Gardening threads (merged)

[luckytxn 2,264]

I hear you about the canning. Huge chore to do. We used to can enough to have veggies all through to next year. Freezing is easier.

Yes - I usually make enough jam to last the year for ourselves and give a few jars away as gifts. We have huge blueberry bushes which give a lot of fruit, plus a lot of wild black raspberries. And if we get a lot of tomatoes at the end of the season which may not ripen then I make green tomato marmalade or chutney.

I usually pickle and can a lot of our green beans, cucumbers and this year I'm going to try to pickle okra too.

I'm usually a bit lazy when it comes to canning the other vegetables though and opt for freezing because we have a huge commercial-size freezer in the basement, and last year we bought a generator to make sure it keeps going through any power cuts so I'm not worried about losing our stock of food.

With the tomatoes I slow roast them on big trays in the oven with garlic and herbs and then fill quart bags and stack them in the freezer to use in pasta sauces etc through the winter.

Then we store potatoes in the basement to get us through most of the winter. And this year I might try to see if we can grow some other root veg to store.

The husband wants us to try to be as self sufficient as possible although it's a lot of work to produce that amount of food.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Wifey and I have been busting our humps redoing the front yard flower gardens. I dug up all the old shrubs and plants (back breaker), turned the dirt and put new wall blocks around the contours of the garden. We went to the nursery yesterday and dropped $600 on new plants. The "centerpiece" is an Acer Laceleaf Japanese Maple, which grows to a max 6' to 7' tall and 5' to 6' wide. We also got a couple Fine Wine Weigela and Dwarf Fothergilla bushes. Also got 1/2 dozen new Patriot Hostas for some ground cover. We got some of the new plants mulch down yesterday on the main part. We've got two smaller parts to go. It's starting to look really nice.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Very nice TB. Sounds like a huge job. What kind of mulch? Also may I ask also what kind of feeding you have planned along with the watering schedule? I see where about you live and was wondering if it is different then where I live. If a secret and can't answer I understand.

Wifey and I have been busting our humps redoing the front yard flower gardens. I dug up all the old shrubs and plants (back breaker), turned the dirt and put new wall blocks around the contours of the garden. We went to the nursery yesterday and dropped $600 on new plants. The "centerpiece" is an Acer Laceleaf Japanese Maple, which grows to a max 6' to 7' tall and 5' to 6' wide. We also got a couple Fine Wine Weigela and Dwarf Fothergilla bushes. Also got 1/2 dozen new Patriot Hostas for some ground cover. We got some of the new plants mulch down yesterday on the main part. We've got two smaller parts to go. It's starting to look really nice.

Edited May 12, 2014 by luckytxn

[Teddy B 17,252]

Very nice TB. Sounds like a huge job. What kind of mulch? Also may I ask also what kind of feeding you have planned along with the watering schedule? I see where about you live and was wondering if it is different then where I live. If a secret and can't answer I understand.

We went with a dark brown pine bark mulch this year. We wanted to go with Hemlock, but it was $5 per 2 cu.ft. bag compared to $2 per 2 cu.ft. bag for the pine. We get 20 bags every year, so that saved $60. As for feeding I usually go with a Miracle Grow all purpose plant food, either through a sprayer or with pellets. No secrets to my game, just a lot of hard work.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Very good choices and I commend you. One last question. How often do you water or do you use a continious drip?

We went with a dark brown pine bark mulch this year. We wanted to go with Hemlock, but it was $5 per 2 cu.ft. bag compared to $2 per 2 cu.ft. bag for the pine. We get 20 bags every year, so that saved $60. As for feeding I usually go with a Miracle Grow all purpose plant food, either through a sprayer or with pellets. No secrets to my game, just a lot of hard work.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Very good choices and I commend you. One last question. How often do you water or do you use a continious drip?

I water about 3 or 4 times a week, depending on how hot it is and how much rain we get. I usually put a sprinkler out, but sometimes I'll water by hand with a cold beer in the other.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Wow. Usually new trees needs heavier watering the first few weeks but I am guessing the rain pics up the slack. Excelent report and awesome work. Nice to see someone understands we control our environment. You can't show love to those around us unless we love ourselves. Kudos on the beer strategy.

I water about 3 or 4 times a week, depending on how hot it is and how much rain we get. I usually put a sprinkler out, but sometimes I'll water by hand with a cold beer in the other.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Wow. Usually new trees needs heavier watering the first few weeks but I am guessing the rain pics up the slack. Excelent report and awesome work. Nice to see someone understands we control our environment. You can't show love to those around us unless we love ourselves. Kudos on the beer strategy.

I'll make sure the new plants and shrubs get plenty of water until they're established, but I don't want to drown them out either. Just like a cold beer, plants need plenty of liquids too.

Edited May 12, 2014 by Teddy B

[luckytxn 2,264]

For sure. Miracle grow is like a high alcohol beer to us. They need that love.

I'll make sure the new plants and shrubs get plenty of water until there established, but I don't want to drown them out either. Just like a cold beer, plants need plenty of liquids too.

[Teddy B 17,252]

For sure. Miracle grow is like a high alcohol beer to us. They need that love.

I was hoping to do a raised bed veggie garden this year, but it doesn't look like I'll have the time. I've got too many projects going right now to devote the time to that. Next year it will be a priority however.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Yeah I wanted my full garden this year. I had to get fencing in and bring in soil to level the front yard. I am taking vacation when I get back home and destroy that honey do list. I am planting some fruit trees and just plan on prepping the back by the end of summer and get the garden in next year. I also have to get our business landscaped when I get back.

I was hoping to do a raised bed veggie garden this year, but it doesn't look like I'll have the time. I've got too many projects going right now to devote the time to that. Next year it will be a priority however.

[Teddy B 17,252]

All the plants got a heavy soaking last night via the sprinkler. I told em Lucky said I had to. They are all standing firm and tall this am.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Good. Scare them little sap generators.

All the plants got a heavy soaking last night via the sprinkler. I told em Lucky said I had to. They are all standing firm and tall this am.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Nice thread. This is where I will run when the people in CE&HT are being mean.....

We are all planted thus far. (Raised Beds)

Herb Garden - Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Mint (which I'm gonna have to do some population control this weekend), Thyme, 3 types of Parsley, Cilantro, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Lemon Grass...and we sneaked in some Broccoli (which is a first for us...not sure what to expect but it's looking okay)....already finished off the Bok Choy & Chinese Cabbage...Also tried Cauliflower (1st attempt & failed...I think it got choked out by the Mint...that's why they gonna get a beat down this weekend )

Veggies - Celebrity Tomato (prefer Early Girl but couldn't find it)..never grew Celebrity b4..., 3 varieties of Jalapenos, Ancho, Poblano, Anaheim, Sante Fe Chili , Red Bell & some kind of Giant Bell (hoping will cross pollinate to produce bigger Red Bell) Japanese Eggplant, Crooked Neck Squash, Pickling Cucumbers, Okra, Sweet Texas Onions.....Just about finished with the Red & Green Leaf Lettuce & Spinach...(but just 6 Lettuce and 4 Spinach have kept us Salad upped for the last month...temps dropped yesterday and 5 day looks cool so maybe another week or two left in 'em)

We do the Flower Bed thing...but that's mostly my wife's domain so I don't know much about what she put in but it always looks purty.