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Here we go again
What a winter for North Carolina. Expecting 2 - 4 inches on top of the ice we got this morning. Screwing with my greenhouse and my germination in the house for sure. I guess I won't be planting in early March as I had planned.. Oh Mother Nature.....just keep us guessing.
MJ |
Here we go again
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Here we go again
Terry Coombs wrote:
.... But any way you cut it , now is the time to be starting seeds for transplanting later . So far I have onions , 2 kinds of 'maters 2 more I picked up seeds for today kale , lettuce , cauliflower , eggplants and cayenne peppers in the starter trays . And they're all sitting on a low table right in front of a southeast facing window where they get strong sun all morning then great indirect light the rest of the day . I guess it's time to get the tiller out and make sure it runs well . I'll be enlarging the garden plot this year , after a great first year garden and that machine has some seroius groundbreaking to do . so much easier to smother it and retain most of the existing soil structure... (we've not had a good tilling vs. smothering thread in a while have we? :) :) :) ) or if you'd like to cut down on how much time you do spend tilling, plot out the garden rows so that you are only tilling the slices where you will be actually planting and leave the rest to be smothered. most tillers will let you remove blades so that you can till thinner slices. songbird |
Here we go again
songbird wrote:
Terry Coombs wrote: ... But any way you cut it , now is the time to be starting seeds for transplanting later . So far I have onions , 2 kinds of 'maters 2 more I picked up seeds for today kale , lettuce , cauliflower , eggplants and cayenne peppers in the starter trays . And they're all sitting on a low table right in front of a southeast facing window where they get strong sun all morning then great indirect light the rest of the day . I guess it's time to get the tiller out and make sure it runs well . I'll be enlarging the garden plot this year , after a great first year garden and that machine has some seroius groundbreaking to do . so much easier to smother it and retain most of the existing soil structure... (we've not had a good tilling vs. smothering thread in a while have we? :) :) :) ) or if you'd like to cut down on how much time you do spend tilling, plot out the garden rows so that you are only tilling the slices where you will be actually planting and leave the rest to be smothered. most tillers will let you remove blades so that you can till thinner slices. songbird Mmmm , I don't think smothering is going to work on this one . This is ground that not too long ago was hardwood forest . The trees were cut before we got it 11 years ago , an oval clearing roughly 75' X 200' . It currently has some wild grasses and mostly blackberries on it . I tilled up part of it last year , and the results were *VERY* encouraging . The part closest to the trees on the uphill side weren't so much , but plants farther out into the clearing were amazing . I'll be doubling the size this year . And tilling the hay from the henhouse into the part I broke last year , after it's aged a bit . I'm really excited about this year ! -- Snag |
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Terry Coombs wrote:
cut before we got it 11 years ago , an oval clearing roughly 75' X 200' . It currently has some wild grasses and mostly blackberries on it . Clarification : That clearing also contains a 12X20 carport/shop , henhouse and yard , our 25' camping trailer , and the beginninge of our new home . Last year's garden space was ~500 sf , this year probably 800-1000 . -- Snag |
Here we go again
In article
songbird writes: Terry Coombs wrote: ... But any way you cut it , now is the time to be starting seeds for transplanting later . So far I have onions , 2 kinds of 'maters 2 more I picked up seeds for today kale , lettuce , cauliflower , eggplants and cayenne peppers in the starter trays . And they're all sitting on a low table right in front of a southeast facing window where they get strong sun all morning then great indirect light the rest of the day . I guess it's time to get the tiller out and make sure it runs well . I'll be enlarging the garden plot this year , after a great first year garden and that machine has some seroius groundbreaking to do . so much easier to smother it and retain most of the existing soil structure... (we've not had a good tilling vs. smothering thread in a while have we? :) :) :) ) In my experience, whether mulch will kill lawn comes down to how nice a lawn it is. The most common desirable turf grasses seem to die really easy with mulch. The lawn weeds and invasive grasses just laugh and thank you for removing the competition. Of course, whether tilling those will kill them also varies. My prefered garden expansion is to till, then put on a thick mulch and plant *nothing*. For that season, I just dig out any green thing that raises its head. In reality, I get to do that for maybe 20% of new ground. Too much to-do list and not enough daylight for my ideals. or if you'd like to cut down on how much time you do spend tilling, plot out the garden rows so that you are only tilling the slices where you will be actually planting and leave the rest to be smothered. most tillers will let you remove blades so that you can till thinner slices. songbird -- Drew Lawson | Broke my mind | Had no spare | |
