Let's start the new year's general discussions here, but feel free to start any specific threads you like.
Kent
This message was edited Jan 1, 2008 9:46 AM
Strawbale Gardening 2008 - (Part 19) - General Discussion
Russ, your snowman was good, not sure i ducked in time, was so enjoying the snow crunching footsteps.
Donna
Hi Donna, how are your plants doing in the greenhouse? So far my tomatoes that I want to try for hydroponics haven't come up. The cukes were up in just a couple of days. I don't know why the tomatoes are taking so long. I guess I will give them a couple more days and then replant. Maybe the heating mat was too hot and cooked them. But, you would think the same would have happened to the cukes. Oh well, we'll see.
I see it is pretty cold in your area today. Down around 5 degrees? We are at 18 this morning, don't know what it was overnight. I have my remote thermometer in the plant room.
Glad you started a new thread Kent. "Countdown to Christmas" was rather depressing. LOL
Jeanette
Jeanette; I haven't started the new seeds yet but the others I had did finally germinate. but without heat under the tray they are so spindly, there is no way they would make it.
So as soon as I get a heater for the big aquarium I will be trying to use that for the maters.
I think our heater is working on over time now just keeping up.
The outside temp has gone from the minus figures this morning to 8 above and that is not C. Tonight it is probably going to drop below again to about -10 F with about 20 mph wind. Toward this week end though it may get up around 40 F so that will make it a little better for working outside again.
Spoke to the retired farmer again today, just to make sure I could have more straw bales. He said there is some up there but he hasn't been up in the hay loft for about 15 - 20 years. Well I know about how much is up there and this time I plan to get extra and keep it covered,
just in case . I don't expect him to kick the bucket yet, but you never know. You can't beat free so I think some extra might be a good idea.
Of course I shared some garden stuff with him also. That always helps.
Yesterday I was given a dozen packets of garden seed. I guess some people want to thank me for sharing some of the garden produce with them. That makes it fun.
Russ
Well Russ, I think I made the mistake of using a heat mat in the kitchen. They don't need both. The heat from the house and the mat. Anyway, if they don't come up soon I will try some more.
We haven't gotten below 0 yet this year, but only gotten above freezing one or two days in the last couple of months. You would think with all this snow it would warm up.
That's right. You had better get that straw asap. You never know. Here that straw would be ruined by the wild turkeys roosting in there. One guy who used to raise 2 beef for the freezer each year finally gave up 'cause the turkeys ruined his hay every year. They imported turkeys about 5 years ago and now they have overrun the county.
They say to always grow an extra row.
Jeanette
Yes it is cold here, I only make a hurried trip to the chicken house to be sure they have clean water and feed. I give them lettuce leaf treats, since they can't go outside now, too much snow.
I haven't planted any seeds yet, but hope to this week. Want to try a few early tomatoes again this year. My 120 volt heater seems to be keeping the gh warm enough.
Not as cold here as is at your place Russ. 8 degrees above is the coldest it has been. Have to watch my little dog when I let her out in that cold. She wants to be out but her feet get too cold and she stops wherever she is and holds up one foot and then the other and waits for me to come and get her. I bought some little boots for her but she hates them so I don't try any more to put them on.
Donna
Donna, it is so weird. my clocks all say 10:22 p.m. and your message says 11:02 p.m. Wonder what is going on.
Do your chickens go outside during this cold weather Donna? Do you have snow over there? /we have about 18". Do you have a small covered area for them outside? I took a plant tray and put some potting soil in it a while back and then sprinkled some sunflower seeds and peanuts in it. The squirrels and birds love it. The squirrels bury those peanuts in that inch and a half of soil mix. funny. Guess I should put some sand in it for the birds. I see them down getting gravel from the road after the road crews have been by.
We sure are snowed in here. It's going to be a long time before we get out of this one. The icicles hanging from the eaves are almost to the ground. And the Spokane TV channel says 40 degrees Friday. Would you believe it?
