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2010-05-08 8:42 PM
in reply to: #2747608

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Elite
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010

After a few weeks of dirt conditioning and blending - compost, peat moss mixed all in and all the dirt lossened, I finally began planting.   seeded green beans, long beans, carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, collard greens, kale.    Put on a tinie zuccini that will take the place over by july, a few eggplants, a pepper.   Need more peppers (we like the variety - I bring them in to work and the ladies make me salsa!) tomatoes, and lemon cuccumbers, at the least. 

RE Heirloom tomatoes.  research which are right for your climate - I planted brandywines's last year, the plants were huge, but the fruit did not mature on time - I took the vines into the basement in the fall and got some.   I need a hybrid for a short growing season - I got some at the farmer's market last year that were bread for Fallon, NV.  I wish I saved seeds, because they were delish!

My current compost pile is HUGE.   The lunch room at work has a bin for coffee grinds and the banana peel or whatever people have - they save it for me, anticipating the bowls of extras by August.      Last week we had a Cinco de Mayo party catered - we ate the left overs all week.   By friday, the extra shreeded lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and onions went in with the coffee grinds.   Score.

For my tiny lawn, I was getting tired of firing up my old craig's list mower - it took me longer to get the thing started than actually mowing.  so I bought an old style push mower at a thrift store, but the grass catcher falls off - it is not the right size.    ticks me off.    so, perhaps the I need to employ the leaf blower/sucker I bought at a yard sale today.....  gotta get those clippings in the compost pile!



2010-05-08 9:11 PM
in reply to: #2846452

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Expert
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
If you like peppers for chili there is a chili pepper plant nursery here in NJ that ships plants (heirloom tomatoes too). I grow AWESOME peppers and tomatoes for salsa!
2010-05-09 12:03 AM
in reply to: #2747608

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Elite
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010

Sounds like a salsa commercial  - "peppers form New Jersey?!   Get a rope."

2010-05-09 9:47 PM
in reply to: #2747608

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
I have a question on tomato seedlings. This year I started some from seed for the first time. I'm in zone 5 and I should have them in the ground by now. However it's been really unseasonably cold. The highs for the next few days go as low as 51 degrees, and the lows go down to 40. Looks like in a week highs are going to be back into the 70s.

I had started hardening them off when it was warmer out, but then we got this cold snap and so I quit taking them outside. Should I wait until after the cold time is over and re-harden them off, or do you think they would be OK to plant them outside with these low-ish temps? They are fairly good-sized. I have them in 2 inch pots and they are probably 6-8 inches high with several sets of leaves. My main fear is that they are getting too big for their pots and my "grow light" is not actually a grow light, it's just a full-spectrum florescent light. I'm really not set up for having this large of plants in my growing area.

Thoughts?
2010-05-09 9:52 PM
in reply to: #2847643

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
I would wait. General rule of thumb is not to plant until it will stay above 55 at night (maybe 50) but with the lows in the 40's the next few days I'm waiting another week to plant. taking them out for a "walk" in the daytime sun, but in the garage overnight
2010-05-23 9:14 AM
in reply to: #2747608

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
A snake is living in my strawberry patch. Any ideas on what to name him? He's just a little garter snake but we scare each other every time I go out there.

Anyone else getting strawberries yet? I've gotten about 5 so far, at the peak of ripeness. My rhubarb is growing like crazy - the stalks (not including the leaves) are over a foot long, bigger than the ones you can buy at the store! And I grow all organic so that makes me feel good.

Anyone have any pics to post? I wanna see 'em! I'll try to get some pics up later.


2010-05-23 9:33 AM
in reply to: #2747608

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
I need help.

Bunnies are eating my plants.  Roses, blueberry bushes, strawberries.  And I have a dog.
2010-05-23 12:34 PM
in reply to: #2876375

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
Anybody have any experience with sugar snap peas (Burpee Super Sugar Snap), I have several that I have grown from seeds and am about to plant outside, but they seem viney - which I didn't expect?  Do they need to go next to a fence to grow up?  Should I plan them on the perimeter of my garden?  Thanks in advance.
2010-05-23 12:44 PM
in reply to: #2876522

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
Ron - 2010-05-23 12:34 PM Anybody have any experience with sugar snap peas (Burpee Super Sugar Snap), I have several that I have grown from seeds and am about to plant outside, but they seem viney - which I didn't expect?  Do they need to go next to a fence to grow up?  Should I plan them on the perimeter of my garden?  Thanks in advance.