Here we go again
Terry Coombs wrote:
.... Mmmm , I don't think smothering is going to work on this one . This is ground that not too long ago was hardwood forest . The trees were cut before we got it 11 years ago , an oval clearing roughly 75' X 200' . It currently has some wild grasses and mostly blackberries on it . ah, i thought it was already back to a field that was mowed once in a while. blackberries are a different story. i'm assuming that since you already did a part of this that you have something to knock them back (brush hog or some other chopper/mower)? I tilled up part of it last year , and the results were *VERY* encouraging . The part closest to the trees on the uphill side weren't so much , but plants farther out into the clearing were amazing . I'll be doubling the size this year . And tilling the hay from the henhouse into the part I broke last year , after it's aged a bit . I'm really excited about this year ! i'm glad to see someone excited about gardening and having a bigger garden. :) has the hay been added already? i would not till the hay into the previous garden. what does that accomplish? is there anything growing in that soil that will be able to use those nutrients that quickly? if not, you're effectively wasting a long term nutrient source for no purpose. if instead, you scatter a small amount on the surface and lightly rake it in, then you can plant into that and you'll be fine. after planting a plot mulch around using the rest and that will be an excellent longer term soil nutrient source. as the rains come along they'll stimulate the worms and other soil creatures to break down the top mulch and since the rains also stimulate the plants to grow then they are getting the nutrients when they can actually use them. much less work and better for the soil community. songbird |
Here we go again
songbird wrote:
Terry Coombs wrote: ... Mmmm , I don't think smothering is going to work on this one . This is ground that not too long ago was hardwood forest . The trees were cut before we got it 11 years ago , an oval clearing roughly 75' X 200' . It currently has some wild grasses and mostly blackberries on it . ah, i thought it was already back to a field that was mowed once in a while. blackberries are a different story. i'm assuming that since you already did a part of this that you have something to knock them back (brush hog or some other chopper/mower)? I tilled up part of it last year , and the results were *VERY* encouraging . The part closest to the trees on the uphill side weren't so much , but plants farther out into the clearing were amazing . I'll be doubling the size this year . And tilling the hay from the henhouse into the part I broke last year , after it's aged a bit . I'm really excited about this year ! i'm glad to see someone excited about gardening and having a bigger garden. :) has the hay been added already? No , it's piled near the henhouse aging ... i would not till the hay into the previous garden. what does that accomplish? is there anything growing in that soil that will be able to use those nutrients that quickly? if not, you're effectively wasting a long term nutrient source for no purpose. Last year's garden will also be this year's garden , just with different crops . Gotta figger out a rotation plan to keep the soil in shape . if instead, you scatter a small amount on the surface and lightly rake it in, then you can plant into that and you'll be fine. after planting a plot mulch around using the rest and that will be an excellent longer term soil nutrient source. as the rains come along they'll stimulate the worms and other soil creatures to break down the top mulch and since the rains also stimulate the plants to grow then they are getting the nutrients when they can actually use them. much less work and better for the soil community. The new area will get the same treatment as the new got last year . Each transplant will get a measure of manure mixed with the soil around it . Row crops will get a line of same worked in as I form the rows . Last year's will be partly planted in corn and pole beans , possibly that's where I'll plant the kale , lettuces , and bok choi . songbird I'm really charged up about the garden . The one we had down in Memphis was nothing compared to what I had here last year . I think it's more a case of the soil there being poor than the soil here being extra-fertile ... though both may apply . Either way , we'll be spending pretty close to zero dollars this summer for fresh stuff , and my neighbors may start hiding when they see me coming grin . I love living up here ! -- Snag |
