23,822 Garden Web Discussions | Vegetable Gardening

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elisa_z5

little minnie -- thanks for the info on the golds, and the details on your growing.
I always wish my potato yields were better, so I'm always interested in what people with great yields are doing.

My soil is naturally 5.4 PH, so I'm planning to open up a dedicated potato bed and not lime it, and rotate potatoes in and out of there.

    Bookmark     December 1, 2013 at 8:18PM
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soilent_green

runswithscissors - Thanks for your response to my question. I guess my preferred method of targeted applications will not work, but I am thinking of still trying it as an experiment in one row. A second row will have an application of ammonium sulfate. A third row will have an application of 10-10-10. Those three rows will be compared to a third row that uses just organic compost. Will be interesting to see the results. My main crop will be planted elsewhere using my usual planting methods.

I have not grown Purple Viking but based on comments here I plan on giving this variety a try. I normally plant Red Pontiac (and occasionally Red Norland), Yukon Gold, Russet Burbank, Kennebec White, and Russian Banana fingerlings. This last season I experimented with some new varieties with mixed results:

Red Gold - poor
Red Cloud - good
Carola - very good
Irish Cobbler - poor
German Butterball - good

The seed was purchased from out of state so I withhold ultimate judgment on these varieties until they have acclimated to my soil and local growing conditions. If all the varieties store well enough the entire harvest will be used for seed stock. It was fun to grow some new varieties after growing just the tried-and-true standards since the 1980s.

My Golden Yukons always produce low yields of very good quality potatoes and continue to be highly regarded by people who get them from me. Seed stock has always been cheap and readily available locally, so my solution has been to simply plant more Yukons rather than try to find a higher yielding substitute that might turn out to be a disappointment for whatever reason. That being said, I think I would be foolish not to give Augusta Gold a try. :-)

    Bookmark     December 2, 2013 at 3:26PM
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farmerdill

Usually refers to a variety/varieties like neck pumpkins, Tahitian melons. These are butternut types (C. moschata) with extra long necks. Very recently some vendors are including Cushaws (C. Mixta) many of which have crooknecks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Neck Pumpkin

    Bookmark     December 2, 2013 at 12:49PM
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HotHabaneroLady(7a Central MD)

I'm wondering why it might be best for my apple trees not to flower. This is the first time I've planted them, although I have had pre-existing apple trees in other places that I've lived.

I'm loving the chance to hear from others. It's giving my more ideas for next year!

Angie

    Bookmark     December 1, 2013 at 11:34PM
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ltilton

Flowering is OK, but fruiting can cause the tree to divert its energy from growing strong healthy scaffolds and branches that will support lifelong fruiting. And the first season or so that the tree does fruit, it should be thinned so it doesn't overbear.

You might consider visiting the Fruits and Orchards forum here, where a group of very experienced growers often discuss these issues.

    Bookmark     December 2, 2013 at 12:06AM
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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

Definitely wait. March would be a good time to start the seeds inside if you have grow lights or if you have a very sunny window. April if you can't grow inside but have some cover outside (greenhouse, coldframe, etc.) but you'd have to watch the temps and you'll probably (almost guaranteed) have to bring the plants inside at night to prevent them from freezing and take them back outside during the day to get sun. You'll have to harden the plants off before planting them in your garden.

You can also try winter sowing them. It will take the guess work out of when to start seeds. Basically you plant the seeds outside when it's cold, in a closed but vented container, and the seeds will sprout when it gets warm enough.
Prepping A Gallon Jug For Winter Sowing
How to Winter Sow Seeds Outdoors
Winter Sowing Forum

Rodney

    Bookmark     December 1, 2013 at 12:38PM
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jimster(z7a MA)

Some people start corn inside but I think most do not. I would sow it directly in the ground in May.

Jim

    Bookmark     December 1, 2013 at 8:07PM
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wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana

Yes, wait.

    Bookmark     November 30, 2013 at 4:26PM
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aloha10

I generally cut mine down after the first hard freeze. However, a few times I had to let them stay up all winter due to circumstances, and I noted no difference in the following year's crop. There's not going to be much photosynthesis going on after you start getting frosts. Really looking forward to next April's first spears.

    Bookmark     November 30, 2013 at 8:19PM
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sunnibel7 Md 7(7)

I'm pretty sure you can move your garlic. It is tough stuff, very similar to onions, which get grown from seed then yanked out and shipped all over the country in little bundles that are quite dry. Horseradish is also pretty indestructable, we've started many new plants with just the crown or even part of a crown. You've already been given advice on how to store those until planting. Also, it might not be too late and you could just order some more garlic now and plant as soon as you see the daffodils coming up in the spring. I had to spring plant my garlic one year and it did fine.

    Bookmark     November 25, 2013 at 9:18AM
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seysonn(8a WA/HZ 1)

Let me tell you this : IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT to kill any member of the alliums during transplant. Just for an example, look at the onion seedlings that they sell in the spring planting time. They have been already pulled out for weeks and poorly kept. So you buy them plant them .. Voilla !!

    Bookmark     November 30, 2013 at 2:26AM
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nc_crn

It's extremely expensive per unit ($20).

Though there is a benefit from the heating coil component in some areas at some time of year, it's hard to get over the price vs. the marginal benefit that gives in all but the cooler times of year.

