14/23, 07:20:36 PM
Posted the last pic in the 2022 gardens thread so figured we'd get a new one going. Made some headway since Dec. on the left. The one on the right is very much alive, the bulb is firm, it has some green color and if you examine it closely there is a leaf just starting to poke thru the old tissue.

Googled it.  Nice looking plant.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on January 01/14/23, 08:42:39 PM
red kohlrabi??  not sure I have seen that, or purple I have.. 

good eats this summer!!!  and fall!!!

Actually no red Kohlrabi.....The packet says purple. I have grown both.....Early White Vienna is better. Looks like you have enough  Vienna for the summer Glenn.

Never heard of Livingston Seed.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/14/23, 09:53:21 PM
I like my kalarabi! :happy1:

I've seen it before, Livingston seeds, but needed to try something different. Especially the kalarabi, I haven't had very good garden stuff the past few years.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/15/23, 08:44:35 AM
the livington seeds where 1.89 a pack for most......a couple where 1,99. i stayed away from the organic rack. my kalarabi the last 2-3 years seemed to have alot of odd plants that never formed the ball!!!!!!!!!! :doah: :scratch: so i decided to go with a different provider!!!

i did pretty good considering i didnt have my list. need 1 more pack of carrots but i did double up on spinach and lettuce!!!!! :pouty: so i may do a fall planting of that!!!!!!

i decided last year i want going to plant cabbage........i just cant seem to get decent heads on them........i may change my mind as i need to make soup mix and saurkraut........but cabbage is fairly inexpensive.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/15/23, 09:10:34 AM
Livingston Seeds is a large supplier to stores such as FF & Runnings. Also think I've purchased their seed at the local hardware store. Their prices are reasonable & depending on the seed, the quantity per packet usually generous. Almost always cheaper than Burpee's or Ferry Morse when buying at FF. Typically been pleasantly surprised with the Livingston seeds we've bought. Saw the seed was out at FF the other day. Was on a mission getting things to mail to glenn so didn't get a chance to peruse them.  :azn:

https://livingstonseed.com/
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/15/23, 09:15:23 AM
Livingston Seeds is a large supplier to stores such as FF & Runnings. Also think I've purchased their seed at the local hardware store. Their prices are reasonable & depending on the seed, the quality per packet usually generous. Almost always cheaper than Burpee's or Ferry Morse when buying at FF. Typically been pleasantly surprised with the Livingston seeds we've bought.
 Saw the seed was out at FF the other day. Was on a mission getting things to mail to glenn so didn't get a chance to peruse them.  :azn:
https://livingstonseed.com/
:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :mooning:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on January 01/15/23, 10:44:01 AM
I have ordered all my seeds for this year from......
Pinetree
Holmes
Urban Farmer

I prefer planting Hybrids except for some tomatoes and melons because I keep the seeds from them. Seed racks in stores usually don't sell hybrids.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/15/23, 11:14:34 AM
I have ordered all my seeds for this year from......
Pinetree
Holmes
Urban Farmer

I prefer planting Hybrids except for some tomatoes and melons because I keep the seeds from them. Seed racks in stores usually don't sell hybrids.
i didnt pay much attention at runnings yesterday.....but i think they had a rack with hybrids!!!! :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/15/23, 06:47:34 PM
They have hybrids at FF. The mom & pops not as much perhaps but they have more limited space & selection. Sometimes hybrids are a good thing. I bought some green dragon cukes there 3 years ago. Was pleased with their performance & plant them every year now. Sometimes I've bought hybrids only to wish I hadn't. Honeybear squash was a prime example. One and done. Sheep feed. 🐑

Garden is in somewhat of a holding pattern depending on the wife's progress & spring soil moisture. Will plant the area we had last year for sure. Whether I tear up more pasture & nearly double the garden area depends on those factors. Would like to expand for rotational/disease/insect management purposes. Unfortunately vine crops take a lot of room & a 3 year rotation minimum.

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/15/23, 07:04:34 PM
They have hybrids at FF. The mom & pops not as much perhaps but they have more limited space & selection. Sometimes hybrids are a good thing. I bought some green dragon cukes there 3 years ago. Was pleased with their performance & plant them every year now. Sometimes I've bought hybrids only to wish I hadn't. Honeybear squash was a prime example. One and done. Sheep feed. 🐑

Garden is in somewhat of a holding pattern depending on the wife's progress & spring soil moisture. Will plant the area we had last year for sure. Whether I tear up more pasture & nearly double the garden area depends on those factors. Would like to expand for rotational/disease/insect management purposes. Unfortunately vine crops take a lot of room & a 3 year rotation minimum.
:confused: :doah: wadda mean.......with all that spare time you got....... skip all then gunsmoke episodes and naps........and you got this!!!!!!

                             :sleazy: :sleazy: :happybounce: :nerd: :nerd: :super smiley: :super smiley: :laughroll: :laughroll:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: dakids on January 01/15/23, 07:15:37 PM
I'm going to try broccoli this year for the first time.   What do I need to know?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on January 01/15/23, 07:36:47 PM
From seed????  Shop light or grow light. Seeds.  Potting soil. Containers.

Start in a flower pot. Transfer to 4 or 6 packs.

I have been growing my own for 40 some years.....Questions.....just ask.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/15/23, 07:51:08 PM
I'd get the plant from a green house!👌 But that's me
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/15/23, 08:10:43 PM
That's what we did the many decades the wife worked at greenhouses. There was always stuff getting tossed at the end of the season or crippled packs with plants missing. Price was right so why not?  :confused:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: dutchboy on January 01/19/23, 11:54:20 AM
Hate to sound like a idiot, but i've done that before.
Would one of these have enough dirt in them to grow veggies? Thinking pea's, carrots, beans, maybe potatoes. With all the Deer around here I thought I might try one of these. Thought of putting it up on the deck where the Deer can't get at it.  They come in different lengths. I'm not doing a huge garden like you guys. I thought just something small to give it a try.

Thoughts.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/galvanized-horse-bunk-feeder-5-ft-l

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on January 01/19/23, 12:04:52 PM
interesting    :scratch:

GF gave a 5 pak of 5 gallon grow bags for christmas..  I'm thinking 4 maters and one jalapeno pepper
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on January 01/19/23, 12:07:00 PM
Dutch I have a appx 165 gallon horse water tank type of thing you can have.  It was used for gardening by a friend and he quit doing it.  Black plastic.  Maybe put chunks of wood or rocks in the bottom so it doesn't take as much dirt.  It's yours if you want it. Probably froze under snow now but in the spring you can have it. Actually I have 2 of them.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on January 01/19/23, 12:09:47 PM
Yes.....one of those would work. 9 inches deep is plenty. BUT....you will need to drill holes in the bottom to let it drain. Should be easy to do since it is plastic. You could probably grow anything in there you want except probably corn.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on January 01/19/23, 12:10:13 PM
The last few years we have used landscaping fabric around the cukes and elsewhere. It has cut down on weeding considerably. Lucky Warden!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: dutchboy on January 01/19/23, 01:03:32 PM
Thanks everybody, Barry I may take you up on the offer if this winter ever ends.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Jerkbiat on January 01/20/23, 06:14:55 AM
That should work nicely. And the deer will be happy they won't need to bend over as far to reach it.  ;)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/20/23, 09:15:05 AM
That should work nicely. And the deer will be happy they won't need to bend over as far to reach it.  ;)
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: yea dutchy.....and set up a trail camera so you can post those pictures!!!!!!!! :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: dutchboy on January 01/20/23, 10:27:35 AM
That should work nicely. And the deer will be happy they won't need to bend over as far to reach it.  ;)

I'm always willing to help.   ;)  I actually hope they don't learn to climb the steps onto the deck.. :tut:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/24/23, 11:35:43 AM
1st bloom fully opened today on the one amaryllis. If we keep it watered & Poppy leaves it alone, it should provide many days worth of flowering. Luckily there is no squeaker in it or she would have torn it apart long ago.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/30/23, 03:17:48 PM
Snapped this shot this a.m. Probably the nicest amaryllis we've ever had. The lady who gave it to us sourced it from Bachmann's. There is actually a 3rd flowering stalk emerging between the 1st two.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on January 01/30/23, 05:43:04 PM
Do they just flower at this time of year?  Beautiful deep red.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/30/23, 06:07:18 PM
Do they just flower at this time of year?  Beautiful deep red.
with the amount of fertilizer he flings around.........it grow outside today!!!!!!!  :sleazy: :nerd: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on January 01/31/23, 04:56:44 PM
Used up the last onion from the garden today! We did get some from a friend so don't need to buy yet!👍

So Dotch, these flowers, are they eventually getting planted outside this spring???
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on January 01/31/23, 06:19:22 PM
To answer a few questions: In general, these amaryllis bulbs are designed to bloom around Christmastime or wintertime because of the way they're handled altho they can be forced to bloom in summer by the proper timing. When they're allowed to go dormant after flowering & stored at 40 - 50 degrees F for 4 - 6 weeks, then they can be taken and planted after that. They're capable of being planted outside but are temperature sensitive if it gets below 50 F. We got a whole bunch of bulbs that were carryover from a hardware store at our office one time. They had sat for a year on the shelves before they removed them. Price was right so we planted them out and all we got was vegetative growth. Think it helps to get stock from a reliable source rather than seeing them on sale at K Mart. These recent bulbs we were given were large and firm; in great condition. Some we've planted over the years haven't been as nice. Here's a link explaining handling amaryllis in more detail:

https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Amaryllis-Flowers
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on January 01/31/23, 06:45:33 PM
If ya can't eat em they're weeds.
My maternal grandmother grew more types of flowers than you can imagine. Grandpa called them weeds.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/01/23, 07:21:49 AM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on February 02/01/23, 08:27:57 AM
I hope the wrens come back early this year... :whistling:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on February 02/01/23, 08:41:02 AM
Me too, I need the eggs.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Jerkbiat on February 02/01/23, 08:50:21 AM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on February 02/01/23, 11:30:11 AM
Me too, I need the eggs.

How many dozen wrens eggs does it take for a meal for you?? :sleazy: :sleazy: :sleazy:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on February 02/01/23, 11:56:11 AM
About a gross.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on February 02/01/23, 01:24:51 PM
No wonder why they left.. :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on February 02/01/23, 01:58:48 PM
years ago we knew a fellow who raised pheasants, all the extra eggs that they didn't want to hatch they threw away..  well a few times we got ahold of some and by some, 5 gallon pails sometimes!!!   well they were a pain in the arse to work with but they tasted good!!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/01/23, 02:58:34 PM
When in high school my younger brother worked at a turkey farm and would bring turkey eggs home sometimes.  I was in my glory they were big and real good. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on February 02/01/23, 04:56:04 PM
years ago we knew a fellow who raised pheasants, all the extra eggs that they didn't want to hatch they threw away..  well a few times we got ahold of some and by some, 5 gallon pails sometimes!!!   well they were a pain in the arse to work with but they tasted good!!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Pheasant killer!!  :tut: ;)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/01/23, 04:58:25 PM
years ago we knew a fellow who raised pheasants, all the extra eggs that they didn't want to hatch they threw away..  well a few times we got ahold of some and by some, 5 gallon pails sometimes!!!   well they were a pain in the arse to work with but they tasted good!!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Pheasant killer!!  :tut: ;)
Yea no kidding!! :confused: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on February 02/01/23, 06:17:27 PM
years ago we knew a fellow who raised pheasants, all the extra eggs that they didn't want to hatch they threw away..  well a few times we got ahold of some and by some, 5 gallon pails sometimes!!!   well they were a pain in the arse to work with but they tasted good!!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Pheasant killer!!  :tut: ;)

yup just like chicken killers!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on February 02/14/23, 10:03:18 AM
While awaiting the arrival of the wrens, the amaryllis continue to provide color. The 2nd bulb decided to open up. It's a double-bloom model. There's still one flower bud to open. The third flower stalk on the amaryllis that blossomed initially opened recently as well. Don't recall ever having one with that many blooms on it. Think we'll try to keep these two as they've been so pretty & fun to watch.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/15/23, 10:32:25 AM
I am a dill pickle nut.  Love em.  Like to try different ones too.  We made 42 qts this year and are already down to 22 of them.  I have been hitting them hard.  That is a good thing.  I have been watching pickle fermenting videos.  Just let sit on the counter and they are done in a week or so.  I think I will make some of them this summer.  Ever done that?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on February 02/15/23, 10:49:07 AM
do ya drink the pickle juice too??   supposed to be good us..
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/15/23, 10:58:28 AM
Oh ya I sip on it.  Olive juice too.  Like a good real dirty martini with olive juice. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 11:12:11 AM
Me like pickles to!! I made about 40 qts last year. Some I added tia chili peppers to it for a little zing.

You just made me get a jar 🤣 of course then I needed to crab some pickled green 🍏! :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Jerkbiat on February 02/15/23, 11:31:59 AM
#metoo!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 12:20:07 PM
I got a lights out homemade bloody Mary mix that calls for pickle juice!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: dutchboy on February 02/15/23, 01:33:34 PM
When I bartended in Wisconsin way back when a Pickle spear in a Bloody Mary was a must.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on February 02/15/23, 01:53:44 PM
still is around here any way... 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on February 02/15/23, 03:10:07 PM
 :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/15/23, 03:14:42 PM
I had to munch on a few pickles too after we got on this subject.  I like Bloody Marys too.  I put pickle or olive juice in them too.   :happy1: :happy1:  May have to have one tonight. Or two.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: fishwidow on February 02/15/23, 03:58:12 PM
I love’em too, but tend to make them with a little too much vodka. They tend to sneak up on me and the lights go out after two good sized ones.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on February 02/15/23, 05:02:55 PM
With a 16' trellis I've been doing refrigerator pickles it seams every other day while they are cranking out. So last year I tried my hand at canning a few jars, man they turned out mushy, great flavor but no snap. They were cut up so maybe keep em whole???
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 05:10:43 PM
Definitely keep whole. And how long you hot bath then?? I don't hot bath them more than 10 minutes!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on February 02/15/23, 05:14:22 PM
Yep, close to 20 on this recipe. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 05:39:30 PM
Yep, close to 20 on this recipe.
recipes are merely suggestions!! :sleazy: :happy1:

I had that problem in the past even with the pickle being while, I just decided to try 10 minutes and they turn out fine. All you need to do is get it hot enough for the lid to seal!👍
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: dutchboy on February 02/15/23, 05:58:06 PM
Hey you pickle experts.....what do you call those chunk style pickles that are a darker green?

How about a good sweet relish recipe, anybody have one?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on February 02/15/23, 06:03:57 PM
My mom used to make some sweet chunky pickles & used green food coloring. Very crisp. Called them crystal pickles. No idea why. I'm sure glenn has lots of sweet pickle recipes... :whistling:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 06:38:15 PM
 :tut: I don't do sweet pickles. I'm sweet enough my wife says!! :sleazy: :smoking:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on February 02/15/23, 06:40:52 PM
:tut: I don't do sweet pickles. I'm sweet enough my wife says!! :sleazy: :smoking:

day dreamer!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 06:50:29 PM
:tut: I don't do sweet pickles. I'm sweet enough my wife says!! :sleazy: :smoking:

day dreamer!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
:nerd: :nerd: :nerd:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/15/23, 07:05:35 PM
Hey you pickle experts.....what do you call those chunk style pickles that are a darker green?

How about a good sweet relish recipe, anybody have one?
in a bit dutchy I'll have 2 sweet type pickles in the recipe thread  :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Gunner55 on February 02/16/23, 08:12:17 AM
:tut: I don't do sweet pickles. I'm sweet enough my wife says!! :sleazy: :smoking:

day dreamer!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
:scratch: She likes to forget about his dark side. :rolleyes: :doah:            ;) :smiley:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/16/23, 08:14:26 AM
I do like those real green ones too Dutch.  I also like bread and butter pickles.  They are quick to make. Man I need some cukes.  lol  Did you see how expensive they are in the stores now.  I will wait till summer.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/19/23, 09:29:17 AM
Speaking of pickles the thing I have never made but just love them are pickled beets.  Man those are good.  I can drink some of that brine too. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on February 02/19/23, 08:11:27 PM
We ate the last of our beet pickles at Christmas time. I have to grow beets this year.. we havea hard time keeping the rabbits and deer away from them. They sure love beets.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: fishwidow on February 02/19/23, 08:35:00 PM
Anybody else ever done watermelon pickles?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on February 02/19/23, 08:55:41 PM
My Grandma always made them. Yum
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on March 03/20/23, 11:02:29 AM
Whilst I was lighting the grill yesterday I peered over the porch railing to see that our daffodils are starting to emerge. As cold as its been I could hardly believe it. They are on the south side of the house however ~ 2 feet away from the basement wall. I know there was no frost along the east side of the house last Thursday when I checked but it didn't dawn on me to look for any of the spring bulbs then.  :doah:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on March 03/26/23, 11:44:57 AM
Yesterday, Saw the crocuses have started poking through out in the bed by the lilac bushes. Scraped the leaves away from the sprouts so they'll hopefully take off a little faster. Need to get them moved this next fall if possible. Will be cutting the lilacs out of there too as they've run their course. They were supposed to be dwarf variegated lilacs. Well, at least they got the lilacs & variegated part right. 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Good old Wedge Nursery. :rolleyes: :rotflmao: I see we have lots more bulbs coming to life in the bed by the house. More jonquils, hyacinths and tulips where I've stuck some of the spring bulb pots the past couple years. Ooooo! Almost forgot, saw some rhubarb starting to show up under last year's residue. Man I could go for a big ol' hunk of fresh out of the oven rhubarb pie or sauce with Schwan's vanilla ice cream!  :happy1: 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on March 03/26/23, 12:00:14 PM
 :pouty: :pouty: i still have at least 3 feet of snow covering my garden!!!!!! i am however starting to see the hen-n- chicks and were her hostas ate planted on the west side of the house!!!

maybe there is hope!!!!!! :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on March 03/26/23, 03:29:40 PM
Yeah.....3 feet of snow yet. But I start my transplants on April 1. Next weekend. So winter is almost over.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on March 03/26/23, 04:07:57 PM
I got my seeds on order today, I'll start them when they show up.

I'm going to add another box to my raised beds just to try Glenns dill again (maybe it will do better there)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/03/23, 01:37:42 PM
Got string bean & cucumber seed for my birthday.  Took a couple packages of frozen string beans over to the lady who has been on hospice care along with a spring bulb planter. Yesterday the pussy willows were ready. Thought it was late but actually about on schedule according to the date on most year's pictures. Just getting started. The west side of the main bush was pretty nice while the east side had a ways to go yet. There were some other bushes I couldn't get to because the water was too high. Some of those are female bushes so they'll be good for a while yet.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on April 04/03/23, 02:06:21 PM
well happy birthday sir!!!   :Clap: :party3: :happybday:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on April 04/03/23, 03:10:34 PM
Yep, happy b-day Dotch!! Your doing good if you gots some pussy....Willows on your big day!! :happy1: :bow:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on April 04/03/23, 03:14:44 PM
Happy Birthday Dotch.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Jerkbiat on April 04/03/23, 03:38:41 PM
Happy Birthday Dotch!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/03/23, 05:02:46 PM
Happy Birthday young man!
Picked up some cuke seeds and afre tomato and pepper plants yesterday at my favorite nursery in KC.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Scenic on April 04/03/23, 05:15:35 PM
Happy Birthday Dotch. 

