Does this forum have settings, so that when I click on the thread, it takes me to the last post in the thread ? Instead of going to the start and then having to scroll to the bottom.

Lynn, your’re right. We cannot see your test post. Or I cannot.

The same thing happened with the ”eggplant dip” word too.

And other people tested it as well.

Lynn, also when I click ”like” it does not like, but zips me back to the very top of the thread again! Houzz definitely is not user friendly to many of us.

Our low so far is 12°, but doing chores the last few days I can tell you the wind chill has been much colder than reported. Not only have I not planted or ordered, I haven’t even gone through all my seeds to know what I need. I’m thinking God is trying to slow me down. I have the thoughts but my body is not following thru. Jennifer, I’m still using eggs I have stockpiled too - figure no matter what they are better than ones from store. I give my hens a cup of corn every night to heat them up for the night. No, it does not increase production 😁

Here in far north Cleveland County, we're predicted to get to 8 degree tonight. I'm gonna cover my cilantro with leaves and soak em down.

I want the cilantro to survive the winter so it will go to seed and I get volunteer plants again. I've not planted seed in a few years now.

We're getting light snow in far south OKC. That's good. Snow is an insulator for the 8* temps coming tonight.

Here is the post that Houzz shadowbanned , obviously , I've altered it to get past their algos .

I gotta test this sauerkraut thing, if that's actually blocked, then its ridiculous.

I do like $k.r.a.u.t$ and wieners .

Lynn, I like them also. I can see the last post.

Lynn I click on the bell at the top and then click on the most recent notifications. Then I scroll up to see all the most recent posts. There’s usually one or two

I hope that makes sense.

I'll try that Kim.

I saw the skies clearing late yesterday, lots of sun popping though, and I had a hunch it was gonna get a lot colder than predicted. The NWS had 90% Sky Cover around midnight and that was not gonna happen.

And it did. Mesonet says 8* in Norman , 3* in OKC East, the two stations that I sit right in the middle between them.

Glad I covered up the cilantro.

Still dropping

Lynn, the map looks correct on the east side of the state. I live east of LeFlore County, and my min/max shows 12 degrees also. My low for the year has been 10 degrees, but we still have a lot of year left, and it may get worse before it gets better. At 9:30 we are up to 16 degrees.

My greenstalk comes in today I won’t be doing anything with it for at least a week. Last night my van back hatch dropped down hit my head and busted it open. A trip in ambulance and a few staples later all is well but wow what a headache. Rest for days.

What are we going to do with you Kim? Feel better.

Glad I don't live in Beaver.

K r a u t was a derogatory way to refer to Germans. It's interesting that houzz filters these words out. I wonder what the egg plant dish means in what was it, Syrian? I put a space in egg plant in case that is the word. The egg plant emogi has some other meaning to the young people so who knows.

yeah….i gathered that shortened word meant something derogatory after reading those letters from my grear uncle while he wasnin europe in WW2.

Eggplant is fine, but the first word in the dip means father(although its probably slang but not derogatory)

the second word means spoiled (but not as in rotten food) if i remember correctly. however that item and term is used on menus everywhere. lol.

its delish!

i know theres multiple typos in this post but im on my phone and this forum doesnt like iphone.

kim, im so sorry! take care!

Thank you Amy Jennifer. My greenstalk came and is glaring at me

Kim, I am sorry for your head injury, but I am glad your Greenstalk came in.

I just checked my light shelf, I am very unhappy about my seed germination rate. I knew the germination rate would be low, but I expected better than I have. I did notice that I had some lights turned off. We went out of town Friday, and I guess that I did not turn all the lights on when we came home Saturday evening. I do have a fixture also that seems to be burned out, I will try to find a replacement tomorrow, I have replacement parts, I will just have to dig them out.

Madge and I went out to eat again today, and I had to pick up more pepper seeds. Emmy and Jerry came over Sunday, and he brought some ground Japaleno pepper over, which I like very well, so I plan on keeping him supplied with pepper next summer. If I understood Jerry correctly, he said that he had 3 qts of the ground pepper at home. Jerry ground a lot of habanero also, but it has a little more kick than I like. I plan to have Cayenne, Serrano, and hot Hungarian peppers also for Jerry to grind this summer.

NWS noted that in an X post ............

NWS Norman@NWSNorman·13hWe had 10 hours and 12 minutes of daylight today in Norman, up from a minimum of 9:47 on the winter solstice. 58 days until the spring equinox.

My cilantro survived 3*. I could not cover all of it and even the plants not covered , survived. It really is a cold weather plant, which makes me wonder how it become a big part of Mexican food ? Mexico's climate is not exactly cold weather.

