Some one needed to start the season so here it is 2022 has past and 2023 is here.
My we all have a good growing season.
My we all have a good growing season.
2023 Gardening Season
Ariens93GT20
101 - 120 of 622 Posts
Joined
·
118 Posts
Well that's the first picture i've ever posted on here! Can't beleive it worked! I just got this I-phone in January after they turned off my old flip phone. I like it!
108 Cabbage seeds started in the germination chamber today. Large head pkg's say 95% germ rate, none marked on the small headed one's. Got them from Ohio Heirloom, over 1,000 seeds for like $2.49, so if some don't come up, won't be too disappointed. Made sure everything was working to make heat before I put seeds in trays. 3 different varieties, tray on the left are large heads to make Sauerkraut, on the right small head variety for slaw, or frying. I'll stop tomorrow and get a pkg. of a small head red variety to finish the tray on the right.
It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for seeds to germinate, I had them germinate last year in 48 hours. Target date to set out is around May 1, looking back through my pictures, it's usually the middle of April before I plow the garden. Never know about the weather, so don't want them too large. I think they do better setting out a little smaller, doesn't seem to be near the transplant shock. If it's a go before May 1, I'll set them out. I want to do a second planting for a late crop. Since the Kraut turned out so good, and I found I could water bath can it without it getting mushy, I'd like to make a second batch later. Made 3 gallons last year. Some I put in the fridge, over half I canned, and it's almost gone, just a few pints left..!!
![Image]()
It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for seeds to germinate, I had them germinate last year in 48 hours. Target date to set out is around May 1, looking back through my pictures, it's usually the middle of April before I plow the garden. Never know about the weather, so don't want them too large. I think they do better setting out a little smaller, doesn't seem to be near the transplant shock. If it's a go before May 1, I'll set them out. I want to do a second planting for a late crop. Since the Kraut turned out so good, and I found I could water bath can it without it getting mushy, I'd like to make a second batch later. Made 3 gallons last year. Some I put in the fridge, over half I canned, and it's almost gone, just a few pints left..!!
Joined
·
16,028 Posts
If I could get cabbage to head it would likely get canned. Could use it in soup and stew.or simply fry it.
I have to admit, last year was my most successful year at growing it. The year before I sowed Daikon Radishes in row with the plants to draw the white butterflies that lay the cabbage worm eggs, and it simply pulled the moisture away from the plants. Most only got the size of a large softball. Last year, I planted 2 rows of Daikons in rows either side of the plants 36" away on each side. Made a big difference. Sowing the radishes when I set the plants, buy the time the cabbage starts to head up, radishes have bolted, and butterflies are attracted to the flowers and pay little to no attention to the cabbage. Spray with Spinosad every 7 days, and when heading up hit them with BT for extra protection for cabbage worms. Daikon type radis seed is cheap if you buy in bulk. Luckily a local farmer is a dealer for cover crop seeds, and he will sell me small amounts like down to 1 lb. and they will go a long way. 1 lb. is enough for 2-3 years sowing pretty thick. Seeds will last for 3-4 years, but last year I sowed what was left of older seed in with the Oats I sowed as cover crop, mainly for aeration of the soil.
They do require a good bit of water, so had to water the plants when we hit a dry spell for a couple of weeks. Once the rains started again, they did well. Sprayed them several times with liquid kelp as a fertilizer. Need to mix a bit of phosphate free dish soap to make it stick to the leaves, otherwise, it will just roll off.
Also planted Marigolds and Nasturtium flowers near by, as trap plants, and as a scent deterrent/attractant. I planted near the edge of the garden and flowers made a nice looking border. Moving the patch this year, so will have to plant rows in the garden, more than likely in row with the radishes. Will probably leave gaps so it doesn't draw the moisture away like it did the cabbage the previous year. Marigolds seemed to help deter the Deer too, as they don't like the scent. Going to try the hedge fence of sunflowers around the entire border this year too, to help keep the Deer out. I bought a 2 lb. bag of gray stripers, and a lb. of black oilers to mix together to fill in low. Just bought the ones for bird seed to cut costs, they have grown well for me before. Have them in the shop freezer to stratify them. I have a few of the Mammoth ones left from last year I'll start in the germ chamber, and set as transplants. I bought long 3" & 4" bulb augers to set them. It also worked well.