Jeanette
I'm pretty sure it won't be close to 40 degrees here. We have been about the coldest area in the state all of Dec. This morning at 21 is warmest morning in a month. No I don't have a covered area outside for the chickens, This year is probably the third years since I have lived here that was/is snow on the ground for any lenghth of time. So usually I can let the chickens out at least to their outside pen.
Donna
Donna How big a heater do you have? I am planning to try doing some gardening with a GH. I know it would make a difference according to the size of the GH. Just curious.
Jeanett did you get the one with the snow men? pretty sure I sent it ( calvins snow men; It made me laugh, Barb couldn't help it either.
Russ( More later ) going down town now.
Donna, ours was still 16 this morning at 8:00.
Russ, I think you sent it to me on email and that is where I answered you. Maybe with all your company you missed my response? Yes, I got it. Very cute.
Jeantte
Sorry I thought your response was for the snowman throwing the snow ball. Both rather funny.
Oh well I'm going through my seed catalog order, checking it twice. May have to scratch some of the order. It is up to $70.00 already.
I still have the sweet potato order to turn as well. If I have to scratch any thing though, it will be something that don't produce food. Like maybe one or two of an ornamental tree or two, that I have been wanting but just never bought yet.
I'm not too sure but don't the tomato seeds need about 70 degrees F to germinate. Last year I just used a rope light I run it back and forth accross the shelf with the flats on top of the lights. and just kept the potting soil moist. I really don't know what that temp was but it worked for me. that was in the kitchen. I know my thermometer was not accurate, as I just used the one for the refrigerator setting in one of the flats that I left a hole open for it. For the most part I think it was registering 68 F. I will look that up again, to be sure.
I amost have the aquarium ready for the tomatoes. just haven't found the heater. I know about where it is. but I'm kind of waiting for the temp to come up a little to go out and find it.
I know it is going to be interesting to see how it works. Have to figure out the light stand yet.
Russ
Russ, I hope you are going to take pictures so I can see what you are doing. Don't you think just being in the house would be warm enough to germinate? I do have a light on them too. I have got to repot those cukes tho.
What were the ornamental trees you are deleting Russ? Who do you buy from? I have found that the shipping is so bad this year that I am scaling back on online buying. They charged me $13 for 6 pair of socks. Shipping. My daughter wanted to buy me a rose out of Texas. The rose was $11.95 but the shipping was $18. I told her not to get it. BUT, David Austin charges $19.95 for the rose and $8.95 for shipping. Same rose. So, I guess it just depends on who has the best plant.
Jeanette
www.farmerseed.com . I have their catalog but loaned it to Gary & Tami @ The Barn.
Shipping & Processing
Order Total ... Add:
up to $15.00 ... $5.95
$15.01 to $30.00 ... $6.95
$30.01 to $45.00 ... $7.95
$45.01 to $60.00 ... $8.95
Over $60.00 ... $9.95
The ornamental trees are a, ginko, Dawn Redwood, Red Maple, and Chinese Chestnut.
I have some peppers, kohlrabi, Self blanching Cauliflower. I can't remember all right now. As you know I have all the tomato seeds I need but they have a package of a bunch of seeds that had a little of every thing. for $5. something so I tacked that on as well.
They are in Faribault MN
Then the sweet potato order will be from Steele Plant Company out of Gleason TN. I am waiting untill the 9th. to order the tader slips. May Feb. to order the rest. I could split that order. Need to check the other bills first. Heh Heh don't want to run out of money before they are all paid.
They have some roses too, don't know what you were looking for. But I thought they were the most reasonable of the catalogs I've seen.
Their price for the Arctic Flame is $5.95. but that is something you would have to check to see if they had what you wanted.
Russ
Boy Russ, you sure can't beat their prices. Including the shipping. I requested their catalog. Thanks.
You obviously have gotten their plants before. There are a lot of companies that can send seeds, but not everybody can send plants. How are they on those?
