#391195
Feb 20th, 2016 at 12:48 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,470 Likes: 61 |
So, what are the plans for everyone this year?
I will be expanding dramatically...we will have no choice. I pray the weather cooperates for a bountiful harvest for freezing and preserving.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt. ![[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]](//www.agardenersforum.com/images/psd/sunny.jpg) ![[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]](//www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/gardenhelper.jpg)
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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Well, as for me, my half sized garden got cut back to just my herb bed last year... Recovering from surgery, while your DH is home alone will do that. So, this year I think I will buy a raised bed and see how that goes. Then the next year if I need more I could add another. If I could have but tomatoes and asparagus I would be happy..well, since I have my 2 rectangle flower bed containers that I use for green onions, radishes & lettuces.
![[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]](//www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/junie.gif) ________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Sunny you're upsizing and we're downsizing. I'm going to add one more raised bed for a total of 3 plus my squash straw bales and I think that's gonna be it. I'm not planning on putting anything directly in the ground this year. Vegetables are very inexpensive at the local farmers market so it costs more to plant, water, fertilize than to just buy them. We don't eat that many potatoes so I think that will be one of the crops I won't plant this year. Right now I'm planning on tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, squash. junie, I've never planted asparagus but I think it stays in the same bed forever and keeps producing - or something like that.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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PS I'm going to plant some green peas this week on a trellis and carrots in my window boxes. Might also start some lettuce in my little green house. I'm adding on already. :)
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Patriot
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Patriot
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New plan. Since Lightening McQueen and the John D are parked in my pretend greenhouse the plan is to go to Tractor Supply and spend $60.00 on a tiny real greenhouse and plant lettuce in there. My friend has already started her seeds. Seems a tad early to me. I think I'll make 2 more raised beds for a total of 4. Might put 1 row of potatoes in the ground.
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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Sunny you're upsizing and we're downsizing.
junie, I've never planted asparagus but I think it stays in the same bed forever and keeps producing - or something like that. Yep, with just feeding the 2 of us, much is not worth it to me either...but if all goes well I may add a second raised bed & plant only potatoes in it next year. I have kept them until January many a years...I dry them well out on my picnic table then put them in open weave containers in the basement where it is cool & dry. Yes, Sheri, that is how asparagus works. I had a fantastic bed at "the farm". The new owners let it go to weeds.  They also let my black berry plants go. When I got hurt last year the weeds took over my new bed here & then as I have said My DH mowed over all but my Herb bed.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,470 Likes: 61 |
I wish I had a hand tiller....then you'd really see some expansion here 
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I wish I had a hand tiller....then you'd really see some expansion here Can you rent or borrow a tiller, sunny?? My Dad gave Rod a small gas operated tiller. Cute little thing, perfect for us. Since Dad gave it to Rod he got rid of it, & I could do nothing about it. he gave it to my youngest DD, Emily. And if you remember, she is just a female version of her Daddy, & so it was gone fairly soon after she received it, I am sure. BUT then with using the raised beds, all I really need is some round up for first, then a shovel to remove the grass after a week or so, then I can/will need to do it all by hand anyway. Gee, all of this gardening talk has me excited.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Sunny around here unless you have a heavy weight tiller it won't turn the dirt. My step dad got one of the smaller light weight tillers but it doesn't work and I can't handle our heavy tiller. Well I can but I have a hard time making straight rows. Junie have you planted potatoes in a raised bed before? I can't imagine my raised beds will be deep enough for potatoes.
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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Junie have you planted potatoes in a raised bed before? I can't imagine my raised beds will be deep enough for potatoes.
I have not..my big plan is to scrape the grass off of the bottom of my yard, then loosen it up some--then put the raised bed up. just barely cover the potato, then when it comes thru, cover it up again..until I have the dirt at the correct level.. will it work ?? we shall see. Well, we shall see if I am even home to plant any gardens this year
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I guess it depends how deep your raised bed is. I usually plant my potatoes 2 feet deep then cover as needed. I need to measure my beds. It's a good idea. Got 14 straw bales out yesterday for the squash and got the trellis's up for the peas.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Went to Tractor Supply, spent $60.00, and got my tiny green house. The million parts are laying in the driveway. Hope Johnny will put it together tomorrow. I lined up and started fertilizing 14 straw bales. I planted green peas around my trellis. I've decided to get 4 more straw bales and plant cucumbers in them. Still trying to get Johnny to bring up the stuff to build 2 more raised beds. I didn't know carrots reseeded but some of mine have and I have teeny, tiny carrots already forming.
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
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I am jealous 
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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California Queen
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California Queen
Joined: Nov 2005
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~Tina ![[Linked Image]](//www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/tina.gif) Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Sheri: I echo what Tina & Sunny have both said...
