Garden 2022

[UrbanHunter]

Down here I'd put them outside. Do you have any ideas on what you might do with them inside?

I haven't a clue... I planted them as seeds and they were on a low shelf, in a back row out of sight, so they were a surprise, now it's fall and we are getting regular frosts. I would like to clean out a raised bed and move them outside but with our nightly lows already 33F I just don't know....

I wonder if I could put them in my wife's East flower bed between the hedges... it would give them morning sun, some protection from frost, and they would be out of my way...

 

[Pearl]

I haven't a clue... I planted them as seeds and they were on a low shelf, in a back row out of sight, so they were a surprise, now it's fall and we are getting regular frosts. I would like to clean out a raised bed and move them outside but with our nightly lows already 33F I just don't know....

I wonder if I could put them in my wife's East flower bed between the hedges... it would give them morning sun, some protection from frost, and they would be out of my way...

I'd try that because if it works it would be an option for future years!

 

[UrbanHunter]

I'd try that because if it works it would be an option for future years!

I asked the wife, but she said "NO"... but she can't walk out there and she couldn't see them from her wheelchair on the sidewalk. It might be worth the risk... What's the worse that can happen, she puts me in strawberry time out???

 

[Amish Heart]

Ha Ha Urban

 

[Magpie]

My garlic and onion sets arrived today- the weekend will be busy, as I don't have the beds clear for them in the polytunnel yet. I left my corn a little too long the hens are benefiting

 

[joel]

My garlic and onion sets arrived today- the weekend will be busy, as I don't have the beds clear for them in the polytunnel yet. I left my corn a little too long the hens are benefiting

I got mine too, but it is still warm here.

 

[Bacpacker]

I've got half my garlic planted, hope to get the other half Saturday

 

[lilmissy]

Question, I have 4 -#3 nursery pots with strawberries, they finally bushed out and put out runners, but they are in the house and I am torn, should I find a place and put them in the ground outside, or should I try to make some sort of growing arrangement that lets them spread out? What would you do?

I am not sure what zone you are in. I am in 6b. I would still plant them outside, but cover them with straw or something since they haven’t had a chance to set root before cold weather.

Helped a friend harvest a big plant today 28 oz off 1 plant!

View attachment 95722

This is a pic of mine… should I harvest soon? They are calling for a cold snap. We did have a frost for two mornings but I have mine in an unheated greenhouse

 

[joel]

I've got half my garlic planted, hope to get the other half Saturday

Filaree Garlic Farm sent me a email that my GEORGIAN FIRE & MARTIN'S HEIRLOOM will be shipped 11/03/2022.
That late for S.C., but it is still hot here in the day, like 75-80F.
My plot is Fallow ground, so I will need to remove the weeds & turn it once with compost first.
I am trying Martin's Heirloom to see how it does in 8a zones Spring heat, I harvest in early to late June here.

 

[Peanut]

I'm in 7b here, been wondering about your zone, similar in some respects but very different in others. According to the usda scale my average low in 5 degrees colder yours. I think my winter highs are just as warm as yours but I still get blasts of arctic air funneled by the blueridge. I get snow here every winter, 2 or 3 times in some years. Never very much though, last few winters the ground was too warm for it to stick.

how it does in 8a zones Spring heat, I harvest in early to late June here.

 

[joel]

I'm in 7b here, been wondering about your zone, similar in some respects but very different in others. According to the usda scale my average low in 5 degrees colder yours. I think my winter highs are just as warm as yours but I still get blasts of arctic air funneled by the blueridge. I get snow here every winter, 2 or 3 times in some years. Never very much though, last few winters the ground was too warm for it to stick.

You must be close to state line or in upper part of the state, your Summers are a little cooler than mine .
I can not remember the last year we got a full snow cover, before this last snow in 2021 Jan 16 snow storm.

 

[Peanut]

You must be close to state line or in upper part of the state, your Summers are a little cooler than mine .
I can not remember the last year we got a full snow cover, before this last snow in 2021 Jan 16 snow storm.

I can remember a couple inches of snow in Charleston. It was bad cold... 29Jan86. The morning the Challenger exploded. My destroyer was covered with snow.

 

[joel]

1989 was 29 years & about to have my first baby, so everything else was a pluuur.

 

[Bacpacker]

Filaree Garlic Farm sent me a email that my GEORGIAN FIRE & MARTIN'S HEIRLOOM will be shipped 11/03/2022.
That late for S.C., but it is still hot here in the day, like 75-80F.
My plot is Fallow ground, so I will need to remove the weeds & turn it once with compost first.
I am trying Martin's Heirloom to see how it does in 8a zones Spring heat, I harvest in early to late June here.

I grew Martins Heirloom this year in zone 7a. Over all it did well.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Looking at the latest chart we would be in 7a, we normally only get between 3 and 6 snows a year, usually under a foot. In 96' we got 2 snow storms back to back (2 days apart, almost like one 5 day snow storm) that each dropped over 6' total , we couldn't see where our full size van was. We were snowed in without power for over a week after the storm ended. I would have to say that our weather here is unstable, I have been hunting on days when the high was only 4F and I can remember January's where it got into the 80F. It's hard to plan around that kind of norm.

 

[joel]

I grew Martins Heirloom this year in zone 7a. Over all it did well.

You had the nice rows & some pic's, that is the main reason I am trying it.
I like to try new seeds & plants, that I have not tried, it may not do well here or it may be the best ever, only one way to know.