Ordered strawberry plants today and a bunch of seeds.   Will get them started when they get here.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/03/23, 05:25:41 PM
 :snow3: :kingscourt: :happybday: :happybday: ya old codger!! :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/06/23, 02:41:20 PM
Rhubarb poking out here! There is hope.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/06/23, 02:48:41 PM
Rhubarb poking out here! There is hope.
:surrender: :pouty: still got 3 ft of snow over mine!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/06/23, 02:54:39 PM
Clean livin' glenn. That's great news roony. Hopefully the forecast is on the money with pie, sauce and wrens in your future soon.  :happy1: Was just home for a bit to let Poppy out. Still brisk out there. One of the hyacinths that had been froze hard was poking new growth up thru the decaying tissue. As mushy as it looked earlier I wasn't betting on it being alive. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/06/23, 03:13:27 PM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on April 04/06/23, 03:56:35 PM
Oh that is what we are supposed to do with the asparagus.  Mine are under the snow but I will do that when I can see them.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/07/23, 03:45:36 PM
Got er done. Haven't detected any frost in the garden. Still some in the woods.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/07/23, 03:50:35 PM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
did that last fall!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/10/23, 09:44:31 AM
Got the pear trees pruned & 3 more of the crabapple trees done last nite. A little to do on a few more crabs & I should be done. Trying to get a few more pussy willows started in spots around the farm. Most of the slips are from the nicest one. The wife told me the stems I'm supplying are way better than anything the wholesalers are peddling. They're selling them for a buck a stem for the longer ones used for casket sprays & 50 cents for the shorter ones. Mine will only cost a bottle of Boodles or two for several hundred stems!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Scenic on April 04/10/23, 10:05:30 AM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
did that last fall!!!!!!!!

Thought you were suppossed to leave it until spring to help the plants through the winter.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/10/23, 12:22:53 PM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
did that last fall!!!!!!!!

Thought you were suppossed to leave it until spring to help the plants through the winter.
:scratch: :scratch: not sure but they were dried up. i know your supposed to leave them grow through the summer. i just did that to the few i still have here at home......my big patch out by a friends will probably still have all the stems. mine still come back every year. :scratch: :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/10/23, 12:35:41 PM
Must be due to all that sheep poop I mail you... :cool:

Another sure sign of spring at the ranch. Don't blink or you can miss these little guys.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on April 04/10/23, 03:38:20 PM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
did that last fall!!!!!!!!

Thought you were suppossed to leave it until spring to help the plants through the winter.
:scratch: :scratch: not sure but they were dried up. i know your supposed to leave them grow through the summer. i just did that to the few i still have here at home......my big patch out by a friends will probably still have all the stems. mine still come back every year. :scratch: :scratch:

Dunno, but G burns his off every spring
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on April 04/10/23, 04:16:24 PM
I always leave ferns standing over winter. Catches more snow cover which protects the roots. Cut off in spring.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/10/23, 05:14:17 PM
Yea thinking the garden is gonna be a while yet  :confused:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/10/23, 06:20:57 PM
How could that be Glenn? All winter you were crying that the snow missed ya so where did all this come from then? Did Dotch mail it to you?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on April 04/10/23, 06:24:33 PM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/10/23, 06:42:58 PM
How could that be Glenn? All winter you were crying that the snow missed ya so where did all this come from then? Did Dotch mail it to you?
:pouty: :pouty: you'd be surprised the mail i get from hooterville!!!!!!!!! :bonk: :bonk:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Scenic on April 04/10/23, 07:45:56 PM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
did that last fall!!!!!!!!

Thought you were suppossed to leave it until spring to help the plants through the winter.
:scratch: :scratch: not sure but they were dried up. i know your supposed to leave them grow through the summer. i just did that to the few i still have here at home......my big patch out by a friends will probably still have all the stems. mine still come back every year. :scratch: :scratch:

Dunno, but G burns his off every spring

That is what i do as well.   The minute they are dry enough to burn if new ones are not coming up yet. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/11/23, 10:41:03 AM
My brother sent me this.  :happy1: some are mine!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/11/23, 10:57:30 AM
Thinking I will cut off the old asparagus ferns tomorrow. Of course I have to work on the weekend.
did that last fall!!!!!!!!

Thought you were suppossed to leave it until spring to help the plants through the winter.
:scratch: :scratch: not sure but they were dried up. i know your supposed to leave them grow through the summer. i just did that to the few i still have here at home......my big patch out by a friends will probably still have all the stems. mine still come back every year. :scratch: :scratch:

Dunno, but G burns his off every spring

That is what i do as well.   The minute they are dry enough to burn if new ones are not coming up yet.

My Dad used to do that. One year he must not have been quite timely enough. Some of the asparagus was up and it got pre-cooked. The spears that came later were fine.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/11/23, 12:57:08 PM
 :cool:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on April 04/11/23, 01:36:49 PM
:cool:

trained tree rat too!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/12/23, 11:17:50 AM
:cool:

trained tree rat too!!!!
Mike...that tree rat is just waiting till Dotch turns his back........then that sucker will be toast!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/12/23, 11:31:58 AM
Those are my tree rat decoys!

Had more of those mini-daffodils/jonquils open up this a.m. Rhubarb starting to have real leaves on it. Finished pruning my client's last 3 trees yesterday then polished off the SnoSweet & Honeycrisp at the ranch. Was ticked at the deer tho. Had bunnies get up high enough on the Haralson to eat a lot of the buds from on top of the snowbank. The bottom Honeycrisp limbs were up higher. When I looked the other day, I was impressed with all the buds down low where the apples are easiest to pick. Last night I looked again when I started pruning it and the effing deer had chewed most of them off! :mad1: Can still tweak with a few crabapples out back but only if there's time. They could use a good pruning other than what the bunnies do.  :angry:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/12/23, 11:33:49 AM
 :scratch: shees Dotch.............what do you do in your spare time??? :scratch: :scratch: :evil: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/12/23, 11:35:51 AM
:scratch: shees Dotch.............what do you do in your spare time??? :scratch: :scratch: :evil: :rotflmao:

Shoot at deer and rabbits out the window!  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/13/23, 09:19:13 AM
Amazing how fast the heat pushes things along. See what appear to be hyacinths opening up. Kinda hard to tell as it's tough to smell them with it as breezy as it is. When they're in the house in a planter they really smell, almost to the point of being overbearing. The pussy willow harvest season got over in a hurry. Some of the bushes I'd harvested from first were completely blossomed out and green last night. The blossoms were also covered with large bee-like flies, which is how they're pollinated. What are apparently the female bushes still had some catkins on them but they too were starting to get a tinge of green to them which the decorating ladies aren't as fond of. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on April 04/13/23, 10:22:21 AM
my chives are poking up too!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/13/23, 10:25:16 AM
No asparagus poking through yet.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/13/23, 11:02:05 AM
i scraped away some of the leaves i cover my wifes flowers with.......was kinda surprised to see little shoots on the day lilies......i'd like to give them a drink of roundup......i hate them things.......almost as much as Roony likes wrens!!!!!!! :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/14/23, 11:16:42 AM
The winter onions look to be thriving. Thanks Glenn!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/14/23, 11:51:41 AM
The winter onions look to be thriving. Thanks Glenn!
:happy1: :happy1: i raked all the leaves off mine yesterday!!!!!!!! looking good!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/14/23, 07:58:09 PM
BTW, they're baaaaaack!!!!!!!!
Fried this one yesterday.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/14/23, 08:24:59 PM
Better get some chickens Dotch,  :happy1: :rotflmao: rumor had it chickens eat a lot of ticks
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/14/23, 09:09:46 PM
I'd rather have guineas. Reputedly also good on ticks. And as loud as they are, they'd annoy the snot out of the wife! The way she's  behaved tonite I wouldn't mind a flock of several dozen. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/14/23, 09:57:16 PM
She chased you around for a while huh!; :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on April 04/15/23, 06:43:22 AM
Our Vet just sent us the Bravecto.  I better give it to the dogs today.  They even say ticks can be around when there is still snow on the ground. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on April 04/15/23, 10:51:28 AM
We had guinea's for a while, but they never stayed home.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/15/23, 01:35:28 PM
That would be a little the problem here HD along with the volume & high speed of the traffic on our blacktop. Otherwise I'd have guineas. I kinda enjoy the racket they make. And they're excellent watchdogs.  :happy1: The outfit where we got our Corgi in MO had about 30 Corgi's with the same number of peacocks and guineas. Several hundred sheep and cattle. Talk about a zoo... :doah:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on April 04/15/23, 06:24:42 PM
Yup, that was their demise....getting smoked by a car or truck.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Scenic on April 04/15/23, 10:18:39 PM
We had guinea's for a while, but they never stayed home.

At my Son's house the neighbor down the road has guinea's that never stay home.   At approx 0800 each day they come to his yard and pick bugs and what not.   At 4:00 like clock work they head back home.  They have been doing this for about 3 years.  Works out great.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on April 04/16/23, 08:50:26 AM
I started my pickles and Glenn's dill inside this year. We'll see if I have better luck.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/16/23, 10:28:06 AM
The spring perennials have been fun to watch as they bloom. The daffodils opened up so I cut them. Brought them inside where we can enjoy them before the windy weather wrecks them.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/16/23, 10:33:44 AM
Mine has been delayed.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on April 04/16/23, 11:02:33 AM
Started Romaine, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Bell Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers and 10 varieties of tomatoes on April 1. Have transplanted the red and green Romaine and Cabbage already.

Not sure why this is upside down. Click on the photo and it will be right side up.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on April 04/16/23, 01:23:34 PM
Man Ken that is a lot of stuff to be planting.  How big is your garden?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on April 04/16/23, 03:48:27 PM
Pretty big. But the pic is deceiving. 10 containers of tomatoes looks like a lot. But I will be keeping only 2 out of each container and transplanting them into individual containers and burying them up to the top 2 leaves.

But I do plant 20 thirty  foot rows of corn. The grandkids sell it to the neighbors. I also grow a lot of melons. Watermelons, Cantalope, Santa Claus melons, and Galia type honeydews.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on April 04/17/23, 05:36:12 PM
My peach tree arrived from Gurneys today via fed x....It is a bare root tree, so I put it in a bucket that's drained with potting soil till the ground thaws.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/17/23, 06:17:52 PM
Tried a peach tree here when a friend got 3 and gave me one. Can't remember the variety but they were supposed to be Zone 4 hardy. We joked that we needed to buy trucks, baskets and crates because we were going to corner the market on fresh peaches. My tree made it thru 2 winters before it checked out. I think both of his died too. Tried to put them in protected spots and covered them in the winter. Rumor has it there are some peach trees in town in Mayberry (Waseca) where they are well sheltered. Good luck HD. Hope it works for you! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/20/23, 10:47:18 AM
We've got quite a bit of volunteer leaf lettuce coming. I'm glad something likes this cold, damp weather. I also noticed some of the kale overwintered. I'm sure it liked all the snow on top of it. Last time it survived winter it went to seed very soon so we will harvest some leaves off it while we can.
The rhubarb and winter onions look decent. No asparagus has emerged yet, just as well with the cold nights we have coming.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on April 04/24/23, 03:53:14 PM
Just transplanted 10 varieties of Tomatoes and Bells and Jalapenos.

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/27/23, 06:46:36 AM
I noticed a few sprigs of asparagus poking out of the ground. There is hope!  :hubba: :hubba:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/27/23, 10:00:55 AM
Beware of pranksters lurking in the area, known to plant fake asparagus in the spring to fool unsuspecting asparagus lovers... :whistling:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on April 04/27/23, 04:17:15 PM
Bought 2 bundles of Candy Onion plants today. Will go in the ground next week. They NEED to go in as soon as possible to get them as big as possible before they start bulbing in July. The bigger the top then, the bigger the bulbs.

Also bought a dozen each of Norland, Viking, Norkota Russet and Dakota Pearl seed potatoes.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on April 04/27/23, 05:20:10 PM
I still have some red onions from last year in nylon stockings hanging in the basement.  They are still great.  They are pretty strong ones this year.  I need something more mild.  I heard they don't last as long.  Any advice.  Need a milder radish too. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on April 04/27/23, 06:22:07 PM
I use most of my onions raw. I have always gone by this.....

If they make you cry when you peal them......they are to strong to eat raw. That is most onion sets. So I use Candy Plants that come in a bundle. I still have a dozen or so in my fridge from last year. They are mild, keep well and are not hot.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on April 04/28/23, 07:17:43 AM
Great info Ken.  I will remember that. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/28/23, 04:59:13 PM
this garden talk reminds me i need to get ahold of the G-man!!!!!!! mayhaps take a trip to the greenhouse....already got my list!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/28/23, 06:26:09 PM
well G is going to till my garden again!!!!!!! :happy1: this goofy darn weather has me nervous planting anything though!!!!!!1 :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/28/23, 06:45:25 PM
We picked up .09" of rain today. Supposed to be an encore performance tomorrow afternoon. Thought maybe I'd put some early stuff in before that all transpired. Soil's just a little too tacky to work so if I do anything, it'll be pick up more stuff around the yard. :coffee:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/28/23, 07:04:11 PM
so.....dotch......you sure you want me to mail you the present i talked to you about!!!!!!!! :scratch: :happy1: :rotflmao:

you woildnt be near st cloud anytime soon?????????
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on April 04/28/23, 07:40:50 PM
Odds are it won't be until July if Shadow hasn't eaten them all by then. She claims she has plenty but I know how that goes. "Oh, do we have any more of those cones? I need them for blah blah blah." No dear, you used them all up. Anything I'd picked up was in the buckets in the garage. "Oh."  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/28/23, 07:47:44 PM
I'll mail them to you in the near future. I gotta find a road kill to add to it.  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/29/23, 03:24:23 PM
Just looked at my garden notes from the past, it sure doesn't seem like it but it's not unusual to just start doing garden stuff about this time!!

Just doesn't seem the garden if warm enough yet!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on April 04/30/23, 08:49:12 AM
Roony.......how are your winter onions looking??? thinking i might try some later this week!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on April 04/30/23, 03:31:02 PM
Good! Haven't eaten any yet though.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/03/23, 07:45:35 AM
Had our first asparagus last night. Might harvest a few onions today.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/03/23, 08:29:19 AM
Had our first asparagus last night. Might harvest a few onions today.
i think i'm gonna clean a few onions myself today to check them out!!!!!!! :happy1: tomorrow i'm headed to a lake very near my main aspargus patch, may needto check them out as long as i'm in the area!!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/03/23, 09:24:30 AM
Rhubarb really grew yesterday. Finners crossed but by Sunday we might have enough to make a pie! 🥧 :hubba:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/03/23, 09:32:03 AM
our rubarb is just starting to poke outta da ground!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/03/23, 09:35:56 AM
You'll have to make a really little pie... :azn:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/03/23, 09:36:54 AM
You'll have to make a really little pie... :azn:
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :bonk: :bonk:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/03/23, 09:52:53 AM
Glenn always gets all the little pies.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/03/23, 10:54:25 AM
Glenn always gets all the little pies.
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: little pies!!!!!!! :sleazy: :sleazy: :smoking:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on May 05/04/23, 06:08:10 PM
Ready to roll, garden is tilled.  Just in time stringless beans, pickling cukes and peas are doing well I started a week ago. It'll be nice to run different rounds so they all don't need picking at the same time.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/05/23, 09:32:32 AM
Still sizing up what needs to be done here. Have some Canada thistle that survived under the pumpkin/gourd/squash canopy last year in the new area I worked up. Some quack & brome as well so a treatment with glyphosate would be warranted. Could also torch off the area we want to work up so that will be more manageable. Otherwise, if it doesn't rain, could get the tiller out to slap some early stuff in. If it does rain, could go to the Seed House (Weed House) in Albert's Leaf to pick up some more seed & pick up some asparagus roots. Have been wanting to establish a patch again for quite some time.

When picking up sticks, crushed rock & other assorted garbage last nite, I could start to smell the serviceberry about ready to burst into bloom. The bees & pollinating flies go nuts when the flowers open. The pear trees, especially the Parker are just loaded with flower buds. Hope the bees & flies hang around to pollinate them. Altho they'll probably pull out & head to roony's. He always gets all the good pears... :pouty:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/05/23, 03:02:59 PM
just an FYI to anyone going to the greenhouse to pick up plants..........they currently dont have much on hand. they just starting getting stuff in. especially this far north!!!!

i did get what i wanted in green peppers and tomatoes but i need 8 jalepeno pepper plants but i aint paying 3.49 a piece for them, i'll wait for the 4 packs to show up. also want so hen-n-chicks but didnt have any. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/05/23, 03:22:03 PM
not even set up in Alex or LP yet...
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/05/23, 04:24:05 PM
Teals just got there little greenhouse up Thursday. Stuff was supposed to show up today.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/05/23, 06:25:52 PM
First crop of winter onions. And are they good!! :hubba:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/05/23, 06:59:34 PM
No kidding?  Are those winter onions that have come up already?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/05/23, 07:03:45 PM
Yeppers!👍
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on May 05/05/23, 07:29:05 PM
So whatcha do with em, they last a while?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/05/23, 07:30:48 PM
Glenn, we had some today also!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/05/23, 07:33:50 PM
Have planted radishes, onions, peas, and lettuce. Also put out cabbage plants. My 2 small greenhouses are full.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/05/23, 07:59:05 PM
So whatcha do with em, they last a while?
eat them just like they are.

Depends on the weather. I pick them until they start budding new sets. If you want some I'll have plenty in the fall
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/05/23, 08:32:57 PM
Are these what you are talking about???

The Egyptian onion (also called tree onion and walking onion) produces clusters of small bulbs (called bulblets) at the tops of flower-like stalks in summer.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/05/23, 08:40:32 PM
Yep looks like them . I was just always told they were winter onions. First thing in the spring you can eat !
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on May 05/06/23, 12:20:56 PM
How often can you water dill?
I started some, and I have been watering daily....is that too much?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/06/23, 12:31:54 PM
here HD this could help ya!!   

https://www.almanac.com/plant/dill
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/06/23, 01:59:32 PM
i water them like about everything else......whenever it looks like it needs it. so really....depends how much water your giving them......i wouldnt give them to much water or you could kill them.

G got my garden tilled this morning.  :happy1: that thing sure makes quick work of it. and alot easier on my body too!!!! 2 cases of really good beer was the fee!!!!!!!

havent decided if i'm gonna stick some seeds in the ground yet or not........trying to figure out if its worth starting before the rain comes?? :scratch: :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on May 05/06/23, 02:24:32 PM
here HD this could help ya!!   

https://www.almanac.com/plant/dill

Thanks Mikey!

Dill is the only plant that I have a hard time growing. I have tried SEVERAL different ways of growing it (with little luck)

Best luck I've had was in a planter next to the porch. This time I'm trying to start it early, it's growing, but looking like I'm over watering it.

Then... I read Mikey's link, and it says that it doesn't transplant well  :banghead:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/06/23, 02:29:14 PM
Yea for the most part I avoid transplanting any garden plants. Usually doesn't turn out well for the plant
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/06/23, 03:35:23 PM
I had one dill plant alongside the barn for a few years and the last few years it is spreading into my garden boxes.  I did pick some and added it to our pickles last year.  I buy dill for it but can't have too much I don't think.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/06/23, 05:24:45 PM
I freeze any extra. Used dill 2 years old and couldn't tell the difference
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/06/23, 07:03:05 PM
Just started raining here. Got dill, radishes, lettuce, spinach and onions in the ground.

Lotz of strategic planning I tell ya!! :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/06/23, 07:47:06 PM
I freeze any extra. Used dill 2 years old and couldn't tell the difference

I just threw some in a bag and froze it.  Was wet and mushy when I thawed it out.  Did you dry yours first?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/06/23, 07:52:24 PM
Nope. Used it right out of the bag . I take it out just before I use it, some of it is still a bit froze when I put it in jars. Never had it mushy though. :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on May 05/07/23, 06:07:35 AM
What I did get last year, I vacuum packed it flat and put it in the freezer.

