BS: Gardening, 2009

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 09 - 12:30 AM

A few days ago I replanted the beans. Last night I put out bowls of beer and drowned a couple dozen more snails. The sprouts are pushing out now. I went out with the flashlight and found one big honker snail oozing that direction and an insidious but just as destructive little snail on the move. I'm afraid there is an uphill battle to get something tough enough over there to resist the snails. I am going to start some in the house and transplant them when they're bigger. Keep a succession of beans going out there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 15 May 09 - 11:51 AM

I've been trying this & it's the first success I've had with any slug killer (& it's safe)!:

http://www.theonlinegardener.com/product.asp?prod=1007848

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 15 May 09 - 11:54 AM

With the "mint taking over the world" problem, you have to plant it in its pot in the ground to stop the roots spreading.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 09 - 12:04 PM

How do you think the lemon balm got onto the brick patio to begin with? In a pot. This might work if you never ever let it go to seed.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 15 May 09 - 11:07 PM

Well, the weather doesn't look good for working in the dirt this weekend.

But that is ok. We certainly need rain to build up the water tables. Although we have been mostly having a cool May, and next week is also going to be cool, with hights in the mid to upper 60's, it is getting late to transplant in these parts.

I hope to leisurely (meaning as I have an extra half hour to spare) work on digging beds and building soil this summer and fall, and to do some planting and transplanting in the fall, which is really the best time to do so here. The problem being that many nurseries, including mail order nurseries, have sold out of what I am interested in by fall.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 09 - 02:10 AM

I took a "starter bag" of iris rhizomes to a co-worker, who doesn't have any in his yard yet. It sounds familiar--he described a lot of beds he's working on. Sounds like the classic "work in progress" yard (like mine.) I shared with him the basics of irises (like "they'll still be alive and ready to go, along with cockroaches, at the site of the next A-bomb.") He was so glad to get them. I had enough in this delivery to plant a bed approx. the size of the desktop he was working at. "It'll be a little skimpy looking for the first year, but they'll fill in, and then thin them about every two years." Or never. You know how it is with irises.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 16 May 09 - 08:17 AM

Well, well, well...

Finally a day off from my 2 full time jobs!!!

So, glory be... I'll try to move a few things today before the rain that have been begging to be be moved and maybe plant an umbrella pine that we bought at a great wholesale nursery outside of Richmond called Acer Acres... BTW, Acer Acres is growing over a 100 cultivars of Japanese maples... 3 gallon plants are $30 wholesale for any of them... They also sell the unbrella pines for $35 in 3 gallon pots... They are in the 3-4 foot range... Love them...

Also maybe get in some mulch refreshing...

We have decided that seein' as the P-Vine is earning money at the plant center that we're going to use a bunch of it to enclose our main garden which is roughly 450 feet long and 100 feet deep into the woods... Yeah, I know it will be a major project but when one lives adjacent to the largest game refuge on the east coast (The Shenandoah Nation Forest) there really isn't any other choice... We have used every product and trick in the book but the deer are the enemy... The fence works!!! We have it around our veggie garden and no deer...

Well, better get at it before the rains get here...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 09 - 11:45 AM

Bobert, would that "umbrella" pine also be called the Italian stone pine? I linked to a blog that has some discussion, there are other better photos out there, but these will work. I have several in the yard, in spread out places.

Rain overnight. There was lightning at 3am when I shouted at the dogs to quiet down, and now they probably haven't been out for hours (they come and go at will). Darn. I have to take them to local annual shot clinic at the fire hall. We need to go for a rainy walk so they'll take care of business, then I need to put wet dogs that need baths in the pickup truck with me and drive down there. Good thing it's only six blocks and I'll keep the windows open.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 16 May 09 - 01:11 PM

Nah, Maggie, that ain't it... The Umbrella Pine is shaped alot like a white pine except its needles are very thick and waxy... Kinda like the needles on a Plum Yew but alot longer... Definately a specimen tree... You don't want or need more than one as they can get to be 50 feet tall...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 16 May 09 - 02:56 PM

I think Shenandoah is a national park instead of national forest, Bobert.

Hunting is allowed in national forests but not in national parks.

Deer fence is probably the only real defence you have against the creatures there.

bobert, can I use insecticidal soap on your azaleas? Something is damaging the Kohmo Shekebu. I thought there was maybe a problem last fall and early this spring, and now can see definite insect damage. Leaves folded under at the tip and held together by a sticky, somewhat spiderweb like substance with a tiny black creature enclosed. Can't find my magnifying glass right now to get a good look at it.   Also, brown patches on the leaves where it looks like something has either chewed or sucked almost, but not quite through the leaf. In otherwords, no hole in the leaves, but the leaf is much thinner where it is brown. Does not look fungal or diseased. May be that whatever layed the egg fed first.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 16 May 09 - 03:06 PM

It may be azalea leaf miners. Still trying to figure it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 16 May 09 - 05:14 PM

Well, other than threatening clouds off and on all day, high humidity, and few sprinkles, no rain. I couldashouldawoulda worked in the yard.

