23,948 Garden Web Discussions | Vegetable Gardening

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vm3y

I also have a 12 inch deep bed, and grass did come up through all that soil, so I would definitely use cardboard. I don't know what type of grass I have, but I live in northern VA.

1 Like    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 2:27PM
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charlieboring

Actually, the cardboard works great. It deters grass and weed growth from below and provides a welcome attraction to earthworms that improve your soil. This raised bed has a layer of cardboard under it and it supports artichokes and has supported tomatoes.

1 Like    Bookmark     April 30, 2015 at 5:53AM
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Tallest Sweet Corn ?What's the tallest sweet corn?
Posted by celestial(Zone-Enabled) April 27, 2015
7 Comments
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celestial(Zone-Enabled)

nice! did you get your golden bantam 12-row from baker creek?

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 11:03AM
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Reaver Bloom

Yep! ^_^

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 10:28PM
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lasteenblik

thank you for all of the help. I can't remember the types of zucchini of the top of my head. When I get home I will let you know.

They are two different varieties. I'm glad that the sliver leaves aren't concerning, and that everyone thinks they look good.

As Peter said my main concern is the wilting and brown spots.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 8:47AM
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lasteenblik

OK the two varieties are costata romanesco, I believe the ones with the silvery leaves is a raven.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 9:18PM
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celestial(Zone-Enabled)

I remove suckers in the greenhouse (to train the plants up a trellis) and leave 'em be in the garden where I don't have capacity issues.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 10:49AM Thanked by Philothea Francis
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Philothea Francis

Galinas and Celestial,

Thanks so much! Both your responses were also helpful :)

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 8:26PM
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daninthedirt(Cent TX; HZ10, Sunset z30, USDA z8a)

You can look it up. A third of the worlds population is estimated to carry a toxoplasmosis infection. You've probable gotten it. In immunocompetent people it just causes flu-like symptoms. It is not dangerous, though pregnant women who have not been previously exposed to it (such exposure confers some natural immunity) are exposed to some fetal risk. Such immunity is normally tested for in pre-natal exams, I believe. Those who are immunocompromised can also be at risk for serious symptoms.

Now, that being said, warm blooded animals can carry the parasite, so if you're worried about cat poop, you'd better be worried about at least squirrel poop as well. Your cat is unlikely to have it if it is primarily an indoor cat, such that it can't eat the parasite-ridden meat outside.

Wash and or cook your food (especially that food whose fruit grows in the soil) and wash your hands after yo've been handling soil. It's that simple.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 5:26PM
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galinas(5B)

Soil is soil. Birds that could be caring deadly viruses poop there. Wild animals, who's health is not better then your cat's poop there. You still use the soil and eat your veggies. Wash them well. Remove the poop you see. And stop worrying)

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 5:50PM
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vgkg(Z-7)

Not flea beeltes, holes too big? Probably slug damage like annew says.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 3:01PM
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tripleione(6b)

Also agree, looks like slugs eating your plants. Try going out just after it gets dark, when they become more active. Pick them off your plants and drop them in a bowl of soapy water.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 4:31PM
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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)

A few years ago I might have agreed with Dave about transplanting cucs but there are often good reasons for starting indoors. One of my best reasons is to know the germination of plants and adjust planting routine accordingly. Another is that the cucumber beetles won't be devastating them as they emerge.

I like to plant both ways but I'm leaning to indoor starting when a good stand is important. Like other cucurbits you want to transplant before they start growing into each other. Mine are in the ground a week and I'm expecting them to takeoff any time now.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 3:11PM
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Eric (zone 5b)
You are all great! This has been very helpful! My beans, broccoli and kale are all doing well outside... So we'll just have to see how the cucumbers turn out!
    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 3:14PM
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gardenviking

I've put them inside at night and cut off the dead leaves and they're showing some progress sprouting new leaves.