I haven't tried it yet.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/07/23, 07:03:55 PM
Put my maters in the garden today. They needed out of that starter or potting soil. Also planted green beans and radishes.

One thing I've noticed with those Livingstone seeds they don't have as many seeds in a packet. If they produce good I'm OK with that!👍
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/07/23, 07:12:54 PM
figured out a couple ways to save chives, so now I will be doing that!!!  one is just freeze and the other freeze them in ice cubes...   not sure about that one...   I can see them in cottage cheese all year long!!!   Glenn I can save ya some!!!   let me know!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/07/23, 07:18:23 PM
Chives Yea... Cottage cheese... Not a chance!! :rotflmao: :crazy: :tut: :puke:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/07/23, 07:23:06 PM
no no no!!!   together!!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: :happy1:

more for me!!!    :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/07/23, 07:58:20 PM
The only place cottage cheese is eatable is in Lasagna. :thumbs: :thumbs:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/07/23, 08:09:10 PM
The only place cottage cheese is eatable is in Lasagna. :thumbs: :thumbs:
:tut: I wouldn't even use it for garden fertilizer, it might taint all my plants. :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/09/23, 08:43:57 AM
i'm being told it is way to early to be putting my tomatoes in the garden yet.......but damn they look a whole lot better already since i did!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/09/23, 08:55:04 AM
i'm being told it is way to early to be putting my tomatoes in the garden yet.......but damn they look a whole lot better already since i did!!!!! :happy1:
Just hope you aren't up north playing when they need to be covered. Honestly, I am tempted to put a few out myself.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/09/23, 08:59:36 AM
 :doah: yea me too Roony....... i got kids and stepkids close by that can do something for this old man if need be.......... at least they better if they know whats good for them........after everything i've done for them!!!!!!! :coffee:

i wont be headed north till May 22nd anyway!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/09/23, 09:09:20 AM
If the weather holds a person might get by with it. Just watching the shepherds purse and other assorted weeds in our garden, pretty sure tomatoes would be enjoying what the weeds are enjoying, until they they get hit with a burndown that is. What tomatoes might not enjoy is a shift from this weather to say damp, cloudy 50 degree highs for a few weeks. When that happens here it may be like corn where it becomes any color other than green until it warms up for a while again.

Rhubarb harvest got delayed as Mrs. Cheviot decided we should wait until we could harvest enough for Auntie Mar Mar. Wondering if that's the collective "we" or the singular "we"?  :scratch: I see the green rhubarb is getting ready to bolt already. The red is just starting to make full stride after the rain.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/09/23, 09:42:36 AM
the coolest daytime temp i see through May 23 is like 63 on the 18th. yea i know how the forecast works  :pouty: :bonk: but it was either put them in the ground or risk losing them........and the plants i needed to get in arent ones you can just go to the greenhouse to replace. these are lucky tiger and campria tomatoes.

our rubarb aint but 2-3 inches tall??????? :confused: :doah: :pouty:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/09/23, 11:08:27 AM
You get all the good tomatoes... :pouty:

 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/09/23, 12:53:30 PM
I don't take chances with tomatoes and peppers.....at least another 10 days to 2 weeks for them. I want tall leggy tomatoes. I learned a long time ago to pick off the leaves and bury the plant up to the top. Laying on it's side. Be careful and don't snap off the stem. Do what this videos says.

 It will still grow straight up. Plus the first fruit are closer to the ground. Allows for more fruit to be on the plant when I prune it off at the top of the cages. This is especially true for Indeterminate varieties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDA4FuOosXw&t=14s

Tomatoes are the only plant that grows roots from the buried stem.

MUCH LARGER root system for the plant if you do this. Makes for large healthy plants to make fruit. Plus roosts are closer to the surface where the ground is warmer. Right now tomatoes want warm ground.

Just be sure to mulch around them when first tomatoes appear to protect from Blossom End Rot. Try it It works.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/09/23, 01:13:38 PM
Here are my 2 greenhouses full of plants.....

10 Varieties of tomatoes
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Kohlrabies
Bell Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Yellow and Red watermelons
Honeydew
Cantalope

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/09/23, 04:10:56 PM
They actually are green.  Pretty cool.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/09/23, 06:55:23 PM
Had a 4 inch asparagus poking out in my onion patch. Pretty tasty!! :sleazy:

Best get out and check my big patch!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/09/23, 07:50:12 PM
Looky what arrived at the ranch... :hubba:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/09/23, 08:00:33 PM
Looky what arrived at the ranch... :hubba:
i'd put cottage cheese on that!!!!!!!! :bonk: :mooning: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/09/23, 09:42:32 PM
A slice of American on a piece and heated up would be like my old neighbors used to do.  I liked it. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/10/23, 11:29:31 AM
Looky what arrived at the ranch... :hubba:
i'd put cottage cheese on that!!!!!!!! :bonk: :mooning: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

That might not be all bad... :rotflmao:

Was purty good with some Schwan's vanilla ice cream I know that! 😋
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/10/23, 11:34:08 AM
 :rotflmao: :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/11/23, 12:50:59 PM
thinkin maybe putting my peppers in the ground this afternoon????? do some gardening......or nap first???? :scratch: :scratch:

then start prepping to put up my fence to keep peter cottontail out!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/11/23, 06:51:29 PM
after my dotch nap.......finished planting the garden, green and Jalepeno peppers,  carrots, cukes, and more kohlrabi.  fence is ready to get installed.  :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/13/23, 02:10:33 PM
quit raining.... for now. so LPS's dogs brother and i went for a walkabout around the yard. i got the fence pretty much up and need to do some finishing touches to it yet, but noticed my onions are starting to pop through as well as the lettuce, spinach and kolarabi.  :happy1: :happy1:

maters are also looking healthy !!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/14/23, 03:27:24 PM
Well found the first 2 wood ticks on me after working in the garden and yard.

Hate those things. :thumbs:  :mad1: :thumbs: :mad1: :pouty: :mad1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/14/23, 04:06:25 PM
 :pouty: Ken gets all the good woodticks! :doah:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/14/23, 05:15:54 PM
We had a skinky in the yard this morning as I was leaving for work.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/14/23, 05:32:54 PM
We had a skinky in the yard this morning as I was leaving for work.
pepee lepew!!  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/14/23, 06:35:13 PM
And roony gets all the good skunks...🦨🦨🦨
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/14/23, 06:42:03 PM
peonies are really sprouting  now!!   and I need to harvest chives!!!   need some for my cottage cheese!!!   :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/14/23, 08:12:24 PM
Did you wack that skunk Roony?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/14/23, 08:25:40 PM
Not yet but I most likely will.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/14/23, 08:32:49 PM
Not yet but I most likely will.
gonna have Daniel Boone hat made?? :sleazy: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/15/23, 07:41:57 PM
did some watering tonight.........noticed the dill starting to pop out of the ground..........everything is moving along just fine!!!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/16/23, 04:55:38 PM
Went through the garden, weeded and picked rocks. Green beans are poking out. :happy1: the recently planted cukes , kohlrabi, and carrots have not yet!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/16/23, 06:06:20 PM
I planted Norland and Norkota Russet potatoes and Purple bush beans today. Also fertilized the strawberries. Laid down black plastic for my 13 hills of melons.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on May 05/16/23, 06:27:51 PM
Busted my hump the last 2 afternoon's,  bout done.  All I have left is the last few feet of trellis for pickles.  I shoulda started the dill earlier but oh well, what I don't use I'll freeze.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/16/23, 07:28:29 PM
We decided to use the 160 gallon poly water tanks.  I will put rock in the bottom.  I got some 3/4" granite in my trailer.  I was thinking of putting down a layer of rock and sit the tank on it before I fill it.  Should drill holes in the bottom of it too.  Suppose the more the better?????   I have some plywood scraps and thought I would even make whatever wood structure in it so the weight of everything may not be as great on the structure of the tank????   Maybe put that fabric on top of the rock?????   How much dirt should I have on top?????   Any advice appreciated.  Pretty excited about it now. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/16/23, 07:34:11 PM
We decided to use the 160 gallon poly water tanks.  I will put rock in the bottom.  I got some 3/4" granite in my trailer.  I was thinking of putting down a layer of rock and sit the tank on it before I fill it.  Should drill holes in the bottom of it too.  Suppose the more the better?????   I have some plywood scraps and thought I would even make whatever wood structure in it so the weight of everything may not be as great on the structure of the tank????   Maybe put that fabric on top of the rock?????   How much dirt should I have on top?????   Any advice appreciated.  Pretty excited about it now.
you elevating it so the deer dont need to bend over as far?????? :scratch: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

looks like you got a plan. yea rocks it sits on is good..........fabric on top of rock  :happy1:

so how deep are these????? i'd be filling it pretty full with a mixture of black dirt and composted material!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/16/23, 07:51:56 PM
Probably about 3' high and 4'x5' wide and long. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/16/23, 07:53:24 PM
I was thinking a foot and a half of rock and then fill with dirt. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/16/23, 07:56:28 PM
That should work.!👍 Think I'd fill it to about 6-8 inches from the top. Maybe others like HD that have raised beds got better ideas? :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/16/23, 08:13:57 PM
So is a foot of dirt enough or should I go 18"?  I want to do it right the first time. Of course it will settle and I will have to keep adding to it.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/16/23, 08:37:49 PM
Personally I'd go 18 inches. But then again I don't have setups like that.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/17/23, 10:36:29 AM
 :banghead: :banghead: this is my rubarb,  :pouty: anyone got any tips to get this back on the right track  :scratch:

Fortunately I have some in the freezer.

Oops  :bonk: forgot the picture  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/17/23, 11:12:55 AM
it's all over up here...  could have picked a bunch today even... 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/17/23, 11:52:31 AM
A couple years ago our red variety was struggling so I got a couple 5 gallon buckets of well rotted manure, dug a trench and worked it in around the outer diameter of the plants. Seems to have made a huge difference altho I'm thinking I'll probably have to repeat the process every few years. Could definitely see where some of the green rhubarb plants closer to the cannas that received manure every year were much more robust. Our rhubarb was put in a southern exposure on a south facing slope but the soil was hauled in for the septic tank nearby so betting the subsoil fertility isn't what it could be.   

https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-rhubarb
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/17/23, 01:34:04 PM
Thanks Dotch, that link was helpful. Yea I put fertilizer on there with the winter onions but doesn't get dug into the soil much
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/17/23, 01:40:42 PM
 :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on May 05/17/23, 01:42:11 PM
We decided to use the 160 gallon poly water tanks.  I will put rock in the bottom.  I got some 3/4" granite in my trailer.  I was thinking of putting down a layer of rock and sit the tank on it before I fill it.  Should drill holes in the bottom of it too.  Suppose the more the better?????   I have some plywood scraps and thought I would even make whatever wood structure in it so the weight of everything may not be as great on the structure of the tank????   Maybe put that fabric on top of the rock?????   How much dirt should I have on top?????   Any advice appreciated.  Pretty excited about it now.
Back when we grew stuff in pails I had 5 holes drilled in. They drained really quick,  keep an eye on em. When we went otta town after a few days the plants looked sick, a little water and they would bounce back up. Just a few holes I say.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/17/23, 02:55:19 PM
:happy1: :happy1:
Asparagus is struggling too I see.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/17/23, 03:31:53 PM
:happy1: :happy1:
Asparagus is struggling too I see.
this patch was really slow to start for some reason. i'll go back out saturday......with the supposed rain coming i think its going to take off!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on May 05/17/23, 03:47:45 PM
One thing we've had plenty of down here is moisture. You are way ahead of me on planting, I just don't like to mud things in.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/23/23, 03:33:18 PM
Garden planting almost done...... Now waiting for the weeds to start.

WHY ARE MY PICS UPSIDE DOWN? Yet, when clicked on, they are right side up????

My 2 greenhouses on my patio with plants started

85 Solstice bicolor corn ready to transplant

All corn transplanted into 4 rows, plus 4 rows of  Freedom white corn seeded

14 hills of melons under cloches....cantalope, Israeli, Santa Claus melons. Plus yellow, orange and red watermelon plants.

5 rows of strawberry plants....Ogalalla, Cabot, and Honeyoe
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/23/23, 03:43:10 PM
When you take the picture then hit edit and resize it any little bit and it seems like it knows which way is up them.  We can click on them and they turn out right for us.  Nice garden.  So you leave those boards and just till between them?  I have always wanted to go big and plant corn.  Maybe in my pasture right by the garden.  Great idea for next year though.  Impressive Ken.  Keep the pics coming.   :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/23/23, 03:53:53 PM
Yes.....I pick up the boards. Then till. Then put them back down again. I rotate the plants every year so they don't get planted there for 4 years. So you can reach the middle from either side.

 I want rows that are at least 3-4 feet wide.  I learned a long time ago from the National Gardening Assoc. to plant wide rows. Like scattering bean seeds over the row. Or onions plants with 3 rows inside that 3 feet. Carrot and beets 4 rows inside that 3-4 feet. More plants and less for paths.

With the strawberries, I mow over half the row and till that part under. Then let new runners from the plants left to fill in the bare half. The best and biggest berries come from those daughter plants.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on May 05/23/23, 04:06:28 PM
Good for you.  That sounds like a lot of fun.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/28/23, 12:52:31 PM
Amazing how fast it has dried out here after being a regular slough hole two weeks ago. There's moisture down a couple inches but the ground is hard as a brick in places, especially on the lower organic matter soil. Too bad I felt so crappy the past couple weeks or we could've had a lot more done. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/28/23, 05:13:46 PM
Same here. Red Flag warnings out with high fire danger in all NW Minnesota. Windy and HOT.

 :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/28/23, 05:40:53 PM
spent some time in the garden this afternoon........all them friggin elm seeds are sprouting.  what a pain!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on May 05/28/23, 08:46:30 PM
So far the garden's been a disaster this year. I'm not sure what I did but I managed to kill 16 of 20 tomato plants (the other 4 don't look so hot either). Also, most of the peppers have croaked. I'm not sure if there was something in the dirt when I transplanted them or they got a wiff of weed killer when I sprayed the yard. Most of my wife's marigolds died as well.   :angry2:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on May 05/29/23, 05:33:30 AM
Ken, I have found with my phone, how I take the picture matters.
If I take a picture with my phone straight up, it posts on its side or upside down.
If I take a picture with the phone horizontal, it comes out right.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Gunner55 on May 05/29/23, 06:20:29 AM
spent some time in the garden this afternoon........all them friggin elm seeds are sprouting.  what a pain!!!!!!!!!!
:tut:    :violin: :violin: :violin: :cry: :cry: :cry:       :nerd:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/29/23, 06:59:03 AM
Ken, I have found with my phone, how I take the picture matters.
If I take a picture with my phone straight up, it posts on its side or upside down.
If I take a picture with the phone horizontal, it comes out right.

OK.....will try to remember that.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/29/23, 12:36:34 PM
So far the garden's been a disaster this year. I'm not sure what I did but I managed to kill 16 of 20 tomato plants (the other 4 don't look so hot either). Also, most of the peppers have croaked. I'm not sure if there was something in the dirt when I transplanted them or they got a wiff of weed killer when I sprayed the yard. Most of my wife's marigolds died as well.   :angry2:

Bummer deadeye. Was thinking of you the other day. Checking our canna inventory, I see only 1 of the four yellow canna bulbs came thru the winter. Back to square one.  :doah: Stored in the same heated to 50 degree garage the taller red models were. Probably shouldn't have divided them last fall. Very little mortality in the red bulbs with the same treatment. Way more of those than I can plant so there will be a couple 2 bushel baskets of sheep feed. Planting garden in staggered fashion today. Tough to stay hydrated & won't put the transplants out until towards evening. Finish canna planting and prolly some string beans. Looks like we'll have lots of room for sweet corn.     
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on May 05/29/23, 01:14:02 PM
Considering the garden didn't get any water for a week while we were gone it looks surprisingly good.  Last year I put mulch around the tomatoes,  this year I mulched everything,  maybe that's why??
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/29/23, 07:42:48 PM
Was hoping I could plant some string beans and transplants tonite but after chores it got dead still. The mosquitoes were ferocious. At least I got 30 canna bulbs planted along with 4 rows of 4 o'clocks. Also got mowing done & 8 strips tilled in the pasture I'd scorched off so we can plant the squash, pumpkins and gourds. If past experience here is any indication, I'm expecting lots of crabgrass in that area. Where there's no tillage between the strips, it should help keep that to a minimum. If not, I have plenty of clethodim on hand.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/31/23, 12:04:21 PM
Nummy. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/31/23, 12:11:43 PM
Those look great. Are they hot???
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/31/23, 12:19:41 PM
They got a little bite!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on May 05/31/23, 12:22:35 PM
Gotta have some bite. Otherwise they're turnips! 😮
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/31/23, 12:27:19 PM
Gotta have some bite. Otherwise they're turnips! 😮
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/31/23, 12:38:21 PM
Gotta have some bite. Otherwise they're turnips! 😮
or worse yet, taste like cottage cheese. :rolleyes: :shocked:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on May 05/31/23, 12:40:54 PM
sliced radishes in cottage cheese!!!   good idea Glenn!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on May 05/31/23, 02:21:56 PM
sliced radishes in cottage cheese!!!   good idea Glenn!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: :happy1:
:confused: training-087 training-087 :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on May 05/31/23, 02:28:42 PM
sliced radishes in cottage cheese!!!   good idea Glenn!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: :happy1:

 :censored: :censored: :censored:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/01/23, 07:08:27 AM
You harvested them out of your garden already???  Ours are a couple inches high. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/01/23, 07:36:50 AM
Mine are just starting to bulb up.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/01/23, 07:45:09 AM
You harvested them out of your garden already???  Ours are a couple inches high.

maybe they are rejects from the store??    :scratch: :scratch: 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/01/23, 07:52:17 AM
I wondered about that too Mike.  He may not even have a garden this year but is just posting pics of stuff from the store...   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/01/23, 07:53:11 AM
You harvested them out of your garden already???  Ours are a couple inches high.

maybe they are rejects from the store??    :scratch: :scratch:
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :tut: :tut: :tut:

why yes....yes i got them from my garden!!!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/01/23, 09:16:49 AM
Ok you doubters. :mooning: :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/01/23, 10:20:11 AM
Slapped in 32 hills of the larger vine crops last nite, hoping it would rain. That didn't happen but at least there are 8 hills of buttercup squash, 8 hills of pumpkins & 16 hills of decorative gourds planted. Working with one of my clients on a project where he's growing Indian corn and corn to make decorative bundles to sell to retailers & online. Actually his wife is in charge of the selling part and we're just responsible for growing & harvesting it. Some of my gourds if they materialize may be sold that way. Looking for a corn binder so we can make corn bundles without having to manually manufacture them. I've grown this kind of stuff for years but not on the scale he's talking about. It's been fun so far.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/01/23, 10:42:56 AM
That is a beautiful garden Glenn. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/01/23, 10:52:02 AM
That is a beautiful garden Glenn. :happy1:
:happy1: thanks.....i take pride in it!!!!!! its a lot less weeded now but its getting toasty out there, especially feeling crappy!!!!! :embarrassed:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/01/23, 11:26:37 AM
Slapped in 32 hills of the larger vine crops last nite, hoping it would rain. That didn't happen but at least there are 8 hills of buttercup squash, 8 hills of pumpkins & 16 hills of decorative gourds planted. Working with one of my clients on a project where he's growing Indian corn and corn to make decorative bundles to sell to retailers & online. Actually his wife is in charge of the selling part and we're just responsible for growing & harvesting it. Some of my gourds if they materialize may be sold that way. Looking for a corn binder so we can make corn bundles without having to manually manufacture them. I've grown this kind of stuff for years but not on the scale he's talking about. It's been fun so far.
yea yea.......without pictures your planting a cash crop of mary jane for timmy!!!!!!!!!1 :mooning: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :evil: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/01/23, 11:28:39 AM
That is a beautiful garden Glenn. :happy1:
i hope Roony notices my wren hotel up in the right hand corner!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/01/23, 11:50:31 AM
I'm sure he's busy checking on all his wren houses and putting mints on their little pillows for when they go nigh-nigh... :coffee:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on June 06/01/23, 01:22:28 PM
Finally got some black dirt to finish covering the area where it was dug up to replace the septic tank. Last year my son brought some dirt and spread it with a skid steer but we were short. I had 12 yards delivered yesterday so it looks like I have another project. Probable will add some to the gardens as well as fill any holes or ruts in the lawn. 

