Branchin' Out - growing something NEW!

[thistlebloom]

Steve, can you order from Canada?
Maybe it's Heritage Harvest that made me think you couldn't...they won't ship to the U.S. anymore.

 

[digitS']

Well, I hope so, Thistle'!

Just a couple years ago I learned that I could order from AgroHaitai.

Here is what they say, "Some packages (over 500g) marked " Canada Only" are only shipped to Canadian customers. US and international customers need to contact us for shipping cost and phytosanitary charges." Still, their order form recognizes that I'm from the US and gives the price of one of their amaranths in US D.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

Speaking of amaranth, I read in some catalog the other day, don't know which, and it said if you liked popcorn you'd love this particular variety of amaranth, as you can "pop" the seeds.
Anybody ever do that? I love popcorn on a winter night, I might like to try that...

 

[meatburner]

Two new things for me this year are Minnesota Midget Mellons and sweet potatoes. I may try the mellons in a straw bale with some type of trellis or pole. Any suggestions are sure welcome.

 

[so lucky]

Love your avatar, meatburner! That puppy looks like it just left a puddle.

 

[digitS']

I know that I'm awfully chatty but you asked real nice, Meatburner. People should certainly feel comfortable disagreeing with me on this, tho.

I am not a fan of Minnesota Midget, sorry Minnesota. And, I don't think that there in southwest Missouri, you should have to grow such an early maturing melon.

In this melon-challeged place, I'm a fan of New Hampshire! (Now, Minnesota really hates me!) But no, the U of New Hampshire has some nice melons that are early and can take some cold.

Minnesota Midget was tiny - softball size. Goddess is a reasonable sized melon, and tasty! I've grown it a couple of years. Passport has been in my garden for nearly 10 years -- it is a galia melon and not a cantaloupe, tho. There are quite a few U of NH varieties!

There in Missouri, seems like you could have a whole raft of wonderful melons - early, late, big, & small!

Steve

 

[ducks4you]

Lavender2, the spinach is well worth it. If you get a winter thaw try digging and planting really early, like in February, and then cover with mulch. We had a couple of mild winters and my spinach overwintered and survived AND some seeds sprouted, so for 2011 and 2012 we ate spinach for over 3 months before they bolted. Did you know that spinach has almost as much protein as meat?
canesisters, I've learned from the Master Gardeners on Mid-American Gardener (local PBS) that spring planted brussel sprouts harvest bitter, so you should plant in July for a fall/winter harvest, which will be VERY sweet. Brussel sprouts are a 2 year crop so you can leave them in the ground and collect seeds the next Spring, to put again in the ground the next July.
I will be planting brussel sprouts next summer and reading everything about taking good care of them bc I really like them.
I will also be looking for the uber cheap seeds I bought last year. Last February I picked up seed packets for 5 cents/each at Menard's. Most of the seeds were viable, so I'll probably clean them out of my favorites, like Detroit Beets.

 

[canesisters]

canesisters, I've learned from the Master Gardeners on Mid-American Gardener (local PBS) that spring planted brussel sprouts harvest bitter, so you should plant in July for a fall/winter harvest, which will be VERY sweet. Brussel sprouts are a 2 year crop so you can leave them in the ground and collect seeds the next Spring, to put again in the ground the next July.

2 Years till burssel sprouts?????

 

[ducks4you]

No, you plant this July and harvest THIS FALL. It's just that the plants will survive the winter and produce a 2nd year. You can even harvest them after it's snowed on them.

 

[Smart Red]

Two new things for me this year are Minnesota Midget Mellons and sweet potatoes. I may try the mellons in a straw bale with some type of trellis or pole. Any suggestions are sure welcome.

If you feel you need an early melon, Pride of Wisconsin melon grows well for me. The shape of a football at "4-8 pounds", I found they were just the right size for the two of us. They were sweet and juicy. I grow them on a trellis so they don't need a lot of room to spread.