Ducks4you 2021 Ragtag Thread

[ducks4you]

For those who think I am NOT growing plants this year, here you go.
First, I started 2yo and Older beefsteak and Roma tomato seeds in the leaky 10 gallon fish tank on the porch. The seeds are only heated from the sun and the glass top keeps in humidity, though I still water them.
Second, I accidentally dropped some white pumpkin seeds in THIS pot and they are sprouting.
Third, I thought that this 2020 Calla Lilly was dead.
The pumpkins and Calla Lillies are on the south ledge in the unheated, but windowed in front (east facing) porch. They get wind protection and it is warmer than the outside. It isn't too cold now for the Calla Lillies, but they won't survive our winter outside. NOW, I need to learn how to divide them!

 

[ducks4you]

Sorry, out of order. I started the tomato seeds in late February. They took F O R E V E R to start sprouting, but look happy, now.
I am using a method of letting them crowd each other, then you separate and transplant. First saw this with a guy from Georgia, who grows thousands of tomatoes on his driveway every year.
I will soak the container in water for about an hour to separate the seedlings, but they aren't quite big enough.
THESE will be my first "soldiers", to be planted early with a hopeful early harvest.
The more expensive tomatoes that I order from High Mowing will be started this week inside the house on heat mats with gro lights. I will probably not use all in each package, although one variety only has 10 seeds in it...probably try planting 5 of them.
I HOPE to become a GOOD tomato seed saver in 2021!

 

[ducks4you]

I will baby these 2 pumpkins, probably will put them out end of April,
I saved seeds from:
White Pumpkins
General Orange Pumpkins
Blue Doll (saved from 2019, and not planted)
Pink Porceilin Doll
Mini Boo (white)
I bought Pam Pie pumpkin seeds
Gots LOTS of space to grow them along my fencelines and I really don't care if the horses harvest a few of them.

 

[ducks4you]

Took the glass lid off of the tomato terrarium this afternoon. Cooking away like a sauna inside!
Here are some articles to help keep your fruit blossoms from freezing:

How to Protect Fruit Trees from Late Frost | Davey Tree

Learn how you can protect your citrus trees, peach trees and apple trees from late frost and the factors affecting freeze damage. You should plan to cover your fruit tree whenever the temperatures is expected to drop below 28 degrees F.

blog.davey.com

"You'd never dream that Christmas lights would give off enough heat to keep your plants from freezing, but they will. You can string them up and down your plants. This option works great for trees as well. Not only will you look festive on cold nights, but you'll also awake to plants that have been kept warm all night."

9 Ways to Protect Your Plants from an Unexpected Frost

Need an easy frost protection for plants? Here are 9 easy ways to protect your plants, more than just using plastic cover.

morningchores.com

 

[ducks4you]

I bought DD's one like this one--

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Treasures-29-5-in-W-Black-High-Temperature-Painted-Steel-Wood-Burning-Fire-Pit/3819935

They haven't unpacked it yet, so I asked to borrow it to use under my peach tree, which decided to really flower for me this year!!! It's a beautiful landscape tree, but little real fruiting so far, and it's going on 9yo.
I plan to start a fire in the pit with a mesh cover on the NNE side under my peach tree around 9PM Tuesday night, set my alarm for 1AM and 4AM and go out (with the dogs) and add fuel from my firepit stash to it.
Low of 29 degrees F Wednesday morning, 31 degrees Thursday morning, so wash, rinse, repeat. I have pine trees 12 ft from my peach tree and they are very flammable, hence a fire that needs to have the ashes under control.
I am looking right now for my old C9 Christmas outdoor lights to string on the pear tree, which is LOADED with blossoms. I HOPE to save them, and then have to build supports for the limbs this summer.
I will take pictures. You will see WHY I want to save them.

 

[ducks4you]

Freeze last night, from 1AM to 8AM. Did my best to cover. My pear tree was a miserable attempt. I decided to burn under my peach tree. I borrowed DD's brand new metal firepit. This is how the evening went:
Slept in my chair (so as not to disturb DH, who had to get up at 6AM);
Got up with midnight alarm, finally dressed and out at 12:30AM;
Took ONE HOUR to assemble firepit;
Started a paper sack with used paper towels, and cut cardboard from the firepit box, and burned sapling pieces;
Kept adding cardboard, then put first log on;
Cradled the 2nd log in 6 inches of cardboard;
Put cover on, satisfied that the fire would last awhile;
Came inside, took 3PM alarm OFF of my phone and went to bed.
When I looked this morning at 9 it was still smoldering!

 

[ducks4you]

Prayed over my 2 cherry trees, covered the apple blossoms on the old red apple tree, everything Looks non wilted. Worse looking is my bed of 2020 turnips (cover crop) that went to flower 2 weeks ago, but I am sure that they will recover. Tulips love the snow!n Tonight, after my city meeting, I will stoke up the fire and go to bed. Only 3 hrs of freezing are expected, then in the 70's by the weekend.

 

[heirloomgal]

THESE will be my first "soldiers", to be planted early with a hopeful early harvest.

I love this strategy @ducks4you , I've thought to try a few 'first soldiers' several times, but when it comes time to plant I always forget to plant those few extras!

 

[Zeedman]

If your fruit trees frequently need protection, perhaps some steel drums might work. Punch a couple holes in the bottom (one large enough to light the fire) and load from the bottom up... paper, kindling, and larger logs. The steel top would be used as a damper. Light the fire from the bottom, wait for it to be well lit, then put the top on. Kind of the same concept as a covered grill or smoker - a slow burn. Fully loaded, it should burn (and smoke) all night.

 

[ducks4you]

If your fruit trees frequently need protection, perhaps some steel drums might work. Punch a couple holes in the bottom (one large enough to light the fire) and load from the bottom up... paper, kindling, and larger logs. The steel top would be used as a damper. Light the fire from the bottom, wait for it to be well lit, then put the top on. Kind of the same concept as a covered grill or smoker - a slow burn. Fully loaded, it should burn (and smoke) all night.

That IS A GREAT IDEA!! Thanks!!
Can't find ones with lids here. I SWEAR the one that was in the barn I think is the ONLY steel drum in the county WITH a steel lid, and I took the time to spray paint the light rust when I moved here. It lives inside of my barn's grain room.
I will look for suitable substitutes.
I THINK that I will have a fruit crop this year, after all.
VERY disappointed in my grape purchases. I will now buy locally, and return to the seed dealer for replacement/refund, haven't decided which yet.