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/01/IMG_2904-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-2904-R.zqSc)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/01/23, 01:39:05 PM
That is a beautiful garden Glenn. :happy1:
i hope Roony notices my wren hotel up in the right hand corner!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:

No wonder your Bluebird committed suicide.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/01/23, 02:04:37 PM
Slapped in 32 hills of the larger vine crops last nite, hoping it would rain. That didn't happen but at least there are 8 hills of buttercup squash, 8 hills of pumpkins & 16 hills of decorative gourds planted. Working with one of my clients on a project where he's growing Indian corn and corn to make decorative bundles to sell to retailers & online. Actually his wife is in charge of the selling part and we're just responsible for growing & harvesting it. Some of my gourds if they materialize may be sold that way. Looking for a corn binder so we can make corn bundles without having to manually manufacture them. I've grown this kind of stuff for years but not on the scale he's talking about. It's been fun so far.
yea yea.......without pictures your planting a cash crop of mary jane for timmy!!!!!!!!!1 :mooning: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :evil: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Careful, zee party hass vays uff dealink vish zhu trobblemakerz. It vill not be tolerated... :tut:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on June 06/01/23, 03:06:56 PM
Slapped in 32 hills of the larger vine crops last nite, hoping it would rain. That didn't happen but at least there are 8 hills of buttercup squash, 8 hills of pumpkins & 16 hills of decorative gourds planted. Working with one of my clients on a project where he's growing Indian corn and corn to make decorative bundles to sell to retailers & online. Actually his wife is in charge of the selling part and we're just responsible for growing & harvesting it. Some of my gourds if they materialize may be sold that way. Looking for a corn binder so we can make corn bundles without having to manually manufacture them. I've grown this kind of stuff for years but not on the scale he's talking about. It's been fun so far.
yea yea.......without pictures your planting a cash crop of mary jane for timmy!!!!!!!!!1 :mooning: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :evil: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Careful, zee party hass vays uff dealink vish zhu trobblemakerz. It vill not be tolerated... :tut:
ya, load all ov doze plants into my panzerkampfwagen over der und I vill make sure everytingk is allokated to our komrades equitably. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/01/23, 03:25:35 PM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: HEY BOARSKI...... i need an interrupter  :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on June 06/01/23, 03:55:05 PM
Lol! Yesterday I noticed all the trellis stuff was looking kinda weak. It's not mulched like the rest so I mixed up some Miracle-Gro and fed everything,  today it all looks much better,  musta been the heat.  Anywho we just had a good rain shower come thru,  the yard needed that big time!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/02/23, 10:15:15 AM
Planted Jet Star, Celebrity +, Better Boy, & La Roma tomatoes last nite, 4 of each variety. Plunked in 4 King Arthur peppers & 4 jalapenos as well. The wife may be bringing me another 4 bell peppers of some kind. Have a yellow pear, a smaller cherry & a grape tomato left to plant in the small garden close to the house. A couple zucchini & a spaghetti squash left to transplant then we should be good in that dept. Watered everything in that was planted early this a.m. Saw a striped gopher a couple times while I was planting last nite. Got the blunderbuss out but never saw him again. Imagine that.  :scratch:   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/02/23, 01:54:17 PM
2nd round of radishes pulled and cleaned, garden all weeded, all cans off peppers and tomatoes......cages around all tomatoes.........  :happy1:

time for a dotch style nap!!!!!!!! :happy1: :rotflmao: :sleazy:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/02/23, 02:12:14 PM
Ya better enjoy that nap while ya can. When Smurfette comes home and starts crackin' the whip, won't be any time to spare!  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/02/23, 02:15:28 PM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: naw I'll just nap same time she nods off. I'm sure she'll be getting some good pain meds!! :sleazy: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Boar on June 06/04/23, 08:27:47 AM
Hey garden gurus!!  I didnt get my pumpkins in. Im thinking of starting some today in pots then tranplanting. Wer i wan them. Is it to late?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/04/23, 08:31:10 AM
Hey garden gurus!!  I didnt get my pumpkins in. Im thinking of starting some today in pots then tranplanting. Wer i wan them. Is it to late?
i never grew a pumpkin in my life.......watermelon yes.........but why not just put the seed in the ground where you want them right away??????

i wouldnt think its to late.......they'll just be ready later.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/04/23, 08:49:35 AM
Not to late. But you probably don't have bottom heat if you start them in a pot. With all this heat, the ground is warmer than a pot. 6 or so seeds in an elevated circle and thin to the strongest 3 plants when they have 2 true baby leaves. Use a hoe to make a 15 inch or so circle 2-3 inches high. Water them immediately.

I usually put some 10-10-10 garden fertilizer on the ground first, then using a hoe pull up the ground into that 15 inch circle.

This is also how I plant Squash, Zucchini, and Cucumbers.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/05/23, 10:31:27 AM
Still picking away at the garden. Got a couple zukes in a few days ago along with 12 rows of sweet corn. Planted four more nice bell peppers last nite & a spaghetti squash. Put in 6 hills of cukes closer to the house in the small garden this morning. Easier access to water that way. Wife's ankle still not back to full capacity yet so had her blessing rather than planting it to flowers as she normally does. Indian corn needs to be planted & will put in some carrots yet. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/05/23, 03:28:13 PM
a friend called me and he had enough asparagus for me to fill 2 wide mouth canning jars!!!  good eats coming up!!!    even some wrapped in bacon!!!!!  oh yea!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/05/23, 03:39:22 PM
a friend called me and he had enough asparagus for me to fill 2 wide mouth canning jars!!!  good eats coming up!!!    even some wrapped in bacon!!!!!  oh yea!!!
did you pickle them???????? i did that a few years......didnt really care for it all that much. now any aspargus gets eaten raw or in tin foil on the grill!!!!!

pulled and cleaned the last of my radishes in the garden..........wiill plant some this fall. laid leaves all around the tomatoes and cuke plants. trying that instead of grass clippings. tomorrow i'm gonna clip all the low growing , close to the ground branches on the maters in hope of stopping that friggin blight!!!!!! :confused:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on June 06/05/23, 04:16:40 PM
I was gonna aks ya that when your were gonna prune on the maters. Ours are running between 2-3' tall, was out and helped a few limbs over the next ring. The mulch really seems to help keep the moisture,  they are growing fast , although some of the peppers seem to be lagging.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/05/23, 04:22:21 PM
i've been doing it a bit here and there......but tomorrow its #1 on my list!!!!!!!! :happy1: kinda tuckered out today......still not feeling the best and i didnt take a dotch nap!!!!!!1 :pouty: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/05/23, 07:19:31 PM
no pickling, all roasted or grilled!!!!    never had it pickled...
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/05/23, 07:29:41 PM
no pickling, all roasted or grilled!!!!    never had it pickled...
why the jars then??. I confused?? :scratch: :doah: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/05/23, 07:32:40 PM
no pickling, all roasted or grilled!!!!    never had it pickled...
why the jars then??. I confused?? :scratch: :doah: :rotflmao:

fresh cut bottoms, in 2 or 3 inches of fresh water to keep them fresh!!!!   keeps very good in the fridge!!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/05/23, 07:36:46 PM
no pickling, all roasted or grilled!!!!    never had it pickled...
why the jars then??. I confused?? :scratch: :doah: :rotflmao:

fresh cut bottoms, in 2 or 3 inches of fresh water to keep them fresh!!!!   keeps very good in the fridge!!!
:happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/06/23, 11:20:15 AM
Got my mater plants neutered this morning!! :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on June 06/06/23, 11:36:42 AM
I'll bite...  What does that mean?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/06/23, 11:40:49 AM
I clipped off the low to the ground branches on the plants. From what I have read it's supposed to help prevent blight and help the plant itself concentrate on the tomato.

We shall see. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on June 06/06/23, 12:18:01 PM
This technique might not be for everyone, but my brother-in-law's wife pinches off ALL the non fruit-bearing green branches once the tomatoes start.  She says that way she is able to hold the plants up with a single stake and all the fruit matures at the same time for canning.  I may have the story mixed up, but that's what she does and it works for her.  She cans an $#!T ton of tomatoes and wants to be done with it in one swoop.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/06/23, 12:19:30 PM
Got the electric fence moved so the vine crops I planted are away from the sheep. Were several hills starting to come up so wouldn't have been too happy if they'd chewed them off. The seedlings are bitter tasting, full of cucurbitacin, etc., so odds are they probably wouldn't have messed with them for a while. However, never trust any species of livestock to do what you expect them to. Tough to keep ahead of the heat watering the tomatoes but looks like I'm winning as of this morning. The cooler weather forecast should help them adapt more readily without so much stress. Peppers look unfazed, loving the heat, loving the dry.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on June 06/06/23, 06:57:55 PM
I've been picking quite a few radishes....
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/06/23, 07:04:58 PM
great eats!!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/06/23, 07:25:10 PM
Picked my first veggie of the year. A nice head of Romaine Lettuce. :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/07/23, 08:48:09 AM
this heat has really affected my spinach and lettuce. normally i'm giving it away by the bread bags full. i've had 3 salads with meals so far. spinach is seeding out already.  :doah: i cut it all down hopefully it will regrow but not holding my breath. lack of rain aint helping either. thinking i'll be pulling it by the weekend if things dont progress!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/08/23, 11:07:32 AM
Thundering down the home stretch on the first planting. Put a couple rows of carrots in last nite along with a couple hills of Turk's turban squash. I hate to admit it but glenn's right about Livingston seed getting chintzy on seed per packet. There were 4 seeds in one packet and 2 in the other one! :doah: Finished up with 8 rows of Indian corn after stuffing gopher bait down the hole I'd seen a striped gopher frequenting the other day. Will plant 6 - 8 rows of decorative sunflowers for pollinators and the birds then wait until July 4th. Will put in the 2nd planting of string beans then. The 1st planting is starting to emerge. Amazing the power they can generate using the buddy system to lift the crust off being planted in rows. Have pumpkins in all 8 hills and 7 out of 8 on the squash so far. Gourds are a little pokey but they're in the drier part of the garden so they may need some additional watering. Plenty of moisture down below yet.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/08/23, 12:00:33 PM
yep the Livingston seeds are a little tight with there seed packets.........but so far satisfied with the results......especially the kalarabi!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:

i'll buy him again depending on end results!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/08/23, 12:04:38 PM
I suspect with the higher freight, labor, & other costs, management did the same thing as some of the packaged stuff in the grocery store. I have some partially used packages from years past and there's more leftover in some of them than there was in the new packets... :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/08/23, 12:09:29 PM
I suspect with the higher freight, labor, & other costs, management did the same thing as some of the packaged stuff in the grocery store. I have some partially used packages from years past and there's more leftover in some of them than there was in the new packets... :scratch:
yea i dindt buy any other brand seeds so not sure if they changed!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/08/23, 04:23:41 PM
The wife got a bundle of chives so she vac packed it in small bags.  Must have 20 of them.  Now we need to figure out what to do with it?   I said we could put it on baked spuds or on cottage cheese.  LOL  That's all I got.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on June 06/08/23, 04:59:45 PM
Have any of you guys noticed cracked radishes more than normal? This year, for me seems odd.... they ain't very big, but a lot of them are cracked.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/08/23, 05:09:31 PM
Have any of you guys noticed cracked radishes more than normal? This year, for me seems odd.... they ain't very big, but a lot of them are cracked.
I've had a few but not many, as I understand it comes from growing to fast?? :scratch: I had mine pulled last week. I go through them 3 times 3rd time they get pulled. Last bunch got some zippity do daw to them!!😂

Just pulled my lettuce and spinach.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/12/23, 03:52:34 PM
Look at this huge harvest.  Good tasting too.  Some heat but very good ones. Not like last year when the were way too hot.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/12/IMG_1928.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-1928.GIcl)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/12/23, 06:25:07 PM
I pulled all of mine today also. They are pretty good this year. Also have 4 heads of Romain Lettuce ready to eat. Picked my first Kohlrabi and ate it today.

Peeled my last onion today from last years garden. Lasted 10 months  :wowza:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/12/23, 08:18:42 PM
I have red onions in nylons hanging in the basement yet.  Some are still good and some are vaporized and only the skins.   This program is coming to an end soon.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/12/23, 09:32:39 PM
Still vegetable spaghetti in my garage from last fall that appear edible. A few casualties but not many. One hill of those is enough. When planting from seed, one is never sure if they'll grow so I always plant two hills. Never fails, they both grow. :doah: Fixed them this year. Wife bought a transplant so one it is!  :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on June 06/12/23, 10:13:47 PM
Yeah, funny the way it is with gardens...  I you plant two seeds and they both germinate, you just don't have the heart to pluck the extra plant.   :azn:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/13/23, 07:03:24 AM
Do all squash keep that long? Or only Veg. Spag. Squash. You have a heated garage?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/13/23, 10:27:24 AM
No, the buttercup, Mooregold, and Heart of Gold squash we've had are only good for about 3 months then start to lose that fresh flavor. Look OK but don't taste quite right. Sheep don't care. Vegetable spaghetti has no flavor & seems to be the exception to the rule. We've also had some butternut squash someone gave us that kept longer too. And yes, we have floor heat in the attached garage. Also has a humidistat with an exhaust fan to keep it dry when the vehicles come in full of snow & ice. Keep it at about 50 degrees all winter. Could keep it cooler but with a water faucet out there, not going to risk it.

Ya Steve-O, it's hard to destroy crops or animals that you just know are going to cause trouble if you keep them around. Part of the instinctive caring, nurturing nature many of us have. And being slow learners... :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/13/23, 10:33:08 AM
Yes.....that's been my experience with those also. Just never tried to keep Spaghetti Squash.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/15/23, 09:51:04 AM
Mother effing deer wiped out my greeny beanies overnight. Not too late to replant I guess. 140 acres of peas around me. Why can't they pick on them?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/15/23, 10:04:23 AM
Mother effing deer wiped out my greeny beanies overnight. Not too late to replant I guess. 140 acres of peas around me. Why can't they pick on them?

yikes!!!  time for time out for some deer!!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/15/23, 10:17:55 AM
That sucks. My first planting has come up erratically. Not as proficient at watering as Mother Nature I guess. Same thing happened last year. 1st planting filled in eventually. Second planting came up more evenly because it rained.

Vine crops here are on the move. Squash, pumpkins & gourds in every hill now. Squash and pumpkins are deep, dark green and doubling in size every few days. Cukes are in the small garden. 4 out of the 6 hills are up. Tomatoes are finally getting going decently. Put one Sunsugar tomato in along with a dwarf Champion & 4 more Celebrity's. One of the first planted didn't make it & another one is suspect. Some of the decorative sunflowers are coming up. Wife is looking forward to them flowering. Sweet corn looks nice. Have to plant the 2nd planting one of these days. The well guys trampled on the cannas in places yesterday but they're fairly resilient. They were back upright this morning again. Some rain would be nice someday. One downside to having the well working again: Now I gotta water!  :doah:   

 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/15/23, 12:27:44 PM
Get some Deer Repellent spray. It imitates Coyote Urine. I have had to use it around my sweet corn when it gets close to ready to eat to keep the deer away. It works.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/17/23, 10:49:44 AM
Seeing a few 4-lined plant bugs messing with my cucumber seedlings. Sprayed them with some deadly agrotoxins. The sugar beet farmers have been having a helluva time with them in areas this spring.

Moss rose & flowering purslane have been loving the hot dry weather.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/17/23, 12:15:38 PM
Time to go after the tomato suckers. Otherwise the plant gets over producing leaves.  :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/19/23, 05:46:19 PM
First bowl of  strawberries this year. Time for Strawberry Pie and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. My family loves these. :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/20/23, 07:30:27 AM
those look nummy Ken.  :happy1: nuttin like a fresh picked strawberry......that bowl be only half full had i picked them!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

that heat and sun yesterday sure curled up my cuke leaves.......once the garden got shaded they were OK. starting to see small maters on some of the plants!!!! :happy1: so far i'm liking them livingstone seeds......especially the kalarabi!!! maybe only pulled 4-5 of them what look like rutabega looking things.

dill is starting to form the little balls. but here not as tall as other years!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/20/23, 12:38:28 PM
It would have been twice as full if my grandsons weren't helping. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/20/23, 02:48:56 PM
You probably mentioned it Ken, but curious about what variety or varieties of strawberries you're growing these days? Growing up, Mom & Dad had Dunlap's. When we moved to our present spot, there was a patch of Sparkle strawberries established. Unfortunately, like most conservative Norwegians did, they planted them way too close to some spruce trees. Same with their rhubarb. Within a matter of a few years, both the berries and rhubarb were shaded out. I never quite understood why the Dunlap's were called Senator Dunlap strawberries. As Paul Harvey used to say, now I know the rest of the story... :coffee:

https://www.savoy.illinois.gov/dunlap_family_and_senators_inn
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/20/23, 04:04:02 PM
Sparkle is a good variety. Right now I have

Ogallala.....an everbearer. These ripen early now. Again in September. They are OK. But I only grow them to get the Sept. berries.

Honeyoe, which is supposedly the number 1 berry grown in Pick Your Own. It is a June Bearer.... so only berries now

I also am growing Cabot which is the largest berry you can grow in the northern climate. Again a June Bearer. My grandsons call them Strawberry Bombs. Very larger, sweet, and juicy.

If I would change......I would now plow under the Honeyoe and plant Wendy. An earlier Junebearing variety. But you run the chance of frost damage if they are blooming.

I till under half the row each year after picking is over to let new "daughter" runners set plants in the bare half. Those have the biggest berreis next year.

These are other varieties I've grow over the past 40 years. Some are everbearers, some are junebearers, and some day neutrals.....
Albion
Annapolis
Ozark Beauty
Ft Laramie
Evie-2
Seascape
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/22/23, 06:51:14 PM
curious question.......how are everyones tomatoes?????? other then needing a good rain.......dutchy said was coming in gale forces  :rotflmao: they are growing fine but main the main stocks sure are skinny this year.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/22/23, 07:43:29 PM
Mine are doing OK. This heat has really pushed them. Have tomatoes on about half. So started mulching with straw.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/22/23, 07:51:16 PM
Been doing a little fly control. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/22/23, 07:55:19 PM
So what the heck is that?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/22/23, 08:06:05 PM
So what the heck is that?
a fly trap ! Put this little packet of powder in add water. After a few days it stinks attracts flies. They can get in but not out
!!

