The Gardening Thread

[GVF]

Very productive lunch hour. Got my drop cords set up out to the greenhouse. Got the cord for the power strip tunneled in . Got the space heater up and running and set to 70. When the sun is out, it won't make an oven of it, and at night it will keep germinating temps. And to extend germinating conditions, I can now set up my seedling trays when the time is right with that premium grow light my kid got me for xmas. Extend the lighted time on into late evenings. But, that is still another 6 weeks or so away. Right now just want to get all my "winter" seeded herbs germinated. Prob spent about $65 on it. Has roughly a 12x12 or so full spectrum LED plate with a separated but integrated heavy duty power supply/driver.

 

[Tin Man]

Started pepper seeds in December and only one germinated. Put two additional seeds in the dormant cups and started tomato seeds today. I’m using a heating mat and a grow light when they’re not getting direct sunlight. Hoping to have plants strong enough to go in the ground by end of April.

 

[Go aeiou]

Started pepper seeds in December and only one germinated. Put two additional seeds in the dormant cups and started tomato seeds today. I’m using a heating mat and a grow light when they’re not getting direct sunlight. Hoping to have plants strong enough to go in the ground by end of April.

Any idea what went wrong? Peppers?

 

[Tin Man]

Any idea what went wrong? Peppers?

No. Befuddled.

 

[Go aeiou]

Had same problem last year. I thought too cool.
Usually grow 4-5 kinds of mild peppers.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Started pepper seeds in December and only one germinated. Put two additional seeds in the dormant cups and started tomato seeds today. I’m using a heating mat and a grow light when they’re not getting direct sunlight. Hoping to have plants strong enough to go in the ground by end of April.

Were they ghost peppers? I heard they are a little shy

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

I have a bunch of maple and oak trees around my driveway. I blow the leaves onto the driveway 3-4 times each fall and run the mower across them until they’re chopped up pretty good. I’ll bag a good bit of them for the spring after I set out the garden plants and the remainder I put on the garden which are usually about decomposed by spring. Works well for me as I do very little weeding if any at all. I only have around 200 sq feet so it might be hard to find enough leaves for a larger garden.

Another side benefit is I use very little if any fertilizer as the composted leaves provide most of what the vegetables seem to need. Also, only water is needed in bad drought conditions as the soil stays moist most of the times. I started this process 35 years ago and the soil (chert/clay) was so hard I had to dig the area with a backhoe before it could be tilled. Now once every couple of years I’ll fork the soil to keep it from compacting. Hasn’t seen a tiller in 15 years.

In my experience, gardening is 90% getting good soil conditions and 10% everything else. Put as much organic matter as you can find on your soil and let nature do it’s thing.

That leaf mould is also great for the firefly population. Wish more people would add to their soil instead of letting the city haul it away.

 

[Tin Man]

Were they ghost peppers? I heard they are a little shy

No, red bell, poblano, Marconi, and long sweet

 

[GoDucks349]

Cut back my roses two weeks ago, got them in good shape. First frost yesterday/last night, everything is well mulched in, probably start getting new growth soon. I've got shoots from various plants coming out. Early flowers are probably 2-3 weeks out. Of course some are still going strong.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Cut back my roses two weeks ago, got them in good shape. First frost yesterday/last night, everything is well mulched in, probably start getting new growth soon. I've got shoots from various plants coming out. Early flowers are probably 2-3 weeks out. Of course some are still going strong.

We (Zone 8b, Texas) trim roses around President's day or Valentines. Presidents day gives you a little more of a buffer. Northern climates wait until spring. I would think you run the risk of more damage by trimming now unless you are in zone 9.

Royal Horticultural Society is great when it comes to rose culture, they have some decent books too.

Rose pruning: general tips / RHS

 

[GoDucks349]

We (Zone 8b, Texas) trim roses around President's day or Valentines. Presidents day gives you a little more of a buffer. Northern climates wait until spring. I would think you run the risk of more damage by trimming now unless you are in zone 9.

Royal Horticultural Society is great when it comes to rose culture, they have some decent books too.

Rose pruning: general tips / RHS

We're 8b, generally prune late Jan or early Feb. Plus, it's looking like a pretty warm winter, we may or may not get a dusting of snow this year. I've usually gone by the info I get from David Austin for my rose pruning. Plus, we have Oregon State University (aggie tech to us Ducks) running a local extension service and managing the city rose garden. Plus, I have a friend that's a master gardener who judges various rose shows. Note: she lost her home and 300 roses in the Carr Fire in 2018.