Right now, at 11 am we're above freezing. First time since noon Saturday.

I'd heard something years ago that having this type of freezing weather will kill off a lot of wintering insect pests. They say mild winters = more ticks, etc. I'm hoping that 3* killed off the cutworm larva :)

I gotta get my pepper seed planted today ........... or tomorrow ........... or later if I procrastinate enough.

I have the pepper starting itch also, but I want to drag my feet a while. The earliest I can remember starting peppers was Jan 25, I had a green house then, and the pepper plants got huge before planting time. Because of my microclimate, the first week in may is my "feel safe" date. I have a few 5 gallon buckets I could cover my plant with, but that is a lot of trouble.

I do have some saver pepper seeds that I am a little unsure of, so I may plant some of them early because I may have low, or no germination.

The first thing I need to do is up pot more purple sweet potato plants, and try to get my light shelf free so I can get other plants growing. I love messing with plants, but it is easy to overload yourself if you are short on space. I think I can use my neighbors greenhouse, but it may be a month or more before he has the roof back on it, the storm we has several weeks ago took the roof off of the greenhouse.

Lynn, I wish that was the case with the insects that I deal with on my property. It seems like hard winters just make them stronger. lol

I do remember Dawn talking about very wet, flooding springs and it drowning/killing pests. BUT, flooding causes its own issues.

I saw that Glenda and Josh posted a day or so ago!

Good to see you post. I imagine you've both been so busy.

Looks like Trumps deportation policy is hitting farms that depend on migrant field workers

Farms already seeing 'massive drop off' in workers as mass deportations begin: report

Then prices at the store will go up . maybe shortages too.

Better keep gardening.

Rick

It is definitely time to up our game

Well, for the first time in a long long time, I'm seeing vacancy signs on rental property in this area , such as apartment complexes and duplex developments. Some are offering first month rent free.

IDK, maybe the illegals are already clearing out. Maybe the economy is down. IDK what to think.

Considering there were millions who came over the southern border over the past four years, maybe thinning the herd is a good thing.

I don't think an open southern border serves us well.

Where I live, I watch the school kids walking to and from the junior high school. And over the past 15 years its changed from mostly white American kids, to 90% brown skinned , black haired kids.

Make up your own minds if that's good or bad. I'm just stating facts.

Me, I'm not willing to sacrifice our heritage and culture, for good tacos, getting my lawn mowed real cheap, cheape farm labor, or plentiful roofing labor. If these people understand WHY there was a good paying job here and WHY they had to leave the chithole they were living in, then I'm good with it.

But I doubt they understand that, I think we become a chithole. We're just inviting the same problems from socialism, that caused them to migrate here. I prefer, they stay in their own country and solve their problems there, which is socialism.

Sorry if that offended anyone, but hey .....................

Look at Mexico and the central American countries, and even the South American countries. They're basically socialist, dictatorial chitholes.

And they've had a hundred plus years to look at the United States, and think , wow, what makes the United States so prosperous and powerful.

They can't learn to do things our way. Mexico is prime example, right next to us, and they can't adapt our economic or political principles.

There's absolutely no reason for that except they're generally stupid. And I don't want their stupidity here.

Putting all politics aside , I was just noting that the large scale farms are experiencing a drop off in field labor now.

I read something about oranges rotting in the fields now.

So expect high prices for oranges ( or whatever) and/ or shortages (empty shelves) in the stores , at least for the short term.

Kinda like when Covid hit.

That damn bug is still around.

Anyway I'm going to keep gardening.

Starting with onions and potatoes.

Rick

Large scale farms are corporate farms, who are increasing their profits on cheap labor.

I agree, Rick there has always been fruit rotting in the fields, but it’s going to get worse.

What onion varieties is everyone growing this year? I can't remember if we already talked about this. I chose Red Creole, Texas Legend, and Highlander, which is a long-day variety that does well in intermediate day areas too. I did read something interesting about Red Creole. You're supposed to plant those a little later to prevent bolting. They don't get huge anyways. But, they are good ones to store. Texas Legend is probably my favorite one to grow, tho. I might put it in as soon as I get them, but hold off a couple of weeks on the other two.

Has anyone tried Katrina cucumber? I think I heart about it from Whispering Willows Farm. Supposedly it sets fruit in the heat of summer. I'll let y'all know. I also bought more Persian cuke seed.

Also, has anyone grown Muir lettuce? I heard about it from Seasonal Homestead. It also is supposed to do well in the heat.

And I ordered Isis Candy tomatoes. I got some seed from Jen years ago AND got a plant from Larry at SF last year. I forgot how much I like it. So, ordered some seed.

