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re: 2024 Spring Garden Thread
Posted on 3/9/24 at 9:35 pm to Mr Sausage
Posted on 3/9/24 at 9:35 pm to Mr Sausage
quote:
had 5-6 strawberry plants last year. We picked dozens of berries off them. The plants died in the heat of this past summer but we absolutely got our money’s worth out of them.
That’s encouraging. How large was your bed? Are you putting new plants in this year?
2
Posted on 3/10/24 at 7:20 am to meeple
I've had strawberries in pots for a couple of years. Most of the time, I had most of the plants survive the summer. Last year was an exception with the drought and heat. I had only 1 of 7 make it. Now it has been transferred to the ground along with some new plants. Ideally they will mostly take over that bed.
It seems like every year after the spring they will send out a ton of runners. Actually, the 7 plants I referenced above started off as a single one I bought 2-3 years ago.
Speaking of which, I was out and about in my yard yesterday and noticed my first 2 strawberries of the season were ready to pick. The kids enjoyed eating right off the bush.
The blueberries and blackberries look ready to pop. Tons of blooms just opening or about to. The apple and satsuma trees are loaded as well.
I was going to plant my seedlings but it was too damn windy. When I went out, I had actually lost a tomato plant. It was snapped even with the dirt and looked a little brown though so I suspecting some dampening was going on.
The more exciting news was my surprise when finding my hives loaded with freshly hatched and capped drones along with multiple queen cups in one of them. I decided to swap some frames around to get the last few outside frames drawn out and also went ahead and added my first supers. There was quite a bit of fresh nectar and pollen so hopefully that will keep any urges to swarm down for a little bit.
It seems like every year after the spring they will send out a ton of runners. Actually, the 7 plants I referenced above started off as a single one I bought 2-3 years ago.
Speaking of which, I was out and about in my yard yesterday and noticed my first 2 strawberries of the season were ready to pick. The kids enjoyed eating right off the bush.
The blueberries and blackberries look ready to pop. Tons of blooms just opening or about to. The apple and satsuma trees are loaded as well.
I was going to plant my seedlings but it was too damn windy. When I went out, I had actually lost a tomato plant. It was snapped even with the dirt and looked a little brown though so I suspecting some dampening was going on.
The more exciting news was my surprise when finding my hives loaded with freshly hatched and capped drones along with multiple queen cups in one of them. I decided to swap some frames around to get the last few outside frames drawn out and also went ahead and added my first supers. There was quite a bit of fresh nectar and pollen so hopefully that will keep any urges to swarm down for a little bit.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 7:55 am to meeple
Put them in the middle of the row in our garden.
This was from those handful of plants last year once they got really going.
I ordered 20 bare roots this year for a whole half row. Just started picking berries this past week.
This was from those handful of plants last year once they got really going.
I ordered 20 bare roots this year for a whole half row. Just started picking berries this past week.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 9:15 am to ApisMellifera
I added supers to my hives a couple weeks ago, but I generally try to as early as possible, once the maples are blooming. That's the first pollen that comes in. I also open the sides of the broodnest by replacing the two frames on both sides of the capped brood with empty comb. Empty space is even better.
My bees are all over the wild blackberry and dewberry blossoms that are in the field. I'm hoping to harvest a few frames of early spring honey before the tallows start, but that's only happened once. I think most years they just eat all that as the hives grow through the spring.
My bees are all over the wild blackberry and dewberry blossoms that are in the field. I'm hoping to harvest a few frames of early spring honey before the tallows start, but that's only happened once. I think most years they just eat all that as the hives grow through the spring.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 9:27 am to meeple
quote:
Since I’m really growing them for next year and to establish runners, would it be ok to put them in some containers? Or should I go ahead and build another box?
I’m with Sausage on this one. It’ll be best to plant them in a permanent home. Once they start sending out runners they’ll take over a box. I try to manage the runners so that my box doesn’t get too overcrowded. And you should get a decent amount of berries this spring.
quote:
If I have to go this route, is a 4x4 sufficient for strawberries? I have an old plastic sandbox that I can also convert.… it may actually fit in fairly well aesthetically
4x4 box would be just right for a handful of plants. Keep in mind that most of the strawberry plants roots go about 6” deep, so if you go the sandbox route make sure it’s at least that deep. And pop some holes in the bottom for drainage.
quote:
How many runners and additional plants should I expect from the two I bought? Should I get a few more?
A lot.
You could get a few more if you’d like and manage the runners. It’ll give you a bigger harvest in the short term.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 5:51 pm to PillageUrVillage
Thanks all for the advice. I’m going to start with upcycling the sandbox (7” deep). May even get a few extra plants
If all works out, may build another one right next to it next year. Wife was hesitant to build a 4th bed because it takes up room in the yard, but maybe strawberries would convince her.
For the soil, probably going to go with Mel’s Mix. Would it hurt to top off my 3 raised beds with some Mel’s as well? I’ve already added sulphur and triple 13.
ETA:… long range forecast has low 40s NEXT week
If all works out, may build another one right next to it next year. Wife was hesitant to build a 4th bed because it takes up room in the yard, but maybe strawberries would convince her.
For the soil, probably going to go with Mel’s Mix. Would it hurt to top off my 3 raised beds with some Mel’s as well? I’ve already added sulphur and triple 13.
ETA:… long range forecast has low 40s NEXT week
This post was edited on 3/10/24 at 5:55 pm
Posted on 3/10/24 at 6:33 pm to meeple
When does everyone here stop using the grow lights for 16 hrs a day?
