Okra and tomatoes could have been served together last night, but there were only a few okra and these 1st few tomatoes need to be eaten raw with just a little salt or some cucumbers. There is nothing like a home grown tomato. Two tomatoes were picked Saturday. There was another ripe one yesterday, but it was rotten.
It hasn’t rained since Saturday night so BT was sprayed last night. That will probably guarantee rain today or tonight. Spraying the garden is kind of like washing the car. There are holes in some leaves, but there do not seem to be any larvae or eggs on the bottom of them. There have been quite a few fireflies observed. Maybe they are eating the harmful larvae. The spotted cucumber beetle has not shown up yet this year, but he will be here.
The blueberries that were planted a few months ago are producing already. These are the ones that came from the 4H club and from the Wing-haven sale. The one that was still alive after last year and that had blueberries last year has not even bloomed.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Showing posts with label blueberries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blueberries. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Hardening Begins
There are 20 flats of little plants to be taken out every morning and brought in every evening. This will last until Friday (tax day). The plants will be set out in the garden then except for the ones that will be transferred to larger pots for the Master Gardener’s® plant sale on the 30th of April at the Farmer’s Market. This is a pretty exciting event. Most of the plants are grown organically by Master Gardeners®, but without that label of course.
Today begins the Wing Haven plant sale. Today is for members only. One can join for $45 and get a discount and a first shot at the plants. Tomorrow the sale will be open to the general public. My shopping list includes a couple more blueberry plants. Someday there will be a blueberry hedge all the way across the front of the yard.
On Friday all of the potatoes in the potato bag had sprouted. Probably by the weekend, they will need to have a little dirt added. Yesterday a large shopping bag was filled with spinach to be frozen tonight. The spinach was getting very large and it is almost time for it to start bolting. Maybe the very heavy picking will keep it producing for a while.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Today begins the Wing Haven plant sale. Today is for members only. One can join for $45 and get a discount and a first shot at the plants. Tomorrow the sale will be open to the general public. My shopping list includes a couple more blueberry plants. Someday there will be a blueberry hedge all the way across the front of the yard.
On Friday all of the potatoes in the potato bag had sprouted. Probably by the weekend, they will need to have a little dirt added. Yesterday a large shopping bag was filled with spinach to be frozen tonight. The spinach was getting very large and it is almost time for it to start bolting. Maybe the very heavy picking will keep it producing for a while.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
And the Rains Came
The timing was great. Blueberry holes were dug on Saturday. Saturday night the rain came and soaked the ground. Sunday morning the gardener got wet, but the blueberries were ecstatic. They are still smiling. “Mistakes were made”, however. That is a direct quote from either Donald Rumsfeld or Dick Cheney. Yesterday’s Master Gardener® class was on planting trees.
I have always dug holes for planting, 3 times as large as the root-ball and filled in with enough compost and dirt to make the difference. The plant is set at the same level as it was in the pot. What the training said was. The hole should be much larger than the root-ball, but no deeper than the root-ball. The hole should be filled with dirt only. Many nurseries fill pots too high when they transplant, so extra dirt should be removed until the swelling at the beginning of the roots is revealed.
The nursery that grew the blueberries for the 4-H did not do that, so I guess no harm was done. The error that may cause problems was something else. This past fall, the Ph was tested and was 4.5 in the spots where the blueberries were planted. Now the Ph meter says 7. Sulfur was added and it is hoped that the meter was wrong.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I have always dug holes for planting, 3 times as large as the root-ball and filled in with enough compost and dirt to make the difference. The plant is set at the same level as it was in the pot. What the training said was. The hole should be much larger than the root-ball, but no deeper than the root-ball. The hole should be filled with dirt only. Many nurseries fill pots too high when they transplant, so extra dirt should be removed until the swelling at the beginning of the roots is revealed.