Jeanette
One company I have learned not to order plants or trees from, only seeds, is Jungs.
Russ, my gh is 10 x 14 feet, on north-east side of garage. Neither my house or garage are situated straight with N-S directions. the Electric heater is new, replacing a very old 220 volt heater that died. The new one is from Charley's in Seattle area, 1,500 watt (5,120 Btu's) . It is compact size 13" x 10" 4", weighs 10 lb. Made in USA.
Several years ago, when I lived at my other place I tried growing sweet pototoes, as I remember I did not have good luck, so you in your colder zone must have a good technique for growing them.
I have not started making a list of seeds to order this year, but that is one thing I am trying to cut back on. I only have more than 20!!!!!!!!!!!!catalogs already, just seeds not counting plants etc.
Donna
Just did my seed order - from Harris Seeds in Rochester NY - Kept it small for once - It was a good way to pass the time today since it is -9 in the sun at noon today :((( The snow is over 60" deep on my lawn!!
I think I will go down to Kent's area. Perry
You got it Perry; Kent's area sounds like the place to be.
Love to joke with him. I could probably rib him pretty good if we were neighbors LOL.
I have a sister in law just down the way a piece from him in Sanford. Maybe DW and I should go down and help her in the winter, and go up to his place and tie tomatoes to his greens Ha Ha Ha.
"Right Kent"
I have a Have a catalog from Harris too, Their prices kind of made me back off.
Jeanette; This will be my first time ordering from Farmers. But Faribault isn't far from here. so if they aren't up to expectations, I could take a trip and do some talking face to face. LOL
Donna ; does this weather make the heater run continuous?? I won't be trying to heat it all year but was just wanting to get a cost projection.
I have an older propane heater from an old mobile home, I had thought about using but the price of propane might rule that out. I'm really only thinking of heating it 3-4 months per year. What I have right now is
12' x 20' but I could block part of it off. Some of the newer electric heaters seem to do a better job than the older ones that just heat up a coil or such. Guess I will look around some.
Russ
You know, a while back I was watching something on TV where they put something like a cold frame inside their greenhouse and said that made a difference in the temperature inside the cold frame where they were going to start their seeds. It was like something inside something that was kind of like insulation. Does that make sense? Unfortunately I didn't hear all that was said 'cause I just caught the tale end of it.
I haven't even really thought too much about seeds yet. Got a lot of catalogs including Harris and Jung. I did get good dahlia tubers from Jung and their seeds germinated better than Parks. The germination rate that is. How can you have 102%? LOL
Also, you might take a gander at Valueseeds.com. If you can find some of what you want in there their seeds are cheaper. Probably 2007 seeds, but I bought them for the first time last year and didn't have any problem with them.
I will take a look at value seeds. If for no other reason than just to look. Kind of like shopping without buying anything. LOL
He HE I'm waiting for Kent's remark ((*v*))
Let you know if I find something I just can't live without.
The cold frame in a greenhouse sounds plausible. Then a small heat pad or light bulb might furnish all the heat needed, untill it got warm enough to go out into the GH on a table or bench. Looks good on paper huh.
Well we are almost up to freezing. The wind blew all night, certainly let us find which windows needed to be caulked again!
Russ: you have folks down in Sanford, NC? If you ever visit them, you've got to run up to my neck of the woods for a visit!
We'll grill out and chew the fat - the "old" bull and the "very young" bull! :-)
Kent
Kent; Sounds like a plan to me. Maybe we can get you hooked on rhubarb crisp.
Wow just looked at the temp. 33F must be entering a January thaw. Tomorrow it could get up to 40, Maybe we can get rid of some of this ice.
This message was edited Jan 4, 2008 1:54 PM
Don't hold your breath Russ. It will freeze tonight and be another mess in the morning. My sister in California called a while ago and said they are having one vicious storm there.
Rhubarb Crisp is wonderful. Have you tried Rhubarb Cake Russ? It is great with whipped cream or ice cream.
