I wanted to wish all of you a Happy Holiday season !!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ! Im looking forward to seeing all of you again in the new year !! Happy Gardening too !
Thursday, December 15, 2011
back yard bird count coming in February
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
No meeting tonight 11/22 - refuge conference room is being used for another meeting and everyone is too busy anyway.
No meeting for December either but we will be so happy to meet in January to start getting geared up for the upcoming growing season!
Hope folks get this message - most of those at the October meeting who were going to be around for the November meeting know about the cancellation - apologies to those who didn't get the word.
Happy Holidays everyone!
I post something when I get back from vacation (1/8) about the January meeting.
Heather
No meeting for December either but we will be so happy to meet in January to start getting geared up for the upcoming growing season!
Hope folks get this message - most of those at the October meeting who were going to be around for the November meeting know about the cancellation - apologies to those who didn't get the word.
Happy Holidays everyone!
I post something when I get back from vacation (1/8) about the January meeting.
Heather
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Rhubarb class in November
Hello all,
In case anyone did not see it, there is a Rhubarb Recipe class scheduled for 11/9 at 2 pm at Tok University.
It is put on by Roxie and is an uncredited course so the cost is 10.00. Sounds like a good way to get some more ideas of what to do with all the rhubarb we end up with.
Call 883-5613 to sign up.
In case anyone did not see it, there is a Rhubarb Recipe class scheduled for 11/9 at 2 pm at Tok University.
It is put on by Roxie and is an uncredited course so the cost is 10.00. Sounds like a good way to get some more ideas of what to do with all the rhubarb we end up with.
Call 883-5613 to sign up.
Octobers meeting and basic winter agenda
Hello all,
Well I think the seed exchange went very well, I definately got some fantastic seeds and great ideas for fall planting ! Just when the idea of gardening was done in my head, I now have a re-newed gardening feel and get to play in the dirt a little longer this season. Im anxious to get back out there today !
Im thinking I could even have white fireweed sprouting all over the place, because it was cool last night I made the mistake of turning on the heater in my car and it was enough air that it sent some of my fireweed seeds flying all over and then when I got home and opened the door the ones I couldnt recapture went floating out the door ! Oh well, we'll see what happens in the spring I guess :)
Octobers meeting is set for Wendesday the 12th, 7pm again at the Refuge office, (thanks Heather). This meeting the topics will be house plants, and a house plant exchange. Also bring your recipes and copies to share, of some of your favorite things from the garden or berries.
We also set up a basic agenda for the winter months and could be subject to some changes if needed, dates were not set yet, just topics.
November: undetermined
December: no meeting
January: discussion of setting up raised beds
February: making of seed tapes, ordering seeds
March: irrigation and gardening catalogs
Look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting !
Well I think the seed exchange went very well, I definately got some fantastic seeds and great ideas for fall planting ! Just when the idea of gardening was done in my head, I now have a re-newed gardening feel and get to play in the dirt a little longer this season. Im anxious to get back out there today !
Im thinking I could even have white fireweed sprouting all over the place, because it was cool last night I made the mistake of turning on the heater in my car and it was enough air that it sent some of my fireweed seeds flying all over and then when I got home and opened the door the ones I couldnt recapture went floating out the door ! Oh well, we'll see what happens in the spring I guess :)
Octobers meeting is set for Wendesday the 12th, 7pm again at the Refuge office, (thanks Heather). This meeting the topics will be house plants, and a house plant exchange. Also bring your recipes and copies to share, of some of your favorite things from the garden or berries.
We also set up a basic agenda for the winter months and could be subject to some changes if needed, dates were not set yet, just topics.
November: undetermined
December: no meeting
January: discussion of setting up raised beds
February: making of seed tapes, ordering seeds
March: irrigation and gardening catalogs
Look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting !
Monday, September 12, 2011
Seed Exchange
I have the seed exchange scheduled for the 14th at one at TNW. Is this still on? Not many seeds produces this summer. Hope this works ---- still not sure what I am doing.
