New England May 2017

I went shopping today and saw Walm had veggie plants.  Alas, they were so sickly looking and I can wait til the end of May to plant anyway, so I came home and ordered mine online from Territorial Seed.  I've had good luck with plants from them before.
They still have plants if you can have them shipped the end of May.  I can here in Maine.  The later plants always seem to catch up with the earlier ones planted without the worry about freezing nites and what do I do with them or having to bring pots inside.

I also bought some containers and potting soil for my plants so I'm getting ready little by little.

How're your gardens coming my friends?

I forgot to add which varieties I ordered:
Early Cherry, Sungold, Tasti-Lee, Little Napoli, and Red Robin.  The latter two are very small with Robin only growing less than a foot tall.  Great for even your windowsill but mine will be in a pot out on the patio.  I also got English Thyme which seems to be difficult to find around here.
I could not find Campari which has such good flavor, but Tasti-Lee is touted as being full of flavor so I'll let you know.  Little Napoli is a dual variety, being a tasty slicer but also a sauce tomato.  I intend to freeze those this year.
I'll take photos as I tend my little patio 'garden' this year.  See ya.

See those pots in the upper right?.  That's the patio area where we are allowed to grow our own potted plants.  Those are NOT my pots.  Mine are still in the trunk of my car.  I still intend to keep to Mel's recipe for soil as much as possible.

quiltbea wrote:I forgot to add which varieties I ordered:
Early Cherry, Sungold, Tasti-Lee, Little Napoli, and Red Robin.  The latter two are very small with Robin only growing less than a foot tall.  Great for even your windowsill but mine will be in a pot out on the patio.  I also got English Thyme which seems to be difficult to find around here.
I could not find Campari which has such good flavor, but Tasti-Lee is touted as being full of flavor so I'll let you know.  Little Napoli is a dual variety, being a tasty slicer but also a sauce tomato.  I intend to freeze those this year.
I'll take photos as I tend my little patio 'garden' this year.  See ya.

See those pots in the upper right?.  That's the patio area where we are allowed to grow our own potted plants.  Those are NOT my pots.  Mine are still in the trunk of my car.  I still intend to keep to Mel's recipe for soil as much as possible.

Sounds like some great plants, QB!  And that is nice that they provided you a spot to allow MM to put everyone else's plants to shame!  

Thanks for starting the new thread, QB.  What a nice surprise!  Sounds like you have your gardening plans organized and ready to take off.

My plans are coming along little by slow:
Since the 1st plantings have already sprouted, I sowed more beets, chard and bush beans in anticipation of a big rain tomorrow

The sugar snap peas grow about 2 inches a day.  This was taken May 1st so they are now up to the netting:
The peas in the box behind this one were eaten down to nubbin's, along with all the other sprouts - radish, pak choi, kale - in the same box.    I'm thinking sow bugs.

Shallots:

Garlic, broccoli, pak choi and lettuce in the front box:

Chives are getting ready to flower:

The strongest strawberry plants have broken thru the mulch.  Some have jumped ship which happens every year.  The escapees go to neighbors:


All in all, we're moving right along on ol' Cape Cod:

A friend gave me these tulips in a basket 2 Easters ago, but no tag with them.  I planted them out on a whim when they were finished and they came back!  Note the variegated leaves:
Anyone know what they are called? I'd love to get some more...

CC....Try checking out
http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/232771-product.html


They certainly look like a double-flowered tulip like this double sugar:

Maybe they carry the colorway you want.
Good luck.

Good to see QB and CC planning their gardens. QB, Is that your patio area outside your apartment?

UMass Extension Hort Notes just in:
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/newsletters/hort-notes/hort-notes-2017-vol-284

Along with the Landscape Message for May 5th:
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-may-5-2017

And the Vegetable Notes:
http://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/newsletters/may_4_2017_vegetable_notes_0.pdf

Sanderson.......That is the patio area for all 24 apts but there are only a few of us wanting to garden anything.  There are even eight 4 x 4 raised beds.

