Let's see those '11 gardens!

It's getting time to start gardening again.

This year I am going to be proactive against the tomato mites and I will balance the soil before planting. I have fully composted manure and ashes to add and will add kelp meal for the K (potash) too. We still get frosts here for another month or so.

Anyone else started?

[T.G]

While not exactly "garden", my pomegranate trees have leaves on them already and I just looked at my fig tree this morning, it's budding nicely for being a very young tree. Still a few months early for the lemon.

Planted some blackberry plants (one plant each: chester, olallie and triple-crown) a few weeks ago, but being bare root plants, I won't see any fruit off of them for at least another year.

Should probably start getting things in order for tomatoes and peppers.

[OLS]

Originally Posted by T.G

Planted some blackberry plants (one plant each: chester, olallie and triple-crown) a few weeks ago, but being bare root plants, I won't see any fruit off of them for at least another year..

For God's sake get those things in containers. Blackberries are a horribly invasive and difficult-
to-control "weed". Once they get a good foothold, they will spread and put stickers where you
don't want em.

As for my gardening, too much shade in the area where gardening is safe. And too many idiot dogs
to trample everything. If I planted in the sun, it would be in the "front yard" where every idiot
neighborhood scumbag would just steal all the produce or vandalize the garden itself. SO I
must live vicariously through you guys' photos.

[HK3-]

Originally Posted by OLS

For God's sake get those things in containers. Blackberries are a horribly invasive and difficult-
to-control "weed". Once they get a good foothold, they will spread and put stickers where you
don't want em.

As for my gardening, too much shade in the area where gardening is safe. And too many idiot dogs
to trample everything. If I planted in the sun, it would be in the "front yard" where every idiot
neighborhood scumbag would just steal all the produce or vandalize the garden itself. SO I
must live vicariously through you guys' photos.

I was doing some work in the front yard yesterday while a lady passed with her dog roaming in everyones yard pissing on everything. I hollered over to her, "Is that your dog?" She replied, "yes." I hollered back, "Did you know Tennessee has a leash law?" She replied, "no."
Idiot.

[Smokin Gator]

We planted tomatoes and peppers yesterday. I hope to get the squash, cukes, and okra in today.

[HK3-]

Was at Lowes yesterday and they said we have a couple more weeks before they start getting stuff in.

[AUguy]

Originally Posted by HK3-

Was at Lowes yesterday and they said we have a couple more weeks before they start getting stuff in.

What state you in?

[hotreds]

mine are mostly under water.

[AUguy]

Originally Posted by hotreds

mine are mostly under water.

You in Jersey?

[HK3-]

Originally Posted by AUguy

What state you in?

Tennessee

[wayner123]

I am doing probably more than I should this year. I have also changed from a container to in ground garden. If I get anything this year, it will be by luck as I did not prepare the soil much at all. I have growing right now:

5 different melons: Charentais, Boule d Nor, Petit Gris de Rennes, Collective Farm woman, Oranglo watermelon

I also have two different squashes: early prolific and crook neck summer squash

I have some sweet corn and Kentucky wonder pole beans as well.

As for peppers, I got this weird mix of sweet peppers, so who knows what will come of them, and I also am growing California Wonder bells.

I am doing a few containers as well. Those will be Evangeline sweet potato's and Sayasume edamame soy beans.

My carrots are finally growing well, and I may do a some black seeded lettuce when that is done.

[LostAbbott]

Well it is still in the 40's here but I got Snow and snap peas in the ground last weekend. The Garlic is coming up and We also planted beets and north pole lettuce. Gonna get tomatoes started in a week or so...

[Salvelinus]

I've got material for a new raised bed , going to be a long bed for lettuces.

Was just thinking about this thread from last year today. I've got at least two months before I can start putting anything in the ground. Probably start a few peppers in about a month. Lettuces, beans, and cucumbers a few weeks after that. We'll see what else I get an inkling to grow when I get to the seed store.

[mmblz]

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

It's getting time to start gardening again.

With two feet of snow on the ground?
Must be some new technique!

[OHRD]

This is our first time having a go and we're pretty excited. We bought those planters that have like 50 small cubes of potting soil. We planted zucchini, onions, carrots, lima beans, peas, cantaloupe, and squash.

They are starting to sprout w/ stalks about 4 inches high - will try and post pics soon.

Any advice on the move from the little pods to the ground would be appreciated - thanks for the thread!

Originally Posted by OHRD

Any advice on the move from the little pods to the ground would be appreciated - thanks for the thread!

The biggest thing is to not leave any of the cube above ground level or it dries faster than the soil around it, otherwise they are easy.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by OHRD

This is our first time having a go and we're pretty excited. We bought those planters that have like 50 small cubes of potting soil. We planted zucchini, onions, carrots, lima beans, peas, cantaloupe, and squash.

They are starting to sprout w/ stalks about 4 inches high - will try and post pics soon.

Any advice on the move from the little pods to the ground would be appreciated - thanks for the thread!

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

The biggest thing is to not leave any of the cube above ground level or it dries faster than the soil around it, otherwise they are easy.

Axeman gave good advice. Another thing I would add is to water well once they are planted or water the hole they are going into.

Which of the plants are 4" high already? I can't imagine the onions, carrots or cantaloupe is that high already.

[OHRD]

Originally Posted by wayner123

Axeman gave good advice. Another thing I would add is to water well once they are planted or water the hole they are going into.

Which of the plants are 4" high already? I can't imagine the onions, carrots or cantaloupe is that high already.

You're right - they are the slowest to grow, onions and carrots are barely showing. The Zucchini and Lima beans are the allstars - one of the two (can't remember which) already has leaves coming up...

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by OHRD

You're right - they are the slowest to grow, onions and carrots are barely showing. The Zucchini and Lima beans are the allstars - one of the two (can't remember which) already has leaves coming up...

IME, onions from seed will take twice as long as the packet says. So if it's 110 days on the packets, you can bet they won't be ready till at least 200 days. It's best to start onions from plants. Also, did you make sure to get the correct day length onions for your zone?

Carrots take a long time as well. Not as long as onions, but they seem to grow quite slow when temps are below 65-70F.

Most likely the limas are showing true (second set) of leaves. Beans (legumes) are fast growers for me and really grow fast until they reach flowering stage. After that it's anybody's guess.

[wayner123]

BTW, I added drip tape irrigation to the entire garden yesterday. It's a nice system but the connections had to be rigged in order to work properly. But it should add some much needed luck to my plans.

I also started a bucket with compost for compost tea. I hope it helps.