Karla
Karla
Monday, August 29, 2011
Time to Quit!
OK, I give up! We were prepared to continue with the frost cloth for another two weeks or so, but when we discovered the corn took a hit in spite of the covering we've agreed it's time to harvest everything. I think Mother Nature's sending a message when she takes it down to 27ยบ or so. Time to quit... It's been an uphill battle all summer and I'm ready to take a break. How about you?
Sharon
Sharon
Karla's Pest Advice
Karla wrote to Linden Staciokas who writes the gardening column for the News-Miner to ask about powdery mildew and aphids. She got quite a reply back, but since she still is unable to post on this blog I'm posting it for her. Thanks Karla! ~S
From Linden:
Powdery mildew , as I am sure you know, tends to erupt when air circulation is poor, and nights are cool. Also, excessive nitrogen helps it along. You've done the right thing clearing out all infected debris and not using it the infected stuff in compost. However, the spores can stay on the soil so it is best to spray the area with some of the same fungicide you would use on the foliage of affected plants. Something with neem oil, sulfur, triforine or potassium bicarbonate will work. One thing I used in years past, when I had an outbreak, was a baking soda spray: 1 gallon water, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 and a half tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap (I like Dawn, but others should do). It can be used on the plants at the first outbreak and I used it on the soil as well. It is probably the least toxic solution. Next year, try not to plant cukes in that area, as they are especially susceptible to powdery mildew, as are strawberries.
Other folks I know swear by compost tea.
Neem works by inhibiting fungal spores from germinating, so it works best as a preventative measure...
Aphids are a pain and when I learned they are born pregnant I wanted to give up the fight entirely. Gardens or greenhouses with a lot of birch trees around are in trouble, as aphids seem to congregate on the bitch and then move on. It will not help to change out your soil, believe me. Here I speak from back breaking, expensive experience...Instead, your attack on them has to be multi-faceted:
You have to keep a daily, sharp eye so that you catch early infestations right away and can either pick them off your greenhouse plants or use an insecticidal soap.
Every time I water, I look under leaves and along the stems to be sure I don't see any aphids. If I do, I cup that part of the plant in one hand and give a sharp blast of water with the other right onto the infected area. (I have warm water piped for my hoses, so it is not as terribly hard on the plants as an ice cold drenching would be.
I also moved my eggplants into their own little tent and that is where they spend the summers now, since they attract aphids that then spread to other plants.
I released lady bugs into the greenhouse several times over the season.
I moved my dahlias, which also attract them, to a new area away from the greenhouse.
Finally, I discovered aphids stowing away on plants I bought at a nursery, so now I always wash transplants for my greenhouse down with insecticidal soap and I don't bring them into my greenhouse until they have spent about a week either in my house or in the garage, so I can check that nothing is hiding at soil level. Ditto for plants I get from friends, as I have found aphids on those plants, too. I once bought a $100 hanging basket as a gift for a friend and stored it in my greenhouse until her birthday about 10 days away. Only the next day did I discover dozens of aphids crawling out and all over the greenhouse. It was nightmare summer that cost me far more than the original $100 I'd spent!
I hope what I have written gives you one or two useful ideas to try. It is a constant battle.
So far, no moose here. I have a fence for the first time this year, so perhaps I will be spared. I also have an Irish Wolfhound that gives great chase and scares them off, so maybe they won't even try outwitting the fence this year, seeing Alistair on the other side of the fence. I have attached a picture of Alistair and my husband, so you see what a formidable anti-moose dog I have! (My husband is nearly 6 feet tall!)
Thanks for writing.
Linden
From Linden:
Powdery mildew , as I am sure you know, tends to erupt when air circulation is poor, and nights are cool. Also, excessive nitrogen helps it along. You've done the right thing clearing out all infected debris and not using it the infected stuff in compost. However, the spores can stay on the soil so it is best to spray the area with some of the same fungicide you would use on the foliage of affected plants. Something with neem oil, sulfur, triforine or potassium bicarbonate will work. One thing I used in years past, when I had an outbreak, was a baking soda spray: 1 gallon water, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 and a half tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap (I like Dawn, but others should do). It can be used on the plants at the first outbreak and I used it on the soil as well. It is probably the least toxic solution. Next year, try not to plant cukes in that area, as they are especially susceptible to powdery mildew, as are strawberries.
