Gardening

[Farmer Jake]

It was grass clipping compost. I was particular about avoiding weed killer treated grass.. Pretty dense from last year. Perhaps I put it on too heavy?

More than likely it was too much. How tall was the corn when you applied the compost? Compost worked into the soil before planting is OK, but then don't add any more till the corn plant is 2, 3, or 4 inches tall. The taller the plant, the easier it is to put the compost down without covering the crop plant. But you don't get the benefits as soon either.

We used to use wheat straw around the vining plants (melons, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, etc.). I admit, the pumpkins were pretty good about covering the ground and attacking weeds all on their own.

 

[Uncle Buck]

More than likely it was too much. How tall was the corn when you applied the compost? Compost worked into the soil before planting is OK, but then don't add any more till the corn plant is 2, 3, or 4 inches tall. The taller the plant, the easier it is to put the compost down without covering the crop plant. But you don't get the benefits as soon either.

We used to use wheat straw around the vining plants (melons, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, etc.). I admit, the pumpkins were pretty good about covering the ground and attacking weeds all on their own.

Corn was 2 foot tall when I top dressed with about am inch of compost

 

[Farmer Jake]

Corn was 2 foot tall when I top dressed with about am inch of compost

At 2 foot tall, I can't imagine that the 1 inch of compost would have any negative effect on the corn. The only things I can think of that would stunt corn is extreme heat or cold, or too dry.

 

[Beerchamp]

What do you plant? When do you plant?

Anything you would plant in early Spring. Carrots, radish etc....

 

[Speedlimit]

Do us farmers count as gardeners or is this strictly non commercial stuff?

I assume a few Big Red fans are farmers?

 

[Woodhead]

It was grass clipping compost. I was particular about avoiding weed killer treated grass.. Pretty dense from last year. Perhaps I put it on too heavy?

Did you turn the mulch into the soil, or simply lay it on top? Gotta think that as grass breaks down as quickly as anything that it was not the issue. Corn is an extremely heavy nitrogen feeder and would welcome any such amendment. Any chance you used a different hybrid seed?
But more likely, it was just this year. A call to the extension office might lead to answers. It amazes me how one varietal will suffer or boom in a particular season with reports from all corners of the same outcome, and no one can really say why.
This year, geraniums are acting less cooperatively.

 

[Squatchsker]

We canned 4 pints of relish last night. Only 2 cucumber plants, but there are only two of us. After we reach out limit on pickles and relish, we will be loading up the breakroom tables at my wife's workplace with any extra. Extra being when I reach my limit of cucumber salads, cucumbers and onions in vinegar, etc.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Did you turn the mulch into the soil, or simply lay it on top? Gotta think that as grass breaks down as quickly as anything that it was not the issue. Corn is an extremely heavy nitrogen feeder and would welcome any such amendment. Any chance you used a different hybrid seed?
But more likely, it was just this year. A call to the extension office might lead to answers. It amazes me how one varietal will suffer or boom in a particular season with reports from all corners of the same outcome, and no one can really say why.
This year, geraniums are acting less cooperatively.

I top dressed with the compost. The corn that was not top dressed has grown taller than the compost treated. I'm to the point I think I must have got some weed killer treated grass added to the compost

 

[Uncle Buck]

The pods on my sugar snap peas are stringy this year. I imagine it's temperature related....

 

[Squatchsker]

We canned 4 pints of relish last night. Only 2 cucumber plants, but there are only two of us. After we reach out limit on pickles and relish, we will be loading up the breakroom tables at my wife's workplace with any extra. Extra being when I reach my limit of cucumber salads, cucumbers and onions in vinegar, etc.

Squash bugs have claimed the spaghetti squash. This is not turning out to be a banner year for the garden.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Anyone having any success with bell peppers? Ours have yet to set on, plants seem stunted
Acorn and yellow squash set on pretty good, now plants seem to be withering. Got my fill of yellow squash. Hoping acorn squash survives long enough to mature fruit.

Red potatoes have matured, and produced well. 80 plants, so giving away a lot. Wife will be canning potatoes as well.

onions doing well. 200 sets, so giving away a lot

pumpkins and melons Vining like crazy, and setting on well.

Sweet corn looks ready

Is it too soon to consider planting fall crops of spinach, cabbage, lettuce?

 

[Boji Husker]

Anyone having any success with bell peppers? Ours have yet to set on, plants seem stunted
Acorn and yellow squash set on pretty good, now plants seem to be withering. Got my fill of yellow squash. Hoping acorn squash survives long enough to mature fruit.

Red potatoes have matured, and produced well. 80 plants, so giving away a lot. Wife will be canning potatoes as well.

onions doing well. 200 sets, so giving away a lot

pumpkins and melons Vining like crazy, and setting on well.

Sweet corn looks ready

Is it too soon to consider planting fall crops of spinach, cabbage, lettuce?

Peppers are finally taking off. Planted late and probably didn't water as much as I should have earlier. Bermed them to hold water better and now doing great, all looking good. As usual, planted waaay too many tomatoes, 24 in all heirlooms, hybrids, grapes ( sungold is my fav), and every color I could find. All doing great. Squash got eaten by something, but cucumber plant is producing well. Asparagus did well, wife loves it fresh or pickled, have the purple variety as well as the green. Garden is about 25x30 right now. Have a bunch of apple trees that are doing well, including 3 that have 4-5 different varieties grafted on. Plum tree sucking and trying a pear that has 4 types grafted on.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Peppers are finally taking off. P,after late and probably didn't water as much. Bermed them to hold water better and now doing great, all looking good. As usual, planted waaay too many tomatoes, 24 in all heirlooms, hybrids, grapes ( sungold is my fav), and every color I could find. All doing great. Squash got eaten by something, but cucumber plant is producing well. Asparagus did well, wife loves it fresh or pickled, have the purple variety as well as the green.

Sungold is like eating sunshine.

 

[Squatchsker]

Peppers are finally taking off. Planted late and probably didn't water as much as I should have earlier. Bermed them to hold water better and now doing great, all looking good. As usual, planted waaay too many tomatoes, 24 in all heirlooms, hybrids, grapes ( sungold is my fav), and every color I could find. All doing great. Squash got eaten by something, but cucumber plant is producing well. Asparagus did well, wife loves it fresh or pickled, have the purple variety as well as the green. Garden is about 25x30 right now. Have a bunch of apple trees that are doing well, including 3 that have 4-5 different varieties grafted on. Plum tree sucking and trying a pear that has 4 types grafted on.

Our peppers have set on, looks like poblanos, jalapenos, bell, and cowhorns are going to be the winners so far. Our tomatoes are fruited, but are just not ripening even with the prune back and pretty consistent watering. So we will see how that goes.

 

[Squatchsker]

We are finally getting some consistent red tomatoes. Making some ketchup and BBQ sauce tonight. Also going to cold smoke cubed eggplant and marinate in olive oil with some cherry peppers. Good stuff.