2016 Garden Thread

[ness]

Here's the bunnies. Can't tell how many are in there. At least two. They're gonna get evicted this weekend, humanely. 

[Deadstream]

Somebody is getting bunny fur flies for the winter fly swap.

[ness]

Looky here:

[MOPanfisher]

Mmmmmm I love asparagus.  Been having major cravings for fresh vegetables.

[BilletHead]

Ok some photos to share and then a quick discussion,

     Starting with the lettuce. We actually should have some double this size, really:) I actually gassed the first batch. What you ask? Yep I did. I had worked up the soil and spread some triple 13 fertilizer then covered up the bed to warm from the sun and it did quickly as I had a thermometer stuck in the soil. Ok looking good and we opened up the bed tops to be struck in the face with an ammonia smell. Let it air out and planted the  nice starts. Shut the top and let them go. Even though we had a few cool nights the soil stayed warm and they did not freeze. They turned whitish and just died! So opened it back up and the smell had came back. Sooooo I got the little toy tiller out and worked the soil and the fertilizer in and smell be gone. Replanted second bunch of starts and good to go. Now to the other starts. I will blame that on that Ness fellow. So he goes and starts some plants. Too darned early but I just have to start mine too. You know if you read on the seed package and follow directions it tells you when to do it. Yes six to eight weeks before last frost in your zone. Well some of these tomatoes are 15 inches tall. I transplanted them from the starter trays into larger pots and planted them deep in those. Right at the bottom of the pots and filled to the top with dirt. I have to add two by fours flat every couple of days as they grow that fast to keep them out of the lights. They are grow lights in four foot shop light fixtures.Darn you Ness again! Now to the peppers started at the same time. Slower to sprout some already into larger pots. Others will be soon enough. I really don't consider these plants leggy and not worried about the height and when I finally do get them outside I will plant two thirds of the tomato plant in the ground. Post hole diggers may be needed but that the heck am I going to do with them for four more weeks? Darn you Ness again! For his punishment I put in the post today a bag of horseradish roots he will have to plant. They will be there Thursday so get them planted right away

BilletHead

 

[ness]

Hah. Don't know what you're feeding them but 14-inches??  Mine are about 7-8. I let them grow up into the lights. But, I'm wondering the same thing--4 more weeks???  Put them in the cold frame for a couple hours today, and they're looking puny tonight. Gotta replant them in the next day or two. Maters are lush but tipping over. Peppers are nice and stocky. Lettuce looks like it wants to quit. Other stuff okay mostly. 

[Deadstream]

Ness, Billet....     I spend  my time between north Smithville/ Stockton/ Taney in the cool months..   Great looking warm beds Billet!    Ness is right on laying back, it almost always snows  once after Easter.    I have picked Morals and killed Turkeys with snow on the ground.

[JestersHK]

Off to a great start there BH.  On a side note, my oldest is doing her science experiment for the year.  She's growing plants using different liquids.  We are using just basic green beans and some potting soil in a starter cup inside of a red solo cup.  One of her cups we are using Sprite Zero and it is sprouting about 3 times as fast and high as the others... Who knew plants would love Sprite Zero   I am going to retry the results, but I was amazed at how well and fast they have sprouted.

[ness]

1 hour ago, JestersHK said:

Off to a great start there BH.  On a side note, my oldest is doing her science experiment for the year.  She's growing plants using different liquids.  We are using just basic green beans and some potting soil in a starter cup inside of a red solo cup.  One of her cups we are using Sprite Zero and it is sprouting about 3 times as fast and high as the others... Who knew plants would love Sprite Zero   I am going to retry the results, but I was amazed at how well and fast they have sprouted.

Weird!

9 hours ago, Deadstream said:

Ness, Billet....     I spend  my time between north Smithville/ Stockton/ Taney in the cool months..   Great looking warm beds Billet!    Ness is right on laying back, it almost always snows  once after Easter.    I have picked Morals and killed Turkeys with snow on the ground.

Yeah, I think you just stunt your maters if you get them out too early, not only take the risk of a frost or the hassle of covering stuff up. But, I'm also anxious to get stuff in the ground. It's a pickle!

I've got to get my maters transferred into bigger pots tonight.

[MOPanfisher]

I have had maters that appeared stunted before when planting them too early on a wet cool spring.  Nice looking plants they just didn't grow.  Ended up going for a cure or kill, with a full soup can of triple 13 fertilizer around each one and working it into the soil.  Within a couple weeks they had come out of it and became just like normal again.  But being lazy I don't like having to cover garden plants so I just wait.