The nursery that grew the blueberries for the 4-H did not do that, so I guess no harm was done. The error that may cause problems was something else. This past fall, the Ph was tested and was 4.5 in the spots where the blueberries were planted. Now the Ph meter says 7. Sulfur was added and it is hoped that the meter was wrong.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Blueberries
The 4-H club had a big plant sale. When we showed up for the Master Gardener® class yesterday, half of the tables were taken up with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry plants. Most were for filling orders, but I managed to snag 3 blueberry bushes for $8 each. They were “powder blue”, “climax” and something I can't remember. Blueberries require different cultivars for pollination. They need to be the right cultivar, or their blooming times will not match. Blueberries also require very acid soil. The PH should be 4.5. This can be attained with sulfur or some other acidifier. Peat moss is not recommended.
The cilantro, parsley and crucifers that are hardening off are doing well. They will go into the ground Saturday morning. Some will go into flower beds instead of the garden. Herbs like poor soil and the cilantro doesn’t mind some shade. A few will be given away. Usually only a few of the seeds that are put out make it to the transplant in the garden stage. This year practically all of them did.
Every single one (knock on wood) of the crucifers (brassicas) that were planted in the garden has survived. They are not growing very fast. Some of them don’t seem to be growing at all but; where there is life, there is hope.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
The cilantro, parsley and crucifers that are hardening off are doing well. They will go into the ground Saturday morning. Some will go into flower beds instead of the garden. Herbs like poor soil and the cilantro doesn’t mind some shade. A few will be given away. Usually only a few of the seeds that are put out make it to the transplant in the garden stage. This year practically all of them did.
Every single one (knock on wood) of the crucifers (brassicas) that were planted in the garden has survived. They are not growing very fast. Some of them don’t seem to be growing at all but; where there is life, there is hope.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 23, 2010
Arbor Day Trees
Join the Arbor Day Foundation for $10 and get 10 “free” trees. Of the 10 from last year, 3 are still alive. This fall, for taking a survey, there are 10 more trees plus a crepe myrtle. They won’t be labeled so it is really fun to guess what they are. They will be planted between the street and the sidewalk. If 3 live each year and I only want 9 trees, someday my part of the streetscape will be tree-lined.
The Arbor Day trees are just tiny little sticks, some of them don’t even have roots. I’m excited that 3 of them lived. Of all the blueberries I have planted, there are only 2 plants alive. I have planted at least 10 or 12. They were a lot more expensive than the Arbor Day trees. This year, I will clone some blueberries and mulberries for a hedge on the inside side of the sidewalk. The birds seem to beat us to the mulberries in the back yard every year; but we like the birds too.
This is a really good time of year for taking most cuttings. Snip a 6” to 8” piece of new growth with a tiny bit of old growth. Dip this in some rooting hormone and plant it in some wet sand. Cover with plastic to maintain humidity. Mist the young plant every couple of days. Place the plant in indirect light rather than in strong sunlight. When the plant has developed roots and begins to show signs of growth transplant it to a pot for about a year before planting it in the ground.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
The Arbor Day trees are just tiny little sticks, some of them don’t even have roots. I’m excited that 3 of them lived. Of all the blueberries I have planted, there are only 2 plants alive. I have planted at least 10 or 12. They were a lot more expensive than the Arbor Day trees. This year, I will clone some blueberries and mulberries for a hedge on the inside side of the sidewalk. The birds seem to beat us to the mulberries in the back yard every year; but we like the birds too.
This is a really good time of year for taking most cuttings. Snip a 6” to 8” piece of new growth with a tiny bit of old growth. Dip this in some rooting hormone and plant it in some wet sand. Cover with plastic to maintain humidity. Mist the young plant every couple of days. Place the plant in indirect light rather than in strong sunlight. When the plant has developed roots and begins to show signs of growth transplant it to a pot for about a year before planting it in the ground.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Blueberries
It is way too early to plant blueberries; but I went to Lowes and the little plants were calling out to me. Now I have to keep the plants healthy for probably 2 months before I can plant them. I got some seeds for the greenhouse and some pansies too; so at least the trip wasn’t wasted.