An excerpt I found for you -

"Some of the snap peas are usually in need of some sort of support since they like to climb and might break off if there is wind in your area. Usually things such as two-wire tomato trellises can be used which are placed about 20 cm apart. If the plants grow higher add another wire to the top about 20 cm above the last one. Other then that pea stakes, twine and chicken wire have also proved successful ways to keep the peas off the ground and away from diseases, as well as safe from the wind."

Some more stuff -
"During the growing season keep the peas moist but make sure you don't over water them. The peas main nutrients are phosphorus and small amounts of nitrogen. If your soil is naturally nutritious don't add anything else, but if not add in some fertilizer with the water every two or three weeks. Once way to tell whether your plant is getting enough nutrients is to judge from its color. If the color is pale green you will need to give the peas some more nitrogen. Especially the sugar snap peas will require a higher amount of nitrogen then other kinds. Try to keep the weeks at bay by hoeing, and picking the weeds by hand if necessary."
2010-05-23 2:46 PM
in reply to: #2876522

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
Ron - 2010-05-23 12:34 PM

Anybody have any experience with sugar snap peas (Burpee Super Sugar Snap), I have several that I have grown from seeds and am about to plant outside, but they seem viney - which I didn't expect?  Do they need to go next to a fence to grow up?  Should I plan them on the perimeter of my garden?  Thanks in advance.


They do need a support. If this works, I am attaching a picture of the one that I built. I just used left over fencing material and some wood we had lying around.

pea fence

Here are some pics of our strawberries, and our rhubarb as compared to our normal size stove. In about an hour and a half this rhubarb is going to be part of a lovely cobbler. :)

Strawberries

Rhubarb

Edited by brynn 2010-05-23 2:51 PM
2010-05-24 7:32 AM
in reply to: #2876534

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
Thanks 1sttimetri and brynn!  I had some small fencing laying around that I used for now, as it looks from the pics that I may need some taller fencing.  And it seems from my package that my 'Kentucky' green beans may need fencing too. 

So far:





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2010-05-24 1:36 PM
in reply to: #2747608

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Pro
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
I've got grapes growing!  And I'm excited.  I planted a grapevine last year on a trellis to hide the shed from the street.  I never thought about actually getting grapes.  By the end of the year, it covered half of the trellis.  This spring it has continued it's growth and now there's a bunch of bunches.

Grapes in process
2010-05-24 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2878570

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
KenD - 2010-05-24 1:36 PM

I've got grapes growing!  And I'm excited.  I planted a grapevine last year on a trellis to hide the shed from the street.  I never thought about actually getting grapes.  By the end of the year, it covered half of the trellis.  This spring it has continued it's growth and now there's a bunch of bunches.

Grapes in process


Nice! Our grapes are going too, but they are not as far along as yours are. I didn't plant them, we inherited them when we bought the house. They are so much sweeter than the kind you buy at the store.
2010-05-24 4:35 PM
in reply to: #2747608

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Elite
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010

many of my plants froze recently.   need to start over.....

2010-05-24 5:46 PM
in reply to: #2876375

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
pga_mike - 2010-05-23 10:33 AM I need help.

Bunnies are eating my plants.  Roses, blueberry bushes, strawberries.  And I have a dog.


Do you have a BB gun?


KIDDING!!!!
2010-05-24 5:59 PM
in reply to: #2879358

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Pro
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
meherczeg - 2010-05-24 4:46 PM

pga_mike - 2010-05-23 10:33 AM I need help.

Bunnies are eating my plants.  Roses, blueberry bushes, strawberries.  And I have a dog.


Do you have a BB gun?


KIDDING!!!!


Yeah totally kidding. You need something with a higher caliber. :D


2010-05-24 9:15 PM
in reply to: #2876522

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
Ron - 2010-05-23 1:34 PM Anybody have any experience with sugar snap peas (Burpee Super Sugar Snap), I have several that I have grown from seeds and am about to plant outside, but they seem viney - which I didn't expect?  Do they need to go next to a fence to grow up?  Should I plan them on the perimeter of my garden?  Thanks in advance.


I grow my snap peas around a tomato cage and they climb up over that.
Works really well. 
2010-05-27 9:03 PM
in reply to: #2747608

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Elite
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010

ok - I have consulted all local experts, and I can replant on Friday with minimal fear of frost again.   I am so jealous of those who can plant in april/may without fear of frost!

So - I hacked back my roses that were tearing the trellises off the house last winter.   And they are growing again!  yea!   However, I have yet to replace the trellises.   I looked at home depot and found boring stuff, and wood is silly here in the desert - I need metal!  I looked online and found some, but nothing I love.    any on line ideas?

