Re: [gardeners] NE WEATHER
Byron.Bromley (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 11 Mar 1999 09:36:44 -0500
Allen
Yep livinging in NE Means more snow, IE Predicted for wed, thru, fri
& sun.
BUT,
No poisonous bugs or crtters of any kind
No burnt lawns
No rock and rolling ground
No Tornado's
No Hurricanes (inland -- last one 1938)
No mud slides
No flash floods
No soil erroding winds
About 30 less garden bugs and 10 less blights
Maybe 3 days over 100F per year.
I think a shovel plus White Christmas, Maple Syrup, Beautiful
Fall Foliage, Parsnips and Shallots, I'll Take it
Last year I never turned on an AC unit
Byron
----------
From: gardeners Digest <owner-gardeners-digest@globalgarden.com>
To: gardeners-digest@globalgarden.com
Subject: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #475
Date: Thursday, March 11, 1999 12:05 AM
gardeners Digest Wednesday, March 10 1999 Volume 01 : Number
475
In this issue:
Re: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #474
Re: [gardeners] soap
Re: [gardeners] soap
[gardeners] Sugar Snaps
[gardeners] Wichita Flower show
Re: [gardeners] Sugar Snaps
[gardeners] soap
[gardeners] wheelbarrows
[gardeners] GS Tease
Re: [gardeners] soap
Re: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #474
Re: [gardeners] Tuesday in the garden
Re: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #474
Re: [gardeners] soap
Re: [gardeners] GS Tease
Re: [gardeners] Althea officinalis uses
Re: [gardeners] Althea officinalis uses
[gardeners] Cutworms
Re: [gardeners] soap
Re: [gardeners] Re:soap
Re: [gardeners] Re:soap
[gardeners] False Jerusalem Cherry
Re: [gardeners] MA Plant out/TX Plant out
Re: [gardeners] cutworms
See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the gardeners
or gardeners-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 00:14:37 EST
From: Shantihhh@aol.com
Subject: Re: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #474
In a message dated 3/10/99 5:05:31 AM,
owner-gardeners-digest@globalgarden.com
writes:
<<purple hyacinth beans>>
Dear George:
Are these good to eat? I have heard of them, but never grown them,
actually I
haven't even seen the seeds. Are they like Scarlet Runners? I have grown
them. Pretty flowers, too much foliage, and okay to eat, not much for the
linear feet taken up in my opinion.
Mary-Anne
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 1999 21:46:58 -0600
From: "Terry King" <taeking@televar.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] soap
On Tue, 9 Mar 1999 10:55:25 -0600, Martha Brown wrote:
>I do not recommend trying to leach your own lye as it is very caustic and
>can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Besides the soap
was
>a very harsh soap, not what most people would want to use today.
Hi all! Long time since I've stuck my nose in here.
Just a comment about soap. Real soap in the garden shouldn't be a problem
as long as its not so strong it damages the plants.
I make my own soap and have learned that soap made from homemade lye
was often harsh because the strength of the lye was difficult to control.
ALL soap is made from some sort of base, like sodium or potassium
hydroxide, fatty acids and water. Properly made soap does not contain ANY
lye as the molecules reform to make a new chemical--soap.
Safer's soaps as best I can tell are soaps that have been made with
potassium hydroxide (which makes liquid soap, sodium hydroxide makes hard
soaps) and then concentrated somehow.
I'm still waiting here in the frozen north for the snow to melt. A couple
of
weeks ago I was sure that spring thaw would be early but it keeps snowing!
I would guess I won't get out into the garden until early April at this
rate.
I've managed to hold off on getting seeds started too early. I've had a
nasty
case of white flies under my grow lights that I need to figure out how to
eliminate completely. I had to get rid of my 2 year old pepper plants
because of them. Neither Safers or Concern worked completely, even with
frequent spraying.
Terry King North Central Eastern Washington
taeking@televar.com USDA zone 4, Sunset Zone 1
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 00:14:50 -0500
From: penny x stamm <pennyx1@Juno.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] soap
Byron, my grannie made soap until she was 15-y-o, but
I wasn't around to watch her...<g>.... I do know that one needs
(usually) animal fat and an alkali, but I couldn't write a term paper
on it.. I understand that in agriculture, an alkali is a soluble mineral
salt or a mixture of soluble salts, present in some soils -- especially
in arid regions -- and is detrimental to the growing of most crops.
