phatfarmerbob
.223 Rem
But did it work?
2023 gardening thread
- Thread starter Saltwater60
- Start date
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I think my concern is far greater than frost. I did some research and once the flower buds form if they fall below 26F they die. With the temps going into the teens for low Friday and Saturday even covering the tree the temps will get below acceptable levels. I guess it all depends on how much flower growth there is in the bud between now and Friday. It was pretty warm the past two days and tomorrow and Thursday are supposed to be close to 60 so…
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Much better than I had expected it to. The apple trees did fine as did the pear and blueberry bushes. The peach tree suffered somewhat but it did still fruit some. If the sun hadn’t come out the next morning and warm things up above frost temps I’m not too sure what would have happened. As you pointed out stone fruits suffer the most in a late spring hard frost. Apples, pears and even the blueberries are much hardier and can handle a slight prolonged late season frost better.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
Good thing my blueberry buds are swelling up like crazy between yesterday and today. The difference a day or two makes is nuts and you’re right the stone fruits are much more susceptible to frost damage.
What kind of pears do you grow? I’m looking to get a set of trees. I want a speckle pear and then one other.
Also any experience with columnar fruit trees? I looking for something tall and thin to give me a bit of privacy and break up the back and side fence line now that my maple tree is gone. I thought columnar fruit trees might do the trick and even a sour cherry bush. Thoughts? Experiences? Thanks for all the help you offer here and real world knowledge is invaluable.
I’m hoping my plum tree made it with the mild winter and all the rain but no bud swelling yet.
phatfarmerbob
.223 Rem
If you think the squirrels like your peaches … plant a cherry lol
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
They are going to face a conibear 110 this spring and summer, well a few of them. I can’t take it anymore.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
With the wind today and the warm temps the past few days I was able to till up my veggie patch. It went well and I worked in some more peat moss and a five gallon bucket full of perlite. The leaves worked in and broke up better than I thought they would. I need to buy a shredder for next season. The hay will be removed after the threat of really cold weather passes. It’s over my shallots and garlic for a bit of protection. I don’t think my shallots did good that I planted in the fall. I know I shouldn’t have planted them but I had a few sitting around so I figured I’d give it a go. I’ll plant new ones next month.
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S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I’ve got a couple of Bartlett pear trees. I’d like to add an Asian pear variety this year too. I love pears and once established the trees produce for decades.
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with columnar fruit trees . I’d like to grow a couple though.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I have half a mind to think my plum tree that I planted in the fall made it through the winter. I’m amazed. I just looked at it this past week and the branches were still flexible and not dried out so I thought oh maybe. I just looked today and I swear a bunch of the buds grew. I’ll be amazed if it doesn’t get hit hard with frost and die and if it makes it but hey maybe.
would it be feasible maybe cover it throw a drop light in with it , calling for single digits friday.
99cummins
.308 Win
We started a bunch of our seeds yesterday in pots in the house. Currently on shelves with grow lights. Spring is getting closer.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
This one I sure can. I’m not super worried about it right now since the buds just swelled a bit but I probably will anyway. It’s small since I just planted it. I have some tarps and it’s growing against a fence so I can clip it to the fence and use some bricks to weigh it down. Good idea.
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
masterswimmer
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Interesting concept. The biggest obstacle would be the amount of rainfall necessary to keep those totes full. I know I don't live in the rainforest. Those beds are long. I wouldn't be surprised if those full barrels last only 3-4 days while those plants are tiny. Full grown, maybe 2 days.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I was thinking the same thing. It is a cool idea but you also need the space and that’s something I’m lacking. I’m running out of space.
my stuff is going pretty well. My worms are growing well, I have my seeds planned, I have my little mini greenhouse to start some early cold weather crops, and I made some great soil this winter.
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
True, I’m thinking of it as more of a help with watering while I’m doing other garden chores. Filling them up if necessary before the next watering, instead of standing there with a garden hose to water down the beads. I’ve got a 50 gal. Plastic drum with a twist locking lid. I think I’ll experiment a little with this idea.
masterswimmer
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Make sure you drill a vent in the lid to allow the water to flow.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
Sprinkler?
