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Post by brownrexx on Aug 2, 2019 8:13:26 GMT -5
It's time to start the Fall garden for many of us. I am 10 weeks away from my average first frost (October 15).
Honestly we have more veggies right now than we can keep up with eating and I am getting tired of pulling weeds and watering while spending lots of time in the kitchen preserving my harvests so I am not real keen on the idea of planting more veggies BUT I will probably plant some radishes and maybe some lettuce. If I don't, I will probably wish that I did because everything else will be done.
Sometimes I also plant spinach and let it overwinter for an early spring crop. I am not craving greens right now but I know that we will be craving them in the Spring and I never buy store spinach. Too many recalls and e.Coli outbreaks, I just don't trust it.
Will you be planting any Fall veggies this year?
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Aug 2, 2019 9:13:39 GMT -5
Probably but it will be closer to Labor Day before I start.
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Post by octave1 on Aug 2, 2019 9:16:23 GMT -5
Yes, possibly. I have two empty beds in my garden, and I might as well use them for something. For what is the question.
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Post by paulf on Aug 2, 2019 9:16:42 GMT -5
Maybe some green beans in the raised bed just to see if more will come up. By October it is time for both me and the garden to rest.
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Post by september on Aug 2, 2019 9:48:27 GMT -5
Just lettuce, though if I remember later, I might plant some really late spinach that I expect to overwinter for spring salads. I have some old radish seed that I could throw in and see if it sprouts now too.
I also need to plant some cilantro right now so it's around for the main tomato crop. I have plenty of volunteer dill, but it's heading up, so it might not hurt to sprinkle in a few dill seeds too for some newer ferny stuff.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 2, 2019 19:11:48 GMT -5
Oct is so soon?? I want to weed-proof the gardens as much as possible this year before the firsts rains which can be late in Oct, which means spreading lots of thick mulch over everything. As for a fall garden, I had been thinking I would, if only just cabbage this year. But I'm thinking that maybe I'll take a break this fall/winter planting new things. Maybe. Since some of our summer things just keep hanging on because of no frost, it means there could/should be tomatoes, peppers, perhaps squash and green beans till I let them die.
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Post by bestofour on Aug 2, 2019 19:16:42 GMT -5
I’ll probably plant lettuce, radishes, and maybe spinach. Wonder if I can grow peas before it’s really winter.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 3, 2019 1:54:05 GMT -5
brownrexx, mgulfcoastguy, octave1, paulf, september, Gianna, bestofour, I'd like to do a small greens bed. I have about 10 or so different Asian greens I'd like to try. My first "hard" freeze is around Turkey Day generally and some years into December. I've not grown any of these greens except the two that pepperhead212 sent me last year which was Komatsuna and Semposia. I probably butchered both names, but y'all probably remember how well they did. I don't remember what all I bought from Remy, but I think there was tatsoi, and Choi yum sum or something. A whole bunch of stuff I ain't ever heard of. I do remember ordering pak choi. If it's anything like Bok Chou, I love that stuff. Oh and I got several types of Kale too. Pardon me rattling on and on. My anxiety is acting up tonight and I can't sleep.
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 3, 2019 7:17:05 GMT -5
My anxiety is acting up tonight and I can't sleep. Based on the notation of "5 hours ago" at the top of your posting, you must have been here at 3 am. I was fast asleep at that time! I hope that you do plant some greens. I think that greens grown in the Fall with the colder nights seem to be some of the best tasting ones.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 3, 2019 8:57:56 GMT -5
brownrexx , Yeah it was around 3. Sometimes I get real anxious. It's almost like panic attacks. It's been that way since my vision loss. I finally settled down a little after 6 and was able to sleep a couple hours
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Post by octave1 on Aug 3, 2019 9:53:01 GMT -5
brownrexx , Yeah it was around 3. Sometimes I get real anxious. I finally settled down a little after 6 and was able to sleep a couple hours i have nights like that too, for no apparent reason. When I talked with my dr about it, he told me that the human day is more like 26 hours long and not the 24 hours we are used to. Scientists discover this when monitoring people who go and spend months in underground caves without access to natural light and clocks.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 3, 2019 10:42:20 GMT -5
I don't remember what all I bought from Remy, but I think there was tatsoi, and Choi yum sum or something. A whole bunch of stuff I ain't ever heard of. I do remember ordering pak choi. If it's anything like Bok Chou, I love that stuff. Oh and I got several types of Kale too. Ive grown tatsoi, pak choi, and a number of others. Young kale, especially Dino or black kale are wonderful as greens. And lettuces too. Because of all our critters (birds, bunnies, ground squirrels, gophers) coming at things from all sides, I grew many of my greens up on a 'salad table'. Just a structure above ground level and growing in containers. An actual old table, or simple as two saw horses with a couple boards between them. I needed wire around the sides and over the top too, but you probably wouldnt need that. Greens grown up on a table are not only safer from critters, but exceptionally clean. No slugs or snails. And you can garden while standing up which makes things easier to see. Plus no bending to plant or pick little plants. Another thing you might want to consider growing are microgreens. Very simple and fast (harvesting from 10 to 20 days depending on time of year and variety), and if you have a window that gets good sunlight, can even be successfully grown totally inside. I tried a lot of different varieties, and two that are extremely simple and efficient, and with large, easy to use seeds, and produce tasty, succulent, mild, fast greens are peas and sunflowers - any varieties. There are a few techniques to get good microgreens that I'd be happy to share if anyone is interested. Growing microgreens is different than traditional sprouting, which because of all the continued rinsing and seed coats mixed in, can be prone to making a person sick. Growing microgreens is actually growing seeds in a planting mix, then cutting them off at the base.