You can see them here above.  But they all would need lots of MM to get them in good shape for veggies.  I have neither the stamina nor inclination these days so I'll be happy just to maintain 8 assorted containers for mine this year, on the patio where it'll be easy to tend.  Since I take my dog Penny out to walk 4 times a day, tending my pots should not be a problem at all.  I like to sit out there and watch the water fall and the river. 

I really love this place. Here's a bit of the waterfall.


And above is the river.

QB, that looks gorgeous!  

What a beautiful spot, QB! If/when you are feeling ready, will you be allowed to use one of those raised 4x4s?

We received the much-needed rain last night. It seems to have stopped now. I know a lot of other parts of the country are dealing with flooding and I'm so sorry about that. Living on a sandbar omits that issue for most of us here on the Cape.

We've not been pounded like some of wonderful folks around the country, my thoughts and prayers go out to those that are being damaged by the wet overage. Since yesterday, in this part of New England, we have received about an inch and half of slow cool rain, with thick clouds and milky mists that turns to a heavy fog in front of your eyes.

The birds don't seem to mind, not that they are all atwitter, but the constant, lasting dreariness of no sunshine doesn't seem to bring them down like I feel when the wet, grays of rainy weather conditions dominate and take over your visual territory. The little ones aren’t flittering around everywhere nearby like on a sunny day, but when I step outside and just use only my hearing, closing my eyes, wearing a light jacket so that I can put all my concentration on only hearing them, this gray place almost comes alive with the sounds of the creatures relaying their message from just inside the protection of the forest.

The Pileated Woodpecker has the unforgettable, almost seemingly pterodactyl cry that can be heard great distances. The Loon as they fly over the house sends its eerie but comforting echo, while the Greater Canadian Geese greet the flight path they take with that voice of confidence in their daily travels from one place to another.

The beautiful red Cardinals can always bring a smile to my face as they call, the tussling Blue Jays always seem to rant about one difficulty or another. Occasionally I hear a Chickadee, but most of the little ones are still asleep, or hiding, doing the little bird thing that is a mystery, like where do they all go at night.

This time of the year is also special for the big birds of the forest, the turkeys. Tom is calling for attention, and you can easily imagine him fluffed up, showing the world his prized plumage, hoping to catch the eye of a willing “fan”.

So, it is a gray day, more so to us than the creatures of the wing, they go on about their lives, while we wait for the warmth of the rays of sunlight, which bring it all alive in front of our eyes.

bigdogrock wrote:We've not been pounded like some of wonderful folks around the country, my thoughts and prayers go out to those that are being damaged by the wet overage. Since yesterday, in this part of New England, we have received about an inch and half of slow cool rain, with thick clouds and milky mists that turns to a heavy fog in front of your eyes.
The birds don't seem to mind, not that they are all atwitter, but the constant, lasting dreariness of no sunshine doesn't seem to bring them down like I feel when the wet, grays of rainy weather conditions dominate and take over your visual territory. The little ones aren’t flittering around everywhere nearby like on a sunny day, but when I step outside and just use only my hearing, closing my eyes, wearing a light jacket so that I can put all my concentration on only hearing them, this gray place almost comes alive with the sounds of the creatures relaying their message from just inside the protection of the forest.
The Pileated Woodpecker has the unforgettable, almost seemingly pterodactyl cry that can be heard great distances. The Loon as they fly over the house sends its eerie but comforting echo, while the Greater Canadian Geese greet the flight path they take with that voice of confidence in their daily travels from one place to another.
The beautiful red Cardinals can always bring a smile to my face as they call, the tussling Blue Jays always seem to rant about one difficulty or another. Occasionally I hear a Chickadee, but most of the little ones are still asleep, or hiding, doing the little bird thing that is a mystery, like where do they all go at night.
          This time of the year is also special for the big birds of the forest, the turkeys. Tom is calling for attention, and you can easily imagine him fluffed up, showing the world his prized plumage, hoping to catch the eye of a willing “fan”.
          So, it is a gray day, more so to us than the creatures of the wing, they go on about their lives, while we wait for the warmth of the rays of sunlight, which bring it all alive in front of our eyes.

