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March 15, 2014

Saturday Yard and Garden Thread: Zombie Edition [Y-not and WeirdDave]
— Open Blogger

This thread brought to you by Be Prepared:

In case of zombies (or yard work) via The Orange.

From your host, WeirdDave:

Y-not has been on vacation this week, so the bulk of the gardening thread falls to me. She has promised to contribute some photos, perhaps her standing in front of the worldÂ’s largest ball of kittens, or maybe this place:

This is my favorite cheese shop, EhlenbachÂ’s, in DeForest, Wi. The townÂ’s off to the left here, but unfortunately you canÂ’t see DeForest for the trees.

Accordingly, IÂ’m going to have to play it pretty straight this week. There will be no jokes, puns or satire anywhere in this post. LetÂ’s start off with the news. It seems a farmer won the mega millions this week. When asked by his local news station what he planned to do with the money, he said heÂ’d probably just keep farming until itÂ’s all gone, and really, who can blame him? The only other thing he could do with money like that is the traditional, namely buying slum housing and then making the poor people who live there beg to be allowed to stay instead of being thrown out on a cold winter night. Jolly fun that, but not practical in his area of limited population, where strong Christian values and traditions of charity infest the towns.

So, weÂ’re now into the second half of March. ItÂ’s planting season, or it should be. Somewhere in this country, IÂ’m sure it is, but here in Maryland weÂ’re expecting snow again this weekend, and parts north just got upward of two feet. Globull warming, dude! I am planning on starting tomato seeds this weekend in an indoor plastic greenhouse. I should have nice sized plants when they go out in 6 weeks or so. Who has what started already?

HereÂ’s a video on square foot gardening. I used this method years ago and think IÂ’m going to go back to it at least in part this year. IÂ’m ditching the plans for digging out the whole garden and installing subsurface irrigation, at least for this year. No time or money at the moment. Throwing up a couple of 4 X 4 raised beds as shown in the video is something I can easily do over the next few weeks:

HereÂ’s a story from a couple of years ago that IÂ’m glad didnÂ’t happen last week or I would suspect that someone had read my Â“bodies as fertilizerÂ” column and taken it seriously: Teen Gets 25 Years for Shovel Murder. (Note: If the link doesn't work for you, try entering the url into your browser: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/montgomery/teen-gets-25-years-for-shovel.html)

Apparently moron Rex HarrisonÂ’s Hat (not to be confused with sock champion moron The Fill-In-The- Blank Hat) thinks that I have no ideas for this thread and sit around desperately hoping for someone to do my job for me. Wait. That actually describes me perfectly. *AHEM* Moron poster Rex HarrisonÂ’s Hat shared this link with me VIA Twitter this week about a cool new way to start some types of vegetables. I like it because IÂ’m lazy as.... something or other, whatever, make up your own simile, who cares?

HereÂ’s a picture:

ItÂ’s almost impossible to be lazier than this, but I bet it works well. HereÂ’s the link to the face book post about it. Great idea.

Speaking of Facebook, one of my friends posted this picture of an herb garden she is pestering her husband to make.

She wants to make hers one step taller because sheÂ’s a lady whoÂ’s sure that her plants will grow bold if she builds them a stairway of seven. Pretty neat for small spaces.

Finally, by popular demand, heirloom tomatoes. Several people have requested that we talk about heirlooms, so we will. HereÂ’s what Wiki says:

An heirloom tomato (also called heritage tomato in the UK) is an open-pollinated (non-hybrid) heirloom cultivar of tomato. Heirloom tomatoes have become increasingly popular and more readily available in recent years. According to tomato experts Craig LeHoullier and Carolyn Male, heirloom tomatoes can be classified into four categories: family heirlooms, commercial heirlooms, mystery heirlooms, and created heirlooms. They are grown for a variety of reasons, such as historical interest, access to wider varieties, and by people who wish to save seeds from year to year, as well as for their taste, which is widely perceived to be better than modern tomatoes.

I donÂ’t really know much about heirlooms, despite the fact that I seem to grow some each year (as I mentioned before, IÂ’m in my third year of growing tomatoes seeded off of a Campari tomato that sprouted, that apparently makes what IÂ’m growing an heirloom), but IÂ’m sure that some of you morons will be glad to tell us all about them in the comments. And thatÂ’s it. IÂ’ll try to have something silly and stupid to say next week.

And now from your co-hostess, Y-not:

Last weekend Mr Y-not and I did a lot of yard work (by our standards, anyway), getting the beds ready for planting. The soil mix of garden soil, vermiculite, and peat that we used last year had settled a bit, so we added some more. It was a beautiful day for working in the yard:

Now last year when I put the beds Â“to bedÂ” for the winter, I did not pull out all of the plants. I left the herbs and a couple of flowering plants, just to see if theyÂ’d over-winter. (I had intended to cover them with leaf litter, but our lawn guys took them all away before IÂ’d had a chance to tell them of my plan.) In any event, it turns out quite a few survived the winter, including both types of thyme, savory, culinary sage, and oregano. We even have some small lettuces left, which either survived somehow or perhaps they self-sowed:

The Plan was to go ahead and plant seeds of cold-hardy plants last weekend Â– I was thinking of beets, snap peas, lettuce, spinach Â– but I ran out of steam. Good thing, too, because this happened a couple of days later:

So like any hard-core gardeners we jumped into the car and headed down to Las Vegas. Much nicer weather and the plants were NOT covered in snow!

(More about the botanical gardens I visited in next weekÂ’s gardening thread.)

