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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 15, 2013 12:20:22 GMT -5
We are planting stuff (wheat and potatoes so far) in the last area occupied by the piggies. I must say that except for grass root pieces, there does not seem to be much in the way of weed so far. The worst of the weeds is the wild garlic. Of course this is VERY early in the season. Still, it is somewhat encouraging to start out with an area that is at least a little bit "clean".
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Post by synergy on Apr 16, 2013 12:36:12 GMT -5
I had an opportunity to get bags of lime for free since a company in the town ordered lye from China and was shipped lime so they are giving it away for the taking and so far I have picked up 100 bags . So I suppose the next while I will be spreading lime every chance I get as I do have acidic soil and hope it helps make it less hospitable for creeping buttercup. Other than that, feeding, watering, cleaning up after two and four legged critters , including 9 meat bunnies born this last week.
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Post by davida on Apr 16, 2013 13:28:36 GMT -5
I had an opportunity to get bags of lime for free since a company in the town ordered lye from China and was shipped lime so they are giving it away for the taking and so far I have picked up 100 bags . So I suppose the next while I will be spreading lime every chance I get as I do have acidic soil and hope it helps make it less hospitable for creeping buttercup. Other than that, feeding, watering, cleaning up after two and four legged critters , including 9 meat bunnies born this last week. Congrats on the baby bunnies and getting the lime for free. This sounds like enough work to keep you out of trouble for awhile. This weekend, we added 5 fruit trees to what we desire to become our permaculture area: Jonathan apple, Arkansas Black apple, Orient Pear, Bruce Plum and Early Golden Apricot. Then we planted 3 pomegranates and a Brown Turkey fig. |
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Post by steev on Apr 16, 2013 13:35:47 GMT -5
Which pomegranates?
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Post by davida on Apr 16, 2013 16:11:21 GMT -5
Steev, The tag says Wonderful Pomegranate (Punica granatum "Wonderful"). It is suppose to get 10-12 feet high and 10 feet wide and have double flowers like carnations and turn yellow in the fall. I have never grown pomegranates before so any advice that you or others can offer would be appreciated. David |
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Post by synergy on Apr 16, 2013 16:51:52 GMT -5
Oh I would love to grow pomegranate here too in zone 8 but I think it is pretty borderline it would produce without a greenhouse ? We can buy Wonderful here in BC but I did not want to outlay the money on a plant I am unsure will produce in my zone and lower light levels .
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Post by steev on Apr 16, 2013 22:26:36 GMT -5
I farm in Z8; I've yet to see a fruit on pomegranates, the oldest ~6 years; there is something to be said for bull-headedness, though I'm not sure it's complimentary; I am stoic and patient.
Wonderful is the ubiquitous commercial cultivar; the last few years, Sweet, Garnet, and one or two other cultivars have shown up in nurseries occasionally; I think perhaps due to the immigrant community from Asia Minor, being more sophistcated in varieties and usage of pomegranates. Diversity is good in all things.
I have no idea of your climate, so keep us posted how these grow; maybe next Winter you will want cuttings of other varieties. I have 8-10 planted out and ~8 more to plant. They are slow to root, so two years from cutting to planting out.
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Post by 12540dumont on Apr 17, 2013 0:23:42 GMT -5
They had pomegranates at Costco last week!
Mine started making fruit after 3 years. Zack eats them all.
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Post by Drahkk on Apr 17, 2013 8:00:14 GMT -5
The ones in mom-in-law's yard are nearly 20 years old, and made fruit for the first time last year. It came as a shock; she had long since decided they'd never produce. We're in Z7 though (7a or 7b depending on whose map you look at), so very much borderline. I hope you Z8 folks don't have to wait THAT long!
MB
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Post by davida on Apr 17, 2013 8:42:43 GMT -5
They had pomegranates at Costco last week! Mine started making fruit after 3 years. Zack eats them all. These pomegranates were found at an unexpected place also. My daughter likes to squeeze 1/2 of a pomegranate on her salad as the salad dressing and has always wished that we could grow them. So when I saw them, I jumped and we will work out the details as we go.  |
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Post by davida on Apr 17, 2013 8:56:54 GMT -5
I farm in Z8; I've yet to see a fruit on pomegranates, the oldest ~6 years; there is something to be said for bull-headedness, though I'm not sure it's complimentary; I am stoic and patient. Wonderful is the ubiquitous commercial cultivar; the last few years, Sweet, Garnet, and one or two other cultivars have shown up in nurseries occasionally; I think perhaps due to the immigrant community from Asia Minor, being more sophistcated in varieties and usage of pomegranates. Diversity is good in all things. I have no idea of your climate, so keep us posted how these grow; maybe next Winter you will want cuttings of other varieties. I have 8-10 planted out and ~8 more to plant. They are slow to root, so two years from cutting to planting out. Wonderful sounded like a ubiquitous commercial cultivar but since it was the only option, at this time, we will try it. We would definitely like some cuttings of other varieties next Winter. They seem like a gread addition to the permaculture area. But do they need 100% sunlight like on the south edge or can they take some shade in the middle of the permaculture area? |
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Post by davida on Apr 17, 2013 8:59:22 GMT -5
The ones in mom-in-law's yard are nearly 20 years old, and made fruit for the first time last year. It came as a shock; she had long since decided they'd never produce. We're in Z7 though (7a or 7b depending on whose map you look at), so very much borderline. I hope you Z8 folks don't have to wait THAT long! MB 20 years is a long time to wait. At least, are they a pretty tree/shrub? How is your Dad this week? Did he get to leave the hospital? |
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Post by steev on Apr 17, 2013 13:18:11 GMT -5
Given that they're rangey shrubs, I think they do best in full sun, especially if they are ever to produce such a large fruit on such a scrawny plant. They're prettiest in early leaf, tending to lots of red on the leaf. I may not have to wait twenty years, as there was a flower on my largest (Parfianca) last year; it dropped off.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 17, 2013 18:05:01 GMT -5
Planted Satina potatoes, about 15'. THE LAST POTATOES I'LL PLANT THIS YEAR!!!! HONEST!!!! Also, THIS year, EVERY potato in my garden is a Tom Wagner potato!!!!
Packaged all the bacon and salt pork, put it in the freezer. Turned and rubbed the quancial while pondering, "Just what am I going to do with this?" I've never even HEARD of guancial till I read "Charcutrie". (I'm pretty sure that is spelled incorrectly.)
Gave away a purple and a white sweet potato to a gardening friend as well as palming of a piece of bacon on her as she walked out the door.
Packed up the house and went to spend the afternoon at the beach. Yep, it's a good day... a VERY good day.
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Post by Drahkk on Apr 18, 2013 0:58:10 GMT -5
How is your Dad this week? Did he get to leave the hospital? He was released from the hospital Sunday. He has been able to sleep somewhat better the past few nights. He has lost a lot of weight that he really didn't have to lose. His appetite isn't very good but we are working on that. The doctor told us that most lung transplant patients wind up back in the hospital within two weeks after being released due to various causes. We are sincerely hoping that won't happen to him. Thank you all for your continued support. MB |
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