General Discussions - Chapter 22

Here are 2 of my tomatoes
RED

Here are 2 peppers
RED

Here are 2 squash both planted the same time
RED

And here is a bragging picture. My sweet cherry tree last week. 8 yrs old and first crop I have managed to keep the birds out of
RED

Ok Kent, I give up. Is that a rabbit in the first picture? I have been to the eye doctor and do need new glasses, but you didn't say anything about a rabbit. It sure looks like one to me.

Other than that, the plants do look good. Throw a net over that cherry tree if you want any.

Jeanette

Jeanette: I don't see any rabbits! :-)

RED: Am I reading you correctly, you only use 3/4 of a gallon of Miracle Gro solution on 16 plants?

I would use at least 1/2 gallon per bale for at least 3 days in a row and see how things perk up. It only takes 1 tbl spoon of Miracle Gro per gallon. Mix it in a large wash tub and dip out of it or get one of those Water and Feed sprayers.

Kent, I think you need glasses. I wish I knew how to do the little spot light I would show it to you. LOL

Jeanette

Kent, I think you need glasses. I wish I knew how to do the little spot light I would show it to you. LOL

Kent is right Red. I use about a gallon on 3 plants at the most. More like a half a gallon per plant.

Jeanette

Jeanette, where is the rabbit? Im lost. Or maybe the rabbit is.

Nice cherrys RED! Seeing your lovely tree reminds me of my grandfathers garden in Germany. Its not cold enough for cherries here where I live.

Lena

Imred, did you take those pic's with your phone? i have a picture phone, don't know how to take pic's much less how to post ,but point me in the direction of someone to tell me how .i'm almost excited now. sally

OK guys I will increase the Miracle grow. Jeanette, I think you are hallucinating. There are no rabbits in the pix. As for the cherries, this year I borrowed a mechanical device which plays a recording of various birds in distress intermingled with a sharp shinned hawk call from a friend with a vineyard and for the first year in 5 yrs of production I had an abundance of cheries. In fact, off 4 semi dwarf trees we picked about about 20 gal. and have had 8 neighbors come over and pick sev. more gal. I have a little orchard of about 120 trees(apples, pears plums, pluots, apriums, nectarines, peaches, apricots, Quince, sweet and sour cherries, English walnuts, Chinese chestnut, Filberts,etc.) I also have blackberries, red, black & purple raspberries, gooseberries, red & black currants, a few strawberries, rhubarb(a little too hot and dry here for it) and probably some other things I can't think of (CRS) I also have a raised bed of the best onions I have ever grown.
Yes I took the pix with a cel phone. I know how to do that. Then I sent the pix to my computer(sometimes I can do that) and then I had someone show me how to attach. I don't have that down yet.
Thanks
RED

What does it mean when mushrooms start growing on top of the hay bales. Do you think that I am watering them to much? All my plants look green and are growing really well.

Fay: The mushrooms are a GOOD sign- means your bales are composting properly. I love my little musnrooms.

I had the neatest thing happen in the garden this morning when I went out to water and fertilize, one of the pea vines just wouldn't take to the stake on the teepee. While I was trying to find a gentle way to guide it, I looked down and right next to the plant was a little snakeskin that my dear little garter snake had shed and left there for me! I wrapped it around the vine, just enough to encourage it to stay at the stake. What a thoughtful little snake! (It's especially neat because my greatest fear growing up was of snakes!)

I just love the little snakes and garden spiders. (But, as much as I love bunnies, they'd better stay out of the garden!!)

Have a beautiful day in your gardens!!

Namaste- Suz

thanks, Imred. i'll look into that more. sally

Russ, are you guys ok? That is about all they are showing on CNN, the flooding in your area. Sure do hope you are ok. Let us know.

The head of the Corp of Engineers was on talking to one of the talking heads and he essentially said their money had been cut so they didn't have any way to dredge the river bottoms. Very poor management.

Guess your area is so flat that the water just goes and goes everywhere. Is that right?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Jeanette

Jeanette;
We are alright. There is some flooding within a few miles of our little berg.
The real flooding is in the Eastern half of the state. We are approximately 17 to 20 miles from the Western border of Iowa.
We have many friends from Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines and across the Mississippi as well. At present all are accounted for but one family. That may be due to the fact that many areas of Cedar Rapids still don't have power. In some cases no phone. The friends I am thinking of live about 4 blocks East of the main highway through town, US 380. Many parts of that highway were under water. This highway is elevated all the way through town, with many other streets crossing under it.
Cedar Rapids is roughly 230 miles east of us .
It is unsettling to know some of your friends may or may not have to evacuate their home.
The tornado that hit the Boy Scout Camp at Blencoe / Little Sioux area, was from the same thunder storm that dumped all the heavy rain in the Eastern half of the state and Wisconsin and Illinois.
The Scout Camp was South of here by about 45 miles.