To wrap things up, hereÂ’s your Blog of the Week: Natural Gardening. The blogger, Lisa, describes herself as an educator in Clemson, South Carolina. (My guess is sheÂ’s either a professor or an extension person given the number of powerpoint presentations she has on her blog.) Anyway, she calls herself a Â“wildlife gardener.Â” Her blog is filled with a lot of nice ideas for naturalizing your garden. Check it out!

Posted by: Open Blogger at 08:04 AM | Comments (152)
Post contains 1147 words, total size 8 kb.

1 Have at it, gardening morons!

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:10 AM (zDsvJ)

2 Yeah, its a nice day here today but about to turn cold and rainy yet again. Another winter that will not go away. I should be out planting stuff but I just can't depend on the weather yet.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:13 AM (T2V/1)

3 And if I stored by yard tools like that picture above between the weather and the damn carpenter bees they would be gone in less than one season.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:14 AM (T2V/1)

4 SC botanical is in Clemson.....pretty cool daytrip if you're in the area...and it's FREE!

Posted by: BignJames at March 15, 2014 08:14 AM (ZNQKl)

5 I have a bumper crop of weeds growing in my backyard.

Posted by: Count de Monet at March 15, 2014 08:14 AM (BAS5M)

6 OK, that potting mix bag garden is intriguing....

Posted by: Lizzy at March 15, 2014 08:15 AM (aq/zi)

7 I'm thinking I'll take the chance and plant tomorrow. I have some large plastic that I can use to protect the beds, if necessary. It's windy as heck around here right now, though, so I'll need to watch it. I believe raised beds are warmer than in-ground beds. Does anyone have a thermometer that they use to measure soil temps? Some of my seeds need soil temps over 40F to germinate.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:16 AM (zDsvJ)

8 For the Traveling Morons who have a convention in either Houston or San Antonio, both cities have splendid botanical gardens. Jes sayin...

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 15, 2014 08:17 AM (O8GY0)

9 SC botanical GARDEN is in Clemson SC.

Posted by: BignJames at March 15, 2014 08:17 AM (ZNQKl)

10 Ahhh...gardening. As I get older I will be switching from tomatoes to a nice red haired kind bud just for domestic consumption. I am looking forward to mooching off SSN, smoking weed and walking around in an adult diaper. Just like the 20 somethings do today...

Posted by: IrishEd at March 15, 2014 08:18 AM (bfm04)

11 8 For the Traveling Morons who have a convention in either Houston or San Antonio, both cities have splendid botanical gardens. Jes sayin... --- I was thinking of doing next week on botanical gardens, so I'll look into these. Thanks for the tip! The one in Vegas is pretty nice.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:18 AM (zDsvJ)

12 One other thing I have to do as the weather warms up is dig up the water meter and find out if its leaking on my side or the county's side. Hopefully it is on the county's side.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:18 AM (T2V/1)

13 It is definitely Sprang down here. Buffalo gnats hatched.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 15, 2014 08:18 AM (O8GY0)

14 The late wife was so house and yard proud- she could grow anything in almost concrete. I've just let it all go. Can't care, anymore. Walk away, one day.

Posted by: backhoe at March 15, 2014 08:19 AM (ULH4o)

15 I'd take the tool on the far right as my zombie weapon. Effective and not so heavy. I'm thinking of being an amateur chicken farmer when I retire; any Moron advice is welcome.

Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 08:19 AM (AO9UG)

16 Still have 2" of snow cover here -- last year the last of the snow didn't melt until May 15. So I'll wait another four weeks to go and clean out the beds.

Posted by: Mustbequantum at March 15, 2014 08:20 AM (MIKMs)

17 My idea of lazy gardening is to head on over to the produce department.

Posted by: Fritz at March 15, 2014 08:20 AM (UzPAd)

18 You sucked me in! It's a beautiful 67Â° here right now, so I'm heading out back ina few minutes to cut some brush & maybe burn some. I guess I could prep the raised beds, too. I've planted in bags of soil like that before. It works well. I hear potatoes do well like that.

Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 08:20 AM (CYqDc)

19 If you have kids around, plant potatoes. Kids love digging them up in the Fall.

Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 08:21 AM (AO9UG)

20 I'm thinking of being an amateur chicken farmer when I retire; any Moron advice is welcome. Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 12:19 PM (AO9UG) Be careful how deep you plant them.

Posted by: BignJames at March 15, 2014 08:21 AM (ZNQKl)

21 20 I'm thinking of being an amateur chicken farmer when I retire; any Moron advice is welcome. Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 12:19 PM (AO9UG) Be careful how deep you plant them. Posted by: BignJames at March 15, 2014 12:21 PM (ZNQKl) Der. Actually, a hydroponic approach looks intriguing.

Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 08:23 AM (AO9UG)

22 Here in Colorado, indoor gardening has really taken off! But I don't think veggies are what is being grown.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:23 AM (afNM6)

23 22?

model_1066 ?

That old Devil Weed, right?

Posted by: backhoe at March 15, 2014 08:25 AM (ULH4o)

24 I'm still living in my swingin' bachelorette apartment but that certainly won't prevent me from stocking up on seeds for my future fantasy garden. Got a packet of purple/blue (blurple) cherry toms called "Dances With Smurfs". Won't even care what they taste like, just love the name.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at March 15, 2014 08:25 AM (QBm1P)

25 BTW, I've put up an open news/politics thread just below this one. (Not that I'm particularly bothered by off-topic stuff, but just in case.)

