Gardening Q&A Episode 27 || Black Gumbo

[@billelam5610]

In my past life before I retired from natural resource management, I used Rx fire as a tool. We burned fencelines around a habitat area to clear invasive grasses. The fencing was galvanized and the heat from the fire compromised the integrity of the coating and allowed the fence to start rusting. This was very near to the pacific ocean so the salt air was also a factor. Using the torch to weed galvanized containers could allow rust to start if you expose the metal to high heat for extended periods of time. Keep heat off the metal if at all possible.

[@mostuniquemary]

I appreciate that bit of information! We're nowhere near an ocean (SE Michigan) but I think we may stick with the hard rake after hearing this. We're switching to metal beds for the longevity factor and if it rusts in a few years then that defeats the whole project. Have a great day!

[@mostuniquemary]

Hey Mr Scott! Great video! I really enjoy the Q&A, not just because you used my question. lol. Good luck with the kitchen tomato! Can't wait to see what kind of tomato comes out of it!

[@kath-phlox]

Yes, I'm still here Scott, a little shell shocked that you mentioned me. Anyway... a little tip that I use with tomato seeds to dry them out.... I keep a small square of cardboard for the job (6-8"), they never stick to that, try it.

[@sierra565]

I've learned more about gardening from your channel than any other online resource. Palatable and very easy to understand! I can garden with more confidence knowing that if I have a question, there's a 99% chance you've got a video on it! Lol

[@raydel5732]

Thanks Scott. May Jesus give you a blessed Resurrection Sunday to worship Him. Please keep me in your prayers for His gospel to go forth while I am in the hospital. Thanks again Ray Delbury Sussex County NJ USA

[@paullemke2066]

Re 5-gallon buckets: I get mine from Firehouse Subs. They are food grade, cheaper than the big box stores, and the cost goes to their charity.

[@cbmitchell]

Beer cans upside down to fill a big pot.

[@MarkOliver-m7b]

You can boil your old potting soil to make seed starter soil instead of paying that high price for seed starter mix, I tried that last month to start pepper seeds and it worked great. If you have potting mixed with native soil, the clay sinks to the bottom and you can pour out the good stuff, clay in starter mix can make if difficult to separate the seedlings if you put a bunch of seeds in a 4" pot.

[@carriecreates1207]

I found a donut place with 5 gallon buckets out back, they give them away. I started a raised garden in them, Spring Texas

[@mattpeacock5208]

All my home depot buckets have a 2. The same 2 is under the mayonaise buckets and pickle buckets that are 5 gal that I got from a local deli. They all work well for growing produce.

[@davidward1259]

Scott, around here (Georgia), the Firehouse Subs food chains sell their used 5 gallon pickle buckets as a fund raiser for Fire Fighters. Plus they sell them for $3 each which is usually lower than the HD and Lowes buckets. The pickle buckets are "food safe" plastic so they are also food safe for vegetable growing. If you live near a Firehouse, give them a call to see if they have any available (they go fast around here, but they restock all the time).

[@mwnemo]

That’s what I use, was going to offer the same comment

[@GeorgiasGarden]

That was a great Q&A. Thank you.

[@j.b.6855]

Glad to see a video from you Scott. As a container gardener I know about the 5 gallon buckets from the big box stores, they are great for making sips (hint hint). The Menards, Lowes, and Home Depot are all HDPE, so food safe plastic. At least the ones I have, never hurts to check. Strangely Tidy Cats buckets are also food grade plastic.

[@debbybrady1246]

Those little tomatoes look just like the Bosque Blue Bumblebee tomatoes that I plant each year. It's my favorite snacking tomato and very bug and disease resistant.

[@ausfoodgarden]

Plastic codes 1 (PET) 2 (HDPE) 4 (LDPE) and 5 (PP) are all used for food packaging so I'm guessing they are relatively safe. I don't worry too much about it as we are all breathing drinking and eating microplastics everyday anyway. Great Q&A Scott, hopefully they'll be more regular this year, Cheers!

[@iartistdotme]

Your garden is looking good! Wish I would have felt better but am grateful for finally overcoming this weird health issue. Now this weekend I plan to begin the process of cleaning out the mess from it being ignored for 1 year as of April 1 -Fools Day. Hope that isn't a sign of what's to come for me this summer or for anyone else. I'm planning on a really hot summer but with more rain that normal. In other words a mosquito swamp of humidity. I know that once I get out there it will begin to cure me of my doldrums. Even watching others hasn't helped yet - I have to actually get my fingers in the dirt. Enough complaining, I'm looking forward to Saturday and being able to see the ground again instead of dead weeds. LOL There are rabbits in it and snakes and the deer ate all my Meyer lemon growing tips off. So I need to get out the electric fence again. There is never a dull moment in a garden and that keeps me hoping for a greener year. Appreciated you video today and seeing what your garden is doing. *and seeing Pheobe (sp). Happy Easter to you and your family.