Other folks I know swear by compost tea.
Neem works by inhibiting fungal spores from germinating, so it works best as a preventative measure...
Aphids are a pain and when I learned they are born pregnant I wanted to give up the fight entirely. Gardens or greenhouses with a lot of birch trees around are in trouble, as aphids seem to congregate on the bitch and then move on. It will not help to change out your soil, believe me. Here I speak from back breaking, expensive experience...Instead, your attack on them has to be multi-faceted:
You have to keep a daily, sharp eye so that you catch early infestations right away and can either pick them off your greenhouse plants or use an insecticidal soap.
Every time I water, I look under leaves and along the stems to be sure I don't see any aphids. If I do, I cup that part of the plant in one hand and give a sharp blast of water with the other right onto the infected area. (I have warm water piped for my hoses, so it is not as terribly hard on the plants as an ice cold drenching would be.
I also moved my eggplants into their own little tent and that is where they spend the summers now, since they attract aphids that then spread to other plants.
I released lady bugs into the greenhouse several times over the season.
I moved my dahlias, which also attract them, to a new area away from the greenhouse.
Finally, I discovered aphids stowing away on plants I bought at a nursery, so now I always wash transplants for my greenhouse down with insecticidal soap and I don't bring them into my greenhouse until they have spent about a week either in my house or in the garage, so I can check that nothing is hiding at soil level. Ditto for plants I get from friends, as I have found aphids on those plants, too. I once bought a $100 hanging basket as a gift for a friend and stored it in my greenhouse until her birthday about 10 days away. Only the next day did I discover dozens of aphids crawling out and all over the greenhouse. It was nightmare summer that cost me far more than the original $100 I'd spent!
I hope what I have written gives you one or two useful ideas to try. It is a constant battle.
So far, no moose here. I have a fence for the first time this year, so perhaps I will be spared. I also have an Irish Wolfhound that gives great chase and scares them off, so maybe they won't even try outwitting the fence this year, seeing Alistair on the other side of the fence. I have attached a picture of Alistair and my husband, so you see what a formidable anti-moose dog I have! (My husband is nearly 6 feet tall!)
Thanks for writing.
Linden
Friday, August 19, 2011
Yes what a fun luncheon and the food was so yummy. Thanks to all who contributed and a huge thanks to you Sharon for welcoming us to your home and garden.
We've picked Sept. 13th for our next meeting when we will do seed sharing - 7p at the Refuge office unless someone has another suggestion. If you are bringing seeds to share please try to bring a picture and details on the plant (height, preferred growing conditions, germination period). For those who are interested in collecting seeds, bring paper envelopes. in October we were planning an african violet/house plant exchange so be thinking about preping your contributions for that.
Keep vigilant with protecting your garden from hungry moose!
Heather
We've picked Sept. 13th for our next meeting when we will do seed sharing - 7p at the Refuge office unless someone has another suggestion. If you are bringing seeds to share please try to bring a picture and details on the plant (height, preferred growing conditions, germination period). For those who are interested in collecting seeds, bring paper envelopes. in October we were planning an african violet/house plant exchange so be thinking about preping your contributions for that.
Keep vigilant with protecting your garden from hungry moose!
Heather
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Garden Club Potluck
What a fun potluck and what a feast! Plus lots of good garden tips, a promise to exchange seeds and another tour of a limited success garden. So glad to get such a nice group together. Let's do it again next summer about harvest time, ok?
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hey Tok Gardeners,
I sent you all an email about two weeks ago asking if we are meeting tomorrow Sunday August 14th at 2p - we had Rita Abel as a possibility (Karla you were going to contact her). I haven't heard from anyone! Should we just go with our Wednesday luncheon and pass on tomorrow? Please let me know what you would like to do.
