Re: What I've learned this year

countrynaturals 7/26/2017, 10:29 am

I learned not to over-water onions. Sadly, I had already killed 90% of them before I figured it out. Sad

MrBooker 7/28/2017, 6:55 am

countrynaturals wrote:I learned not to over-water onions. Sadly, I had already killed 90% of them before I figured it out.

Last year, I read somewhere to cut the tops off onions and it would force the bulbs to grow bigger. WRONG.....
I tried it last year and lost 100% of my onions.

The tops of the onions are hollow and will hold water after a rain and eventually the water will seep down into the bulb and rot it.

I don't water my onions as much (after the bulbs start to form) as I do the other veggies. Also, I hold back the water about a week before pulling the onions.

countrynaturals 7/28/2017, 9:57 am

MrBooker wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I learned not to over-water onions. Sadly, I had already killed 90% of them before I figured it out.

Last year, I read somewhere to cut the tops off onions and it would force the bulbs to grow bigger. WRONG.....
I tried it last year and lost 100% of my onions.

The tops of the onions are hollow and will hold water after a rain and eventually the water will seep down into the bulb and rot it.

I don't water my onions as much (after the bulbs start to form) as I do the other veggies. Also, I hold back the water about a week before pulling the onions.

Looks like I'm gonna get 3 little bulbs from this harvest. Sad

Have you ever grown them from seed, MrB? I have seeds to try. I think I'll plant them today and see what happens. geek

MrBooker 7/28/2017, 10:01 am

countrynaturals wrote:
MrBooker wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:I learned not to over-water onions. Sadly, I had already killed 90% of them before I figured it out.

Last year, I read somewhere to cut the tops off onions and it would force the bulbs to grow bigger. WRONG.....
I tried it last year and lost 100% of my onions.

The tops of the onions are hollow and will hold water after a rain and eventually the water will seep down into the bulb and rot it.

I don't water my onions as much (after the bulbs start to form) as I do the other veggies. Also, I hold back the water about a week before pulling the onions.
Looks like I'm gonna get 3 little bulbs from this harvest. Have you ever grown them from seed, MrB? I have seeds to try. I think I'll plant them today and see what happens.

The only onion seeds I ever planted was the winter bunching onions. It just takes so long from seed to harvest.

countrynaturals 7/30/2017, 10:59 am

MrBooker wrote:The only onion seeds I ever planted was the winter bunching onions. It just takes so long from seed to harvest.

Same here -- and even those failed. This time I shook my fist at them to let them know I AM THE BOSS! Twisted Evil

countrynaturals 7/30/2017, 11:05 am

1) Don't waste time on sick or infested plants. Yank them and start over. Every plant I rescued from last winter's indoor spider mite infestation has turned out to be a disappointment. If they don't get off to a good start, they are always sickly.

2) Don't rush the planting season. If I plant seeds to early, and they start off leggy and weak, they never thrive. If I wait another month, and plant them at the right time, they catch up with the ones I planted too soon and leave them behind.

CapeCoddess 7/30/2017, 1:32 pm

countrynaturals wrote:1) Don't waste time on sick or infested plants. Yank them and start over. Every plant I rescued from last winter's indoor spider mite infestation has turned out to be a disappointment. If they don't get off to a good start, they are always sickly.

2) Don't rush the planting season. If I plant seeds to early, and they start off leggy and weak, they never thrive. If I wait another month, and plant them at the right time, they catch up with the ones I planted too soon and leave them behind.

So right on both counts! Although I'm still guilty of trying to save the poor sad ones.

countrynaturals 7/30/2017, 2:00 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:
countrynaturals wrote:1) Don't waste time on sick or infested plants. Yank them and start over. Every plant I rescued from last winter's indoor spider mite infestation has turned out to be a disappointment. If they don't get off to a good start, they are always sickly.

2) Don't rush the planting season. If I plant seeds to early, and they start off leggy and weak, they never thrive. If I wait another month, and plant them at the right time, they catch up with the ones I planted too soon and leave them behind.

So right on both counts! Although I'm still guilty of trying to save the poor sad ones.

Same here, but I'm determined to practice what I preach. Razz

**Scorpio Rising** 7/31/2017, 6:01 pm

I learned that garlic gets really tall!

Abiqua Ike 7/31/2017, 7:23 pm

I learned my plant support system works very well.

I learned I did not implement the system very well.

I learned I need MUCH taller cucumber obelisks.

I learned my tri-cone support is needed on more of my perennial tubs.

I learned if I grow tomatillos again, I will need to lash a really tall bamboo cage.

I learned to rip out the violas when the summer mildew arrives.

I learned I need to plant out my hardy annual seeds much earlier, perhaps fall or late winter.

SwampTroll 8/2/2017, 12:57 pm

I have learned that Indigo Kumquat tomatoes can become BIG plants. Make sure they are secure in their cage EARLY in the season.

I've learned that I should probably hand pollinate future plantings of corn.

I've learned to have more bean plants than just 1 or two.

I've learned that not all pole beans climb. Some just like to lounge out.

I've learned that one should always plant more garlic than thought necessary.

I have learned that Tiny Tim tomatoes PUMP out tomatoes.

MORE FLOWERS!

Cut down weeds early!

More potatoes, more garden.