This is the time of year when sugar peas and spring greens should go into the ground. The weather man is calling for sub-freezing weather almost every morning for the next 2 weeks. Do I dare plant? Seeds know when to come up; so it will probably be ok. There may be hungry birds and other creatures that could get the seeds. Also mold is worse in cold wet soil. This is good weather for working in the greenhouse.
The little growies in the greenhouse are doing well and more are popping out of the dirt every day. Watching things grow is such a turn on. I cannot wait until spring and the right time. It is bitter cold outside; but the bright sunshine is tempting. Is it possible to get spring fever in February?
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
This is the time of year when sugar peas and spring greens should go into the ground. The weather man is calling for sub-freezing weather almost every morning for the next 2 weeks. Do I dare plant? Seeds know when to come up; so it will probably be ok. There may be hungry birds and other creatures that could get the seeds. Also mold is worse in cold wet soil. This is good weather for working in the greenhouse.
The little growies in the greenhouse are doing well and more are popping out of the dirt every day. Watching things grow is such a turn on. I cannot wait until spring and the right time. It is bitter cold outside; but the bright sunshine is tempting. Is it possible to get spring fever in February?
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 23, 2009
I Missed my Garden (and my Wife)
I Missed my Garden (and my Wife)
I spent last week in Ecuador. You can buy 20 delicious tree tomatoes there for $1. The indigenous people still plant their milpas. The food is wonderful. I still missed my garden, my greenhouse and my wife. My wife took care of the greenhouse. I lost several flats of plants; but I don’t think that was her fault. The rest of the stuff is doing well and I think it will be ready to go in the ground by good Friday.
Of the crucifers I planted, the broccoli and Brussels sprouts are doing well, the cabbage has disappeared. The spinach had grown so large we had to cook it. Sugar peas are 2” tall. Everything has come up except carrots and beets. Mustard and arugula (from last fall) has started going to seed. The blueberries have started to leaf out. Blackberries are leafed out. The grapes have swelling buds. The paw paws are another story.
The ones I bought from Burgess last year were dead when I got them. The ones I got from Stark brothers were supposed to ship in the spring; but I came in one day to find them on the front porch. I planted them. It is a little early to tell how they will do. The smallest one still feels supple, the larger is stiff; but maybe that is because it is larger. I love spring.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I spent last week in Ecuador. You can buy 20 delicious tree tomatoes there for $1. The indigenous people still plant their milpas. The food is wonderful. I still missed my garden, my greenhouse and my wife. My wife took care of the greenhouse. I lost several flats of plants; but I don’t think that was her fault. The rest of the stuff is doing well and I think it will be ready to go in the ground by good Friday.
Of the crucifers I planted, the broccoli and Brussels sprouts are doing well, the cabbage has disappeared. The spinach had grown so large we had to cook it. Sugar peas are 2” tall. Everything has come up except carrots and beets. Mustard and arugula (from last fall) has started going to seed. The blueberries have started to leaf out. Blackberries are leafed out. The grapes have swelling buds. The paw paws are another story.
The ones I bought from Burgess last year were dead when I got them. The ones I got from Stark brothers were supposed to ship in the spring; but I came in one day to find them on the front porch. I planted them. It is a little early to tell how they will do. The smallest one still feels supple, the larger is stiff; but maybe that is because it is larger. I love spring.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Blueberries
Blueberries
The city has finally finished the sidewalk project in front of my house. I no longer have an excuse for having the ugliest yard in the block. I planted some yuccas and azaleas and a few bulbs; but now it is time for a massive redesign and upgrade for the front yard. One of the themes is to plant stuff we can eat in the front yard as well as the garden. There will be a blueberry hedge all across the front of the yard.
