What's Happening?!

[digitS']

I think we should feel comfortable with asking questions on that "what are you doing" thread but, I got excited!!

With questions for each of the first few, I decided I'd just mess up the tread with a whole ton of early questions for each! So, here I am with those "?'s!"

@so lucky would permanent cover crops help with erosion? I tell the property owner at the big veggie garden that his huge rock pile is on the wrong side (downwind) of the garden. I'm not about to haul rocks to build a wall. I did notice that he put in his new planting of grapevines on the windward side of his garden!

@Beekissed , this isn't so much of a question but a, "that makes sense." I used to put my compost piles in the garden beds. The next season, I would start another pile in another garden bed. The second season of the first pile, it would just be left alone but the third season, I would plant squash or pumpkins on all that 18 month old compost! By the next year, it would be almost level and just another garden bed. With potatoes' appreciation for fertile soil, I think potatoes instead of squash (I used sunflowers once) would be a good choice for my compost-back-to-bed scheme.

@seedcorn , I know that you use it in your kitchen in combination with beets but do you ever make horseradish sauce?

@aftermidnight , does moving iris in the spring instead of July stop them from blooming? I'd rather do it this time of year. Isn't your ground a little wet for tilling? (Naturally, I have been snooping on your weather, neighbor!)

@thistlebloom , I really like blueberries! I guess we have about the right climate. What are you doing to have the right soil pH? One thing about me planting -- if I'm supposed to wait for the Oregon Grape to bloom (and that works well), I didn't do it. Jumped the gun!

Steve

 

[seedcorn]

Explain to me, horseradish sauce, please

 

[thistlebloom]

Blueberries can do very well here! I did amend the soil at planting with peat moss and an organic based acidifying fertilizer.I think (hope!) they will prosper and be very productive.

One thing I learned in The MG course I took was from a guy who owns a you-pick blueberry farm up north. Riley Creek...Moyie Springs area maybe? I forget exactly.
Anyway he said something that came as a surprising revelation to me, and goes counter to everything I had thought about bb's and soil acidity. he said, that yes, bb's do prefer a higher acidity than our native soils provide, but he thinks that it's much more important to recognize and address the fact that they are very shallow rooted and need a soil that can be moisture retentive but not soggy or boggy.
He doesn't amend for acidity! He plants on shallow mounds and mulches well, he doesn't disturb the soil under the bushes, but keeps weed competition mowed down in the aisles. His bb's are very productive. Productive enough that his small acreage supports his family. I was impressed.

I blamed my previous failure with blueberries on lack of soil acidity, when now looking back I believe it was poor watering practice, and also the fact that I relocated them three times didn't help at all. They don't rebound well from transplanting.

So I'll keep you posted on how this project unfolds.

 

[seedcorn]

@thistlebloom Thanks for info

 

[so lucky]

Steve, you must be chomping at the bit! I'm glad to hear you have enough energy and curiosity to spare. Spring fever I guess!
By permanent cover crop do you mean something like clover in the paths?

 

[thistlebloom]

@thistlebloom Thanks for info

Sure! We'll see if I can duplicate his productivity. I will be very pleased if I am successful with them.
One change I'm making is using a soaker hose in the rows, rather than using a sprinkler for watering. I had been treating my others like an ordinary shrub and deep watering once a week, but because their roots are like fine netting and shallow I was constantly stressing them. They have no need for deep watering except for the occasional one to flush the accumulated salts out of the surface.

 

[digitS']

Explain to me, horseradish sauce, please

With roast beef, Dad made very good horseradish sauce just by chopping the roots and running them in the blender with mayo. (Wish I could try some this afternoon. Might take care of this sinus headache .)

Riley Creek...Moyie Springs area maybe?

I met that guy about 10 years ago. Was he the supplier of your plants? Riley Creek - Laclede.

By permanent cover crop do you mean something like clover in the paths?

Yes. I have not quite understood how it works with lawn grass. Dutch White clover might be better behaved.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

I met that guy about 10 years ago. Was he the supplier of your plants? Riley Creek - Laclede.

Oh right, Laclede! Duh.
When I worked at a nursery we got our stock from him, but I got my plants from the hay broker a few miles down the road, of all places.
I saw the ad on CL, great price, so I went with my impulse and bought 12! These came from Oregon.

 

[aftermidnight]

@digitS' our lot is all on a slight slope, a plus when the ground is still too wet in some gardens we can till. The Iris to be moved, will not be divided but moved in clumps and planted shallowly with rhizomes not completely covered. I expect some won't flower but most will. I need the bed they are in at present for my Yacon as it can be covered to extend the growing season in the fall if needed. Last year I grew them in tubs and I'm hoping to get rid of the most of the container garden this year.
My DH won't eat roast beef unless the horseradish is on the table, if we're out he'll make a special trip to the supermarket, not me I like to taste my roast beef, (I am such a contradiction at times) the one exception is I like a bit with prime rib, how do you explain that?

Annette

 

[digitS']

I like a bit with prime rib, how do you explain that?

Roast beef must tend towards less fat. Maybe the horseradish overcomes the fat in the ribsteak, some? My best shot at an explanation .

These came from Oregon.

Little secret, 10 years ago, Riley Creek sold Oregon blueberries. Maybe yet?

Steve