Washingtonians

[Cowgirlgrace]

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I haven't. The only problems I have had is mold and mildew from too much rain but usually get a good season. It's towards the end of the season when the rains start back up again. The plants would keep producing if the didn't get so damp but by that time I'm about squashed out anyway. Just have to make sure the winter squash is harvested prior to getting too wet.

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

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Your place will be beautiful and thats a good idea for attracting bees. You have hives right? What flavor of honey would you say you had?

 

[Illia]

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I have ordered seeds from Tomato Growers before, I like their catalog and their web site. Last year I found out they get their seed from Monsanto/Seminis so I will not buy from them again.

Exactly as I thought. I would never buy from any "specialized" seed company, and never buy from a BIG seed company like Harris Seeds. LOADS of hybrds, GMO varieties, Monsanto owned varieties, etc.

Seeds of Change, Baker Creek Heirloom, Wild Garden Seed, are a few to name that are reliable.

Baker Creek is my absolute favorite though. They also do their catalogues SO well, the photographs and all. . . One could drool over each page.

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Only once, we accidently grew a pumpkin from a store-bought pumpkin, it attracted a couple squash boring wasps. That was years ago though. Last year I never had issues with my Squash.

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The beans are fine in the three sisters. There are some varieties out there (ancient heirloom ones, even) that can take shade from corn very well. There are also some summer squashes that do well with slightly cooler temps.

I always pick varieties that are heirloom and have a short enough growing season. Delicata, however, has a 100 day time, and still did pretty well out here. Got some cute little squash from it last year.

Yellow Crookneck, Blue Hubbard, Australian Butter, Galeux D Eysines, Red Kuri, Turks Cap, and Rouge Vif D' Etampes do well out here.

 

[LaSombra]

Well, I haven't been on here in the last couple days and not sure I can get caught up. I see garden talk, though! I'm getting excited about this year's garden. I want to be able to grow things that I can can. If I can ever get my chicken tractor built for the roosters, I will clear the garden area with the chickens to prepare it for spring planting. This rain is never-ending. Anyway, I really am hoping for a good garden this year *fingers crossed*

The wild flower mix from Territorial sounds like a good idea also. I think I will be getting my vegetable seeds from them this year anyway. Love their catalog

 

[Chickielady]

Did not get time to read back but saw 'wildflower mix' and just want to say: watch out there is no invasive species in there...what does great in some places can take over here in WA.
I gotta go to the hardware and get some sterile potting soil, to plant onion seed (outside) and mulch and cover with plastic.
Then I also need 4 and 6" pots to start my tomatoe seed in, next 2 weeks I start the squash, pumpkins.
Be back soon !

 

[jbear]

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I just talked with them by e mail--very quick to respond, and very friendly too-I asked if they cared if I linked to them with my blog.. and he got back to me in like 5 minutes. I put together my wish list.

 

[jbear]

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I googled Three Sisters.. and a link popped up, talking about it .. HEREhttp://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html down towards the bottom.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

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Yes I only have 2 hives right now but that may change. And my honey the the best flavor there is....... MINE FROM MY BEES !!!!

I am not sure but think it would probably be called "wild flower" since they get so many different things. They have our apple trees, all kinds of garden stuff, berries and all the wild flowers in around us.
My honey this year was very light in color and flavor. We really liked it. Ask CL what she thinks of it she can tell ya how bad it is.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

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I am told that this wild flower mix is native.

 

[Greg Richardson]

LEd Rope Light experiment is over.
I use the LED rope lights for security for our vehicles now that we have had some recent break ins around here they do a good job of lighting up an area at a reasonable cost.
Part of one section goes under my office door so after doing heat test an hour after I turned them on last night I wanted to try it in the morning and see if enough heat generated through that thick plastic casing.
Found out it's not worth trying these for seed beds.
Maybe if these weren't rated for water out door use without the thick cover after being on 11 hours it be enough heat but no way this is going to do it.
So now I'm going to look at other options like water bed heater, heat tape, rope lights rated indoors.
It has to be cheap to buy and low on the energy costs.
With two kids who have never touched a light they haven't left on I do everything I can to lessen the blow of PUD's power bill $$$$ grab.