Jeanette
Russ: if I've ever had a rhubarb, I don't remember it. Wasn't something anyone in my family ever cooked. But, I'll bet it is good if you like it.
Kent
Yes it kinda sounds like the entire west coast is getting hammered. I am curious about our oldest granddaughter and husband, by Goldbar. I'm sure they have plenty wood carried in. It is just that last time that river flooded it took a couple houses. it only came up into their yard, but they said it came up over a neighbors house.
When a storm is that big, it's bound to make it over the mountains and all across the country. But we will have a little break over this week end. Nearly 8.30 and it has only dropped to 29. It did soften some of the ice. so we could loose a lot of it. before it freezes again.
I checked Value seed, I think I will get a few seed packets. from there.
I took a rhubarb cake to a pot luck, there were only a few people there but it was half gone before we went home.
I like to use Splenda instead of sugar, even though I, like it better with sugar. I do that for DW and some of our other friends.
Kent: When we get down that way I will be sure to make a couple pans of rhubarb crisp. I'm fairly sure I wouldn't be able to make it all the way. without cutting into one of them.
Jeanette is right ( great with whipped cream; better, with ice cream) :>)
Russ, I don't think the storm will bother your granddaughter much. Gold bar is inland isn't it?
From what I saw on the news it is more to the south in Northern California, Oregon, and southern Washington coasts. I talked to my daughter in Federal Way and she said they weren't getting any of it.
If Value Seeds has anything you can use you sure can't beat the price.
Jeanette
My last chance to add my very own snow photos! Taken in Germany a few weeks ago. Home again, and its a sweltering 40c today here in NZ... about 102F it says on my thermometer. Or is it called a barometer. Sunddenly unsure.
Lena
Walking up the Köppel hill, with my Dad and his brothers family. This my Dad and I with 4 year old Robin. The three of us got to the top waay ahead of the others.
Good to hear from you Lena. You humor us with snow pictures, LOL
You know we are waiting for pictures of your garden. Just teasing!
Winter is draging on around here but Monday we had a rainy start for the day, which helped to get rid of more snow and ice. But lo it changed to freezing rain,. Then started snowing. Each little warme up though gets a few degrees warmer. It is possible for it to snow in April yet. I don't expect that this year though. I hope to have some of the garden planted in March, things like Onions, Peas, Carrots, Chard and Cabbages. things like beans and tomatoes will have to wait. a while longer. I may put some of those in that last of April even that is iffy if I don't use row covers. We could expect a frost even the middle of May.
Russ
I posted some pictures of my garden in a new thread. I couldnt decide where to put them, the converstions are happening all over the place at the moment. Im glad to hear your temperatures are on the rise a little. Wont be long now, and you can start planting too. And ill be starting my winter crops.
Lena
No planting outside yet here, still snow covering most of garden areas. I did plant tomato seeds last week, and earlier a few tom. for very early. They have been transplanted to 4" pots, only 6 of 3 varieties. The main crop of tom. haven't germinated yet.
Yesterday i started planting flower seeds in one of my strip-groove trays. Will finish this morning and place tray over heat mat.
My old straw-alfalfa bales are covered with snow yet, and so are my carrots, so haven't tried to dig any of them up yet.
The snow is melting slowly as is best. So spring is nearing.
Donna
Donna; Good to hear from you! Jeanette said she had heard from you so I didn't worry about sending flowers or any thing. Just nice to hear from everybody once in a while. That goes for our garden Buddie from Wake Forest too. LOL
It is still a ways away but we will soon be getting dirt under our nails, and pampering all those little green friends. Tempting them to grow big.
We just had some more snow and ice, to cover the drive way, and of course the garden. Only a couple days to March and heading for the first calendar day of spring. Yes I'm counting that as a day of spring.
Not that I'm really bored with winter. I do have some indoor little green pets, that I am trying to prod along with artificial light and hand watering. But I feel that would welcome spring with uplifted leaves as well. LOL
Just saying Hi.
