Seeds

Hi, Nemo

I didn't want to use chemicals, either- but many people told us that Sevin dust was the only thing to help our pumpkins- which are being eaten alive- really, stripped right down to the stalk.

I've read about sticky strips you can put around the base of plants to protect them from pests that crawl up- and you can put netting over the whole plant to protect from flying predators. There's also the theory of planting certain plants next to each other (tomato and basil, carrots and...? I forget...) to help with munchy bugs.

The other thing I'm doing to try to help the plants along is starting them in Jiffy Pots, then moving them to larger pots before I put them in the ground. I figure that gives them a 'fighting chance'.

This won't be very helpful to you- I did absolutely nothing to help the watermelon along! We threw some seeds out in the yard and left them alone...didn't even water them! The vine went crazy (one plant has taken up about 30 square feet in the garden) and we just left the watermelon that started growing until it was huge (and sounded like 'thunk, thunk' when we rapped on it with our knuckles).

It may be because of our location- Jackie from Bryan's Plants told me that melon doesn't do very well up in areas like Crown because it's too moist.

How are your green peppers doing? My jalapeno took *forever* to sprout, but now it's doing well. My bell peppers have had a spotty performance- some sprouted, but not as many as I had hoped.

Are you fertilizing, or just watering?

Best,

LR

What is a yard bird? Do people keep birds in the yards for the pests? How do they stay with your house?

Iris

I'd originally gotten seedlings for my peppers. planted them in small pots inside & then transplanted outside once they were about 3" high. I got maybe 5 peppers (small) before the bugs ate my plants... I have some new peppers going now, so we'll see... I tried planting basil in a pot next to the tomatoes-maybe I need a few sprigs right in the same pot? I'm watering only. Tried feeding my tomatoes with miracle grow & got jungles of greenery, but never got one fruit. re: squash, have gotten it to make a vine, get very leafy & even get some flowers blooming before "SOMETHING" eats it all up-grrrr-like you said flowers, leaves & all-right down to the vine... maybe I'll give the watermelon another try.

Yard Bird, I believe, is Southern talk for chickens. They don't fly and you can pen them in a yard...hence the name. I could be wrong. 🙂

Teresa

Folks,
Hubby is in the hospital again and things are hectic so I will be off line for another few days. Will be in touch about the garden party the first of next week.
I love watermelon!
Pamela

Pamela, Hope your hubby is OK. Take good care.

Teresa is absolutely right- "yard bird" is nothing more than chicken! 😉 There are some guinea fowl (I think that's what they are, anyway) up at Beacon point- and somewhere in the 'hood there are some LOUD peacocks. I'm just pondering plain ol' chicken. Our down- the-way neighbor has them, and they stick near his house. I have never tended chickens before, but am told by my Northside friends that all I need to do is feed 'em to keep them around- and coop them if I want to find eggs! Like I said, we'll see what the dogs have to say about that!

Nemo- I haven't gotten squash yet- just blossoms. I'm growing all my plants from seed at this point, and am trying to get them about 6" tall before they go in the ground. The pumpkin was another "toss it in the yard and see if it grows", and the acorn, butternut, delicata and zucchini aren't big enough to go to the main garden. Like I said, the plant that's doing the best is a watermelon with no watering, no feeding, no nurturing- go figure.

Pamela- I will definitely bring watermelon (to eat) to our little garden party if it's ready! (we have a new one on the vine- growing fast).

Best,

LR

Pamela,

Take care, hon. We will talk to you soon.

LR,

Looking forward to the get together. Mmmmm watermelon sounds great! I hope it is ripe in time. My little plants are daring to show their faces. I am trying a bunch of new flowers to start and the basil. We will see how it turns out. I hope they survive the move! We will work out details of the get together later. See you soon or around as it turns out! 🙂

Teresa

Hooray, Craig saves the day again- Sea Chest has basil seeds! (but not many; I got a lot!). Both purple and sweet basil (isn't that how both of these long threads got started??).

Am planting tomorrow...will let you know how it goes!

Best,

LR

Update- Plant Depot has lots of potted herbs now- basil, purple basil, rosemary, dill, etc.

They are getting a new shipment of seeds in the next few weeks- including mint, etc.

The agricultural center up at Crown has a bunch of plants & trees at very reasonable prices.

I found sugarcane at Bryan's- but not much. Am still looking for more...

Best,

LR

Hi Ladies
My name is Yolanda and I live in Florida . I will be coming down in June.(Maho worker) If I can be of any help to you please let me know. I can bring seeds . its not big deal , just tell me what kind. Peace...