Your Neck of the Woods Chat Summer # 2 Count Down to Fall

Coleup---

You like to play detective.....see what you can find on the "disease" called "Aster Yellow".
If you look at the link below--I just went to Pl amt ID Forum to find out why my Zinnias only have
little balls for blooms--and no petals.

Kwanjin said it was A.Y.--which is transmitted by insects--and said I should pull all the affected plants
and trash them. I would like to know more on this "disease"....before I do that...

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1276763/

I now also have a name of these beautiful, tall Zinias the seed came from. "Zowie!!!" Yellow Flame.

Thanks, Gita

Zinnia---"Zowie"=Yellow Flame

Gita, sorry to take so long to get back to you (lol).

Seems the seed you saved from yellow zowie zinnia produces apetalous or petaless flowers in about one fourth of the second generation offspring. Plants look healthy, just don't save the seeds from the apetalous ones for next year!

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/annuals/msg0811051821512.html?3

I posted this over on plant id forum also.

That will be two jars of pickles please.

Just kidding! Judy

PS I learn as much from your puzzlements as I do my own quests!

sallyg: So far he rocks. my work schedule will calm down in a month or so. Go back to insane in Nov & Dec then calm down from Jan-?. We lost 2 people that quit with no notice, 1 got fired & 2 went back to school. Thank goodness we're getting a new hire who will be able to work nights also! Nature of the beast. :) It just makes those rare days off more precious. :)

Mom was just over & went plant/seed shopping in my yard lol! So now I have a list for her :). I love knowing I'll be able to spread plants around to my family. Hopefully she remembers to water them. I'll have to put them in the ground for her she's so busy she never gets around to it.

Judy---

I would not know WHERE to look for seeds on these apetulous "blooms"...
(Glad I took Latin in HS--so I KNOW that "a" means --"without"......)

I am having quite a bit of feedback on the Plant ID Forum. All very interesting...Check it out!
The link is above---DG rocks!!!! So much education!!!!

TWO jars of pickles?????????????? I can do that--but they will NOT be cukes from my garden!
I use the long. English Cukes most of the time--they work great.
BUT--MY home grown ones are so much sweeter..........:o)) I will be bringing those to the Swap.

Hartzell, I'm going to trade one jar of pickles from Gita for an "inertia day" and split it with you! Seems 'vacations' are a vanishing species: nurse practitioners have to schedule theirs 6 mos or more in advance. ASnd no wonder home sales in a local retirement community here are lagging behind regular sales...so many fewer are able to retire and still meet their basic needs (let alone travel).

Guess "make hay while the sun shines" is still a good plan but I don't want to deliver almost 600 newspapers daily into my 70's. Since my paper route is part of my retirement plan, the question is which will out live the other!

Are you a teacher?

My Gen Sci teacher used to put out an interesting object, specimen, plant each week and if we identified it (way before the internet) we got extra credit. I remember fondly how hard it was to key out one plant... and then it bloomed. Wow, amaryllis! Good for you for getting young ones into nature.

WHOOOO, Cleup.............

Does that mean I should make TWO smaller jars of pickles so you can share????? HUH?
My cukes have, basically stopped producing. "tis time....
I planted 5-6 more--and they are slowly growing. Don't know if they will ever get to the stage of
producing Cukes??? It is late in the year...
They are only about 5" tall--and NOT growing much. Bummer....
I am/was hoping for a late crop so I can make more pickles....:o(

However--those long, skinny, saran-0wrapped English Cukes make VERY good pickles....

