weather

[DianaB]

Around here the time to plant potatoes is March 17th. You must be about 3 weeks ahead of us. I'm ready to get out and work in the yard. I may try to put in a small garden or work at Dae Lynn's on one. I think that the economy is going to make a lot of people put out a garden.

[judy]

Gayle, how are you setting up your gardens in the new house? You really had it down in the last house. I'd love to see your set up now!

[Janet]

We had a good thunder and lightning storm last night with high winds. I love the thunder and lightning....especially the thunder. Wish it had been warmer though. I'm not sure, but I don't think spring is ever going to get here. I want it too bad I think....maybe if I hope it doesn't come soon....it will...LOL. I know....ya just can't fool Mother Nature.

[DianaB]

We had a thunderstorm last night too......but then the puddles had ice on them this morning!! I wish that Mother Nature would make up her mind......Winter or Spring!!!!!

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by judy

Gayle, how are you setting up your gardens in the new house? You really had it down in the last house. I'd love to see your set up now!

I'll have to take some pix of the garden areas in the new house. There is one garden that looks just like my garden at the old house. It's a 4X10 raised box. It is at the back of the yard by some really big hedge row bushes and the are FULL of birds which we love but we will have to completely cover the garden in netting or the birds will eat everything.

The other garden area is butted up next to the house. It is a nice space and gets lots of good sunshine. That is where I have my blackberry bushes, and where I will plant my potatoes. Actually, it would be better to plant the potatoes out by the birds, wouldn't it. They couldn't eat the potatoes, would they! LOL! I think I may do that.

I'll also plant some green beans because there are trellis in the garden out by the bushes. I want to try squash too. I have not had much success at the old house with squash but I am told it is because I don't have enough bees to polinate the squash blooms. So I'm going to plant blooming flowers all around the squash plants. I think I will have more bees out in the country house.

LOL! I guess I got off track on the weather thread. Moderators don't be too hard on me!!

[gja1000]

So, to get back on topic, the cool front came through today and it is only 68 today. It feels cooler since there is a strong breeze. But there is lots of sunshine so it is a pretty day.

[DianaB]

I was wondering if you were still doing your raised garden. I'd plant the potatoes further from the house......I don't think that the birds would hurt it.

We used to plant potatoes under straw. You just work the ground......cut your potatoes like you usually do and let them dry for a day or two.......then place on TOP of the ground and cover with lots of hay.....make sure you keep them watered. Then when you're ready to get your potatoes just pull the hay back and they'll mostly be on top of the ground. I don't think that they get quite as big but it's so easy to do. You could try just a small area and try it.......we always ended up doing some of both.

Squash is easy to grow but you really need to watch for squash bugs. They can be horrible. I don't know if you use any spray or gardening powder but you'll want to start treating for them fairly quickly. You may want to ask some other gardeners down there to see if they're a problem.

I know that there are companion gardening techniques. Planting two different things together to help each other out......and I want to say that you plant marigolds with squash plants to keep away the squash bugs. Here's a list that I found of companion gardening. If you look wayyyy down the list you'll find marigolds but there are many, many others too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants

[gja1000]

Someone sent me a link (not the one you sent) about companion gardening and yes, I think it was marigolds and zinnias to go with squash. It also said to NOT put potatoes and squash together. I was going to put them side by side, but guess I won't now.

[judy]

Spring is in the air!!! Planting threads are so wonderful to read at this time of the year.

I am afraid we will never get spring! The snow is so high, keeps icing up overnight, and is dirty! We don't have dirty snow in the mountains!!!

Florida for a month in the winter sounds nicer and nicer. Maybe next year.