I've only got 12 roses now, last place had 22 and the one before that had 60. Lots of work and I'm getting old enough that 12 is plenty

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

We're 8b, generally prune late Jan or early Feb. Plus, it's looking like a pretty warm winter, we may or may not get a dusting of snow this year. I've usually gone by the info I get from David Austin for my rose pruning. Plus, we have Oregon State University (aggie tech to us Ducks) running a local extension service and managing the city rose garden. Plus, I have a friend that's a master gardener who judges various rose shows. Note: she lost her home and 300 roses in the Carr Fire in 2018.

I've only got 12 roses now, last place had 22 and the one before that had 60. Lots of work and I'm getting old enough that 12 is plenty

Sounds right for PNW, I suppose that little buffer helps, as well as the wet winters. Roses are some tough sumbiches. I was told the ex- botanist who created the Knockout series just got tired of burying his roses for winter, so he started crossing in his basement to develop a strain that could handle -40. He succeeded and became filthy rich in the process.

I think David Austin bred Molineaux, which is my favorite yellow rose. I imagine they acclimate super well considering the conditions. Ours tend to struggle so a little afternoon shade plus healthy amounts of amendments.

Have you gotten into any other plants out there?

Be sure and post pics when those roses hit their stride!

 

[Tin Man]

We're 8b, generally prune late Jan or early Feb. Plus, it's looking like a pretty warm winter, we may or may not get a dusting of snow this year. I've usually gone by the info I get from David Austin for my rose pruning. Plus, we have Oregon State University (aggie tech to us Ducks) running a local extension service and managing the city rose garden. Plus, I have a friend that's a master gardener who judges various rose shows. Note: she lost her home and 300 roses in the Carr Fire in 2018.

I've only got 12 roses now, last place had 22 and the one before that had 60. Lots of work and I'm getting old enough that 12 is plenty

Golly gee, Beav…

 

[GoDucks349]

Sounds right for PNW, I suppose that little buffer helps, as well as the wet winters. Roses are some tough sumbiches. I was told the ex- botanist who created the Knockout series just got tired of burying his roses for winter, so he started crossing in his basement to develop a strain that could handle -40. He succeeded and became filthy rich in the process.

I think David Austin bred Molineaux, which is my favorite yellow rose. I imagine they acclimate super well considering the conditions. Ours tend to struggle so a little afternoon shade plus healthy amounts of amendments.

Have you gotten into any other plants out there?

Be sure and post pics when those roses hit their stride!

The place I had with 60 roses was basically a botanical garden, here's a small sample. I'll send pics of my current place soon need to download from iphone first.

 

[GoDucks349]

And a few more from the old place, including a spider that loved to hide in the roses. He packs a pretty good punch if he bites you, very nasty.

 

[GVF]

That leaf mould is also great for the firefly population. Wish more people would add to their soil instead of letting the city haul it away.

Got huge mountainous pile of decaying leaves at the city processing yard. As well as mulch and stuff from the pick-ups. All apprently free. Was going to go get a truck full until this weather hit. It's cleared and warming back up so I'm gonna put that back in my schedule. With what I am wantng to do with a mulched in garden like some others in here, finding a free source is a nice booster. I've always known it was there. Pass it on way into town. Even get to smell the occasional burning drving by when the mulch mountain self combusts.

 

[GVF]

Sounds right for PNW, I suppose that little buffer helps, as well as the wet winters. Roses are some tough sumbiches. I was told the ex- botanist who created the Knockout series just got tired of burying his roses for winter, so he started crossing in his basement to develop a strain that could handle -40. He succeeded and became filthy rich in the process.

I think David Austin bred Molineaux, which is my favorite yellow rose. I imagine they acclimate super well considering the conditions. Ours tend to struggle so a little afternoon shade plus healthy amounts of amendments.

Have you gotten into any other plants out there?

Be sure and post pics when those roses hit their stride!

That Knockout Rose guy is my hero. Love the grafted Knockout Tree. All those recurring blooms sitting higher than the rest of the bed. After a bloomout, just prune it back into a green ball with the hand shears, and wait a few weeks. Makes a nice variation in the beds. I'm without any right now. Don't really care to get into the fussy roses at this stage of the game.

 

[GVF]

I'm still trying to get all my herbs to germinate in the greenhouse. Haven't been able to keep the night temps warm and consistent. Wife confiscated the space heater back into the house in this 8 degree weather. These are not tray germinations so heat mat was of no use. This is a bevy of herbs i seeded directly into pots and stuff a few weeks ago for fresh late winter supply. Transplant or just set pot out in spring. Will hit up walmart this evening for a cheap ceramic heater to put back in there.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

The place I had with 60 roses was basically a botanical garden, here's a small sample. I'll send pics of my current place soon need to download from iphone first.

Foxgloves and Tiger Lilies, oh my!

I do enjoy seeing what you guys grow. We grow some similar plants here and you'll see a lot of crossover with the heirlooms and the new, tredy plants.

