Re: Garden Geeks thread
Thanks. Looks like it's rainy and in the 50s in Saturday, so I should be able to plant them then.
Thanks. Looks like it's rainy and in the 50s in Saturday, so I should be able to plant them then.
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Garden Geeks thread
- Thread starter leswp1
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walrus
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Tomatoes are all up, some peppers, funny hot peppers come up before green peppers. This year I kept my wood stove going in that part of the basement. I normally don't run it unless its really cold out but I decided to try to keep soil temps up and it worked. Its not like its been warm out so I would have had the other wood stove going at times during the week anyway
Tomatoes are all up, some peppers, funny hot peppers come up before green peppers. This year I kept my wood stove going in that part of the basement. I normally don't run it unless its really cold out but I decided to try to keep soil temps up and it worked. Its not like its been warm out so I would have had the other wood stove going at times during the week anyway
leswp1
New member
Re: Garden Geeks thread
When you planted these It made me order. I ended up planting this past Wed. Waiting for germination.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Was able to plant the primrose and the bluebells, but the spot for the sedum was still frozen. I have them inside in those little seedling pots. Now they say we may get snow later in the week when I'm out of town. Yippee.
I can cover the bluebells with mulch, but not the primrose - would it work to throw a sheet over them for protection?
Was able to plant the primrose and the bluebells, but the spot for the sedum was still frozen. I have them inside in those little seedling pots. Now they say we may get snow later in the week when I'm out of town. Yippee.
I can cover the bluebells with mulch, but not the primrose - would it work to throw a sheet over them for protection?
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leswp1
New member
Re: Garden Geeks thread
I wouldn't worry too much. They get snowed on in real life. Call the company and tell them they sent them too early- ask what happens if they die because they miscalculated the date to ship. The top of the plants aren't the issue. The problem is whether the roots stay intact with freezing and thawing.Was able to plant the primrose and the bluebells, but the spot for the sedum was still frozen. I have them inside in those little seedling pots. Now they say we may get snow later in the week when I'm out of town. Yippee.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Question on bell peppers. My wife wants to plant them this year (after many years without) because they've become part of her diet. She seems to remember them all ripening at the same time, which is kinda pointless. Anybody know of a specific variety that continues to produce over the long term? Thanks for any advice.
Question on bell peppers. My wife wants to plant them this year (after many years without) because they've become part of her diet. She seems to remember them all ripening at the same time, which is kinda pointless. Anybody know of a specific variety that continues to produce over the long term? Thanks for any advice.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Love bell peppers. I grow them inside the greenhouse - they love the hot - and they will keep right on producing until the fall. I don't know if the greenhouse makes a big difference, but they have a longer harvesting window than almost anything else I grow.
We still have 3 feet of snow on the ground and more coming down. No real thaw at all yet. Hoping to plant by mid June.
Love bell peppers. I grow them inside the greenhouse - they love the hot - and they will keep right on producing until the fall. I don't know if the greenhouse makes a big difference, but they have a longer harvesting window than almost anything else I grow.
We still have 3 feet of snow on the ground and more coming down. No real thaw at all yet. Hoping to plant by mid June.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
While I don't know anything about varieties that produce over time, when we've had that problem with other "crops" we addressed it by starting the seeds at different times so that the plants mature in stages instead of all at once. Not sure if that would work for you or not. Just a thought.
While I don't know anything about varieties that produce over time, when we've had that problem with other "crops" we addressed it by starting the seeds at different times so that the plants mature in stages instead of all at once. Not sure if that would work for you or not. Just a thought.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Well, we have a nice little production line going, compact and effective (so far).
Aside: planted peas outdoors about ten days ago.
Started first batches of seeds at end of Feb or so, in large peat pots, things like tomatoes and cucumbers for which we want to get the longest growing season we can get in the face of fickle weather. They'd sit on a small table in the bedroom by the south facing window over the radiator with a table-top growlight set above.
Moved those flats down to the enclosed front porch about three weeks ago, with the 4-foot long growlights suspended above on adjustable chains. Keep raising the lights every week or two until danger of last frost is passed, then plant the peat pots directly into the ground (new this year, an experiment).
Then started the next batches of seeds upstairs: peppers, eggplants, herbs.
Beans get planted directly into the ground, in staggered batches, to spread out the harvest.
It's been an unusually cool spring so far here.
Well, we have a nice little production line going, compact and effective (so far).
Aside: planted peas outdoors about ten days ago.
Started first batches of seeds at end of Feb or so, in large peat pots, things like tomatoes and cucumbers for which we want to get the longest growing season we can get in the face of fickle weather. They'd sit on a small table in the bedroom by the south facing window over the radiator with a table-top growlight set above.
