BYC Garden Club - veggie additions

[Marty1876]

Our pear tree is ancient, and I think it's some kind of ornamental pear or something, because the fruit isn't very sweet and hard as a rock. I just like it because it's pretty when it flowers. The deer and chickens eat most the pears. I want to get a new one to plant this year.
The apple trees are babies and one is just getting old enough to produce anything decent so I have no tips on them. I want to get a plum tree and plant it this year. I love plums, do they do good in this area?

All pears are hard as rocks in Aug when you pick. They have to sit for 3-8 weeks inside in flats to soften. You can use them for canning right away, but I let them soften a bit first.
OUr pear is from something grown here originally, and its a rose shaded green. Very hard at first, but soft by week 6. The small ones are seckle, and large pointy skinny ones take about 8 weeks to soften. Some can be picked in early Sept. and saved till christmas almost.

I thought that about our tree at fist too! IF they produce, they are edable. Just let them soften up.

 

[bakingintherain]

Who plants in the shade of their fruit trees?

Its supposed to be good for them to have a raised bet under them, to mulch and help feed them, and things like lettuce, carrots, and broccoli benefit from the increasing shade as the leaves grow in (it's hotter then). Keeps lettuce from bolting.

I plant spring lettuce on the south side in march, east side in april, and north side in may for use thru end of june.... You can grow french breaskfast radish all season without it going bitter, just remember as the weather warms its ready in 2.5 weeks, not 4-6!! Pick lettuce outer leaves constandly, and leave only 4 or 5 in the middle to continue to grop to avoid planting more, and bitterness. Water is the most important ingrediant for sweet lettuce spring, summer, and fall.

Share your favorit garden tip! How do you treat your applie/pear/peach/cherry/etc trees? I dormant spray in the winter, and then use organic spray 3 times over the summer to keep pests down. I also hang a cider viniger/sugar liquid in the trees in open milk jugs, so bugs come in to the "ripe" apple and drown.

it is actually bad for a tree to plant things on top of the roots of trees. try spent yeast from beer brewing in a dish to keep slugs away, they will gorge themselves and die

 

[bakingintherain]

All pears are hard as rocks in Aug when you pick. They have to sit for 3-8 weeks inside in flats to soften. You can use them for canning right away, but I let them soften a bit first.
OUr pear is from something grown here originally, and its a rose shaded green. Very hard at first, but soft by week 6. The small ones are seckle, and large pointy skinny ones take about 8 weeks to soften. Some can be picked in early Sept. and saved till christmas almost.

I thought that about our tree at fist too! IF they produce, they are edable. Just let them soften up.

wow awesome i didn't know that!

 

[Marty1876]

it is actually bad for a tree to plant things on top of the roots of trees. try spent yeast from beer brewing in a dish to keep slugs away, they will gorge themselves and die

It can be. My trees were planted into raised beds, so its not exactly the same as going up to an adult tree, and making a bed there. Your correct, and I should have clairified this point.
I've heard the beer thing, but DH doesn't want me to waste them on slugs! Duckies like them too, and snails. About one day in your beds is enough to clear them for awhile. (If they can handle the ducks!)

 

[JulieNKC]

All pears are hard as rocks in Aug when you pick. They have to sit for 3-8 weeks inside in flats to soften. You can use them for canning right away, but I let them soften a bit first.
OUr pear is from something grown here originally, and its a rose shaded green. Very hard at first, but soft by week 6. The small ones are seckle, and large pointy skinny ones take about 8 weeks to soften. Some can be picked in early Sept. and saved till christmas almost.

I thought that about our tree at fist too! IF they produce, they are edable. Just let them soften up.

I never knew that, or bothered to look anything up about pears, lol. That tree's just always been there.

 

[psue]

does anyone have Honey Pears?? they're small round pears. Grandma use to pickle them ........... yummmmm heaven!

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

I want to do Herbs this year. Anybody do Cilantro, Basil, Rosemary, Peppermint.. What are some other good ones?

 

[bakingintherain]

It can be. My trees were planted into raised beds, so its not exactly the same as going up to an adult tree, and making a bed there. Your correct, and I should have clairified this point.
I've heard the beer thing, but DH doesn't want me to waste them on slugs! Duckies like them too, and snails. About one day in your beds is enough to clear them for awhile. (If they can handle the ducks!)

oh ok, i just found that out not to long ago in one of hubby's books (he is a landscaper). i had always wanted to plant some beautiful shade loving flowers in a bed to hide some of the big roots

oh well!

what else so you use the spent yeast from beer for, very interested. my son loves finding all the dead slugs, putting them on a big leaf or board, and serving "dinner" to the duckies

 

[bakingintherain]

I want to do Herbs this year. Anybody do Cilantro, Basil, Rosemary, Peppermint.. What are some other good ones?

parsley, chives, lemon balm, and there are almost hundreds of kinds of basil out there

i am doing 7 different kinds of basil this year! WE LOVE BASIL!

 

[psue]

I want to do Herbs this year. Anybody do Cilantro, Basil, Rosemary, Peppermint.. What are some other good ones?

Sage..... I have to have my sage!