Garden thread

[NHMountainMan]

I'm pouring through seed catalogs now! I don't start my seeds indoors until about March 15. Last Friday date here is May 22- so I've got a while to go.
We grow a lot of Roma and San Marzano tomatoes. We make and can a ton of pasta sauce every year. Planning on getting a lot of heirloom seeds this year.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Good evening everyone, I hope you're all doing well.
Just wanted to share: Last summer when I grew sunflowers, the chipmunks and squirrels would climb the stem and then chew the head off the sunflower! When it dropped, they would scurry down the stem and drag away the head! I got a little upset with them when they kept doing it. I like growing sunflowers! Especially the big ones that grow about 4 feet tall.
I have another question: Even though it's winter outside is it possible to start a few plants indoors like peas, lettuce, or radishes right now? It is the middle of winter so I'm not sure. Thank you!

 

[Melodychick]

I love sunflowers too! No squirrels here, but I love watching the cardinals perch on the stem and eat the seeds.
I would think you could grow some lettuce inside. I start seeds under lights and use a heat mat if needed. If you want to plant them outside, then you need to plan around your last frost date.

 

[Rooapalooza]

I think I may plant 1 or 2 of each veggie in pots and 1 or 2 in the ground. See what does better! What kind of soil do you use in your pots? I have a lemon tree in the ground and get over 200 lemons/year on it. It is only about 5’ tall and wide. I also have satsuma trees that get pretty full. I planted the cauliflower and broccoli as transplants, in the ground in early sept. They are just now forming heads. I hope to get them before the cabbage worms do...

Have you ever tried neem oil for cabbage worms? I think it helped with mine, although the heat/chickens got them shortly after so I don't have full data on that.

Our soil here is basically a centimeter deep over limestone, so I had to buy garden soil from a local yard here for my raised beds. It was like $40 for a cubic yard, which isn't bad, I think. I mix it with my compost pile and a little perlite for my potted plants. It works well enough and is much cheaper than potting soil. I think the burlap bags help keep them from getting waterlogged. What do you use for soil?

My lemon and grapefruit trees are still very small, as they are only two years old, and in pots. I got probably twenty lemons and grapefruits this year.

 

[Rooapalooza]

I probably wouldn't bother with radishes unless you have a sunny window. They are so fast that you might as well wait, or plan on just doing them inside. Radishes and peas don't transplant well in my experience. Lettuce is a great idea though!

 

[Jac Jac]

To keep the conversation going, what is everyone's favorite veggie they grow in their garden?

Mine is either carrots or cherry tomatoes (unless you include raspberries, cause those are the best!).

My favorite is everything veggie and blueberries.

 

[Jac Jac]

Thanks for the info! By the way, I just noticed your username. One of my pullets is names Melody!
View attachment 1992343

Melody looks like my Wyandotte named Goldie - such a sweet Clucker.

 

[Melodychick]

Have you ever tried neem oil for cabbage worms?

I’ve used BT, but not neem. I’ll check it out. I usually just pluck them off and give them to the chickens, but they get down in the broccoli head and are hard to get out. I always soak the heads in salt water before I cook them, that gets them out.
In my raised beds I’ve done like you with garden soil, compost and horse manure. I haven’t really done much planting in containers, so just add perlite to the mix?

blueberries

I love blueberries! I only have 2 bushes, but plan to plant a couple more soon.

 

[Farmdog267]

What I have now are: tomatoes, eggplants, okra, peppers, potatoes, kale, chard, and pineapples. They area mostly all in 3-10 gallon pots or burlap grow bags. I also have grapefruit and lemon trees. The grapefruit will have to go in the ground next year. I've had it on a dolly for like two years so I can roll it in the garage when it gets cold, but that looks pretty trashy.

I've got some cauliflower and broccoli started in containers, but I usually put those in the ground. I've been frustrated with how small my cauliflowers usually are, but I think I'm started them early enough this year that they will grow to full size before it gets too hot?

I've had great luck with eggplants, squash and some pepper varieties in containers. Green beans do decent as well. Yea, I would say the big issue with broccoli or cauliflower would be having the plant mature before it bolts. Certain varieties handle the heat better than others for the North East areas so I'm sure you can find a good selection for your region. What mix are you using for potting soil or growing medium?

 

[Farmdog267]

I’ve used BT, but not neem. I’ll check it out. I usually just pluck them off and give them to the chickens, but they get down in the broccoli head and are hard to get out.
I love blueberries! I only have 2 bushes, but plan to plant a couple more soon.

I've used neem oil for insect control and copper fungicide for disease control. I haven't tried BT.

When I'm potting vegetables, I'll use some peat moss along with perlite and then some premaid potting mix that the local Agway sells. I use the Espoma Bio Tone starter fertilizer in everything I transplant wether its into the ground or a container. The biggest issues I have when doing this at a previous residence was bird control and sometimes loose cats at night.