[Food] Production – Gardening, General pt 2

[PeakOiler]

they are. some long beans are black and some are red. (the bean, not the pods) We also have chinese red noodle beans, but Bing doesn't like them (go figure, they taste the same to me).

Cool, JJ. If the seeds sprout in a week or two, I'll learn if the greenhouse will protect them over the next 4 weeks or so. I'm saving some of the longbean seeds to plant later on in March. Using 2009 Burnet airport (KBMQ) temperatures as a guide, the threat of freezing temps should be over by then:



The black circles for some of the readings indicate record-setting temperatures. I haven't finished annotating the record high temps with black circles in the graph for the entire year yet.

The red line indicates the daily high temps, and the blue line indicate the lows.

[Ludi]

JJ, do you have any of those white sweet potatoes left? Could you send me one or start some slips for me? I'd be happy to trade any seeds or plants I have to spare for some of those sweet potatoes.

[JJ]

JJ, do you have any of those white sweet potatoes left? Could you send me one or start some slips for me? I'd be happy to trade any seeds or plants I have to spare for some of those sweet potatoes.

Ludi, as best I can tell, they all froze, BUT Bing says that they sell them at the big super asian store we shop at in Austin (they have every kind of asian sweet potato you can imagine). She says you can plant them (I planted a red Japanese sweet potato I got there, but it froze also). Anyway, to make a long story longer , I'll pick you up some next trip in, we go every couple of weeks. At that time I'll get your address and mail them down, if that sounds OK. (We pick up stuff for other people EVERY trip into Austin)

We have a taro plant growing behind the woodstove. It seems quite happy there:)

[Ludi]

Thanks JJ!

[JJ]

the ramifications of what you said in your other post are terrifying. (food shortages).

[PeakOiler]

Today I planted the first dozen black bean seeds from last year's harvest in starter containers. The longbean seeds (thanks JJ) planted about a week ago in starter containers and are currently in the house, not the greenhouse, have not sprouted yet. I expect them to sprout in another week or so.

Still no sign of pink on any of the peach trees yet.

The 100+ tomato sprouts in the house are getting bigger.

There are only ~100 pecans left to shell from 2009. Most of the late 2009 harvested nuts are not too good: I'm averaging about 1 gram edible nut/unshelled pecan. The 2009 drought took it's toll...

[PeakOiler]

This morning I tried out the broadfork in part of the garden. I was impressed how easy it was to breakup the soil. Fast, too.

I wish I had known about this tool years ago. It definitely provides a less-labor method for garden prep.

[Ludi]

You do need to make sure the rocks are out of the garden before using it, though!

[PeakOiler]

You do need to make sure the rocks are out of the garden before using it, though!

Have you used a broadfork before, Ludi? Any other tips using a broadfork that you could share with us?

I came across a mesquite tree root from a tree about 12 ft away, (on the other side of the garden fence on my neighbor's property), and when I felt the obstacle when I was jumping/standing on the broadfork, I just pulled the broadfork out, moved it back a few more inches, and continued on...

I was tending a part of the garden that was expanded upon a couple seasons ago-- working soil that was brought in--so there were no rocks. All I was needing to do was to loosen the soil, a "low-till" method.

[JJ]

This morning I tried out the broadfork in part of the garden. I was impressed how easy it was to breakup the soil. Fast, too.

I wish I had known about this tool years ago. It definitely provides a less-labor method for garden prep.

wow, that was fast!!! (per our conversation yesterday).

[PeakOiler]

This morning I tried out the broadfork in part of the garden. I was impressed how easy it was to breakup the soil. Fast, too.

I wish I had known about this tool years ago. It definitely provides a less-labor method for garden prep.

wow, that was fast!!! (per our conversation yesterday).

Delivery took about a week from the time I ordered it.

If you'd like to borrow the tool , JJ, send me a PM or e-mail. It'll cost you a few more seeds...

[Ludi]

Have you used a broadfork before, Ludi?

Yep! I find it an enjoyable tool. The only other advice besides avoid rocks (and big roots) is to care for the handles by putting the tool under cover and treating with linseed oil or other protectant.

[PeakOiler]

Have you used a broadfork before, Ludi?

Yep! I find it an enjoyable tool. The only other advice besides avoid rocks (and big roots) is to care for the handles by putting the tool under cover and treating with linseed oil or other protectant.

A broadfork is kind of fun to use! I was smiling when I was using it. (Must have something to do with that "jump for joy thing." )

The handles on the broadfork I bought are steel pipe welded to the fork. (It's all-steel construction). It's painted lime green.

[Ludi]

All steel is probably better for long-term than the wood handle style I got.

[PeakOiler]

The first longbean seed (traded to me from JJ [thanks again JJ]) that I planted earlier this month has sprouted. The seed-starting containers are still in the house next to a sunny window.

[PeakOiler]

JJ, so far 6 of 12 of the longbean seeds have sprouted. If the plants survive and produce, I'll be able to give you back some of the next generation seeds!

[bromius]

This past August I moved from Syracuse, NY to Albany, NY. On the whole its been an improvement in my living situation since I'm making a little more money and sharing a living space w/ one of my best friends instead of living alone like I was doing before. One big unknown when I made the move was whether or not I'd be able to have a garden here.

I did some searching and managed to find an organization called Capital District Community Gardens. As it turns out they have 46 garden sites in the area and aim to expand at a rate of two sites per year! They are also all organic. One is within convenient walking distance of my apartment, so hopefully when I go for the signup meeting in a few days, I'll get a plot there.

I think the fact that an organization like this exists in the area is a positive sign. I think as the energy/economic picture worsens, it will be good to have gardens already scattered around so that as more people get interested in growing there own food they will have easier access to a working model of how to do it.

[JJ]

think I'm going to start some ichiban eggplant inside today...

my plum tree is beautiful, just COVERED in white blossoms...hopefully no more freezes, or at least not until its pollinated!

[PeakOiler]

JJ, Seven of 12 longbean seeds have sprouted. I'm going to plant more of your seeds soon.

Meanwhile, some of the first pinto bean seeds have sprouted. The tomato seeds I tried starting shown in the Seed Starting thread were a 99% failure. A few tomato seeds planted from last Fall's harvest, however, are doing ok in the greenhouse.

The bush, pole gbs, and black beans have not sprouted yet.

Edit to correct spelling.

[JJ]

planted fifteen "cups" of ping tong eggplant this morning. The two peach trees and the white fleshed nectarine tree are blossoming. We're in it for keeps now.