AND I am jealous that you are already getting ready for the gardening season !!!
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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wondering why my tiny greenhouse comment (in the above post) is a link? I didn't intentionally do that. Anyway, we still don't have it put together. Since Johnny started pastoring this church our time is spent doing church stuff. Takes a LOT of time. I did get 4 more straw bales put out and the holes in them for cucumbers. Haven't put in fertilizer yet. I'm not sure if we'll actually get the other raised beds built this year. As I said we have no time these days and we have choir practice tonight and maybe a funeral this week. One of us is going to have to quit work.
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
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I've noticed a lot of linked words lately...must be an advertising feature for us now.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Got my seed potatoes today. I always say I'm not going to plant in the ground but I always do.
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
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What variety did you buy?
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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I love the flavor and texture of Red potatoes. BUT when I plant potatoes I usually plant Kennebec potatoes. Mainly because that is what my daddy always grew. 
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Northern Star
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Northern Star
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I have never heard of Kennebec but I do plant Pontiac as well.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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The green peas are coming up and I'm excited. They never make it into the freezer because I eat them raw. They're always so fresh.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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there is a raised bed and 4 more straw bales to the left. You can see part of the raised bed. The peas are planted in the box with the trellis's and then there are 14 bales for squash. Behind the blackberry vines behind the bales is a tilled up garden where I'll plant potatoes and green beans. ![[Linked Image]](https://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL145/2152270/19926360/412253103.jpg)
Last edited by Bestofour; Mar 12th, 2016 at 07:54 AM.
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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Kennabec is a white potato, Sunny. But IMO it is not mealy like a Idaho potato is. That set up looks real good, Sheri. I have to ask. What do you do to keep the Japanese beetles from destroying your blackberry bushes. IN the last years at "the farm", I had a terrible time with them.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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We've never had a problem with the beetles on the blackberries. Not sure why. They will devour my rose bushes though. Maybe they act differently in different climates.
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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We've never had a problem with the beetles on the blackberries. Not sure why. They will devour my rose bushes though. Maybe they act differently in different climates. Yes, you are probably right, Sheri. I would try the blackberry vines again but I am afraid if I draw the Beetles to my yard, they will come back & get into my other plants...
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I haven't planted more roses because of the beetles. If there's a chance blackberries will bring them to your yard I wouldn't plant them either. Buy your berries at the farmers market :)
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Yes, that is what I do for the berries. I just miss having gallons of them frozen in my freezer.
(I would freeze them loose on a sheet & then put them into bags. That way I could take out what I needed each time.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Not sure about your area but they are inexpensive at the farmers market here. Other than eating them straight off the vine it's easier and probably cheaper to buy them.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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well most probably easier, given the problems I had with the beetles.
And truthfully now, with just the 2 of us probably the best option. Well, except for making of Blackberry jelly.
and I could just go ahead & buy some berries for that too.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I hope I haven't jixed myself. One year the squash bugs were so bad here that it was like a Biblical plague.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I hope I haven't jixed myself. One year the squash bugs were so bad here that it was like a Biblical plague. Hush, Child...Do NOT even think like that ! 
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
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I am going to start picking up my seeds this month, I won't be planting for months but they get scarce if I wait too long.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Sunny, do you start your seeds indoors?
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Northern Star
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Northern Star
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Sheri, I used to but with little hands digging in them I haven't in the past few years. The only place I have for a good set up is in my bedroom in front of a large South facing window..in reach of GG. I buy seedlings now for tomatoes, peppers and squash/pumpkins. The rest go in as seed.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Johnny put together my tiny greenhouse today. It had a million pieces and took him 2 hours and it's teeny tiny. Would hate to tackle a big one. Planted potatoes.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Frogger
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Frogger
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________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Supposed to rain tomorrow. Good for the straw bales.
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Northern Star
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Northern Star
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I picked up all my bean seeds....it is a start. 
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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If buying wildflower seeds counts, I have begun buying garden seeds....
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I don't know what's going on out there right now. I still have the Hollyhock seeds laying on the kitchen counter.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I don't know what's going on out there right now. I still have the hollyhock seeds laying on the kitchen counter. oh yea ????
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Since Colby has been in the hospital I just haven't had a chance to check things out. I haven't even started my seeds. I did see a squirrel sitting in the box where the peas are supposed to be growing. Will squirrels eat peas? Or the plants?
