Gardens 2020

[Brent S]

The seed companies are still filling orders. Yesterday I received the seeds I had ordered 2 weeks ago. Ordered from Bakers Creek, Everwilde Farms, and Fedco Seeds. All 3 companies took a little longer than usual but they are still filling orders.

My freezer has about ten packs of heirloom survival garden seeds. There’s about 75 different vegetables in each pack. So far I’ve had great luck with the germination rate. I got these from amazon, and added about 6 of them within the last six months. Hopefully I’m good for at least 5 years or so on seeds.

 

[DirtDiva]

My freezer has about ten packs of heirloom survival garden seeds. There’s about 75 different vegetables in each pack. So far I’ve had great luck with the germination rate. I got these from amazon, and added about 6 of them within the last six months. Hopefully I’m good for at least 5 years or so on seeds.

I have saved my own seeds for decades. All open pollinated heirlooms. All varieties I know have and will grow well in my area/climate/property. And more importantly all can/dehydrate/freeze/store well and that my family like the taste of and eat regularly. All varieties that I am familiar with and know how to grow and care for. I too freeze my seeds.

 

[Danil54grl]

Yesterday was not a productive day out in the garden. After feeding I went out to start tilling. Did my first pass on one of my raised beds, put into reverse and then forward and it wouldn't go into gear. . . The cable needed fixed. So I just finished that bed out with my hoe and planted my pinto beans. The day before I had gotten my honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon planted along with my Contenders and a few more squash type plants. Day before that my wheelbarrow handle had broken while I was hauling my manure out so that still needed fixed too. So by the time the handles on the wheelbarrow got replaced with new wooden handles instead of the hallow metal ones that rusted out and the cable got put back on the tiller, it started raining and then drizzled for the most Of the day. I will be able to go play some this morning before I need to get a shower, make dinner and try to get a nap in before work tonight.

 

[Brent S]

Yesterday was not a productive day out in the garden. After feeding I went out to start tilling. Did my first pass on one of my raised beds, put into reverse and then forward and it wouldn't go into gear. . . The cable needed fixed. So I just finished that bed out with my hoe and planted my pinto beans. The day before I had gotten my honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon planted along with my Contenders and a few more squash type plants. Day before that my wheelbarrow handle had broken while I was hauling my manure out so that still needed fixed too. So by the time the handles on the wheelbarrow got replaced with new wooden handles instead of the hallow metal ones that rusted out and the cable got put back on the tiller, it started raining and then drizzled for the most Of the day. I will be able to go play some this morning before I need to get a shower, make dinner and try to get a nap in before work tonight.

You’re the energizer bunny of country living!

 

[Danil54grl]

You’re the energizer bunny of country living!

Only some days, but you do what needs to be done. I don't have anyone else around here who will do it for me. . . Sometimes I do wish for a clone.

 

[DirtDiva]

Yesterday was not a productive day out in the garden. After feeding I went out to start tilling. Did my first pass on one of my raised beds, put into reverse and then forward and it wouldn't go into gear. . . The cable needed fixed. So I just finished that bed out with my hoe and planted my pinto beans. The day before I had gotten my honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon planted along with my Contenders and a few more squash type plants. Day before that my wheelbarrow handle had broken while I was hauling my manure out so that still needed fixed too. So by the time the handles on the wheelbarrow got replaced with new wooden handles instead of the hallow metal ones that rusted out and the cable got put back on the tiller, it started raining and then drizzled for the most Of the day. I will be able to go play some this morning before I need to get a shower, make dinner and try to get a nap in before work tonight.

I went to no till about 4 years ago on my in ground gardens and will never go back. Sold the tiller.

 

[DrHenley]

Well, the good weather for collards I've been waiting for is finally here. After sunny dry days in the mid 80s we have a rainy day in the 50s. But my collards already started bolting and so I picked all of them yesterday.

 

[Danil54grl]

Well, the good weather for collards I've been waiting for is finally here. After sunny dry days in the mid 80s we have a rainy day in the 50s. But my collards already started bolting and so I picked all of them yesterday.

My mustard started bolting months ago and I just let them. Figured I could collect the seeds for fall. . . Not that I don't already have plenty of mustard seeds already that I intentionally collected the year before last.

 

[Danil54grl]

I went to no till about 4 years ago on my in ground gardens and will never go back. Sold the tiller.

That was probably a smart move . The older I get the more my back feels all the heavy hauling and tilling I do. I did try the lasagna layer a few years back and weeds in those beds were far fewer, but it was hard for me to come by that much cardboard to do every bed in my garden. I went back to what I normally do since I know that it works for me. I will say, I am not sure how many more years I will be able to keep up with how I am currently gardening though. I have some back problems and my hunny doesn't do any of it because of his blown disks, back spurs, and surgeries. Change is hard for me but I also know there are other ways to do things and maybe one day I will step out of my little box world. Once I get things set, the rest of the season is not bad at all. . . It's just getting to that point.

 

[DirtDiva]

That was probably a smart move . The older I get the more my back feels all the heavy hauling and tilling I do. I did try the lasagna layer a few years back and weeds in those beds were far fewer, but it was hard for me to come by that much cardboard to do every bed in my garden. I went back to what I normally do since I know that it works for me. I will say, I am not sure how many more years I will be able to keep up with how I am currently gardening though. I have some back problems and my hunny doesn't do any of it because of his blown disks, back spurs, and surgeries. Change is hard for me but I also know there are other ways to do things and maybe one day I will step out of my little box world. Once I get things set, the rest of the season is not bad at all. . . It's just getting to that point.

