What's Growing in the Garden

Haven't looked at different varieties yet, figured that would be this winter project. Try looking at Jungs Seeds in WI. I buy something from them every year. Don't know if they still have anything in stock, but they might.

I agree with your assessment of Stark Bros. Have had lots of problems with that company over the years, and won't buy from them anymore either.
 
Here's a short article on fruit varieties for IL. Mentions Northstar and Meteor which are familiar names, couple others listed too .

Cherries

Growing Cherry Trees
extension.illinois.edu extension.illinois.edu
 
@djg

Just looked at Jungs and they have NorthStar and Meteor on sale now, but only through today!

Cherry

Jung Seed Company offers a wide selection of seeds, plants, nursery, and garden supplies. Family-owned since 1907, delivering quality that gardeners can trust.
www.jungseed.com
 
I do have one small (10') Cherry tree left. Don't remember what variety, I think sour. I went and checked it and found some cherries on it. Tree got hit by a deer one Fall when I didn't treat it in time so it hasn't been doing too well. The trunk has healed over nicely, though. Picked about a quart. Think I'll jam out of it even if it only makes 4-8 ounces.

Got okra planted finally yesterday. Used save seed. Soaked half and planted half and half. We'll see it it helps.
 
I envy all you guys that can grow a garden. The deer here will destroy anything you plant outside, come right up onto porches and low lying decks. And we aren't allowed to fence so the only deterrent is to spray with Deer Off or something. And if you forget one time, it's over until next year.
 
DLJeffs said:
I envy all you guys that can grow a garden. The deer here will destroy anything you plant outside, come right up onto porches and low lying decks. And we aren't allowed to fence so the only deterrent is to spray with Deer Off or something. And if you forget one time, it's over until next year.
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Move to somewhere that allows fences?
 
DLJeffs said:
I envy all you guys that can grow a garden. The deer here will destroy anything you plant outside, come right up onto porches and low lying decks. And we aren't allowed to fence so the only deterrent is to spray with Deer Off or something. And if you forget one time, it's over until next year.
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Shame you can't put them in the freezer. Railings on porches with gates might help too. Dog fencing not allowed either?
 
Mr. Peet said:
Shame you can't put them in the freezer. Railings on porches with gates might help too. Dog fencing not allowed either?
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Supposedly we can have a dog run if it's attached to the house and uses the same exterior design as the house. Typical HOA stuff, some is good, some if bad, depending on who you're asking.
 
The tomatoes did very well this year. I had planted extra because the fall crop was sparse and I wanted to make sure we had some…. Well, All available space is covered and the neighbors close their blinds and turn off the lights when they see me coming. Both sons have more than they can use and give away. But, I have picked a total of three (3) yellow squash and twice that many zucchini. The Kershaw did okay. Okra and purple hull peas are growing but not making. No flowers. Cucumbers didn’t make many and the late planting is just vines. I’ve noticed a very sharp decline in pollinators from last year. I always plant lots of flowers to draw them in but they aren’t even on them. We usually have lots of honey bees, bumble bees and wasps in addition to the various other wild bees. They aren’t working or they aren’t here any more. If they were here they’d be working.

Alan
 
The figs are getting ripe and the buzzard buffet has opened. Four tree rats have been on the menu so far but my granddaughter is visiting for a few days and she Loooooves Squirrels… So, I put this guy up out there to scare off the tree rats until she leaves. I keep expecting to go out there and find him covered in squirrels eating figs. They were eating tomatoes too. At first I thought it was coons but I caught the little rascals in the act one morning.

The dogs were scared of him, and I’ve done some double takes walking across the yard.

Alan

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Picked a few cherries today. Will wait a day or two to pick the bulk of them, too windy today, and can't keep clear of the bird netting to pick.

Am drying a test batch two different ways, straight and some infused with a little sugar. First tiny batch of cherry pit syrup is started and just pulled a pan of cherry "pudding" out of the oven. Gonna overdose on sugar tonight!

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trc65 said:
That is Farmworks brand from Tractor Supply. It's definitely better than brand name Roundup because it's about 1/10th the cost. Glyphosate is glyphosate wether it's in Roundup or one of the dozens of generics available. Just make sure that the generic you buy has a surfactant already included. Different companies may change the formulation slightly in regards to percentage of glyphosate. Anywhere around 40% seems to be the sweet spot for cheapest formulation. It's not necessary to buy the concentrates that are over 50% a.i.

I buy the 2.5 gal jugs, but they also have it in gallon containers at tractor supply, although the gallons are sometimes labeled differently and in the garden section rather than farm chemical section. When I bought this jug a few years ago, think it was $40 for the 2.5 gallons.

As long as you are comfortable mixing your own, lots of money can be saved with generic chemicals.
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FYI, I am buying the Farmworks at Tractor Supply today. Price for 2 1/2 gallons is now $89.99! 1 gallon is $49.99! Quite a bit of inflation!!! Chuck
 
Nature Man said:
FYI, I am buying the Farmworks at Tractor Supply today. Price for 2 1/2 gallons is now $89.99! 1 gallon is $49.99! Quite a bit of inflation!!! Chuck
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Several years ago, I bought 2-1/2 gal for boss at work for $35 on sale at Rural King. He was buying the name brand stuff at the HD across the street. I recently saw it on sale at RK for $55.
 
My FIL died in April 2020. He evidently went down and bought a new gallon every time he wanted to spray. Probably used a couple of oz each time. There were 5 one gallon bottles… I’ve been using it sparingly so may not have to buy any for a while. I had a bad nutgrass problem in one garden. I let it all get about 6” high and doused it good with Roundup… Problem solved. But other weeds took up the slack...

Alan
 
Any cherry experts here? Having a devil of a time figuring if the montmorency cherries are fully ripe or not. They pull easily, but the stems all stay on the tree. Made a couple things with them, and the recommended amounts of sugar make them taste good.

We've had high winds and few are dropping, so not sure.

I did order a refractometer to measure brix, and maybe that is the best way to tell.... I'll have it tomorrow, so maybe this is all moot.

My only prior experience with cherries is picking some on the neighbors unknown variety tree and those always come off with stems intact.

Meanwhile, the red raspberries as well as the black are now ready to pick.

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Current pick of the cherry:

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