May Food Growing Mamas

[serenetabbie]

Since the spring thread turned into a 15 page monster, here is the new and improved thread

[Sustainer]

Thanks for posting a new thread

[smeisnotapirate]

Present for duty.

Still rainy.......

[lightheart]

I was late on catching the thread and couldn't find the time to read through all the pages so I don't really know what you guys were in the process of talking about... I like to interrupt things though and brag a little about my plants....

in the veggie garden peas, spinach, kale, lettuce and radish are up, onion sets we have been thinning and eating, might, just might be able to get a tiny radish by the end of next week, my broccoli plants are sad, think they aren't getting enough sun, there's a retaining wall next to them that shades,had hoped it would be okay, we'll see...

Making compost, I love to make compost! : My quick pile could of been pulled from yesterday when I turned it but i added the grass clippings from the yard one last time to really let things heat up in there. My one pile is/was way too wet though, a soggy boggy stinky mess. Still need to turn over a little more than half my beds, it's coming along though. Rain is in the forecast (thunderstorms) for the next week here, good and bad, will motivate me to start my basil and flower seeds though, thinking I will start them in egg cartons and move them out to the beds when they are still pretty little, using a bunch of old seeds and I'd rather have them spaced a little better because I doubt the germination rate is going to be what it should be.

(been watching the Kindy class at my son's school little wagon of veggie seeds they have planted out their door, (my son's in 1st but afternoon pickup is right beside the K door. Their lettuce has 2 leaves, basil, 2 leaves, their sunflowers have a 3rd set/stem just popping up, bet they will be really there tomorrow, the yellow squash have popped up and the leaves are still together with the seed casing still attached, they should be dropping by Friday I guess... Giant pumpkins have not sprouted at all.) the class also has what looks like a smaller sunflower (no label) in individual pots with each kid's name on it, some have really started to take off, but there were 3 with no signs of seeds sproting... I feel so bad for those kiddos, I sure hope their seeds sprout!)

[VeganCupcake]

I've been reading along, but I'd like to join in. I'm usually a garden drop out--I start out strong, but then fizzle out. Last year I was quite pregnant during the growing season (delivered in mid-September), but that's not really my excuse, since I was very physically active up till the very end. This year the garden will get some attention, I promise!

I have started hot peppers, sweet peppers, and onions inside and they've all sprouted and are doing well. I can't wait to clean out the raised bed outside and get some stuff going out there.

[mamafish9]

All I have to say is, don't take a five year old seed shoping .

I wanted to dig a couple of holes in the front yard that is not turning into a garden until next year, and plant some zucchini and pumpkin seeds. Ha ha ha ha ha - we have 3 kinds of winter squash, 3 kinds of pumpkin, zucchini, watermelon, and three kinds of flowers. Not to mention the ground cherries I already ordered. I think I have to dig more holes .

[lightheart]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

All I have to say is, don't take a five year old seed shoping .

I think I have to dig more holes .

noooooo. You need to hand a shovel to a 5 yr old! then you can go back and really dig the holes where they have scratched the surface (I sneak and do all my plant and seed shopping!)

[smeisnotapirate]

Hey, ladies. You may want to check out some of the resources on www.freedomgardens.com. I just signed up (my username is the same), and there's some really neat stuff on there. Fun groups, too.

[Smithie]

I froze some spinach! Just three little packages, but it's a start!

Our raspberries and blueberries are coming along, beans are up, peas are blossoming but look stunted to me - has anybody here ever grown Wandos? How tall should you expect them to get?

My tomato-seedling adventure didn't go well, so I'm going to sow some this week and see if they like life out in the garden better than life in my kitchen

[AllisonK]

Spinach! I know I planted some, wonder where it is? I had to rearrange my oh so pretty set to scale map while I was planting and forgot to mark where I put things.

Deb, Maddy and Michael love to go seed shopping. I try and let them pick only one or two but they always talk me into more.

Repost from last thread: My pumpkins have been out during the day about 6 days now. I forgot them last night do you think they are going to die? They are huge about 2-3 feet long all ready with huge wonderful leaves. They don't look bad at all so there are still out there... Oh and they are in pots as kids and I decided to try and see if the porch is hot enough for them as it gets tons of sun and is covered so really warm all day.

[CultivatingMyRoots]

I am fairly certain I have weeds masquerading as flowers. Does anyone know what marigold seedlings look like?

Also, some of my seeds 'migrated'(toddler helped with her 'soil aerating') and now I have plants too close together! Gah. So I have to do some repositioning. And finish planting my potatoes. Three weeks late.

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by AllisonK

Repost from last thread: My pumpkins have been out during the day about 6 days now. I forgot them last night do you think they are going to die? They are huge about 2-3 feet long all ready with huge wonderful leaves. They don't look bad at all so there are still out there... Oh and they are in pots as kids and I decided to try and see if the porch is hot enough for them as it gets tons of sun and is covered so really warm all day.