I had an old fashioned German neighbor 50 years ago who always
made her own soap. She certainly did not have ready access to
wood ashes, but could have used sodium carbonate (washing soda),
or sodium or potassium hydroxide, along with the animal fat.
Penny in New York
___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 07:18:30 -0500
From: "Linda Sims" <Sims.Linda@NMNH.SI.EDU>
Subject: [gardeners] Sugar Snaps
Morning from snowy VA....south of DC, where 7" of snow paralyzed the town,
but a question about sugar snaps....
The back of the package says 6ft....but I want to teepee this for our
daughter....so really need 7-8feet...am I dreamin' or is there another more
appropriate variety?
We have to go to Charolottesville Friday to take our dauther to a regional
science fair...but they would allow parents in the building while
interviews and judging is going on... so.,.... I noticed that Plough and
Heath has a catalog outlet store there...any
one been there? Is it a true outlet or false advertising?
thanks from zone 7a, under 7 of snow...
Linda Sims Stafford, VA
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 06:14:52 -0600
From: Barb Rothenberger <brothenb@socket.net>
Subject: [gardeners] Wichita Flower show
Well, we just got home from Kansas - went to topeka to visit friends, then
drove down to Wichita to see the flwoer show. Really a very nice show -
not quite as spectacular as the Phila Flower show where we went last year,
but very nice - also not NEAR as crowded as Phila was. The other nice
thing was most all of the vendors were hort or garden related - didn't see
any ginsu knives etc.
We bought a ratchet pruner and a ratchet lopper. Not very cheap but did
get a show special of $5.00 off cause we bought both of them. Then had to
buy another orchid - a Phael - yellow one at that. Nice to be able to BUY
things and bring them home. Pits when flying! Know we will be frustrated
at the Chelsea flower show.
We also took a brief look at Botanica, their botanical garden. It's on
the list of a place we want to visit when it is a bit greener. surprising
that they had daffodils in bloom, however. We just have crocus and oh
forget the name of the little iris looking flower - its green with dark
purple almost black falls.
leave today for a couple of days in Memphis. Just missed all the nasty
weather on Monday - snowed north of us. We had sleet and freezing rain, but
was only here for a brief time.
Cheers! Barb
p.s. George - thanks for the seeds - anxious to plant a few but back yard
is the great Missouri swamp right now!
Barb Rothenberger
Columbia, Mo.
brothenb@socket.net
See newpictures of our gradchildren & cats
plus some photos of our trip to Greece!
http://www.geocities.com/PicketFence/3257/
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 08:14:48 -0500
From: "Bill Loke" <bloke@silicon-north.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Sugar Snaps
If the sugar snaps are the standard ones, they are being conservative at 6
feet. My regularly clear 9 feet most years. The other sugar snaps such as
Sugar Ann, Sugar Dad, and Super Sugar Snaps are all much shorter but they
don't produce the quality or quantity. IMHO
Friends are the flowers in the Garden of LIfe
Bill Loke USDA 4b
RR#1 Kars Ont K0A 2E0
- -----Original Message-----
From: Linda Sims <Sims.Linda@NMNH.SI.EDU>
To: gardeners@globalgarden.com <gardeners@globalgarden.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 1999 7:20 AM
Subject: [gardeners] Sugar Snaps
>Morning from snowy VA....south of DC, where 7" of snow paralyzed the town,
but a question about sugar snaps....
>
>The back of the package says 6ft....but I want to teepee this for our
daughter....so really need 7-8feet...am I dreamin' or is there another more
appropriate variety?
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 07:11:25 -0500
From: "Byron.Bromley" <Byron.Bromley@Gsd-Co.Com>
Subject: [gardeners] soap
My point of soap. I got flammed on another list for mentioning using
dishsoap for aphids.
A: The orignal soap was about the same as Fels Naptha
Recommended in many OG books
Pain in the butt to use
B: Safers soap is a potassium based soap 4X the cost and
4x the amount needed as regular dish soap
C: Regular dishsoap seems to be just as effective at 1/16th the
cost.
A Yankee Tightwad
Byron
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 07:58:55 -0500
From: "Byron.Bromley" <Byron.Bromley@Gsd-Co.Com>
Subject: [gardeners] wheelbarrows
My most disliked wheelbarrow came from Garden Way.
