is it to early to go buy garden stuff....

[bumleg]

I know I will have to keep them in the garage for awhile... but is it to early to go buy stuff or not....Thanks

[Finns]

You didn't seem to put down where you live. So if around Owatonna, buy 'em up! Around Ely maybe not so much.

[bumleg]

West Central Minnesota

[Tom7227]

Why buy it now and put up with having to maintain it for another couple of weeks? The place isn't likely to run out. Look up your average last frost day and work from there. http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-minnesota-last-frost-date-map.php is an example of a place to get the info.

[Dotch]

Tom speaks the truth. Was just at the greenhouse in Owatonna where Mrs. Cheviot works a little bit ago. Plants look absolutely fantastic and there's just something about being in a greenhouse that makes a person feel alive this time of year, even when the weather is crummy outside. Along those lines, they caution folks too that the weather as well as where you plan to put these plants makes a big difference on which ones to take home and which ones to wait on. Cole crops, potatoes, rhubarb, asparagus roots, pansies, petunias, etc., sure, why not? Things like tomatoes and peppers? Perhaps if you have a container garden, a sheltered area and a lot of free time on your hands to babysit them. The thing that always makes me laugh are the stories of people who took sensitive plants early, get them frozen off, beaten by the wind, or forget to water them, then bring them back expecting replacements. Probably a good thing I don't work retail when something like that happens. I know as windy and lousy as the weather sounds for the next several days, there is no sense to trying to garden here. It's too wet and in places I would wager there is still frost in the ground, this in South Central MN for crying out loud! To everything there is a season...

[LwnmwnMan2]

Tom speaks the truth. Was just at the greenhouse in Owatonna where Mrs. Cheviot works a little bit ago. Plants look absolutely fantastic and there's just something about being in a greenhouse that makes a person feel alive this time of year, even when the weather is crummy outside. Along those lines, they caution folks too that the weather as well as where you plan to put these plants makes a big difference on which ones to take home and which ones to wait on. Cole crops, potatoes, rhubarb, asparagus roots, pansies, petunias, etc., sure, why not? Things like tomatoes and peppers? Perhaps if you have a container garden, a sheltered area and a lot of free time on your hands to babysit them. The thing that always makes me laugh are the stories of people who took sensitive plants early, get them frozen off, beaten by the wind, or forget to water them, then bring them back expecting replacements. Probably a good thing I don't work retail when something like that happens. I know as windy and lousy as the weather sounds for the next several days, there is no sense to trying to garden here. It's too wet and in places I would wager there is still frost in the ground, this in South Central MN for crying out loud! To everything there is a season...

These same people must hire out their lawn work as well.

[flipper]

Tom speaks the truth. Was just at the greenhouse in Owatonna where Mrs. Cheviot works a little bit ago. Plants look absolutely fantastic and there's just something about being in a greenhouse that makes a person feel alive this time of year, even when the weather is crummy outside. Along those lines, they caution folks too that the weather as well as where you plan to put these plants makes a big difference on which ones to take home and which ones to wait on. Cole crops, potatoes, rhubarb, asparagus roots, pansies, petunias, etc., sure, why not? Things like tomatoes and peppers? Perhaps if you have a container garden, a sheltered area and a lot of free time on your hands to babysit them. The thing that always makes me laugh are the stories of people who took sensitive plants early, get them frozen off, beaten by the wind, or forget to water them, then bring them back expecting replacements. Probably a good thing I don't work retail when something like that happens. I know as windy and lousy as the weather sounds for the next several days, there is no sense to trying to garden here. It's too wet and in places I would wager there is still frost in the ground, this in South Central MN for crying out loud! To everything there is a season...

I went to Owatonna to get a pear tree yesterday and ended up buying a tomato plant and a few pepper plants while I was there. These are plants I won't find closer to home or I didn't have seeds for. I either have already or will soon transplant them to larger pots and will keep them under lights or set them out as the weather permits. I'm not that interested in a big plant but I like to see the roots as big as the container they are in (often about a gallon). I feel they really take off fast when I can finally transplant them in the garden. It's a lot of extra work but I enjoy it and I like extending my growing season as much as practical. .