Beautiful write-up Rock.

Bigrock.......If you ever write a book, I'll buy one.  You have a great talent.  Love to read your murmurings.  Hugs, QB

The Derby runs today and my son is going to the racetrack to watch on the bigscreens there today and he's taken a bet along from me.  I like Irish War Cry.  It will make it much more fun to watch knowing I actually have money on him.

CapeC......I've already been told I can take a raised bed when and if I want one.  Not on my bucket list this year.

QB, Your place has a wonderful outdoor environment. One could sit and watch the river all day. . .

Rock, your writing rocks

I sure wish it would warm up. We had snow flurries overnight.

Hey Camprn, it would be nice to dodge that bullet of being to cold this late, I saw a few flakes last night as well. Some of the apple trees have started to bud, we need the warmth for the bees to pollinate. I did see a big Bumble Bee in the yard yesterday.

quiltbea wrote:Bigrock.......If you ever write a book, I'll buy one.  You have a great talent.  Love to read your murmurings.  Hugs, QB

Ditto, me too.  You can really paint with words, Rock!

I will have to cover stuff up tonight too, chance of flurries at the freezing mark...but trending in the right direction for the coming days.

I have seen bumbles, carpenters, and a few honeybees here.

My first garden is all set except for one square, which I am not sure of what to plant. This garlic is 13 days from planting just beneath the surface. I had my doubts about planting it so late, usually this is planted in October. The quarters were placed to give a reference for size. I am very happy with how fast it has started. Now I will see if I get good sized bulbs. (The rocks are there for a temporary border.)

Sorrel season . hooray!

bigdogrock wrote:My first garden is all set except for one square, which I am not sure of what to plant. This garlic is 13 days from planting just beneath the surface. I had my doubts about planting it so late, usually this is planted in October. The quarters were placed to give a reference for size. I am very happy with how fast it has started. Now I will see if I get good sized bulbs. (The rocks are there for a temporary border.)

Radish. By the time you figure it out you'll be eating radishes.

Yah, I agree, radishes.  I plan to buy some seed to plant some around my new tomatoes when I get them.  They grow so quickly.

I second Camp and QB, radishes are the bomb in the quickie garden.  many times I put them around hotties and they get done way before being shaded out!  Plus I love 'me!

Great call Camp, I think I will will be planting Radish seeds asap. Thanks for all the inputs folks, I appreciate the advice and kind words.

Those little garlic sprouts are adorable, Rock.  
It really doesn't matter if they don't make big bulbs because they'll be so full of flavor anyway.    I have garlic of all different ages all around my gardens, in and out of the SFGs.  Last year I planted some cloves in spring to use as grid markers after getting tired of retrieving my grids blown away by wind. This year there are multiple plants coming out of each those spots, like all the cloves in each bulb sprouted.  I'll be digging them up this year once the leaves die back and we'll see what's under there.  Wonder if it will be like a multiplier onion and have multiple bulbs.

OK folks, I'm thinking of trying zucchini and Delicata again.    
BUT...this time I'll grow them in a hoop tunnel SFG just like this greens box:

If I can keep them protected thru the SVB season, then afterward I could uncover and trellis the Delicata.  The thing is, the opening on this netting is about 1/4+" and I'm wondering if SVB moth would be able to crawl in with folded wings.  
Here is a good website showing size:
http://woodswalksandwildlife.blogspot.com/2016/07/squash-vine-borer.html
Any thoughts?

CapeCoddess wrote:I have garlic of all different ages all around my gardens, in and out of the SFGs.  Last year I planted some cloves in spring to use as grid markers after getting tired of retrieving my grids blown away by wind.

What a GREAT idea! Bunching onions would probably work the same way. I LOVE IT!