Other new things to try this year: Pixie cabbage (thanks for the suggestion, Amy) I'm also trying both Honeynut squash and Baby Butter (or is it Butter Baby) squash.

Last September I ordered Jade Bush Bean. I want to try them in my Greenstalk.

Is anyone else trying anything new this year?

Kim, were there " fruits rotting in the field " in 2019 ?

Since then, we've had millions of " migrants " coming into the country. We had no problems in 2019.

So now, with milions and millions entering the country over the southern border, we're not gonna have enough labor.

Yeah right.

Lynn, I doubt that they are stupid, I think the people would like to change, but they don't have the tools to make the change. If things were to continue here, like they have for the past four years, we would not have what is needed to protect our way of life either. I feel sorry for other nations, but their problems have to be fixed at home, not here. I suspect that we have too many people in power that are not too concerned about the betterment of the country, over the betterment of their bank account.

I expect for things to get worse before they get better, and I pretty much think that most of the world will be facing problems also.

I have 70 purple sweet potato slips. I already have more of the purple slips than I need, and will soon be running out of shelf room, and I am willing to bet that when I have to get rid of the plants, that the people are not going to have room for them. The deal was that I would make potted plants for them, and then they would take the plants and pull the slips that they needed and then keep the rest of the pot to use as an ornamental plant. A lot of people don't understand about the work involved in keeping and caring for plants.

I may have to go sit in the corner because of my post also, but I am not wanting to offend anyone either. As Rick says, "garden up". The belly that growls, may be your own.

Jennifer I am growing lots of varieties of onions and I can’t remember them all. Definitely 1015. And two red varieties. They are supposed to help with nerve repair. They contain quercitin. I planted a few out the other day. I still have about 150 to get out

Well it's onion season right now.

Thanks to my locale feed store , I usually get an assortment of Dixondale onion varieties .

I tend to go heavy on Candy , Yellow Granex and Texas Super Sweet 10Y15.

Then do a little of White and Yellow Bermuda , Red Candy , Sweet Red , Texas Legend , High Lander , maybe Patterson and Red River.

For potatoes , Red Pontiac and Yukon Gold.

I still thinkin out the rest of my seed lists....... corn , beans , peas......greens. ( spinach , chard..mustard)

Think I'll try out that " Salsify " , Black Crowder cowpeas..

I'll do both field corn and sweet corn , green beans and shelled beans.

I'll probably do my usual with the tomatoes ( every variety I see at the stores) cold season stuff as usual ( cabbage , broccolli , cauliflower..collards , kale) , okra...more cowpeas... turnips later on in the fall...

Rick

I got a nice variety of seeds at that swap last week. I finally wrote them all down. There were about 20 different things, flowers, herbs, and veg. I am looking forward to planting so much more this year.

None of my onion seed came up, so all my bulbing onions will be from Bonnie, that is all we have around here. Most of my other cold weather seeds did not come up either. So far I have had some All Season cabbage come up as well as a few spinach. I tried a different method of starting seeds, and had little luck. I used old seed and last years potting soil, but I should have had a higher germination rate.

I came close to ordering more tomato seeds today. I enjoy Mrs Maxwell tomatoes, but they seem much like Brandywine, and I already have plenty Brandywine seeds.

I've never messed with onion seed.

I just get the plant bundles and sets.

I'm not too good at starting my own plants from seed.

Need to be but just don't have time for it all.

.Maybe whenever I retire....

Rick

Rick, I don't recall starting any seeds before I retired, other than direct seeding into the ground. I would recommend retirement to anyone.

Rick that’s why I love winter sowing. It’s fool proof

From those of us who work outside the home and start seed--it is a lot to care for, but it's possible.

You just don't sit down until nearly bedtime. lol

You check your seedlings in the morning and in the evening to make sure they aren't dry. And find time to up-pot when they're ready.

As much as I work outside the home, IF I can do it, anyone can. Basically I'm only home on Saturday now. But, I also realize some people need to rest more than I do for a variety of reasons.

Which is why I don't mind January. Normally I don't have seed started (although sometimes do) and can rest a bit more. Recharge and/or work on other projects.

Kim, I haven't been able to give up the "control" to winter sow yet. I will someday.

The plants that Rebecca brings to SF are so strong and healthy. She winter sows.

This year I did both. I have a shelf I put up in the kitchen last summer and so I cleared it off and put a shop light and two trays. I like it because it gives me a little extra light in the kitchen and something to fuss with during the day. Now, when it comes to carrying them outside for light, I’m not going to be impressed.