Gita

coleup: No not a teacher. :) I majored in photography lol. My sister *is* a special education teacher & did her student teaching @ the school. I was looking for something temporary. That was 5 years ago. I've never ever seen another place like it and I feel truly blessed to be there. Unfortunately I'm at a crossroads & will probably have to leave. I really should have quit last year, it's not something I'll be able to do until retirement. The kids just get into your heart & you don't want to leave. I'm probably going to have to make this my last year though. I need to go back to school & want to get into pediatric nursing. I'd love to stay in the field but with the way the state is cutting funding for the special needs population I'm not sure there will be a field in the future. My 16 y/o is autistic & has been listed as in critical need of services for 2.5 years. The funding for her services is just not there & we certainly can't afford them out of pocket. So she sits on the waiting list & we wait & wait. :/ It def. didn't help that we moved counties last year either. I had to get my kids out of their school district it was horrible! 4 schools were taken over *this* year under no child left behind. Including the one they are/would be attending. As awful as the county/state was doing I can't imagine it being any better with the feds running it now. Sorry if I'm getting political. I just see the damage these decisions are doing 1st hand & how it hurts these kids. Maybe it's just a PA thing but I don't think so. :(
We def. have a teaching crisis too many teachers & I hear way too many horror stories of bad teachers when we have a ton of highly qualified dedicated teachers. Very frustrating to hear how you childs teacher spends the day on in internet & FB relying on worksheets to teach. Then they wonder why the kids 1. don't enjoy their class & 2. don't understand the material. I just want to yell "here's your sign." lol.

Oh & on the "retirement front" I want to cry every month when I look @ my 401k & ira statements. And why can't I touch *my* money until I'm 70? That's just bupkiss.

Yay! I found a friend in my garden today! It's in my zinnias.

Do tell, do tell!

Two jars of pickles made for you, Judy so you can share...

*****I am out of jars! If anyone would bring me empty pickle jars, or similar--I would appreciate it.
Obviously--I do not buy pickles--and am always giving jars away. Got none left...

Mayo jars are OK--but the openings are a bit smaller than pickle jars. Also the lids do not fit real tight.

Thanks, all! Gita

You might want to check that 'can't withdraw your ira money until after 70'. I have 3 ira accounts and there is no such restriction on any of them. Of course you do have to pay tax on what you withdraw (regardless of your age). But at 70, you HAVE to start withdrawing the money (which I resent - why can't I leave MY money in MY account if I want to !!) Government interfers too much with our lives!

Oh a more pleasant note: The coleus are looking better now that the temps have eased up a bit and we have had a LITTLE rain .

Beautiful!!!

must have had a couple inches rain here today.

Saving pickle jars here Gita.! You are so sweet to share your homemade goodies. I had 6 cucumber vines and got 4 cukes! Powdery mildew got them and squash plants, too. Definitely a challenging season to grow much of any thing.

Coleuslover, You certainly have done well by your coleus despite the challenges! Very nice. I admire you all who plant your coleus in the ground. Mine all stay in containers. This year I cut way back on my usual pots and pots and pots of coleus. Are you coming to the swap at sallyg's Sat Sept 15? Some of us will be swapping cuttings there...Or maybe Wind (Diana) will be our coleus cutting swap angel again. Anyway, thank you again for sharing some of yours with me. Next Spring swap will be in New Jersey, so maybe we will get to meet. What is the name of the light green one in last pic far right? That one has done well for me, too. Usually light greens are the first to suffer in high heat.

Hartzell, I hear you on the education stuff. In an IEP meeting at my dd s school, when I made one last request of the staff/school, the chair teacher said, "Mrs...You really want everything for your child!" in a voice that implied to me that I was asking for too much. I am proud to say that I looked her in the eye and replied, "Yes, of course I do. Doesn't every parent?"

Wishing you and yours all the best this new school year. Judy.

Sally, My unofficial rain gauge says 4 inches!

Starting early this am, we had about seven rain storms and clearing between. Like all of the rain days we usually get in a summer condensed into one day of multiple mini events.

Wonder how big trees feel when all that accumulation is thoroughly rinsed away? Hope any increaed photosynthesis sees them well stocked for the winter and strong for the spring.

Will see tomorrow if I can dig some plants for the swap. Did discover a few places where I can encourage rain to stay on my property rather than run off...

I beleive 4. It absolutely POURED for a long time this afternoon. My barrels are full of course. And every other bucket I own was set under the drippy edge of the shed roof and all filled to the brim. That tells me we had a lot. I can hope we drowned a couple voles in the process.
I don't know if any at all got over to the west of us. (Frederick) It was a big glob moving south to north allong the bay and eastern shore. and up.

