Re: [CH] Introduction from Janna

bluezinnia@kyananet.com
Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:23:34 -0400 

Jannafer Franklin wrote:
>  or (B) you guys hate new people.  LOL!   :)
>
HECK no!! We love newcomers, especially (thought not only!) if they come 
bearing growing tips, seeds to share,  and/or recipes. :)

>  I'm 39, and am trying to forget the fact that I will be 40 in January.

LOL!  I'm turning 60 in January--I hear ya, :) 

You Aquarius or Capricorn? I'm on the cusp, which is arguably the oddest 
one in
the zodiac. :)


> In my fridge right now is a huge variety of hot sauces.  Some are 
> good, some are disappointing.  I think the hottest thing I've found so 
> far is called "357 Mad Dog."
> If you know of anything hotter, please share. :)

Not unless somebody here makes it for ya. <evil grin>  And then we have 
this BREAD, a sandwich's
worth of which, I'm told, would kill fourteen alligators, six anacondas 
and an unusually pissed-off Marine drill sergeant.  Scary stuff, is THE 
BREAD.
 
> It would be wonderful to grow my own peppers, if not for the 
> unfortunate fact that plants hate me and inevitably die whenever I try 
> to take care of them.
>

The answer here on the zone 5/6 line is benign neglect.  Water only if 
they're wilting more than a little, mulch or weed to keep the weeds 
down, and you want to be high-church about it,  give the plants  a quick 
spritz or two with a mild Epsom-salts solution a couple times a year, 
then  just  wait and leave everything alone.  If you've planted them 
fairly deep (which works just as well for peppers as tomatoes), and far 
enough apart for them to get the air, they'll do fine.

One trick, though: Unless your soil is already noticeably acid, you 
might try taking three to six paper (not wooden!) matchheads, depending 
on plant size, and spread them around evenly in the bottom of the 
planting hole.  Cover them with soil so they don't tough the roots, and
plant.  Works great; peppers like it slightly acid but not Miracid acid, 
and  in average Ohio Valley and Great Lakes soil, this trick establishes 
the pH they like.

Keep on rockin',
Rain
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