This particular thunder storm by it's self probably would not have caused flooding to that extent but the Eastern half of Iowa already had rivers running at bank full when we went to the RU that was held in Cedar Rapids, May 2nd 3rd and 4th. The rains just did not let the ground dry out, so every drop of rain had to run off as the ground was already saturated. The eastern half of Iowa's rivers dump directly into the Mississippi. All the rest do as well but by way of the Missouri, which runs down along the western side of Iowa from Sioux City on south. Then latter turning East and running diagonally across Missouri and dumping into the Mississippi.
My heart goes out to all those living by or near any of these rivers. I don't believe there is any stopping this high of water level, this year!
It is just going to run its course untill it all has drained all the water back to within the river banks. Big problem, as none of the levies were built to retain this level of water, that is at least 10 feet above any prior floods. probably since the great flood in the Bible.
Russ & Barb

Jeanette; I've been trying to create a hyperlink for you, but I can't seem to master that trick.
However if you google in / Downtown Flooding Cedar Rapids Jun 12/
I think you can see the flood at or just before its highest level. It is on you tube
Russ

Russ:

So glad to hear that you and your family are faring OK in this insane weather. I surely hope that the worst is over for you folks in the midwest. You're in my prayers.

Suzan

Suzan; I thank you on behalf of all those who have a direct loss due to the flooding. The magnitude of this flood will undoubtedly affect everyone, in one way or another. It will not have an immediate effect on everybody. You can bet however that investors will be paying higher corn and soy bean futures. and that will mean increased cost to everybody on down the line. That would be just be one increase seen.
This flooding will continue on down river. Many of the levies on the Mississippi will not handle it either.

I think our weather for this immediate area has straightened out somewhat. I am grateful that I have been able to put in a big garden, even if I am getting behind in weeding and putting mulch between the rows.
Unless we really have nasty weather continuing all summer, I should have a great supply of veggies all this coming winter. I don't have everything planted yet but the spaces available are dwindling, so I guess that means I'm getting closer. Thanks again for your prayers, I know there families that did not have flood insurance as areas were flooded that no one ever expected flood waters to ever get that high. Not even insurance agencies.
Russ & Barb

I am trying all heirloom tomatoes this year. I have Red Calabash, Livingston Golden Queen, Giant Oxheart, Baby Beefsteak, Olena Ukranian, Ponderosa Pink, Martian Giant, Persimmon, Howard German, Red & Pink Brandywines, and a local (very ugly but tasty) old "German Tomato". Also have a few Lemon Boys & Goliaths. Has anyone had any experience with any of these varities?
RED

Red; Sorry none of those. I did have all heirlooms last year and they did very well. I just didn't have tall enough structure to keep tying them up. I had Mule Team, Boxcar Willie, big beef, Giant Beef, Arkansas Traveler, Cherokee Purple, Sweet Caroline, Dr. Wyche's Yellow and Giant Italian Tree tomato. I also had San Marzanos in my bale garden, which kept bearing profusely.
I saved seed fromas many of the heirlooms as we used them. I kept them all seperate but then one flat that I started they were mixed up.

So this year I will have at least one row that all I know is they are heirlooms LOL.
I just thought of something, I don't remember putting a marker for the tomatoes in the straw bales. With my memory problem, I don't think I should try to say which they are. I think I should start with fresh seed next year or I will have to call them whatchamacallit's.
Any way they were all very good, I just needed to have a higher fence to tie them to.
Russ

i have a lemon boy. it hasn't ripened yet, but will let you know how i like it. hope it has lots of acid. it's killing its self growing . sally

It will be a while before any of ours will ripen. I can see a few marble sized hanging in there, but they have a lot of growing to do. Probably some may ripen around the middle of next month.
Sorry I know nothing about the Lemon boy. The Dr. Wyche's yellow, tasted good. It was mild though. but not tasteless. They were great with salads as well as a tomato sandwich. I did enjoy them but was glad I had all the others, to really satisfy my taste buds!!!!
Russ

Russ and all the rest who have and are suffering from all the flooding I do send prayers and sympathy to all of you. And as you said I am sure we will all reap the results in higher prices again on everything. We have been very lucky in this area so flooding, the river was high but no actual over the banks flooding. Here at my house in the higher hills I am 1450 feet above the river so don't have to worry about flooding. I do have a hard time keeping the garden moist enough for good growth.

My tomatoes are looking good. Have a couple of heirlooms that are about 3" in diameter and hope for ripe ones in early July. My Sungold that is planted in a large pot at east end of garage has had one ripe cherry, sure was good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donna

I can almost taste them, Donna. I will have to wait for a while on mine yet.
I took some pictures, but this dog gone program has hid them from me. I can find them when not on DG. so it is the same as no pics.
It would take a really good pump to get the water from the river up to your garden. If I were desperate I would try to find a way. Probably put a small horse tank in the back of my pickup, and haul it if nothing else. LOL
Sure am glad I have the ground to grow most of the veggies we will eat this next winter.
Our nearest stream is about 3/4 mile away. Just guessing I would say our house is probably 20 to 30 feet higher than the creek bed.
I think if flood waters came up to our house Sioux City would probably be in Louisiana, LOL Or at least be scattered along the river banks somewhere.
Have a good day, an take care of those maters
Russ

Sounds like everybody is doing good. LOL, Russ do you know those seeds you sent me are the ones they are labeled for? If I tell you what they are like they might be the wrong ones? Oh well, whatever is ripe.

