Hello again. I have so many things to ask, and they spread across a variety of topics, so I just decided to consolidate them here...
1. RESIDUE ON USED SPRAYERS. As a newcomer to organic gardening who previously used synthetic poisons and pesticides, etc (forgive me Father; I have sinned), I have some plastic sprayers that previously housed some of these chemicals. Can these be reused, or are they ruined? Does the plastic absorb the chemicals? Can they be detoxed, or am I better to throw them out and buy new ones?
2. HEALING A BROKEN PLANT. Did I mention I'm new to this? I am. While handling a baby cucumber plant, I snapped it. Not completely, but enough to kill it. Needless to say, I was distraught, having raised it from a seed, so I taped the section that was snapped with transparent tape, and to my surprise, it survived! However, I'm now thinking that this isn't good. As the plant grows and tries to expand, it's now constrained by the tape... Any advice? Is this a lost cause?
3. LAST FREEZE IN DFW. Since some of you clearly know where Keller is, any idea when it's safe to move the plants outside? Last year, I moved them too early and a freeze killed them all. I'm itching to get started, but I don't want to kill them again, especially since I've started them all from seed myself.
4. PEAT PELLETS. Speaking of seed-starting, I bought some peat pellets and haven't had much luck with them -- less than 20% germination, I'd say. I tried using regular trays and using a technique from Square Foot Gardening (poking a hole, half-fill with vermiculite, insert seed, top-off with vermiculite), and it seems to work great -- nearly 100%. The same seeds were used with both. I'm inclined to give up on the peat pellets, but I was wondering if anyone else had success with them, such that they are worth another shot... They're definitely more convenient, if I could only get them to work. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, ditch the pellets, but I want to make sure I'm being objective.
5. KEEP YOUR TENDRILS TO YOURSELF. Last one. My three oldest kids each planted something that we're going to transfer to the garden. #3 planted a pea, and it's growing tendrils already and reaching for the other plants, which causes them to complain to me about "personal space." Any ideas? Should I transplant it now and chance it? My fear is once I transplant it, and it starts to maneuver around the trellis, it will be hard to cover it in case of a freeze.
I know that's a lot. Thanks in advance for any feedback on any of these items.
Chris
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