What did you do in the garden today?

[igorsMistress]

I'm just wondering (don't get offended please) If all the people who have fruit trees know this:
You have to give your fruit trees a 5-gallon bucket of water every week unless you get 2 inches of rain that week. All spring and summer, for 2 years.
You also need to fertilize twice a year. I did twice for the first 4 years and now I do it only in the spring now that they're 10 years old.
Also, if you lose trees from Gurneys, call them and tell them. You could get replacements or money back. They have new owners now, but I think they still stand by their policy.

Thanks for this info! I’ll call them if there’s a problem with mine. I’m pretty sure I gave the others I tried enough water but I’ll measure it this time.

 

[Sally PB]

I just heard that we might get a couple days next week with temps in the 40s! So maybe I could actually get something done in the garden.

Like see what the deer have dug up to eat... Ok, I won't think about that right now.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Mom and pop lumberyard in the village, which is usually very competitive with town wanted $12 for a treated 2x4x8
town is $9, which is also a no go. I MIGHT have enough scrap in the shop to go forward on the next step to at least keep moving forward while I wait.

I started a whole new thread on tips for reducing building costs and/or finding free building materials.

Just some ideas if you have the time or inclination.

 

[TJAnonymous]

The sucker may not grow true to the variety of tree since the root stock is likely a different tree than the grafted stock.

That's a bummer... Well, if it doesn't bud out this spring, I'll go buy another tree. I kinda want to move it to a different location anyway....

 

[chickengr]

Somebody recently mentioned getting small beds for herbs. Here's another option to grow up in compact spaces if needed:
Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Strawberry, Herb, Flower, and Vegetable Planter - Vertical Garden Indoor/Outdoor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TFTW3U/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_7J7088E8D0F7D5E240T3
$35 doesn't seem bad for 5 tiers.

in my (hot) climate this does not work. it is fine for climates with cooler summers.

 

[chickengr]

I'm just wondering (don't get offended please) If all the people who have fruit trees know this:
You have to give your fruit trees a 5-gallon bucket of water every week unless you get 2 inches of rain that week. All spring and summer, for 2 years.
You also need to fertilize twice a year. I did twice for the first 4 years and now I do it only in the spring now that they're 10 years old.
Also, if you lose trees from Gurneys, call them and tell them. You could get replacements or money back. They have new owners now, but I think they still stand by their policy.

I don't get offended, I do get informed. I did not know it so thank you.

 

[chickengr]

I use Gurneys fruit tree fertilizer, it gets expensive for all of the trees I have. I'm hoping to find a more economical fertilizer that works as good as it does. Even if I have to mix it myself.
I also have 3 Pear trees, 3 Plum trees, 3 Peach trees and 2 Cherry bushes. I have 8 small blueberry bushes, along with black raspberry and blackberry bushes. So yeah super expensive.

I use chicken poop and home made compost. super cheap, lol. I have had lemons, oranges, peaches, nectarines, apples (survived heat 3 years only), pears, vanilla plums, pomegranate and figs.

 

[chickengr]

I had a 6 ft Granny Smith that I purchased from a nursery and planted back in 2020. It did well for the first year, but late last fall all the leaves suddenly started dying. I should have tried harder to do something back then, but being sick with Covid and busy with work, I just didn't get around to it. I'm REALLY hoping it buds out this spring. If it doesn't, I'm going to be really bummed out. It did have a live sucker from the base so maybe that's an option to keep it going if the main part of the tree doesn't come back.

I do need to get out there and spray my apple and peach trees with some neem oil.

Should I prune them too even though they are only 1-2 yrs old?

I prune young trees so they can develop roots well and don't put too much energy into growing. I heard that many years ago and it has always worked. it takes more time to grow but trees are healthy and stable.

 

[Swiss]

I bought seed starting mix and plastic cups yesterday. Until seed starting season arrives, I'll have to make myself sit on my hands. Although, I will be distracted by the puppy in a few weeks, so that should help.

 

[Swiss]

Oops. I forgot that I need to clean my seed starting supplies. I just need to do that at the end of using them. Then, I get to just pull them out at the beginning of the season.

I do have questions about succession planting. It all makes sense in my head, but I get really confused when I try to plan out how much needs to be started first. Is it as simple as planting a few of the variety to start, and then just waiting a week to plant more, and waiting another week, etc. until I get the amount I've planned for? I wouldn't be at all surprised if I was over complicating it and that's why I'm getting confused.