That definitely makes sense. I start melons indoors for the head start on growing (because we have pretty long winters where I live as well), and because I would definitely be concerned about germination rates if I started them directly outside. Hardening off the plants before transplanting is...
I see. Yes, using wood chips would make sense to help retain soil moisture. Another thing you could try is incorporating some peat moss into your soil. It sounds to me like you're growing your melon plants directly in the ground and not using raised beds, but you could try this in either case...
Hello! I'm a little late to the thread, but I have some *very limited* experience growing melons, so I will still try to answer some of your questions based on growing my own melons.
So, watering is definitely a very important factor in growing melons, especially watermelons. This is both for...
Hello everyone! I haven't been on BYC for awhile (I'm just coming back now), and I didn't even realize people were still commenting on this thread! I hope you have all been doing well with your gardening endeavors!
It is worth noting that things like toxic cross pollination seem pretty unlikely, but they're still a distinct possibility and it's good to be aware of that so we can take precautions to stay safe. 👍
Yes, toxic cross-pollination is a shocking concept! 😮
Here is an article I found with some good information on "toxic squash syndrome", or dangerous cross-pollinated squash: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-extension/featured/are-volunteer-squash-toxic
I don't think I've heard of anything...
This is an interesting idea.
I am in no way a gardening expert, but I will still share of my thoughts on this.
One thing to consider here is cross pollination. By my understanding, if you plant pure seed, you will grow plants true to variety. However, if the flowers of this true plant get cross...
Yes, starting with plants that are already established can make a big difference in gardening. 🌱
I'm in zone 6a, so I have to start my tomatoes from already established plants, since the warm growing season isn't long enough to start them from seed outside. I can either sow my own seeds in pots...
Thank you! 😀
My tomatoes were purchased as young plants in cell trays. They were then transplanted from the trays into the garden. 🌱
I'm sorry to hear you're having difficulties with growing your tomatoes. 🙁
Hello everyone! It certainly has been a minute! 😆
I've been busy with planting in the garden this week. Several varieties of tomato and pepper plants!
I don't keep chickens myself, but I have a friend who does. When I'm on BYC, I usually hang around the gardening forum. With the warm growing...
Still trying to figure out what to do about the leaf spot...
We are dealing with a widespread problem at this point with most if not every one of our over 100 tomato plants struggling with it. It seems to have gotten significantly worse after a rain last week.
Any advice other than...
When we were in the garden today we found this tiny white bug on one of our tomato plants. Does anyone know what it is? My best guesses are an aphid or spider mite. These were the best photos I was able to take with my camera (the bug was very small).
P.S. There does appear to be a green aphid...
Hello everyone. When we were in the garden today we noticed that some of our tomato plants have black-spotted dead leaves. I believe we're dealing with Septoria Leaf Spot. I had a lot of trouble with it at the end of the growing season last year, and resorted to just going through the rows and...