Fleet farm and Menards has it. I'd bet anyplace that has farm stuff would too.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/22/23, 08:56:25 PM
'maters are coming along. The replacements for the Celebrity + never skipped a beat & the Sun Sugar likes its home even after the wife broke it off before I got it. Peppers are very nice too. Vine crops are really starting to take off. Liking the strip till system I'm trying for them so far. The sunflowers are the pleasant surprise. Thought I was wasting my time as dry as it was. Weeded the cannas tonight as they're about ready to explode. Planted 10 more rows of sweet corn afterwards, hoping this weekend rain materializes.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/23/23, 11:39:04 AM
It's coming along
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/23/23, 11:42:40 AM
Looks pretty good Glenn. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on June 06/25/23, 03:09:15 PM
The mulberries are blooming and the dill that I planted in the raised bed is doing great! I'm on my 3rd planting of radishes, and everything thing else is coming along....
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/25/23, 03:11:30 PM
 :happy1: thats great to hear your dill is moving along!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/26/23, 05:35:17 PM
LPS, this is the fly bait I get at FF!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/26/23, 06:25:57 PM
Them put it in that container?  They are leg biting sob's.  I will check out Big M this weekend.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on June 06/26/23, 06:50:35 PM
Not sure of Glenn's trap but we had ours about a foot off the ground and hammered just as much in 4 days.  Ya it stinks but it works.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/26/23, 07:15:30 PM
Them put it in that container?  They are leg biting sob's.  I will check out Big M this weekend.
yep dump that in the jug and add water.

boober...........i have the one i posted hanging from an old hook my wife had a flower basket on under the deck. the other one i have is sitting on a storage container one maybe 4 ft off the ground the other maybe 3 ft. dont think it matters.

i tried this about 8 years ago at the cabin......but it was later in the year trying to get them friggin boat ankle biting buzzards but didnt works so well. this year its going to be an ongoing trail!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/26/23, 07:34:15 PM
Them put it in that container?  They are leg biting sob's.  I will check out Big M this weekend.
Big M  will have a different brand. its where my kid got his and worked just as good. the stuff i have seems to take 3-4 days but then really kicks in!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on June 06/26/23, 09:10:45 PM
The garden is on auto pilot for a while now. Fishing and working at the land takes precedence.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3097-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3097-R.adfw)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3098-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3098-R.akWZ)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3099-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3099-R.aBX6)

I didn't know kohlrabi got this big. They are like softballs.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3101-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3101-R.abB2)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3103-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3103-R.a4MF)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3104-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3104-R.a51n)

I hope the pergola can support the weight. It sure is shady under the canopy.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3106-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3106-R.a8vS)

Some sort of plums.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3107-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3107-R.afSh)

Apples are doing great.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3108-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3108-R.aAJ7)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3110-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3110-R.aEzA)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3112-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3112-R.axfm)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/27/IMG_3113-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3113-R.aSYs)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/26/23, 09:40:50 PM
Pretty darn impressive DE. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Jerkbiat on June 06/26/23, 09:51:30 PM
X2
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/27/23, 06:19:45 AM
Looks good. :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/27/23, 07:28:27 PM
Looks bootiful!  :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/28/23, 10:13:27 AM
The sweet corn I planted the nite of the 22nd is poking through already. Amazing what a little rain can do sometimes. Hoping a few of the cucumbers I stuck in Friday ahead of the rain follow suit. Conditions for weed growth have been about ideal. Be nice to get them whapped while they're still small. No pics of my overall ratty looking garden at least until I get the few decent looking parts weeded.  :doah: 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/28/23, 11:10:49 AM
Deer destroyed our beets last night. They pushed the chicken wire half hoops off the rows
 The liquid fence must be like ketchup on a burger to them hellions or else the tenth of an inch of rain we got washed it off. I'm tempted to spend some hard earned $ on a solar fencer and fence the whole garden off. We can always use something more to trim around. I was in the shop fuming about it. Then I walked out and the cutest little spotted fawn was eyeballin' me. I bet it would be good on the grill over the 4th.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/28/23, 11:30:03 AM
Take a picture of the fawn before you grill it so you can show everyone.   :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/28/23, 12:32:42 PM
make sure to wear your orange!!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/28/23, 01:53:04 PM
make sure to wear your orange!!!!
Yes I need to be legal.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/28/23, 03:30:25 PM
make sure to wear your orange!!!!
Yes I need to be legal.
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: Bambi had the wrens on lookout, you'll never get it!! :sleazy: :evil: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/28/23, 04:59:33 PM
I went to bomgaars with the intention of buying what I need to put a solar fence around the garden. I decided I need to educate myself before buying. This stuff ain't cheap and I need to figure out if one of the smaller units would fo the job. Roughly 200 feet perimeter on our shrunk down garden. I would need either two or three strands of wire.
After I realized I was getting close to $500 worth of stuff in the cart I realized you can buy a lot of beets for that kind of money so I calmly put everything back.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/28/23, 05:54:22 PM
I keep thinking of what you said about the 160 acres of peas and the deers got your beans.  ???   Interesting.  So are those peas for human consumption?  I suppose.  Do they can them or freeze them or don't you know?  That's a lot of peas.  I didn't realize that a solar fence would be so expensive.  Use 110.  LOLOL  Just kidding of course. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/28/23, 07:56:35 PM
The peas are grown for Birdseye. They will be frozen. Hopefully all this heat won't fry them
 They were planted on May 31st. Really a late planting.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on June 06/28/23, 08:33:42 PM
Very interesting Roony.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on June 06/28/23, 08:38:18 PM
These pictures are from 2018. After several years of feeding the deer, I got a fence. Best thing is it was free. My sons company took down a 6 foot black fence from a day care. They were going to trash it so I picked it up.

Electric fence probably wouldn't do any good here.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/29/garden-crow3-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/garden-crow3-R.h76g)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/29/garden-deer2-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/garden-deer2-R.hjqG)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/29/garden-deer11-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/garden-deer11-R.hJFf)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/29/garden-deer15-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/garden-deer15-R.hLe3)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on June 06/28/23, 08:46:35 PM
This is what it looks like today. A couple weeks ago I left the gate open and had visitors during the night. Deer tracks all over the place.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/06/29/IMG_2974-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-2974-R.hnLW)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/28/23, 10:18:52 PM
I spray deer repellent around mine when the corn starts to ripen. Mimics the smell of Coyote Urine. They won't come close to it. Keeps the bunnies away too.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/29/23, 06:03:42 AM
I sprayed the heck out of things last night with liquid fence. The deer must like it. Last night they attacked my cukes.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/29/23, 06:12:15 AM
I have a Corgi eating my sunflowers... :whistling:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/29/23, 10:03:36 AM
The peas are grown for Birdseye. They will be frozen. Hopefully all this heat won't fry them
 They were planted on May 31st. Really a late planting.

Are you one of those people who get some peas to freeze when they're out there harvesting roony? Some folks used to have an elaborate setup to get them rinsed clean. We tried doing it once using a strainer and a garden hose. It was tough to get all the dirt out of them so we never did it again.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/29/23, 10:12:01 AM
Haven't done that. If I want some to eat I will shuck them out of the pods myself. There Haven't been peas here since 1978 or so. I like steamed pea pods from Sugar Snap varieties. I wonder how they'd be on these???
I might get a few pails to shove up some deers arses.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/29/23, 11:09:43 AM
Being that long since there were peas raised there, they should be decent if the heat and dry doesn't mess them up. I see the organic pea field on the Lake Road is about to get taken over by all the foxtail. Reminds me, I need to lay in a few more varieties of snap peas for the fall crop. I like eating them raw. Between that and sweet corn, it really cuts down on my use of stool softeners.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on June 06/29/23, 11:13:56 AM
Being that long since there were peas raised there, they should be decent if the heat and dry doesn't mess them up. I see the organic pea field on the Lake Road is about to get taken over by all the foxtail. Reminds me, I need to lay in a few more varieties of snap peas for the fall crop. I like eating them raw. Between that and sweet corn, it really cuts down on my use of stool softeners.
is that a hint for LPS!!!!    Glenn wants to know!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/29/23, 11:48:49 AM
 :tut: :tut: did not!! :mooning: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on June 06/29/23, 12:10:24 PM
Kohlrabi ready to eat. These were started mid April in the house and transplanted out. Just ate the smaller one for lunch today. :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/29/23, 12:23:27 PM
I noticed today there is a stray blossom here and there in the peas. Gussing late July or early August for harvest
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: markn on June 06/29/23, 01:36:24 PM
Wife’s flowers in front of the house. Can’t eat them, but they look nice. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/29/23, 09:20:23 PM
couple days ago i found a kalarabi about the size of a tennis ball.............so i promptly ate it!!!!!! :happy1:

watering tonight i noticed i gotta pickle some jalapeno peppers soon!!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/29/23, 10:13:46 PM
After weeding & thinning 5 rows of Indian corn ~150' in length this afternoon, weeded the 8 rows of my own Indian corn & 6 rows of sunflowers tonight after chores. Fortunately mine are only ~15' long. All my test plot maintenance experience comes in handy. Disappointed though in the unevenness of emergence of much of the garden but probably shouldn't be given the circumstances. Corn and soybean emergence was uneven too especially with the later planted stuff. Something I forgot to do was to put some neonic seed treatment on the seed prior to planting. Sure it was dry but the more I think about it, since it was sod broken up only recently, the area the garden is in probably has some wireworm pressure. Rarely see it anymore in fields crops; the majority of the seed is treated with a neonic insecticide. In the heat of the battle sometimes you can forget, especially when your own stuff only gets attention after everyone else's.   

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/wireworms/

   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/30/23, 05:59:09 AM
Dotch, those look similar to the mealworm that I get for the birds?? At least that's what Google said when I did the search for mealworm???
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on June 06/30/23, 08:30:15 AM
Mom always said you could harvest asparagus up to the end of June so I picked it for the last time this season.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on June 06/30/23, 09:48:55 AM
Dotch, those look similar to the mealworm that I get for the birds?? At least that's what Google said when I did the search for mealworm???

The larvae are similar in appearance but wireworm larvae spend their time feeding on live plant tissue underground. They are usually smaller as well compared to the mealworms I'm used to seeing. Used to find the mealworm larvae and adults in the oat bin a lot when I was a kid. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on June 06/30/23, 10:59:21 AM
got a call from Becks today.......i coulda got my 1/2 bushel of small pickles today.......just aint ready today. scheduled to get them july 5th, be ready then!!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/01/23, 10:20:14 AM
Picked jalapeno peppers this morning.  Got some kalahrabi next on the list. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/01/23, 10:45:38 AM
you ever leave on the plant to ripen further??
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/01/23, 11:22:30 AM
Sometimes I let some on till they start turning red.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/01/23, 11:26:00 AM
Man, anyone else dealing with boxelder bugs!! :confused: :angry2: sheesh there bad already. Little buzzard's fornicating on the siding and in my landscape rocks!! :confused: been a daily job spraying them darn things
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/01/23, 11:31:15 AM
not yet, but that was why I sprayed the house down with tempo yesterday, besides the spiders and such...
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on July 07/03/23, 03:38:39 PM
Yeah the boxelders are otta control here also.  The stringless green beans are flying off the vine,  close to an ice cream pail so far, planted them from seed with a split trellis of snap peas which are popping also. Sautéed in butter them beans are dynamite, I really like the stringless variety.  Also grabbed a good size yellow zookini fer grilling with enough cukes for a quart of pickles,  problem is we gots no garlic so that'll wait til tomorrow.  I did see a little bottom rot on 1 mater plant, the rest look good so thinking I'll try some gypsum  and see what happens.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on July 07/05/23, 12:38:34 PM
Not sure how the boy asian beetles can tell the difference between the ladybugs when they are all lines up and going at it like they are...  Needless to say, none of these bugs or their offspring will be chomping leaves in mine or anyone else's yard.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/05/23, 12:39:46 PM
Horny little things. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/05/23, 02:43:00 PM
First head of nice Broccoli

Picked a bucket of Juneberries......Making Juneberry Pie. :hubba: :hubba:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/05/23, 04:47:39 PM
Just got our first cukes.  Not big but along with some store bought maters and some Vidalia onion also store bought it will qualify as a salad kind of from the garden.  LOL  Along with the Tuna salad I made I'm betting the wife will call it supper and that sounds great to me. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Smokey Hills Bandit on July 07/07/23, 10:20:43 AM
Ran into some wild black raspberries on a walk. Enjoyed over some cream cheese with crackers.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/07/07/IMG-3319.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3319.heAc)


Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/07/23, 01:52:30 PM
Interesting combo!  :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/08/23, 07:13:40 AM
picked some more green beans, got 3 campori maters almost ready to pick. the big question is.......will they make it into the house!!!! :scratch: :doah:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/15/23, 08:48:29 AM
Need an opinion, mom has 2 5 gallon pails filled about 1/3 full of flour and sugar. Based on how old her coffee was im going to guss this stuff is old also

Could I scatter that stuff around the garden without any ill effects??? :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/15/23, 08:52:30 AM
Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth. However, sugars have a best-if-used by date of approximately 2 years for quality concerns.

How Long Does Flour Last? Any white flour, like all-purpose or self-rising flours, stored at room temperature should be discarded after three months; if stored at a cooler house temp, it can last six months. In a fridge, the flour has one year, and in the freezer, it has two.

this will help ya
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/15/23, 11:51:55 AM
 :happy1: I know I'm getting rid of it, just curious if it will affect the garden soil??? Besides it's in 2 pretty good 5 gallon pails, not that I need more. :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/15/23, 12:13:03 PM
It is best to lightly sprinkle flour in the soil around the plants, rather than dumping the flour on the soil as it will clog the pores of leaves, causing plants to die. Flour is also great to add to compost piles, however it will take a long time for it to compost fully.

Is sugar good for garden plants?
Is Sugar Water Good for Plants?
Although it is not considered a fertilizer, you can use sugar if your plants aren't doing so well. Sugar water in plants can help the microorganisms in the soil break down all the nutrients. It is vastly not recommended, though, to use just the sugar as plant food to save them.

so in other words use them sparingly is my thoughts..
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on July 07/15/23, 04:46:27 PM
Just eat it!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/16/23, 03:21:24 PM
I would think sugar would attract bugs like ants to the area.  Just throw it in the trash.  OR send it to Dotchy.   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/17/23, 10:30:10 AM
 :tut: Don't be giving him any ideas!  :rotflmao:

Got through the garden yesterday even though parts of it were a little damp yet. The purslane has had a banner year. Up until the recent rains it was just marking time, providing cover & food for insects like this white-lined sphinx moth larva. Some get their panties in a twist about the larvae because they can chew up tomato plants. They feed on a wide variety of plants however including purslane. More of a novelty than anything else, it's fun to watch the moths in the fall move from flower to flower. They're particularly fond of four o'clocks & petunias.

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/white-lined-sphinx-moth-hyles-lineata/
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/17/23, 10:45:00 AM
Sort of on topic cuz it is by the garden.  I have bees in my wood pile.  When I add to it they fly around me.  I got stung last week.  Now I step back when I see them for a few seconds.  They have red in the middle of their bodies. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/17/23, 11:46:46 AM
Are they bees or wasps Barry? Pictures are always helpful but in this case, could wind up getting stung especially if there's a nest in the woodpile & they feel threatened. Here's a possibility along with a whole slug of photos:

http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Insects/northern_paper_wasp.html


https://thepetenthusiast.com/types-of-wasps/
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/17/23, 11:58:34 AM
crazy how many that are out there!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/17/23, 12:43:43 PM
They sure look like bees Dotch.  I was hoping you would see this.  Look just like a bee but the middle of them is bright red.  Usually about 3 of them come hovering out by me.  I stand still and then they go back in the pile so I continue stacking.  The wood is piled up along side the garage. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/17/23, 01:03:11 PM
if they get nasty buy some hornet and wasp spray...  works great when you need it...  ortho brand I use
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/17/23, 01:18:33 PM
Are they bumblebee-ish in appearance? I don't recall ever seeing them around here but there are some in MN that might fit what you described.

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/environment/citizen-science/bee-atlas/bumble-bees/docs/bumblebee_species_slides.pdf
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on July 07/17/23, 01:22:36 PM
I've never seen one of these before, but this?   :confused:

(https://greennature.com/wp-content/uploads/pictures-of-insects/red-tailed-bumblebee.jpg)

Types of Bumble Bees with Pictures (https://greennature.com/bumblebees/)

The top picture of a red-tailed bumblebee (bombus huntii).
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/17/23, 04:31:57 PM
That is exactly it.  I just got in and didn't have my phone to take a pic but was going to try it.  lol  Light rain just moved in.  Like I said it used to be only one that would come out when I stacked wood but today three came out.  They just buzz around me as I stand still and I think they go back in between the wood pile and the garage/shop.  The red got me thinking and I hoped they weren't some dangerous strain.  The red is really bright too.  Maybe they can make it that way as a warning. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on July 07/17/23, 04:54:41 PM
Dotch's garden is damp but just a hop skip and jump away, I watered this morning before work.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/18/23, 11:52:50 AM
We were lucky to get this last rain. Garden has really shaped up. Got through weeding the 2nd planting sweet corn last night. Took this photo yesterday afternoon & sent it to the Boy Entomologist. One of the leafcutter bee species on the ornamental purslane. Had huge pollen sacs for size of the bee.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/20/23, 07:31:56 PM
Love this time of year. Last week cherries, now maters and blueberries.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/20/23, 07:33:37 PM
And to top it off, straight from the garden carrots and kalahrabi. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/20/23, 07:35:20 PM
We peeled an eaten some cukes.  Our lettuce is doing good but isn't as good as ice berg in the stores.  Thinking of using it for smoothies.  Use yogurt and other stuff. ???  Our radishes are good this year. That looks great Glenn.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/20/23, 07:36:42 PM
i'm getting cukws to but not happy with them at the moment!!!!!! :surrender:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on July 07/21/23, 08:37:57 AM
Last Thursday's hail really beat the snot out of my gardens and fruit trees. The cukes, tomatoes, peppers, apples and plums go holes and dents in them. I assume new tomatoes and cucumbers will replace the damaged ones but not much you can do about the plums and apples. Also, cannas got lots of holes in the leaves.  :pouty:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on July 07/21/23, 01:30:55 PM
My cukes are WAY behind schedule, but my 🔥 peppers not. I had enough to pickle 7 pints today!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/21/23, 07:09:54 PM
I was so surprised this afternoon when I went to pick up the ground fall apples, I'll bet I picked up close to 300!!!  my tree is losing it!!!   makes me wonder if the lack of rain is part of it...  sad...   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on July 07/21/23, 07:19:45 PM
Maybe the heat but not the lack of rain, at least not in my case. I have 8 apple trees in my backyard. They are watered by my system. These trees constantly drop apples. Maybe it's a normal occurrence. People who own orchards thin the apples on their trees to promote nice pretty uniform fruit. I don't.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/21/23, 07:25:11 PM
I do understand that but this is the first time this has happened...  at least to this amount any way...
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/22/23, 11:30:41 AM
found this;

Why is my apple tree prematurely dropping apples?
Often, a period of stress (a long, hot summer with very little rain) will cause a tree to abort its fruit in order to conserve energy. Apple trees require deep watering during drought.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/22/23, 11:51:41 AM
found this;

Why is my apple tree prematurely dropping apples?
Often, a period of stress (a long, hot summer with very little rain) will cause a tree to abort its fruit in order to conserve energy. Apple trees require deep watering during drought.
well best get to it, instead of driving them scooters around trying to pick up cougars!! :pouty: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :tut:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/22/23, 11:58:11 AM
but riding the bikes is fun!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: 

and not looking for any cougars!!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/22/23, 12:40:30 PM
pulled my onions today!!!!!!!! :doah: :embarrassed: there not even picture worthy. a few the size of tennis balls, the rest golf ball size and smaller.  :bonk: just about every year i wonder why i even bother...then in spring i plant more. for the cost of them in a store ...........

think the reason i keep doing it, when i can or make salsa its just a thing i got about most has to come from my garden!!!!!!!1 :pouty:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/22/23, 03:17:55 PM
Deep watering......I water my fruit trees by drilling holes in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and then setting it next to the tree and filling it up with water. The water goes into the ground right over the roots. You can regulate how fast by      the number of holes.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/22/23, 03:20:13 PM
thanks Ken most likely to late for this year I'm thinking... 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/22/23, 03:40:29 PM
Not to late.....getting good sized apples depends on water, thinning, and fertilizer. I'm watering mine with pails tomorrow.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/22/23, 03:43:27 PM
Just planted 3 cauliflower, 3 cabbages , and 8 Romaine Lettuce for September. Started the seed 5 weeks ago. Cans around them for a couple weeks to protect them from wind and cutworms. Now going to cover them with fine netting to keep the white butterflies from laying eggs and hatching green worms. They will eat every leaf. Don't want to put pesticide on.