Heather
I sent you all an email about two weeks ago asking if we are meeting tomorrow Sunday August 14th at 2p - we had Rita Abel as a possibility (Karla you were going to contact her). I haven't heard from anyone! Should we just go with our Wednesday luncheon and pass on tomorrow? Please let me know what you would like to do.
Heather
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Garden Club PotLuck Luncheon, please RSVP to this post if coming
Hi everyone,
At our last tour we decided on the date and time for our potluck luncheon. It will take place at Sharons house so we ask that you please post a comment on this posting to RSVP so we can have an idea of how many people will be there and possibly include in your post what you might be bringing. It will be Wednesday 8/17 at noon, we hope all of you can make it and look forward to seeing you there !
You can always email your RSVP in if you like instead to tokgardenclub@gmail.com.
At our last tour we decided on the date and time for our potluck luncheon. It will take place at Sharons house so we ask that you please post a comment on this posting to RSVP so we can have an idea of how many people will be there and possibly include in your post what you might be bringing. It will be Wednesday 8/17 at noon, we hope all of you can make it and look forward to seeing you there !
You can always email your RSVP in if you like instead to tokgardenclub@gmail.com.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Kale Recipe
Hi all, here's the recipe I promised...another way to use up some of that yummy kale. The pesto part of the recipe is good for other things besides this pie.
Rustic Tomato Pie with Kale Pesto Sauce
•2 cups (packed) fresh kale
•3 cloves garlic or 3 garlic scapes
•1/3 cup walnuts, toasted
•1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
•1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
•2/3 cup part-skim ricotta chese
• 1 - 9" store-bought refrigerated pie crust
•2 cups sliced tomatoes
• 4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 375ยบ
Place kale, garlic and walnuts in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and pulse several times until kale is broken up to a manageable size. Add Romano or Parmesan cheese and puree until blended, but still chunky. Drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor is still on, until the mixture becomes the consistency of a thick pesto sauce. Transfer to a medium bowl and mix with the ricotta cheese.
Unfold the refrigerated pie crust onto a sheet pan or pizza pan or cookie sheet. Spread kale pesto on the pie crust, leaving a 2" border all the way around. Top with sliced tomatoes, then fresh mozzarella slices. Gently fold the sides of the pie crust in, crimping slightly to form a rustic pie. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Allow the tomato pie to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6 generous slices.
Per slice: 304 calories, 24g fat, 14 mg cholesterol, 16 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 8 g protein
This is good as a main dish or a side dish. My family loves it!
Enjoy,
Sharon
Monday, July 25, 2011
my garden
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| my biggest cabbage |
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| lettuce, cabbage, chard |
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| raspberries |
Hi all, well like I said before I dont have much for flowers or flower beds like some of you have done so beautifully, but I thought I could share some pictures of my garden.
Garden tour 7/24
These are only some of the beautiful shots from yesterdays garden tour. There are some talented and creative people here in Tok. We have seen some amazing gardens and yards this summer, thank you so much for sharing with all of us !
Friday, July 22, 2011
Hi All,
Our next garden tour is this Sunday 2/24. According to my notes from our May meeting for July I have Carla down and Sharon. Sharon - you were gracious enough to invite us for a garden party in August - do you what us to invade on your hospitality all three months? Were we able to contact any other folks? Sandy, Gene, Terry? I have Rita Able down for August. Please share any any info. you have otherwise we'll just wing it on Sunday! We are meeting at the Refuge office at 2p - see you all then.
Heather
Our next garden tour is this Sunday 2/24. According to my notes from our May meeting for July I have Carla down and Sharon. Sharon - you were gracious enough to invite us for a garden party in August - do you what us to invade on your hospitality all three months? Were we able to contact any other folks? Sandy, Gene, Terry? I have Rita Able down for August. Please share any any info. you have otherwise we'll just wing it on Sunday! We are meeting at the Refuge office at 2p - see you all then.
Heather
Thursday, July 21, 2011
How is your garden doing?