But I'm simply too tired.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 09 - 08:45 PM

Rain overnight, rain this morning, into the afternoon. It's still a bit drippy and overcast. What does this mean to a gardener?

Time to pull weeds! I've been out there for the last hour since it has let up some. I'll go out again in a few minutes. I have to run to the store and get some more beer. I'm seeing a huge population of snails this year, and they eat everything.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 16 May 09 - 09:18 PM

Here are some pics of my garden. Everything is doing fine except the okra. The birds keep pecking at it.

Mary's Garden Pics

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 09 - 02:50 AM

Where are you, Maryrrf?

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 17 May 09 - 07:17 AM

Yesterday was the opening show of the gardening season here in the northeast . The show is called "Trade Secrets"" and is the brain child of Bonnie Williams . Lots of garden antiques but the early buyers ($100.00 a ticket ) come for plants like wild orchids from the Himalayas . The plantsmen are so wonderful . Ken Solody of Atlock farm from Somerset NJ is a great topiary man. Amazing to see plants as sculpture .   Andrew Beckman, David Burdock and Rob of Glenwood flowers were all a hit . My daughter got to reacquaint herself with Martha's French bulldogs who watched from outside the gates to the show . Everyone is talking vegetables in big pots this year . Funny, PBS was shooting a show on what the rich are doing this year . Well they are buying less pottery at any rate . We did have a beautiful day and saw lots of old friends . Hello to all here , Guy

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:52 AM

I'm just outside of Richmond, Virginia

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 09:24 AM

Sounds like lace bugs to me, Janie but if you cut off a small portion and take to one of the better garden centers, they should be able to identify the pest and reccommend the proper treatment...

I also pm'd you about pedal blight...

More on that later...

Yeah, we are definately going to do the deer fence... I was thinking more about it last night and decided that we might as well take it at least a 100-150 feet back into down into the woods and that way if I have to take down any dead trees I'll have alot more room to fell them... Plus I can enclose my woods roads so I can get my tractor around the fenced area... That alone is enough reason to fence what will probably be a couple acres...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 09 - 10:45 AM

Janie, if it is lace bugs look carefully at the leaves and see if you find the various stages.

life stages photo of lacebug as I photographed them on an eggplant leaf last year. Is this what you're talking aobut, Bobert? I use masking or painters tape and simply roll them off when I find them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 02:27 PM

excellent photo, Stilly.

I think the problem is azalea leaf miners. On very close inspection, I see some similar damage on the mature azaleas here. I think this plant is so affected simply because it is so small. There may be a few lace bugs in the mix. Either way, it looks like a couple of applications of insecticidal soap will control them.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 02:32 PM

I'm jealous of your sunshine, Mary. Looks like an excellent start on your kitchen garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 05:36 PM

Our veggies are pouting... Usually it's in the low 80's by this time in May with nights in the mid to high 50's... Today it never got to 60 and it's sposed to go down to 37 tonight...

We could us a little global warming here in Pine Grove Holler...lol...

Well, at least the spinich is happy...

As fir them critters on yer azalea, Janie, it is a new place for you and the ecological balance (or inbalance) is going to be different... Some critters you didn't use to have yer gonna have plenty of and vice versa... Slugs love shade so be prepared to do battle with them... By the end of yer 1st year there you'll be a pro at shade gardening... And, think...

...moss... Makes great paths and requires no maintenance...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 05:53 PM

We are not having as much sun as usual. In fact, it has been a cool and rainy spring in Virginia. My garden this time last year was a bit farther along, I think. For some reason, the pumpkins have really taken off. I saw a baby pumpkin today! I only planted them May 1st!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Jeri
Date: 17 May 09 - 06:00 PM

My main thing is basil. I have two different kinds planted in half-barrels, a big planter and some in the flower garden just for grins. I LOVE pesto. Made a ton of it just from the one pot/planter. The summer batch was much better than the fall batch.

