What did you do in the garden today?

[henless]

Today I tore down my compost bin and hauled it to the burn pile. I had made it out of scrap wood, so there wasn't much to salvage from it. I plan on composting in the chicken run. Much easier for me. Since it is gone, I can expand my BTE garden.

I made a trip to Tractor Supply to pick up some chick feed. While there, I was browsing their garden section and found some Purple Passion asparagus on sale at half off. I bought enough to put in my raised bed. I got those planted when I got home. Now I hope they grow.

My radishes are coming up that I planted a week ago. I was thrilled to see some growth. We've been having a lot of rain and cool weather. It's really messing up planting season. I planted my okra a couple days ago. I'm hoping it comes up despite the weather.

 

[AlHawk]

I never heard of that. I believe it though. The old timers knew it all.

In fact a nurseryman I watched said to cut part way around the tree and then on the other side to make sure not to meet the first cut or the tree would die.
This was to force a tree to bloom and to make new growth.

My dad planted a willow tree in Calif. that he did not want to blow over. So he put a piece of pipe in the ground and only watered the tree from the pipe at the bottom of the roots. He said that every year or so he would add more pipe so the tap root would be nice and deep. That tree is still standing and my dad planted it back in 1939.

I have used PVC pipe to water newly planted trees alot over the years especially in Alabama where the soils is nothing but red clay. I've done with Pecan, Oak, Cherry and Pear trees and Crape Myrtles (many varieties). There is a noticeable difference between the tree that I didn't plant with pipe and the ones I did. I usually pulled up the pipe after the 2nd year. I never added pipe though. That might be something to try if I ever move back north.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: I believe it works after using my kiddie pools for my plants. They have to soak up the water from the bottom of the bag and they do soak up a pool a day.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have seen this referred to as bark inversion . It is said to force earlier fruiting age . I tried it this year on a young pear tree for this reason . It has healed . I have also read you can graft a scion upside down for earlier bearing and improve crotch angles . Making them less prone to splitting away from the tree .

Jerry, I think that we need a thread specifically for trees/grafting/orchard care? Thoughts? This thread is working, but if we put all that specific stuff in one thread, it would be easier for folks to reference in the future.

You seem to be a wealth of information.

 

[jerryse]

I posted on the Tree thread for you . Here is another neat trick for all of you . On red raspberries and thorny blackberries you can take root cuttings and they will sprout new plants . Keep moist is very important . I bought roots off eBay last year . I think the big growers trim the roots when they package for retail and sell the roots to commercial growers . They probably start new fields for themselves this way . I am sure they irrigate to get them started .

So practical use for us backyard growers ? I bought 5 Boyne raspberry plants mail order . They had great roots . I took a cutting off the largest root on each plant . This will not set the original back . So I will now have 10 in the new bed .

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks, Jerry.

 

[Beekissed]

Removing a thick foot layer of oak leaves and pine needles off the garden...everywhere. Too much tannin going on. Planting tomatoes, chives, strawberries, peppers, cauliflower, rhubarb, onions, clematis, and anything else I can get into the garden today. Will be planting my son's garden with the same tomorrow and then back to my garden to continue removing leaves and planting.

After removing the leaves I'll plant the corn, cukes, beans, melons, pumpkins, more taters. lettuce, carrots. cilantro, dill, borage, other flowers, more herbs, and any open space will get some kind of seed or plant.

Got to get that garden planted before true hot weather hits next week...going to get warm weather and sun after a few days of rain. Perfect growing weather.

 

[chickadoodles]

Wow Beekissed you have your work cut out for you. I sure hope you have some help recruited.

 

[Beekissed]

Had some help one day and much leaves were removed, but it was discouraging to see how little of the garden was cleared despite the large amount of leaves removed. Thursday I'm supposed to have more help and Mom helped me a little today....we've placed the leaves around apple trees and are now just dumping them in a large pile. We hope to burn it a little at a time.

We've got the area where the tomatoes are planted almost clear, got as much as I can remove off the tater rows, and a small area near the small gate but that's just a fraction of what remains. I was an idiot to put all these leaves on the garden and so thickly....now I'm paying for that in sweat, back pain and time. Goes to show one is never too old to still make stupid mistakes.

 

[jerryse]

Tilled and planted my green beans . I use inoculant when I plant beans and peas . I bought some haskap or honeyberry plants this year . They are growing really well .