Foggy Gray Ohio Day!

[dapper]

Evening all! Just a grey day here in SW Ohio. Don’t know if the fog will show in the photo’s but it is an eerie feeling when this happens. Guess it means spring can’t be far off Need to get away from keyboard and out on tractor. Projects waiting. Equipment all ready to go, just waiting on mud to dry. This may take some time. Us northerners envy folks down south who are starting their gardens, or don’t have to wait on the white stuff to leave before they can get in their fields. Oh well it can’t be long now can it?

 

[johnk]

We had the same fog here last week. Still a lot of snow on the ground but like you said. Spring is around the corner. The best part is the clocks go ahead much earlier this year. Now the high temp for tomorrow is 10 degrees with 30-40 mile an hour winds. Can't take much more......

 

[jinman]

Wow! That sure is pretty in a picture, but I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. I'm one of those guys who is already planting a garden. We planted potatoes last Sunday afternoon. I'm using an experimental method on them this year. I'm putting the potatoes just at the surface and covering them with hay. The idea is to get them to make potatoes on the surface and have to only peel back the hay to harvest them. It will either work or I'll have a funny story to tell.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Dapper,
Pretty pictures ! That fog sure cuts into that snow and ice. Spring is coming, it just seems to take awhile Woke up to 5 degrees and 45 mph winds this morning and thats at the Ct house, cant even imagine what its like at my Vt place this morning Warmer days are coming !

Jim, Ive never heard of anyone doing that, but youve got alot more experience at gardening than me so I will be interested how you make out !

 

[DAP]

Wow! That sure is pretty in a picture, but I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. I'm one of those guys who is already planting a garden. We planted potatoes last Sunday afternoon. I'm using an experimental method on them this year. I'm putting the potatoes just at the surface and covering them with hay. The idea is to get them to make potatoes on the surface and have to only peel back the hay to harvest them. It will either work or I'll have a funny story to tell.

Jin ... we've planted potatoes above ground - in a wire cylinder, like with chicken wire or no climb rolls. Fill the cylinder with 12 inches of soil and fill the next 2 or 3 feet with hay .... had mixed results, but with tweaking the innards, it can be done successfully. Cylinder was about 3 feet across and 3 feet high....

 

[dapper]

Jin, It was you I was thinking about when I was posting. I think I read about your garden in another post. I use to plant that much garden, but this wife doesn't want to deal with it, and I won't plant that much anymore just for me and the neighbors. I have planted potato's as you are going to do, and like DAP I had mixed results. Seem to be a weeding problem if I remember correctly. think I may have used straw, but should work the same. Will look forward to hearing of your experience. Weather man says more snow tonight. 1-2 in. One thing about snow this time of year, it usually doesn't last too long. Maybe this will help... think spring-- think spring-- think spring...

 

[Steve_Miller]

Wow! That sure is pretty in a picture, but I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. I'm one of those guys who is already planting a garden. We planted potatoes last Sunday afternoon. I'm using an experimental method on them this year. I'm putting the potatoes just at the surface and covering them with hay. The idea is to get them to make potatoes on the surface and have to only peel back the hay to harvest them. It will either work or I'll have a funny story to tell.

Jim,
Curiousity asks me if you can have two crops of potatoes planting at this time of the year? Will the first crop be ready by May or June? Then replant and have them again in Sept.? I'm lucky to get one good crop per year.

Steve

 

[deereguy]

dapper- what area of SW Ohio? I'm in Butler County, slowly moving to Champaign Co

 

[dapper]

deer,
I am in Preble co. Eaton area. And you? Where ya going in Champaign? I get up there all the time, and it is a great area. Love Urbana. Great old historic town.

 

[jinman]

Jim,
Curiousity asks me if you can have two crops of potatoes planting at this time of the year? Will the first crop be ready by May or June? Then replant and have them again in Sept.? I'm lucky to get one good crop per year.

Steve

You sure can get two growing seasons here. The second planting of potatoes is suggested in the first two weeks of July by the Master Gardeners in this area. However, in July, it is normally so hot and dry that if you can find the energy to plant, you also have to find the energy to water. The hot sun can be brutal during the months of July and August. It is normally hot and dry here until the third week of September. Plants that like 90º F and below don't have a chance in July and August.