If they are still alive then they should be fine, but look out for frosts because that will kill them fast. I would cover your plants if you plant them outside and there is a frost.


Tom. is tomato planting day. Got lots more fish parts today.: I think my tomatoes are going to do really well this year. I am so excited! I can't wait to look what's growing down there tom. Came late to my parents tonight and had too much to do to go down and check before it got dark. I'm giddy.:

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by celestialdreamer

You are a determined gardening mama!

Yeah it is my dh that is worried more than me about the garden + pregnancy. I do tend to have irritable uterus issues and therefore I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy and take frequent rests. Also baby #3 is currently only just over a year and not even close to walking yet. I figure if I handled helping plant a garden last year 3 weeks after an emergency c/s, then it will be no big deal this year even with the mentioned issues. I do tend to be pretty useless besides cooking/cleaning for the last couple months though due to the irritable uterus lol

Well, with an irratable uterus, just know what you can and can't do and plan accordingly. Worse comes to worse, you don't harvest stuff and have more compost by next year. And yes, I was determined. I don't know what was with me, but I was frantic to get more food planted in my yard. Foreshadowing, me thinks.

Originally Posted by Smithie

I froze some spinach! Just three little packages, but it's a start!

Our raspberries and blueberries are coming along, beans are up, peas are blossoming but look stunted to me - has anybody here ever grown Wandos? How tall should you expect them to get?

My tomato-seedling adventure didn't go well, so I'm going to sow some this week and see if they like life out in the garden better than life in my kitchen

Oh man, I forgot about spinach... I need to get that in so I can freeze some (why buy from the freezer at the store?!) and dry some just for the heck of it to try.

Aren't Wando's only like 2 feet tall? Like Lincoln's? I grew one or both of those a few years ago, and was dismally disappointed by how "tall" they got. I was expecting the tall peas that my grandma grew in years past.

And, I have little Purple Russian seeds (home saved!) that are finally germinating a la winter-sowing. Re-start yours, totally.

Originally Posted by AllisonK

Repost from last thread: My pumpkins have been out during the day about 6 days now. I forgot them last night do you think they are going to die? They are huge about 2-3 feet long all ready with huge wonderful leaves. They don't look bad at all so there are still out there... Oh and they are in pots as kids and I decided to try and see if the porch is hot enough for them as it gets tons of sun and is covered so really warm all day.

When's your last frost date again? This weekend or two weeks ago? If nothing's black and shrively and slimey, I think you're good. Just keep an eye on them until all danger of frost is gone.

Originally Posted by CultivatingMyRoots

I am fairly certain I have weeds masquerading as flowers. Does anyone know what marigold seedlings look like?

Also, some of my seeds 'migrated'(toddler helped with her 'soil aerating') and now I have plants too close together! Gah. So I have to do some repositioning. And finish planting my potatoes. Three weeks late.

Yes, I know what marigold seedlings look like. The first/seedling leaves are rounded-edge long ovals, the first set of true leaves are kinda spikey. Usually have a kind of purplish vein in 'em, too. I'm too lazy to go downstairs and take a photo. I'm sure you could google it though. Potatoes can handle a little abuse. Just give them a little extra time to grow if need be. Some folks "store" their potatoes in the ground throughout winter, and here you typically don't pull your storage potatoes until after the first hard frost.



Back to me. I got my cheapy cold frame today, and I'm so excited. Because of Cathy, I did some winter-sowing of goodies in various milk/juice/licorice containers. My broccoli seedlings out there and the ones in the pantry are light years away from each other - the winter-sown ones are adorable and stocky and looking fabulous. Well, if I didn't over crowd them. And my milk jug lettuce looks way better then the lettuce I just threw in the ground and under a plastic cloche. So I had fun moving things around tonight. Just need to get some better fasteners. Managed to lose one or two of them, and they're cheap crappy ones anyway. I figure I can find something better at the hardware store, with or without hubby's help.

A friend's coming over tomorrow, so in between all our boys running around, I'm hoping she'll help me transplant my tomatoes into their individual pots. In the garage of course, it's supposed to rain tomorrow and the wind makes it pretty chilly at times. Heck, it's a cold 69*F in the house right now because I let the fire die out earlier this afternoon.

[proudmamanow]

ooh can I join?? Our last frost-free date isn`t until the end of May. But we have a cold frame & have started a number of plants (which I will go and water tonight…oops!) and we are in planning mode. We bought a new house last year with a bigger yard (yay!) that has lots of potential let’s just say. We are planning to set up a terraced veggie garden on the 5 feet of slope in the back—a landscaper friend is coming on Tuesday to design it for us. I am SO excited! We had a veggie garden at our old house for 4 years and I so missed it last summer. And dd age 4 is really excited too. (Dd age 1 will enjoy eating everything off it, lol). We have started tomatoes and pumpkins (and sunflowers, ‘cause why not). My mom who loves gardening is coming for a visit this weekend, so I’m planning to enlist her on the flower side, more her thing.