Well due to my being gone and not being able to have many starts going early and missing out on some early planting I am going to miss out on some harvest I think. I have though, harvested quite a few zuchs and a few batches of chard, lots of cucs and just starting to eat cherry tomatoes. So my salad makings are plentiful but the long term like squash, beans and peas are sure taking their time. My squash are tiny, beans are just flowering and same for peas. Potatoes? Ha, wont even mention them, none to speak of, good thing we dont eat many spuds. But I do love my fresh salads so I am thankful for that at least.
I didnt plant near as much as I usually do and that goes for flowers and vegis this year. But Im hoping to keep picking up on some perennial ideas that I have gotten from this group.
My raspberries look very promising this year, hope, hope. Im curious to see how everyone who has strawberries turns out.
Let us know how your garden is fairing so far this year and I look forward to the next garden tour this weekend, Sunday 7/24.
I didnt plant near as much as I usually do and that goes for flowers and vegis this year. But Im hoping to keep picking up on some perennial ideas that I have gotten from this group.
My raspberries look very promising this year, hope, hope. Im curious to see how everyone who has strawberries turns out.
Let us know how your garden is fairing so far this year and I look forward to the next garden tour this weekend, Sunday 7/24.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Perennials Teach Patience
Gardening is teaching me patience (as in "watch closely, don't give up"). This spring I had virtually given up on the peonies, lilies and trollius I'd planted last summer. And the I was sure the gladiola bulbs I planted this spring were never going to come up...more duds.
Well guess what? After I'd totally written them off and planted new peonies and lilies (one more try...) last year's popped up and are bigger and healthier than ever, with lots of buds! Who would've guessed? And although it took more than a month, the glads are about 1-1/2 feet high. Hopefully I'll see some blooms.
Now, if somebody can just tell me how to get my bleeding hearts to survive a winter. I'm still waiting for them to come back. ;-)
Well guess what? After I'd totally written them off and planted new peonies and lilies (one more try...) last year's popped up and are bigger and healthier than ever, with lots of buds! Who would've guessed? And although it took more than a month, the glads are about 1-1/2 feet high. Hopefully I'll see some blooms.
Now, if somebody can just tell me how to get my bleeding hearts to survive a winter. I'm still waiting for them to come back. ;-)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Great Garden Tour!!
What a great garden tour today! We got some excellent tips from master gardeners who are serious about growing. Next time I'm taking a notebook to write it all down. Maybe others can post some of the things they learned from the afternoon, or at least we can share things at the next meeting. Speaking of next meeting...are we going to get together again before the next garden tour at the end of July?
I wanted to share a fabulous garden blog (not the ordinary), and hope you will take a minute (or 60) to check it out. It's called awaytogarden.com and is written by Margaret Roach. I think you'll really like it.
Looking forward to our next tour in July. Enjoyed spending the afternoon with you all.
Sharon
I wanted to share a fabulous garden blog (not the ordinary), and hope you will take a minute (or 60) to check it out. It's called awaytogarden.com and is written by Margaret Roach. I think you'll really like it.
Looking forward to our next tour in July. Enjoyed spending the afternoon with you all.
Sharon
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Hey Everyone,
Our field trip to greenhouses in Tok is this Sunday 6/26 and the time has been moved up to 1 pm with our first visit to Francine and Don Lee's. Let's meet at the Refuge office promptly at 1 pm and we will quickly proceed to the Lees - they have a wedding to go to in Slana when they are done with us : ) If you have any questions you can call me at -3664.
Heather
Our field trip to greenhouses in Tok is this Sunday 6/26 and the time has been moved up to 1 pm with our first visit to Francine and Don Lee's. Let's meet at the Refuge office promptly at 1 pm and we will quickly proceed to the Lees - they have a wedding to go to in Slana when they are done with us : ) If you have any questions you can call me at -3664.
Heather
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
First greenhouse tours coming up this weekend!
