What did you do in the garden today?

[igorsMistress]

Several of my tomato seedlings have an issue. I didn't get a picture, so I'll try to describe how they look.

They look like a tiny, seed-size lollypop on a stem. The seed leaves didn't break open the seed hull. I've seen it before, and have never seen one like this actually make it. Well, I counted about a dozen of those. I think I'm going to be replanting a bunch of seeds tomorrow.

You might be able to save them, check this out. It worked for me on a cuke seedling https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/seed-coat-stuck.htm

 

[igorsMistress]

Good morning all. I checked on the jasmine and no more what I believe were spider mites I’ll spray again in a few days to be sure. The lavender has exploded with blooms I have to get Igor moving, see ya later.

 

[Sally PB]

Mara De Bois bare root strawberries

I got some from someone, can't remember who, and they looked great. Unfortunately, they aren't doing well either. I think there are about 3 plants left in the bed, out of 25.

I'd read that Mara De Bois (Mara of the woods) were judged the tastiest of strawberries, so I was eager to grow them. And, our previous dog's name was Mara.

 

[karenerwin]

I was thinking of trying the pressure cooker for hb eggs. Anyone do it that way? ‘they’ say it works well Even for fresh eggs.

My daughter hardboils her eggs that way. Including fresh eggs that I give her. She said it’s great! I personally have not tried it.

 

[Sueby]

I got my strawberries from Nourse & every single one of them lived. They sell out quick so I didn’t get the one I wanted but they’re pretty good.

The corner of our property is wetlands, really just a mushy mess that dries up in summer, but every year we get a couple mallards that stop by for a couple days back there. They are back this year, cracks me up to see them.

Hot out there - 93 today. I watered the peach tree. It’s so cute with its leaves popping. Looks like the tip of 1 branch didnt make it. I guess I should cut that off? I’m HORRIBLE at trimming trees.

 

[jerryse]

Good luck. You should try some of your grapes. Sometimes wild grapes are really good.

I have tried them. They are small and sour. Vitis Riparia very cold hardy and not picky about soil. I just did some grafts onto them. Grapes I have tried to grow do not like my clay soil. These wild grapes are everywhere.

 

[Sally PB]

Grapes I have tried to grow do not like my clay soil. These wild grapes are everywhere.

We have wild grapes everywhere too. One vine has good eating grapes, and the rest have leaves that I harvest Japanese Beetles from.

I bought 4 grapevines to try to grow: 2 Einset (seedless red) and 2 Niagara (seedless green). I have clay soil too, so we'll see. I put mulch in the trench where they'll go, and I'll put lots of mulch around them too.

I've been reading up on grapes, and how to prune and train them. I have a chain link fence for them to grow on. Since they won't fill it all up this season, I'm going to have one small section of the fence for the loofa. (Which sprouted very well for me this time!)

One online source said grape need acidic soil, and sand or clay wasn't an issue, as long as it drained well. I have clay, but I think (hope!) it will be ok. The spot Ichose is up on a hill. Lots of sun, usually a breeze (they need good air circulation). I hope it's not too windy in the winter. Both the varieties I chose are zones 5-8, and I'm 5b.

I'll be planting them after this next cold spell, probably. Then see how they do, and wait 3 years for fruit.

 

[CNJ]

Observation and thoughts on my Kratky with 6 inch net cup bucket cover in comparison to my 3 inch net cup Kratky bucket cover. The roots in my 6 inch net cup are not as robust as my 3 inch net cup, the roots in my 6 inch net cup look like they are being air pruned. I think the bigger net cup allows more moisture to evaporate, so the air space isn't as moist as the 3 inch net cup space.

I was kind of forced to keep the solution level touching the bottom of the 6 inch net cup as the roots were not keeping up with the evaporation. I have grown them like this in my first trial, but was thinking I needed a 3 inch air gap on this new trial, but the size of the cup had a significant difference in the plant roots, so I will switch to 3 inch net cups or try covering the top of my 6 inch net cups in follow up Kratky grow outs.

However, I don't see this problem in my hybrid Dutch bucket system with constant water flow on top. The water flow sucks in air and keeps the air space moist, so the roots don't air prune. There is only a constant 3 inch solution level in my hybrid Dutch buckets and the roots in this system keep growing until it reaches the 3 inch reservoir.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning Gardeners, will go to buy strawberries on a few days.
My strawberries in the barrel all died over winter. Total Bust.
Using dead wheel barrow, tires rusted off piece of sheet metal on the bottom. .

 

[TJAnonymous]

Morning Gardeners, will go to buy strawberries on a few days.
My strawberries in the barrel all died over winter. Total Bust.
Using dead wheel barrow, tires rusted off piece of sheet metal on the bottom. .

This past winter being the exception with several days at 20 below zero, our winters are relatively mild. We typically get a few nights at single digits. Most of the winter is in the 30s and 40s. My plan with the strawberry barrels is to use an insulated water heater wrap or other type of insulated blanket to cover them for the winter. If we are expecting double digits below zero again, I'll just move the barrels into the garage for protection.