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Why yes they will. While they usually prefer acorns, sunflower seeds, nuts, pine cones, etc, when those are not available they will eat your veggies, & flowering plants. How to help avoid that problem??: You can have dogs or cats around to help scare them off, or say rubber snakes or fake owls. OR you can offer them other foods by having a squirrel feeder around. Having said all of that, I have squirrels in the yards to the south and the west of me. I have had very little trouble with them in general & I have lived here since December 2004. So, I think, not to worry until there is a reason to worry.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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We have 2 cats, a 110 pound dog, and 15 pecan trees so why are they eating my peas? Going to try the rubber snake in the raised beds and see what happens.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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We have 2 cats, a 110 pound dog, and 15 pecan trees so why are they eating my peas? Going to try the rubber snake in the raised beds and see what happens. Perhaps Peas taste good after eating buried nuts all winter, just a thought.... (sorry  ) Please do let me know if the rubber snake works...I have one squirrel who is now eating all of my wild bird seed.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I'm going to get 2 snakes. Hope I don't end up scaring myself. Squirrels are nothing but a nuisance. I don't think they're cute at all like people say. Even with bushy tails.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I do not think they are cute either. My Husband says "they have to eat too" but ya know what---the squirrels do not want to share with the birds. They want it all for themselves, so I think they should get NONE.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I'm with you Junie and if I can find my bb gun they're gonna be sorry for being in my pea patch. Go eat the pecans.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I'm with you Junie and if I can find my bb gun they're gonna be sorry for being in my pea patch. Go eat the pecans. exactly !!!
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Squash, cucumbers, tomatoes are still doing well. The green beans not so much. Green peas and potatoes were great but are finished. Next year the green beans are going in a raised bed.
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Northern Star
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Northern Star
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Sheri, I find beans grow better if you buy the pole varieties.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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A lady at the farmers market told me that August 5th is the day to plant fall garden green beans. We'll see if it works. :)
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Patriot
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Patriot
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The other day I looked out the bedroom window and saw a squirrel shinny up the shepherds hook to get to the bird feeder. I flew out the door, ran him off, and greased the pole.
A while ago I pulled up a handful of spearmint, brought it in, put it in a cup of water. My kitchen smells so good.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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You know the house across from me used to be a forest of trees, many of which were Oak/acorn trees. As a result, we have a lot of squirrels around. In the big scheme of things, they do not bother my feeders....much. But this year they would get into my wild bird food feeders, once in awhile....I would have to do like you & go out & run them off. Mind you this time of year the only wild bird feeder I have out is in a tree, so it is kinda hard to grease it I had peppermint out at the farm. My friend brought me 4 pieces out & at the time I was sorta offended as she was moving & so I thought she could have been a bit more generous...WELL..... I soon learned that 4 starts were MORE than enough. When we moved, I brought many starts, etc with us but the mint was not one of the plants that I brought with me.... I only got 1 pepper this year and I still have a few green tomatoes, so hopefully I will get to eat them before it turns too cool for them to ripen.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Northern Star
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Northern Star
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Here raccoons are the problem with feeders.
My garden is having the best year ever...I am amazed. I even have large tomatoes ripening on the vine...that never ever happens.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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YAY for ripe tomatoes. They are the best !!!!
Sorry for the raccoons..
here the squirrels like to take 1 or 2 bites & then move on to the next one--destroys them all... :(
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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My tomatoes did ok but not great this year. I planted the same type this year as last and they didn't do well either year. Next year I'm only planting Cherokee Purple. I like them best. Squash and cucumbers did great and are still going.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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My tomatoes did not do "great" either. The one pot that did the best, was actually 2 plants put in the same half-barrel planter.
The first summer we lived here, I was so tickled to plant a Cherokee purple and I got 1 tomato that I could not eat b/c is was bad...
I would love to try them again, but if I do can you help me with advice?? Clearly I did something wrong.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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I've never had a bad Cherokee Purple. Ate one at dinner tonight. Bought it at the farmers market.
Last edited by Bestofour; Sep 10th, 2016 at 06:51 PM.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Sheri: I am very happy for you. You must tell me your secret for next year.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I don't think I have a secret. :) Can't keep a secret.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I don't think I have a secret. :) Can't keep a secret. a) I am a thinking you can hear me laugh from here to your house. b) I am not so good at keeping secrets either---so join the crowd. But I still do not have any luck growing Cherokee Purple tomatoes...................................................
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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That's the only tomato I'm growing next year. I like it the best so far. Plus it looks pretty. :)
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Frogger
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Frogger
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well then I will buy a couple and you can help me grow it correctly. :)
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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The middle of October and the garden is flourishing. Looked dead a few weeks ago but it's revived itself.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I find if a person in the Midwest (like me) can keep a pepper plant alive in the heat..it can and will grow wonderful peppers in the fall, when cooler temps abound.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Juniegirl, I think I'm re-thinking where to put a few more raised beds. I was going to put 2 or 3 more on the other side of the house from the other ones but now I'm thinking it will be easier to keep them all clumped together. Whadaya think? I'm definitely moving the straw bales next year. I'm tired of fighting the blackberry vines to get behind the bales.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Well I think the decision will depend on what you are growing and what you will be planting in them. East/west/north/south sides of the house sort of thing. As far as the straw bales and the blackberry vines....why not trim back the vines and trellis them..make them work for you..I can help with that..I raised blackberries for years back at the farm.
