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Post by brownrexx on Aug 1, 2019 7:40:35 GMT -5
In the previous Question of the Day we talked about our challenges this year.
Will you make any changes to your gardening plans for next year?
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 1, 2019 8:32:46 GMT -5
I probably grew more corn than we needed this year. I had 4 rows and harvested 12 dozen ears. We like corn but really do not eat it often enough to use up all that I grow. I bag my corn in meal sized bags and I still had 5 left from last year's harvest when I started picking the new corn. I will probably cut back to 3 rows next year.
Secondly I still have a lot of dry beans left in storage from last year's harvest so I really do not need to grow so many. This year I did cut back a bit but I enjoy growing new varieties so I still grew 2 bush types and 3 pole types. My bush types have a bad Mexican Bean Beetle infestation so I will probably skip growing them next year.
Other than that I do not plan to make any major changes except maybe to try some new varieties of tomatoes. Brandy Master produced huge tomatoes which are somewhat strangely shaped and I will eliminate them next year.
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Post by octave1 on Aug 1, 2019 9:01:24 GMT -5
Usually changes involve vegetables' varieties, but I think something more drastic is needed. I must reduce the number of plants I grow. I am thinking 8 tomato plants instead of 20+, period. Same for zucchini, stick with 3 or 4 plants. Potatoes would be a nice addition, and I can really go overboard with that.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Aug 1, 2019 11:07:04 GMT -5
I reduced the number of peppers this year; I'll see if I still have too many! Tomatoes, OTOH, I am probably going to have in excess, but I won't be reducing those, as something can reduce the production greatly, as happened last year, with the rain, so I'd rather have excess. I'm still getting a lot of eggplants from just 4 plants, but I don't think I'll grow less than that. So far I like that 'Indian' variety that I bought the plants for, but since I don't know what it is exactly, I'll save some seeds, and see if they breed true.
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Aug 1, 2019 12:09:23 GMT -5
Going back to my standby jalapeño, trying globe shaped rather than Asian eggplant. The rest to be determined after it cools off.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 1, 2019 15:22:07 GMT -5
Heck, I havent even figured out what I'm going to do for the rest of this year... In part because of our long season, many decisions (besides starting peppers and tomatoes early) don't have to be made beforehand. And I've got more seed than Mrs. Burpee so I can scramble in any direction. This year I'm growing many more peppers, including new varieties. But because it's been cool this summer, hardly any have ripened yet, so don't know how many I'll get, or if I like them. I'll probably grow fewer zucchini. But probably the same numbers of tomatoes - those I just keep planting over the season. I did grow a lot of beans this summer and love them. Probably the same next year. This year I grew lots of potatoes in pots. It was a grand experiment that was successful, and that I enjoyed. But since I don't eat them, I doubt I'll do that again. Maybe just a few here or there. And just a simple yellow, and a simple red. Not sure yet. Last year (2018) I didnt do much in the back garden area having shifted much to the front. But I want to get those beds ready to go and covered with deep mulch to prevent weeds after the winter rains in case some new garden adventure arises. I dont' use it, but maybe I'll grow and sell pot next year . Though I think the selling part is still illegal for a hobby gardener.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Aug 2, 2019 9:59:41 GMT -5
I need to attract more birds and bees to my garden for pest control and pollination.
So I will put up birdhouses for insect-eating birds and bee houses for carpenter, mason, and other native bees in late winter and early spring. I won't be putting up any honeybee hives, though - the lots are too small in my neighborhood. I would like a bat house as well, but I am not sure DH will agree to that.
As far as what to plant next year, I haven't decided yet.
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Aug 2, 2019 10:58:11 GMT -5
Thinking about trying pattypan squash this fall.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 2, 2019 13:48:35 GMT -5
I need to attract more birds and bees to my garden for pest control and pollination. I would like to put up an owl box since they are supposed to be the best gopher/rodent control possible. Unfortunately neighbors on all sides use poisons and I wouldnt want to attract the birds then have them eat a poisoned rodent. The past couple years I've grown more flowers, but need to do more of that. They are so pretty and do attract pollinators. I had some lovely blooming annual Scabiosa outside the window, and there were lots of bees working it.
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