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:26 AM (zDsvJ)

26 I'm thinking of being an amateur chicken farmer when I retire; any Moron advice is welcome. Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 12:19 PM (AO9UG) My parents started keeping chickens recently. Started with twelve, now down to four. Stray dogs, owls and a mysterious weasel have thinned the flock. My advice is to not name them or consider them to be pets.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:26 AM (afNM6)

27 The power of the Cheese compels you...

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 15, 2014 08:26 AM (Urmiy)

28 23 22? model_1066 ?That old Devil Weed, right? Posted by: backhoe at March 15, 2014 12:25 PM (ULH4o) Yep, the ol' hippie lettuce.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:27 AM (afNM6)

29 27 The power of the Cheese compels you... Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 15, 2014 12:26 PM (Urmiy) It certainly does!

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:28 AM (afNM6)

30 My parents started keeping chickens recently. Started with twelve, now down to four. Stray dogs, owls and a mysterious weasel have thinned the flock. My advice is to not name them or consider them to be pets. --- I am amazed by the number of chickens I see running loose in our suburban neighborhood, especially given the number of dogs the neighbors let run loose. Really gorgeous ones, too. My husband has a strict "finders keepers" policy. If one winds up in our back yard, it's going on the BBQ.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:29 AM (zDsvJ)

31 My daughter raised 4H chickens a couple of times. We'd get a hundred chicks, feed them a secret mash, show the best and eat the rest. It is good to put eighty fryers in your deep freeze. And you know exactly what they ate.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 15, 2014 08:31 AM (O8GY0)

32 I'm thinking of being an amateur chicken farmer when I retire; any Moron advice is welcome.

Posted by: eman at March 15, 2014 12:19 PM (AO9UG)

Several of my neighbors do this. From them I understand that there are websites full of tips and tricks. The most successful are a retired carpenter and his wife, who built the neatest coop. The nesting cubbyholes are at the back, and the wall behind them is basically a set of double doors that they can just open and pick the eggs right out of the boxes instead of having to enter the coop itself. The coop area is fenced, but mostly to protect the chicken coop from predators at night. The chickens spend most of the day out in the yard, pecking and scratching at the lawn for bugs.

Posted by: CQD at March 15, 2014 08:32 AM (4iOIE)

33 30 My parents started keeping chickens recently. Started with twelve, now down to four. Stray dogs, owls and a mysterious weasel have thinned the flock. My advice is to not name them or consider them to be pets. --- I am amazed by the number of chickens I see running loose in our suburban neighborhood, especially given the number of dogs the neighbors let run loose. Really gorgeous ones, too. My husband has a strict "finders keepers" policy. If one winds up in our back yard, it's going on the BBQ. Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 12:29 PM (zDsvJ) One more thing: if you have a rooster that starts crowing at an ungodly early hour, waking up everything in a half mile radius before the sun comes up...people will not appreciate that.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:32 AM (afNM6)

34 I'm not sure which of my neighbors are keeping chickens. I know for sure that the lot a couple of doors down has chickens, turkeys, bees, and fruit trees. But I've also heard chickens from another direction, so I think there are some more coops around here. It would be awesome. I love chickens. But I'm not sure where we'd put them. And even though our collies are gentle, I assume they'd want to chase them, which would probably not be good for them.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:34 AM (zDsvJ)

35 If you have laying hens enjoy your fresh eggs but some day you will find the rat snake waiting for you.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 15, 2014 08:34 AM (O8GY0)

36 When I was a kid we had chickens roosting under the house and running around the yard. Nothing like stepping in a wad of chicken do barefooted.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:35 AM (T2V/1)

37 Does anyone have any plants that survived inside under glass cloches? I want to attempt a small maidenhair fern as I keep killing them otherwise outside, inside, whatevah. Outside other ferns take over yard, but this one, a delicate one here. My late grandmother could just throw them out in a shady part of her garden and they were beautiful.

The best I can do this year is container gardens as I have no energy to fight cutter bees and black snakes and ebola mosquitoes (or whatever flavor this summer from foreign lands. Maybe triple seven problems with robotic drone mosquitoes. Regardless, have no idea what may or may not survive in the abandoned rose garden of yore). I do like this Saturday post, y'all, for ideas of future gardens.

I am still bummed out that my favorite hippy nursery is closed. I guess I may order stuff online as I do for everything else. *stomps feet*

Well, back to sewing marathon. I need to get my self together for my Mom's arrival to !no jackets ready yet! ack

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 15, 2014 08:36 AM (baL2B)

38 BTW, when we took the 4H chickens to be processed a lot of county fair animals were coming in. I saw a giant turkey that dressed out 47 lbs.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at March 15, 2014 08:38 AM (O8GY0)

39 Here's a question - I've been cutting a few trash trees down. Maybe 2 to 3 inches in diameter. My plan was to drill a hole down the center of the trunk, then pour in something to kill / rot the roots. but, what? I don't want to damage the surrounding soil. I remember from years ago, they sold stuff for this purpose, but can I use something around the house without spending my beer money? Salt? Vinegar? Bleach?

Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 08:39 AM (CYqDc)

40 There ain't very much that will kill the roots without damaging the soil. The best thing to do is dig up the roots and chop them with an ax, then pull them the rest of the way up with a lawn tractor (or truck). If they are only 2" then it shouldn't be that tough.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:41 AM (T2V/1)

41 39 Here's a question - I've been cutting a few trash trees down. Maybe 2 to 3 inches in diameter. My plan was to drill a hole down the center of the trunk, then pour in something to kill / rot the roots. but, what? I don't want to damage the surrounding soil. I remember from years ago, they sold stuff for this purpose, but can I use something around the house without spending my beer money? Salt? Vinegar? Bleach? Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 12:39 PM (CYqDc) So, you're looking for a redneck RoundUp?

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:42 AM (afNM6)

42 Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 12:39 PM (CYqDc)

I have been told that copper nails, driven into the trunk, will also do the trick.

