23,822 Garden Web Discussions | Vegetable Gardening

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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

So, knowing all that... should I wait till the buds are a bit bigger and then nip them?

JMO, ok? but I would snip them off as soon as they appear until after they are transplanted.

I agree that plants have a natural cycle built in to their genetics. So when we are trying to force them out of that natural pattern - ie: stay in your container and make more vegetative growth now rather than setting fruit now - then leaving the blooms on defeats that goal.

Sometimes I know that the plant will go ahead and drop that bloom or abort the small fruit anyway so some argue to just leave it to do what it does naturally. But if it is going to drop the blossom or abort the fruit anyway - and it would when you transplanted it - then there is no point in leaving it on the plant. Get it off ASAP and reduce the stress on the plant.

Dave

    Bookmark     May 21, 2013 at 1:28PM
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NilaJones(7b)

Thank you, Dave :).

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 11:33PM
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Slimy_Okra(2b)

The finger sized roots are very tasty!

    Bookmark     May 21, 2013 at 12:36PM
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phantom_white(6)

I ordered Beiler White, Cox's Yellow Jersey, Korean Purple and Tennessee Top Mark from Sand Hill. Those plus my Red Wine Velvet should give me a good mix.
I don't want potatoes rooting everywhere... so from what I gather they can root where the vines touch the ground? Maybe I could snip unruly vines and use the leaves as greens?
Thanks for all the replies!

Abby

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 9:02PM
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t-bird(Chicago 5/6)

I vote eggs too....but I can't say I'm a reliable source, just questimating.....

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 3:11PM
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jean001a(Portland OR 7b)

Perhaps aphids.

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 8:52PM
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IAmSupernova(SE Texas 9A)

If you could catch one in a jar or glass or something (covered) and throw it in the freezer for a little bit, you should be able to get up close shots without any problem.

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 6:08PM
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jean001a(Portland OR 7b)

Definitely not thrips.

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 8:51PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

That's all. Just some small teeth marks in the skin of the squash? Were they still small and green or ripening on the vine. The squash weren't broken open or part of them missing, no actual bites out of them? No damage to the plant itself? So you were still able to harvest them?

Reason I ask is all those points can help distinguish the culprit. Small teeth marks just on the outer skin of the squash with no real damage done often indicates mice or rats bites, maybe a ground squirrel but they usually do more damage than that IME. Baited traps work for them.

Dave

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 5:57PM
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gdnh(5)

Hard to remember but I think some were damaged beyond being harvestable some could be harvested just looked weird cos already chomped on, none actually broken in half. I do find mouse poop around my outdoor picnic table so that is "evidence"

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 7:05PM
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thasser(8b)

Sweet. I did not realize how it takes a few growth cycles before you can really start harvesting the asparagus. I am lucky!

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 3:40PM
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amy_of_pnw

Lucky you! There is nothing better than freshly harvested asparagus. It is an entirely different flavor than whatever has been sitting around the produce department. Enjoy.

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 6:03PM
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amy_of_pnw

There is nothing better than newly harvested lettuce with its tender crispness. It is one of the reasons I garden since I can't buy that freshness anywhere. Enjoy!

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 5:52PM
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jonfrum(6)

I've been harvesting spinach for a while. it's holding me over until the peas come in.

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 6:02PM
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julia42(9a)

I just want to point out that if there are toxins in the finish, sanding it will most definitely put you at a greater risk of harm than using the wood as a garden. The worst thing you can do with a toxic finish is sand it, inhaling all that dust straight into your body.

However, from the original poster's description, these sound like particle board kind of bookshelves. Therefore, I'm guessing, probably post-1978 and if so, no concerns about lead at least. I'm not sure if there are other things to be concerned about (since furniture usually is pressure treated, either).

    Bookmark     May 19, 2013 at 3:14PM
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t-bird(Chicago 5/6)

I do agree mckensie re 5' wide beds potentially being too wide. For me it seems fine. Mostly.

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 3:36PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

This is a Harvest Forum question. It is the food preservation forum here at GW and is linked in the Related Forums list above.

But I can tell you the basic answer is it can't be done. Milk, cream and other dairy products can't be safely processed at home, even in a pressure canner. The fats in them insulates any bacteria and prevents the heat from killing them.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Soup canning guidelines

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 9:14AM
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woohooman San Diego CA zone 10a

You could do something like what Campbell's et al does-- prepare all but the dairy. That way when you want some soup, you just add milk and/or cream.

But what do I know? I don't even do any canning. Going to have to start though -- freezing and pickling just doesn't do the trick for many veggies.

Kevin

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 2:33PM
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Xtal(z8b Temple. TX)

Kristin,
I hope someone answers your question because I'd like to grow an artichoke and what to some preventive measures, too.

Xtal

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 1:42PM
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alleykat_82(6)

Maybe i should try Churchill downs...
Silver kelt- not negative, i totally agree that free would be the way to go... But I guess once i used the zoo compost, i was hooked and am willing to pay for my little pot of gold. Thanks for the advice on the horse track, i did not know that! I will keep that in mind!

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 1:05PM
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macky77(2a)

"Seems when one alpaca poops, the others all come and poop in the same spot."

Well... I've learned something new today! :)

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 1:35PM
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seysonn(8a WA/HZ 1)

How about some GREEN MULCH?
right now I have lettuce, chards, onions(for greens) between my tomato/eggplant/pepper plants. So by the time the toms are grown those vegies will be gone.

Yet I have a permanent green mulch idea: FENUGREE. i have tried clover but did not work. But fenugreeg ( from alfalfa family) iworks fine. More than anything else, it is also a green manure. Fenugreeg produces nitrogen by its roots(like some beans) so instead of gettinh nutient out , it ads free nitrogen that it gets from air. What's more, its seeds and gree are edible and medicinal too.
You can buy the seeds real cheap from any Indo-Pakistany grocery store by the pound. Indians, chinese..use fenugreek and seeds in cooking extensivly....

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 8:51AM
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socks

Maybe lawn clippings use as mulch depends on the climate where one lives. In So. CA I spread the lawn clippings thinly, keeping them well away from the base of the plant. They dry out quickly and make a nice mulch. Some have warned that they will contain weed seeds, but I haven't had a problem with that. I stay on top of weeds pretty well anyway.

PS I would hate the extra step of spreading them out separately to dry. Too much work.

This post was edited by socks12345 on Wed, May 22, 13 at 10:46

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 10:45AM
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nancyjane_gardener(Zone 8ish North of San Francisco in the "real" wine country)

Things look pretty good. As I saw above, squash are quite close. Do I see 16 squash???????? How many people are you feeding????? DH and I have 1 zuk and 1 crookneck and usually end up giving some away! Nancy

    Bookmark     May 21, 2013 at 8:28PM
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njitgrad

Thanks for all the advice.I pinched off the squash flowers. Nancyjane those 16 plants are not squash, but cucumbers (4 different varieties).

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 10:15AM
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obrionusa(5)

Dave, How deep did you plant them in the pots?

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 6:23AM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

Just as you would in the garden - 6" or so. Make a hill of potting mix in center of pot, spread the roots out around it and cover with enough mix so that the top of the crown is just barely covered with soil. Add more soil as needed as it grows. Keep well watered.

Dave

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 9:21AM
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socks

You'll love that convenience this summer.

    Bookmark     May 21, 2013 at 9:40PM
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ChicagoDeli37

This cold snap might never end. Saturday I want to plant but lows in the lower 40s I can't wait no longer though

    Bookmark     May 22, 2013 at 8:33AM
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