tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post7293881222496463125..comments2024-03-17T05:30:42.919-04:00Comments on The Gardening Me: The Good, the Bad & the GreatMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-81160448495002809302016-05-14T22:26:30.648-04:002016-05-14T22:26:30.648-04:00Thanks! I think that a new planting takes a few y...Thanks! I think that a new planting takes a few years to hit it's stride, so I would consider 1 lb. at this early stage in the season for a 2nd year planting not too bad at all! Oh, and you have me REALLY anticipating that first harvest - we've had so many "revelation" veg in the past couple of years where it was amazing how delicious they were compared to their supermarket look-a-likes. I have a feeling asparagus will join that group next year...yum yum.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-39447766130782115782016-05-14T16:42:47.240-04:002016-05-14T16:42:47.240-04:00Last year my asparagus was in its first full year,...Last year my asparagus was in its first full year, like yours is now, and I did the same thing, just let it grow. This year I've harvested at most a pound. It hasn't been very productive so far and I have let the thin spears develop while picking the thick spears. Oh, but they are good, far better than anything in the store. I certainly feel like an asparagus novice at this point. Good luck with yours.gardenvariety-hoosierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02823437033502199023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-44978459862315062722016-05-14T13:49:51.634-04:002016-05-14T13:49:51.634-04:00Fingers crossed! Right now, they look ok - not gr...Fingers crossed! Right now, they look ok - not great, but not too bad either. Just wish the weather would cooperate so that I could stop with the back and forth, indoors/outdoors routine!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-76717989529291146562016-05-13T20:49:08.852-04:002016-05-13T20:49:08.852-04:00I've never grown figs so I have no advice to o...I've never grown figs so I have no advice to offer but maybe it will all turn out ok in the end. :o)Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-6614594820035075972016-05-03T09:51:31.976-04:002016-05-03T09:51:31.976-04:00Thanks A.J. - I'm super excited, but it's ...Thanks A.J. - I'm super excited, but it's still a ways to go before we can actually harvest any and we all know how things can change in the blink of an eye in the garden. Fingers crossed that you see yours coming up soon!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-86789185447134347692016-05-02T21:47:16.248-04:002016-05-02T21:47:16.248-04:00Congratulations on your asparagus! Our asparagus h...Congratulations on your asparagus! Our asparagus hasn't popped up yet. I'm beginning to have my doubts.A.J. - Cheap Seat Eatshttp://cheapseateats.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-92119471057055477102016-04-30T18:00:29.732-04:002016-04-30T18:00:29.732-04:00Sometimes you just get to that point. I recall wh...Sometimes you just get to that point. I recall when I tried to overwinter some peppers and they were attacked by aphids. I'm sure if I took a few hours to thoroughly go over every surface of the plants with insecticidal soap, etc., I may have been able to save them, but like you, I was at the point where I couldn't be bothered.<br /><br />And you are MORE than patient waiting all that time for your first asparagus harvest...how exciting! Can't wait to hear all about it!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-42215402710838224052016-04-30T17:03:14.241-04:002016-04-30T17:03:14.241-04:00I tried a couple of fig trees a few years back. Th...I tried a couple of fig trees a few years back. They overwintered in the cold room the first year then the second winter I decided to just let them grow in the living room. Didn't matter because in their third spring, never having seen a single fig, I burnt them up in the sun. Then I gave up. I probably could have saved them as I'm sure you will yours, but I just couldn't be bothered anymore. Ah well.<br /><br />Congrats on the asparagus, Margaret! I get to actually harvest as much as I want finally after 4 years of taking it easy.Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10354350096358468967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-9832512756264001442016-04-29T11:32:40.428-04:002016-04-29T11:32:40.428-04:00Tired of eating asparagus? I'll be right over...Tired of eating asparagus? I'll be right over to help you out ;) Dave (Our Happy Acres) freezes his excess and then enjoys it over the winter, so that's an option of you are truly tired of it.<br /><br />My biggest problem with pots is forgetting to water them. I've implemented a bit of a schedule for watering the indoor plants (instead of just "whenever I remembered to check") and it has worked out much better!