Just beautiful coleus and they look so good.
My IRA you can start withdrawing $$ at age 59 1/2 no penalties but you do pay taxes on what you withdraw.

Gorgeous pics, CL! Yes, the spring do, coleup mentioned is at my house down in Salem County. Not too far from you. I am about 2 miles from the Delaware Memorial bridge. Keep the Saturday after Mother's Day open. Woot, woot!!!

Jan, Really looking forward to seeing you again and such fun to visit your gardens.

I have an herb garden question!

Where do you all plant your rosemary and culinary thyme? Do you think they'd rot if I plant them in a raised garden bed with soil that's not gritty?

I want to take all of my herbs and put them in a 4x4 raised bed. Do I need a separate bed for the herbs that like it dry?

I have all the herbs in containers now, but it's quite a hassle to keep them happy there. I think they'd rather have their roots sprawl around a garden bed.

SSG - When you build your 4x4 raised bed add in a bag of multi-purpose construction sand (not play sand) from the concrete mix aisle of your local home improvement center. Between the added sand and the raised elevation you should not have a problem with rotting. Just be sure to dig the sand in deep.

Greenthumb99, should I make 2 separate beds? One for basil/cilantro/parsley/sage, and one for rosemary/thyme/lavender? Or can these 2 groups of herbs live together in 1 bed?

SSG-You might consider two beds on the grounds that sage, thyme. lavender and even rosemary will grow into sizable plants/clumps in time, thus 4x4 will eventually be too small. If drainage is good both groups can thrive in the same raised bed. Some other perennial herbs you might consider if you opt for more space are chives, fennel, oregano and winter savory. Space your perennial herbs widely and inter-plant with your annual/biennial herbs such as cilantro, basil and parsley. In time these annual herbs may need to live elsewhere, like with your flowers. If interested, I have an extra pot of Greek Oregano I can bring to the swap.

Greenthumb, thank you for the great advice! I think I will make 2 separate beds after all and widely space the perennial herbs.

Raised beds, yea! Solve a lot of probs that way.

Any of you grow garlic? One of the growers at our local Farmers Market has about 20 different varieties he offers. Planted two last fall and have really enjoyed them .

Which Farmers Market please?

I read a list of recommendded varities of all veggies once and remember that they said a Rocambole type for this area.

I planted grocery store garlic last fall and it grew very well.

Riva Road Saturdays Facing Riva road on left hand side middle half...tall balding man knows his stuff.

Can share some with you if you want both hard and soft neck, Some bulbs smaller than usual due to 'weather'

My Dad always said that eating plenty of garlic, onions and potatoes would keep you healthy.

Sally, try some of the Rocambole or hard-neck garlic. I've grown a number varities in years past and they were all superior (in my estimation) to the soft-neck garlic from the grocery store. They come with such a diversity of qualities! Check out http://www.territorialseed.com/category/26?gclid=CNqlu9CyibICFQjc4AodVXwA5A . If you click on each entry you will get a full description of each cultivar's attributes.

Pretty sure there is now some science behind the health of onions and garlic. When a fitness counselor saw my body fat % and told me I better gain weight, she kept saying Potatos!

12.95 for 8 ounces mail order, plus shipping. They sound delicious. But a trip to see the Farmer sounds fun too.

Sally - It was not my intention to suggest you order from Territorial, it was just to direct you to descriptions of many of the cultivars and their attributes so you could make an informed selection where ever you might acquire bulbs from.

Oh I do appreciate the descriptions. And if not for Judy's tip I might have considered it. After all, would never have to buy it again. But now I can tell the Farmer, well, not the really hot one , etc.

Scuse me while I go sample the gingerbread I just got out of the oven.

