Gardening 2023

[Survivor_316]

We always plant potatoes in the spring as soon as the ground warms up enough to work.
Here's what our garden looked like a couple days ago.
View attachment 19339

So you don't greensprout, either, I assume?

I had never heard of anyone doing that before.

 

[GaRp58]

We greensprout in Nov. and deeper than normal so they do not freeze, but, we have little to no snow and only get down to around minus 10°C/15°F and have no permafrost problems. Then we plant again in May/June for the second harvest in late Sep. or even Oct.
We just planted carrots, parsnips and onions as we got some sun and opened the water well again for the first time this year.
The prices are getting insane now here. Garlic is about $7.50/kilo (2.2 lbs); a cucumber is about $3.00 EACH...onions are going for about $6.00/kilo.
One neighbor planted his fields with onionseeds last week and bought his seeds here in Hungary for a whopping 300,000 Hungarian Forinth for only a POUND OF SEEDS ($750.00!!!)

 

[Survivor_316]

We greensprout in Nov. and deeper than normal so they do not freeze, but, we have little to no snow and only get down to around minus 10°C/15°F and have no permafrost problems. Then we plant again in May/June for the second harvest in late Sep. or even Oct.
We just planted carrots, parsnips and onions as we got some sun and opened the water well again for the first time this year.
The prices are getting insane now here. Garlic is about $7.50/kilo (2.2 lbs); a cucumber is about $3.00 EACH...onions are going for about $6.00/kilo.
One neighbor planted his fields with onionseeds last week and bought his seeds here in Hungary for a whopping 300,000 Hungarian Forinth for only a POUND OF SEEDS ($750.00!!!)

Woah. Those prices are crazy.

So is greensprouting only done for an off season harvest, then?

 

[GaRp58]

It differs from potato sorts. We can greensprout some white and yellow sorts but not the hard red ones. I have no idea what the names are. We bought once and replant the littlest ones the next time and use them like heirlooms over and over. The last one got planted today and already had some roots growing up to 10 inches long. They are planted roots and all. If they already have used so much energy to sprout, then they just keep the healthy roots.
We now have 4 rows of garlic, 8 rows of potatos, 2 rows of carrots, 2 rows of parsnips, 1 row of sweet peas and
3 rows of onions. Tomatos, pickles, celery, cucumbers and dill are still waiting for warmer weather.
We also just planted Italian grapes which are only for eating and get up to 10 lbs for only a single cluster....

 

[user 7704]

Squirrels ate my onions, so I bought sets today.

 

[Survivor_316]

@GaRp58 Thank you! I appreciate the answers!

 

[Cindyd]

I had no idea squirrels ate onions! Grief! Those rat *******s! What won't they eat? Must be liberal democrat squirrels!

 

[user 7704]

I had no idea squirrels ate onions! Grief! Those rat *******s! What won't they eat? Must be liberal democrat squirrels!

I didn't either, but they are the only critter around who can get inside the fence. This garden is fenced and it is inside a larger fenced in area. Pretty hard to get to.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I keep traps set in our garden for squirrels and chipmunks. And a .22 rifle hanging on the back deck. They do a lot of damage.

 

[Oddcaliber]

Squirrel sauteed in onion is a good solution.

 

[user 7704]

I keep traps set in our garden for squirrels and chipmunks. And a .22 rifle hanging on the back deck. They do a lot of damage.

I am replanting today. I will move a trap down by the onions. Thanks for the idea. AD

 

[Amish Heart]

Got our small greenhouse cleaned out yesterday, and more veggie starts seeded, but am leaving them under the growlights still. Our weather has not straightened out yet.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I am replanting today. I will move a trap down by the onions. Thanks for the idea. AD

The traps that I use in the garden are same ones I use for ermine trapping. It's a small wooden box with a hole in one end and rat snap trap inside. Usually baited with peanut butter. I'll also screw a rat trap to a fence post baited with peanut butter.

 

[DrHenley]

I keep traps set in our garden for squirrels and chipmunks. And a .22 rifle hanging on the back deck. They do a lot of damage.

Squirrels ate holes through the attic vents, got into the attic, and tore up the ducts. I had to nail some hardware cloth over the outside of the vents.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Squirrels ate holes through the attic vents, got into the attic, and tore up the ducts. I had to nail some hardware cloth over the outside of the vents.