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Post by paulf on Aug 3, 2019 10:48:58 GMT -5
When I was still working, shift work, my company did a sleep study to see how we could benefit. All the research on sleep cycles said much the same thing. After working fifteen years of a month of days and then a month of nights and then two years of straight night work, my internal clock still tells me to stay awake all night or at least part of it..say 3am to 6 am. Always a night owl, working overnight was not a problem and sleeping in the daytime was easy. Even after 15 years retired staying up all night is not a problem except now I am expected to be awake all day, too.
Not much to do with fall gardens. By October I can be awake or asleep whenever I want without worrying about the garden.
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Post by ladymarmalade on Aug 3, 2019 11:15:31 GMT -5
Gianna, I would LOVE to see you start a thread on microgreens!
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 3, 2019 11:17:34 GMT -5
Gianna , I would LOVE to see you start a thread on microgreens! Me too
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 3, 2019 11:31:10 GMT -5
brownrexx, mgulfcoastguy, octave1, paulf, september, Gianna, bestofour, ladymarmalade, Ok here's what I've got to play with. Most of these are new to me. I'm not sure why, but I've not grown many greens. I love to eat them. I guess I was too busy growing tomatoes, beans, okra and cow peas. My bed is 3x8, so I have 24 square foot of space. I filled most of that up last year with Komatsuna & Semposai. Also I don't necessarily need Lettuce, other than just to see what it looks like. Haha. No seriously, I like Lettuce ok, I was just joking.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 3, 2019 11:34:49 GMT -5
A quick question as soon as I get some feedback on the above seeds.
I figure the heat will be bearable come sept. Then I have till the end of nov till first freeze. Maybe longer.
I have a new peat dohicky ready to plant, so these would be transplanted. What say you, start now or too early?
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Post by pepperhead212 on Aug 3, 2019 11:46:36 GMT -5
hairymooseknuckles, That choy sum you got is a type of bok choy, which is normally allowed to grow to the point that it just begins to bolt, looking like a small piece of broccoli in the middle, then it's harvested. However, it can be harvested like bok choy, senposai, and other cut and come again greens (like most Asian greens are), by cutting the perimeter stalks, and letting it grow some more, then late in the season, letting the center flower bud grow. Tatsoi is a smaller plant, with a stronger, somewhat bitter flavor, which not everyone likes. Not as productive as the larger varieties, but it can be planted closer, maybe 12" apart. I start my seeds in September, in small seedling flats - 72/flat. I only use small ones like this because I put them out only about 3 weeks after germinating, then cover them, because of rabbits. I'm thinking about making a raised bed, high enough to keep them out, but I'm not sure how high that is. Anyone know?
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Post by ladymarmalade on Aug 3, 2019 11:46:52 GMT -5
Personally, I'm not crazy about curled kale varieties, but I really like both Red Russian and White Russian kale. Where I live, they never bolt, so I would be able to start them now for a fall garden and they will grow until Christmas. They are cut-and-come-again, so you can take a few leaves at a time and the plant will keep growing.
Jericho lettuce is my favorite romaine to grow. You can harvest it as heads of romaine OR you can take a few leaves at a time and harvest it that way. Slow to bolt, the lettuce stays sweet until it flowers.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 3, 2019 11:58:35 GMT -5
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 3, 2019 11:59:48 GMT -5
Look at the days to maturity to help you with your choice. At most you have 90 days if you figure to plant in September. Of course it may take 5-10 days to germinate to add that to the DTM.