No easy dump, You hit your feet on the bottom rail pushing
or pulling, The sides warp after awhile and rub on the wheels
To load or unload by the shovel full you have to fight the
push rail. yuk
I added some chicken wire to it, to make the sides higher
and just use it for leaves
BB
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 08:37:10 -0500
From: "Byron.Bromley" <Byron.Bromley@Gsd-Co.Com>
Subject: [gardeners] GS Tease
For you gardeners looking out on your white gardens and
George is teasing us about getting his started.
Remember this...
In June, July and Aug.. George is going to be in the triple digit heat
range or close to it, While you are out in your garden in the 80's
Byron
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 06:59:42 -0600
From: "Terry King" <taeking@televar.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] soap
If you know were to still by dishSOAP please let me know. Even Ivory
liquid
is now a detergent not a soap. Detergents although made on similar
principles as soap are much much harsher on plants and human skin.
Detergents work for aphids but at a greater risk for your plants I would
think.
Fels Naptha is soap with napthlene added. Not something I would be
comfortable using on food plants.
On Wed, 10 Mar 1999 07:11:25 -0500, Byron.Bromley wrote:
>My point of soap. I got flammed on another list for mentioning using
>dishsoap for aphids.
>
>A: The orignal soap was about the same as Fels Naptha
> Recommended in many OG books
> Pain in the butt to use
>
>B: Safers soap is a potassium based soap 4X the cost and
> 4x the amount needed as regular dish soap
>
>C: Regular dishsoap seems to be just as effective at 1/16th the
> cost.
>
>A Yankee Tightwad
>Byron
>
>
Terry King North Central Eastern Washington
taeking@televar.com USDA zone 4, Sunset Zone 1
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 08:08:09 -0700
From: margaret lauterbach <mlaute@micron.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #474
At 12:14 AM 3/10/99 EST, you wrote:
>
>In a message dated 3/10/99 5:05:31 AM,
owner-gardeners-digest@globalgarden.com
>writes:
>
><<purple hyacinth beans>>
>
>Dear George:
>
>Are these good to eat? I have heard of them, but never grown them,
actually I
>haven't even seen the seeds. Are they like Scarlet Runners? I have grown
>them. Pretty flowers, too much foliage, and okay to eat, not much for the
>linear feet taken up in my opinion.
>
>Mary-Anne
>
Mary-Anne, have you grown Painted Lady pole beans? The blossoms are
bi-colored, white and red -- okay, gaudy. What did you expect with a name
like Painted Lady? I like the beans very much, although they're wide and
flat. I think they're prime candidates for slicing. Margaret
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:43:31 -0600
From: George Shirley <gshirley@laol.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Tuesday in the garden
Gayle Fields wrote:
> You know George, I love reading your posts but you are hard on us Zone
> 3'ers as a diet coach is on a chocolate loving person!! You tantalize
> our gardening palettes and give us whiffs of scents that are to die
> for!! MY god man do you do this on purpose!! Even Kiama is a praying
> about living a life like 'Sleepy Dawg'- as long as it is warm and the
> sun shines on her back. I, personally, drool at planting anything in
> the back yard. GEORGE!! You are a TEASE!!
>
> Gayle, just come in from walking Kiama through the snow and saying.
> "Soon, Kiama, soon."
>
Spring eventually comes to all places on earth, even to those who live on
the
shores of the Artic Ocean or the Antartic Sea. It's just a matter of
degree(s). <VBG>
George, who is happy that he can get out and plant again.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:45:53 -0600
From: George Shirley <gshirley@laol.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] gardeners Digest V1 #474
Shantihhh@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 3/10/99 5:05:31 AM,
owner-gardeners-digest@globalgarden.com
> writes:
>
> <<purple hyacinth beans>>
>
> Dear George:
>
> Are these good to eat? I have heard of them, but never grown them,
actually I
> haven't even seen the seeds. Are they like Scarlet Runners? I have
grown
> them. Pretty flowers, too much foliage, and okay to eat, not much for
the
> linear feet taken up in my opinion.
>
> Mary-Anne
Yup, hyacinth beans, like scarlet runners are edible. Both have a lot of
vine and
take up a lot of space for what you harvest but both have pretty blossoms
and the
hyacinth bean also has pretty foliage. I don't put them in the main garden
but
plant along the fence or on temporary teepees elsewhere in the yard.
George
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:50:44 -0600
From: George Shirley <gshirley@laol.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] soap
"Byron.Bromley" wrote:
> My point of soap. I got flammed on another list for mentioning using
> dishsoap for aphids.