Posted by: CQD at March 15, 2014 08:42 AM (4iOIE)

43 I am still bummed out that my favorite hippy nursery is closed. I guess I may order stuff online as I do for everything else. *stomps feet* --- I'm lucky. We actually seem to be having an uptick in our small garden centers around here. The one closest to us has opened up a small food/gifts section, in addition to having a really nice greenhouse. Plus, there's a large one (Cook's) that the locals love. Of course, it's not open on Sundays... but the Lowe's/Home Depot ones are for emergency needs.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:43 AM (zDsvJ)

44 Is there a reason the roots need to be "killed?" Are these trees that send out suckers or something?

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:44 AM (zDsvJ)

45 Denver's Botanical Garden is awesome. Might even be worth a weekend trip, Y-not, if you're ever going for another reason anyway. I wish we had a 2 inch snow cover...it's good for the plants in the long run. Deeper the snow, the taller the delphiniums! I seldom put much out before Mother's Day, even here in Arkansas. Certainly not more than I can cover quickly or bring inside.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 08:44 AM (Pfvig)

46 Y-Not, do you have carpenter bees out there in Utah? They look like bumble bees except they have a black face. Also, look for neat perfectly round holes bored in exposed wood, like all those tool handles hanging there.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:45 AM (T2V/1)

47 46 Y-Not, do you have carpenter bees out there in Utah? They look like bumble bees except they have a black face. Also, look for neat perfectly round holes bored in exposed wood, like all those tool handles hanging there. Posted by: Vic at March 15, 2014 12:45 PM (T2V/1) I had no idea bees could be so raciss.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:46 AM (afNM6)

48 Here's a stump killing method via SFGate: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/kill-roots-stump-tree-digging-up-44878.html They claim it will not leach into the soil. That said, the picture shown is of a really large stump, which may not be your situation.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:47 AM (zDsvJ)

49 Saltpeter. Although salt wold work eventually, too, I guess. But Grandma used to put saltpeter on the stumps and my brothers may or may not have set a few alight a time or two. Stereotypes are usually true, 'specially the redneck ones.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 08:48 AM (Pfvig)

50 44Â Is there a reason the roots need to be "killed?" Are these trees that send out suckers or something?Â Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 12:44 PM (zDsvJ) ------ If I don't, they things just keep growing. I now there are a few Mimosa, but couldn't ID most. Just trash trees. And yes, red neck roundup. But I don't want to use kerosene or used motor oil.

Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 08:48 AM (CYqDc)

51 I haven't seen them, Vic. But I gather we do have them: https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/carpenter-bee08.pdf

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:49 AM (zDsvJ)

52 This is what the ones we have look like.

http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/okwild/misc/images/xylovir.jpg

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:49 AM (T2V/1)

53 Here's a video by Utah State extension on stump killing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-gP8ZvQ6XU

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:50 AM (zDsvJ)

54 I am fascinated by those bees ( we call 'em wood borers and I thought they were flies!) The holes they make are so perfectly round. We had a lot in CA, too.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 08:51 AM (Pfvig)

55 And a follow-up question about that video: https://ask.extension.org/questions/125149

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 08:51 AM (zDsvJ)

56 51 Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 12:49 PM (zDsvJ)

That circular said carpenter bees had stingers. I thought they didn't and I have been ignoring them when they fly around me. I have a bunch of those things out at my tool shed.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 08:52 AM (T2V/1)

57 And yes, red neck roundup. But I don't want to use kerosene or used motor oil. Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 12:48 PM (CYqDc) See if Craigslist has anybody with some spare roundup you can get for free. Drill holes in stump, pour in the poison, done deal.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:54 AM (afNM6)

58 You definitely want to get firm control on those mimosas. Damned weed trees. The more you cut 'em the stronger they grow and they produce copious amounts if seed which germinates obscenely easily.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 08:54 AM (Pfvig)

59 Carl and those two little girls better get them some garden tools. If they run out of bullets or miss, they are too short to stab them in the head.

Posted by: The Yellow Pug at March 15, 2014 08:56 AM (r7mtu)

60 I look at that top picture and recall one of my most satisfying accomplishments of late. Paying someone to completely organize my garage for me. Now all my garden tools are hung just so.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 08:58 AM (DmNpO)

61 Well, i'm off to enjoy a valu-rite/bacon grease/peanut butter breakfast martini. Have a good day, y'all.

Posted by: model_1066 at March 15, 2014 08:59 AM (afNM6)

62 Thanks, Y-not. The end of your first link had a "home remedies" & they say Epsom salt or rock salt. Going to open a fresh beer and watch the video now... I cut off two Mimosas in the front flower bed last fall, and they're healthier now! I like the shape of a mature one (I actually planted one out back), but hate dealing with the little ones that pop up everywhere. I let that go too long.

Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 09:00 AM (CYqDc)

63 How about renting a herd of goats to eat the suckers, shredded chi? As for the cloche question, I always look at them and think how pretty, but I've never taken the plunge.

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 09:02 AM (zDsvJ)

64 not exactly gardening, but maybe not too far off.... do any of y'all have a granberg III alaskan sawmill? I've been slowly cutting some oak logs into 1-1/4" boards.   my saw is a 2002 poulan pro super 380 with a 24" bar.

   the logs are about 14" in diameter and 8 to 12 feet long. i get about 11 feet on a single tank of gas.   so i don't much like the 12 foot logs.

i may some day use the boards for something other than paperweights.   maybe if the kids ever grow up.

anyone else doing anything this stupid?