Is that Itea (Virginia Sweetpire) there in the middle? Lovely smelling shrub if so. Daylilies are fascinating and ever-evolving. I keep some Kwanso around as they have a rich history and are incredibly reliable with tall, sturdy scapes. Not sure what the far right was, some type of frizzled Peony?

Do you do any other bulbs? I'm not sure who the choice bulb author is the the PNW but I know you guys can get away with a very wide selection compared to other parts of the country.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

And a few more from the old place, including a spider that loved to hide in the roses. He packs a pretty good punch if he bites you, very nasty.

Wow dude, great job on the former garden. That is well done.

I recognize some things for sure, but some I don't really know without better detail. Weeping Birch? Maroon shrub emerging / rose, elderberry? White blooming shrub with landing pads, maybe Viburnum?

That bog / pond is fantastic. Lots going on there, wish I could see more pics. Is that the Hempbush or the variegated Willow? Don't recognize it. Statuaries look nice as well, spacing is great. Awesome job building that sanctuary man.

 

[GoDucks349]

Wow dude, great job on the former garden. That is well done.

I recognize some things for sure, but some I don't really know without better detail. Weeping Birch? Maroon shrub emerging / rose, elderberry? White blooming shrub with landing pads, maybe Viburnum?

That bog / pond is fantastic. Lots going on there, wish I could see more pics. Is that the Hempbush or the variegated Willow? Don't recognize it. Statuaries look nice as well, spacing is great. Awesome job building that sanctuary man.

The place was amazing, check it out on zillow, address was 46707 Westfir Road, Westfir, OR, I think Zillow has about 90 pics. From what I can see a lot of plants have been removed!! LOL

We had five varieties of mint that were on the loose, about as many varieties of Irisis, a few native spruce, several elderberries, a dozen blueberries, raspberries, a native Indian Pipe that most people wouldn't know what it was, some invasive Japanese Knot weed that was a problem, an herb garden, a fern garden, a Devils walking stick that was about 25 feet tall that sent out nasty runners. Birds loved it when the berries came in. I took out about 20 plus snow berries and all the mint I could get my hands on except the corsican mint. I'm getting tired thinking about all the work I did there. I did hire about 8 plus hours of help a week.

I also had five murders of crows I fed on a daily basis, they'd be waiting for me to come out in the morning and would send out the signal then gather in the trees near me waiting for me to feed them.

 

[Go aeiou]

Foxgloves and Tiger Lilies, oh my!

I do enjoy seeing what you guys grow. We grow some similar plants here and you'll see a lot of crossover with the heirlooms and the new, tredy plants.

Is that Itea (Virginia Sweetpire) there in the middle? Lovely smelling shrub if so. Daylilies are fascinating and ever-evolving. I keep some Kwanso around as they have a rich history and are incredibly reliable with tall, sturdy scapes. Not sure what the far right was, some type of frizzled Peony?

Do you do any other bulbs? I'm not sure who the choice bulb author is the the PNW but I know you guys can get away with a very wide selection compared to other parts of the country.

I grow foxgloves in Nashville. if you grow them read about them first, They are poisonous.

 

[GVF]

Whoever made the required temp to germinate rule sticks to their guns. Finally got a break in the wild frigid temp swings and got steady warm temps in the greenhouse, and now I've got herbs sprouting. It's been so cold outside at one point I thought my first wife was mother nature.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

The place was amazing, check it out on zillow, address was 46707 Westfir Road, Westfir, OR, I think Zillow has about 90 pics. From what I can see a lot of plants have been removed!! LOL

We had five varieties of mint that were on the loose, about as many varieties of Irisis, a few native spruce, several elderberries, a dozen blueberries, raspberries, a native Indian Pipe that most people wouldn't know what it was, some invasive Japanese Knot weed that was a problem, an herb garden, a fern garden, a Devils walking stick that was about 25 feet tall that sent out nasty runners. Birds loved it when the berries came in. I took out about 20 plus snow berries and all the mint I could get my hands on except the corsican mint. I'm getting tired thinking about all the work I did there. I did hire about 8 plus hours of help a week.

I also had five murders of crows I fed on a daily basis, they'd be waiting for me to come out in the morning and would send out the signal then gather in the trees near me waiting for me to feed them.

Yeah I could see the need for a hired hand there. Lots of work to maintain the weeds out there I imagine, especially if knotweed gets loose. Talk about a thug.

And lol on the murder of crows. Love it.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

I grow foxgloves in Nashville. if you grow them read about them first, They are poisonous.

I think all parts are toxic but not poisonous? It's an important distinction I make when talking plants cause theyre almost all toxic in some way and people confuse the terms or use them interchangeably. Have not heard of them being poisonous.