I broke down, and covered my broccoli, cauliflower, and red cabbage. They made it through 19F without any damage. The uncovered Pak Choi, Swiss Chard, beets, and Napa Cabbage made it through the freeze. They are a little beat up, but will recover. I'll probably harvest the Pak Choi today. It will be one less thing to worry about. The carrots and parsnips are tough, so I am not worried about covering them, and with all this cold weather, the starches in the carrots will convert to sugar making them super sweet. The countdown has begun with 29 days remaining to seed starting time Yeah! I have some new seeds to try out. The Grand Marshall tomato has been discontinued. Just when I find a tomato that is productive in my area, and that I like. It has been replaced with the Jolene tomato. It is supposed to be similar, more disease resistant, and heat tolerant, bred for growing in the southeast. I am also going to try growing the All Seasons Cabbage for the same reasons, but I doubt it will survive Alabama summer heat. I'm not even going to try it. Lemon Squash does good for me, but Crookneck squash, on the other hand is a problem child. It is the first one to succumb to pest pressure and disease. Zucchini, on the other hand, seems to be the hardiest of the summer squash. It is the last to go consistently. So, this year, I am introducing two new varieties, Grey Zucchini and Round Zucchini. Of course, I will be growing Lemon Squash and Dark Green Zucchini too. With luck, I will have to eat squash more often next year. I also plan on canning some to conserve freezer space. I also have Italian Striped Zucchini, Golden Zucchini, and Armenian Yard-Long Cucumber on my to experiment with list-seeds have been ordered. The yard long cucumbers are primarily for the chickens. As much as I like eating cucumbers and pickles, I do get tired of eating them about mid-summer. After that, they are treats for the chickens, and a lot go to neighbors, friends, and family too. Hmm... I think I need two more raised beds for squash. Nope, I am not going to do it. Sixteen raised beds is enough! Okay, a big lesson learned, the Thronburn's Terra-Cotta, and Classic Beef Steak Tomato produced good for me, but they grew too large for my growing space, and sprawled across the ground. While this may not be a problem for some gardeners, it is for me. It happens to be in the area where I got bit by a Timber Rattlesnake a few months back. My reaction was minor compared to most people, but still, two and a half months of seeing a wound care specialist was bit too much for me, not to mention having to take three courses of antibiotics, dressing changes, etc. I have sworn off indeterminate tomatoes, and am sticking to determinant plants. This includes cherry tomatoes. I have better use for the garden space, and avoiding getting snakebit again is high on my priority list. Not number one, but close. LOL.
I second the suggestion for diy pvc clips from cut off sections of pipe. You can use a file or sandpaper to smooth the rough edges. Pick up some clips and clothes pins at your dollar store. They work well for helping to close bed covers and various other uses. I make 9 gauge wire covers for some of my beds and the clothes pins are great for holding the covers to the wire. You can also use posts with rope stung across to cover beds and attach your plastic or garden fleece to the rope with clothes pins. I also attach skinnier bamboo to the edges of bed covers with clothespins to give the edges some structure and to help weigh it down. Happy gardening!
Ben, I can't/don't recall where I read this or heard this, but someone had the idea of using short sections, slit lengthwise, of defunct garden hose to clamp plastic sheeting to the tunnel hoops, or "ribs" as you call them, so if a hose is old enough that it's already cracked and leaking (and especially if you already have its replacement in the garden shed!), or if somehow the lawn mower ran over it so that it's already in long sections, this could be its second life. I have to state that I haven't tried this, yet, although we're in possession of the defunct older hose and its replacement. And of course the Inside Diameter of the hose sections has to be a snug fit to the Outside Diameter (plus plastic cover) of the ribs. This is a topic I want to follow very closely, and to learn how well those open-ended tunnels serve your garden. Much gardening love from Northeast Ohio! 😊💚💚💚💚💚😊
Hey There. I use then same pvc hoops. If you have a way to cut you pvc (HACKSAW)take a 2-3 inch piece and slice it from one end to the other and that will clip right on to your hoops....SAVE YOU $$$
I second the suggestion for diy pvc clips from cut off sections of pipe. You can use a file or sandpaper to smooth the rough edges. Pick up some clips and clothes pins at your dollar store. They work well for helping to close bed covers and various other uses. I make 9 gauge wire covers for some of my beds and the clothes pins are great for holding the covers to the wire. You can also use posts with rope stung across to cover beds and attach your plastic or garden fleece to the rope with clothes pins. I also attach skinnier bamboo to the edges of bed covers with clothespins to give the edges some structure and to help weigh it down. Happy gardening!