My bil is replacing the attic insulation and patching the holes in the eves of his sisters house. Birds and squirrels got in and made a huge mess.

 

[user 7704]

Squirrels ate holes through the attic vents, got into the attic, and tore up the ducts. I had to nail some hardware cloth over the outside of the vents.

They are destructive. Ate my coaxial cable for my satellite

 

[user 7704]

The best things I have growing right now are dandelions. I just made a pot of dandelion tea and added a little honey.

 

[Mountain trapper]

We got another 6 inches of snow this morning. Then it cleared up and the sun came out. 38 degs for high temp today and the snow is melting fast. Theres still 3 feet of snow in the garden, so we'll should be able to start planting in a couple months.
I ordered some 3 year old seedless concord grape plants today. I found a nursery in Georgia that will ship to my state.

 

[user 7704]

I lied about replanting onions today. I didn't do much. Kept checking the news

 

[Cindyd]

Turn off the news cple days or weeks..Can't control the **** show going on right now! Trump will be fine! Plant your onions! You'll be glad you did!

 

[user 7704]

Trying not to till gardens this year. Today I put down a 4" layer of wet leaves between rows. When I get all the leaves off the pool, I should have enough to cover the rest. Around the fence, I am putting down feed bags, boxes, etc. I know that squash bugs like living under cardboard, so I'll have to check regularly.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Went down to the nursery today and bought 5 fruit trees, 2 apples, a cherry, a plum and 1 peach, and 15 pounds of seed potatoes. It came to $550, they screwed up and charged $5500 on the credit card. We called and they corrected their mistake.
It's way to early for us to plant anything at our location but if we wait until we can plant, everyone will be sold out. I'll take my truck down in a few weeks and bring the trees home, I'll keep them in the shop until they can be planted.
We're heading home now, it's cold, windy and a few snow squalls.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

So you don't greensprout, either, I assume?

I had never heard of anyone doing that before.

Are you referring to chitting the potatoes? If so, it is the way to get your potatoes producing quicker. You only cut potatoes in pieces if they are large enough and have sprouts on both ends of the potato. If you cut the potatoes you must let them cure a bit. Otherwise they will rot on you.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I don’t till anymore. Switched to “Lasagna Gardening“ a few years back. Works well and even makes working in the garden easier on your back! Do I sound like a sissy?!

 

[user 7704]

My plantains started growing this week so I picked some make some powder. This rain will make the new ones grow faster.

 

[Survivor_316]

Are you referring to chitting the potatoes? If so, it is the way to get your potatoes producing quicker. You only cut potatoes in pieces if they are large enough and have sprouts on both ends of the potato. If you cut the potatoes you must let them cure a bit. Otherwise they will rot on you.

Yes! I thought that was a local term. Haha

You can tell potatoes are NOT my strong suit.

I did know about letting them cure, but I didn't realize you only cut them in there were sprouts on both ends. I thought you just cut a hunk with every 3 eyes or so.

I'm excited for my potatoes this year! You guys have taught me a lot and I think I might actually have some success.

 

[user 7704]

I don’t till anymore. Switched to “Lasagna Gardening“ a few years back. Works well and even makes working in the garden easier on your back! Do I sound like a sissy?!

I just had excess leaves and started throwing down rows. Not really a plan.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Every year I grow watermelon. The plants grow good but I've never got a ripe watermelon yet. Our growing season is too short I guess. The other day at the nursery I picked up some seeds that claim 55 days to maturity. I'd love to grow a good watermelon.

 

[Survivor_316]

Every year I grow watermelon. The plants grow good but I've never got a ripe watermelon yet. Our growing season is too short I guess. The other day at the nursery I picked up some seeds that claim 55 days to maturity. I'd love to grow a good watermelon.

What variety were they? We grow Sugar baby but they're 75 days. I would love to have a shorter session variety for off years!

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

did know about letting them cure, but I didn't realize you only cut them in there were sprouts on both ends. I thought you just cut a hunk with every 3 eyes or so.

Some folks do follow that method. Personally I don’t. Have had potatoes not produce well when cutting them up too much.