Green thumb is itching, anyone else?

[rancher hicks]

Just dropped in to share.

I'm going through my magazines so I can catch up and toss/share them and restock.

Reading things I've put off.

Anyhow I wanted to share what I just read about BPA and canning jars. I did not know there was BPA in the lids of the Ball and Kerr type lids. While the Weck (never use) rubber lids do not.

Though while the Weck types are safe from BPA, they are also not deemed safe by the Nat. Center for Home Food Preservation. Whatever that is. Never heard of them till now either.

So here's hoping that Ball and Kerr get with the program and develop a lid with out the BPA.

Moving to the canning thread.

Take care and carry on,

Rancher (spends too much on magazines) Hicks

 

[cmb19]

I posted in this thread last spring I think about my plants I was growing. I don't remember how much I really updated everyone..other than to say my plants I started from seed didn't do so well. I have high hopes for this year...I got a little greenhouse for Christmas. I'll post a link to the exact one, if anyone has any suggestions on how best to use it (heating, etc) that would be wonderful.
Where I live, it will be very cold with tons of snow for awhile yet so I'll have to wait quite a long time before I can set it up unfortunately.

I'm extremely excited to start seeds now...this time I know better and I need to wait a little later before starting peppers and tomatoes.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/castlecreek-compact-walk-in-greenhouse.aspx?a=1045309

 

[rancher hicks]

I posted in this thread last spring I think about my plants I was growing. I don't remember how much I really updated everyone..other than to say my plants I started from seed didn't do so well. I have high hopes for this year...I got a little greenhouse for Christmas. I'll post a link to the exact one, if anyone has any suggestions on how best to use it (heating, etc) that would be wonderful.
Where I live, it will be very cold with tons of snow for awhile yet so I'll have to wait quite a long time before I can set it up unfortunately.

I'm extremely excited to start seeds now...this time I know better and I need to wait a little later before starting peppers and tomatoes.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/castlecreek-compact-walk-in-greenhouse.aspx?a=1045309

I have one such set up. Keep it out of direct sunlight, watch the temp or they can get too hot. Put a thermometer in there. If you have a mind, bake your starting soil to kill any germs. Other wise avoid cheap soil. I don't know how to define a "soilless mix" but have read that is best.

Use fresh seed and start more than you'll need. I find my own started plants seem to be best and I've a better variety to choose from.

I hope at some time to have a "hoop coop"/ green house set up. I expect to try hanging one of those "oil filled" heaters inside to keep temps up at night. They can get pretty hot during the day.

This is my hoop run. Last year I covered the front with plastic too, but had to tear some off as it got too hot and humid for the chickens. It's a double set up, but a half size can be done for a green house. I did have to recover it with plastic this year, since I cut most of the plastic off in the summer, but for a green house you wouldn't have to.

Price for a half hoop. $20 for the cattle panel, $20 or so, for poultry wire, lumber is culls from HD and $10 for plastic at HD. Total perhaps $60 - $80. 50" X 8'

 

[cmb19]

I never would have thought it would get too hot, I was actually more worried about everything freezing in it.

When I say I had bad luck with my plants last year, I don't mean with starting...I had almost every single seed I planted grow nicely. My probably was, I didn't have a good way/place to get them outside and they got too leggy very quickly and I think the varieties I chose were just not good. I had roughly 300 plants. No one liked the flavor of the tomatoes and the peppers didn't get very big at all. My marigolds grew amazing, the nicest marigolds I have ever seen. I also had no idea just how tall marigolds can grow.

I'm going to have a better setup this year inside and the greenhouse will definitely help for getting them used to being outside. I need to not start my plants so early, that was part of my problem last spring..they were ready for the garden before it was safe from frost.

I would LOVE to have a hoop coop or some other giant greenhouse...but I live in town and I rent so I can't do that. I mean, my landlord lets me do anything I want, but I don't think he wants me completely destroying the yard.

 

[yinepu]

I never would have thought it would get too hot, I was actually more worried about everything freezing in it.

When I say I had bad luck with my plants last year, I don't mean with starting...I had almost every single seed I planted grow nicely. My probably was, I didn't have a good way/place to get them outside and they got too leggy very quickly and I think the varieties I chose were just not good. I had roughly 300 plants. No one liked the flavor of the tomatoes and the peppers didn't get very big at all. My marigolds grew amazing, the nicest marigolds I have ever seen. I also had no idea just how tall marigolds can grow.

I'm going to have a better setup this year inside and the greenhouse will definitely help for getting them used to being outside. I need to not start my plants so early, that was part of my problem last spring..they were ready for the garden before it was safe from frost.

I would LOVE to have a hoop coop or some other giant greenhouse...but I live in town and I rent so I can't do that. I mean, my landlord lets me do anything I want, but I don't think he wants me completely destroying the yard.

I'm planning on building some of the lighter framed hoop coops this spring just for plants (using plastic pipe and poultry netting instead of cattle panels). They should be sturdy enough to (hopefully) deter the deer and also to hold the shade cloth that will be needed during the hottest months. I'm thinking that they should be portable enough that i can drag them around the yard without having to hook them up to the pickup in case I decide to move them.

Right now I am getting hooked on Plumeria (cuttings and seeds)... the cuttings only look like knobby sticks for now.. but they're something I have never tried growing before!

 

[rancher hicks]

Happy New Year everyone, May the Lord make our gardens grow twice as much as last year and our cupboards over flow with bounty.


Love ya,

Rancher

 

[yinepu]

Happy New Year!

May everyone have amazing gardens this year!

 

[stoopid]

Yes, Happy New Year!
And save those seed catalogs, to help us thru the yucky wintry days.
I have a whole stack already!

I got my greenhouse a few years ago, still holding up well.
From Harbor freight tools
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ft-x-8-ft-greenhouse-47712.html

 

[queenchick16]

Happy New Year everyone...
I've already started my list from the catalogs.
Went out to the cold frame yesterday and got rosemary, oregano, and thyme had great is that.the kale in it is about 2 inches high.
Again , Happy new Year to you all

 

[queenchick16]

Well I put in my first seed/plant order for the year. Ordered a few weird things, I always do.
Burgundy okra
Red corn
Purple tomatillo
And purple and white striped potatoes
I really need another piece of property, preferredly off long island. Or I could really drive my neighbors crazy and rototill the whole front yard and put in a garden.
I don't ever use my front yard for anything and it gets beautiful sunshine all day.i think I am talking myself into it.
Stay safe and warm