Grandmas Garden

[Eden83_haaretz]

That made me this, one of the organic farmers here plants mustard in a field, lets it grow to flower but not go to seed, then he turns it under. Mustard gas, it decomposes and kiss bugs. I dont know how the worms would fair...........

Just did a quick search and mustard extracts irritate worms and bring them to the surface. I imagine that maybe decomposing mustard might do the same... but it's worth a shot. I'll see if we can get some mustard seeds to plant. Thanks again .

 

[Sally PB]

Another pest...

A few years ago, I had a Japanese Beetle infestation. They killed my hazelnut trees and were everywhere. I got some Milky Spore Disease and spread that around. The grubs eat it, and when they die, the MSD spreads through out the ground. It was too late for my nut trees, but the beetles have been less since. ("Milky Spore uses the naturally occurring bacterium, Paenibacillus popilliae" -- from the internet.)

Now that I have chickens, I collect all the Japanese Beetles I can find! And the grubs, when I'm digging in the garden. So far this spring, I have seen much fewer grubs than in years past.

MSD only affects Japanese Beetles, though. It was $80, on sale at the end of the season, so it isn't cheap, either. But it's a "once and done" because it lasts 15-20 years.

 

[Eden83_haaretz]

Just know, if it goes to seed, you will always and forever have mustard Hahahaha we love it on salad!

He hehehe yeah that would be fantastic and I could make our own mustard, now that I'd like too, already making mayo and ketchup so it'd be great to have mustard

 

[Eden83_haaretz]

Another pest...

A few years ago, I had a Japanese Beetle infestation. They killed my hazelnut trees and were everywhere. I got some Milky Spore Disease and spread that around. The grubs eat it, and when they die, the MSD spreads through out the ground. It was too late for my nut trees, but the beetles have been less since. ("Milky Spore uses the naturally occurring bacterium, Paenibacillus popilliae" -- from the internet.)

Now that I have chickens, I collect all the Japanese Beetles I can find! And the grubs, when I'm digging in the garden. So far this spring, I have seen much fewer grubs than in years past.

MSD only affects Japanese Beetles, though. It was $80, on sale at the end of the season, so it isn't cheap, either. But it's a "once and done" because it lasts 15-20 years.

I'll definitely search for that, thanks!!!!

 

[Sally PB]

Oh wow! great information! and I bet it didnt hurt the earth worms?

No, not at all.

 

[Acre4Me]

@Acre4Me

Ok, I am in Potato mode, they have grown this tall,
View attachment 2690900 View attachment 2690897

I have my buckets to mix- one has aged chicken poo and the other has garden soil. I'll add some Down To Earth Bone Meal and All Purpose
I'll mound up leaving the top inch 'ish showing.

Now the green beans that are there , I 'll take a pic when I go out,, are a bit yellow, I dont think they are doing well.

What types of potatoes?

indeterminate ones will put down more than one layer of potatoes if you keep mounding them...to a point, of course. But determinate ones will only put down one layer, irregardless of mounding. Although mounding 1-2x still benefits the determinates bc of moisture snd keeping them cool.

I bough 3 kinds from territorial seeds. I had to email them to find out if what I had was determinate or indeterminate as their website did not say.
Russet Burbank is indeterminate.
Carola (a yellow type) is Indeterminate.

Blackberry (a dark purple one) is Determinate.

so, I have mounded 1x for a blackberry. I have mounded 2x for the other two already. Generally, i mound when I get a chance and leave only a few inches above the soil.

 

[Sally PB]

I will need to mound potatoes at different times. I did not know there were determinate/indeterminate potatoes!

Some of the seed potatoes I planted (all from my crop last year) had really, really looong sprouts! I planted them deep and will be mounding them high. The sprouts have turned green and have tiny leaves growing.

I also have volunteers, from potatoes I missed when I dug last fall. I know what they are based on where they're growing.

 

[Acre4Me]

I have Yukon Gold Determinate potatoes : I have read that doing a small bit of mounding around the first bit of growth helps to keep any tubers that are not deep enough from turning green?

Yes, that is true! I would mound 1-2x for those.

 

[Acre4Me]

I did not know there were determinate/indeterminate potatoes!

To be fair, it’s not usually part of the description! So, there are lists you can check. However, for my 3 types this year, only Russet Burbank appears on any lists. The Blackberry is a new introduction, and Carola is a non commercial yellow type.

 

[Sally PB]

thank you for letting me shoot this all off at ya

No problem! I can chat about gardening and chickens all day!