[@charlenequinilty7252]

I mix top soil with my potting soil and my homemade compost and it seems to work well.

[@vickirickman9373]

Thank you, Scott always for all the helpful videos that you do, and for always answering all of our questions Hope you and the family have a wonderful Easter God bless you

[@tammyohlsson7966]

I just finished reading “Grow a little fruit tree” I planted two peach trees and a nectarine this spring. Do I dare cute them back to knee high? They look great and I don’t want to kill them. I’m too old to harvest from a huge tree. Want to keep the around 6ft. Any advice? So glad you’re back with us. Have a blessed Easter! He is risen!

[@lynnerskine3346]

Thank you for this question and answer video. So informative. Really enjoy all your videos.

[@cwallcw]

Cheap topsoil mixes can be a fine starting mix for those who blend their own soils (many of us). Even with the gumbo here. Plus about 1/3 of it is essentially wood chips, much of which end up on top after some rain and act as a munch. Just gotta be careful not to use much of it if blending into ground gumbo.

[@litaapreston9605]

I agree. You can use top soil mix with peat moss and compost. I also add some perlite. Using 1/3 mix for each. I would also add some type of long lasting fertilizer if planting in pots.

[@amyschultz8058]

Thsnks Scott for a great video.I hope y'all have a nice Easter.

[@andraroberts9029]

Great info. I look forward to finding out how your grocery store tomatoes turn out.

[@jenniferdavis8088]

I get all my 5 gallon buckets for my garden at firehouse subs the buckets had pickles in them so I know they are safe , they sell them for $3 with the lids

[@WILLITGROW]

great questions and awnsers.

[@debbybrady1246]

Thank you for answering my question. I enjoyed the video. I'm going to order the fertilizer.

[@metalrabbit09]

I'm growing Meyer lemon from seed. I didn't know that they are supposed to be grafted onto a rootstock. What rootstock? I have a few basic recipes for making large container potting soil, and I mix and match from them depending on what I have, bury kitchen scraps and paper, leaves, twigs. I add bone meal and lime months before I plant and Espoma slow release fertilizer. Sometimes use soluable fertilizer. I've made some nice container soil.

[@GreenThumbGardener65]

This was great info. Thank you. Happy Easter!😊

[@jeffsherwood9151]

Thanks for the info

[@ebradley2306]

What do you think of adding some topsoil to a raised bed mix since raised beds filled with just organic material drops substantially every year.

[@jackiehorsley9263]

those are some great questions I guess If you don't ask you don't get a answer

[@MarkOliver-m7b]

Actually sand is better for filling dips in your lawn, top soil will erode away.

[@cwallcw]

Adding sand-only to a heavy gumbo soil (like in most of the Houston area) results in even worse drainage, a semi concrete substance.

[@ralph601]

Last summer was a beast. Let's hope for a milder summer 2024. Have a great night. Thanks for the questions answer.

[@charlescoker7752]

You see my comment. About wood ashes keep squash vine borers from killing squash, and cucumbers?

[@ScottHead]

Yes, very interesting article.

[@mostuniquemary]

Could you either tag me to that comment or comment it here? I'd love to read the article! I have a bonfire and a yearly fight with those buggers.

[@cwallcw]

I second the request :)

[@charlescoker7752]

I”m organic channel says worm castings spread on top of seed in a planting tray will not have Dampening Off problems

[@ClauJos]

Hi, Scott - I live in west Houston and would like to try growing a mulberry tree. Do you know the best kind for this area and where I could purchase one? Have you ever tried growing a mulberry? Thanks in advance!

[@ScottHead]

Wish I knew about mulberries but I don’t.

[@frankporterfield8121]

Tractor Supply buckets are food safe.

[@dymonicreed7521]

I have a Florida Prince peach tree, Does the blue come before or after the Foliage. ?

[@oxwoman8]

I combine topsoil, compost and cow manure for my containers. The compost and manure lightens the mix enough so that it drains well. I use two parts topsoil, one part compost and one part manure. Let's face it, potting mix is really expensive these days. Especially when you have as many containers as I do (20+). Topsoil is so much cheaper. I make my own compost so that is free, but you can use soil conditioner (pine fines) if you can't find or can't afford compost at the store. I do repot and root prune all of my containers every year. I've never had an issue. I live in Charlotte, NC zone 8a. (I use this mix for my houseplants, too. NOT my succulents. Those are put in cactus mix which is pricey but necessary.)

[@EastxWestFarms]

Hi Scott, don’t disagree with your take on plastics. Still, we try to reduce our use of plastic. It’s not some altruistic ‘safe the world’ kind of reason. In the long run ceramic pots last a lot longer. You pay a little more in the beginning and save in the long run.

[@conniedavidson1807]

Great to see you back.

[@vee5032]

Thank you, very good questions and great answers, I’m so glad you are back

[@delmadehoyos1946]

Enjoyed this video. Thank you!😊