What's Growing in the Garden

With all this snow and sub-freezing temps, I got some time to make plans for this year's garden. I usually wait too long to order plants and then they get sold out. So, I want to order Montmorency Cherry trees. I was going to get bare root trees because they are cheaper, but decided to go with the 3 gallon size because of the head start (taller). I've had good luck when buying my last fruit trees from a Home Depot store. I'd rather buy in the store so I can select which tree (branching) I want. But they never have this Cherry in their garden section.

The only problem is they ship in a couple of days. No way I can dig holes and plant them. Could I water them and store them in the basement until early March (at the latest) or would it be better to just leave them in the un-heated garage? Seems like their roots would freeze there.

Also, I've got garden seeds en-route via mail and I worry about the freezing temps we are having. They'll be outside in their trucks, my mailbox for a while. I thought seeds wouldn't be viable if frozen? Thoughts?
 
Seeds will be fine, no worries there.

Where are you getting the tree from? Surprised they are shipping now, everyone I've bought from won't ship until planting time.

Regardless, you want the tree to maintain dormancy, and for it not to dessicate. I'd would make sure the soil it's in has good moisture and keep it in the garage. Yes, it will freeze, but the soil is frozen as well this time of year. Keep it out of the sun and periodically check the soil hasn't dried out. Want to make sure it stays cold. If it breaks dormancy early, you've got no choice but to move it into the house somewhere warm and sunny.

Any chance you can delay shipping, or cancel order and order from somewhere else for later delivery? I know Stark Bros grows potted trees, and with them you can usually choose the week you wanted it shipped once it warms up.
 
trc65 said:
Seeds will be fine, no worries there.

Where are you getting the tree from? Surprised they are shipping now, everyone I've bought from won't ship until planting time.

Regardless, you want the tree to maintain dormancy, and for it not to dessicate. I'd would make sure the soil it's in has good moisture and keep it in the garage. Yes, it will freeze, but the soil is frozen as well this time of year. Keep it out of the sun and periodically check the soil hasn't dried out. Want to make sure it stays cold. If it breaks dormancy early, you've got no choice but to move it into the house somewhere warm and sunny.

Any chance you can delay shipping, or cancel order and order from somewhere else for later delivery? I know Stark Bros grows potted trees, and with them you can usually choose the week you wanted it shipped once it warms up.
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I have not ordered them yet and I was going to get them from Home Depot. When I added them to the cart they said it would ship Jan. 17th. I would prefer a later date and if I go this way, I'll do as you suggest. I'm going to wait (only 100 in inventory) to order and when it drops will order. As for Stark, I've lost confidence in them.

Just checked. Stark's bare root price is the same as HD 3 gal potted (free ship). Others I've looked at are bare rooted and shipping.
 
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Starks is definitely hit or miss, and usually more expensive than others. Montmorency is one of the most common varieties, so many suppliers carry them. Another option that I have used often is Jung Seeds in WI. They will be bare root, but I've always had good products from them. Just checked: https://www.jungseed.com/category/s?keyword=Montmorency+cherry
 
djg said:
I have not ordered them yet and I was going to get them from Home Depot. When I added them to the cart they said it would ship Jan. 17th. I would prefer a later date and if I go this way, I'll do as you suggest. I'm going to wait (only 100 in inventory) to order and when it drops will order. As for Stark, I've lost confidence in them.

Just checked. Stark's bare root price is the same as HD 3 gal potted (free ship). Others I've looked at are bare rooted and shipping.
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Another supplier I have used with really good quality is Cummings nursery out of New York.
I have only bought Scion wood and rootstocks of apple, but have had good luck with peach and pear trees.
They are pricey but quality is good. Only ship during growing season.
I see they have this variety on only one rootstock, and only 27 in stock.
Many sizes are sold out. I’ve found it best to order in the fall. They do have some great sales in the spring time of left over stock and mixed “mystery “ bundles of apple trees for good prices.
 
Well, I finally got off my lazy butt and got the greenhouse up. One man operation. I’ve still got it!


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And none to soon. Five nights below freezing but three work lights and an electric heater kept things warm.

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Just a tad colder than I like it. That’s a South Texas snow drift...

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Gotta throw this in. My Sweet Bride of 49 years surprised me with this for Christmas. I’m already wearing the paint off of it getting ready for spring. It is such a pleasure to work with a brand new tiller. It works just like the commercials. I just walk along holding it with one hand. I’ve got a bunch of tomatos, peppers, etc started in the greenhouse along with all the house plants.

Alan


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Well, it seems having a greenhouse for the casual home gardener is akin to the hobbyist woodworker having a sawmill...

In short order I have nearly every spare pot and seedling flat I have accumulated over the years full of soil and seedlings… I dug up five climbing roses that were growing where they didn’t need to be, a bunch of 18” tall tomatoes in gallon pots and 325 or so tomato seedlings…

In the past I could barely get seeds to sprout indoors and what grew was not worth planting. I dropped two or three seeds in every 2” pot and I think every one of them germinated… I spent the morning transplanting seedlings into their own little pots… I think we’ll have to get creative on the tomato recipes…

Alan
 
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Would it be a good idea to place several inches of AGED (4-5 yo) tree wood chips in the bottom of ground contact raised beds? Like a sponge for water retention?
 
djg said:
Would it be a good idea to place several inches of AGED (4-5 yo) tree wood chips in the bottom of ground contact raised beds? Like a sponge for water retention?
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Just remember the nutrients that those wood chips need to break down and where those nutrients come from (the soil above and below the chips).
 
djg said:
Would it be a good idea to place several inches of AGED (4-5 yo) tree wood chips in the bottom of ground contact raised beds? Like a sponge for water retention?
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I don't see a problem, but I'd want to make sure I had a good 16-18" of soil on top of the chips.

As Mark pointed out, the chips will be a Nitrogen sink. I've never done raised beds, but a higher N rate should be used, and maybe apply some N directly on the chips before topping with soil. Don't know how much, but maybe 20# actual nitrogen per acre equivalent. There is probably some guidance somewhere on the web about N rates.
 
OK, that bright idea is out. raised bed will only be 2" x 12"s.
 
djg said:
OK, that bright idea is out. raised bed will only be 2" x 12"s.
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Still not out of the question, just make sure the chips aren't so thick/packed that the roots can't go through. I'd probably want to stir up the layer of wood chips with a little soil rather than packing the chips as a single layer. Apply some N to the wood chips before covering and maybe up N rates by 20% or so.
 
I'm thinking maybe a 3" layer of wood chips raked together with soil, then fill with soil/compost.
 
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