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Terry Coombs wrote:
.... I'm really charged up about the garden . The one we had down in Memphis was nothing compared to what I had here last year . I think it's more a case of the soil there being poor than the soil here being extra-fertile ... though both may apply . it is harder to maintain soil organic content in warmer climates -- beyond soil degredation issues it's also tougher to restore. Either way , we'll be spending pretty close to zero dollars this summer for fresh stuff , and my neighbors may start hiding when they see me coming grin . I love living up here ! :) songbird |
Here we go again
Derald wrote:
"Terry Coombs" wrote: The new area will get the same treatment as the new got last year . Each transplant will get a measure of manure mixed with the soil around it . Row crops will get a line of same worked in as I form the rows . Last year's will be partly planted in corn and pole beans , possibly that's where I'll plant the kale , lettuces , and bok choi . "Bok choi"; eyoww. On 25, Nov. I planted two closely spaced rows of what was labeled "Organic Baby Pak Choy" along the edge of a bed of mustard greens and garlic, expecting cute little plants such as were illustrated on the seed packet; NOT. Those suckers grew so rampantly that on 14, Dec. had to thin them mercilessly, transplanting a handful at the end of a second bed. Maybe two weeks ago, I removed all of it from the first bed and reduced the "handful" in the other to just ten plants and they won't stop. The "baby" stuff is 20" tall and shows no sign of slowing down. The remaining plants are spaced, nominally, 6"x6" and I hesitate to think of what they'd do with more space. Daytime temps already are in the 80° (F) range and it remains to be seen how the plants cope with heat, although, they still could be subjected to late season chill, even the possibility of short-term freezing overnight temps. Right now, they wilt rather badly in mid-day and require considerable water. I see no evidence of root knot, a common cause of wilting, but they may be suffering from high soil temperature in their raised bed, a common malady of "cool season" plants in these parts. Next year, I'll plant fewer and put them in a bed that stays shady later into the season. I'm starting out a little less ambitiously ... I have 6 plants in a starter tray , we'll see how it goes . I plan on using it fresh-picked for salads and stirfry , and try to pick it when the leaves are young and tender .. Got a lot of stuff I'm trying for the first time this year ... -- Snag |
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Derald wrote:
"Terry Coombs" wrote: I'm starting out a little less ambitiously ... I have 6 plants in a starter tray , we'll see how it goes . I plan on using it fresh-picked for salads and stirfry , and try to pick it when the leaves are young and tender . Got a lot of stuff I'm trying for the first time this year ... Well, my "rows" amounted to a four-foot double row. Gonna leave the remaining ten plants in place, primarily to see how they handle hot weather. I'm thinking that, next year, five or six plants will be more my speed, too. Along with the bok choy, I'm trying a couple of other new-to-me stuff, too. Those that interest me most are celery and a "new" variety of carrots. I wish you luck with the celery. I grew beautiful, plump and juicy celery in Michigan, but my attempts in SE VA were a bust. Too stringy and thin stalks. Between the long growing span of celery and the heat here, celery wasn't happy and the results weren't worth the effort and garden space. Nyssa, who can't grow half of what she uses because it won't grow here or the voles get it |
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Derald wrote:
Nyssa wrote: I wish you luck with the celery. Truth told, I am more hopeful than optimistic. Celery, though, is a significant wintertime commercial crop down around Lake Okechobee in south FL. I grew beautiful, plump and juicy celery in Michigan, but my attempts in SE VA were a bust. Too stringy and thin stalks. Between the long growing span of celery and the heat here, celery wasn't happy and the results weren't worth the effort and garden space. I know the feeling.... I have family in Newport News and in Gloucester and their gardens always do well. Of course, I have no clue whether any of them ever has grown celery. Perhaps you can adjust planting dates? Follow the locals' lead. Down here in FL, northerners often have difficulty adjusting to seasons that are out of phase with those to which they'd been accustomed: Autumn, is the start of the season for very many vegetables, including celery, and fall-winter is the only time one has any hope of growing lettuce, "English" peas, potatoes, etc. My approach is to grow the most of what we eat the most and DW makes a mirepoix for pretty near every protein, it