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 1:37PM
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kathyb912_in (5a/5b, Central IN)

I notice you're not answering where you live, so I'm guessing you've figured out that you put them outside way too early. :) Generally, you don't want to put tomatoes outside until the LOWS are consistently above 50 degrees, and peppers until the LOWS are above 55. That's typically a good couple weeks after your last frost date, unless your long range forecast says differently. Baby those damaged plants as an experiment to see how they do, but don't count on them as your main crop; you may not get much from them even if they survive. Since you say you have others in pots that are still OK, put them outside when the daytime temps are in the 70's, but bring them all inside at night until the lows are above 50-55. Peppers like it warm, warm, warm, even warmer than tomatoes. Good luck!

    Bookmark     April 29, 2015 at 2:17PM
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nancyjane_gardener(Zone 8ish North of San Francisco in the "real" wine country)

Well, all I got with the cornmeal in the damp newspaper was a bunch of baby centipedes! No earwigs! Nancy

    Bookmark     April 26, 2015 at 6:08PM
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gsweater

Sorry took so long to respond woohooman. Here's the one I'm referring to. I did this last year and it did in fact work. I'm not ambitious enough to go out with flashlights, filming at night like he does, but I caught a bunch. Cheap too.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 6:47PM
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Shayne Campbell

Hi, To answer your questions:

1)Site - Hill, tranche, or as is? see #3

2) Soil amendments or new soil? I have compost, shredded leaves, pit moss, can buy any mix they sell in stores. Watermelons love rich soil. I typically plant mine in Pure compost and will add 13-13-13 though out the year

3) Is it enough space for Sugar Baby? I can let it grow to my compost piles behind. If you can let them grow in your compost pile you will be happier in the long run. As long as they get 6+ hours sun

4) How many should I plant - one or two? If two - how close to each other? You typically want to plant them 36-48 inches apart. The vines can grow 10-25 ft in length so make sure you have the space (10 feet min).

Hope that helps and let me know what you decide.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 5:13PM
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galinas(5B)

Thank you, they should have enough sun and I have plenty of strait horse manure compost I can add. Would the water going to the planting site be an issue? Do I have to hill it up?

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 5:39PM
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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

Geez, people. Perhaps the OP wants to use the raised bed simply for aesthetic reasons. Nothing wrong with that.

Rodney

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 11:49AM
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Peter (6b SE NY)

I wasn't saying there was anything wrong with it... just that might as well use it elsewhere where it will be more useful (and still look just as good)... assuming there is an elsewhere.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 12:05PM
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Peter (6b SE NY)

In my (limited) experience, not really. You can do a bit of training, but the vines are brittle and difficult to control. You can kind of direct it in one direction but trying to keep it in one direction only I don't think will work out. If they can sprawl out in 3 directions, then ok that might work.

This is a picture of my Small Sugar pumpkins from last year, at maybe 65% size. This is 2 plants but mostly just one in the picture. As you can see, it is taking over. They had like 10x10 space in the garden but that wasn't even close to enough. They grew out over the Spirea, onto the ground.. it was a mess. That fence is 6' high.

This is in the garden when they were maybe 40-50% size - 2 plants

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 11:59AM
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uncgdc_7b

Gotcha - thanks for the pics - that helps put things in perspective. I think I'll be looking for a place on the ground to plant it, or give to someone who has a little more room.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 12:04PM
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mystmaiden(texas zone 8)

Thanks all, I didn't know Burpee did that, will have to remember!

    Bookmark     April 27, 2015 at 8:11AM
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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

Just recently I had my own experience with Burpee selling something on an in-store seed rack but having no information online. So now if I come across something on a Burpee rack that sounds interesting and have never heard of before I'll look it up prior to buying.

Rodney

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 11:53AM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)
    Bookmark     April 27, 2015 at 5:53PM
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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

How are you growing them? And where about are you located?

Rodney

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 11:42AM
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the_basicpoke(7a N.E. OK)

Thank you for all the answers. I am in zone 7a in northeast OK. I haven't had any trouble with birds eating my plants. I have never grown watermelons but have had success with cantaloupe. I may not have enough space for the watermelons but we'll see how it goes.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 6:25AM
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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

I wouldn't sow more watermelon seeds unless the rows are far apart. I'd leave the two that spouted next to each other and just let their vines sprawl down the empty part of the row.

Rodney

    Bookmark     April 28, 2015 at 11:34AM
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