Had 60 onions growing there. Pulled them yesterday and hung them in the garage.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/22/23, 03:49:17 PM
Pulled the peas a week or so ago and kept what was left for next year's seeds. Then planted them again along the fence. They are up and growing for peas in Sept.

Will plant radishes on the other side of the fence. Those are radishes on the right side. And the netting is covering Broccoli Plants that have the main heads cut. Taking side shoots now. keeping the white butterflies off.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/22/23, 03:53:01 PM
Wife made the first batch of Zucchini muffins. Had to use Gluten Free flour for 1 of my grand daughters. Grandkids devour them for breakfast.
 :cheerleader: :cheerleader:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/23/23, 09:50:20 AM
i decided last night to give my trees a drink of water. put the hose by the trunk and let the water trickle out for about a 12 hour shift!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/23/23, 10:30:07 AM
We had drought conditions for a couple of years a few years back.  I have 2 plastic 50 gallon barrels that I put spigots on.  The just fit in my little trailer.  I would fill them and then water 2 trees at a time by letting it trickle on them  Worked great.  They were too far away for a hose to reach.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/23/23, 03:04:14 PM
First home grown sweet corn this year. Earliest I have ever had it. Must have been the heat pushing it. Also first ripe full sized tomato from the garden. An Early Girl.

BLT's and sweet corn for supper.  :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on July 07/23/23, 05:19:26 PM
You'll be eating like a millionaire!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on July 07/23/23, 05:21:32 PM
That corn sure filled out right to the end.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/23/23, 07:29:49 PM
Yup.....a WHOLE lot better than super market corn.

Catalyst....a Super Sweet, one of the earliest maturing and taste great.

Here is where I got it....

https://www.ufseeds.com/product/catalyst-xr-f1-corn-seed/COCAY.html
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on July 07/24/23, 07:43:18 AM
We had lettuce, cuke, apples all from here with yogurt to make smoothies yesterday.  Were darn good.  We have a lot of lettuce ready all of a sudden.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on July 07/27/23, 04:12:16 PM
Pulled the onions. Nice crop of Candy onions this year. Nice size. Should last till next spring. Hanging in my garage now.

This is my Mellon patch. 3 Cantalope, 1 Galia,

5 watermelon varieties. 3 yellow, 1 orange and 2 reds. Should have some ripe Watermelons next week. Pic is upside down again. Click on it to turn it around.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/28/23, 07:49:40 AM
need to go through the garden today...........I'm pretty certain i'll be pulling out the green beans. got what i wanted and there about done anyway. one less thing to have to water. kinda sad when you start thinking of pulling stuff due to having to water them all the time!!!!!! :pouty:

i pulled my onions a week ago or so........they sucked!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/28/23, 09:26:10 AM
Green beans are just coming on here. Since they came up so unevenly & I replanted parts of the rows, I opted not to put in a 2nd planting. Figure they'll keep going for most of August. Hopefully by the end of the month I'll have enough frozen & be sick of picking them. Vine crops are running all over the place. Setting a lot of squash, gourds and pumpkins. Should get set to plant the fall & winter radishes as well as the fall snap pea crop. Wish it was too wet but not the case. Probably have to water just to get the stuff to come up.  :pouty:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/28/23, 09:39:52 AM
does anyone ever plant yellow beans any more???   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/28/23, 10:24:11 AM
does anyone ever plant yellow beans any more???
I don't but I've had them before. I don't think there is a difference in flavor!!!

What is the difference between the two? Other than color?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/28/23, 10:32:25 AM
Been many moons since we raised any yellow beans. Haven't since the wife has been buying the bean seed. May try some next season. Don't recall much difference in flavor either. They do add another color to the plate which I kinda like.  :cool:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/28/23, 10:38:00 AM
I think they are the same too, just like yellow beans some times!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/28/23, 10:39:44 AM
. They do add another color to the plate which I kinda like.  :cool:
well duh... Use food coloring.  :mooning: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/28/23, 11:12:28 AM
Smurfette: Why is this steak green glenn?

glenn: Thought I'd add a little food coloring to make it prettier!  :doah:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on July 07/28/23, 11:14:44 AM
Smurfette: Why is this steak green glenn?

glenn: Thought I'd add a little food coloring to make it prettier!  :doah:

we could really age a steak to turn it green for Glenn!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/28/23, 11:52:28 AM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :doofus: :doofus: :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:

i wasnt the one suggesting he likes more color on his plate!!!!!!!!! :tut: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on July 07/28/23, 11:57:39 AM
just picked and pulled the green beans........then before i know it i had the garden all weeded.  :happy1:

i was surprised at the amount of moisture in the ground......enough as to not have to water today!!!!!!  :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on July 07/31/23, 11:10:26 AM
Put in a 4 hour bomb session yesterday afternoon & evening in the garden. Got started weeding & since it was going good, didn't stop. Never ending battle & there are still some to get out of the last planting of sweet corn & sunflowers as well as the vine crops. Had lots of dog help so that made the time go by more quickly. Picked two gallon and two quart sized bags worth of string beans. Not bad considering they're mainly from one 15' row of Tendergreen. When I looked at the other two rows, they're loaded with flowers, especially the Blue Lake variety. A lot of those two rows were replanted. Glad I didn't go ahead with my original plan to plant more string beans over 4th of July. See some tomatoes blushing so should have some soon with the cooler nighttime temps. Vine crops are loaded underneath the dense canopy. Lots of zucchini, some that got ahead of me in the heat. No biggy. They're a renewable resource and sheep love 'em. Should make my adopted 93 year old mom's day to get beans and zucchini. Eyeing up my area to plant winter radishes and snap peas along with several watering options. Should happen some evening this week.     
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/01/23, 01:00:11 PM
The old disappearing LP tank trick...and it almost worked!  :cool:

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/01/23, 01:31:07 PM
I like that!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/01/23, 02:30:36 PM
Clever idea.  :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/01/23, 08:12:46 PM
We had a bunch of tiger lilies behind the old garage before we tore it down. The lilies remained but were right in the way so I decided to move some rather than killing them all off. I wasn't real sure when I put them around the LP tank how it would work. That's what they make glyphosate for. One fall I dug the holes, put some sheep manure in the bottom of each one, plopped the bulbs in, covered them up & hoped for the best. I was a little concerned after they came up the next spring that they'd make a snow fence and cause problems for the LP man. Was relieved when fall came that the canes died down and went flat. The first couple years I removed them but the past few seasons I've just ground them up with the lawnmower. The pollinators like the tiger lilies especially the big yellow tiger swallowtail butterflies. Tough to get them to sit still long enough to get a good picture but they're beautiful just the same. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/02/23, 07:25:07 AM
I wondered about the LP guy too.  Good program.   :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/02/23, 07:48:54 AM
Picked a handful of green beans. The evil ones left just enough for us to get a taste.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/02/23, 08:35:33 AM
I still have two full gallon bags in the fridge roony. Auntie Mar Mar has spoken for one of them but the other is still available if you'd like. We're not getting to them with the Freeborn Co. Fair on right now. I could see this morning there will be more ready to pick tomorrow or Friday. Think we have a doe with a fawn here. Have seen the fawn so guessing the doe isn't far off. There is a big pile of adult-sized deer poop to step in right by the beans but they haven't messed with them. Must be because of our attack Corgi... :whistling: Something did eat a bunch of the leaves off one cucumber plant. Not sure why. Generally bitter tasting & not real palatable.  :scratch: 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/02/23, 08:43:23 AM
Picked a handful of green beans. The evil ones left just enough for us to get a taste.

make dinner out the evil ones!!!!     :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/02/23, 11:31:34 AM
I have read that deer don't bother cukes but they have messed with ours the last two years. My half fast fence deters them enough though. Next year it will be an electric fence around the garden.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/02/23, 01:53:50 PM
Have you tried a Deer Repellent. I am spraying Liquid Fence around my Sweet Corn. Haven't had any problems since. Keeps rabbits away too.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/02/23, 02:16:52 PM
How is it on raccoons? Judging by the feeding in the field corn north of my building site, can see there's a small army of them camped in it. They even tore down one of the plants I had a sticky trap attached to. Never seen that before. :doah: I can run electric around the other two sides of the sweet corn patch pretty quickly if need be.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: fishwidow on August 08/02/23, 04:23:39 PM
Can’t say how well it works for raccoons, but I tried a a Bonide product this year to keep the deer from mowing the hostas to the ground. Applied it twice, but I honestly think one application would’ve worked.  Not so much as a single chomp on any of them.  The active ingredient is putrescent eggs.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/02/23, 04:48:39 PM
Tried the liquid fence but it didn't work for us. Someone told me is you place a little piece of lead on their forehead that would deter them.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/03/23, 06:54:09 AM
Instead of spraying, I put some in tuna cans placed along the edge. Works for me.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: markn on August 08/03/23, 06:59:39 AM
We used a radio on an all night talk show station to keep recoons and deer away from the garden. I like the lead idea for deer. Steaks for your veggies. :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/03/23, 09:10:55 AM
I love it when the deer chew off all the hostas at the cabin. :sleazy:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on August 08/03/23, 10:24:16 AM
The garden is starting to produce. Next thing is there will be an overabundance of tomatoes.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/03/image0-2.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/image0-%282%29.F9ES)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on August 08/03/23, 10:44:53 AM
We're having a problem with grasshoppers again. Daughter read that sprinkling regular flour on the tomatoes and peppers would help get rid of them. We tried it. It works. A few stragglers, but not many.

We also saw another big black and yellow spider on our milkweed.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/03/23, 02:26:59 PM
Hey roony, the comely young lass is back selling sweet corn on the corner of 13 & 30 again! Stocked my fridge to tide me over a while until ours gets ready. I'll get some from my neighbor to the north too once I get thru this batch. He's got staggered plantings that should keep him going for another 3 weeks to a month. He's a $ a dozen cheaper but not nearly as cute as the gal in town... :sad:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/03/23, 04:16:13 PM
It would take about $10 in gas for me to drive there.
What is she wearing?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/03/23, 04:30:09 PM
Shorts, a bare midriff  T, a tan & a smile. Sales appear to be brisk.  :shocked:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on August 08/03/23, 05:06:29 PM
Are you sure she's selling sweet corn?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/03/23, 06:24:56 PM
Who cares.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/03/23, 07:16:21 PM
Yup roony. She's a good girl, very smart. We share the same birthday. We gave her presents for many years. Her folks are good people too. Shared a lot of laughs with her dad. Fresh market sweet corn business is helping to put her through college. She will go far.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/03/23, 07:35:00 PM
Been a while since mom was in the care center during sweet corn season.
Hope she has a good season@
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/03/23, 09:22:39 PM
Planted a row each of cherry belle, white globe and watermelon radishes tonite. Also put in a row of snap peas. That should nix any chance of rain we had for the weekend. Was going to pick string beans too but the last minute lamb project neighbors decided their daughter needed to come up and work with their ewe lamb. That lasted until the lamb wilted in the heat & I called it. Where are they when it's cool in the morning? Oh yeah, they don't get their assets out of bed until well after 8, well after we're already at work. No problem. I can always get up early and pick beans.  :angry:  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/06/23, 10:55:59 AM
with the lack of rain today i pulled my Jalepeno peppers. i got more than i need vacum packed and frozw what i had, i'll give  them to one of the secretaries at the union hall. she uses them up no problem.......less to water!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/06/23, 11:45:48 AM
Just got done pulling those 6 wild parsnips.  Put them in two plastic bags and then in a box.  I told the wife it is safe to eat the parsnip root but she said no way.  LOL 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on August 08/06/23, 02:23:43 PM
Our garden got raided while we were gone, good. The bil took another pile of beans, cukes, zookini and whatever tomatoes looked ready along with some bell peppers. The banana peppers turned red but I just canned 2 qts anyhow,  should still be the same.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/07/23, 10:45:38 AM
Picked beans Saturday morning ahead of the rain. Sucks when they get muddy. Got them cleaned up & froze some of the picking from the week before. Giving away quite a few too. Always seems to be friends & neighbors whose patch came up poorly, got eaten off or isn't ready yet. Beans should really come on now with the rain. Should've been about ideal for the fall radishes & peas I planted Thursday nite. The rain should help in the watering dept. too. Cukes were struggling in the small bed close to the house. Flowering like mad but too many trees pulling on the moisture supply there so they were requiring almost daily watering. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/10/23, 09:54:32 AM
Seeing a few of the radishes I planted last Thursday nite poking through. Picked a couple gallon bags of beans nite before last and last nite picked another one. Since it rained and the heat let up they're very nice. Been able to give enough away so I can freeze a larger batch this weekend & get caught up. Some 'maters I should pick too. Have some Berkshire bacon I got from my Studebaker mechanic calling my name. Sweet corn continues to pollinate. Be ready when I'm back from Crop Tour. There's a 2nd planting too so the raccoons should eat well most of September. Sheep bored a hole in a pumpkin on their side of the pasture fence last nite. Hard to say because they're under the vine canopy but thinking there are a bunch of pumpkins on our side of the fence too.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/13/23, 12:20:16 PM
Man I'm sure glad that my pal  :sleazy: Roony talked me off the cliff last week!!! :rotflmao: I'm actually seeing decent results with my cukes now!! :happy1:

So no garden plants will be harmed in the near future. :surrender: :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/13/23, 03:19:27 PM
GREAT!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/17/23, 09:22:41 AM
Picked string beans, zucchini, tomatoes and sweet corn last nite. Might be the last picking on the Tendergreen beans so will have glenn come and pull them out. Actually I may pull them out, toss them over to the sheep & and plant some greens there. My fall radish planting has been a disappointment & none of the peas came up. Oh well, saves time harvesting them. Think we'll have plenty of vine crops to harvest as it is. There's one big honkin' pumpkin I can see and more I can't. Gourds are all crawling over the place including some places I'd just as soon they hadn't. Sweet corn I picked was awesome. Pretty young but tasty. Hadn't planted Jackpot for a few years. 1st planting was a little erratic emerging but filled in so there will be corn in that patch for a while. The 2nd planting came up more uniformly and that's just starting to tassel. Have eaten mostly Jet Star tomatoes so far. Excellent with coleslaw or cottage cheese. Still need to find enough time to manufacture BLT's.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/17/23, 10:58:26 AM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: how soon you forget Dotch..........roony saved me!!!!!! :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/17/23, 01:03:37 PM
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: you swwn to forget Dotch..........roony saved me!!!!!! :happy1: :rotflmao:

more boaranse!!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/17/23, 01:46:21 PM
I know! I think they could be brothers... :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/17/23, 02:10:29 PM
Yea he's like a bad hemorrhoid that keeps coming back  :confused: :pouty: :rotflmao:

 :pouty: better!?? :sleazy:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on August 08/17/23, 04:15:27 PM
      OK. I read that a chipotle pepper is just a jalapeno pepper that has turned red and been smoked. Wish I could remember where I read it that.
      Anybody else hear this?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/17/23, 04:28:53 PM
      OK. I read that a chipotle pepper is just a jalapeno pepper that has turned red and been smoked. Wish I could remember where I read it that.
      Anybody else hear this?
nope. :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/17/23, 04:30:35 PM
Just some of the many lucky tiger maters I got. So sweet and oh so good.

Not to be confused with a lucky cougar!! :sleazy: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/17/23, 04:46:01 PM
      OK. I read that a chipotle pepper is just a jalapeno pepper that has turned red and been smoked. Wish I could remember where I read it that.
      Anybody else hear this?

After exhausting, extensive research (a Google search), that appears to be the case.  :cool:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/17/23, 05:00:48 PM
      OK. I read that a chipotle pepper is just a jalapeno pepper that has turned red and been smoked. Wish I could remember where I read it that.
      Anybody else hear this?

After exhausting, extensive research (a Google search), that appears to be the case.  :cool:
such a wise man.  :sleazy: :mooning: :rotflmao:

Post office is closed. :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on August 08/20/23, 09:40:42 AM
I'm about to get run over by excess tomatoes. I didn't pick them for two day and last night I picked some of the ripe ones.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/20/IMG_3435.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3435.O9ML)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/20/23, 10:19:07 AM
asparagus question.........i know when your done picking it for the year, your supposed to let it grow as its supposed to get it ready for winter and upcoming season. i have 1 cluster here at home. it never produced the little berries it usually does.

i want to cut them off as there getting to be a pain..........anyone know if its ok?????? that stuff grows like i weed so i really dont think it will affect it much????
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/20/23, 10:35:44 AM
you are supposed to leave them until they dry out, then ya can cut them as they are dormant then...   that was the way we were taught...    here ya are:

 https://www.google.com/search?q=when+can+asparagus+be+cut+down&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS920US920&oq=when+can+aspa&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0i512l5j0i22i30l4.572060433j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/20/23, 10:41:55 AM
thanks Mike!!!!! :happy1: i thought so. think i'll stake them up and tied them up so there not all over the place!!!!!! :doofus:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/20/23, 10:42:46 AM
thanks Mike!!!!! :happy1: i thought so. think i'll stake them up and tied them up so there not all over the place!!!!!! :doofus:

 :happy1: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/20/23, 12:30:15 PM
Correct....let them dry out first. Need foliage for roots to make spears next year.
I leave mine in over winter to collect snow to prevent winter kill.

Mine sprawl also. I put stakes on the ends then electric wire between stakes to keep the roped in and upright.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/21/23, 07:20:47 PM
We really like our own cukes out of the garden.  Our plants look good but our yield is low.  Here is a pic of our plants. 