Hey there Tok Gardeners,
Don't forget we are having our first greenhouse tour this Sunday. We are meeting at the Refuge office at 2pm and going from there. Don't know what other greenhouses we will be visiting other than those who were at the last meeting but I guess we will figure that out when we meet. Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday June 26. You can call me at work -9417 or at home -3664 if you have any questions.
Heather
Don't forget we are having our first greenhouse tour this Sunday. We are meeting at the Refuge office at 2pm and going from there. Don't know what other greenhouses we will be visiting other than those who were at the last meeting but I guess we will figure that out when we meet. Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday June 26. You can call me at work -9417 or at home -3664 if you have any questions.
Heather
Friday, June 3, 2011
Finally! Notes from the 5/24 meeting
Hi All,
After getting home from the meeting last week I sat down to type up a few notes and couldn't find them in my notebook to save by life! Of course they were there the next morning when I looked again - good grief!
This week if I wasn't working at my paying job, eating/fixing meals or sleeping I was planting!
Here's my second attempt to post the calendar we came up with for garden and greenhouse visits this summer. This is a partial listing since there are still people we need to check with to see if we can visit their greenhouse or garden.
We choose Sunday afternoons for our visits. We will first meet at the refuge office and then perhaps carpool if folks want.
June 26 2pm Greenhouse tours
Jan Fehrenbacher
Sharon Young
and perhaps a third person who Heather is checking with
July 24 2 pm Garden visits
Carla Rallo
Sharon Young
and perhaps a couple more gardens
August 14 2pm Garden visits
Gardens to be determined once people are contacted.
For those of you who said you would contact individuals to arrange a possible visit to their greenhouse or garden, please do so and post confirmed visits on the blog - thanks! We would love to see as many greenhouse and gardens in Tok as we can! If you are interested in hosting a group visit to your greenhouse or garden on one of the dates please post a group invite on the blog!
Hope you all are having fun digging in the dirt and giving TLC to you new transplants!
Heather
After getting home from the meeting last week I sat down to type up a few notes and couldn't find them in my notebook to save by life! Of course they were there the next morning when I looked again - good grief!
This week if I wasn't working at my paying job, eating/fixing meals or sleeping I was planting!
Here's my second attempt to post the calendar we came up with for garden and greenhouse visits this summer. This is a partial listing since there are still people we need to check with to see if we can visit their greenhouse or garden.
We choose Sunday afternoons for our visits. We will first meet at the refuge office and then perhaps carpool if folks want.
June 26 2pm Greenhouse tours
Jan Fehrenbacher
Sharon Young
and perhaps a third person who Heather is checking with
July 24 2 pm Garden visits
Carla Rallo
Sharon Young
and perhaps a couple more gardens
August 14 2pm Garden visits
Gardens to be determined once people are contacted.
For those of you who said you would contact individuals to arrange a possible visit to their greenhouse or garden, please do so and post confirmed visits on the blog - thanks! We would love to see as many greenhouse and gardens in Tok as we can! If you are interested in hosting a group visit to your greenhouse or garden on one of the dates please post a group invite on the blog!
Hope you all are having fun digging in the dirt and giving TLC to you new transplants!
Heather
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Gardens planted ?
Hello all ! So, has everyone got their garden planted ? I finally have finished. Everything is in and the greenhouse is all set except for my watering system, havent set that up yet. I plant in huge pots in the greenhouse and dont worry about the watering system until the plants get a little bigger and begin to consume alot of water, for now the big pots hold up for a few days in between waterings.
I have a TON of blooms and baby tomatillos. Its odd, I planted 4 of them and only 3 of them are producing, I have done everything exactly the same to each plant, its just that one seems to be putting its energy into the stalk more than the blossoms. I thought maybe there are male and female plants as this would explain the difference. So I did a little research and it seems some people agree about male and female plants but most say there is no difference, hmm I am having to wonder though.
I have lost my green bean plants 2 years in a row due to a late summer frost so this year I planted in the garden and the greenhouse just to be sure I get some this year :)
My Iris is coming back, slow but its coming around. Well so far so good, even the yard is starting to look better than years past, its still got some dead spots but maybe not as many.