>
> A: The orignal soap was about the same as Fels Naptha
> Recommended in many OG books
> Pain in the butt to use
>
> B: Safers soap is a potassium based soap 4X the cost and
> 4x the amount needed as regular dish soap
>
> C: Regular dishsoap seems to be just as effective at 1/16th the
> cost.
>
> A Yankee Tightwad
> Byron
Well, you won't get flamed here Byron. This isn't one of those gardening
lists that only allows certain topics. As long as you are polite,
present your case, we'll listen.
George
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:56:18 -0600
From: George Shirley <gshirley@laol.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] GS Tease
"Byron.Bromley" wrote:
> For you gardeners looking out on your white gardens and
> George is teasing us about getting his started.
>
> Remember this...
>
> In June, July and Aug.. George is going to be in the triple digit heat
> range or close to it, While you are out in your garden in the 80's
>
> Byron
Yeah, but I'll still be harvesting stuff planted in February and March and
the okra and edible gourds will be growing like crazy. It's all what
you're used to. When we were working in Saudi Arabia we used to experience
winters where the temp got down as low as 75F at times. The workers from
Sri Lanka, India, etc - mostly from countries on or close to the equator,
would put on jackets and wooly caps once the temps dropped below 80 or
85F. We thought it was funny at the time but now sympathize with them.
George
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:17:21 -0600
From: burdekij@bvsd.k12.co.us (Jane Burdekin)
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Althea officinalis uses
>At 05:07 AM 3/9/99 -0700, you wrote:
>>Thanks for the info and sites Cynthia. I finally found a picture of the
>>Althaea officinalis and it is not the plant I am finding in the garden.
I
>>have found quite a few uses for it too, and it is available in the
natural
>>food stores here in town. Maybe the plant I am looking for is the other
>>Malvas you mentioned. Thanks for the site. I'm off to check them out.
>>Hmmm, that is not it. The plant I am looking at in the garden is
>>definately a weed and the plants I just looked at are things you would
>>actually want to plant. This weed is low to the ground and spreads out
in
>>a rosette shape. The leaves are round and scalloped on the edges. It
>>produces small whitish/purplish flowers and forms a button shaped like a
>>hollyhock seed button later. It has a carrot like tap root that is
heading
>>for China and if you leave any piece of it a new plant (weed) will form.
>>Any ideas???
>>
>>Jane
>>
>My grandmother called it "button weed" for the shape of the seed cases.
>It's common mallow or Malva neglecta. When it first germinates, it has
>back-to-back heart-shaped primary leaves. Notice when it spreads that
>nothing grows under it. You may have one with 12 to 15 inch stems, all
>going back to a single root. It's one of the banes of my existence.
>Margaret
Hi Margaret,
You are right about the bane of our existence! I can't believe how much of
that I have pulled. I find the garden fork to work the best. I still
haven't been able to figure out uses for it. We also used to call it
button weed and we ate quite a bit of it too. No telling what kids will
eat. Wonder if it still tastes the same?
Jane
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:19:15 -0600
From: burdekij@bvsd.k12.co.us (Jane Burdekin)
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Althea officinalis uses
That sounds good too, wonder if DH can get it at the museum.
Jane
>At 10:41 AM 3/9/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>Here's one:
>>
>>http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/weeddocuments/index.htm
>>
>>
>>At 08:23 AM 3/9/99 -0600, you wrote:
>>>Thanks, I'll check into both of those however neither are on the virtual
>>>garden site. Does anyone know where there is a weed identifier site?
>>>
>>>Jane
>>>
>I don't know of anything on line, but an excellent book resource is "Weeds
>of the West" by a bunch of Extension weed scientists, headed by Tom D.
>Whitson of Wyoming. Published in 1991. It's a big fat paperback,
probably
>about $20, color photos and all. An excellent reference for your family,
I
>think. Margaret
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 17:53:21 -0600 (CST)
From: rogers4@ix.netcom.com (Rogers)
Subject: [gardeners] Cutworms
margaret lauterbach wrote:
> Okay, let's go back to garden fundamentals. How do you foil cutworms?
> Many people put a nail or a toothpick adjacent to the stem of a seedling,
We've licked cutworms with beneficial nematodes.
Betsy & Floyd Rogers
Butterfield Gardens
(877) GRDN CTR
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 18:57:52 -0500
From: "T.L.Miller" <tmiller4@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] soap
On 3/10/99 10:50 AM George Shirley (gshirley@laol.net) said:
>> C: Regular dishsoap seems to be just as effective at 1/16th the
>> cost.