seems. Today's supermarket prices put celery on the list. Since celery usually takes around 120 days to maturity, by the time I'd get the seedlings planted out into the garden, there simply wasn't enough time of cool weather for good development of tender, juicy stalks. The heat makes the celery stringy and the stalks small. I'm about 60 miles west of your Gloucester folks. Nyssa, who can't grow half of what she uses because it won't grow here or the voles get it No voles here but I've seen the little boogers in operation. We do have moles, though, which do not eat the roots but tunnel among them causing damage from exposure. Yep, the voles around here LOVE onions, carrots, potatoes... anything with roots. Nothing like going out into the garden and seeing just the green top of an onion sticking out of an empty hole. Or pulling what you hope with be a big carrot and finding someone else has already taken a bite out of the side. sigh Nyssa, who still hasn't ordered her seeds yet |
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Nyssa wrote:
Derald wrote: .... Well, my "rows" amounted to a four-foot double row. Gonna leave the remaining ten plants in place, primarily to see how they handle hot weather. I'm thinking that, next year, five or six plants will be more my speed, too. Along with the bok choy, I'm trying a couple of other new-to-me stuff, too. Those that interest me most are celery and a "new" variety of carrots. I wish you luck with the celery. :) me too! I grew beautiful, plump and juicy celery in Michigan, but my attempts in SE VA were a bust. Too stringy and thin stalks. Between the long growing span of celery and the heat here, celery wasn't happy and the results weren't worth the effort and garden space. aww... Nyssa, who can't grow half of what she uses because it won't grow here or the voles get it do you like fennel? it is much quicker and easier to grow. this year i'm adding pak choi and fennel to the mix. we'll see how they do in various locations, some with competition and others with none, and a variety of soil places and moisture levels. songbird |
Here we go again
songbird wrote:
Nyssa wrote: Derald wrote: ... Well, my "rows" amounted to a four-foot double row. Gonna leave the remaining ten plants in place, primarily to see how they handle hot weather. I'm thinking that, next year, five or six plants will be more my speed, too. Along with the bok choy, I'm trying a couple of other new-to-me stuff, too. Those that interest me most are celery and a "new" variety of carrots. I wish you luck with the celery. :) me too! I grew beautiful, plump and juicy celery in Michigan, but my attempts in SE VA were a bust. Too stringy and thin stalks. Between the long growing span of celery and the heat here, celery wasn't happy and the results weren't worth the effort and garden space. aww... Nyssa, who can't grow half of what she uses because it won't grow here or the voles get it do you like fennel? it is much quicker and easier to grow. this year i'm adding pak choi and fennel to the mix. we'll see how they do in various locations, some with competition and others with none, and a variety of soil places and moisture levels. songbird I don't care for fennel, but I have grown bak choy several times. I usually stick to the extra dwarf variety for salads and the dwarf for use in stir fries and soups. I'd grow bak choy more often, but I'm the only one who eats it. I can't give it away to the neighbors, ditto any other Asian vegetable that I like, so I rarely grow it anymore. It just rots since I can't use it all. Nyssa, who needs to recruit neighbors who are more open to "strange" foods |
Here we go again
Derald wrote:
Nyssa wrote: I'd grow bak choy more often, but I'm the only one who eats it. I can't give it away to the neighbors, ditto any other Asian vegetable that I like, so I rarely grow it anymore. It just rots since I can't use it all. Nyssa, who needs to recruit neighbors who are more open to "strange" foods So sneak it in as ingredient in something not overtly "Asian". Delicious sauteed lightly with garlic in olive oil; replace spinach in quiche, meat "log" rolls, vegetarian lasagna, etc. Excellent substitute for spinace, although, the leaves wilt down even more than does spinach, if you can believe that. DW is "experimenting" with freezing both stems and leaves with an eye toward out-of-season use in dishes in which texture doesn't matter much. Of course, since this is pak choi's first time in my garden, I've no clue what the "season" is down here but suspect the heat will slam it pretty hard. I'm single and live alone, so cooking with Asian vegetables isn't a problem for *me* but my neighbors. I'm surrounded by meat-and-potato types. Yep, the hot weather will cause it to bolt almost overnight, especially the extra dwarf stuff. You have to use it when it's less than 2 inches tall... or else. Nyssa, who likes Asian food but can pass on Mexican and most Italian stuff |
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