If you don't find more plastic, get an old blanket for that bed. This is my second winter growing but 1st in a raised bed. The brassicas last year did survive without covering the pots they were growing in so ill see what happens this year, its a learning experience for me. the temp is in the teens this week at night in upstate SC
My stuff is so thirsty right now and the wind is terrible today, but going in the 20s again so I must try to water today. Not covering. No money for it. Hoping for the best.
Ben, This video answered my question from yesterday's live. Is it really worth it. WNC Sandy Mush is much colder & windy. However, real food is very important.
This is my first year trying out a fall/winter garden and it would be going great if the squirrels hadn't mauled everything down to nubs. I'm not quitting on it though! I have a little greenhouse frame and a frost blanket over the remnants. I haven't figured out a good cover for the greenstalk though. It might be toast.
I have the same thermometer/app. Do you know if there's a way to refresh it? Mine doesn't seem to be on a regular basis and I'm not getting up-to-date temperatures. It was stuck on 4:00 p.m. yesterday and when I got into the space, it was about 20 degrees colder than it actually said
I broke down, and covered my broccoli, cauliflower, and red cabbage. They made it through 19F without any damage. The uncovered Pak Choi, Swiss Chard, beets, and Napa Cabbage made it through the freeze. They are a little beat up, but will recover. I'll probably harvest the Pak Choi today. It will be one less thing to worry about. The carrots and parsnips are tough, so I am not worried about covering them, and with all this cold weather, the starches in the carrots will convert to sugar making them super sweet.
The countdown has begun with 29 days remaining to seed starting time Yeah! I have some new seeds to try out. The Grand Marshall tomato has been discontinued. Just when I find a tomato that is productive in my area, and that I like. It has been replaced with the Jolene tomato. It is supposed to be similar, more disease resistant, and heat tolerant, bred for growing in the southeast. I am also going to try growing the All Seasons Cabbage for the same reasons, but I doubt it will survive Alabama summer heat. I'm not even going to try it.
Lemon Squash does good for me, but Crookneck squash, on the other hand is a problem child. It is the first one to succumb to pest pressure and disease. Zucchini, on the other hand, seems to be the hardiest of the summer squash. It is the last to go consistently. So, this year, I am introducing two new varieties, Grey Zucchini and Round Zucchini. Of course, I will be growing Lemon Squash and Dark Green Zucchini too. With luck, I will have to eat squash more often next year. I also plan on canning some to conserve freezer space. I also have Italian Striped Zucchini, Golden Zucchini, and Armenian Yard-Long Cucumber on my to experiment with list-seeds have been ordered. The yard long cucumbers are primarily for the chickens. As much as I like eating cucumbers and pickles, I do get tired of eating them about mid-summer. After that, they are treats for the chickens, and a lot go to neighbors, friends, and family too.
Hmm... I think I need two more raised beds for squash. Nope, I am not going to do it. Sixteen raised beds is enough!
Okay, a big lesson learned, the Thronburn's Terra-Cotta, and Classic Beef Steak Tomato produced good for me, but they grew too large for my growing space, and sprawled across the ground. While this may not be a problem for some gardeners, it is for me. It happens to be in the area where I got bit by a Timber Rattlesnake a few months back. My reaction was minor compared to most people, but still, two and a half months of seeing a wound care specialist was bit too much for me, not to mention having to take three courses of antibiotics, dressing changes, etc. I have sworn off indeterminate tomatoes, and am sticking to determinant plants. This includes cherry tomatoes. I have better use for the garden space, and avoiding getting snakebit again is high on my priority list. Not number one, but close. LOL.
I'm jealous, 16 beds is awesome!
I second the suggestion for diy pvc clips from cut off sections of pipe. You can use a file or sandpaper to smooth the rough edges. Pick up some clips and clothes pins at your dollar store. They work well for helping to close bed covers and various other uses. I make 9 gauge wire covers for some of my beds and the clothes pins are great for holding the covers to the wire. You can also use posts with rope stung across to cover beds and attach your plastic or garden fleece to the rope with clothes pins. I also attach skinnier bamboo to the edges of bed covers with clothespins to give the edges some structure and to help weigh it down. Happy gardening!
