What did you do in the garden today?

[lazy gardener]

I think the groundhog made a mistake this year!

That's an other thing I've been looking for... He's too smart to come out. But, the apple buds are swelling in the orchard just outside the window where I work. There was a male cardinal singing his little heart out there this morning. I potted up 10 strawberry plants bought at TSC today. Hope they survive. Too cold out to do any thing serious outside. But, I'm encouraged to have some seeds in flats. The only thing growing there so far is the weeds! I had a beautiful bale of Pro-mix, but it was left open last summer, and invaded by all the little weed seeds flying around. It's gonna be interesting trying to figure out what's a weed and what's a seedling! Hope I don't nurture a bunch of weeds... and then carefully plant them in the garden!!!

Quote Phil: Would you have it any other way....

Well... life would certainly be easier if I did things in a logical sequence.

 

[GardenNut]

That's an other thing I've been looking for... He's too smart to come out.  But, the apple buds are swelling in the orchard just outside the window where I work.  There was a male cardinal singing his little heart out there this morning.  I potted up 10 strawberry plants bought at TSC today.  Hope they survive.  Too cold out to do any thing serious outside.  But, I'm encouraged to have some seeds in flats.  The only thing growing there so far is the weeds!  I had a beautiful bale of Pro-mix, but it was left open last summer, and invaded by all the little weed seeds flying around.  It's gonna be interesting trying to figure out what's a weed and what's a seedling!  Hope I don't nurture a bunch of weeds... and then carefully plant them in the garden!!!

Quote Phil:  [COLOR=333333]Would you have it any other way....[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]Well... life would certainly be easier if I did things in a logical sequence.[/COLOR]

I have a dumb question: Will you get strawberries from those plants this year? I've debated getting some.

 

[chickadoodles]

I did some research on strawberries a few years ago and from what I read, it said to pinch off all blooms the first year. Or all the fruit would stay small from now on. So I did that with my first strawberry plants and I got large berries. I am going to do the same this year. But some people don't skip the first years fruit.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have a dumb question: Will you get strawberries from those plants this year? I've debated getting some.

Typically, they are a plant it one year, and get the first crop the second year. They have to be managed for optimal output: good mulching, don't let the bed get too crowded, keep the weeds out, and move the bed to new ground every couple of years. That being said, the Back to Eden approach is having good results with a permanently placed bed, and minimal management. Also, you need to decide if you want to have a good crop with easy picking (get a June bearer) or a few berries that start early summer and last through till first frost (get everbearers). I'll take the June bearers. I want to make jams, freeze some, and then move on to the next crop to tend to.

I did some research on strawberries a few years ago and from what I read, it said to pinch off all blooms the first year. Or all the fruit would stay small from now on. So I did that with my first strawberry plants and I got large berries. I am going to do the same this year. But some people don't skip the first years fruit.

That's what "they say". However, I tend to respond to a lot of those statements that don't really make sense to me, by saying, "Oh really??? Well, let's just see about that!" It makes no sense to me that a plant that is designed to bear fruit, and set runners for next year's plants... and that plant sets copious runners that need to be thinned out... should be limited from bearing fruit the first season. IMO, if God put's those blossoms there, I'm gonna let them set, and enjoy a few ripe berries. Those plants will not bear as well as the second season crop, of course. But IMO, the second season crop is not stunted by the few berries produced the first year. I think it depends more on the health of the soil and the amount of sunshine/correct moisture to meet the plant's needs. Don't extrapolate my meandering comments pertaining to berries to the same philosophy re: asparagus. I've never been able to grow a good asparagus patch, no matter what I do. Final attempt this year: plant it from seed. After that... I'm just gonna give up.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: Thank you for your input on the strawberries. I will try harvesting the few I get this year. I really love them for jam.

 

[GardenNut]

Thank you all for the responses! Since I'm hoping to find a decent-sized retirement property by next year, I'm trying to control plant-buying. But I've always wanted strawberries. I tried a strawberry pot once, but that was a wash. Hmmm, must ponder this more.

Some people buy shoes; I buy plants and books! I figure there are worse "addictions" to have!

 

[lazy gardener]

Thank you all for the responses! Since I'm hoping to find a decent-sized retirement property by next year, I'm trying to control plant-buying. But I've always wanted strawberries. I tried a strawberry pot once, but that was a wash. Hmmm, must ponder this more.

Some people buy shoes; I buy plants and books! I figure there are worse "addictions" to have!

Absolutely. Even better than buying a book, unless it's a reference that you'll use often is the public library. I often check the same books out every year. IMO, planting veggies in pots (except for special circumstances) is so much more energy demanding than putting them in the soil. They require a lot of maintenance to keep them from going dry. I often keep a pot of basil, radish and lettuce on the back deck for quick salads and sandwiches, though! Re: plants, cultivate a lot of friends that you can mooch plants from! Great way to share friendship and increase your green holdings!

This morning, I tucked some Siberian Pea tree seeds into pots. They'd been soaking over 24 hours, are going on a heat mat. Hoping they sprout quickly and well.

 

[AlHawk]

Thank you all for the responses! Since I'm hoping to find a decent-sized retirement property by next year, I'm trying to control plant-buying. But I've always wanted strawberries. I tried a strawberry pot once, but that was a wash. Hmmm, must ponder this more.

Some people buy shoes; I buy plants and books! I figure there are worse "addictions" to have!

Yes, the addiction is real and struggle is ongoing.

My gardens have been planted since Feb 28 but I still buy seeds when I go somewhere if I think I'm going to want them. For example, I bought 10oz bag of black sunflower seeds over the winter mainly for my chickens but I like sunflowers too. I have about 24 plants growing right now (6" tall). So, what did I do when I went to Home Depot for fence this weekend? I bought 2 different sunflower varieties because I like the colors. (and some zinnias) NOW I have to find a place to plant them. Guess I'm digging another garden spot this weekend..

 

[lazy gardener]

Ah, the blessing of finding others who share the seed fettish. My DIL says I need an intervention. She just doesn't understand me!!!

 

[Arielle]

LG are you by any chance close to Johnnys?? THAT could be very dangerous. lol