Posted by: troll feeder at March 15, 2014 09:02 AM (7uPNY)

65 >> If you have kids around, plant potatoes. Our first planted ones are sprouting. We bought these standing bag thingies from Amazon, to try to avoid some of the problems that are likely around here. I have a feeling we bought waaaay too many seed potatoes. French fry party at my place in 90 days...

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 09:04 AM (SUKHu)

66 Big pickle jars work just as well as cloches. Any jar big enough will. Mason jars, etc. Most places get too hot to mess with it, but I have done it a time or two trying to start roses.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 09:04 AM (Pfvig)

67 I actually tried a square foot garden a few years ago. Bought the book and everything. Stuff grew, but I didn't get much that was edible besides lettuce. The tomatoes and corn tasted awful, and I threw them out. The broccoli 'bolted', a concept I was unfamiliar with until it happened. It turned out that I have zero aptitude for gardening, and I don't particularly like working outdoors. I still have the box in my backyard, just in case I decide to try again. That probably won't happen until the grocery shelves are literally empty. In the meantime I pull weeds and mow around it.

Posted by: rickl at March 15, 2014 09:04 AM (sdi6R)

68 I have a feeling we bought waaaay too many seed potatoes. French fry party at my place in 90 days... *** Potato and cheese sammiches!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 09:05 AM (DmNpO)

69 >>I have a feeling we bought waaaay too many seed potatoes. There can never be too many potatoes.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:05 AM (zDsvJ)

70 Can't you just mow the suckers down, or are they too close to the tree? If it weren't so damned hot here, I'd grow some taters in a 5 gallon bucket on our deck, but I can't be watering all day long.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 09:07 AM (Pfvig)

71 I like the carpenter bees. They in turn love my shed. During the summer, they're so used to me and I'm so used to them that I don't even realize it when I'm standing amidst a little swarm of them. I cup my hand and semi-grab/corral them out of the air and then hold them in my hand to freak out the niece and nephews (and the wife for that matter). Perfectly harmless but they look like a caricature of a big stinging bee.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 15, 2014 09:08 AM (ZshNr)

72 Another use for potatoes: http://www.cookstr.com/recipes/leek-and-potato-soup-2

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:09 AM (zDsvJ)

73 I never heard of tomatoes tasting awful, rickl! I wonder what happened?? I say just stick with the lettuce, sine it worked. Or else buy it at the store like a sensible man!

I love veggie gardening, but it's not for everyone and it sure doesn't save any money.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 09:10 AM (Pfvig)

74 Yard? Garden??? Don't even go there. We still have snow on the ground and flood season to get through first.

Posted by: creeper at March 15, 2014 09:16 AM (MLvXa)

75 My new lawn guys are mowing the lawn, cleaning up the mess left over from improper care over the Winter months, and cutting down some Crepe Myrtes. It smells like Spring.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 09:16 AM (DmNpO)

76 Almost 72F outside so I am relocating to porch and enjoy this rare weather.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 15, 2014 09:21 AM (T2V/1)

77 I went to Home Depot and got 66 bags of mulch on sale @ $1.67/bag this week. Slowly putting it down a few bags at a time. Doing the front yard first since there are no Live Oaks. I'm holding back in the back yard since the Oaks there still haven't shed their leaves. I hate when I lay all that mulch then it gets covered in oak leaves, grrrrrr. Went to the hippy garden center and got one Turkish fig tree, three grafted tomato plants, about 35 4"pots of herbs and a few bedding flowers, and about 15 packs of seeds. Got the tomatoes in half barrel sized pots and transplanted all the 4" potted plants. Still working on where I want the fig tree. I plan on starting the seeds today. I think the colder than normal, for this area, winter killed my three citrus trees in the ground. All my other fruit trees/trees are showing signs of budding. The citrus are not, plus the branches snap off instead of bending when I checked them while pruning. How long should I give them before I dig them up and put in new trees? Yard has been scalped and top dressed. Got my Bokashi composting kit today, got some stuff in it already. Will keep you updated on how it goes. I decided after I fill one bucket and let it ferment for the 2-3 weeks I will add it to the new double 50 gallon barrel tunmbling bins I have outside to speed up composting the leaves/branches/yards stuff and finish the process instead of burying it directly into the ground.

Posted by: lindafell at March 15, 2014 09:22 AM (PGO8C)

78 Reposted from the previous thread: 149 WHAT IS A PEOPLE'S GARDEN? (From the website) People's Gardens vary in size and type, but all are required to have three components in common. They must benefit the community, in some cases by creating recreational spaces and in others by providing a harvest for a local food bank or shelter. They must be collaborative - that is, the garden must be created and maintained by a partnership of local individuals, groups, or organizations. And third, they should incorporate sustainable practices. The gardens might use compost or mulch made by participants. They might contain native plants or encourage beneficial insects. They also might exemplify water conservation, for instance, capturing rain in a barrel to water the garden. Gardens located at private residences are not eligible to become People's Gardens. You can declare an existing garden as a People's Garden as long as it incorporates the three components. Posted by: grammie winger at March 15, 2014 11:26 AM (oMKp3) ----- http://tinyurl.com/bvma7b2 A United States Government website is using the phrase "People's Garden" unironically. We are in real trouble. See my #67 above, about my hopeless ineptitude at gardening. I wear glasses, too. Pol Pot would've had me shot in a heartbeat.