Moved those flats down to the enclosed front porch about three weeks ago, with the 4-foot long growlights suspended above on adjustable chains. Keep raising the lights every week or two until danger of last frost is passed, then plant the peat pots directly into the ground (new this year, an experiment).
Then started the next batches of seeds upstairs: peppers, eggplants, herbs.
Beans get planted directly into the ground, in staggered batches, to spread out the harvest.
It's been an unusually cool spring so far here.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
The philosophy that governs our little garden was spelled out many years ago in a book called Square Foot Gardening.
The basic premise was pretty simple: it doesn't really matter how much you grow, what matters is how much you harvest.
So you have smaller patches cultivated more intensely, so that you can reach all parts of the growing space easily.
You also use the vertical dimension quite a bit: tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. are trained to grow upward on structures. The tomatoes I use 12-foot poles connected at the top into A-frames, and use twine to grow the tomatoes up the poles. You pinch off most of the side branches: at every leaf junction another stem will start growing, you pinch those off real early in their growth so that relatively more of the plants' energy goes into growing the main stem and the fruit, not diverted into lots of leaves on side branches. It also makes harvesting a breeze. We have a tomato plant every foot and in our best, blight-free year, were able to make about 4 gallons of sauce on top of all the salad and sandwich and whatever else.
Anyway, throughout the whole space, we have paths and stepping stones and what-have-you so that you can reach each plant without stepping on soil. Weeding is done with a mini-hoe that slices plants off at the edge of the soil.
So we have two 8' x 3' patches, two 2' x 4' patches, and then the raspberry patch and the two strawberry patches and that's it, yet it can be incredibly fruitful for such a relatively small space.
The philosophy that governs our little garden was spelled out many years ago in a book called Square Foot Gardening.
The basic premise was pretty simple: it doesn't really matter how much you grow, what matters is how much you harvest.
So you have smaller patches cultivated more intensely, so that you can reach all parts of the growing space easily.
You also use the vertical dimension quite a bit: tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. are trained to grow upward on structures. The tomatoes I use 12-foot poles connected at the top into A-frames, and use twine to grow the tomatoes up the poles. You pinch off most of the side branches: at every leaf junction another stem will start growing, you pinch those off real early in their growth so that relatively more of the plants' energy goes into growing the main stem and the fruit, not diverted into lots of leaves on side branches. It also makes harvesting a breeze. We have a tomato plant every foot and in our best, blight-free year, were able to make about 4 gallons of sauce on top of all the salad and sandwich and whatever else.
Anyway, throughout the whole space, we have paths and stepping stones and what-have-you so that you can reach each plant without stepping on soil. Weeding is done with a mini-hoe that slices plants off at the edge of the soil.
So we have two 8' x 3' patches, two 2' x 4' patches, and then the raspberry patch and the two strawberry patches and that's it, yet it can be incredibly fruitful for such a relatively small space.
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MadTownSioux
Fighting Sioux Hockey Fan
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Has anybody tried starting corn indoors? This spring has been strange and I want to get a head start on the corn. Can I plant them in peat pots, then stick the peat pots in the ground later?
Has anybody tried starting corn indoors? This spring has been strange and I want to get a head start on the corn. Can I plant them in peat pots, then stick the peat pots in the ground later?
Re: Garden Geeks thread
It's interesting for me to observe the difference in "hardiness zones" first-hand.
I live in CT and work in Manhattan, which is one hardiness zone lower (I believe Manhattan is zone 7 while where I live in CT is zone 6). A good catalog (e.g. White Flower Farm) should help you figure out which zone you live in. (or go to http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/? and then enter your ZIP code)
Anyway, I can see the difference; the same plants will flower in Manhattan about ten days to two weeks sooner than they will where I live.
What brought it to mind is that I saw a magnolia in flower today in Harlem, while magnolias are still weeks away from flowering where I live.
It's interesting for me to observe the difference in "hardiness zones" first-hand.
I live in CT and work in Manhattan, which is one hardiness zone lower (I believe Manhattan is zone 7 while where I live in CT is zone 6). A good catalog (e.g. White Flower Farm) should help you figure out which zone you live in. (or go to http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/? and then enter your ZIP code)
Anyway, I can see the difference; the same plants will flower in Manhattan about ten days to two weeks sooner than they will where I live.
What brought it to mind is that I saw a magnolia in flower today in Harlem, while magnolias are still weeks away from flowering where I live.
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Re: Garden Geeks thread
I do something similar. I have a 4' x 8' raised bed garden. I plant the various veggies in closer than what is recommended and I have had no problems. I also plant any traveling vine type plants (cukes, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, etc.) around the outside and "train" the plans to grow out into the yard, leaving space in the center for plants that are easily grown upward (peas, beans, etc.) It works quite well.
