2013 AB Gardeners Thread - Page 2

sonny42 · #31 04-18-2013, 12:28 PM

I live in Leth. I have 5 different types of grapes, Blue Bell, KING of the North,Swenson Red, Sommerset, Kandihyia grapes, My grapes do not get any winter protection and have been growing for years, I get about 150 to 200 lbs of grapes per season depending on weather, plus 1 Italian prune plum,1 Mt Royal Plum, 2 Mac Apple trees fro BC, are now about 30 years old very good producers, And 4 sour cherry trees [University of Sask trees] Plus 1 sweet cherry tree ,Kristan Cherry this tree has survived 2 winters in Leth. hopfully i can get some cherrys off this tree this year. My yard is now full but i enjoy it.

Lornce · #32 04-18-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny42

I live in Leth. I have 5 different types of grapes, Blue Bell, KING of the North,Swenson Red, Sommerset, Kandihyia grapes, My grapes do not get any winter protection and have been growing for years, I get about 150 to 200 lbs of grapes per season depending on weather, plus 1 Italian prune plum,1 Mt Royal Plum, 2 Mac Apple trees fro BC, are now about 30 years old very good producers, And 4 sour cherry trees [University of Sask trees] Plus 1 sweet cherry tree ,Kristan Cherry this tree has survived 2 winters in Leth. hopfully i can get some cherrys off this tree this year. My yard is now full but i enjoy it.

Good for you, nice to experiment. Well now I've been thinking of planting grapes as an arbor is one of my spring projects. I have a Concord grape that I picked up in BC that I overwintered under leaves. I'll look into those other varieties. Miss not making wine like I did in BC, I had some great grape arbors there.

msguns · #33 04-19-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeGuy

How could I forget beets. They are our top crop.

Okra seeds came from the big store in bowness. It will be our first attempt with them here.

Tomatillos are awesome too.

For bees, sunflowers are one of the best. Clover is big too.

Bees like tomatoes, squashes, currents/ strawberries/ raspberries etc.

You sound like you know what you're doing... but a heads up on okra, do not grow them too big. Bigger is not better. They get woody and unedible if grown to large. I remember as a kid our retired city neighbor bringing some huge ones over to 'brag' and we had to tell him he wouldn't be able to eat them. Anyway, enjoy them! I think they are best breaded and deep fried, not as healthy... but darn good!

hillbillyreefer · #34 04-19-2013, 06:54 PM

Found a bunch of sprouted spuds in the cold room. So I went out and filled a couple wooden pallet type boxes with compost and put them in the shop to warm up. I'm going to try planting the spuds so only the tip of the sprout is above the dirt.

Hmmmmm baby 'taters in June!

Lornce · #35 04-21-2013, 12:40 PM

Tip: this is the best time to buy seeds, lots of selection before they get thinned out next month.

Fish along · #36 04-21-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny42

i live in leth. I have 5 different types of grapes, blue bell, king of the north,swenson red, sommerset, kandihyia grapes, my grapes do not get any winter protection and have been growing for years, i get about 150 to 200 lbs of grapes per season depending on weather, plus 1 italian prune plum,1 mt royal plum, 2 mac apple trees fro bc, are now about 30 years old very good producers, and 4 sour cherry trees [university of sask trees] plus 1 sweet cherry tree ,kristan cherry this tree has survived 2 winters in leth. Hopfully i can get some cherrys off this tree this year. My yard is now full but i enjoy it.

how long to get the grapes established .and which grow best? Thank you

Redfrog · #37 04-21-2013, 01:35 PM

Any tips on pruning Saskatoons. I can't stand the berries and have a couple acres of mature shrubs.
I'd like to get them manageable for the neighbours. the fools love them.

Lornce · #38 04-21-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Any tips on pruning Saskatoons. I can't stand the berries and have a couple acres of mature shrubs.
I'd like to get them manageable for the neighbours. the fools love them.