Posted by: rickl at March 15, 2014 09:23 AM (sdi6R)

79 >>Potato and cheese sammiches! Cut, jib, cookbook. >>http://www.cookstr.com/recipes/leek-and-potato-soup-2 Hmm, have to compare that to the classic Joy recipe, which I have not made in a very long time. Mmmm, cold soup on a hot day.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 09:23 AM (SUKHu)

80 Potato and cheese sammiches! Cut, jib, cookbook. *** Slice the potatoes into discs and fry. Serve on white bread with mayo and cheese and season with salt, pepper and, if you like, garlic and dill. One of my favorite foods.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 09:27 AM (DmNpO)

81 Went to the hippy garden center and got one Turkish fig tree -- Ooh, that sounds nice! I hated California, but I sure did like the plants there. Especially the citrus trees and jasmine.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:30 AM (zDsvJ)

82 My oldest is always complaining that math isn't something he needs to use in the real world. It seems to be a favorite complaint, no matter how many times I give examples of how I use it... Anywho, hubby said we needed to get soil for the flower beds around the trees. The round flower beds. We eventually figured it out. Had a couple small problems...converting cubic inches to cubic yards, something to do with cubits (I used to know...) and I should have made a left turn at Albuquerque. The answer was "more than I want to load into the back of my van", IIRC.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 09:32 AM (SUKHu)

83 Time to start the cayennes in the house and maybe some green chiles since I have dried red chiles I haven't used for enchilada sauce yet. It's still six weeks to putting things outside, though.

Posted by: huerfano at March 15, 2014 09:32 AM (bAGA/)

84 >>Slice the potatoes into discs and fry. The bacon fat is melting as we speak...

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 09:36 AM (SUKHu)

85 If you like peppers, huerfano, you might really enjoy padron peppers. It's a type of green snacking pepper that the Spanish eat. You fry them up whole in some olive oil. About 1 in 10 are "hot." But not too hot to enjoy. Shishito peppers are another type that you'll find at Japanese restaurants. I grew both types last year and they did well.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:37 AM (zDsvJ)

86 De-lurking after many years! I just had to pipe in on the gardening thread. Rickl, you may want to consider making your square foot garden into an herb garden. Nothing beats fresh basil, chives, or even parsley added to any meal.

I love this place. Where else can I get politics and books and gardening and food and cars and gaming all in one fabulous spot? Nowhere I tell you. Y'all are the best.

Posted by: SnowyBits at March 15, 2014 09:39 AM (K4PlY)

87 Welcome, SnowyBits!

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:40 AM (zDsvJ)

88 66 Big pickle jars work just as well as cloches. Any jar big enough will. Mason jars, etc.

Most places get too hot to mess with it, but I have done it a time or two trying to start roses.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 01:04 PM (Pfvig)

I read about starting roses from cuttings this way (under jar), but, being in the sandy state of FL have not tried it but kept information somewhere. Also recently read you can have a cutting of rosebush and put in potato and plant. I have a lot of future plans.

Meanwhile I procrastinate all I need to sew by coming here. Keeps me off the streets, I guess!

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 15, 2014 09:41 AM (baL2B)

89 You are ready for the zombie apocalypse, ChristyBlinky. As I recall, you stop zombies by sewing their lips shut.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:42 AM (zDsvJ)

90 could substitute a roller on that bottom step and keep out critters

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 15, 2014 09:43 AM (KgN8K)

91 Great thread Wierd Dave n Y-not. So ummmm, when do we get somethin dedicated to umm, "cash crops" being as the legality of certain plants is quickly changing across this great land of ours. Im asking for a friend, btw.

Posted by: fastfreefall at March 15, 2014 09:46 AM (+H+rt)

92 Thanks! I'm up in the 'burbs of Mpls. We still have two months of thawing before planting, but I'm thinking about the seed starting you posted two weeks ago. This garden thread makes me happy. I love all the pics because all we have here yet is white. (Is this where I denounce myself as rayciss?) I'm so jealous of people in southern climes.

Posted by: SnowyBits at March 15, 2014 09:46 AM (K4PlY)

93 You're welcome, fastfreefall. I would really prefer that the reefer stuff be on another thread. I haven't checked with WeirdDave about it, nor have I asked Ace his thoughts about having a thread about that topic at HQ. But in any event, I think if that thread is going to happen, I'd rather it be hosted by someone else.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:50 AM (zDsvJ)

94 >>92 Thanks! I'm up in the 'burbs of Mpls. Ooh, I looked at a job in Minneapolis-St. Paul a billion years ago (ok, more like 20 years ago). Cool city and the people seemed really nice.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:51 AM (zDsvJ)

95 fastfreefall, You could try asking CAC when he does his "spaced out challenge" thread. I assume he would still check with Ace about whether or not he wants that at HQ.

Posted by: Y-not of Irish descent at March 15, 2014 09:52 AM (zDsvJ)

96 De-lurking after many years! I just had to pipe in on the gardening thread. Rickl, you may want to consider making your square foot garden into an herb garden. Nothing beats fresh basil, chives, or even parsley added to any meal. I love this place. Where else can I get politics and books and gardening and food and cars and gaming all in one fabulous spot? Nowhere I tell you. Y'all are the best. *** Don't be such a stranger, Snowy!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 09:52 AM (DmNpO)

97 91 Great thread Wierd Dave n Y-not. So ummmm, when do we get somethin dedicated to umm, "cash crops" being as the legality of certain plants is quickly changing across this great land of ours. Im asking for a friend, btw. Posted by: fastfreefall at March 15, 2014 01:46 PM (+H+rt) --- Of course you are,

Posted by: Gingy @GingyNorth at March 15, 2014 09:53 AM (N/cFh)