Im curious to see how you are all doing, I know everyone is busy but if you have time please post and let us know. Happy Summer !
I have a TON of blooms and baby tomatillos. Its odd, I planted 4 of them and only 3 of them are producing, I have done everything exactly the same to each plant, its just that one seems to be putting its energy into the stalk more than the blossoms. I thought maybe there are male and female plants as this would explain the difference. So I did a little research and it seems some people agree about male and female plants but most say there is no difference, hmm I am having to wonder though.
I have lost my green bean plants 2 years in a row due to a late summer frost so this year I planted in the garden and the greenhouse just to be sure I get some this year :)
My Iris is coming back, slow but its coming around. Well so far so good, even the yard is starting to look better than years past, its still got some dead spots but maybe not as many.
Im curious to see how you are all doing, I know everyone is busy but if you have time please post and let us know. Happy Summer !
Sunday, May 15, 2011
WOO HOO !
I thought I would let you know that Rita was correct about my Iris ! She mentioned that the voles may not of killed it and that you do need to split it on occasion. Just yesterday I found about 6 little shoots coming up ! It is way behind growth for usual timing but at least it is alive. I have purchased one of the sound and vibration vole detterents that I will be using this year so I will update you as I find out if it works or not.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
yard advice?
Hi all, we have not talked much about our yards and I was curious if anyone has suggestions. Yard work has always been one of my least favorite things, but I love a nice lawn so I guess I have to do the work :)
The yard is so full of dead grass, last year I thatched and thatched but it barely helped so this year thinking of burning it off first. But Im wondering, does it really help that much? Do you have to reseed in some areas maybe that are just too dead? Is it all worth it or is thatching better? Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.
How are all your plants doing? If they are like mine, I cant wait to get them moved to the greenhouse and have my house and windows back ! My garden is a mud bog right now, but its drying good. Im excited to get started on building the raised rows, may not put boxes around it for this year, but will try the raised effect for sure. My rhubarb is looking good, and I need to get out and tend to the raspberries soon, Im sad to say my poor Iris is not looking like it has any life still, darn voles! We moved that Iris plant with us across the state and it was so happy here and looked soo good. Oh well. On a better note, I am trying Tomatillos for the first time this year and those plants are getting bigger than my tomatoes, Im wondering now how big they will get and I hope I get some good fruits from them.
Just curious what everyone is doing as far as garden preparation yet or is your garden still as muddy as mine?
Happy Gardening !
The yard is so full of dead grass, last year I thatched and thatched but it barely helped so this year thinking of burning it off first. But Im wondering, does it really help that much? Do you have to reseed in some areas maybe that are just too dead? Is it all worth it or is thatching better? Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.
How are all your plants doing? If they are like mine, I cant wait to get them moved to the greenhouse and have my house and windows back ! My garden is a mud bog right now, but its drying good. Im excited to get started on building the raised rows, may not put boxes around it for this year, but will try the raised effect for sure. My rhubarb is looking good, and I need to get out and tend to the raspberries soon, Im sad to say my poor Iris is not looking like it has any life still, darn voles! We moved that Iris plant with us across the state and it was so happy here and looked soo good. Oh well. On a better note, I am trying Tomatillos for the first time this year and those plants are getting bigger than my tomatoes, Im wondering now how big they will get and I hope I get some good fruits from them.
Just curious what everyone is doing as far as garden preparation yet or is your garden still as muddy as mine?
Happy Gardening !
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Meeting notes from 4/27
Great meeting last night! Its great also to see so many new faces. I will be sending the emails to all of them today to have them join our blog.
Just wanted to post some of the topics discussed last night so if anyone has ideas or input be sure and share it here for all of us to learn !
* Suggestion for blog page: have a place to share recipes
* Aphid deterent : boil rhubarb leaves and use the water as a spray
* Do not use wood ashes in your garden where you will plant potatoes (good for me to know)
* Organic way to add potassium to tomato plants, see second post of using banana peels when planting
* creating a pollinator garden, Heather provided a hand out, which I will try and post also
* curling leaves on tomato plants
* black fungus on delphiniums
Also, Heather was nice enough to bring a few plants to share, thank you, and we got to "tour" Nates office greenhouse, pretty impressive really.
** NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED : Tuesday, May 24th, 7 pm at the same office location. I will send out a reminder later in May. Until then, Happy Gardening everyone !!
Just wanted to post some of the topics discussed last night so if anyone has ideas or input be sure and share it here for all of us to learn !
* Suggestion for blog page: have a place to share recipes
* Aphid deterent : boil rhubarb leaves and use the water as a spray
* Do not use wood ashes in your garden where you will plant potatoes (good for me to know)
* Organic way to add potassium to tomato plants, see second post of using banana peels when planting
* creating a pollinator garden, Heather provided a hand out, which I will try and post also
* curling leaves on tomato plants
* black fungus on delphiniums
Also, Heather was nice enough to bring a few plants to share, thank you, and we got to "tour" Nates office greenhouse, pretty impressive really.
** NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED : Tuesday, May 24th, 7 pm at the same office location. I will send out a reminder later in May. Until then, Happy Gardening everyone !!
Egg shells and Banana peels for your tomatoes
Here is the article regarding adding the banana peels to your tomato plants that I mentioned last night. I also included the link so you can read the full article if you want.
ADVANCE PLANNING:
Over the winter, save banana peels and egg shells.
Keep a gallon sized freezer bag or other container in the freezer and just keep adding banana peels until you have about 2 peels per the number of tomato plants you think you'll want to grow.
The egg shells need to be rinsed thoroughly, allowed to air dry and then crushed and stored in an airtight container. You'll need approximately 12 to 18 crushed eggshells per plant. (Note: Just recently learned that some gardeners have gone to either baking their eggshells or boiling them (you can water your plants with the egg water when done too) to avoid the risk of spreading salmonella. I assumed that an airtight bag for a lengthy period would be sufficient, but I am going to start doing this too just to be safe.)
SOIL PREPARATION:
Lay a couple of banana peels in the bottom of the hole. Cover with about 4" soil.
Sprinkle on a couple of handfuls of crushed egg shells.http://www.thegardenguide.typepad.com/the_garden_guide/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html
ADVANCE PLANNING:
Over the winter, save banana peels and egg shells.
Keep a gallon sized freezer bag or other container in the freezer and just keep adding banana peels until you have about 2 peels per the number of tomato plants you think you'll want to grow.
The egg shells need to be rinsed thoroughly, allowed to air dry and then crushed and stored in an airtight container. You'll need approximately 12 to 18 crushed eggshells per plant. (Note: Just recently learned that some gardeners have gone to either baking their eggshells or boiling them (you can water your plants with the egg water when done too) to avoid the risk of spreading salmonella. I assumed that an airtight bag for a lengthy period would be sufficient, but I am going to start doing this too just to be safe.)
SOIL PREPARATION:
Lay a couple of banana peels in the bottom of the hole. Cover with about 4" soil.
Sprinkle on a couple of handfuls of crushed egg shells.http://www.thegardenguide.typepad.com/the_garden_guide/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
suggested list of perennials
"How about a list of perennials that do well here. I am new to Tok and am doing the landscaping around the house. This will be my second summer and am looking forward to getting the yard put in."
This is another comment received thru the garden club email so I thought I would post it here for everyone to see and possibly add some suggestions to.
Thanks !
This is another comment received thru the garden club email so I thought I would post it here for everyone to see and possibly add some suggestions to.
Thanks !
Monday, April 18, 2011
clematis's ?
Hello everyone,
I got an email from someone in Tok asking about clematis's , they are asking if they grow here? Does anyone know, I have not grown or seen these.
I got an email from someone in Tok asking about clematis's , they are asking if they grow here? Does anyone know, I have not grown or seen these.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Hi everyone !
Just wanted to say a hello to our newest person to join our garden club, Polly! She has been sent the invite to the blog page and will attend the meeting this month !
Thursday, March 31, 2011
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