Jeanette

Jeanette; Gee if they are wrong, please don't tell me. LOL
Are you talking about the tomatoes or the melons???
Oh well what did I mix up now?? Your going to have me believing I'm not getting any thing right.
Awww shucks go ahead tell me!!
Russ

The tomatoes. I lost the melons. I think it is too late to plant any more. Nope, I think I can tell the tomatoes. I Think. LOL

Well let me know how they turn out. I was sure I had marked them right.
I know that this year I won't be able to tell as I over planted and I mixed them up good. Next year I will put in a request for more tomatoes, or I will order seeds direct.
I did keep the drying seeds seperate. and put a lable with them. So unless those honey bees had something to do with it. We'll see OK???

I've never dried tomato seeds before, but I might try it this year and send you some back. LOL, that Dry Wyche and Box Car Willie are some strong growing plants.

They don't seem to know when you can't reach any higher. To keep them tied up either. But they do taste good.
I will be interested in some pictures later.
Russ

That Dry Wyche was meant to be Dr. Wyche Russ, but then you know that. My fingers aren't working very good today.

Jeanette

Tomatoes are looking better after 3 doses of MG. One variety of squash is going great guns. It is an Italian summer squash. The yellow summer squash still is puny as are the peppers and pumpkins. I will post pix later. Here is a photo of my baseball sized onions.
RED

Imred;
Onions looking great. I haven't checked mine for a while. Better have a look today. All the rain and back problems kind of kept me out of the garden for too long. I am paying the price now. On my hands and knees, pulling the big weeds, so I can put paper down and put some grass clippings on the paper. I have to put some cattle panels up as well to tie up a bunch of tomatoes both in the ground and those that are in the bales.
Just when I really need to be tending to the garden it seems that is when someone else wants me to help them with a project that is over their head. LOL
This time they are just going to have to wait, dog gone it.!!!
Russ

russ, when you have back problems, it affects everything you do ,(as you already know). please don't put you'r self out of commision for next year.take it easy when you can. good thoughts to you , sally

Yeah, digger; I get reminded often enough that I've done just a little too much.
I've been trying to watch how, and how much I lift, for the last 12 years. But every once in a while, I do something wrong.
Jan. of 97 I had to have some pieces of a disc, removed from my lower back. Or I would not even be walking today.
I try to remember, but a word of caution, is accepted!
I give the Lord all the credit for all the healing, and for all the strength I have gained back. Some times it would be nice to have 100% back, However I am very thankful for what he has given me. I was at a 65% disability, after surgery, 100% before. DW had to help me get dressed, for about 6 months. before and right after surgery.
It isn't any fun being helpless or to feel worthless.
I don't dare just sit around either. as I need the exercise to stay healthy too. Oh well a thin grey line as to what is good and what is bad right???

Russ when can I put you in my appointment book to weed my tomatoes, peppers, and sweet potatoes???

How about tomorrow around 11 a.m.? LOL, aren't I awful?

Jeanette

While you are here maybe you could plow up that hay field for me. Now don't you tell me I have to wait!!

Jeanett; I would be there helping, but I kind of think I have to be happy with leaning on the hoe handle and talking across the fence.
I did get all the way through the tomatoes today. Now if I can figure out how to get the cattle panels drug out and put up to tie them up. You know I have enough tomatoes to share. So I may just invite you to come on over and help, as long as you feel that you won't see a ripe tomato this year. LOL
One thing while weeding I saw a few maters the size of golf balls, they almost made my mouth water.

After I posted a reply to Digger, I went to the articles and red the one about helping others. It is so true we as gardeners love to help others. Great article. I enjoyed it.
Think I will head out and put some more mulch down to try control the weeds. I hated getting behind in garden work, but things do happen.
I'll have to get Kent to help out here. He needs to get his license so we can fly an order of fresh maters up to you. Why I would even make a rhubarb pie to take along.
Russ

Russ
I have found a wonderful helper for my onion bed. Preen. I put it down right after I set the plants and other than a few isolated weeds and that cursed nutsedge they have stayed clean of weeds. I am unable to bend over or get back up without some kind of support(Rhumatoid arthritis &Spinal atrophy) and I make liberal use of Preen.
Thanks for the reply
RED

i used narrow rolls of used, cheap quality carpet years ago, it worked perfect. it came out of a mobile home and the carpet stores will give you carpet out of the dumpster.the cheap stuff rolls up easier when you'r through with it .2' wide is wide enough, and you don't slip on it,as long as it doesn't get slimey