Gardening 2023

[Psalm7]

A novice gardener I remember posting a long time ago asking " how long can you store seeds " ? A few days ago I planted mustard greens , using seeds that I bought in 2017 . They are now up and apparently got a very good germination rate . Those seeds I keep in a freezer . All my other seeds I keep in a shoe box at whatever temperature my house is . I don't expect them to last as long as the mustard green seeds but perhaps lasting around three years . However I prefer using one year old seeds that I collect annually . --- Think cooler weather seed for the potential Nuclear Winter ahead . Estimations vary but have seen around 30 degrees cooler than normal floated .

Mustard greens are a great winter garden plant . I've harvested them with snow on them and they keep growing .

 

[user 7704]

The greens I planted 5 (?) Days ago have all sprouted

 

[user 7704]

My strawberry bare roots will be here Monday. I have nothing prepared for them. Weeds are a foot high. I think I will dig the few that survived the freeze and till the entire garden. I just saw that we may have rain 4 days next week so I may have to wait on everything.

I'm going to buy straw tomorrow. The guy at feed store cracks up because I put it into my Chevy Equinox. I do put down a tarp.

 

[GaRp58]

There is only cauliflower and 2 tomatos left in the garden now. We harvested the heirloom seeds from two different types of radishes and the okra yesterday and stored them away. All the grass I cut, leaves I rake together and what is in the compost will go into the garden all winter and it will be continually/weekly rototilled to keep the weeds down and use them also as compost as they come up weekly. Just before spring, I will let those who survived the winter come up enough to be able to spray them and kill them down to the roots. The garden is only going to be used for watermelons, cantelopes and pumpkins this year to give it a rest and recuperate time.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

The greens I planted 5 (?) Days ago have all sprouted

Planted my greens a couple of weeks ago and they are doing well! Especially my mustard greens!

When we had to clean out the chicken house for the replacement of rotten boards, I put all those pine shavings in a part of the garden I’m not using for Fall plantings.

 

[Cindyd]

Larry had the handyman come out last Saturday and get the greenhouse skinned and put new (better) greenhouse cloth on. The last few rain/wind storms this summer pretty well tore the greenhouse cover to pieces. Anyway, he got some seed going, not sure everything he's started, but I know mustard n collard greens are two things. They cleaned the raised beds out too, and got em are ready for planting new stuff for fall.

 

[user 7704]

I plugged in dehydrator and went upstairs for about 5 minutes. Came back to this.

 

[user 7704]

They are sending me new dehydrator. This one will not have a warranty. Ewwww, they showed me. Lol

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

 

[Survivor_316]

Judaen Date palms were grown from seeds from Jesus' time. They were thought to be extinct. Sometimes seeds can last awhile!

https://rootandvine.com/from-extinction-to-resurrection-the-judean-date-palm-tree/

 

[user 7704]

I'm attempting to start onions from seed. I'm getting many differing options. My plan is to plant the seeds outside this Fall and see how it goes.

Do any of you guys start this this way. I was wondering about keeping them in the cold frame, but doing think I will keep the properly hydrated.

Any ideas will be appreciated. I've read that this method produces the largest yield.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I’ve never planted onions from seed. I do have seed. Perhaps I should join you and see how well they grow. Last year I planted onions in early winter and they did well this spring!

 

[user 7704]

After this rain,I'm going to redo the bed with sand and loose soil and hopefully the ground won't get so hard in the hot sun. That kept mine from growing this year. These were from sets.

I had two red onions that I missed last year and they made it through winter and were my biggest onions this year.

 

[user 7704]

I just heard local news and they are warning of a bug infestation. Some type of fly. Said to kill them immediately because they are killing fruit trees and veggies.

Didn't grasp the name.

 

[Psalm7]

Burning brush pile today . It finally got dry enough . But during all the rain we had . Green brush grew up through it . So as it burns . I have to keep pushing the big stuff into the brush pile .

 

[Psalm7]

Also tilled part of the garden and planted 3 rows of cabbage and a row of turnips . I misplaced my collard green seeds . I'll get them in the ground next .

 

[user 7704]

It is a Lantern Fly. Quite beautiful, but deadly. Just like a woman.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

 

[EastenerWesterner]

Well it took until now for the critters to discover our garden. !6x20 with chicken wire 6ft high on 3 sides 4ft high horse fence on the gated side.

I think we have a gopher or ground squirrel judging from holes. And i think the raccoons have discovered how to get in.

Bought some screw in electric fence insulaters, have the wire and solar charger. All around the top.

 

[user 7704]

View attachment 21091

When the dandelions are in bloom, my bees come home with yellow saddlebags.

 

[user 7704]

After 2 weeks off due to illness, I am so out of shape.

I had forgotten the bare roots strawberries haven't been planted so I started tilling, digging holes, planting and adding straw I seriously can barely walk because of the back pain. I've only done about 35 holes and have more to go, but I had to stop and fix my son lunch.

I do not like this.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Take it easy on yourself Robin! You should be glad you managed to get 35 holes done! Don’t stress your body! Get back into working SLOWLY!

 

[user 7704]

I ended up doing 52 holes

 

[user 7704]

There are lots of walnuts this year. I just gathered over a bushel. My neighbor always gives me his and he says they are falling everywhere. Guess I will get those this weekend.

I was remembering a walnut cake my grandmother used to bake. It was so good.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Has anyone left some of their potatoes in the ground all winter and had them grow in the spring? Just an idea I’m going to test out.

 

[user 7704]

I have accident left some and they grew.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

GREAT! I’m definitely going to leave a couple of rows. When do you plant your early ones?

 

[user 7704]

If you are still talking about potatoes, I plant close to Easter.

Today I have hulled about 10 gallons of walnuts. I'm tired of squirrels stealing mine so I put them in a rabbit cage and covered it with deer netting.

I planted two packs of onion seeds and about 15 more garlic cloves.

 

[Amish Heart]

I'm still picking tons of cherry tomatoes that were all volunteer bushes, and lots of peppers. Expecting a freeze in a couple of weeks, so we're even picking green ones. 8 buckets today, about 50 more to go, I think. Dehydrated, freeze dried, canned, frozen, eaten fresh, and chicken feed.

 

[GaRp58]

Has anyone left some of their potatoes in the ground all winter and had them grow in the spring? Just an idea I’m going to test out.

We usually plant the potatos in November for an early harvest. But, we do not have a very cold winter like most. We also plant them deeper than normal against frost and they get better roots before they come up. Usually they lay dormant since the ground is still cool and only on the first unusual warm days in Jan/Feb. do they start to get warm enough to sprout and plant roots.