I don't see how a person can raise a family. start seeds, grow a garden, go to scouts, ball games and hold down a job, plus do house work. I stop at times, and think, "how in the world did I find time to go to work"

For me I think the thing that I like about starting seeds, is the fact that I can get the type of plants I want. Most of the plants I would buy cost about $1.00 each when I bought them, and we think that the plants we start are almost free. Even though I buy mostly cheap seeds, I save a lot of seeds, and I start my sweet potatoes from my stock, by the time I harvest, my produce is a long way from free. I can buy produce cheaper than I can grow it, but I had still rather have MY produce.

Here is a great video about growing sweet potatoes in straw bales.

https://youtu.be/E6zkc4szKow?si=ufbA_jx0regnoOBY

I’m going to plant the Rise & Shine yellow squash again this year, very impressed with it last year, a new zuchinni - Kefren from Pinetree Seeds, and Diva cucumbers. I planted the Diva years ago when I had a bigger greenhouse. They produce all female flowers and don’t need pollination. Jennifer I plant the Jade green beans too, they are good beans and stay small and thin longer. HU, I’ve never heard of black crowder peas, are they like the brown in taste? I like black beans in many dishes. I plan to start some Paris Island lettuce this weekend, last year I left it in 3” pots too long instead of transplanting to the garden and finally harvested most of it from the pots - it worked fine, just wasn’t as large. Don’t know about the rest of you but I have been so happy to see sunshine and above freezing temps today.

Black Crowder peas are similar in taste to the brown ones .But like black beans if you want them black they have to dry in the pod.

https://www.vermontbean.com/product/V02078/71

Rick (HU).

Glenda, I only bought a small packet of the Jade. Maybe I'll put a few in the Greenstalk and a few in a raised bed. See how I like them. I'm pretty sure I got the variety from a YouTuber, but can't remember which one.

Do you have many issues with squash pests?

Larry, it's crazy how we make time for what we have to/want to do. We were band parents just a few short years ago. Active band parents. We organized the food for band events including marching competitions. One evening shopping for food items, one evening organizing it all, and the next day cooking it all. Not an easy thing to do when you're in a school parking lot (we called it "camp") with all the semi trucks full of props and instruments and school buses. No water or electricity. But, we had grills and lots of help. We fed between 300 and 350. Just getting them lined up to eat was a feat. We loved it, tho. And I miss it. But sometimes I don't miss it. I gardened during all of that. And worked. And took Ethan to private music lessons and took care of animals.

Jennifer, I could not have done all of that, I admire the people that can do all of those things, butI never had the skills for that. I was more of a loner, I liked hiking through the back woods, looking for a place never seen by man, and working in the lawn or garden. I also liked to do repair work of any kind. or building something.

Larry , you're a true Pioneer

Daniel Boone would like to have a word with you.

Rick

.

I'm sure you did it when your kids were little, Larry.

I'm very introverted although friendly. I prefer to be alone most of the time. BUT, when I saw my kid thrive at band (or other things for my daughter) I was going to be involved even if I had to stretch myself. I have no regrets because now they're grown and gone. I cherish those times.

At the competitions, we were lucky because being the food coordinators, we were able to park our personal truck at the "camp". In between performances and feedings, I would sneak away and lie down in the second seat of the truck where no one could see me....and nap. Being around people makes me very tired even if I like the people. I have to do a lot of recharging alone and when I don't get that alone time, I get sick. And sad.

I also prefer to be alone in my garden or in my house. BUT, I don't want to miss opportunities to be with my kids, and need to make time for my mom too.

Tuesday has been my day off from work (other than Saturday) for years because Sunday is a work day for me. Now, I am spending 2 hours driving time (to and back) to babysit my grandson. I wouldn't have it any other way, but it is a sacrifice for me. Tuesday was the day I gathered myself and recharged by being home alone. And got housework done. And other projects--gardening, canning, other types of preserving.

I am Gen X. We will probably never be able to afford to retire fully. We do have retirement funds and whatnot, but it's probably not enough.

So, we'll be working for a long time still. We always joke about that old hymn, "We'll work til Jesus comes, we'll work til Jesus comes...."

But I would much prefer to be home. If I could retire, I would volunteer two days a week at various places and spend the rest of the time at my house, except maybe seeing my grandson and daughter one day a week.

Jennifer, I would love to be married and retired and putter around the house and spend time with my grandkids too. The seed swap and classes were amazing absolutely amazing. I bought some purple potatoes to grow spend a whole dollar and $20. I got about five or six fig cuttings and five or six elderberry cuttings. I got in an oregano plant And lots of yummy seeds. I am so thankful I did not order seeds back when I wanted to. Because now I have everything that I was gonna order. I got a new one called Chinese miniature squash or something like that. Basically it’s like a miniature acorn squash, but it looks like a pumpkin. Excited to try that.