Not really quite sure why they refer to them as Golden years. Such a misrepresentation

 

[Brent S]

Not really quite sure why they refer to them as Golden years. Such a misrepresentation

Amen. I’ve heard it’s because of the loss of bladder control....

 

[Brent S]

That was probably a smart move . The older I get the more my back feels all the heavy hauling and tilling I do. I did try the lasagna layer a few years back and weeds in those beds were far fewer, but it was hard for me to come by that much cardboard to do every bed in my garden. I went back to what I normally do since I know that it works for me. I will say, I am not sure how many more years I will be able to keep up with how I am currently gardening though. I have some back problems and my hunny doesn't do any of it because of his blown disks, back spurs, and surgeries. Change is hard for me but I also know there are other ways to do things and maybe one day I will step out of my little box world. Once I get things set, the rest of the season is not bad at all. . . It's just getting to that point.

I had endless energy my whole life. It’s been hard to adjust to slowing down. I still keep going but don’t get nearly as much done as I used to. There’s also a few more aches and pains now. Simple accidents like twisting my ankle seem to happen more easily too. It used to take a hard accident to injure something, now minor things have the potential. I would suggest not getting old but that’s not a great alternative!

 

[DrHenley]

I went to no till about 4 years ago on my in ground gardens and will never go back. Sold the tiller.

The vast majority of the "weeds" in my collards garden is clover. I just let it grow, LOL.

 

[DrHenley]

I would suggest not getting old but that’s not a great alternative!

As long as it doesn't involve assuming room temperature, it's a great option! Where do I sign up?

 

[DirtDiva]

The vast majority of the "weeds" in my collards garden is clover. I just let it grow, LOL.

Doc that is now actually referred to as a living mulch. Many people plant New Zealand white clover as a living mulch.

Benefits are:

1. Less Weeding: It will prevent most weeds and grasses from forming on the walls of the raised bed
2. Retains Moisture: Just like normal mulches, the clover will retain moisture in the soil by absorbing all of the sun before it hits the soil
3. Withstands Traffic: It should be able to withstand the occasional traffic involved in reaching into the garden beds
4. Nitrogen Fixer: It will fix nitrogen into the soil, which in turn benefits the plants in the raised bed
5. Improves Soil Tilth: Clover’s root system improves friability of soil almost immediately
6. Attracts Pollinators: Clover attracts bees, who will hopefully stick around and pollinate my fruiting vegetables as well as my nearby fruit trees & bushes

also a great example of the permaculture concept of stacking functions


Look Doc you are a trend setter!

 

[DrHenley]

Look Doc you are a trend setter!

LOL. Who'd of thought?

 

[Robinjopo1]

Any of you every spritz your plants with peroxide and water to ward off fungi.

I got more peroxide today and am looking for uses.

It makes sense if you properly dilute.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I have saved my own seeds for decades. All open pollinated heirlooms. All varieties I know have and will grow well in my area/climate/property. And more importantly all can/dehydrate/freeze/store well and that my family like the taste of and eat regularly. All varieties that I am familiar with and know how to grow and care for. I too freeze my seeds.

Ive never frozen my seeds. Wasn’t quite sure about it. Every year I buy more seeds and throw out the ones that are too old...according to how long that particular seed type is supposed last. Also do some germination testing in late winter. My seeds are stored in Mason jars with plastic lids in a dark cool place year round. Also only buy heirloom seeds and have weeded out the ones I do not like or didn’t do well. Need to get better at keeping my own. So far I’ve only done that for 5 different type vegetables. There are a lot of seeds, but I figure neighbors will need them in a crisis and I want years worth of seeds for our group.

What are the ins and outs of freezing seeds?

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Any of you every spritz your plants with peroxide and water to ward off fungi.

I got more peroxide today and am looking for uses.

It makes sense if you properly dilute.

Ever done that! What plants have you used it on?

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I posted this earlier but I will repost here since so many are getting chicks it may help some got lots of experience here:

With many getting baby chicks this time of year I thought I would share a few tips I have learned through the years. ( This applies to all chicks turkey, guinea, chicken etc) We owned a game bird farm for many years and just wisdom picked up along the way.

1. If you can find it try feeding your chicks game bird or turkey starter that first week or two. Higher protein and will get those birds off to a good start. If the crumble/starter is not fine enough (pieces too big) run a little through a blender.
2. Boil a couple eggs. Take half a boiled egg and take a fork and mash it up. Put it in a shallow dish such as butter bowl lid. Take a shiny dime or two and throw in there on top. The dime will attract the birds attention and encourage them to peck at the egg. The extra protein especially from the egg yolk again gets those babies off to a good start.
3. For the first week we put regular glass marbles in the bottom of the water dish. This prevents the birds from drowning in the water. Especially if there are a lot of birds they will stomp one another into the water. After about a week take the marbles out and bleach them to clean and store for next time. (This works great for tiny birds like quail)
4. Never use newspaper in the bottom of your chick cage. It gets slick and will give them spraddle leg (deformed legs from not being able to stand on slick surfaces) Our absolute favorite cage material is a white plastic mesh material that comes in rolls you can buy in the kitchen supply department made to go into the bottom of kitchen cabinets and drawers. It is a rubber mesh that is not slick for the birds and can be taken out daily hosed off, disinfected and put back into the cage. It can also be put on top of pine shavings so that they are not such a mess and go everywhere and into feeders and waterers. It can be cut to size with scissors and last many years.

Good luck with those babies!

Just saw this! Thank you for sharing your knowledge DD!