I do something similar. I have a 4' x 8' raised bed garden. I plant the various veggies in closer than what is recommended and I have had no problems. I also plant any traveling vine type plants (cukes, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, etc.) around the outside and "train" the plans to grow out into the yard, leaving space in the center for plants that are easily grown upward (peas, beans, etc.) It works quite well.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Echoing a GRR! moment from jen earlier: what is wrong with plant suppliers who ship live plants well before it is time to plant them? We just received some grafted hybrid tomatoes, nearly a full month before it is safe to plant them outdoors. They know our hardiness zone and just ignored it.
Now we have to tend them indoors in some makeshift fashion rather than have the supplier use their professional-grade greenhouse to keep them safe from frost.
Echoing a GRR! moment from jen earlier: what is wrong with plant suppliers who ship live plants well before it is time to plant them? We just received some grafted hybrid tomatoes, nearly a full month before it is safe to plant them outdoors. They know our hardiness zone and just ignored it.
Now we have to tend them indoors in some makeshift fashion rather than have the supplier use their professional-grade greenhouse to keep them safe from frost.
leswp1
New member
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Call them, tell them they screwed up and ask them if you should send them back until the right time comes.Echoing a GRR! moment from jen earlier: what is wrong with plant suppliers who ship live plants well before it is time to plant them? We just received some grafted hybrid tomatoes, nearly a full month before it is safe to plant them outdoors. They know our hardiness zone and just ignored it.
Now we have to tend them indoors in some makeshift fashion rather than have the supplier use their professional-grade greenhouse to keep them safe from frost.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
I was tempted also to post this in the 'grinding away' thread.
it just looks so bizarre when people prune forsythias to look like boxwoods!
To prune shrubs properly is a combination of an art and a science, you not only want to shape the plant's appearance today, you also give it the overall structure it needs for a long-term healthy growth pattern. One of the first rules of pruning is that you lop branches of different sizes from different places, you don't just clip the ends.
Forsythias are meant to arch. They are not supposed to look like a domesticated show poodle.
I was tempted also to post this in the 'grinding away' thread.
it just looks so bizarre when people prune forsythias to look like boxwoods!
To prune shrubs properly is a combination of an art and a science, you not only want to shape the plant's appearance today, you also give it the overall structure it needs for a long-term healthy growth pattern. One of the first rules of pruning is that you lop branches of different sizes from different places, you don't just clip the ends.
Forsythias are meant to arch. They are not supposed to look like a domesticated show poodle.
walrus
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Got part of the garden rototilled today, going to be busy week of work which is too bad as this week is supposed to be rain free, might get some stuff planted if I have the time.
Not going to plant peas this year, too much work for very little product. The peas are excellent but. My Peppers and Tomatoes look great. Plan on tilling the lower garden and planting squash down there, hope to get enough squash to fill the cold room as I eat that instead of taters or other starches.
Got part of the garden rototilled today, going to be busy week of work which is too bad as this week is supposed to be rain free, might get some stuff planted if I have the time.
Not going to plant peas this year, too much work for very little product. The peas are excellent but. My Peppers and Tomatoes look great. Plan on tilling the lower garden and planting squash down there, hope to get enough squash to fill the cold room as I eat that instead of taters or other starches.
MadTownSioux
Fighting Sioux Hockey Fan
Re: Garden Geeks thread
I got the last of the 3 veg gardens rototilled today. Potatoes are planted in Garden #1. The first batch of corn is in the little peat pots, and almost all of them are up. I'll put them into garden #3 in a couple of weeks. 70 here today in the Madison area and finally starting to turn into spring.
I got the last of the 3 veg gardens rototilled today. Potatoes are planted in Garden #1. The first batch of corn is in the little peat pots, and almost all of them are up. I'll put them into garden #3 in a couple of weeks. 70 here today in the Madison area and finally starting to turn into spring.
Re: Garden Geeks thread
Finished putting together my composter yesterday. Bought it at Costco. It's the Lifetime brand one with two 50 gallon containers that you can rotate. Now is the fun of figuring out exactly what to mix in it. Hoping to use some shredded newspaper and grass cuttings and probably a few other lesser inputs from around the property. Anyone do much composting?
Finished putting together my composter yesterday. Bought it at Costco. It's the Lifetime brand one with two 50 gallon containers that you can rotate. Now is the fun of figuring out exactly what to mix in it. Hoping to use some shredded newspaper and grass cuttings and probably a few other lesser inputs from around the property. Anyone do much composting?
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