G G D says Hi too! LOL
Russ & Barb
Lena: good pics; I know you had a great time.
Russ: Good photo, too.
I'm way, way behind in my posts, except for some hits and misses here and there. It has been hectic the last several months. My FIL was in the hospital for several weeks starting this past Nov and passed 12/13. With him being 150 miles away, my job, daughter's school, regular home chores, church duties, etc, etc, I have been pulled in every direction. Then, you're too tired to mess on the computer.
Things are getting more settled.
One thing that's looking up is I'm scheduled to get my bales Friday morning. Got a buddy who's going to let me use his dump truck and trailer to get 60-80 bales. I was starting to get antsy. I didn't want to wait until the last minute like last year.
Now, I've got to decide what I'm going to do about the deer problem we have in our community. With all the development, the deer are driven out of their historical wooded areas and into my yard. Plus, no one hunts like they used to, so the population has no where to go but UP!
Kent
Good picture Russ, but it was taken last summer wasn't it? That's ok. No snow.
Also of your trip Lena. You had to go to Germany to see snow!! Now you will be home in the heat. Crazy world huh? Do you have a lot of tomatoes on your plants now? Or did your helper pick them all? Bet they are wonderful.
Jeanette
Sorry about your F I L Kent. I fully understand the drain on the system, and and barely time to get anything else in, begins to feel like 28 hour days 10 days a week. Good to hear you are getting your bales.
The weather and deep snow drifts has prevented me from getting mine. And now DW came down with the type A flu the shot didn't cover. She was finally able to get some restfull sleep today and the fever broke. I am trying hard to not get it , I think I'm fighting a losing battle. I might be confined to the house for the next couple days, unless I can kick it tonight.
Well take care and rest up. Sounds like you have some bales to set up this week end.
The deer and rabbit repellant seemed to work pretty good for me. All I had though was the rabbits. They were really going after my sweet potatoes untill I sprayed them. Must taste nasty .
Russ
Right again Jeanette. I'm tired of the winter picture. Summer is much better.
Russ
Russ, hope you don't get too sick, glad your DW is better. Nice to see your photo.
Sure will be nice to see spring arrive.
Donna
Well Donna, It does have a stronger grip on me this morning. Barbara has an appoint for a follow up, tomorrow, so I will try to get in at the same time. So I need to keep fighting to keep this as a minor flu. At this point I would have to be the driver. Today and tonight could make a difference. Luckley we both know a route that has very minimal traffic. Just in case neither of should drive. You know, reaction time could be slower. Whatever we will be very careful, don't need to worsen the situation.
It is kind of nice to know, who you are confering with. Like right now I kind of think of you as a sister and friend with some good advice. I lost my sister, in 97 . I would say we were close and would tease one another, and still laugh together. Don't worryJeanette you are right there too, along with everyone else I talk with.
Well take care keep up on the vitamins, be ready for spring gardening.
Russ
Russ, good luck with your trip to Dr. and hope you are both going to get better very fast.
A brother like you would be wonderful. My dear brother had serious illnesses and died at the young age of 53 in 1983, I miss him still.
Donna
Is Barb on her way to recovery Russ? How long is this type of flu? I mean, some are a day or 2, but it sounds like what you all have is longer. She has had it for at least a week hasn't she? Liquids are very important. Lots of them.
Take care, Jeanette
Got my wheat straw bales today! That's one major thing I don't have to worry about now. $2.75/bale. Good price. Baled nice and tight. A buddy with a trailer helped me go get them. I don't care for the plastic strings, but that's a small concession. I only need one bag of ammonium nitrate. Still have some left over from last year.
I need to do some maintenance on my tomato trellis, take off the old tomato vines and stretch ties, and decide if I'm going to plant some more red potatoes in the old straw from last year. I'm 75% sure I will since I got such a good tater crop last year on just 5 lbs of seed taters.
Kent
This message was edited Feb 29, 2008 4:25 PM