Garden Log

[enigmaT120]

Ha George, I didn't plant those orchids. They are very difficult to propagate. Mine are just spreading naturally.

[George the original one]

Planted corn back on Wednesday. Earliest I've ever bothered planting corn, but the 10-day forecast looked hopeful & I'm "cheating" by using a large sheet of black plastic to help warm the soil.

Also planted beets, more lettuce, and more green onions.

***

On the wireworm front, I applied beneficial nematodes about a week ago. Can't say the results are all that good, but it was only one application. A few smaller wireworms died, but when I tilled pathways to clear weed seedlings yesterday, I stared at how many big, lively wireworms were scrambling for cover. 65F soil temperatures are not enough to make them lively, but 75F soil temperatures (60F-65F air temp) show that they can be very active. Consequently I've ordered another shipment of beneficial nematodes and will apply them on a warm evening right after tilling. [note: that's warm for my climate, not what most people would consider warm, LOL!]

Reading a bit more on wireworm problems gave me another suggestion on how to deal with them. Highest activity levels are April-May and September-October, so planting potatoes in late June is better than planting in April. Apparently the wireworms burrow deeper into the soil to seek cooler temperatures. Holding off planting my spuds now... looks like they'll be well-chitted!

Flooding fields worked in some locales while drying fields out worked in others. The idea is to set conditions to the opposite of what is normal for the habitat. Since I live in the land of rain, where rain storms bring 4"-6" per day in the winter for up to a week, it would seem I should seek to dry the soil.

[Mae]

I'd like to recycle used coffee grounds for my garden. From what I've read, used coffee grounds have a neutral pH. Does anybody have any experience with this?

[jennypenny]

We're hurriedly getting the garden planted before we head out to DD's graduation this week (one off the dole!). We aren't expanding this year since we're working on some indoor projects. It will all be in by Wednesday ... tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and herbs. I have two full beds of tomatoes since I like to grow a large variety. It will include German Johnson, Brandywine, Purple Cherokee, beefsteak, big boy, Rutgers, and sun gold. I added a bigger variety of cherry and I'm not growing Roma this year. I didn't use them like the others. I'm doing more basil this year because I never have enough and I'm trying Thai Basil. We're also doing a small section with hot peppers. (Ten bucks says my dopey dog will eat the hottest one and cost me a trip to the vet.)

The wildflowers didn't reseed as hoped. I'm trying to decide if I want to reseed every year or plant perennials. I'm considering expanding the herb garden into that area instead.

In better news, the strawberries are doing great. I think I've finally figured out where they are happiest in the yard. They are full of blooms already. This is year 3 since planting and they look great and have filled out the bed.

We love the fire pit area we put in last year and use it all the time. It's so relaxing to sit out there with a drink. It's also a nice way to get rid of my junk mail.

I'll take pics when everything is in. It won't be that impressive this year but I'll enjoy it just the same.

[Mae]

The wildflowers didn't reseed as hoped. I'm trying to decide if I want to reseed every year or plant perennials. I'm considering expanding the herb garden into that area instead.

That's a pity. Wildflowers are beautiful!

Good luck with your garden.

[cmonkey]

I'd like to recycle used coffee grounds for my garden. From what I've read, used coffee grounds have a neutral pH. Does anybody have any experience with this?

Yes they are pretty close to neutral. They will not acidify your soil. They have a fair amount of nitrogen and help to loosen heavy clay soil quite a bit.

[Mae]

Happy with the growth of arugula in a pot.



Seeing as arugula isn't rooted deeply, I am considering recycling an old bonsai pot I have and grow some more. I can start this project up as soon as Wednesday.

I got a strawberry plant from a friend's garden last week ... including a leaf rolling caterpillar. I keep the plant in a pot, so hopefully, getting rid of the leaf and caterpillar will be enough to save the plant. Should I check for anything else?

[George the original one]

Seeing as arugula isn't rooted deeply, I am considering recycling an old bonsai pot I have and grow some more.

