What did you do in the garden today?

[Acre4Me]

My go to squash is the Buttercup.

Absolutely love the flavor. Really prolific most years. The only downside is that the vines will spread out and overtake half my garden. I'm thinking about building a pallet wood raised garden bed just for the squash, off in the yard, all by itself, so it has room to grow without choking out all my other plants in the garden.

Will probably have to temporarily sacrifice a section of the backyard to make it happen, but I guess I'd rather lose some grass than lose my other plants in the garden.

If you are going to give your Butternut squash a rest for the year, you might want to try out the Buttercup squash and see if you like it.

Buttercup were first hit and killed by squash vine borer last summer. They are in the group LOVED by SVB (C. maxima?). So, I’ll be planting as a trap crop for SVB. Then my butternuts (different squash group not as preferred by SVB) will be ignored by SVB.

 

[karenerwin]

We have talked about this exactly! Rabbit cages above the compost. But, it will take time to plan, and build….and it’s not high priority right now.

Last winter I installed one rabbit cage right in my raised bed garden. Then when spring arrived I moved the rabbit and cage to a different location.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I will watch out for the potting soil falling out. Someone mentioned that they use a coffee filter in their net cups so the soil does not come out. I saw a YouTube video where they lined the net cup with a paper towel. Evidently, both are good enough to keep the soil in but the roots will still poke through and air prune. Obviously, I'm hoping that the slits in the net pots I ordered are not too wide for my soil, whatever medium I end up using.

I line the inside of my peat pots (made with cow manure) with paper towels because the hole at the bottom is like an inch in diameter! Crazy...

 

[TJAnonymous]

I've been tempted to get meat rabbits. Their manure can be used straight in the garden. Urine might be good to leave in the compost though as the ammonia might increase N levels too rapidly in a garden bed and burn plants.

We used to have a pet rabbit. It's hard to go from pet to meat, especially for DW, and I hesitate to add more work load to or plate right now. So rabbits are a thought but certainly not a priority at the moment for us.

I'm very tempted to get some too. DH tells me NO! We have a large enough feed bill as it is...

Well...he's not wrong but....

 

[TJAnonymous]

Amish Paste has been my "go-to" tomato. Last year's yield was disappointing, though. But Hungarian Heart MORE than made up for it!

I've grown Bloomsdale spinach (very common variety) and Waltham Butternut (another "standard"). My spinach only does so-so, always has. It likes some afternoon shade, BTW. Butternut squash used to be my "never fail, gobs and gobs!" crop. Last year I got 3. The year before, ZERO! I don't know what happened. Gonna give it a rest this year and grow something else.

I'm also growing Amish Paste this year.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Starting the next round of seeds today...

 

[jerryse]

Buttercup were first hit and killed by squash vine borer last summer. They are in the group LOVED by SVB (C. maxima?). So, I’ll be planting as a trap crop for SVB. Then my butternuts (different squash group not as preferred by SVB) will be ignored by SVB.

Butternut are in the Moschata group and vine boers do not bother that group.

 

[gtaus]

I line the inside of my peat pots (made with cow manure) with paper towels because the hole at the bottom is like an inch in diameter! Crazy...

When you transplant your peat pots out into the garden, do you plant the whole peat pot, or do you crack/tear it up first? I ask because I just watched a YouTube video a few nights ago and the guy there said that many peat pots - contrary to what they advertise - do not breakdown until the next year. or even longer. Meaning that your plants roots might not be able to grow through and outside the pot. Essentially, becoming root bound in the peat pot in the ground.

Here is the link to the video, and it should be cued up to the section on the peat/cow pots at 6:44 into the video.

I think the whole video is worth watching, even though the guy comes off as a negative Nancy.

Warning! I think his best method for seed starting might surprise some people. I don't want to give it away, but I was a little disappointed because he did NOT talk about soil blocks or net cups, the two methods I plan on trying this year.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Getting a bit caught up on chores. I up potted my leeks into 3 inch peat pots. I have 36 pots full and still have leftover seedlings. I’ll hang onto them until the others get over any transplant shock. DD is coming over to help start the tomatoes. I’ve had good luck with San Marzano the past 3 years and I really love the Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. I like that I can toss them in the freezer and make a fresh tasting pasta primavera quickly or just sautée them in olive oil with my homegrown herbs for a simple side dish. Fingers crossed I may get to uncover the garlic next week. During the day on Tuesday we are headed into more Spring like temperatures with the lows above freezing. I can’t wait.

 

[Sally PB]

When you transplant your peat pots out into the garden, do you plant the whole peat pot,

Not about this issue, but I've heard (several times from several places/people) to be SURE you bury the entire peat pot. The rim sticking up out of the ground can wick moisture away from the roots.

I haven't bought anything in a peat pot in many years. I'll be interested in what people have to say about tearing the pot to give the roots easier access to the surrounding soil.