Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Anyone planning a garden this year?

Just wondering if anyone does the garden thing.

My first garden since I was a kid was a stand of white oaks and poplar about two weeks before being planted last year.

It did quite well the first year.

I have been starting seeds in Jiffy Pellets for the past two weeks.

And just started Anaheim Chili Peppers today. (as my left eye will attest to)

I make some really awesome pickles and thought the Anaheim could be tamed enough to pop them in (seedless) to add an interesting alternative to the everyday Crunch Monsters.

I am doing a garden for the first time this year since I was a kid. I want to get back into it because I think we are in for the some tough times in the years to come and I want to reacquaint myself with the farming skills so if times really do get tough, I won't be so rusty when it starts to really count...

If you want it to take off, step 1 = soil test.

I'm planting beans (Purple Pod climbing), Sweet Million Cherry Tomatoes, 'couple varieties of sweet corn, the usual yellow & green zucchini, Swiss Chard and a couple other things. I'll be planting carp when found as well.

The garden at my house has been in service since 1973 although it is about 1/3 it's original size. It's probably 40'X30' now. It may shrink again depending on how much of it is used this year.

This time of the year my office turns into a temporary green house.






Raised beds, weed guard and an auto water system are huge time and back savers.
We barter with our local farmers market, they get all of our extra tomatoes, peppers, etc in exchange for the things we don’t grow but like to eat.
I worked out a deal with our local butcher…..for every 5 pounds of CC’s he pulls out of my pond, I get 2 free T Bone steaks. I’m still in negations with the local liquor store own…the guys more of a BG man and mine need another year to get to pan size.

For the best taste and texture, heirloom seeds are the only way to go.

I'm getting as crazy about my garden as I am about my fish. Nothing like going to get a fresh home-grown tomato only to find your small son stole them all. I planted apple trees because my whole family loves them. Broccoli, blueberries, apples, tomatoes...the healthiest ones are the best.
Jim, squash pollinate inside?

If you plant the fruit trees from HD or Lowes will they produce fruit this year? They have apple, peach & pear for about $17-18.

JKB - You are too early. We market garden in central Indiana (profitable for 20 years - every year - actually my wife).

Not doing a garden but I have some persimmon seedlings that I am going to plant. I planted them in some plastic tubes last spring so I could move them later on.

I don't know about HD or Lowes, but I've bought fruit trees from Miller Nursery and Starke Brothers. I've had fruit the first year from Starke Brother Supreme trees, but I end up picking the fruit as soon as it sets. I want the tree to concentrate on getting a good root system and branch system first. I think there are 20 trees in the orchard now, and 100 asparagus plants in the raised bed.

I prefer Starke Bros. Supreme trees, but Miller's is right behind them. If not getting the Supreme trees, then it's a wash.

Actually I am a bit late on the onions. I'll probably end up getting set's. Cabbage is on time, plus I am going to try Leeks.

I have a guide for our area from MSU that I am following. A couple things may be a bit early but they will be grown in 4ft x 12ft containers that I am building and can stay in the garage for a little extra time. I can easily move them with the tractor.

My sister has something growing in her garage year round in containers.

I had my first real garden last year, but let it get a little out of control, however I did get quite a bit of goods. I like to focus on growing a ton of what I like as opposed to some of everything. I also want to plant some trees, but they may have to wait till fall.

Since this is a garden thread Ill ask a few questions if no one minds... My watermellons only got about volleyball size last year and busted, some busted and were not even ripe yet, any idea what caused this? I suppose this is due to the variety and excessive heat?

Also what are some good things to grow in southern oklahoma climate that I can plant in May or later when I get out of school? right now I dont get home enough to tend a garden.

Im in the Nursery buissiness and for those of yall planting a garden outside I was gonna tell yall that you can put out a weed prevenative called Treflan and you won't have to do any weeding. It keeps the weed seeds from germinating. If your planting your garden from seeds then don't put it out until after the plants come up.

Have any of yall checked out Mossy oaks Native Nuseries? Lots of different types of wildlife trees for a good price. I probably gonna get a few hundred and put in 10 gal. pots to sell here at the nursery.

jsand13, how long does Treflan work? If I apply it in the Spring, will it prevent crabgrass from germinating?

You might want to read up on Treflan before using it on vegetable gardens

JKB - You mentioned peppers - thus my comment.

If you use treflan, don't plant cucurbits in it! Read the label and only plant approved crops. Its a good herbicide for some vegetables but will damage others.

It works as soon as it gets watered in. you may have to reapply ever 60 or 90 days for good results. Ive never used it in gardens but have used it in flower beds and its done a good job.
you may want to make sure that it can be used around vegetables.

My wife has always done a garden every year and I've gradually become more and more involved (usually on the manual labor side of things). I'd be more interested in trying a few new things this coming year.

If you have reseeding anuals or biannuals in your garden, treflan will typically kill the seed. Works great for most perennials and if you are planting annual plants (not seed). Sure saves a lot of work, but will not control all the weeds.

Corn gluten is a good pre-emergent weed treatment. Safe for people, animals & environment. Does not work well on grassy kinds of weeds -- you'll need a hoe for those. Works in gardens (fruit/veggie & flower) and on lawns.

Where can I get hold of the safety data on using corn gluten as a herbicide?

I got tired of fighting bermuda grass in my vegetable garden last year; so I am trying a no dig garden this year. Lay bags of potting soil in a row, cut out tops of bags, plant, and use mulch to hide bag. I loved growing Sugar Baby watermelons for a few years until my currrent traveling job made it hard to water and keep up with the bermuda grass. Gonna try some Thumbelina carrots (because of the bag depth), greens, and pole beans this year. Hopefully I will have the time to build some raised beds before next year to keep the grass out.

I tilled in compost last year and had very few weeds. The city near me sells it for 6.00/yard. I paid for ten yards and got about 14-15. I would like to get maybe a hundred yards this year but the guy with the dump truck is still in Indiana, besides, our road has frost laws.

The compost site is less than 5 miles from here and I could probably negotiate with the city to take it in larger chunks for less per yard, which would offset trucking. And this guy, if you paid him cash, would haul it pretty cheap!

http://www.hort.iastate.edu/gluten/? -- and lots of other sites. I googled: use of corn gluten as herbicide and the top 5 or more site were universities.

Goldie - I was looking for safety tests. The site that you provided doesn't seem to have safety data. I ask because I am wondering why it is assumed that corn gluten is safe, while it is assumed that registered herbicides with volumes of safety tests are less safe. Just wondering if it a faith thing?