Quarantine Vegetable Gardens

[ZoriahNZ]

I am so happy that people are finding some comfort/respite while tending to their gardens. It brightens my day to check on this thread and see how everyone is doing.

 

[watergirl62]

Maybe try shading the rows or however you’re set up, with shade cloth. The stuff garden centers pull over the tops of the department that is open to the weather. And add soaker hoses. Contrary to what I read, I water at night. Plants drink it up over several hours. Sun doesn't magnify and burn droplets. Sun doesn't evaporate it before it hits the ground. Preferably when there is some light wind to dry the leaves so they do not grow a fungus. That white stuff that covers crepe myrtles every so often.

Any herbs? Rosemary and thyme prefer dry conditions. I can’t think of more dry liking veggies but I bet WS desert dwellers would know. Cactus comes to mind. Tomatillos?

I really like your shade cloth idea, midwestmom.

Herbs? I have dill that is presently seeding, chives, basil, thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, fennel, and some bitter sorrel that came back from last year, I use it to garnish salads. Veggies: artichokes still going from fall garden. New stuff is cucumbers, squash, carrots, radishes, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, jalapeno and ghost peppers. Also, climbing spinach and leeks returning from last year. A fig tree (for preserves). Still waiting on eggplant seedlings to come up. Hoping I can get a crop of carrots before it gets too hot. We are good to go!

My bees will keep me busy through the spring and summer. Right now I am assembling hive boxes, honey supers and foundation frames for my new hive, and feeding my existing hive about 1-2 gallons of simple syrup a week. I pick up my new hive in May. Bees mean absolutely no chemicals of any kind in my garden, which is fine by me.

 

[Midwestmom2019]

I really like your shade cloth idea, midwestmom.

Herbs? I have dill that is presently seeding, chives, basil, thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, fennel, and some bitter sorrel that came back from last year, I use it to garnish salads. Veggies: artichokes still going from fall garden. New stuff is cucumbers, squash, carrots, radishes, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, jalapeno and ghost peppers. Also, climbing spinach and leeks returning from last year. A fig tree (for preserves). Still waiting on eggplant seedlings to come up. Hoping I can get a crop of carrots before it gets too hot. We are good to go!

My bees will keep me busy through the spring and summer. Right now I am assembling hive boxes, honey supers and foundation frames for my new hive, and feeding my existing hive about 1-2 gallons of simple syrup a week. I pick up my new hive in May. Bees mean absolutely no chemicals of any kind in my garden, which is fine by me.

WOW!

 

[CeeCeeCat]

I really like your shade cloth idea, midwestmom.

Herbs? I have dill that is presently seeding, chives, basil, thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, fennel, and some bitter sorrel that came back from last year, I use it to garnish salads. Veggies: artichokes still going from fall garden. New stuff is cucumbers, squash, carrots, radishes, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, jalapeno and ghost peppers. Also, climbing spinach and leeks returning from last year. A fig tree (for preserves). Still waiting on eggplant seedlings to come up. Hoping I can get a crop of carrots before it gets too hot. We are good to go!

My bees will keep me busy through the spring and summer. Right now I am assembling hive boxes, honey supers and foundation frames for my new hive, and feeding my existing hive about 1-2 gallons of simple syrup a week. I pick up my new hive in May. Bees mean absolutely no chemicals of any kind in my garden, which is fine by me.

Bees! I’m so envious. I would love to keep bees but can’t because, cats. Also, a lack of space. So instead, I do all I can to attract them to the garden. No chemicals at all. Plenty of bee-friendly flowers - I even have a bee hotel hanging up on the fence. A couple of years ago, I had a small nest form in a crack under the back step and it was fascinating to watch them buzzing around working in the garden before returning to the nest, laden with pollen.

Meanwhile and again I know could google, but those of you who grow daffodils - do you leave the bulbs in situ all year, or do you dig up and replant? I’m asking as space is at a premium (they’re in a big pot) and I’m not sure if digging the bulbs up would kill them off.

 

[ZoriahNZ]

My mum did manage to get out to the community garden on her own. She picked a bunch of apples from the free orchard trees there. No one was picking them because they were not very suitable for eating. But she made several big batches of applesauce and dropped a jar off on the porch for me. Tasted so delicious, and made with love! I whipped up some vanilla custard to go with it. And will also have some on my cereal tomorrow. Thanks mum!

 

[watergirl62]

WOW!

I want to build a summer shade panel for the hives, but can't really dig here. Maybe two small used tires filled with quikcrete with a 4'x4' for a pole? Plus your shade cloth. That way I can roll the bases, adjust the panel location, and put it away when summer is over.

Bees! I’m so envious. I would love to keep bees but can’t because, cats. Also, a lack of space. So instead, I do all I can to attract them to the garden. No chemicals at all. Plenty of bee-friendly flowers - I even have a bee hotel hanging up on the fence. A couple of years ago, I had a small nest form in a crack under the back step and it was fascinating to watch them buzzing around working in the garden before returning to the nest, laden with pollen.

Meanwhile and again I know could google, but those of you who grow daffodils - do you leave the bulbs in situ all year, or do you dig up and replant? I’m asking as space is at a premium (they’re in a big pot) and I’m not sure if digging the bulbs up would kill them off.

I love that you talk about bees, CeeCeeCat. I like watching the color variation of the pollen going in the hive. Bright orange-red to golden to pale yellow. Fascinating. Right now the newer bees are hanging out on the landing board, practicing flying. They go about a foot and come right back. Also i think they are developing the photographic memory of their hive box.