Arugula turns into a knee-high shrub with roots running nearly a meter deep if you let grow to maturity. The seed from one plant is more than enough to keep a gardener supplied. You can plant the seeds densely if you want to harvest young arugula for your salad.

Strawberry plants are pretty hardy. There may be more local pests to look for so that you're not bringing anything bad into your home. Pluck off any moldy leaves, even if it's only tiny dots.

[Mae]

Arugula turns into a knee-high shrub with roots running nearly a meter deep if you let grow to maturity. The seed from one plant is more than enough to keep a gardener supplied. You can plant the seeds densely if you want to harvest young arugula for your salad.

Oops, my mistake. (Revealing myself as a newbie gardener who doesn't know anything about plants.)

I'll look into collecting arugula seeds. I found this info: http://urbantomato.ca/collecting-arugula-seeds/

[George the original one]

The sweet corn sprouted in 8 days. Now I'm wrestling with the varmints that uproot the tender shoots, same ones still pulling up pea plants (grrrr). Seriously considering overplanting the sweet corn next week.

[George the original one]

Yay, first pea blossoms appeared in today's burst of sunshine!

[cmonkey]

So I'm pretty sure the midwest has officially left a pattern of 4 seasons and entered a pattern of 2. The last 3-4 years for sure and this year is turning into the same. We just jump from 30's and 40's (in which nothing will grow) to 85-90 degrees in a matter of weeks. There is no in between anymore!! 4 weeks ago today a massive blizzard shut down north Iowa and southern MN. Now look at it! *

It's really maddening because spring and fall crops just aren't growing very well the past few years. All my spring transplants are bolting, despite being under shade clothes.

*Looking at this map, maybe it's the whole country?

[George the original one]

So I'm pretty sure the midwest has officially left a pattern of 4 seasons and entered a pattern of 2.

If you're located near a body of water (like the Pacific Ocean in my case!), it will help moderate conditions as you get a marine layer of clouds or fog in the morning and then it cools down nicely when the inevitable breeze/wind arises.

To illustrate, while Portland's temperature was 87-90F today, here on the coast it was only 65F. Despite the low air temperature, though, that sunshine was HOT. Even without the morning cloud cover (like yesterday), we're still 10F cooler than Portland because it begins cooling down at 4p instead of 6-9p.

[jennypenny]

I agree cmonkey.

Strawberries are ripening already. All the other plants look good. I need to figure out what to do with the area where the wildflowers were last year. I might just expand the herb garden.

[Mae]

I haven't killed any of my plants yet.

*knocks on wood*

[cmonkey]

I've never heard of arugula becoming a shrub! Maybe it's a different arugula. It will definitely bolt if it get's the least bit stressed, so I'd recommend planting outdoors if you can.

[Mae]

I don't have a garden so a pot is the only way to go.

(The packaging of the seeds just says arugula, so that isn't very helpful.)

[George the original one]

My strawberries are only in mid-flower, no berries set that I've noticed. Have had a week of overcast weather, though, so I bet things will change in a hurry once the sun decides to shine again.

Have had a few radishes, a couple were even full-size. Corn is ankle-high, everything else is doing okay.


The wireworms seem to be vacating the garden plot since their food (fresh compostables) is rather scarce now. I'll plant potatoes soon.

[George the original one]

Strawberries definitely setting on now (when did that happen?!?). Peas still flowering, no pods set. Radishes, spinach, kale, & arugula all in harvest now. Expect lettuce next week. Planted 60 row feet of green beans today, 3 varieties. Will plant potatoes in a day or two.

[George the original one]

Garden is making a liar out of me: discovered tiny pea pods this morning! These are a shelling variety called "Premium". I sampled one of the baby pods and it was delicious. Still... I will wait for them to get to shelling size as my real pea pods, "Oregon Giant", will come a month later (if the damn voles stop chewing on them).