>>
>> A Yankee Tightwad
>> Byron
>
>Well, you won't get flamed here Byron. This isn't one of those gardening
>lists that only allows certain topics. As long as you are polite,
>present your case, we'll listen.
What you're calling "dishsoap" is detergent and NOT soap.
Tom Miller
..........................................................................
........................................
Interested in tropical hibiscus? please visit:
<http://www.trop-hibiscus.com>
..........................................................................
...........................................
"Money is a poor man's credit card." Marshall McLuhan
..........................................................................
.......................................
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 19:57:49 -0500
From: "T.L.Miller" <tmiller4@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Re:soap
BTW, we've had a discussion on which is more effective on inscets, soap
or detergent. Do they kill insects in the same ways? Any opinions?
I've used both dishwashing detergent and soaps like Murphy's Oil Soap and
seen no negative effects on my plants.
Tom Miller
..........................................................................
.........................................
If you like tropical plants like hibiscus, please see:
<http://www.trop-hibiscus.com>
..........................................................................
......................................
people and governments never have learned anything
from history, or acted on principles deduced from it."
G.W.F. Hegel
..........................................................................
........................................
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 17:19:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Kay Lancaster <kay@fern.com>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Re:soap
On Wed, 10 Mar 1999, T.L.Miller wrote:
> BTW, we've had a discussion on which is more effective on inscets, soap
> or detergent. Do they kill insects in the same ways? Any opinions?
>
> I've used both dishwashing detergent and soaps like Murphy's Oil Soap and
> seen no negative effects on my plants.
Different brands of soaps and detergents burn different plant species.
Best way to avoid problems is to avoid spraying in direct sunlight or
when temperatures are over about 85oF, and to wash off the plant with
plain water an hour or so later. University of California's
horticulture department compared leaf damage with various brands of
insecticidal soap and plain old Ivory liquid dish detergent, and
found damage from each to some plants, but each soap or detergent
damaged different species... so none were clearly superior to others.
I've seen different explanations to why insecticidal soaps and detergents
work, but as near as I can tell, they both work by partial dessication
of the insect.
Personally, since I hate cleaning sprayers, I try a good blast of water
from the hose first... repeat for a couple of days, and usually that
does it for me.
Kay Lancaster kay@fern.com
just west of Portland, OR USDA zone 8 (polarfleece)
ANNOUNCING: Cyndi Johnson's catalog of gardening catalogs, 17th ed.
For info on obtaining any or all parts (free!) drop a note to
gardeninfo@fern.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 21:25:46 -0500
From: "David G. Smith" <dgsmith@delanet.com>
Subject: [gardeners] False Jerusalem Cherry
Solanum capsicastrum, the best picture I found was here:
http://www.cvetje.com/dr_cvet/bra_k_grm.htm
We went to Monticello in the fall and I got one of these. It is an
attractive plant, but POISONOUS, so I took it to work. (Two dogs here.) I
got more than I bargained for with it, apparently; mealy bugs, aphids, and
whiteflies. I threw it out today, but I kept all the fruits, and will send
seeds to any of you who would like some.
Of of the fruits fell off right after I got the plant. I squoze out the
seeds and spread them over potting soil in two 4" pots, covered about 1/4".
I think the germination rate was close to 100 percent, although some came
up weeks later than others. I suppose I could rinse the seeds and dry
them, or maybe I could just squash a fruit in plastic wrap and mail it --
maybe someone could advise.
Anyway, let me know off-list if you'd like some.
David Smith
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 20:09:49 -0600
From: Allen and Judy Merten <jbmerten@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] MA Plant out/TX Plant out
Hi Bryon,
I am amazed when I read your post about your planting dates. Sometimes
we
just don't realize how big this country is.
My onions transplants need to be set out in Jan. My potatos have to be
planted in mid-Feb. Tomato, peppers, corn, beans, squash, cucumbers,
watermelons, muskmelons, eggplants, etc. need to be planted by mid-March.
By
the 1st of June it is just too hot to plant any tomatos, beans, cucumbers,
eggplants. I can still plant okra, peanuts, sweet potatos, squash,
watermelons, and pumpkins.
Spring time for you means dodging the snow and cold of a late winter.
Spring time for me means getting the garden planted in time to dodge the
heat
of summer.
Allen
Bastrop Co.
