What did you do in the garden today?

[NanaK]

Was 7b, but I think it's changed to 8a now. Dec 2022 we got down to 7°F one night, & the ones that were cut off at the soil survived & came back in the spring. But those temps aren't normal here & it didn't stay that cold very long. I use heavy leaf mulch & frost covers & we've gotten down to 19°F so far this growing season.

Our weather is very similar. I've never covered collards and don't mulch them. They were fine at the 19f we had a short while back. They are really hardy. They are the best tasting and cook faster after a frost.

 

[akroberts1085]

How cool is that?! I could use one of those for my chicken decorations instead of running a cord across the yard. Most excellent, thanks!

You're very welcome.

 

[akroberts1085]

 

[akroberts1085]

My youngest daughter just bought that sign for me

 

[CNJ]

I fried up a 5lbs home-grown White Tilapia and Hybrid Sea Bass today. The White Tilapia didn't taste fishy at all, I cut around the rib cage and filet it without gutting. I used a heavy-duty scissors to cut the bone in half and threw it in a bucket with the head and guts. I filled the bucket halfway up with molasses, sugar and water. I also drilled a hole on the cover and stuck an aquarium air tube through it and sealed around the tube with clear silicone. I stuck the tube in a pint mason jar filled with water to allow the bucket to breath while it ferments and breaks down into fish fertilizer. I did the same thing with 3 large sea bass.

I decided not to order anymore Hybrid Sea Bass since the White Tilapia held its own during the taste test and it reproduces itself unlike the Hybrid Sea Bass which were bred not to replicate itself.

This was the first time using a butcher knife to cut the scales off the White Tilapia. I saw it done in a You tube video and it worked. I only cleared the top and bottom since I was going to filet it and take off the skin.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Was 7b, but I think it's changed to 8a now. Dec 2022 we got down to 7°F one night, & the ones that were cut off at the soil survived & came back in the spring. But those temps aren't normal here & it didn't stay that cold very long. I use heavy leaf mulch & frost covers & we've gotten down to 19°F so far this growing season.

Yeah, I'm also 7B and was "reassigned" to 8A. I'm not buying it... I will continue to use recommendations for 7B.

 

[jawilliams509]

Yeah, I'm also 7B and was "reassigned" to 8A. I'm not buying it... I will continue to use recommendations for 7B.

Same!

 

[chickengr]

Here we cut leaves from the bottom up leaving the bud and a few leaves. Then hill them up with soil or compost. They will continue to root along the stem and grow from the bud. This way you can plant them and continue to harvest as they grow. The love nitrogen!

They are biennial so if planted in spring they will continue to grow all summer, fall and through winter. In spring as temps warm they will flower and set seed. By this time you can plant them again and start the process all over. They take heat and cold very well. We rarely get down to 10f, usually more like mid teens. If we do, it does not stay that cold for long at the time.

@Sally PB If any veggie can survive your winters, I'd say collards have a really good chance.

I was afraid they will not survive hot summer here. they did! I had them for 3 years and fed even chickens as I could not eat them all. they were 3-4 ft tall! of course in summer leaves were dry and good for chickens only.

 

[NanaK]

I was afraid they will not survive hot summer here. they did! I had them for 3 years and fed even chickens as I could not eat them all. they were 3-4 ft tall! of course in summer leaves were dry and good for chickens only.

I only plant them in late summer now because I grow so many other things in summer. Lot's of bean shelling, tomato canning etc to do.

I now start seed inside in July (because of our heat) . I plant them out late August/early September and they will grow all winter. When I cook a batch to eat I do enough to freeze a couple meals too. They warm over wonderfully.

About every 3 years I save seed. You can put them in the freezer and they keep many years. I saved seed last year. I always save seed from the 3-5 plants that grew the best through the winter. I've done this many years now and I feel like it helps with hardiness and health of the plants.

In the beginning I planted them in spring. By the following spring they could easily be 3-4 ft tall! They grow amazingly well.

I do think those in the coldest areas could benefit by planting in spring. But experimenting is always good!

 

[jerryse]

Sunshine today yeah. A story that may make you smile. I have a birthday coming up. Several years ago I realized that my birthday is 9 months and 1 day after my Dad's birthday. Hmm I think I know what he got for his birthday.