YUMMEE - garlic, onion, AND potatoes with a bit of olive oil.......
coleup - I was actually going to do the garlic thing this year and was looking at various vendors (I'm slowly learning about all the diff types of garlic - sheesh, who knew?). I had found this vendor https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/search-results.php?keyword=garlic×tamp=1344571746 when I was looking for anyone selling Mailette lavender but hadn't placed an order yet. If you'll have some extra to share I'd love to try it. Just let me know prices and I'll bring $ with me or mail to you ahead of time. The spicy kind sounds wonderful!!

Speaking of Mailette lavender, if anyone (doesn't have to be this season - I can wait for spring) knows of a local vendor for this type of lavender I would be most grateful!!

SS the largest sized grit (normally Turkey grit) is great to mix up with the soil as well I've had a lot of luck using it! Your local feed store should carry it.

"YUMMEE - garlic, onion, AND potatoes with a bit of olive oil..."

We didn't use olive oil as a kid growing up but my Dad sure would approve!

Have loved Nichols Herb Farm for many decades now. They were one of my first ventures into gardening inspirations as I wanted to be an Herb Farmer. Too bad I didn't live in the Willamette Valley or have any land! I like the Assorted Garlic package they offer if anyone is ordering from them this Fall (garlic planting time..)

Each garlic bulb has from 6 to 20+ cloves so 2-3 cloves of each variety would give me one bulb to taste/garden test and one bulb to replant and share! Will bring some to the swap for sure.

The guy at the Farmers Market had 'elephant', chinese pink, (can't remember the other names Grrr) Bulbs are priced at $1 and $.75 depending on size and variety. Want to meet up there this Sat or next, Sally?

I'd love to attend one of the Garlic Festivals around the country. I know they have some in PA and Chantell, here is a link to one in your neck of the woods. Its a wine and garlic festival!!

http://www.rebecwinery.com/page10.html

Adding a link for garlic growing in Zone 7
http://www.growingformarket.com/articles/how-and-when-to-plant-garlic

This message was edited Aug 29, 2012 10:06 AM

Sure wish hubby liked garlic. I do get it into things now and then though.

coleup: I found a praying mantis :/ No idea why my pic didn't post. I'll try it again later it's on my phone.

RE: my IRA I'll have to call my financial guy because my paperwork is of course buried somewhere under the kids paperwork for school, doctors, ISP's, IEPs etc etc.

UGH no time to breathe this week with the wedding on Sat jamming my 65 hour week into 5 days instead of 7. I'm so glad I took Sun off because I am going to collapse! Plus I need to soak these fake nails off I cannot do anything. Just had them done 3 hours ago & am so frustrated.

Good info, as always, Coleup. Would mind picking me up 1 of each (the elephant and the pink) and if they happen to carry the Korean Red or something similar I'd really like 1 or 2! Thanks so much!!

Anyone familiar with a local vendor that carries the really large black nursery pots - looking for 15 to 20 gal pots? I can find them online but the shipping is a killer - ugh!!

Chantell, from now thru Oct I take a drive through neighborhoods of likely DIY big tree/ shrub installers to grab any big pots put out for recycling/trash. Have also been known to ask for any pots that professional landscapers may be installing that I see.

Judging from the numbers of dead and dying trees and shrubs this year, there should be good pickings now or Spring. If I score any, I'll bring to sallyg's swap.

I've also split a bale of promix potting soil in half and used them as "temporary" pots. If you turn them inside out, no white lettering will show and they can be 'rounded' or left rectangular. Just remember to stab some drainage holes if you want drainage instead of a water feature! And plant in place as they are hard to move --say adjacent to the planting hole you will (eventually) dig and amend.

Not exacctly on the same note, but Part 2 Hypertufa by Jill is the article of the day.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3884/

Thank you, Coleup - that is greatly appreciated!! I'll have to google the promix bale you speak of as I'm not familiar with that.

coleup "I've also split a bale of promix potting soil in half and used them as "temporary" pots.""
Now isn't that smart!

Considering the Farmer's Market, --what time would you be going by? Are you going for sure?

Coleup, if you do end up going I would love a bulb or two of each. Ill settle for a clove or two though.

Planting garlic is suppose to be great to deter the rabbits from your garden, if I remember correctly.