My mum did manage to get out to the community garden on her own. She picked a bunch of apples from the free orchard trees there. No one was picking them because they were not very suitable for eating. But she made several big batches of applesauce and dropped a jar off on the porch for me. Tasted so delicious, and made with love! I whipped up some vanilla custard to go with it. And will also have some on my cereal tomorrow. Thanks mum!

Sounds delicious, and now I would like to have what you are having for breakfast. My grandmother used to make homemade applesauce.

 

[watergirl62]

dbm

 

[LadyL]

With the coronavirus quickly becoming a new normal, home gardening is taking off, as more and more Americans start to grow their own fruits and vegetables. But in Michigan, many stores have been barred from selling seeds, soils, plants, and other gardening supplies.

Michigan Bans Many Stores From Selling Seeds, Home Gardening Supplies, Calls Them “Not Necessary”

 

[EmmaRose]

With the coronavirus quickly becoming a new normal, home gardening is taking off, as more and more Americans start to grow their own fruits and vegetables. But in Michigan, many stores have been barred from selling seeds, soils, plants, and other gardening supplies.

Michigan Bans Many Stores From Selling Seeds, Home Gardening Supplies, Calls Them “Not Necessary”

I recently heard about this and think it is an awful decision.

I am hoping to start a garden this year as well. In the past, I have only grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and lettuce, but this year I am trying a few more veggies. I am excited, but also a little nervous being a beginner!!

Stay safe everybody. I love reading here!

 

[ZoriahNZ]

I'm surprised they're calling them non-essential supplies. If people can tend their own gardens and not have to go out in public, surely that is better for public safety. It's also helpful to those who are experiencing the financial pinch right now and anticipating potential food shortages.

 

[watergirl62]

With the coronavirus quickly becoming a new normal, home gardening is taking off, as more and more Americans start to grow their own fruits and vegetables. But in Michigan, many stores have been barred from selling seeds, soils, plants, and other gardening supplies.

Michigan Bans Many Stores From Selling Seeds, Home Gardening Supplies, Calls Them “Not Necessary”

I get the premise, but that's kind of ridiculous. I imagine it doesn't generate anything approaching the revenue stream that liquor sales or the state lottery does.

Does anyone currently buy seeds online? I never have, but I would in a heartbeat if I had no other options.

 

[IceIce9]

It is ramp season, and I love ramps. I ordered some from Marketbasket, which delivers.

 

[LadyL]

I'm surprised they're calling them non-essential supplies. If people can tend their own gardens and not have to go out in public, surely that is better for public safety. It's also helpful to those who are experiencing the financial pinch right now and anticipating potential food shortages.

exactly why I'm attempting to garden

 

[LadyL]

I get the premise, but that's kind of ridiculous. I imagine it doesn't generate anything approaching the revenue stream that liquor sales or the state lottery does.

Does anyone currently buy seeds online? I never have, but I would in a heartbeat if I had no other options.

I ordered all mine online.

 

[LadyL]

It is ramp season, and I love ramps. I ordered some from Marketbasket, which delivers.

I don't know what that means?

ETA: what's a ramp?

 

[watergirl62]

It is ramp season, and I love ramps. I ordered some from Marketbasket, which delivers.

I had to google ramps. Ramps: How to Forage & Eat Wild Leeks

 

[IceIce9]

I don't know what that means?

ETA: what's a ramp?

They taste kind of lie a cross between leeks, garlic, onion, and shallots. A delicately balanced flavor that is perfect but difficult to describe.

Ramp season is only about 2-4 weeks here so we make the most of it.

 

[IceIce9]

They sell for $20 or more a pound at farmer’s markets. Some of my friends have picked them growing wild at some of our area parks but I haven’t ever found any.

Tonight for dinner we had salad with ramp ranch dressing and cottage cheese rolls with ramp butter.

 

[Kavya01]

I get the premise, but that's kind of ridiculous. I imagine it doesn't generate anything approaching the revenue stream that liquor sales or the state lottery does.

Does anyone currently buy seeds online? I never have, but I would in a heartbeat if I had no other options.

I order most of mine online from Johnny's, but they are now no longer selling and shipping to home gardeners, just to their large customers, to protect the staff. I understand but, it's a blow I am sure for people who hadn't gotten their ordering done yet.

My seeds from Johnny's always do a million times better than anything from a store ( Burpee or Ferry etc) I recommend them highly for later in the season and for next season! You pay a buck or two more for a packet but earn back tons later in the season when your plants don't get diseased or pest ridden quite so easily, and give an enormous harvest. If you can, spring for the very best quality seeds, is my stance. Because gardening is so much work and can get so frustrating when your seed quality is poor! It'll make you want to give up and never try again which would be a shame.

Edited to add: I see they are announcing on their website they will start shipping to home gardeners again starting April 28! Awesome news!!
Johnny's Selected Seeds

 

[KALI]

if you want to feel like a king of gardening, plant zucchini. They grow like nobodies business. Plus tons of recipes to make with them. Try the faux apple cobber. It will blow everyone's mind, that it's not apples. ;-)

If anyone has room for zucchini they are fabulous IMO. Bake, broil, fry or even eat raw. They grow and produce like crazy and they're gorgeous with long vines and big flowers. On our keto diet we can't eat any pasta but I make spaghetti and vermicelli from zucchini with a spiralizer. Sliced longways about 1/4 inch thick they make a great lasagna noodle substitute.