SE Central Tx.
Byron.Bromley wrote:
> I live about 75 miles north of "Bean Town", been planting here for
> 25 years, Since I am at about 1,000 ft elevation you can probably
subtract
> 1 maybe 2 weeks.
> The general statement for most of New England, is last frost May 20th
> My frost is usually out of the ground around "The Day" April 15th.
> I allow the ground to dry for 1 more week before I till. After which I
> plant
> Parsnip, carrots, beets, turnip, onions, shallots, peas. lettuce, spinach
> and swiss chard.
> I also transplant, cauliflower, broccoli and early cabbage
> NOTE: all of the above survived 2 feet of snow on May 10th.
> Or anything else that the seed package say's "As soon as the Ground
> /soil can be worked". If you live in the NE, it means you can plant
> all those small seeds before the Mosquitoes and Black flies come out.
>
> In Phenology "As soon as Oak leaves are the size of a Mouse's ear"
> or "When Daffodil's are in full bloom.
>
> OR When the Soil temperature is above 40F at 8 AM for at least 5
> continous days.
>
> Early Potato about 2 weeks later or
> "When the Dogwood blosoms are in full bloom"
>
> Tomatoes, corn and string beans around Memorial Day
> OR After the soil temp is above 50F for 5 days at 8AM
> Or "When Dogwood blosoms fall"
>
> Peppers and Lima Beans, about 2 weeks later
> Or when the soil temp is above 60F for 5 days
> Or "When peonies are in full bloom"
> Or when you can walk barefoot in your garden comfortably
>
> That my wooden nickles worth
>
> Byron
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 22:13:33 -0600
From: Allen and Judy Merten <jbmerten@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: [gardeners] cutworms
Hi Margaret,
I use coffee cans when I plant my tomato and pepper transplants. Maybe
I
have been lucky but I have never lost a plant to cutworms. I learned to do
this
from my grandmother. My dad used this on the Gulf Coast. I have used it on
the
Gulf Coast, East Texas, and now Central Texas. We use it for several
reasons.
It deters cutworms. It gives the transplants protection from the strong
thunderstorm winds and other strong spring winds. It also allows us to
water
and feed the pepper and tomatos right at the roots. It makes a big
difference
in the heat of an early summer when it hasn't rained. I fill the can (3lbs)
at
least half full of water, more if it has really been dry.
I use soaker hoses on most other vegetables but I like the can method
for
tomatos. If you like to make manure tea for your peppers and tomatos this
is a
good method to keep all the goodies right there for your plants.
I have read about making a small tube to go around the plant. The
illustrations looked like they were using poster board.
I had not thought about trapping a cutworm inside the can. Do you think
that it is too wet inside the can for the cutworm? I push the 3lb can down
into
the soil to the first ring on the can. When I fill the can the water stands
in
it for a while as it slowly seeps into the soil.
Allen
Bastrop Co., Tx.
margaret lauterbach wrote:
> Okay, let's go back to garden fundamentals. How do you foil cutworms?
> Many people put a nail or a toothpick adjacent to the stem of a seedling,
> and claim that deters cutworms. I've always wondered about this because
it
> would require the cutworm circling the seedling to see if there was
> something that would prevent his chewing all the way through the stem. I
> talked to Dr. Bob Stoltz, Extension entomologist in Twin Falls, Idaho,
last
> week about this, and he said to the best of his knowledge, that was not
> indicative of cutworm behavior. He thought people who deterred cutworms
> with the use of toothpicks or nails had just been lucky.
>
> You can't use toilet paper rolls because a)you'd risk trapping the
cutworm
> inside the roll, and b)they deteriorate quickly anyway. Paper cups would
> trap cutworms inside, too.
>
> I have split sections of drinking straw and fastened those around
seedling
> stems, but it's difficult to do that without injuring the seedling. So
I'm
> interested in what the rest of you gardeners do about cutworms. Margaret
L
------------------------------
End of gardeners Digest V1 #475
*******************************
To subscribe to gardeners-digest, send the command:
subscribe
in the body of a message to "gardeners-digest-request@globalgarden.com".
A non-digest (direct mail) version of this list is also available; to
subscribe to that instead, replace all instances of "gardeners-digest"
in the commands above with "gardeners".
Back issues are available for anonymous FTP from ftp.globalgarden.com, in
pub/gardeners/digest/vNN.nMMM (where "NN" is the volume number, and "MMM"
is the issue number).