Anyone getting started on their gardens?

[Jim White]

I don't plant veggies since we buy a share from a CSA farmer. So far, the framer has still been providing, although we're speculating we may have to go to his farm for pickups in the future as the university campus is likely to completely close down this week.

Our various fruit trees are starting to get going. The new nectarine tree has tons of blooms. And it looks like we may have mulberries for the first time this year. The persimmons are really taking off. The fig tree is a bit behind but will catch up soon. We have two different stands of blueberries. The older stand, previously given up on, is going nuts this year. The newer one is doing its best and may also produce something.

Now we just have to get the dogs to increase their squirrel patrol duties to protect all of this...

[Spinaker]

Well it snowed here last night so we are still behind the 8 ball. But I think in a few more weeks I will get it started.

[Arsenlael]

I started a compost heap. Does that count?

[DreamOn]

Apparently this is a cold hardy variety?

[Jim White]

Just imagine...



... if all those "shrimp" on my shrimp plants were real! That would be so convenient to just pick them on the way to the barn.

[theroc]

I've never started tomatoes, peppers etc. from seed before, but because we have no source for seedlings this year decided to give it try. So far, it's working very well. Started 6 packs of sungold, san marzano, crimson carmelo, cherokee purple and brandwine tomatoes, tomatillos, numex, italian sweet and shishito peppers, and sweet basil. First round of seedlings are transplanted into intermediate pots.

Now I'm faced with the challenge of figuring out where I'm going to plant all of these! My current patch isn't big enough for everything, so it's time to build those raised beds....

[Donw]

Extra plants given to friends will make them even better friends, and hopefully they will return the favor with some of the harvest.

[mrteddyprincess]

It's Mothers' Day and I'm not liking cold weather right now. Usually, tomatoes and peppers are planted by Mothers' Day in Central Indiana. Yesterday the low was 28 F. It's 55 F and sunny but that's below average right now. I hope I can plant in the next week or so.

[RonB]

It's still too cold to set out tomatoes here. Temps below ~ 50° "deactivate" the pollen, and we had a frost warning over the weekend. I usually would have set them out by now, but this spring has been cooler than usual. I am ready to plant them, but cooler nights are still in the forecast.

[Sam6687]

I started the prep work, but then the winter that I waited have been waiting for since Fall decided to show up in mid May so I am in a holding pattern on planting anything for at least a few more days. Unbelievable weather here, record lows 3 days in a row, even had snow.

[ColonialDawg]

I planted my tomatoes end of April and my peppers, squash, and cucumbers went into the ground about 1 week ago. I’m in zone 7 and we just had a frost on Saturday...in May. Thankfully my tomatoes survived. But I lost my Scotch Bonnet, my cucumbers, and squash. Laste year in May the temps spiked to the 90’s and never let up - peppers and tomatoes struggled from the get go, dropping flowers left and right. Spring is just nuts.

[RustyHaines]

Rain and snow mix here for Mother's Day so still a bit early. Lot's of folks here were on a COVID induced cabin fever get everything in early path and frost has hit them. Tonight's low of 38 looks like the final worry though.

[Sweaty Paul]

Tomato’s, peppers and some herbs. Trying tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Holes in bottom of buckets for run off with buckets elevated on bricks to make sure they can drain.

[RonB]

Looks like you have this aced.

Please watch the tomatoes carefully when they get bigger. When I grew tomatoes in a 5 gal bucket, I found that they needed watering every day and twice daily when it was really hot. You might want to get some drip hose and a timer for the tomatoes.

[Sweaty Paul]

RonB thanks for the tip!

[KaoSwung]

If you have a significant squirrel problem on your property, landscape jobs platforms like Aroundwire can connect you with local wildlife control specialists. These professionals can safely and humanely trap and remove the squirrels. Be sure to check your local laws and regulations regarding trapping before taking any action.

In addition, there are a number of commercial repellents available that can be sprayed on the trees or fruit. Be sure to choose a repellent that is safe for use on edible crops.

Exclusion methods physically prevent squirrels from reaching the fruit. You can try wrapping the trunk of the tree with metal flashing, or building a cage around the tree.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I have 2 dogs who like to "play" with squirrels....they stay away

[Donw]

Huskee. Didn’t take long to edit and post a link.