**Scorpio Rising** 8/2/2017, 7:36 pm

Nice! Yes....weeds do well always. Evil or Very Mad

Judy McConnell 8/3/2017, 9:50 am

Not having grown cucumbers in about 5 years (plants then did nothing and were a waste of space), this season I chose to plant "bush cucumbers". The packet lied! Rolling Eyes

These 5 plants have been very productive and the vines have spread over 5-6 FEET.

Even if one starts with brand new MM, wears gloves, etc.etc. disease will still hit the tomato plants. One or 2 tums in bottom of planting hole is NOT enough to prevent BER.

Half priced tomato and pepper plants (end of season at nursery) will still produce if you give them special care (lots of compost and water).

countrynaturals 8/8/2017, 9:57 am

I learned that chickens can reach across 2' of fence to steal a tomato off the vine. What I've learned this year - Page 2 671790

I also learned that maybe my summer garden slump isn't all due to the weather. I need to apply a good top dressing of compost mid-season to put more nutrients back into the soil.

countrynaturals 8/8/2017, 2:48 pm

I am so tired of learning everything the hard way. What I've learned this year - Page 2 671790

I have never used fertilizer before, and I thought I could just spread it any old which way, then water it down. WRONG AGAIN! It got hung up in the large-leafed plants and I had to hand wash every single leaf. It took 4 times as long as if I had been careful and placed it strategically around the base of each plant in the first place. What I've learned this year - Page 2 43549

What I've learned this year - Page 2 43549

**Scorpio Rising** 8/8/2017, 9:22 pm

I completely get you , CN! I too did it all the hard way, not necessarily wrong per se, but not the right way at all.....I figure this is some grand plan that I am not privileged to know....but still frustrating

countrynaturals 8/8/2017, 9:46 pm

Scorpio Rising wrote:I completely get you , CN! I too did it all the hard way, not necessarily wrong per se, but not the right way at all.....I figure this is some grand plan that I am not privileged to know....but still frustrating

We should start a get-it-right-the-2nd-time club. Rolling Eyes

countrynaturals 8/9/2017, 2:01 pm

Take action at the first sign of trouble. I had to learn this lesson twice. First was last winter when the spider mites got my indoor crops, then again last week when I lost my corn crop. From now on, as soon as I see anything but glowing good health in my garden, I will jump all over the situation, while there still might be time to fix it. Sad

BeetlesPerSqFt 8/9/2017, 7:20 pm

I've learned that jewelweed in front of a raised bed results in shade. And I already knew shade results in poorer vegetable growth, but got further confirmation of that fact.

And I've learned that I have to pull the jewelweed out early, before it flowers. Not because it's hard to pull - it's trivial to pull and has no spines or irritating substances. Not because it makes bad compost. And not even because it reseeds. It doesn't even send out runners or make those annoying deep rhizomes like violets. No. The problem is that the hummingbird I love you

LOVES

them. She'll come within about a foot of me as she makes her rounds, sippling (I know, not a word) each orange bloom, and then will perch on a pepper cage licking her ~~lips~~ bill and looking very happy. I can't imagine disappointing her by pulling these plants while they are still blooming.
...Even if she did freak me out this morning by angrily chasing another hummingbird right past my ear, from behind, making my hind-brain think I was under attack by giant buzzing wasps.

VJ72584 8/11/2017, 4:24 pm

I have learned to keep a book and write down specifically which variety I planted. The first year, I grew a mountain of potatoes in a small space with a top hat. They were white potatoes, but that's all I can say. There were a couple of disappointing years and then this year a great harvest. I did not write it down again.

Apparently Dixie Lee peas will not be covered in aphids by mid June every year. First time that has happened, but I have no idea why. I am just happy about it. I have picked a lot of peas this year.

Early Girl tomatoes grow really well for me. Have for several years even though I will throw in another variety nearly every year just to see what I might be missing.

And I need to get serious about composting. I have a pile but I am not turning it regularly.

**Scorpio Rising** 8/11/2017, 6:38 pm

VJ72584 wrote:I have learned to keep a book and write down specifically which variety I planted. The first year, I grew a mountain of potatoes in a small space with a top hat. They were white potatoes, but that's all I can say. There were a couple of disappointing years and then this year a great harvest. I did not write it down again.

Apparently Dixie Lee peas will not be covered in aphids by mid June every year. First time that has happened, but I have no idea why. I am just happy about it. I have picked a lot of peas this year.

Early Girl tomatoes grow really well for me. Have for several years even though I will throw in another variety nearly every year just to see what I might be missing.

And I need to get serious about composting. I have a pile but I am not turning it regularly.

I don't turn my pile either....lazy composter. That is one of my goals too. Wish my back wasn't such a wreck!

countrynaturals 8/11/2017, 9:54 pm

Scorpio Rising wrote:I don't turn my pile either....lazy composter. That is one of my goals too. Wish my back wasn't such a wreck!

I just discovered a secret. If I water it down, the chickens will turn it for me. cheers

**sanderson** 8/12/2017, 11:45 am

Hi, Judy McConnell happy hi

Judy McConnell 8/12/2017, 4:07 pm

Hi right back to you, Sanderson!!

SwampTroll 8/14/2017, 1:32 pm

Cilantro grows fast. Either cut and freeze frequently or plant late in season if doing a salsa garden.

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