 

[Bacpacker]

Out of the 4 types I grew, Martins produced more. But I also lost more before harvest and after. But still was way ahead. My onions and shallots aren't keeping as well this year either, so I don't think it was a type issue in particular.

 

[Wingnut]

Quick question for y'all: I have this melon vine with half a dozen melons on it, but the fruit all seem to have stopped growing. Or maybe this particular type of melon only grows so large? Dunno if I still have the card that came with the plant when I bought it... I just put the darned thing in the ground and let it rip. It grew really fast for awhile, then it just seemed to slow down or stop? Did I start too late with it? I think I planted it in June or thereabouts, can't really recall. The largest melon is only the size of a football, if even that big. Do I go ahead and harvest it and see how it tastes? I'd hate to see it rot on the vine if that's what's about to happen... might as well eat it even if it isn't that big, right? Your input here would be appreciated... that's all I have for this thread. Cheers!

P.S. After having cider and then tea earlier, I am now having a cold beer to loosen these stiff muscles before I go water on this beautiful morning, lol. Seems to be working... here are the melon pics!

 

[joel]

Wingnut, I would pick it as soon as it is ripe, but not before.
Looks like you may have had a low water intake from the plant.
Yes, I am guessing.
When you cut them let us know what you find, Please.

 

[Wingnut]

Well, I thought melons were ripe when they make a "thunk" sound as you rap 'em, and ALSO when the bottom turns a golden yellow color like butter... no yellow yet on this one, but it makes a "thunk" sound when I rap it with my knuckles.

Haven't cut the vine yet on the *big* melon, maybe I should... would the bottom turn yellow AFTER I harvest it?

 

[SLADE]

When the coyotes steal it and eat it it's almost ready.

 

[joel]

Well, I thought melons were ripe when they make a "thunk" sound as you rap 'em, and ALSO when the bottom turns a golden yellow color like butter... no yellow yet on this one, but it makes a "thunk" sound when I rap it with my knuckles.

Haven't cut the vine yet on the *big* melon, maybe I should... would the bottom turn yellow AFTER I harvest it?

We always used the little tendril turns black.
Check for a Brown Tendril
A watermelon vine has curly tendrils on it. Find the one that's closest to a ripening watermelon fruit. That tendril gives excellent clues for when a watermelon is ripe. When the melon is small and developing, the tendril is green and pliable.

 

[Bacpacker]

We always used the little tendril turns black.
Check for a Brown Tendril
A watermelon vine has curly tendrils on it. Find the one that's closest to a ripening watermelon fruit. That tendril gives excellent clues for when a watermelon is ripe. When the melon is small and developing, the tendril is green and pliable.

Thats how I judge a melon. Look for a little pigs tail. If it's brown and hard it's done all it will

 

[Peanut]

I think maybe your melons stopped growing because the days are shorter. My melons got set back over 30days in early summer. Lots of little melons out there now that aren't going to ripen. They also stopped growing with short days.

Your melons... may not get ripe at all.

 

[Neb]

I haven't a clue... I planted them as seeds and they were on a low shelf, in a back row out of sight, so they were a surprise, now it's fall and we are getting regular frosts. I would like to clean out a raised bed and move them outside but with our nightly lows already 33F I just don't know....

I wonder if I could put them in my wife's East flower bed between the hedges... it would give them morning sun, some protection from frost, and they would be out of my way...

I have tried various approaches for my strawberry beds.

Covered them with burlap
6 inches of loose straw

Both of those welcomed mice to build homes with a built in food supply.

Last winter was mild but I left them uncovered. They survived just fine. I am just a nudge colder than you.

Just my 2 cents.

Ben

 

[UrbanHunter]

It rained most of today, but this evening I was able get 75% of the paving stones placed in the greenhouse, I made the measurements for making a plenum to deliver warm air from under the planned solar panels to the space I created under the new floor. I was even able to place the stones under the growing station and lift it fully loaded onto the paving stones as I was going along. The most exciting thing was this evening when I placed a level across 4 stones and they were plum! Once I get the plenum made and in place I will have to move the pavers "slightly" and then complete fitting and trimming stones for the edges, but the project is moving along.

At dinner the wife informed me that I have too many things growing and that I should limit myself.. Then she gave me 7 potatoes that she wants me to grow in the house.... The carrots that I placed outside after trimming (due to spider mites) have all put out a bunch of green so that is exciting, I checked and a lot of the carrots are actually fully grown and now we are just letting them bulk and sweeten up in the cool weather.

Right now the indoor growing stations are almost empty, just 8 tomatoes, 4 laurel plants, 4 strawberry plants, 4 rosemary plants, 2 basil, and 2 English thyme.

My romaine in the raised beds is almost ready for harvest, so I need to get some more started. I am still debating on if it is safe to move the bell pepper plant into the greenhouse.. In the past that is how I caught aphids, so I may be better off to just start a new plant.

Anyhow, life is good and I am thankful for all the blessings that I see. I am taking off a big part of next week, is seems that muzzle-loader deer season is upon us, and I have space in a freezer .

 

[joel]

Just to confuses everyone:
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t...opular&utm_medium=topic&utm_source=newsletter

 

[joel]

 

[Peanut]

Picked another pan of peppers today. My Serrano's are really turning right now. Plenty of tabasco and jalapeno's ready today also.

 

[joel]

Well, that & a few truck loads of firewood should keep you warm all winter!