Veggie Tales - July 2018
Jamie
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (428)
Kevin Zone 6b - PIT, PA
5 years agoitsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Veggie Tales - January 2018
Comments (218)Chris, Farmers' Almanac, I think, has our frost dates as April 14 and October 22nd. I think Dave's Garden is a bit more accurate from experience, at least for our area. I very much like their moon sowing articles and guides, and their growing guides are very informative. Their weather forecast always seems to be fairly good as well considering how far in advance it is made. I guess the groundhog has predicted 6 more weeks of winter. I have a feeling this spring is going to be very sporadic, as it has been all winter. I kind of hope that it won't be like spring in 2014 where we woke up to 2-3" of snow on May 3rd. Not saying we'll get that, but the point is how sporadic that spring was. It was awful screwy lol. I notice they're calling for drought this summer as well. We had a very wet/cool summer last year, hardly topping 80 other than a few exceptions, such as late July, early June, and late Sept., mainly because all it did was RAIN!! I wouldn't mind a break from that so that Septoria Leaf Spot goes down, but I won't wish for what I don't want. Drought could cause quite a few other issues. I worked on my "greenhouse" a bit. It hit 40 today, and the temperature inside the cover while being vented ever so slightly was about 70-75 F. Once the sun got off it this past evening it maintained 55-60 F. Not bad! I'll definitely wait until mid March to sow warm weather crops like tomatoes and peppers, once the daylight hours reach 12 hours, much more ideal for those, rather than our current just above 10. I have started Rouge Grenobloise lettuce, Rocky Top mix lettuce, Bloomsdale Long Standing spinach, peas for salad leaves, mustard greens, collards, and kale for hopefully putting out in early March under cover. I'd love to be picking when most people are planting greens in late March/early April around here. I love the Rouge Grenobloise lettuce, because, not only is it cold tolerant and delicious, but being a Batavian, I can start to harvest lower leaves 4 weeks after it's put out, continuously picking throughout the spring. It's much better than, say, 1 pick from iceberg. Norm, I bet gardening in zone 10 can be nice. I like the break that winter brings for planning, seed ordering, etc., but being able to grow all at this time of year outdoors would certainly have its perks. Of course, the really long summers would probably be a pain, considering how many cool weather crops we eat. Good luck on your garden this year. Mulch would probably be a good idea. Keeping that soil cool would be another benefit of the mulch, which would probably help you grow more cool weather crops if the summer comes on too quickly....See MoreVeggie Tales - March 2018
Comments (543)Jamie - Wow, that sounds like an interesting fruit! You’ll have to keep us updated on it! Kevin - So sorry to hear about your grandfather. And you’ll have to give us a preview of the praying mantis egg cases! That’s pretty cool. Jacoblockuff - I agree. Why can’t mother nature accommodate our work and school schedules?! LoneJack - Okay so I’m not just imagining the late spring. I can’t believe it’s going to be 20something on Easter. We’ll have to wear winter coats to hunt for eggs! That’s just plain wrong. This weekend will be full of Easter and basketball, and with the cold temps expected, the only outdoor gardening I’ll be doing will be covering things overnight when it dips into the high 20s. Ugh. I do need to count my pepper seedlings and make sure I’ll have enough. Some of the older seeds had spotty germination so if I’m going to start some this late, I need to do it as soon as possible....See MoreVeggie Tales - May 2018
Comments (592)Kevin - you mean to tell me you can't find a single place to put them after that big addition?? ;-) What's the deal with pickling anyway? Do you have to put the cukes in brine within a couple days of picking them? itsmce - wow jeez! Some crazy winds there. Sorry to hear about the potted tomato plant, but good thing it was just the extra one that was damaged. I think the onions will pull through, they look amazing! I am very happy to see that you've finally gotten a good soaking rain. Hopefully it continues to come in moderation....See MoreVeggie Tales -August 2018
Comments (229)Wow. Another week gone by and a lot going on. This year has been a fairly disappointing harvest for me so far due to all the pests, however. I caught four rats this week in the Ratinator and was able to drown them out of my garden. And I have two Jarrahdale pumpkins that must be 20lb a piece. Don’t think I’ll get much melon but we will see I guess. The one spot of success this year was the purple corn and the beans! Having a drip system set up made me realize how much I’d been underwatering food crops. I picked about 2lb of beans today and there’s tons left. Also got about 10-12 ears of the corn, although some of it wasn’t as big as I’d hoped , I had to get it picked before the rats got it. Darn critters. Anyhow. Got six new chicks this week so that’s been keeping me busy. First time raising them from babies. I think having a constant supply of fresh eggs has eased the pain of getting hardly any tomatoes this summer. However the basil is doing amazing - I have a pound of pesto in the freezer and will be able to make as much pesto as I can, provided I have the cheese! So I’m doing that tomorrow. I asked a local landscaper to come by and give us a quote for the front yard and he didn’t even bother. So we are thinking about doing that ourselves, and I’m also rethinking my plan to do an expensive retaining wall in the front, maybe thinking we will cut back the cactus as much as we can(it is edible and delicious) and then use the sloped part of the front yard for herbs. I got a lot of cuttings of African blue basil and Cleveland sage from a friend today, both are perennials in this climate and loved by pollinators. Always the same issue - not enough space!! Wondering how people prefer to plant for maximum yields? Especially in small spaces. Any advice welcome. Hoping everyone is doing well. Lookin forward to this heat being over......See MoreChris (6a NY)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoKevin Zone 6b - PIT, PA
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoitsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agocindy-6b/7a VA
5 years ago14tomatoes_md_7a
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoKevin Zone 6b - PIT, PA
5 years agoitsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
5 years agocindy-6b/7a VA
5 years agoninecrow
5 years agoninecrow
5 years ago14tomatoes_md_7a
5 years agoitsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
5 years agoninecrow
5 years ago14tomatoes_md_7a
5 years agoninecrow
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoninecrow
5 years agoKansas Farm Girl - Shell - South of KC
5 years agoKevin Zone 6b - PIT, PA
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoninecrow
5 years agoKevin Zone 6b - PIT, PA
5 years agoLoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 years agoninecrow
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agoninecrow
5 years agoLoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoKevin Zone 6b - PIT, PA
5 years agoLoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 years agohtwo82
5 years ago14tomatoes_md_7a
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agoitsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agoninecrow
5 years agoLoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoitsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoChris (6a NY)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoChris (6a NY)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoLoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 years agoChris (6a NY)
5 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoJamie
5 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGarden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter
Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOMEHow to Simplify Your Life, All Year Long
Follow our 12-month plan to keep your to-do lists manageable and your home in good order
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENS5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Small Edible Garden
Learn to grow a bounty of fruits, vegetables and herbs no matter the size of your plot
Full StoryFALL GARDENINGWhy Fall Is the Best Time for Planting
Spring is overrated for planting. Starting plants in autumn has advantages for both garden and gardener
Full StoryHEALTHY HOMEIs a Kitchen Designed for Wellness the Key to a Healthier You?
Rethinking our cooking and dining spaces can change the way we consume and connect, wellness design advocates say
Full StoryHOUZZ CALLShow Us Your Cottage Garden!
How’s your cottage garden coming along? Please share your photos and details with the Houzz community
Full StoryPETSDealing With Pet Messes: An Animal Lover's Story
Cat and dog hair, tracked-in mud, scratched floors ... see how one pet guardian learned to cope and to focus on the love
Full StoryPETSSo You're Thinking About Getting a Dog
Prepare yourself for the realities of training, cost and the impact that lovable pooch might have on your house
Full StoryLIFEHow to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage
When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible
Full Story
Sunflowers