I called Stark Brothers to order some blueberries today. I asked some questions and will share the answers with you. The distance between plants should be the same as the height of the plant at maturity. There should be different varieties for cross pollination. I was told that I should have one “pollinator” plant for every plant of the primary variety. The pollinator plants make blueberries too. They just need to be of a different variety. The new plants from Stark Brothers should produce berries in two or three years.
Blueberries need very acid soil. Ideal PH is about 4.5. Sulfur is an excellent way to achieve this. It can be put directly in the planting hole. In addition to the wonderful berries, the blueberries have pretty red foliage in the fall. I think they will probably attract a lot of birds as well. I hope the birds will leave some berries for us.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
The city has finally finished the sidewalk project in front of my house. I no longer have an excuse for having the ugliest yard in the block. I planted some yuccas and azaleas and a few bulbs; but now it is time for a massive redesign and upgrade for the front yard. One of the themes is to plant stuff we can eat in the front yard as well as the garden. There will be a blueberry hedge all across the front of the yard.
I called Stark Brothers to order some blueberries today. I asked some questions and will share the answers with you. The distance between plants should be the same as the height of the plant at maturity. There should be different varieties for cross pollination. I was told that I should have one “pollinator” plant for every plant of the primary variety. The pollinator plants make blueberries too. They just need to be of a different variety. The new plants from Stark Brothers should produce berries in two or three years.
Blueberries need very acid soil. Ideal PH is about 4.5. Sulfur is an excellent way to achieve this. It can be put directly in the planting hole. In addition to the wonderful berries, the blueberries have pretty red foliage in the fall. I think they will probably attract a lot of birds as well. I hope the birds will leave some berries for us.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, October 31, 2008
String
String
Having nice straight neat rows is really important. Masons twine is a real lifesaver. It is very hard to break. It stays nice and tight; and it is strong and stretchy enough that if it is bumped with a hoe, it just goes back where it was. You won’t believe what it does to a tiller. Last year, I got so much string in my tiller I had to send it to the shop. It was not tuned right when I got it back and I was running out of time for spring tilling so I bought another. The old one still is not tuned right.
Before beginning the tilling yesterday, I very carefully searched for leftover string. The problem is that in many places the strings had been grown over with wire grass and other weeds. You won’t believe what a mess it makes when wire grass and string combine to tangle the tines of the tiller. I spent more time untangling the mess on the tines than I did tilling. Lesson #1…pull up string lines as soon as the rows are planted.
Incidentally, I bought 6 blueberry bushes from Burgess last year. Only 3 of them lived and they are only a little bigger than they were when I planted them. I am afraid they are stunted. I have already lost one season. I understand it takes three years for blueberries. Everything I bought from Stark Bros is doing great. It cost a good bit more; but I am not losing whole seasons. Lesson #2 don’t buy anything from Burgess.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Having nice straight neat rows is really important. Masons twine is a real lifesaver. It is very hard to break. It stays nice and tight; and it is strong and stretchy enough that if it is bumped with a hoe, it just goes back where it was. You won’t believe what it does to a tiller. Last year, I got so much string in my tiller I had to send it to the shop. It was not tuned right when I got it back and I was running out of time for spring tilling so I bought another. The old one still is not tuned right.
Before beginning the tilling yesterday, I very carefully searched for leftover string. The problem is that in many places the strings had been grown over with wire grass and other weeds. You won’t believe what a mess it makes when wire grass and string combine to tangle the tines of the tiller. I spent more time untangling the mess on the tines than I did tilling. Lesson #1…pull up string lines as soon as the rows are planted.
Incidentally, I bought 6 blueberry bushes from Burgess last year. Only 3 of them lived and they are only a little bigger than they were when I planted them. I am afraid they are stunted. I have already lost one season. I understand it takes three years for blueberries. Everything I bought from Stark Bros is doing great. It cost a good bit more; but I am not losing whole seasons. Lesson #2 don’t buy anything from Burgess.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
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