We’re in heavy frost and even the celery, parsley & borage are failing. Winter is showing up early in SW MO. 50’s this weekend though. Typical…
So you are saying I should check and maybe harvest my celery. I haven't looked at it for a couple weeks. We were 32° this morning
@ it doesn’t like teens for sure
Ben, I can't/don't recall where I read this or heard this, but someone had the idea of using short sections, slit lengthwise, of defunct garden hose to clamp plastic sheeting to the tunnel hoops, or "ribs" as you call them, so if a hose is old enough that it's already cracked and leaking (and especially if you already have its replacement in the garden shed!), or if somehow the lawn mower ran over it so that it's already in long sections, this could be its second life. I have to state that I haven't tried this, yet, although we're in possession of the defunct older hose and its replacement. And of course the Inside Diameter of the hose sections has to be a snug fit to the Outside Diameter (plus plastic cover) of the ribs.
This is a topic I want to follow very closely, and to learn how well those open-ended tunnels serve your garden.
Much gardening love from Northeast Ohio! 😊💚💚💚💚💚😊
That’s a great idea!
Been going through the same here in Pender. Arugula, lettuce and brassicas did great.
Hey There. I use then same pvc hoops. If you have a way to cut you pvc (HACKSAW)take a 2-3 inch piece and slice it from one end to the other and that will clip right on to your hoops....SAVE YOU $$$
You can also lower your hoops to fit your plants to save plastic coverings...
My beds are covered the best as I could with what I had....What doesn't make it....well I'll prepare the bed for Spring...
That's what I'm doing Friday. I know I can take bout 6 inches or so off of them
Enjoy the heat wave today... LOL
I second the suggestion for diy pvc clips from cut off sections of pipe. You can use a file or sandpaper to smooth the rough edges. Pick up some clips and clothes pins at your dollar store. They work well for helping to close bed covers and various other uses. I make 9 gauge wire covers for some of my beds and the clothes pins are great for holding the covers to the wire. You can also use posts with rope stung across to cover beds and attach your plastic or garden fleece to the rope with clothes pins. I also attach skinnier bamboo to the edges of bed covers with clothespins to give the edges some structure and to help weigh it down. Happy gardening!
If you don't find more plastic, get an old blanket for that bed. This is my second winter growing but 1st in a raised bed. The brassicas last year did survive without covering the pots they were growing in so ill see what happens this year, its a learning experience for me. the temp is in the teens this week at night in upstate SC
On your. Cold hardy veggies you can use a large sheet right on top of the plants. It'll keep the frost off. Good for kale and cabbages.
If i had an extra sheet i would.
Wishing you the best as these temps keep dropping this year. I'm hoping we don't get a long freeze.
Hopefully, it will warm up soon.
My stuff is so thirsty right now and the wind is terrible today, but going in the 20s again so I must try to water today. Not covering. No money for it. Hoping for the best.
good morning!!!stay warm man.
Thanks. You too!
Ben, This video answered my question from yesterday's live. Is it really worth it. WNC Sandy Mush is much colder & windy. However, real food is very important.
This is my first year trying out a fall/winter garden and it would be going great if the squirrels hadn't mauled everything down to nubs. I'm not quitting on it though! I have a little greenhouse frame and a frost blanket over the remnants. I haven't figured out a good cover for the greenstalk though. It might be toast.
I throw an old comforter around my greenstalk. Clip it together with big paper clips. It's worked down to the teens.
Thanks for sharing
You are welcome.
Hey there, bought those clips. They cracked in half. I did not bring them in during the summer but I didn’t think that would damage them.
the sun takes a toll on anything plastic.
Cuting Pool noodles to make clips out of is cheaper
That's a great idea!
i tried that they didnt hold up against the winds.
I have the same thermometer/app. Do you know if there's a way to refresh it? Mine doesn't seem to be on a regular basis and I'm not getting up-to-date temperatures. It was stuck on 4:00 p.m. yesterday and when I got into the space, it was about 20 degrees colder than it actually said
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