OK, it's an herb, not a vegateble, but I eat a lot of it and it goes well with vegetables.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 07:01 PM

Uhmmmm, Basil. I love to take a fresh cherry tomato, pinch off a piece of fresh mozzarella, wrap a basil leaf around them, and pop it all in my mouth!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:06 PM

Yes Basil is great. I have some now in the garden that I've been harvesting, and I still have leftover pesto that I made from last year's crop. I froze it in an ice cube tray so when I want to use it I just take a few cubes and add to my soup or pasta. Nothing like the taste of fresh basil though - and you are right, with a home grown tomato and mozzarella - heaven on a plate. Especially with a drizzle of nice olive oil.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:12 PM

The gardening axiom here is - don't plant until June because it will snow for sure off and on through May.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:14 PM

Oh, yeah... Basil, tomato and mozzarella... Little balsomic vineger and yer in basil heaven...

Basil is a must in any garden...

Yo, maryrrf... You have a couple of realy nice nurseries in the Richmond area that also sell retail... One is Sandy's in Mechanicsville and the other is Colesville which is just north of Ashland off Rt. 1... If you haven't checked them out you need too...

There's also a great place to buy Japanese maples out Rt. 33 in Montpieler, Acer Acres, that sells over 100 cultivars of Japanese Maples cheap... Well, I'm not too sure what the retail prices are but we're paying $30 for a 3 gallon acer... That is dirt cheap...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:20 PM

I have a corner of the garden planted in basil this year. One row of seed seems to have washed away so I'll reseed it. A couple of others are coming up. This is the same garden with the oregano, onion, garlic, and peppers. It smells wonderful out there at all times!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:51 PM

slugs and earwigs are about to do my basil in, along with a few other plants.


Earwigs are not supposed to be a big problem, but around here they are awful. Had the same problem at my other house. It seems that using shredded leaves for mulch is increasing the problem with both critters.

Wish earwings liked beer. Then I could get a twofer.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:52 PM

Bottle it up and send us some, Magz...

Ummmmm, I could use some nice herb smells....

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 09:05 PM

I simply blew this whole weekend. I was home by 2:30 or 3:00 yesterday, and it didn't start raining until after 1:00 today, but I didn't do a thing until after three today, and was simply to half-heartedly clean house. I could have at least moved the ginger lilies and the day lilies. They are all still in the ground where I heeled them in last summer when I moved.

I think I would be feeling much better physically and mentally now if I had at least done a little something in the yard or garden.

The old gray mare ain't what she used to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 09:06 PM

Bobert, I ended up getting most of my stuff at a place in Old Church called Crowder's Plants - near where my mom lives. They were a lot cheaper than the big box stores. Sometime I'll have a look at Sandy's, that's not far from where I live.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 18 May 09 - 07:20 AM

Easy to find, Maryrrf... just east of 295 off Mechanicsville Pike... take left @ IHOP then 2nd left which is only 50 feet past the 1st left... then 1/2 mile to Sandy's... Nice variety and big danged nusery...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 18 May 09 - 10:48 AM

We're suppossed to get a freeze tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 May 09 - 10:50 AM

Yes it's going to be very chilly here tonight too - down in the 40's. I HOPE we don't get a freeze.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 18 May 09 - 12:24 PM

We'll have a freeze here tonight, too; time to haul in wood for the stove. Truelove is outside cutting some now, despite his pneumonia. He'd rather be breathless than cold, and I can't argue with that.

Yesterday I dug several perennials destined for potting and the farm stand, weeded in the big veggie garden, sorted a few hundred pots to be disinfected, and added mulch to one of the flower beds. Later in the early evening I weeded most of the asparagus bed.

I'm working in the kitchen and root cellar today. In a little while though, I'll go cut some of that tasty asparagus for tonight's supper.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 09 - 12:45 PM

That part of the yard smells just like an Italian restaurant, Bobert.

Janie, it has been difficult to get going this year, I don't think it is just age, I think there is the combination of false starts with the weather (here) and a bit of cultural malaise for so many other things that weigh down my spirit. But once I get out there I usually perk up. I'm doing some work in a little while--my 'lunch hour' will be spent digging and hauling mulch.

Yesterday I went past a neighbor's house where they had family visiting and were all out in the driveway talking. But I've been trying to catch him at home and outside for ages, so my dogs and I strolled over and ended up heading down into the yard to look at the garden. After surveying the stuff in there so far, I went back up to the group and asked him a few questions about what he's planning, then headed out again. I suspect that as the family of an ardent gardener, all of the rest of them understood its kind of an addiction. :-)   

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 19 May 09 - 10:33 AM

Did I mention the local Rhodie Society had a sale going on last weekend while I was on Cape Cod? So I drove back to NY with most of my back seat leafy and green. Planted one of them last night, hope to get the other in tonight - and then need to plant the two azaleas that have been "decorating" the porch, as well.

I was lucky to find varieties that will take my zone 4 since the Cape is zone 7.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:02 PM

Your own little bit of the arctic tundra right there in New York State.