Prune em in the spring after cold weather has passed, but before buds start to break out like you would with fruit trees. Cut them to about 2 m in height. Cut out all diseased, damaged or low branches and thin the center to keep it open. Old plants can be started again if they are not producing by cutting them back to ground level and allowing new sprouts to grow.

sonny42 · #39 04-21-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish along

how long to get the grapes established .and which grow best? Thank you

Starting a grape from a cutting it takes 3 to 4 years for good production levels, depending where you live makes a big defference, Blue Bell and King of the North are both very hardy grapes, and very good eating grapes, I order all my grape cuttings from Bert Dunn at helbert@routcom.com He has a great website with all the different types of grapes and zones that they will do best in.

Redfrog · #40 04-21-2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lornce

Prune em in the spring after cold weather has passed, but before buds start to break out like you would with fruit trees. Cut them to about 2 m in height. Cut out all diseased, damaged or low branches and thin the center to keep it open. Old plants can be started again if they are not producing by cutting them back to ground level and allowing new sprouts to grow.

Thanks . can new plants be started from clippings?

Lornce · #41 04-22-2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Thanks . can new plants be started from clippings?

Never tried it on Saskatoons but I don't see why not, If it was me, I'd dip the cutting in rooting hormone (available at garden centers) to encourage growth, should work great.

Redfrog · #42 04-22-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lornce

Never tried it on Saskatoons but I don't see why not, If it was me, I'd dip the cutting in rooting hormone (available at garden centers) to encourage growth, should work great.

Thanks Lornce, I'll give it a try.

It is a weird project, because I hate saskatoons, but they were here when we moved in and I love gardening and landscaping so I feel obligated to let them be 'all they can be'

Any experience with honey berries or Goji?

fishtank · #43 04-22-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Any experience with honey berries or Goji?

there are the one with spike's ?? i have there in my yard they comeback every year you just prune em down as much as possible like raspberry, they comeback stronger every year. they are sweet with a hint of bitterness eaten raw, we use to dry it and drop em in soups .

CNP · #44 04-22-2013, 03:56 PM

Struggled with tomatoes (Edmonton) for years. Never ripened in the garden, picked green, wrapped in newspaper in the basement until they ripened. For the past 5 years or so the real green thumb started planting tomatoe plants in pots (big ones) and lined them up against the south facing stucco wall. The wall stays warm well after sundown.........always have plenty of ripe tomatoes now.

hillbillyreefer · #45 04-22-2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Any tips on pruning Saskatoons. I can't stand the berries and have a couple acres of mature shrubs.
I'd like to get them manageable for the neighbours. the fools love them.

Dry the cuttings and use them in the smoker.

Redfrog · #46 04-22-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

Dry the cuttings and use them in the smoker.

TOld "Yes Dear" today I was going to do that. I have lots of choke cherries and crab apples as well

BeeGuy · #47 04-23-2013, 07:19 PM

So, what do you guys have seeded in the garden already?

Anything?

We are going to put radishes, and beets and some stuff in shortly.

Got piles of stuff started indoors, as mentioned before.

New for this year is potatoes.

We are growing them in various boxes and containers.

First time trying this.

Any tips from experienced potato producers?

We have a good loamy soil amended with round, well draining sand.

The boxes will have the sides raised and new soil added as the vines grow.

Have a few different varieties; early and mid-late maturing.

Going to put the seed taters in, in a couple days.

Anyone have a source for cheap/free quality soil in Calgary?

We are going to pick up some more mushroom compost (sms) but could use some more real soil as well. Those potato boxes took some serious volume from the old garden.

odsixer · #48 04-23-2013, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehntr

Struggled with tomatoes (Edmonton) for years. Never ripened in the garden, picked green, wrapped in newspaper in the basement until they ripened. For the past 5 years or so the real green thumb started planting tomatoe plants in pots (big ones) and lined them up against the south facing stucco wall. The wall stays warm well after sundown.........always have plenty of ripe tomatoes now.

Good tip, I have some tomatoes and hot peppers started, going to give them a go this year (Calgary).

Lornce · #49 04-24-2013, 07:45 AM

I usually turn the garden over and rototill about now. I normally don't put anything in till after the May long weekend (too may weather surprises) although radishes should be OK. Potatoes are great for breaking up and sweetening the soil used them the first year on the plots. Have tomatoes, herbs, beans and peppers on the go indoors. I will start pruning the apple trees this weekend thatch and aerate the lawn.