I am considering contracting a local custom outfit to make me some to match my art deco house.



Edited by bootygirl 2010-05-27 9:09 PM
2010-05-28 7:53 AM
in reply to: #2747608

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010

i have about half my garden in so far. 
(3) double rows of progress 9 peas.
(2) rows of sweet potatoes. (carolina rose and allgold)
(6) 15' rows of incredible corn.
(37) roma tomatoes. (planted a day after this picture was taken)
yet to plant - limas, beans, and more corn.
in smaller side garden - strawberries, blackberries, kenebec potatoes, lettuce, carrots, & spinach.





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2010-06-07 11:12 AM
in reply to: #2747608

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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010

A question for my fellow BT gardeners...

Do you separate tomato seedlings?  I have read some conflicting reports that either say it's possible and if done correctly will work, or just cut back the weaker ones and move on.   I am in the camp of trying to save them.  Some of the things I read said that tomatoes are pretty resilient and can take the separation, especially if you separate them will the roots in water.  I tried a couple yesterday, but just wondering if anyone has or hasn't tried this.  

2010-06-08 2:18 PM
in reply to: #2754201

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Elite
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
moondawg14 - 2010-03-28 8:16 PM
bootygirl - 2010-03-27 7:11 PM

Who else composts?   How and what do you compost?  my pile from last year, which I was hoping to be ready for spring still doesn't have that "black gold" look.   How should I excellerate it for the next 6 weeks or so?    I considered adding some "organic lawn fertilizer" to up the Nitrogen.  Ideas?  It is full of worms but not very warm.

I have a pile going with new stuff in it that is dreadfully N-poor, even more so since I cleaned up the front yard and added shreaded the leaves.   I am getting horse poo next week for that pile.



We compost.  I just throw everything in a pile and turn it every couple weeks.  I have a pot of coffee and 2 or 3 eggs every morning, so I've got lots of grounds and shells.   The rest is mostly vegetables but the neighbor throws his ornamental grass and flower clippings on there every once in a while.

I'd really like to get one of those big tumblers so I could put it right outside my garage door. I have the pile WAY at the back of the yard outside the invisible fence so the dog can't root through it.  

Oh, that reminds me, I need to put in my little fence posts and fence to keep my dog out of my garden.   if it ever stops raining. 

My husband built one for me out of a steel drum -- he cut a door and put hinges on it and a latch to keep critters out and handles on the drum to make it easy to spin.  I like it for food scraps so the dogs aren't rummaging thru my compost pile. 

Post more garden pics please so I get some motivation to move my veggie bed and get back to gardening!  And compost bin pics too -- I need ideas for composting yard waste.


2010-06-08 3:16 PM
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
Can I ask a dumb question?  How do you know when carrots are ready?  Do you just go by the leaves above ground & when they're kind of big just pull 'em up?  Or do you go by time since planting?
2010-06-08 3:40 PM
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
drewb8 - 2010-06-08 3:16 PM

Can I ask a dumb question?  How do you know when carrots are ready?  Do you just go by the leaves above ground & when they're kind of big just pull 'em up?  Or do you go by time since planting?


You can eat carrots at any stage of growth, so in that sense they are "ready" at any time. I just kind of loosen the dirt around the top and see how big around they are, and pick them if I think they are big enough. Supposedly when they are smaller they are tastier. The foliage at the top can be deceiving because sometimes if your soil isn't soft enough the carrots stay little under the ground but get big above the ground. Hopefully that helped!
2010-06-08 4:14 PM
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
brynn - 2010-06-08 2:40 PM
drewb8 - 2010-06-08 3:16 PM Can I ask a dumb question?  How do you know when carrots are ready?  Do you just go by the leaves above ground & when they're kind of big just pull 'em up?  Or do you go by time since planting?
You can eat carrots at any stage of growth, so in that sense they are "ready" at any time. I just kind of loosen the dirt around the top and see how big around they are, and pick them if I think they are big enough. Supposedly when they are smaller they are tastier. The foliage at the top can be deceiving because sometimes if your soil isn't soft enough the carrots stay little under the ground but get big above the ground. Hopefully that helped!

Yeah, it does, thanks!  I'll check tonight, might have some carrots in the salad...
2010-06-08 11:14 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: BT garden thread 2010
I spent 3 hours with my pickaxe tonight -- raised bed is almost installed.  Then time to haul the dirt.  I hope you folks with flat land and real soil know how good you have it
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