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/22/IMG_2005.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-2005.OOJn)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/22/23, 10:51:07 AM
what plant is that big whitish thing???? :scratch: :scratch: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:


anyone else see that peace on the #4 about a week ago regarding garden plants and seeds????

seems there is alot of mislabeled plants and seed packets this year. i did not run into this but reading and hearing about it. they dont know if it is mislabeling plants at the greenhouse or seed packets. and apparently there are only 4 major seed outfits around????
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/22/23, 01:14:12 PM
Ours were all good.  Whilst I mowed the wife pulled the cukes, beans and lettuce.  Cooper was eating all of the cukes anyhow.  His breath smelled like cukes too.  That was a plus but we didn't get to eat as many. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/22/23, 02:05:09 PM
Ours were all good.  Whilst I mowed the wife pulled the cukes, beans and lettuce.  Cooper was eating all of the cukes anyhow.  His breath smelled like cukes too.  That was a plus but we didn't get to eat as many.
Glenn led you down the wrong path.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/22/23, 02:55:18 PM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: Yes he did.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on August 08/22/23, 03:03:16 PM
I might just take a page otta his book also, getting tired of making pickles, besides the trellis has really slowed down,  might as well clip em . I do have a over grown bush plant that's still kicking them out if need be. While Glenn I mean me is at it might as well grab the remaining 4 zookini and kick those plants curbside also.  See what you created Glenn!!  :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/22/23, 03:53:52 PM
Soon there will be people all over the state drinking Glenn's kool-aid and destroying their gardens.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/22/23, 04:49:35 PM
Soon there will be people all over the state drinking Glenn's kool-aid and destroying their gardens.
:sleazy: :sleazy: :nerd: :nerd: :rotflmao:

Cept I ain't kilt nuttin yet
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/24/23, 03:26:07 PM
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/24/FB_IMG_1692908472100.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/FB-IMG-1692908472100.OAJB)
More tingly than hot
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/24/23, 08:26:42 PM
What the heck is that?   Looks like a deer was licking on it.   :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/24/23, 08:42:02 PM
Trinidad Scorpion
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/25/23, 07:02:21 AM
What are you going to do with that Roony? Looks dangerous. LOL
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/25/23, 07:26:54 AM
I make pepper sauce in the fall.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/25/23, 09:23:23 AM
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/25/FB_IMG_1692973214977.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/FB-IMG-1692973214977.QMFx)
My pepper patch
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/25/23, 09:28:42 AM
Impressive.  I have only had jalapenos.  They are hot enough for me.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Jerkbiat on August 08/25/23, 10:13:02 AM
Impressive.  I have only had jalapenos.  They are hot enough for me.
Same here.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/25/23, 02:58:42 PM
Me to.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/25/23, 04:41:40 PM
With pepper sauce a little goes a long way. Foe example, the warden likes chile pretty bland. A few drops of my pepper sauce makes my bowl just right. I like jalepenos too but not so much in sauce.
We also have an annual pepperpalooza where people have the opportunity to taste a variety of peppers from mild to hot. Again moderation is the key or you get so much heat it is hard to detect some of the subtle differences in taste.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/25/23, 08:16:35 PM
That is great Roony.  I like some Schiracca ??sp  in my soups, eggs, etc too.  Maybe a little Tobasco at times too.  Not a lot though. About 3 or 4 drops in a Bloody Mary.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on August 08/26/23, 04:54:58 PM
That pepper looks dangerous Roony! So when you make your sauce do ferment everything?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/26/23, 06:23:31 PM
Yes I do. I've been freezing the superhots until I have more.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/26/23, 08:31:33 PM
Again, very interesting.  I suppose the sauce is red colored then.  Can you put a couple of drops on your tongue?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on August 08/26/23, 09:20:34 PM
Ha, ha. I could but I don't.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/27/23, 01:57:31 PM
Came home to numerous overgrown zucchini so pitched them over the fence. See what happens to your nut sack when you eat too much zucchini?  :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/27/23, 02:01:42 PM
the amish fellow down the has a ram that I think could make some bulls blush!!!    :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Glenn would batter and fry them babies up!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on August 08/27/23, 04:12:51 PM
Yes I do. I've been freezing the superhots until I have more.
I've been dabbling with non fermented hot sauce for a spell but get tired of the vinegar based recipes that are all over the web. A little tangy is fine but too much is all ya taste.  So yesterday I took 5 habenero,  6 little red jalapenos,  1 red sweet banana and 2 red bell peppers from the garden.  Mixed up 3/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar and a good size shot of tequila. Chopped up an onion with 5 cloves of garlic and added some cilantro with kosher salt, a little cumin and pepper corns. After simmering a thought it needed more liquid so I added just a little water. Pretty tasty with some zing!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/27/23, 04:17:31 PM
that looks pretty tasty looking boober!!!!!!!!! :happy1:

Mikey..........NO I WOULDNT!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

did some work in the garden........man seems like the tomatoes are taking there sweet old time getting ripe???? with no rain from what i see in the near future..........i kilt my green peppers and my cukes are getting pulled, just doesnt look like anything more is coming anywho!!!!!!

went to the farmers market last week and picked up 2 heads of cabbage..........tomorrow is kraut making time!!!!!! :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on August 08/27/23, 05:48:54 PM
We still have tomatoes and red onions in the garden.  Both look good.  Have another couple of bags to freeze. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on August 08/27/23, 06:24:06 PM
      Anybody else starting to clear out their gardens?
      This weekend as I was doing some serious weeding, I pulled some plants. Gone are the butternut squash, musk melon, zucchini, cucumber and a couple of volunteer tomato plants.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on August 08/27/23, 06:40:02 PM
was given a few cobbs of candy corn today, darn good eating!!! 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on August 08/28/23, 10:49:49 AM
Heat blew some of the sweet corn over the dam pretty quickly but there are still plenty of ears scattered throughout the 1st planting to choose from. Uneven emergence has its perks in a year like this one. The 2nd planting looks OK but likely won't be as good as the 1st one was w/o some watering. The few cukes we have developed seeds very quickly in the heat. Everything has struggled in the small garden this year with the hot, dry weather. Lotsa maters. Had to make a trip to the grocery store first but had BLT's last nite. The tomatoes are excellent quality & very sweet this year. Think I'll pick a few pears tonite and ripen them in the house to see how they do.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on August 08/28/23, 05:34:54 PM
Garden is not even close to being done. Cukes are starting a third burst which is nice, peppers are still being pumped out pumpkins and gourds are coming along just fine. Tomatoes are in full swing now and I can pick a 2.5 gallon bucket every day. If I miss a day (like Saturday and Sunday), I need a 5 gallon pail. Last week we dropped of a box full at three different neighbors and today I brought a box full to my new insurance agent. Not sure what will happen if I miss picking for a few days.  :azn:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on August 08/28/23, 05:43:27 PM
just got done pulling my cukes. i looked at last years notes.......i'm been within 2 days to a week of last years pulling. my garden was completely done by sptt 21 last year.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on August 08/28/23, 06:15:36 PM
These pictures are from my yard. I should have picked a lot more apples to prevent the over load damage to the tree.  :pouty:
Probably half this tree broke down due to excessive apple weight.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/29/IMG_3440.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3440.dNUi)

I propped up this younger tree.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/08/29/IMG_3442.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3442.dLRu)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/28/23, 07:07:07 PM
Next year you should try the general rule of thumb for apple trees.....

1 apple for every 6 inches of branch. Leave the one on the tip of the cluster...
The King Fruit.

Gives the largest apples and makes for apples every year.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on August 08/29/23, 12:03:14 PM
Thanks Ken W. Thats probably a good rule of thumb. I wasn't sure how things would turn out this year being we had early mid and late hail issues.  :angry2:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/29/23, 12:26:25 PM
I have some hail damagemthis year. Pea size hail on some.
I have a Chestnut eating Crab. Grandsons are now taking them in their school lunch every day.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on August 08/29/23, 12:28:27 PM
These are yellow and orange watermelons. The one on the right is a 20 pounder. Still can't seemd to get these pics right side up!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on September 09/02/23, 06:18:21 PM
      Has anyone else noticed a lack of those beautiful yellow and black garden spiders? I've looked around our gardens, wildflowers and milkweed patches. Only seen 3 all year.
      Has it maybe been too hot or dry for them?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/02/23, 06:39:03 PM
Guess I've never seen them in our garden, around the yard, or in the CRP here. Doesn't mean they haven't been there, just not noticed. I did see more than in recent years in area corn & soybean fields this summer. We always have a boatload of large barn spiders that help keep the fly population in check.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on September 09/05/23, 03:45:30 PM
No spiders here, thank God. Not sure bout you guys but we sure had alotta rot on our veggies this year.  2 out of the 6 mater plants have had lotsa bottom end rot, right along with half of the bell peppers and 2 jalapeno plants. Early on we had zookini that started rotting but they turned around.  Is it the heat?  I thought I watered when I needed to but maybe the watering didn't get deep enough???
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on September 09/05/23, 05:10:52 PM
      Spiders and snakes are welcome here.
      We had a couple of tomato plants go bad early on the season. We pulled them. We had a big problem with grasshoppers. Is that the same as locust?
      Anyway, small garden is ready to get tilled. Middle garden has only potatoes and the big garden has only tomatoes, habaneros, jalapenos, hot banana and bell peppers. Season is winding down.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/05/23, 07:19:28 PM
Spider, snake, toad & beneficial insect fan here. Aside from a few with cracks on top, remarkably beautiful tomatoes so far. Watered initially but once they got rolling, I left them alone. We had pretty good subsoil moisture & must've got rain about when they really needed it. Squash, gourd and pumpkin vines are starting to cash it in. They had a good summer and strip tilled in, once they got rolling they had moisture. I have one row of radishes that made it and a few in another one. Bet they'll be nasty with all this heat. 2nd planting of sweet corn is especially tasty since the first heatwave pushed the 1st planting too hard while I was gone.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on September 09/06/23, 07:48:37 AM
Bobber.....did you put mulch around your tomato and pepper plants? Doing that helps keep moisture level more consistent. I always put straw around them once the fruit starts to appear. The plants can't get enough calcium. So they take it from the part that they don't need to survive.....that's the fruit. Causes blossom end rot.

Didn't have any blossom end rot at all this year.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on September 09/06/23, 01:19:51 PM
Processing tomatoes with a Weston Processor. This really makes it nice to take out the seeds and skins. Peice of cake.

Cooking down the sauce to thicken it.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on September 09/06/23, 04:36:43 PM
Bobber.....did you put mulch around your tomato and pepper plants? Doing that helps keep moisture level more consistent. I always put straw around them once the fruit starts to appear. The plants can't get enough calcium. So they take it from the part that they don't need to survive.....that's the fruit. Causes blossom end rot.

Didn't have any blossom end rot at all this year.
Yep I mulched everything, maybe try less watering and more calcium.  Not sure what that miracle grow has for nutrients but I'll had calcium next year,  thanks.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on September 09/06/23, 08:30:33 PM
Try adding crushed eggshells next time. They have a lot of calcium.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/07/23, 10:48:20 AM
MN is a big state with some of the most diverse soils & soil conditions in the country. What works here doesn't necessarily work somewhere else. I know under certain situations mulching is beneficial. The trouble is, it can be a double-edged sword. It can be difficult to know when to water and when to hold off. Too many of the gardeners locally with our heavy, sticky, clay loam soils get their butts in a sling by overwatering when they’ve also mulched. There’s a reason Bugtussle floods. It was built on a slough in a floodplain. Tomatoes don't like wet feet. Not only that, the soil pH tends to be high in places because of the free calcium carbonate the soil contains. Adding additional calcium carbonate isn’t going to help here. Now, use of eggshells or other sources of calcium such as calcium nitrate as the 2nd article suggests (good luck finding it out here in the hinterlands) might be beneficial under sandy soil conditions where clay is lacking and the soil pH is lower (acid). 

https://extension.umn.edu/manage-soil-nutrients/coffee-grounds-eggshells-epsom-salts#:~:text=It%27s%20true%20that%20blossom%20end%20rot%20is%20a,there%27s%20a%20water%20transport%20issue%20in%20your%20plants.

https://extension.umn.edu/news/blossom-end-rot-tomatoes-and-other-vegetable-crops

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/cracks-rots-and-tough-spots-tomato-quality-issues

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/tomato-disorders

Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on September 09/07/23, 11:24:00 AM
so sampling the soil is a good idea then??  that's my guess any way... 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/07/23, 11:53:27 AM
Yes, that's a good place to start so you know some basic things about the fertility levels and makeup of your soil. I usually run the same things we run on our customers samples. It includes soil pH, buffer pH, organic matter (OM) Bray 1 phosphorus, Olson (bicarb) phosphorus, potassium (K), and zinc (Zn). Attached should be a copy of the small garden I sampled a few years ago. Not hard to do and the U has a testing lab that's handy for anyone living in the metro area. They can also help you with interpretation of levels and what fertilizers or other amendments are needed. I sample the garden areas every 3 - 4 years. People's garden soil samples are usually a blast to look at. If farmers had soil fertility levels as high as some of the samples people have had me submit, they would've gone broke long ago. :doah: My own samples are usually relatively mundane. This one however reflects on the amount of charcoal ash and leftover fertilizer from the wife's pots and planters that get dumped there every fall. Also some sheep manure from several years ago now.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on September 09/07/23, 11:58:38 AM
      Dotch, you bring up some good points about soil.
      I have never given much thought to pH of the soil till late this season. I'm slow, don't laugh. I was at Drummers Garden Center in Mankato on Tuesday and bought a soil pH tester to see of our soil needs a little adjustment.
      Do most folks measure their soil pH and add any minerals to make it healthy for the flowers and veggies?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on September 09/07/23, 12:37:22 PM
we used to use Minn Valley Testing when I was working in FSIS as a meat inspector.. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/07/23, 01:09:23 PM
Yes tt, those that take the time to soil test usually do make an effort to correct deficiencies or amend the pH if called for. The recs for the various fruits & veggies can be downloaded online. Sometimes the issues are non-fertility related such as the strawberry patch the lady had that was getting too shaded & the trees were also pulling a lot of moisture away from the bed. Wouldn't matter how much fertilizer it needed, it was going to be unrewarding.

MN Valley has treated us well. They should. We send them lots of samples. Handy because they have a courier who picks up the samples from our office. Quick turnaround time, accurate results.They also do a lot of municipal well water testing among other things. I got to know the representative many moons ago when he worked for MDA. Good egg & very trustworthy. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on September 09/08/23, 03:33:56 PM
Interesting Dotch,  and thanks for the info.  I should probably do the same not only with the garden but our Blvd I can't get grass to grow at all, even the weeds are sparse, just dirt. Thanks!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on September 09/08/23, 03:52:55 PM
I don't know nothing about agronomy, but I do remember seeing this picture (or ones similar) a lot when I worked with folks who did.  Yield is limited by the lowest stave in the barrel.

(https://assets.andersonsplantnutrient.com/general/UFTF_2.4.19_image1.png)

I have a lot of short staves in my little back yard garden barrel.   :embarrassed:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on September 09/12/23, 05:12:04 PM
I did a little yard and garden work today. Tomatoes, cukes and peppers are still going strong.
Apples have overwhelmed the trees. Today I use a rake to strip the apples from the trees to prevent any more damage.
A couple trailer loads of should help some.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/12/IMG_3595.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3595.kjwu)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/12/IMG_3597.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3597.kHbQ)

My wife trimmed the grape vines today. I enjoyed eating some grapes.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/12/IMG_3599.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3599.k76i)

Some of what I picked in the garden this morning.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/12/IMG_3603.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3603.kJOp)

Fall flowers are really hitting their peak now.
(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/12/IMG_3604.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3604.kLiL)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/12/IMG_3606.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3606.knLx)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on September 09/12/23, 06:27:20 PM
deer will enjoy the apples!!!   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on September 09/14/23, 11:54:45 AM
Picked a bowl full of red seedless grapes this morning. Have 4-5 ice cream pails full.

Also picked a dozen ears of corn to put in the freezer. One more batch to be ready end of next week. Corn has really been good this year. Have been eating it almost continuously since last week of July.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/14/23, 03:35:18 PM
I just bought some red grapes on sale for $3.99 lb.  They got up to $6.29 lb a month or so ago.  I didn't buy any at that price.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/16/23, 04:33:18 PM
If anyone is interested in starting or expanding a winter onion patch I got plenty to share. Let me know.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/17/23, 10:16:45 AM
So Dotch.  I shouldn't just add ash to my garden without testing it first?  Or is ash good regardless?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/17/23, 10:27:51 AM
So Dotch.  I shouldn't just add ash to my garden without testing it first?  Or is ash good regardless?
be interested to see what Dotch says!!!!!

i add my firepit ash to the garden but for as big as my garden is it usually  is a pretty light distribution. i'll even spread it around in my lawn if i have extra. the ashes seem to help keep cutworms from showing up is what i was told.

usually every other year thing!!!1
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on September 09/17/23, 10:58:35 AM
from what I remember ash is good for a garden, spread lightly and worked in..   hope I'm right...   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/17/23, 11:32:04 AM
I do use the ashes from burning wood to add to low spots around the place.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/17/23, 12:05:45 PM
To answer your question Barry, applying ash probably won't hurt anything especially where you live as I suspect the soils tend to be relatively acid. Wood ash has a fairly high pH and once it comes in contact with moisture, can neutralize acidity as well as being a good source of potassium. There are some micronutrients in it as well. It also contains a fair amount of calcium which most soils in MN don't necessarily need. I was always taught by the soil science folks I worked with that by combusting organic materials, wood, crop residue, prairie grasses, etc., that the amount of nitrogen and sulfur left in the ash would be miniscule. In that regard, the 2nd article probably does a better job of accurately describing the end result of the chemical processes ash undergoes to neutralize acidic soils and the likely nutrient content. The 1st article gives some decent guidelines for application rates per square foot and which plants to be careful with such as blueberries. 

If you look at the soil test I posted a while back, you'll notice the pH is slightly above neutral at 7.6. The potassium level is also fairly high. Both measurements are likely the result of charcoal ash applications. A soil test is still the only way to know for sure what you've got for a benchmark. I've suspended dumping the charcoal ash in the small garden as a result. Now it's going on the pasture where it's unlikely to have much impact.   

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/using-wood-ash-in-the-home-garden/

https://onpasture.com/2021/06/28/using-wood-ash-to-improve-pasture-soils-and-forages/
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/17/23, 02:01:28 PM
Two good articles and appreciate the info from you.  Read it all.  Since I cut the wood I know it is clean wood.  I think I will spread a thin layer on the soil and work it in some.  That won't use much of my winter supply of ashes but is a great use for some of it.  I thank you for the info Dotch. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/17/23, 02:07:49 PM
This is sort of on topic cuz the house is near the garden.  lol  I saw a wasp each of the last two mornings sitting on lawn furniture warming up in the sun.  I watched where one went the other night and it flew right into the holes below the light in this pic.  A woodpecker must have made the holes.  ???   I will tell the wife she may want to clean the bugs out of those lights..    :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/09/17/IMG_2049.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-2049.kaHn)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/17/23, 02:11:12 PM
Just showed this to the wife as she walked by.  I guess I will be cleaning those lights.  lol   I will plug the holes with some caulk. I suppose I should spray some wasp killer in the hole first.  ???
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on September 09/18/23, 09:08:20 AM
Hard to know which came first.  Did the woodpeckers make those holes to get at the wasps, or did the wasps build their house where the woodpeckers made holes?   :confused:

Either way, the woodpeckers won't make holes unless they are after some sort of insect they hear rooting around under there.  I'd definitely spray a bunch of bug killer in there, let it dry and then try to plug the holes.  There may be more than one entrance.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/18/23, 09:37:12 AM
At least they don't seem to be getting in the house yet.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/18/23, 09:55:02 AM
Worked about dark on cleaning up the ground fall pears under the tree. The damn bald-faced hornets have been into those too so waited until then to avoid a confrontation. Fixed their assets. Dumped a couple 5 gallon pails of pears over the fence to the sheep. Now I need to pick the rest off the tree so they can be ripened and/or shared with friends. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/19/23, 12:23:34 PM
What kind of bug is this??? :scratch: :scratch: have a bunch flying around under many big maple tree  the last few days.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/19/23, 12:40:04 PM
A couple of moths mating, possibly one of the cutworm species. How big are they?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/19/23, 03:45:10 PM
That's 2 there. Maybe 3/4 to and inch long
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/19/23, 04:09:56 PM
The size is right but it's a little tough to ID them as the pic is pretty blurry, sorta like this recent photo of sasquatch in my yard... :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/19/23, 04:49:03 PM
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: and here I thought only leech has pictures of him  :bonk:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on September 09/19/23, 07:47:00 PM
I bet he does.   :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/19/23, 07:57:06 PM
Snapped that one just before I caught him stealing my pears!  :angry: Luckily I've got a bunch picked already. Should be another bucket to pick yet.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on September 09/19/23, 08:54:04 PM
What variety is it? Need a Polinator?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on September 09/20/23, 08:37:08 AM
Snapped that one just before I caught him stealing my pears!  :angry:
Sasquatch gotta eat!  :rotflmao: :happy1:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/20/23, 09:15:58 AM
What variety is it? Need a Polinator?