I have to start the pest control in ernest. Too many little holes in tender leaves for a couple of these plants to make it. Some I'll start over, some I'll treat and see what happens.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:22 AM

I don't presently have access to garden space (I just grow English ivy in a couple of indoor pots, to which a native grass, a fern, and moss have also colonised, by chance), but I remain interested and sure that native gardening is a good green way-forward...

Green/eco-friendly gardening is native gardening, and vegetables, plus other consumables, should be the only exotic-flora we plant - as doing so can help limit food-miles, etc. By filling our other garden spaces with natives, we use less water and other resources, whilst aiding the native-fauna that, over the centuries, evolved with them. (Even high-nectar exotics, such as Buddleia, that are very attractive to SOME native-fauna, should be avoided, because they upset nature's/God's balance – God created evolution, too, that is.)

Our green gardens, with their vegies and natives, can be made still greener by the addition of compost heaps/bins; a wildlife pond – for native frogs, newts, and so on, rather than exotic goldfish; bee- and bird-boxes, plus carefully-selected feeders; rain- and grey-water vats; by growing everything organically - including thrifty home-propagation plus species-swapping; and by leaving some lush untidy patches, decaying branches, etc. (from here).

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:30 AM

Looks like I might get some tomatoes after all. as the angle of the sun has changed the 'maters are getting just a wee bit more light and while not prolific, there are enough blooms to matter.

Hurrah!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:32 AM

Got home last night to find one of the (potted) azeleas almost completly wilted - I *KNEW* I should have watered it yesterday morning.

So I put it to soak in a tub of water - this morning you couldn't tell it had been dry. EVERY blossom came back!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 09 - 12:07 PM

David, go peddle it someplace else, please. You have a dedicated thread to your web site, go play there. Don't start lecturing us without reading all of our gardening threads or you'd see that we're well up on organic, green, native, xeriscape, and food miles.

Cordially,

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:40 PM

I am happy beyond all expectations on this otherwise dismal day. Not only have we received our renewed license to sell nursery stock, today was our Department of Agriculture inspection. We passed easily without problems, and with a notation that our plants all are healthy. Not too shabby for a two person operation, one of whom has pneumonia and the other is recovering from a broken wrist!

He was especially taken with all the environmentally sound improvements and plantings, the beds of native wildflowers, the young orchards, and use of recycled materials for mulch. His highest praise was on behalf of my Truelove's many young home-grafted fruit trees for this year and next year's sales.

Now we are free to open our farm stand and start the flow of income again. I had been feeling the pressure of all the delayed work that all should have been done two months ago. Recent visitors had added to the dismay by seeing none of the accomplishments and all of the unfinished work and piles of downed firewood, greenhouse materials, etc.

The inspector not only conducted the inspection in a professional and informative way, he took the time on his busy day to encourage our efforts and applaud our accomplishments over the last long and difficult year. Gratitude is too mild an adverb to describe my feelings and sense of relief.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:46 PM

Well done, maeve!

May you both continue to heal and may you both, as well as the land and the critters that dwell therein, enjoy the fruits of all your labors.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: gnu
Date: 20 May 09 - 05:56 PM

maeve... "Gratitude is too mild an adverb to describe my feelings and sense of relief.?

Gratitude yourselves! BRAVO!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 May 09 - 09:58 PM

That is WONDERFUL, maeve!!! Congratulations to you both!!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:31 PM

My earliest day lily has sent up scapes, tho' will be a while before bloom time. I hope I brought at least one of each of my day lilies from the old place. Guess I'll find out as they come into bloom.

I may have already said this down thread, but I'm really regretting that I didn't have the time to dig up at least one specimen of each of my peonies. Most of them were pretty common varieties, but there was one heirloom that an old lady had passed on to me from her garden before she died.   They'll do ok in part sun. The new office manager at one of the clinics in which I work is a gardener and has been bringing in vases full of different peonies for the last three weeks.

I'm just realizing that I either did not bring any of the single apricot chrysanthemum, or it was one that I lost over the winter. I knew I lost a couple of the Big Sky series echinacea but there were 4 pots that nothing came back in this spring, and I couldn't remember for sure what I had other than the echinacea that was missing. Fortunately, I passed some of that on to my sister so she can give me divisions when I'm ready for them.

The fields and roadsides are bright now with ox-eye daisies, coreopsis, red clover and batchelor's buttons, and in moist shady ditches along the edge of road and woods out in the country I'm seeing golden ragwort, poison hemlock and fool's parsley, hairy vetch and the like.

After several years of very dry, hot springs, this rather cool spring with adequate rain is wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 11:26 PM

maeve,

Are you anywhere near the same neck of woods as Johnny's Selected Seeds?