98 As I have been posting over the past couple of weeks we are fooling around with a lashed up propagation chamber made from a mini greenhouse Basically a set of wire shelves covered with clear plastic tent. Heat is supplied by an electric heater/fan which has a self contained termostat. I have a kitty litter pan filled with water for extra moisture. Last week I planted a flat of Roma tomatoes and a flat of Bell peppers, we are using Jiffy Pellets for the first time. The Tomatoes came up in 3 days the peppers in 6 days. The temp is held around 70-75 degs. Humidity holds around 60-80%. We just planted a flat of 4 o'clocks a flower which I can never get to come up in the big(ger) greenhouse. All in all we are very happy, this summer I will build a bigger chamber that will hold 12 flats. I have about $70 in the experimental chamber the bigger one will be under $200 I hope. It's still winter here but spring will come always has before

Posted by: NativeNH at March 15, 2014 09:55 AM (T54SX)

99 But in any event, I think if that thread is going to happen, I'd rather it be hosted by someone else. Posted by:Â Y-not of Irish descentÂ at March 15, 2014 01:50 PM (zDsvJ) -------- Yes ma'am. Im not really interested. I'll read "high times" for that. Just being a clown. In all seriousness though, yalls' threads have helped me make some improvements for this, my 2nd year ever, year's gardening effort.

Posted by: fastfreefall at March 15, 2014 09:59 AM (+H+rt)

100 not to be confused with sock champion moron The Fill-In-The- Blank Hat I'd like to thank all the voices in my headÂ…

Posted by: The Fill-In-The- Blank Hat at March 15, 2014 10:01 AM (AymDN)

101 I forgot to mention this, last evening while transplanting some bat faced culphea under some coral honeysuckle, I got buzzed by a hummer. The first one this season. I put the feeders out today and he's been by a few times already

That's how I usually tell spring is here. Question: Are there any readily available knock-out rose varieties that are scented? I don't know much about roses.

Posted by: lindafell at March 15, 2014 10:05 AM (PGO8C)

102 I'm having to replant 70% of my white potatoes. The Reds all came up, with out fail, but the whites barely did anything except turn to mush in the ground. Some might suggest that I just stick to red potatoes but I'll be damned if I'm going to give up with just two tries on the white taters.

Posted by: toby928© at March 15, 2014 10:06 AM (QupBk)

103 Cool fastfreefall. Sorry if I sounded grumpy. I've trued to bring myself around to the kinder, smokier GOP, but I just can't do it. I think legalizing recreational weed without any thought to impact is a terrible idea.

Posted by: Y-not on the phone at March 15, 2014 10:07 AM (zDsvJ)

104 I figure this is appropriate to post here, but so, funny thing about the animal under my porch. He moved the trap, got into it and got the damned bait (at the marshmallows, left the apples.) Leaving me...uncertain what it is. I suppose it's possible the animal moved the trap to get past it and something else ate the bait (like a squirrel or chimpmunk that wasn't heavy enough to trigger the trap.) So I either need to get a bigger trap or hire someone. Frankly at $50 for a trap and then I have to deal with the animal, $130 to have it done for me no longer looks that bad.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 15, 2014 10:09 AM (HDwDg)

105 I figure this is appropriate to post here, but so, funny thing about the animal under my porch. He moved the trap, got into it and got the damned bait (at the marshmallows, left the apples.) Leaving me...uncertain what it is. I suppose it's possible the animal moved the trap to get past it and something else ate the bait (like a squirrel or chimpmunk that wasn't heavy enough to trigger the trap.) So I either need to get a bigger trap or hire someone. Frankly at $50 for a trap and then I have to deal with the animal, $130 to have it done for me no longer looks that bad. *** I have humane traps which I use for feral cats but, I always call a trapper when I need to relocate wildlife.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 10:11 AM (DmNpO)

106 A neighbor keeps chickens. They named their wifi, "just us chickens". I thought that cute.

Posted by: Frank at March 15, 2014 10:14 AM (7Nabg)

107 Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 02:11 PM (DmNpO) What is this "relocate" of which you speak?

. FWIW, I still don't know how the companies get away with relocating when the state conservation department here says "stop that, it's bad." (We have several diseases running amongst various animal populations here.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 15, 2014 10:14 AM (HDwDg)

108 Lindafell, the poster Carol has lots of roses if I remember correctly. If you can find her sometime you should ask her.

Hi NDH. Thanks for the welcome. I'm dipping my toes in here. We'll see how brave I am.

Posted by: SnowyBits at March 15, 2014 10:15 AM (K4PlY)

109

I cannot wait.

We still have over a half foot of snow, down from 30 inches though.

Posted by: rd at March 15, 2014 10:15 AM (D+lxs)

110 We've kept chickens for longer than I can remember. They are in a fenced yard. Around here only city people let them run wild. I was speaking with an older friend he said he had 300 laying hens I asked if he was crazy he said he wished He had another 300 so I'm guessing locally raised eggs are popular at the moment With the renewed interest in locally raised food and the high cost of supermarket food I think there is an opportunity to turn a profit for people willing to work at it. Son and his wife raise buffalo and are making a go of it

Posted by: NativeNH at March 15, 2014 10:15 AM (T54SX)

111 Hubby started little plantlings in the window this week. I'm waiting for the snow to melt in the back yard so I can plant peas and lettuces.

Posted by: katya the designated driver at March 15, 2014 10:16 AM (4Chvm)

112 I used to raise chickens and turkeys. The problem with the turkeys was I had to be home before roosting time to herd them into their pen, otherwise they would roost on the house or anywhere they damned well felt like.

Posted by: Ronster at March 15, 2014 10:20 AM (puNd6)

113 113 Ronster, what is their usual roosting time?

Posted by: All Hail Eris at March 15, 2014 10:23 AM (QBm1P)

114 My family raised rabbits as meat for a short time. I was at college when it became time for the really interesting part - getting the bunny intoxicated and then slitting its little throat when it was too stupefied to feel much. It did not go well, and that, along with a male that was uninterested in the females, is a major reason why the bunnies vanished fairly quickly. The meat was good, though.