If you are going to do direct seeding rather than starting indoors in pots to avoid the current heat, you may have better luck with a green that you eat the loose leaves rather than waiting for one that makes a head like bok choy.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 3, 2019 12:02:51 GMT -5
ladymarmalade, pepperhead212, Thanks guys. I have Cottontail rabbits by the zillions, but they didn't bother the raised bed last year. I don't have quite that many, but they scatter when I go to the garden about sunset. I think it's either 14" or 16" tall. Hope that helps.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 3, 2019 12:08:11 GMT -5
then cover them, because of rabbits. I'm thinking about making a raised bed, high enough to keep them out, but I'm not sure how high that is. Anyone know? That's why I use a 'salad table'. Or you could use a wire wall (low fencing). Here, 18 inch chicken wire works to keep our small cotton tails out. Maybe lower would work, but 18 inches is what I had. Come to think of it, I have used a make-shift 14 inch fence that worked too.
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Post by Gianna on Aug 3, 2019 12:19:59 GMT -5
Notes on Moose seeds:
To me Komatsuna was too tough for me. Probably how I grew it.
Marvel of Four Seasons lettuce is IMO about the prettiest lettuce there is to grow. And very tender.
Jericho lettuce. I've never been successful growing romaines to form heads.
Tatsoi - very common in purchased salad greens mixes. When I grew it, I pick it very young for salad eating. When planted out, it doesnt seem as productive as some of the others.
Bok choi and relatives. All good when harvested young for salads, but grow so fast, the salad harvest window is short. But leaves are great for cooking.
Russian Red Kale. Very pretty young leaves, but on the bitter side to me.
Curly kales - home to bugs IMO. I prefer the dino kale with their pretty dark leaves. Quite yummy when young.
Spigarello - not on the list, but a great green that just kept on giving. Much like tender broccoli leaves. Oh, and young broccoli leaves make a great addition to salads.
This discussion is making me want to jump back in, lol.
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Post by bestofour on Aug 3, 2019 12:28:16 GMT -5
Gianna, I like the idea of a salad table. Great for those fighting bugs. hairymooseknuckles, you've got a bunch of stuff there. We'll be watching. I've never grown anything fancy....black seed lettuce, buttercrunch lettuce, kale (which I won't again) and spinach. A few years I grew lettuce all year long in my pretend greenhouse. I need to get out there and see how I can fix it up to do it again. Maybe a salad table like Gianna said. Today, after being in the garden, I've decided to build 2 more raised beds in a shadier location. Not real shade but not blazing sun either. That way I won't have to worry about trying to put a canopy over the tomatoes. Last year my friend started growing her tomatoes, planted in the ground, inside her little greenhouse that's covered with green, opaque material, and they've done great, so I think moving mine to where they aren't in 100% sunlight every second of the day will be a good thing. (I need to put this in my garden diary so I don't forget )
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Post by Gianna on Aug 3, 2019 12:52:50 GMT -5
Today, after being in the garden, I've decided to build 2 more raised beds in a shadier location. Not real shade but not blazing sun either. That way I won't have to worry about trying to put a canopy over the tomatoes. Last year my friend started growing her tomatoes, planted in the ground, inside her little greenhouse that's covered with green, opaque material, and they've done great, so I think moving mine to where they aren't in 100% sunlight every second of the day will be a good thing. (I need to put this in my garden diary so I don't forget ) Once you got one set up, you would love it. Anything that would hold containers off the ground could work. And the containers themselves could be anything. I used 2 or 3 stacked nursery trays with mix - the ones about 16 inches square, and with a mesh in the bottom so roots can easily go through. As for growing tomatoes, I've noticed in a number of videos about 'market gardeners' that they now seem to be grwoing their tomatoes in tunnels. Not only for season extension, but also for reduced sunlight, and as one said, so much less disease when water can be kept off the leaves. They use string hanging from the ceiling to help train the plants too. I've moved one of my pepper beds to a location that gets some afternoon shade for this very reason. Last year I covered the main bed with shade cloth and that worked very well too. Perhaps some shade on garden plants is underrated.
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 3, 2019 15:38:00 GMT -5
I pulled my red beets today and I decided that I should get on the ball for Fall use that space. I planted about a 2' row of rutabagas for a Fall harvest. I really like them as cubes roasted with other veggies in the winter. That is NOT a summertime meal.
I think that it's still too early for me to plant greens so I will wait about 2 weeks and then plant some lettuce, spinach and radishes.
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Aug 3, 2019 15:48:49 GMT -5
I pulled up the squash and tomato plants today. Dad picked a bucket of cucumbers and I picked several watermelons.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Aug 3, 2019 23:52:44 GMT -5
hairymooseknuckles, bestofour What are the raised beds made with, two 2x8s (14 1/2"), or three 2x6s (15 3/4")? Or something else? Those were the possibilities I thought of. Seems the 2x6s would be better, as there would be less extreme warping, plus the ends could be put together better, but there would be twice as much drilling and gluing. SOW, I'll have to dig out some of my dowels, for the joints - only a few I keep in a drawer for small jobs.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 4, 2019 0:01:44 GMT -5
I think we went with 2x8. Because I had several already. When I had mine built last year. Didn't go fancy, just held together with short pieces of 2x4.
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