Posted on 3/10/24 at 7:11 pm to meeple
Mine were under lights yesterday evening. But for a week and a half before that they were outside getting acclimated. They are back outside today. I am planting late this week.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 7:18 pm to meeple
It depends on why you were using them in the first place. Usually they're used to start seeds indoors or in a garage or greenhouse when it's too cold outside. Now that it's warm (most days), I've moved my seedlings outside. Natural sunlight is always better than grow lights.
Caveats:
1) Have to harden them off first.
2) I brought mine inside last night with low temps in the mid 40s.
I'll add that temps in the mid 40s for a few hours aren't going to damage your seedlings. I just brought mine in because the garage is 2'away.
Also once you plant them, temps in the 40s aren't going to cause damage. There are more variables than just overnight low temp. Maybe most important is soil temperature, which I know around here is plenty warm, and I would assume the same if you're in south Louisiana.
Caveats:
1) Have to harden them off first.
2) I brought mine inside last night with low temps in the mid 40s.
I'll add that temps in the mid 40s for a few hours aren't going to damage your seedlings. I just brought mine in because the garage is 2'away.
Also once you plant them, temps in the 40s aren't going to cause damage. There are more variables than just overnight low temp. Maybe most important is soil temperature, which I know around here is plenty warm, and I would assume the same if you're in south Louisiana.
This post was edited on 3/10/24 at 7:43 pm
Posted on 3/10/24 at 7:37 pm to meeple
All have mine have been outside for a while except for peppers. They lag way behind and I figure the warmer, more constant temps inside help them along a bit more.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 8:12 pm to Mr Sausage
quote:
But for a week and a half before that they were outside getting acclimated.
I’ve been putting mine outside when the suns out and bringing inside at night. Probably get a few hours of grow light per day. Wondering if I need to even keep the light on them. Is it good to move them outside even when it’s overcast? Those days I’ve been leaving them under the light.
This post was edited on 3/10/24 at 8:13 pm
Posted on 3/10/24 at 8:29 pm to meeple
I don't think it matters. It helps them acclimate to wind, so yeah I'd have them out even on overcast days. Yeah they probably don't get much light on those days, so you could supplement them them in the evenings, but honestly I don't think it will make a difference. Once they're in the ground you can't control the clouds anyway.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 5:33 am to LSUJuice
Will definitely be moving outside more this week.
Another issue in running into this year is that my soil has settled. What’s the preferred product to top off the raised beds? I’ve already added sulphur to lower the ph, and triple 13 a month ago.
Unfortunately I don’t have a Clegg’s nearby. This is what my local nursery recommends:
Another issue in running into this year is that my soil has settled. What’s the preferred product to top off the raised beds? I’ve already added sulphur to lower the ph, and triple 13 a month ago.
Unfortunately I don’t have a Clegg’s nearby. This is what my local nursery recommends:
This post was edited on 3/11/24 at 5:35 am
Posted on 3/11/24 at 6:15 am to meeple
I’m seeing a couple of nights in the mid 40’s next week also. Honestly that won’t stop me from planting. As long as it doesn’t dip below 40. I’m gonna keep an eye on it for a couple more days, though. Wanna try to get everything in the ground before the rain starts later this week.
As soon as I put them outside. Even while hardening them off in a shaded spot, they are still receiving a good bit of indirect light. Same for when it’s cloudy. They still get some filtered sunlight. I haven’t even been bringing mine inside on cooler nights down in the mid to upper 40’s. They are doing great. I’d rather them get fully adapted to the elements.
quote:
When does everyone here stop using the grow lights for 16 hrs a day?
As soon as I put them outside. Even while hardening them off in a shaded spot, they are still receiving a good bit of indirect light. Same for when it’s cloudy. They still get some filtered sunlight. I haven’t even been bringing mine inside on cooler nights down in the mid to upper 40’s. They are doing great. I’d rather them get fully adapted to the elements.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 6:21 am to meeple
The Black Kow, or the Mel’s Mix as you said previously, would be fine for topping off your beds. Or a good finished compost. Anything that’s full of nutrient rich organic matter will be of benefit.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 8:06 am to PillageUrVillage
The Mel’s mix will depend highly on what’s available for composted material. I’d really like to add some worm castings or mushroom compost. Would adding peat moss offset my trying to drove down the ph levels with sulphur?
Also now seeing lows in the 30s next week
Also now seeing lows in the 30s next week
This post was edited on 3/11/24 at 8:08 am
Posted on 3/11/24 at 10:59 am to meeple
quote:Once the daytime temps are above mid 50s and after hardening off for a week. Once they're acclimated, I just leave them outside unless evening temps dip into the 40s.
When does everyone here stop using the grow lights for 16 hrs a day?
Posted on 3/11/24 at 11:44 am to ApisMellifera
My garden has become an afterthought, but I got a 91% take on grafting queens. Harvested those to make up 30 splits this weekend.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 11:49 am to Columbia
Impressive! I never got around to messing with queen rearing. Seems like a lot of work
You sell those, or sell nucs?
You sell those, or sell nucs?
Posted on 3/11/24 at 12:03 pm to LSUJuice
quote:
Impressive! I never got around to messing with queen rearing. Seems like a lot of work You sell those, or sell nucs?
It’s definitely a lot of work but it pays the bee bills. Yes. I keep grafting for the next month till honey takes over. I sell 20-30 Nucs and a few queen cells, virgins and mated queens.
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