Yesterday I scratched out a few rows with a hoe and planted kale and lettuce.

I like gardening because I can do things my own dambed wrong way and it often works.

[Rip_Some_Lip]

I have half my garden planted already in south central Mn. I have 3 rows of Yukon Golds, 2 rows of Kennebecks and 3 rows of onions that have been in for a week now. I planted some spinach, lettuce and carrots yesterday. Now I am ready for a week of fishing in Okoboji, Ia. next week!

[Dotch]

Flipper is the man when it comes to tomatoes! Mrs. Cheviot and I were bonding today. We planted all our vine crops sans watermelons at the greenhouse. Nasty day and no one to bother us. Promised ourselves before we left home we'd only put in 3 flats. 3 additional 18 cell flats later... Would've loved to have had some radishes, lettuce, etc., in the ground but wasn't to be. Still raining & much of the main garden was underwater as we dashed across the yard following chores. If it pulls a number like it did last year and we can't plant early stuff early, bring it on. After having snap peas, lettuce, collards and radishes coming out of our ears, we planned on doing a late summer planting anyway. We'll still plant early stuff on the faster soil on our south slope once it's fit, including a few Kennebec's & Pontiacs. May grab a few Goldrush russets to try when checking the transplants. Like their pedigree. Mrs. Cheviot also works at an area potato and carrot farm. If we don't plant any spuds other than those, no biggy. Jerry's spuds make wicked hash browns!

[bumleg]

rip some lips are you fishing the tourney next week up there for Bass........

[CANOPY SAM]

I am green with envy. We won't be into the gardens until after June 1st. We still have a little snow here and there, and the rain hasn't gotten here yet, but the wind has blown the deck furniture all over the yard!

Might drop in some spuds in a couple weeks, if the frost is out, and it dries up enough.

One of the many drawbacks of living way up in NW Minnesota.

On a brighter note, we'll start visiting the green houses in 3-4 weeks!

[bumleg]

Say have you guys and gals ever planted Minnesota Midgets cantaloupe before ...if you have not they are GREAT... single serving size ...they are about the size of a softball.... they fall off the vine when ready to eat so that is easy as well. had them last year and will plant them ever year from now on its a must if you like that kind of stuff......

[Rip_Some_Lip]

No bumleg, I don't know anything about the Bass tourney. I will chase a few smallies though.

[pushbutton]

Say have you guys and gals ever planted Minnesota Midgets cantaloupe before ...if you have not they are GREAT... single serving size ...they are about the size of a softball.... they fall off the vine when ready to eat so that is easy as well. had them last year and will plant them ever year from now on its a must if you like that kind of stuff......

Been planting these for going on 15 years and talking them up on this forum since I joined. They were developed by the U of M and actually help to justify paying taxes.....they are that good Their only downside is that they do not have a thick rind and are not that good for commercial use.....which is why they are not that well known. But for the average home gardener it should be a must. They do not take up much space, can climb, and mature incredibly early for a melon......

[delcecchi]

How does the climbing work with the "fall off the vine when ready"?

I would give these a try if the rabbits, quack grass, and fishing hadn't curtailed my gardening.

[pushbutton]

When first started planting them, would be anal and secure the fruit after they would get a little bigger. After a few years, you could start to see when the were getting pretty close....sight, smell, little thump, little tug type thing. Now days jr usually picks them them well before they are ripe and none ever fall to the ground

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Push - where do you get the MM plants? I want to give those a shot this year.

[pushbutton]

Woods farmer seed in st cloud. Think the original farmer seed catalog has them. Don't know how many outlets are around anymore, or where your garage is. There is not a pretty picture on the package, but for a buck fitty you get like a hundred seeds.They are open pollinated and have seen them in the seed saver exchange type thingies as well.

Edit.... just googled it and they are all over the world wide web now.

[bumleg]

I got mine at Runnings Livingston seed pack ( Melon Minnesota Midget )