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I use one sparingly. The way that my boxes are set up it typically wastes more water than it helps.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I figured. I think I’m going with a soaker hose this year and a timer. 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night and then go from there if I need to increase it.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
Holy cow my plum tree did make it and the bids are for sure swelling. Garlic has grown a lot in the last 2-3 days, buds are starting to pop and I think it’s a good time for that. I rolled out my raised beds from the garage to start getting the rain and sun on them to start breaking down the organic matter I added last fall. I kept them wet all winter but I figure it’s still a good thing.
I will put together that little greenhouse I ordered and I’ll start my cold hardy seeds this week for my trial run and see what happens. Weather looks good and with the sun bearing on the GH and it being in the 50’s or so the seeds should germinate. I’m only doing cold hardy crops this early of course.
I’m rather excited for this year and I have some good plans. I’ll see how this year goes then make adjustments for next year. I’d like to add a few more fruit trees this year but I’m not sure I’ll have the time or want to spend the money to do it. We will see what I find.
I will put together that little greenhouse I ordered and I’ll start my cold hardy seeds this week for my trial run and see what happens. Weather looks good and with the sun bearing on the GH and it being in the 50’s or so the seeds should germinate. I’m only doing cold hardy crops this early of course.
I’m rather excited for this year and I have some good plans. I’ll see how this year goes then make adjustments for next year. I’d like to add a few more fruit trees this year but I’m not sure I’ll have the time or want to spend the money to do it. We will see what I find.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
Time to spray your fruit trees if you have any and no rain. My plum tree has every single bud starting to pop open. Also on the great news front my Japanese maple tree that split right in half and was like that for a mont and a half prior to me noticing appears to be grafting back together. It was dormant so I took some green landscaping tape and tied it back together as right as I could, it wasn’t very tight and it was dried out so I thought no way this will work. I looked on Saturday and it appears to be 100% healed up. Now to see the bids popping open soon. It appears to be ok. I’m glad because it was a $175 tree.
Also I think I’m adding a North Star dwarf cherry tree to the garden this year. I’m excited and they supposedly produce fruit near us reliably.
Also I think I’m adding a North Star dwarf cherry tree to the garden this year. I’m excited and they supposedly produce fruit near us reliably.
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Good choice with the dwarf cherry tree. The north star variety is an excellent, slightly sour cherry. ( my dad had one) and it doesn’t need a pollinator to produce. However , don’t expect to see anything until after it’s fourth year. It’s an excellent tree to attract bees and butterflies for pollination of other fruits and veggies too.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
They say you can get fruit the first year but I’ve heard that before. If this one produces I’ll get another one. I will evaluate that next spring to see when it blooms and if there is any pollination that occurs. My previous cherry bloomed way too early and I had beautiful flowers but there were never any bees out to pollinate it so I got a handful of cherries at best. I think my top production year was 8 cherries.
Glad to see you have good experience with them as I really respect your thoughts on gardens. Thanks!!
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Thanks, but I’m just a backyard garden enthusiast.
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Hopefully you will get fruit the first year. It would be somewhat unusual for a stone fruit tree to produce that quickly though, even if it is a 2 or 3 year old nursery tree. It would have to acclimate to your area and soil almost right away.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
It’s barefoot so I highly doubt it will fruit this year. I’m hoping next year.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
A damn good one and I want you to know I appreciate the advice and comments.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I planted some on Sunday. I did some onion sets, broccoli, spinach, snow peas and my garlic is growing great. I have a few fall shallots popping up.
I will plant some lettuce, green onions and some carrots tonight if I have time. Then my garden is full until tomatoes, beans and peppers can go in. Looks like it will be a good year as long as we don’t get a super cold snap when my fruit trees bud up.
I will plant some lettuce, green onions and some carrots tonight if I have time. Then my garden is full until tomatoes, beans and peppers can go in. Looks like it will be a good year as long as we don’t get a super cold snap when my fruit trees bud up.