Last edited by JunieGirl; Oct 19th, 2016 at 06:19 PM.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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We have an entire field of blackberry vines. Waaaay to much to trellis. Not sure what I'll be planting in each raised bed yet but I'm going to be growing tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans (I keep trying) and maybe potatoes (not sure about this yet). I might end up doing the cucumbers in straw bales again but they did so well this year. I need to get my plan together. If I do potatoes it will probably take 2 of the raised beds.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Well if it were me, I think I would put the tomatoes and potatoes in full sun, and thr dukes and beans in a partial shaded area... I still would like you to help me grow some cherokee purple tomatoe tomatoes....
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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If I've got Cherokee Purple seeds I'll send you a few.
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Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
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Bless you....you will give me step by step directions for care, right . Please . I grew a CP once, I got one tomato and It rotted before it was ripe...yep, true story....
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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The only step by step I do is start the seed, work lime and fertilizer into the soil, and replant when it's big enough. I'll let you know when I start mine.
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Pulled everything up from the garden and turned over the dirt. Hopefully will have 3 more raised beds before next year.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I told my DH that I wanted to buy a raised garden or 2 for next year...he said why don't I buy cinder blocks to use...we will see what I end up doing.
I cleaned off my green tomatoes a few days ago. (sad as I had like 5 really nice sized green tomatoes on the vine yet)
Then today I had fried green tomatoes for lunch--SO very nice indeed !!!
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Since it's so warm I planted lettuce yesterday. We shall see.
I never thought about using cinder blocks. It's bound to be cheaper than buying treated wood and we have some stacked around here. Wonder if the dirt will wash through the openings.
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Patriot
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I just read how to make one with cinder blocks and the blocks have to be cut. Not gonna do that.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I just read how to make one with cinder blocks and the blocks have to be cut. Not gonna do that. Sam's club makes raised beds out of non-wood material--and they are not too expensive--but not real big either. well there will be no cutting of cinder blocks here either----we shall see...what about just placing the blocks in the form you want & then say painting the inside with tar or whatever that black stuff is that one puts on basement walls to seal them??? I do think one would have to stake the blocks so they would not move from the pressure of the dirt, but really I am liking the idea more & more. We shall see how I feel in the spring
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I'll have to research it some more
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Frogger
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Frogger
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________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Patriot
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Patriot
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The lettuce I planted in November did wonderfully. We had some very warm days and some of it bolted so I pulled the rest of it up and planted green beans which are coming up sporadically. I used to have more green beans than we could possibly eat but the last few years I can't get them to grow. We shall see what happens this year.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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In their own separate pots, I have my cherry tomatoes planted with basil, 2 celebrity tomato plants, each planted with basil, a large tree pot with the beginnings of potatoes planted. All I have to do yet is find a pot for my Cherokee Purple tomato plant & then I am done planting veggies for the season. if it had not of been raining so badly, I would have also planted green onions, lettuce and spinach. but oh well...perhaps next year.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Northern Star
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OP
Northern Star
Joined: Jun 2003
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~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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Good for you Junie. Where are your containers located? I've got to get my potatoes in buckets before they outgrow these containers. It was too overcast today and I just couldn't make myself do it and I'll be gone all day tomorrow so Monday is the day. Pray for sunshine.
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Frogger
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Frogger
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I will pray for Sunshine for us both, Sheri.
In my back yard we have pavers setting out to the right of the back garage door. There used to be 2 dog pens on the pavers. However, we have long ago gotten rid of the pens,but we kept the pavers in place. So my large pots--half barrel--lg. tree pot are there now...so Rod will not have to trim around them, and I will not have to got out in the grass to care for them..it is a win-win. I do however have one lg. pot filled with a cherry tomato plant & basil plant on the back deck. That is more handy for me to get tomatoes from for say salads down the road..
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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I put the potato plants in buckets today and I'm wondering what will happen if it rains hard. Will the buckets drain fast enough or will it overflow and kill the plant or what? I've got drain holes in the bottom.
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Northern Star
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Northern Star
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It will drain out the extra water usually.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Patriot
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Frogger
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Frogger
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Yes I think it should w/o any problem. I have used large flower pots for years to grow veggies, esp. Tomatoes---and as long as they have had drain holes, I do not have problems in that area. Also, I have MY potatoes in a large tree pot that has drain holes about every 6 inches. I am thinking of it was good enough for the tree, it should be good enough for my potatoes. I wish us both good luck !
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Patriot
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Patriot
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It's pouring rain so I'll find out in the morning.
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