tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post7966099208381876322..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Poised For PlantingLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48699534423513741712019-04-07T00:28:27.432-04:002019-04-07T00:28:27.432-04:00Let me think. Well tree wise I lost a bare root pe...Let me think. Well tree wise I lost a bare root pear and apple to the horrible conditions in the air with the wildfires in July through August. Lost a four year old plum to bore despite precautions female the male lived and is looking better . Loosely translated means not dead yet. Myer lemon is trudging ahead despite winds, rain, snow, rains and hard freezes. So is a year old Peach which gave me a surprise of four yummy peaches last year. <br /><br />Planted 23 garlic and after the floods and snow 5 are growing currently. Lost two blueberries and two rose bushes. Again I attribute it to the horrible environmental conditions due to the wildfires and then the freaky winter we have had. But thank God we didn't burn and prayers to all who did. <br /><br />I have 12 tomato starts , half cherry types and half a slicing size . Both heirloom. 6 spinach, 6 broccoli, radishes coming up , red sweet onions in a six pack, chives, catnip and seeds for more radishes, carrots and bush beans. All tucked into my green house but if they don't hit the ground soon it could be a redo.<br /><br />It is still storming here. Warmer which is good but still lots of rain. Need good weather to get my raised bed up and going. I do have a early variety of strawberries aplenty. If the flowers are truly indicative of what is to come I should have a generous crop for my table. But everything is tentative at this point. For here as in the rest of the country it seems as if nothing is "normal" anymore. In soooo many ways. Goatldihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07222031369656684797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-87285223653989545612019-04-06T10:57:01.456-04:002019-04-06T10:57:01.456-04:00We planted our potatoes, garlic, and onions last m...We planted our potatoes, garlic, and onions last month. So far this month has been beets, lettuces, spinach, carrots, and peas. More to do today. Cockeyed JoCockeyed Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12107151148843311635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-27214080278033528702019-04-06T08:59:23.390-04:002019-04-06T08:59:23.390-04:00we've had a cold spell just now, so I didn'...we've had a cold spell just now, so I didn't do all that much in the garden... bought some ready tomato plants - and need to keep them well covered in wrap etc. in the greenhouse! from your pix I can see that you're far ahead weatherwise - no flowers on our fruit trees yet, other than cornelian cherries and berberis! and I've grown potatoes in pots and growbags for a while now - that way I usually escape blight, though the harvest isn't as big as it would be in normal soil (provided there's no blight or I'd spray - which I don't). hopefully we do get some spring weather and don't jump from winter directly into a heatwave like last year! Woolly Bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961632742998726155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-1704542415917379432019-04-06T06:09:18.844-04:002019-04-06T06:09:18.844-04:00Rose, yes, digging potatoes is fun! I always liken...Rose, yes, digging potatoes is fun! I always likened it to hunting Easter eggs. :)<br /><br />Kathy, I am fortunate to have an early planting season. On the other hand, our mid-summer heat can be a garden killer! LOL. Learning to adapt has been a challenge.<br /> <br />TB, I hope so! I tend to give up on something after several years of fails (like the potatoes) but every now and then I'm willing to give them a new try. I wish you success in you growing ventures this year!<br /><br />Phil, seed potatoes have indeed gone up in price, which is a definite deterrent. I like the idea of planting sprouted potatoes from the pantry! And we do have plenty of white oaks, so maybe a nice rotted leaf mulch will be my key to success!<br /><br />Margy, sounds like you've had great success! So nice to live in an extensive growing season, isn't it?<br /><br /><br />Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2557740382140723212019-04-06T01:07:08.291-04:002019-04-06T01:07:08.291-04:00I have lots of volunteer pansies from last year th...I have lots of volunteer pansies from last year thanks to my chop and drop mulching method. I transplanted them from the blueberry and bean container into deck pots. Not a one died! I still need to pull some carrots and beet, and my kale, but the bees are loving the yellow blossoms so I'm waiting a bit. - MargyPowell River Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17580698518291129041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-41176345727292340672019-04-06T00:07:10.229-04:002019-04-06T00:07:10.229-04:00I looked at seed potatoes today and they have real...I looked at seed potatoes today and they have really gone up in price. My Norland reds did really well last year, so will try to find those. If not, I have some really sprouty white potatoes from the store in the basement that I might try. I have used russets that way in the past. I think they are non-GMO. I always throw on a big load of rotted white oak leaves before planting. I think they are high in acid, and the spuds like that. Maybe it's a wives' tale, but it works. Phil<br />The Wykeham Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04223636697571715201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-18123217007969215262019-04-05T23:14:49.335-04:002019-04-05T23:14:49.335-04:00Leigh, I intend to try sweet potatoes this year. ...Leigh, I intend to try sweet potatoes this year. And take one more swing at corn and tomatoes. I have to get it right some year, correct?Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-5370234992051559692019-04-05T20:43:24.802-04:002019-04-05T20:43:24.802-04:00Wow, your winter garden is doing very well. The sn...Wow, your winter garden is doing very well. The snow just melted away in our veggie garden this past weekend. We're looking forward to planting a lot of new things, but boy oh boy, your garden seems to have fed you pretty mush right up into the new planting season !KathyB.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13076933273610590290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-86673175724054804872019-04-05T15:47:43.330-04:002019-04-05T15:47:43.330-04:00Oh, you are so making me miss gardening...digging ...Oh, you are so making me miss gardening...digging potatoes is like opening presents. Always loved that even as a kid. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08015780995837712115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-61097367496034770122019-04-05T13:45:54.557-04:002019-04-05T13:45:54.557-04:00Mama Pea, if you reported your garden was up and c...Mama Pea, if you reported your garden was up and coming this time of year I'd think the world had tilted on its axis! LOL. At least you don't have a winters-worth of weeds to compete with everything you plant. ;)<br /><br />Sam, you can't beat fresh greens all winter long! Hopefully you won't heat up as quickly as we do. It's disappointing to have things bolt so quickly in spring. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-63295146136194958642019-04-05T12:59:13.354-04:002019-04-05T12:59:13.354-04:00Love hearing about what you're up to. I used ...Love hearing about what you're up to. I used to have crab apple trees lining my driveway on my little acreage and the drive would be covered in white and some pink...it looked like snow.<br />I haven't tried potatoes down here but thought I might this year so I will go read your friend's tutorial about it as containers are the only way I can garden here.<br />I haven't checked if my peas are up yet but they might be after the rain we had. Kale isn't up yet and I think as it warms up my lettuce from winter will probably give out but that was the greatest...having lettuce and greens all winter long.<br />You're ahead of me on most things. Your carrots are beautiful and those violets are amazing! Sam I Am......https://www.blogger.com/profile/17358633233189452832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-74955829319606813652019-04-05T10:52:10.427-04:002019-04-05T10:52:10.427-04:00You know you make me laugh so often when you ask w...You know you make me laugh so often when you ask what's happening in my garden! :o) We got a covering of snow over night so my nearly snow-free garden areas are now back into shivering mode. Seriously, I do enjoy hearing about what's going on in your garden this time of year (and all times) because it helps to understand how very different our climates are and yet we can all grow a certain amount of our food. Most seasons! Your little violet patch is beautiful. Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-43443700986600453742019-04-05T08:39:28.159-04:002019-04-05T08:39:28.159-04:00RT, I admit I'm sold on the Cosmic Purple carr...RT, I admit I'm sold on the Cosmic Purple carrots! They have done really well in my soil and are so fun to show off. Grated they give a purple tip to the shreds. <br /><br />Not much of a fan of summer either, especially our southern ones! But you're right about the produce. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-17561692414806727452019-04-05T08:37:42.446-04:002019-04-05T08:37:42.446-04:00Ed, that's a good question and something I puz...Ed, that's a good question and something I puzzled over. The first year we planted potatoes we planted 10 pounds and harvested 120. For the next several years I could only harvest about the same amount as I planted. Talk about discouraging. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, do consistently well for me (unless deer kill them by continually eating down the vines). Weather could be a big part, for sure. Also soil fertility which we've been working on. We have rainwater collection now too, so a good drink during a dry spell will help.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-35191438045444205792019-04-05T08:35:06.947-04:002019-04-05T08:35:06.947-04:00I LOVE the look of those carrots. Actually I real...I LOVE the look of those carrots. Actually I really enjoy getting veggies that are not the traditional colors you see in the grocery store. It is not so common here - carrots are orange - end of story! :-(. When we get into the summer season, then you might find some interesting colors in farmer's markets. I hate summer, but I love the produce from summer.Retired Knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-52337276754480075092019-04-05T08:30:51.861-04:002019-04-05T08:30:51.861-04:00Up until reading your post, I always assumed potat...Up until reading your post, I always assumed potatoes were one of the easiest vegetables to grow. We've always had some in our garden and they always produce. How much is dependent on the weather. Too dry and they don't produce many and too wet things start to develop early rot. I wonder if it just gets too hot for them down that far south.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-53523059383432781702019-04-05T08:20:12.585-04:002019-04-05T08:20:12.585-04:00Kristina, have you thought about trying organic gr...Kristina, have you thought about trying organic grocery store potatoes? I know they aren't supposed to "work" but it might be worth a try. Interestingly, my WalMart seed potatoes were labeled "non-GMO," which was what prompted the impulse to buy them. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-65573910927247467652019-04-05T06:43:30.979-04:002019-04-05T06:43:30.979-04:00We haven't been able to locate organic non-gmo...We haven't been able to locate organic non-gmo seed potatoes this spring. I'm sort of worried. The store said they ordered more, but I need time for them to grow eyes too. Pioneer Woman at Hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16533698959389851926noreply@blogger.com