The variety in the bucket is Parker. It should have a pollinator variety or it won't bear consistently. The pollinator we have is Patten which was the recommended pollinator for Parker at the time. The Patten tree has set very few pears since we've had them even though it flowers profusely. The fruit is large when it does set a few pears. Need to quiz some of my connections as I'm wondering if adding another pear variety or varieties to the mix might help that one.  :scratch:

https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-pears#selecting-plants-667860

https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/123172/1/MR211.pdf
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on September 09/20/23, 04:13:32 PM
I live on the northern edge of Zone 4......None recommended in that article would probably survive here except the small one. Guess not. :thumbs:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/21/23, 10:16:02 AM
Bummer. I think the Ure variety might work but as you say, the pears may be on the small size. There are some folks who have a Golden Spice tree south of town. They make a good pollinator & are tasty but are small & get overripe quickly. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on September 09/21/23, 10:21:30 AM
Our 3 pears are Luscious, Gourmet, and Parker. The Luscious are the best.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/21/23, 11:03:14 AM
Your Parker must be the pollinator tree unless you have neighbors with pear trees nearby. You have all the good pears... :pouty:

Spied a relatively large moth on the wall last nite so sent a photo to my friend the Boy Entomologist. It's a catacola or underwing, in this case a red-underwing. Left it alone until this a.m. when Poppy was chasing it around the house. Let her out & caught the moth so I could turn it loose outside. On the wall it looked like a large brown moth. Flying around, could see it had the red underwing. The bottom photo is a stock photo, not from the moth in the top picture.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on September 09/21/23, 11:11:40 AM
just seen one of them the other day, laying dead on the sidewalk... 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on September 09/21/23, 11:28:53 AM
Your Parker must be the pollinator tree unless you have neighbors with pear trees nearby. You have all the good pears... :pouty:

Spied a relatively large moth on the wall last nite so sent a photo to my friend the Boy Entomologist. It's a catacola or underwing, in this case a red-underwing. Left it alone until this a.m. when Poppy was chasing it around the house. Let her out & caught the moth so I could turn it loose outside. On the wall it looked like a large brown moth. Flying around, could see it had the red underwing. The bottom photo is a stock photo, not from the moth in the top picture.
We were getting pears on the Luscious before I started the Parker. A neighbor has a Parker tree nearly a mile away. Apparently that's close enough.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/21/23, 11:34:53 AM
iget my pears in a 10 lb box!!!!!!! :sleazy: :rotflmao:

after today my garden will be absent carrots. then it'll be just Kalabari and 7 mater plants.  3 campori's and 4 lucky tigers. but dang nabit there slow to ripen!!!!

by mid next week all my other maters will be devoured......then withdrawals!!!!!! :doah: :pouty:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Gunner55 on September 09/21/23, 12:25:57 PM
 :pouty: :tut:    :violin: :violin: :violin: :cry: :cry: :cry:     :sleazy: :nerd:  :evil: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on September 09/21/23, 05:16:27 PM
Your Parker must be the pollinator tree unless you have neighbors with pear trees nearby. You have all the good pears... :pouty:

Spied a relatively large moth on the wall last nite so sent a photo to my friend the Boy Entomologist. It's a catacola or underwing, in this case a red-underwing. Left it alone until this a.m. when Poppy was chasing it around the house. Let her out & caught the moth so I could turn it loose outside. On the wall it looked like a large brown moth. Flying around, could see it had the red underwing. The bottom photo is a stock photo, not from the moth in the top picture.
We were getting pears on the Luscious before I started the Parker. A neighbor has a Parker tree nearly a mile away. Apparently that's close enough.

The guy west of town only has one tree and had pears on it last year. There is a tree about a mile from him. Closest pear trees I know of anywhere near us are up by Otisco. Looks like I might have to get 2 pear trees, a Luscious and possibly a Summercrisp if I want to increase the potential on the Patten. They appear to be the varieties that might fit our scenario the best. The whole pear tree pollination process is interesting given the lack of large numbers of bees when they flower in these parts. There are usually a lot of flies around though that are attracted to the flowers. Not sure how efficient they are at pollinating as there is little mention of them in the reading I've done.   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on September 09/21/23, 05:51:36 PM
:pouty: :tut:    :violin: :violin: :violin: :cry: :cry: :cry:     :sleazy: :nerd:  :evil: :laugh: :laugh:
:mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on October 10/05/23, 12:15:11 PM
after reviewing the forecast......looks like sunday i'll be pulling the 7 mater plants, then garden will be done.

think mine was in longer then that Roony guy!!!!!!!! :happy1: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on October 10/05/23, 12:31:23 PM
I'll bet he still has produce in the garden!!!   :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on October 10/05/23, 12:55:31 PM
We could have dumped out earth boxes last week when they were dry.  Now they will be heavy as heck to deal with. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on October 10/05/23, 01:22:28 PM
We could have dumped out earth boxes last week when they were dry.  Now they will be heavy as heck to deal with.
are you like my wife LPS  :rotflmao: why do it today when you can wait till tomorrow.  :pouty: :happy1: :rotflmao:

The ultimate procrastinator. :sleazy: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on October 10/05/23, 02:39:01 PM
Pulled half my tomato plants today will get the rest hopefully tomorrow if it isn't raining. Still have cauliflower and broccoli in the ground. Will cover them this weekend.

Will start digging potatoes next week. Waiting for a frost before digging carrots,
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/07/23, 02:03:20 PM
Completed the vine crop harvest. Took longer than anticipated. Lots of deer poop. Had to watch my step. A lot more gourds than I would've guessed. Pile freaked Poppy out. Much growling & barking.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on October 10/07/23, 02:21:48 PM
That looks great Dotch! We drive by lots o places lately that are selling wagon full of stuff like that,  happy selling!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on October 10/07/23, 02:33:24 PM
so Dotch where does all that good stuff end up!!!!  I know you give stuff away to lots of good folks...   but how much do you keep for your selfs???   
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/07/23, 05:56:58 PM
A large share is given away as you said. We decorate the yard with a portion of the pumpkins and gourds, maybe a quarter to a third. That includes what the Mrs. uses to decorate the inside of the house with. She has an outlet thru the floral shop in Albert Lea as well. I was in contact with Auntie Mar Mar earlier. Her 100 year old decorated WWII veteran friend will take 10 buttercup squash. He absolutely loves them & he'll get the best of the best. We need to take him for a ride in the Studebaker before we can't while we're at it. After I'm sure that friends and neighbors have what they want, I'll see if the guy I was working with on the corn binder project wants some of it to sell online. Once the decorative stuff runs its course after Thanksgiving, over the pasture fence it goes. Sheep party down! We'll freeze 8 - 12 squash and probably eat that many fresh. Keeps forever in the freezer. Ate some from 2 years ago recently that tasted just as good as the day we froze it. Picked 8 decent cukes off the vines this afternoon. Left a couple to see if they'll get a little bigger yet. After it freezes tomorrow nite, glenn can pull them up!   😉 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: mike89 on October 10/07/23, 06:49:16 PM
A large share is given away as you said. We decorate the yard with a portion of the pumpkins and gourds, maybe a quarter to a third. That includes what the Mrs. uses to decorate the inside of the house with. She has an outlet thru the floral shop in Albert Lea as well. I was in contact with Auntie Mar Mar earlier. Her 100 year old decorated WWII veteran friend will take 10 buttercup squash. He absolutely loves them & he'll get the best of the best. We need to take him for a ride in the Studebaker before we can't while we're at it. After I'm sure that friends and neighbors have what they want, I'll see if the guy I was working with on the corn binder project wants some of it to sell online. Once the decorative stuff runs its course after Thanksgiving, over the pasture fence it goes. Sheep party down! We'll freeze 8 - 12 squash and probably eat that many fresh. Keeps forever in the freezer. Ate some from 2 years ago recently that tasted just as good as the day we froze it. Picked 8 decent cukes off the vines this afternoon. Left a couple to see if they'll get a little bigger yet. After it freezes tomorrow nite, glenn can pull them up!   😉

that is so great!!!   really like the old Vet getting some too!!!!    :clap: :Clap: :USA:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on October 10/07/23, 06:56:59 PM
Years ago when we were young bachelors and friend from Clark SD showed me how they took a small pumpkin and cut it in half. Sit each half in a oven proof bowl.   Took seeds out.  Mixed up a lb of ground pork or beef and mixed in onions, peppers, what ever you like and make a baseball and put it in the pumpkin.  Half of the ball sticking out.  Cover it with maple syrup and butter. Put in oven and bake it.  Absolutely one of my favorite squash meals. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: HD on October 10/08/23, 12:01:42 PM
Still kicking out tomatoes  :confused:

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/10/08/PXL_20231008_150831314.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/PXL-20231008-150831314.NPcf)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/09/23, 09:45:55 AM
Picked these last nite before Jack Frost got a crack at them. Have to see how many maters might be worth salvaging...🤔
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: roony on October 10/09/23, 02:27:05 PM
Picked the last tomatoes and peppers of the season. The garden didn't freeze this morning.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on October 10/09/23, 03:18:02 PM
We had frost this morning.  I did not cover the tomatoes.  There are some red ones too.  I wonder if they froze?  How long does it take to tell?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on October 10/09/23, 05:08:56 PM
Supposed to get down to the 20's tonight. I still have Caul. and Broc covered up. Should be OK.

Looks like the entire northern half of Minn has a freeze warning out tonighy.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on October 10/09/23, 05:22:04 PM
We had frost this morning.  I did not cover the tomatoes.  There are some red ones too.  I wonder if they froze?  How long does it take to tell?
my guess in 2 days. You might even be able to tell already .

The #4 said the end of the growing season will end Friday, even in the big city .
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on October 10/09/23, 05:25:04 PM
Supposed to get down to the 20's tonight. I still have Caul. and Broc covered up. Should be OK.

Looks like the entire northern half of Minn has a freeze warning out tonighy.
AccuWeather has 30 ad weather channel has 35 for the cabin area?? :scratch: :scratch:

Kinda in a low area so it's always colder then the forecast says..
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/09/23, 06:52:53 PM
Predicting 31 for a low in Owatonna & Albert's Leaf tonite. 32 for Waseca. Didn't appear to have frozen any of the tomatoes so I picked the best looking ones without cracks or insect damage, including some that were just starting to blush. That should keep us in fresh tomatoes until we're thoroughly tired of them. Speaking of that, I found string beans that were still edible in the Blue Lake variety. I refuse to pick any more string beans for this year altho they were pretty tasty raw... :doah:

If it's a hard freeze usually you can start to see the water-soaked discoloration appear on the fruit where it got kissed by the frost by the afternoon when temps warm up. All the tomatoes here are on the south side of the house where they would've been sheltered although on the north side where it's more open, cannas and planters containing things like impatiens, begonias, coleus, etc., escaped relatively unscathed. Roof was white as was the grass in the pasture and road ditch. Had to scrape the pickup windshield this a.m. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/12/23, 07:19:24 PM
Today I made what probably will be the last forage in my 2023 gardens.
I was surprised to get what I did. Not sure how the gourd escaped being picked a few weeks ago.
There are still some green tomatoes, but they may not ripen.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/10/13/IMG_3928.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3928.DSPX)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/13/23, 01:14:02 PM
Them gourds are sneaky devils deadeye. The thing I fear is stepping on one we missed covered by vegetation. :doah:

Wife sent me out to pick 4 o'clocks yesterday during the rain before the wind beat the snot out if them. They were for someone's funeral on Saturday. There were still a few flowering but I wasn't optimistic I'd find enough. Had also never seen or heard of them being used as part of arrangement so fully expected they'd look like crap after I stuck them in the vase. 1st pic taken shortly after cutting & 2nd was about 8 hours later. Pleasantly surprised & the wife was happy. Pretty sure the dead person won't care. :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/13/23, 03:06:36 PM
Very nice Dotch. Mums, morning glories, and some other flowers are still going strong but most have shut down for the year. Not looking forward to digging the cannas. This year some over 10 feet tall.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on October 10/13/23, 05:40:24 PM
My wife was out cuttin flowers too before the rain, wind, and cold ruined what was left.  She gets cheap grocery store bouquets for the filler and a bit of variety.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/13/23, 05:46:15 PM
I didn't know you have an artsy wife. Cool
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/13/23, 07:35:35 PM
Our wives must never meet Steve-O... :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/13/23, 08:29:59 PM
I'll see your flowers and raise a few more :rotflmao:

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/10/14/garden-flowers.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/garden-flowers.OEO9)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/15/23, 01:01:54 PM
A sampling of fall decorating at the ranch. Made 30 - 35 cornstalk bundles after chores & breakfast. Got the shock built before noon. To be on the safe side, there's a steel post in the middle of that bad boy. It was probably built well enough so it would've stood on its own but no fun remanufacturing when the wind blows them down. Poppy photobombed the back porch. See what I mean Steve-O? I think there are gourds & pumpkins decorating the bed!  :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/16/23, 10:04:40 AM
Wow, that's some fancy decorating. Even got a couple pictures of your girl friends.  :sleazy:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on October 10/19/23, 05:36:48 PM
      Dotch, you take decorations serious. My idea of decorations is to spread leaves all over the lawn.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on October 10/19/23, 05:42:37 PM
      Dotch, you take decorations serious. My idea of decorations is to spread leaves all over the lawn.
Yea,  :scratch: iffin I was a bettin man, I'd wager it isn't Dotch!! :happy1: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on October 10/20/23, 07:33:05 AM
      Dotch, you take decorations serious. My idea of decorations is to spread leaves all over the lawn.
Yea,  :scratch: iffin I was a bettin man, I'd wager it isn't Dotch!! :happy1: :rotflmao:

OR his boss made him do it. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/20/23, 06:46:22 PM
Postal rates are out of control up here in the Great White North... :doah:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on October 10/21/23, 08:00:32 AM
Postal rates are out of control up here in the Great White North... :doah:
hey dotch....did you bring your corgi with to the great white north?????? :sleazy: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/21/23, 12:45:12 PM
Poppy stayed stateside this trip. Looks like it would be pretty easy to bring her along though, almost easier than for a human especially when they were dicking around having their COVID protocol pissing match.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/23/23, 07:34:45 PM
Dug the cannas today. I was at the land since Wednesday, just returned yesterday afternoon. This morning I helped put out our Chapter MDHA hide boxes. With the rain coming in I figured I better get the bulbs dug and put up for the winter before the garden turns to mud.
Arms are tired. 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/25/23, 03:14:59 PM
Wish my cannas were dug but I was on a mission. And some are still flowering  💐 Anyway, took a cruise around the yard this afternoon as I'm thinking with weather setting in, this might be about the best we'll get for color.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/27/23, 03:20:34 PM
It's amazing how long a lot of the trees are keeping their color and their leaves. Strange fall for sure. Most under story brush lost the leaves this past week. Now the damn deer can see me moving around  :rotflmao:from 70 yards away.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on October 10/27/23, 05:04:45 PM
Basically I think it is because they were late getting leaves in the spring. We still had snow the first of May. My apples bloomed later and they were all ay least a week later than normal ripening.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/28/23, 08:11:03 AM
Still can't believe some of the stuff like the zinnias that hadn't been toasted by the frost until this morning. Cut the cannas & laid the stalks on top of the ground. Hopefully it buys me a day to dig them. The other burning bush colored up so snapped a photo quick. Blink & the leaves are gone.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: deadeye on October 10/28/23, 08:33:11 AM
dotch,
I can't remember if you ever got what I call the red cannas. It's the color of the leaves (actually a dark purplish color) not the flowers. Both varieties have the same red/orange flower.

Here's some pictures of with both "red" and "green" cannas.
As you can see the red cannas tend to grow taller and more robust than the green ones.
If you don't have any red ones and would like to try them, let me know and I will dig some for you.

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/10/28/IMG_3097-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3097-R.IbiB)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/10/28/IMG_3098-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-3098-R.IO8J)

(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2023/10/28/IMG_5916-R.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/IMG-5916-R.Is7Q)
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on October 10/29/23, 11:58:37 AM
We've talked about getting some of the red-leaved cannas but haven't done it. Very kind of you to offer but not sure when I'd be thru your neck of the woods anytime soon. My back and hips are already aching just thinking about digging these! Alas, despite my best efforts, none of the yellow canna bulbs I saved back last year grew so starting from scratch on those next year again. That's one thing about the old fashioned red flowered cannas, they're tough. Still some we didn't plant growing in a tub in the garage yesterday.  :doah:

Harvested the 1st dogwood of the season. Most of it was just beautiful and was nice to get there before the snow got too deep. Also before the deer and bunnies did although there were already some tips chewed off. Deer have a highway system running through the wetland. 🛣️
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on November 11/16/23, 07:31:55 PM
Lots of leaves.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Steve-o on November 11/16/23, 07:51:34 PM
Harvested the 1st dogwood of the season. Most of it was just beautiful...
I know people who would pay $30 or more for that bucket of sticks...  :scratch:  :lipsrsealed: :angel:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Dotch on December 12/18/23, 09:01:18 AM
Froze the last of the buttercup squash I planned on freezing yesterday. Taste tested each batch & has to be the sweetest squash we've ever raised. Saw this link to the new USDA hardiness zones this a.m. so thought I'd post it. Does sort of make sense as the areas to the west and south of where we live have always been able to plant a little later corn hybrids & take advantage of their typically better yield potential.

https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: tangle tooth on December 12/18/23, 09:40:41 AM
      Probably more of a 2024 thing but, we planted our garlic in October. Covered it with some straw. This is our first attempt at garlic so what should we be doing or watching for?
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Leech~~ on December 12/18/23, 10:54:35 AM
      Probably more of a 2024 thing but, we planted our garlic in October. Covered it with some straw. This is our first attempt at garlic so what should we be doing or watching for?
With the warm weather later this week, it will probably sprout next Saturday!   :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on December 12/18/23, 12:40:01 PM
      Probably more of a 2024 thing but, we planted our garlic in October. Covered it with some straw. This is our first attempt at garlic so what should we be doing or watching for?
so far so good!!!!! if i remember correctly, as i grew it at one time, keep a eye on it next year and pluck the flowers off. harvest about july, save the biggest ones to replant!!!!
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: KEN W on December 12/18/23, 01:43:58 PM
Seed catalogs are arriving.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: Bobberineyes on December 12/18/23, 05:52:33 PM
That's a good sign. Wonder if they sell Mary Jane seeds nowadays in dem catalogs... :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on December 12/18/23, 07:05:04 PM
Wouldn't that be a hoot.   :rotflmao: :rotflmao: 
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on December 12/18/23, 07:06:51 PM
That's a good sign. Wonder if they sell Mary Jane seeds nowadays in dem catalogs... :scratch:
like you need to  find a place to buy them  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/11/24, 12:01:19 PM
I saw a thing on elderberry and buckthorn the other day.  They are trying elderberry to drown out buckthorn after removing it.  They take an elderberry tree and cut 8-10" dowels out of it.  They get a bud or flowers at each end of it.  Then just poke it in the ground and water it.  By the third year you have a pretty big plant.  The bud below the ground turns to a root so may not see much the first year or two as it is growing root first.  We have a lot of elderberry and like it so we are going to try this to make a wall of it.  The one that gets cut will grow right back too.
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: glenn57 on February 02/11/24, 12:09:19 PM
i just took a google search of elderberries.....seems they are poisonous until cooked.....but makes a juice and jellies from it. supposed to be good healthwise once cooked especially for colds.  :scratch: :scratch:
Title: Re: 2023 Gardens
Post by: LPS on February 02/11/24, 01:57:21 PM
Our berries are in clumps like grapes and are very small berries.  I wonder if some have bigger berries?