Also, the heating coil is rather small...and it seems to run all the time rather than turn off when soil temperatures could get too warm.

    Bookmark     November 29, 2013 at 8:42PM
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Jonathan29

I suppose you are right. But what aboit if you were using it for a few indoor plants rather than a hole raised bed. I mean it is expensive but you would think i would be more benifical for the plant in an consistent tempatured environment.

    Bookmark     November 29, 2013 at 10:21PM
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vgkg(Z-7)

The good news is that cauliflower doesn't spread around too much pollen :). I grew Cheddar a few years ago, really pretty on the raw veggie/dip platter. I think the carrots were jealous.

    Bookmark     November 25, 2013 at 5:24PM
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macky77(2a)

I just wanted to drop in to say thank you to nc-crn for being so awesome. That's all. Carry on. :)

    Bookmark     November 28, 2013 at 9:35PM
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emmers_m(9a/Sunset 7 N Cal)

I have used plangarden.com with success in the past. I did also do a free trial of the growveg planner, and neither stood out to me as truly superior than the other - just had some different strengths. For my next garden layout I'll probably have to reevaluate both because I don't remember enough of my conclusions :)

~emmers

    Bookmark     November 27, 2013 at 9:53AM
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veggiecanner(Id 5/6)

i justb use an old spread sheet.

    Bookmark     November 28, 2013 at 9:06PM
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

There is a Hot Peppers Forum here on GW. People over there might be able to help. There are specialist companies in the UK which do named pepper seeds so I'm sure there are lots in the US too.

This UK site has several you name, there's got to be a US equivalent: http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/hot_chili_pepper_seed.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Pepper Forum

    Bookmark     November 28, 2013 at 6:49AM
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fespo

I have ordered from here.

http://www.pepperjoe.com/

    Bookmark     November 28, 2013 at 8:32AM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

The APHIS/USDA FAQs linked below cover it all - download the forms, who and how to contact for testing, etc. Just scroll through all the info there.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: APHIS/USDA - phytosanitary certification for agricultural commodities and export certification

    Bookmark     November 27, 2013 at 10:43AM
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gardningscomplicated(southeast michigan - 5b or 6?)

Thanks Dave. It looks like it's possible, but it's not going to be easy.

    Bookmark     November 27, 2013 at 6:26PM
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pnbrown

We've been down to 23 here, and also had snow. Assuredly the coldest earliest weather since I have been here since 1981.

    Bookmark     November 27, 2013 at 7:48AM
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glib(5.5)

Very pleased with my collards. I had left about ten unpicked outside the hoop houses, they suffered through multiple sub-15 nights, with 96 consecutive hours of freezing weather. But yesterday afternoon it went above freezing for about 5 hrs. They popped back up and were promptly picked, about 40 lbs before cleaning. Lots of greens, obviously I will not go under the hoop houses until after Christmas.

    Bookmark     November 27, 2013 at 11:48AM
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barb_roselover_in

runswithscissors: You got me. Must know how you go about doing this. I'm not into the hoop gardening because I would have no help in doing this, but if it is a flourescent deal which I have set up under lights in a 50 degree garage, it tweeks my interest intensely. Give me the details--and you are in a colder zone which would help. Barb

    Bookmark     November 25, 2013 at 1:44PM
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Ohiofem(6a Ohio)

Well, my suggestion doesn't meet the test of being inexpensive, but it's a lot less complicated to set up than many others you've gotten. I got the late fall gardening jones bad last year, so I told my family that the only I wanted for Christmas was an Aerogarden. I used mine in my small, windowless office at work to grow herbs. In about 8 weeks, I was able to harvest six different herbs. People grow dwarf peppers and tomatoes as well as greens in them. It's a lot if fun for a small investment in time.

    Bookmark     November 25, 2013 at 9:47PM
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donnabaskets(Zone 8a, Central MS)

Oh, Nancy, what a great idea! I love stuffed peppers but hate all the extra work to do the stuffing. I am going to try that! Go You!

I had a pleasant surprise with my pepper harvest this year. In early July I bought a TAM pepper on a whim. I was told that it was "heatless". Not mine. Not even close. HOT!

However, we have a South Korean medical student living with us this year and he adores hot peppers, as does my son in law. So, I made hot pepper sauce using one of the recipes from Pepper Joe's web site. They are loving it! That one plant yielded enough for 6 pints of sauce. I'll plant earlier next year!

Sometimes, surprises are good...

    Bookmark     November 9, 2013 at 6:05PM
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nickrosesn

Here are the Red Peppers I picked today. The plants are still putting on fruits, should I cut the fruits so the plants don't waste there energy?

    Bookmark     November 25, 2013 at 6:43PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

I'd take that supplier's response with a grain or two of salt Mark. Especially if you end up with 50% female. The % of all-male plants received differs from supplier to supplier.

It isn't that they have 'reverted' but that some growers aren't nearly as careful with their crown selections for sale nor as dedicated to assuring quality as some others are.

Even so any of the Jersey series still surpasses production of quality spears when compared to the Washington strains.

Dave

    Bookmark     November 24, 2013 at 11:45PM
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jrb451

Thanks for the input. I did think it odd that the supplier used "Hybrid" instead of naming the specific cultivar.

    Bookmark     November 25, 2013 at 9:32AM
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