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-32601396690588449662016-04-29T11:29:25.333-04:002016-04-29T11:29:25.333-04:00Thanks Dave! The figs can be a lot of work, espec...Thanks Dave! The figs can be a lot of work, especially now as I constantly move them back and forth. Worth it if there's a sweet reward though. The garage would definitely be an easier spot to place the figs over the winter than lugging them down into the basement, but I didn't even attempt that as ours goes well below freezing with our cars always going in and out. We have windows in there too so, based on your experience, it wouldn't have been a good spot regardless.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-78539230882652343542016-04-29T11:28:02.770-04:002016-04-29T11:28:02.770-04:00Our weather seems to be so similar lately - althou...Our weather seems to be so similar lately - although we haven't had any snow lately, which is a bit of a roll reversal! Bitterly cold is right - not much gardening is happening outside in the past few days and anything I did do was done with a winter jacket on (hood pulled up!).<br /><br />I am SO very excited about the asparagus; having grown them from seed, they were such fragile little things at this time last year - it's amazing how "chubby" they are now! Only a few have come up so far, so I'm anxiously waiting to see if the rest of them did as well.<br /><br />I didn't even realize you had a fig tree - you should give us a look-see in a post at some point!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-67949424931293967662016-04-29T11:23:56.374-04:002016-04-29T11:23:56.374-04:00I knew you would know without reading the text - y...I knew you would know without reading the text - your asparagus harvests are an inspiration to us aspiring asparagus growers! It's so exciting - I keep going over to the bed - several times a day at that! - to see if any more spears are out.<br /><br />Dealing with the fig pots is a pain, that's for sure, especially with all these ins and outs because of our wacky weather. I just hope that I eventually get a few figs for all my troubles!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-43813767666965299322016-04-29T11:18:00.227-04:002016-04-29T11:18:00.227-04:00You said it - I just hope our summer is a bit more...You said it - I just hope our summer is a bit more consistent than this spring has been!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-86752045751730056882016-04-29T11:17:34.598-04:002016-04-29T11:17:34.598-04:00The info on the virus is a bit confusing, especial...The info on the virus is a bit confusing, especially as some of it is contradictory. Some sites say you have to live with it while others say you should burn the trees!<br /><br />I'll do my best to hold back on the asparagus - visions of those large, future harvests should help me with that :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-87903961304643770872016-04-29T11:15:07.156-04:002016-04-29T11:15:07.156-04:00Unfortunatley, I have no idea what variety these f...Unfortunatley, I have no idea what variety these fig trees are. I purchased them during a weak moment at a nursery sale last year & they only had one of those generic "hardy fig" labels...don't you just hate when they do that? I'm sure the grower knows what variety they're growing, so how hard would it be to slap a variety label on the tag?<br /><br />Figs aren't hardy around here, but I have heard of a method where a tree is planted in the ground and then "tipped over" in the fall and covered with straw or mulch, etc. A bit too much of a process for me at the moment, but something that I can see myself trying in a few years.<br /><br />And that's so sad about your fig tree - fingers crossed that you are able to get a crop out of it this summer (and perhaps plant a few more?)<br />Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-20619565793636227332016-04-29T11:12:02.782-04:002016-04-29T11:12:02.782-04:00Thanks Beth! I'm cautiously optomistic about ...Thanks Beth! I'm cautiously optomistic about the figs. They haven't been growing in the best conditions, being stuck inside for a good chunk of the time, and they don't look all that bad, considering.<br /><br />The Kalanchoe blooms are such a milestone for me. I've had such a hard time keeping houseplants alive since I had kids - just didn't have the head for them, I suppose. But I think I'm finally getting over "mommy brain" - it's obviously taken me longer than most ;)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-2283010276299776042016-04-29T10:48:38.720-04:002016-04-29T10:48:38.720-04:00Glad to see you will be getting asparagus whereas ...Glad to see you will be getting asparagus whereas I am getting tired of eating mine! LOL Sure hope those fig trees straighten up and produce for you! I don't seem to do well growing things in pots either. I put them out too long, too little or forget them! Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-87592941207017724162016-04-29T10:01:24.241-04:002016-04-29T10:01:24.241-04:00Nice job on the fig trees. I kept my tree in the g...Nice job on the fig trees. I kept my tree in the garage over the winter. It had windows and the light triggered the buds to leaf out long before it was safe to move it outside, so the first foliage was weak and spindly. The first set of figs would typically drop like yours did and the second setting would not ripen before frost killed the foliage. A lot of work for no figs so one fall I just left it outside for the winter. End of fig story, but I don't remember seeing any mottled leaves. And the asparagus is looking great.David Veltenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07710293718143454000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-65996598511331478302016-04-29T09:47:39.249-04:002016-04-29T09:47:39.249-04:00That's brilliant news about the asparagus but ...That's brilliant news about the asparagus but I bet you'll need a lot of willpower to prevent you picking any, it will be worth it to have nice strong plants though. I hope your figs are okay, you might find that new leaves don't show any signs of the virus. I've just got buds on my little tree at the moment but I shall be looking at them very carefully now you've brought this to my attention. As for the weather, well, our days are consisting of sun, rain, hail and snow at the moment, it really can't make up its mind what to do, though it's bitterly cold today, I do wish it would warm up, we're nearly in to May for goodness sake.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-29128292740485345102016-04-29T09:03:29.287-04:002016-04-29T09:03:29.287-04:00I knew what those last photos were about at a glan...I knew what those last photos were about at a glance. Yippee for asparagus! As for waiting, you know your patience will be rewarded in the years to come. Too bad about the fig problems though. I grew them in the ground here, but the figs fruited so late in the season I barely got any to eat before the first frost/freeze. I think container growing would be better for me, but in the end I decided I had plenty of other stuff I liked better than figs.Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-9886517527684165232016-04-29T08:43:10.108-04:002016-04-29T08:43:10.108-04:00It's cold here - Spring has gone on holiday. J...It's cold here - Spring has gone on holiday. Just hoping it hasn't emigrated.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-45930316138201563912016-04-29T07:55:07.688-04:002016-04-29T07:55:07.688-04:00I have a Fig tree that is just coming into bud. I ...I have a Fig tree that is just coming into bud. I will be inspecting the leaves VERY closely! I'm amazed that a virus like that can be so widespread and still not have a cure.<br />I hope you can resist the temptation to cut the Asparagus, because letting it build up its energy will be so worthwhile in the long run.Mark Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04558305122821209520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-10853087128306244692016-04-29T07:37:43.497-04:002016-04-29T07:37:43.497-04:00I'm curious what type of figs you are growing....I'm curious what type of figs you are growing. My figs are in the ground in full sun. Of course, I'm in a different zone but I've not heard that all figs have this virus. Asian Ambrosia beetle laid eggs in the branches of our fig last year which results in the death of the tree. I heavily pruned it over the winter to see if I could get one last crop from it this year. There are always trials and tribulations in the garden I suppose. Congrats on your asparagus! That is super exciting. Karin / Southern Meadowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06514989784715204223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-25381119485163159822016-04-28T22:30:10.690-04:002016-04-28T22:30:10.690-04:00Congratulations on the Asparagus and the Kalanchoe...Congratulations on the Asparagus and the Kalanchoe blooms ... and the Figs! I'll bet they'll be back on the mend soon with the warm weather that's just around the corner (and with your TLC)! :)Beth at PlantPostingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473637655960119672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-17810043694751694992016-04-28T20:17:35.596-04:002016-04-28T20:17:35.596-04:00Oh, don't say that! Such jealousy, I feel! F...Oh, don't say that! Such jealousy, I feel! Figs are one of my favourite fruits - fresh figs that is. I'll take those types of "weeds" anyday :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.com