This pic is one of the largest I grew, but many were around 8 lbs.
Joined
·
118 Posts
6b according to the Gurneys site.
Joined
·
62 Posts
That cabbage is impressive! My uncle used to make homemade sauerkraut from his grown cabbage and it was delicious. I've had issues with bugs normally as the cabbage starts to get moderately sizeable. I haven't tried growing it in the past 3 years or so, I stick to produce we enjoy more.
I've found that spraying with Spinosad, and BT per directions, plus trap plants have really helped, plus keep the water to them.
Off to a good start this year so far. Put trays in the germination chamber around 5:00 p.m. Wed. evening, up this big this morning, so again up in approx. 60 hours to this size. Will pull them out of there either this evening or tomorrow morning and put in the heated shop so they don't get leggy like some did last year. Then put in the greenhouse later tomorrow if the temps are good enough.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Off to a good start this year so far. Put trays in the germination chamber around 5:00 p.m. Wed. evening, up this big this morning, so again up in approx. 60 hours to this size. Will pull them out of there either this evening or tomorrow morning and put in the heated shop so they don't get leggy like some did last year. Then put in the greenhouse later tomorrow if the temps are good enough.
Cotton up in 40 hours in the germination chamber. Only growing it as a novelty. Didn't reach full maturity last year, so starting a couple weeks earlier this year. Started some head lettuce at the same time and was hoping to see it up too, but not yet. Will check later today.
![Image]()
Got what parts of the garden I wanted to plow turned over this morning. Love this little hillside/2-way plow. Pretty much perfect condition to roll it over, a bit of moisture but really mellow soil. I can sure tell the difference from a few years ago, from adding the leaves for mulch, and letting it compost over the Summer, through the following Winter. Tons of nightcrawlers and red worms. Robins were having a feast. You can see the remnants of the cover crop of Oats and Buckwheat, new growth is what Oats went to seed, and reseeded itself. Most of it was in the boot stage when the frost got it. Near 85º today with a nice breeze dried it a good bit. May disk it tomorrow, and get some peas, onions, and see if the beet seed is still viable. Rain coming in tomorrow night through Saturday last I looked. Shouldn't take long for everything to come up. That will be it until the cabbage and lettuce plants are big enough to set out. May start tomatoes in trays Sat. if it's raining.
![Image]()
Joined
·
16,028 Posts
If the weather cooperates in eight days it will be planting time. Couple rounds with the disk and if need be the tiller.
Joined
·
16,028 Posts
Joined
·
21,248 Posts
That section is about 60' wide, so it's easy to turn around. Garden is right at 110'wide, but sowed a patch of Rye about 25' wide to let mature, then roll down for mulch to grow Spaghetti Squash and some Cukes.. Another 25' at the top for the tomatoes this year.
Pretty good chance of rain was predicted for here today, but it stayed South of here all day. We got a few sprinkles overnight, but you'd never would have known it by 10 a.m. Took advantage of the great weather and got the onions, peas, and a row of Beets for some friends.
Onions always have seemed to do well in hilled rows here. The little Sears ST10 with electric 3 pt. is pretty handy to use on the disk I widened out just for this purpose, and to pull the dibbler wheel I made. Dibbles are 6" O.C. so it makes it easy to hoe in between them. Used the drop tube to put the sets in. 99% of them are right side up. Just take my toe and cover them. Good chances of rain through Monday, so hopefully enough moisture to bring things up.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
Onions always have seemed to do well in hilled rows here. The little Sears ST10 with electric 3 pt. is pretty handy to use on the disk I widened out just for this purpose, and to pull the dibbler wheel I made. Dibbles are 6" O.C. so it makes it easy to hoe in between them. Used the drop tube to put the sets in. 99% of them are right side up. Just take my toe and cover them. Good chances of rain through Monday, so hopefully enough moisture to bring things up.
101 - 120 of 622 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
