Interesting Olde Time-y Garden Tips

16 years ago

So, my Mom got me this cool little book on Old Time Gardening Wisdom (I'd go get it and tell you the exact title, but the cat is currently sound asleep on my lap...) and there are a couple of interesting tips I thought I'd share.

The first one is that instead of timing your succession plantings every two weeks, sow your 2nd planting when the first has shown 3 inches above ground. That way you can avoid having multiple sowings sprout all at once if germination is delayed by a cold snap (and probably get a more evenly spaced harvest if growth is speeded by a warm spell).

The second is to remove a few leaves from leggy seedlings when they are transplanted out. This will allow the stems to stay straight and unbroken and the roots won't have to support as many leaves all at once in the new, brighter surroundings.

And the third, and to me most risky yet exciting, is to get rid of insect infestations with a hot-water shower. This is recommended for several different pests including aphids, spider mites, cabbage loopers and other caterpillars, and some beetles. Use water that is between 135 and 140 degrees F and only expose the plant for 1-3 seconds- the thicker the leaf, the longer it can handle the water.

The first two seem like good common sense to me, and the third I will try. Probably on something I won't miss if I do parboil it by accident. Personally, I would be beside myself if I could get rid of the horrible spidermites with nothing more than hot water. And the tomatoes would get a little extra water, too!

Just thought I would share!

Sunni

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Comments (7)

marlingardener
16 years ago
Sunni,
I wonder if we have the same book? It's titled "Tips from the Old Gardeners" and was compiled by Duncan Crosbie. There's information on companion planting; using plants to deter rabbits, birds and insects; and lots of appropriate quotes (from Ruth Stout--"An unmulched garden looks to me like some naked thing which, for one reason or another, would be better off with clothes on.")
Mine, too, was a gift, and I love it!
sunnibel7 Md 7
Original Author
16 years ago
No, I guess not. Mine is "1001 Old-Time Garden Tips by Roger Yepsen, (the cat is napping elsewhere now) but it sounds pretty similar! It also has companion plantings and such. I read a little at a time each day, so I can keep picking up new (old?) ideas...

Cheers!

Sunni
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glib
16 years ago
Here is one I have heard, no explanation for it, but it may have a kernel of truth. Do not plant melons near squash. The squash will not mind but the melons will not be sweet or good. I must say that the best years for melons I did plant them away from squash, and two of the bad years they were close, though I do not know if last year counts (really cold summer). I only heard it this Fall but I will probably follow the advice in the future.
sunnibel7 Md 7
Original Author
16 years ago
Glib, I was trying to find more info. about melon-growing in my area and found some similar information in a historical treatise... Only they were talking about keeping melons away from cucumbers. They (the current writers, not the historical ones) said that while these don't cross, sometimes they can with the Serpent (Snake?) melon and are said to give a cucumbery flavor to the melons. Don't know how true all that is, but I thought it was interesting! The relevant info. is in the 2nd paragraph under the section Melons.

Sunni

Here is a link that might be useful: Historic melons and cucumbers
User
16 years ago
It may be true (the melons/squash/etc) thing on the next generation after the seeds are collected and regrown, but the fruit that grows after pollination (regardless of plant) is independent of all that.
golfngardennut
16 years ago
I thought it had to do with attracting similar pests and diseases...

g'nut
roper2008
16 years ago
I have one with a similar name, 1,001 Ingenious Gardening Ideas by
Rodale Press. Pretty good book. Bought it a year ago.