Oh and we have an apple tree and two blueberry bushes. We are planning to plant raspberries, black raspberries and strawberries as well. And maybe a pear tree? Our neighbours have one and it produces for them every fall. I’m so excited to have more land and I would really like to make it as productive as possible!

And we also just joined a CSA…I guess I’d better brush up on my preserving.

So far I`m watching all you mamas in warmer climes jealously & looking forward to joining in you in June!

ETA: I guess I can plant some hardier stuff now? is that true?

[Alyantavid]

I'm still waiting to till and plant mine. Dh's going to till this weekend and I'm going to pick up a couple plants and a few more seeds. I can't wait to get started!

My onions and garlic are doing wonderfully considering all the snow we had this month.

[mamayarn]

Subbing to the new thread!

I'm in zone 5. I overcrowded my peas (I just can't thin them! They are lovely!) so I moved them yesterday and need to give them something to cling to asap. They're about 2-4" tall so far. Lettuces are popping up nicely. I transplanted most of my tomato and pepper starts into individual newspaper pots, which I think I can just stick into the ground eventually (right?). Frost date is a few weeks away... and so is my due date. Tick tock.

I also started a few onions, watermelons, okra, and basil. Yes, I am insane.

[christinar]

Here in Maine -

My peas emerged earlier this week - yay!! Lettuce in the coldframe from last fall is getting its first real leaves. New plantings of lettuce and spinach in the coldframe are coming up, as are kale and arugula. Rhubarb is coming along nicely too. I *will* get out after the rain tomorrow/this weekend and plant a whole bunch more lettuce and greens.

Inside, my tomatoes and peppers and eggplant are doing well, as well as the flower seedlings. I'm going to finally get around to planting the last batch of seedlings - marigold and zinnia, cucumber and squash tomorrow, since it's supposed to be rainy and I can't work outside.

I've taught my daughter how to identify maple tree seedlings and she is weeding all the flower and veggie beds!

[ScarletBegonias]

:

popping over from the looong thread. did you ladies know you can change how many posts are displayed on a page? the 15 page thread is only 2 pages for me! just go into your user cp, edit options, and scroll down to thread display options, it the 3rd option down. hth!

so, i started almost all my seeds! still waiting on dh to plow our garden and greenhouse tipi area. i also prepared a dandelion bed for cultivating dandelions. mmmmm, dandelion greens!:

my cilantro is coming up and i planted some random heirloom tomatoes all over the property. our neighbor/landlord has fig, pear, apple, cherry and plum trees. and 6 different varieties of grape. we'll be doing some serious canning this year! i hope we don't poison anyone. none of us have ever canned before.

[mindymom]

thought i would join in, since i decided to go crazy-and-a-half this year!

i've got potatoes about 4" high in old recycling crates, but the ones i put in the ground aren't up yet - i think it's colder? garlic doesn't seem to mind, though. i would say it's about a foot high now. i started my peas real late this year, so they are just coming up. i ran short of planting time because i dug and prepared really nice holes for 2 clematis, 6 raspberries, and a blueberry bush. whew! i also have a pot of lettuce and some misc. flowers in the cold frame doing great, although my spinach sucked. again. strawberries are setting fruits, so i set up some bird netting today. also put my first batch of tomato starts into containers today, and noticed the spinach in my garden's coming up, along with the romaine lettuce, radishes, and green beans.

trouble is...since i went ahead and set up to grow from seeds this year, i have way too many plants still to go in the ground and very few places left to put them. and dh says i can't dig up any more grass!:

i love spring!!

[mamafish9]

Originally Posted by lightheart

noooooo. You need to hand a shovel to a 5 yr old! then you can go back and really dig the holes where they have scratched the surface (I sneak and do all my plant and seed shopping!)

My five year old is a mean hand with a shovel, actually, but we have heavy clay soil here, so she doesn't get very far when we're diggin' up virgin lawn. I hear you on the sneaking, however!

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

Hey, ladies. You may want to check out some of the resources on www.freedomgardens.com. I just signed up (my username is the same), and there's some really neat stuff on there. Fun groups, too.

Because I need more websites to hang out on... not!

Originally Posted by AllisonK

Deb, Maddy and Michael love to go seed shopping. I try and let them pick only one or two but they always talk me into more.

Do they also want to plant ALL the seeds in the ground? I am having a very hard time explaining to Shae that we don't need to plant 25 zucchini seeds and 50 pumpkin seeds. She says the ones we don't plant will be lonely . I don't even want to think about how many zucchini that would make!!!

Originally Posted by CultivatingMyRoots

Also, some of my seeds 'migrated'(toddler helped with her 'soil aerating') and now I have plants too close together!

Hey, they came up - I am suspicious that our carrots got "aerated" past any ability to grow...

Originally Posted by mindymom

trouble is...since i went ahead and set up to grow from seeds this year, i have way too many plants still to go in the ground and very few places left to put them. and dh says i can't dig up any more grass!:

Well, you could sell them on craigslist or something - I'd love to find a local mama with too many seedlings!