Posted by: Grey Fox at March 15, 2014 10:25 AM (MMgj0)

115 When I had chickens, they had free range until the neighbors dogs and coyotes found out they were easy pickens. One day there was a mother coyote and 2 pups stalking my hens in broad daylight. I think I had to terminate one of the pups. Can't remember for sure.

Posted by: Ronster at March 15, 2014 10:25 AM (puNd6)

116 >>Some might suggest that I just stick to red potatoes but I'll be damned if I'm going to give up with just two tries on the white taters. We started reading up on the subject and it can get complicated. I can look up the name of a book my husband got on his Kindle if you'd like. I read a pamphlet from LSU Ag. and was over-whelmed. It says "soft rot" is a fungal problem, btw.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 10:27 AM (SUKHu)

117 All Hail Eris, just a little before sundown.

Posted by: Ronster at March 15, 2014 10:27 AM (puNd6)

118 Question: Are there any readily available knock-out rose varieties that are scented? I don't know much about roses.

Posted by: lindafell at March 15, 2014 02:05 PM (PGO8C)

Hi Linda...google Antique Rose Emporium in Texas. They are great and have a catalog listing where roses can grow, if fragrant or frequent bloomers. I cannot wait to move back to Utah and plant roses!

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 15, 2014 10:27 AM (baL2B)

119 Turkey's are pretty dumb, the sheep of the fowls As far as relocating problem "wildlife" yeah I have a method most of you don't approve, but that's how it gets done around the farm.

Posted by: NativeNH at March 15, 2014 10:29 AM (T54SX)

120 When I grew potatoes, I got the starts from Gurney. They were treated with something to keep them from rotting.

Posted by: Ronster at March 15, 2014 10:30 AM (puNd6)

121 Hello, Snowy! Christy, I wouldn't think you'd need to mess with cloches/pickle jars in FL. You can start rose cuttings just like any other cutting, although my experience is that budwood is the best, and about an 8 inch section. Lindafell, what kind of citrus? Some are fairly cold hardy. I think lemons and limes are the tenderest. BUt maybe they're just waiting for it to warm up to bloom? ( Snapping instead of bending is certainly a bad sign, but I'd wait a good while, just to be safe) I have yet to find a fragrant Knockout rose, which is part of the reason I have took against them, the other being that I don't find them all that attractive. The Fairy (which is some sort of polyanthus, I think) is prettier, and just as reliable, as a rule, albeit not overly fragrant, either. Bonica is a sturdy, bloomy lass and Iceberg was insanely easy to grow in CA and bloomed it's head off. All of these are preferable to the Knockouts, to me. And then there's rugosas, but I'm not sure where they're hardy. They are not the prettiest, but they smell great and are very hardy.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 10:30 AM (Pfvig)

122 It did not go well, and that, along with a male that was uninterested in the females, is a major reason why the bunnies vanished fairly quickly. Who knew bunnies could be teh ghey?

Posted by: Insomniac at March 15, 2014 10:31 AM (UAMVq)

123 And by hardy, I mean easy to care for, not cold hardy. I'm pretty sure they're cold hardy, because they're from China/Korea (?), but I don't know for certain.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 10:31 AM (Pfvig)

124 OT... I am learning how to knit. Got going yesterday off a really clear instructional video on YouTube. Learning how to recover from mistakes will be my next trick. What's the web site and name of the group of Moronettes who knit?

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 10:34 AM (SUKHu)

125 Frankly at $50 for a trap and then I have to deal with the animal, $130 to have it done for me no longer looks that bad. --------- Taserbike, my local city "animal management center" (the pound) lets me leave a deposit for a trap, then get the money back when I bring in the feral cat. IIRC, the deposit was only $10 for a $50 trap. Idiots.

Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 10:35 AM (CYqDc)

126 It's Ravelry, Mama, and I think is just Ace of Spades?

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 10:36 AM (Pfvig)

127 FWIW, I still don't know how the companies get away with relocating when the state conservation department here says "stop that, it's bad." (We have several diseases running amongst various animal populations here.) *** there are very strict rules about who can relocate and trappers are licensed and trained as to how to identify sick critters.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 15, 2014 10:36 AM (DmNpO)

128 tsrblke, do you really not know what it is? What does it do? Ground hogs are the only things around here that get under houses, except for the odd skunk now and then. Armadillos dig, but I've never known them to take up residence under a house.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 10:40 AM (Pfvig)

129 Who knew bunnies could be teh ghey? Ha. It isn't the first time I have ended up with a defective male critter either. When I was a teenager my sister and I bought a three mice - Jacob, Leah, and Rachel -with the intention of raising mice for pet stores. Jacob was not interested in his wives. We eventually ended up with more mice than we could handle anyway, since the man who had originally offered to buy them from us disappeared - in retrospect I think he was just trying to make a sale. BTW, mice have different personalities, and run around the cage faster if you play Celtic jigs and reels instead of slower music. Interesting things one learns....

Posted by: Grey Fox at March 15, 2014 10:41 AM (MMgj0)

130

....but unfortunately you canÂ’t see DeForest for the trees.

I C wut U did thar.

Posted by: eleven at March 15, 2014 10:41 AM (fsLdt)

131 Car thread up

Posted by: shredded chi at March 15, 2014 10:41 AM (CYqDc)

132 At a certain point, you've got enough shovels.

Posted by: eleven at March 15, 2014 10:42 AM (fsLdt)

133 Mama, it's ette's of the moron horde. I was thrown by the avatar!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 10:43 AM (Pfvig)

134 You're welcome.

Posted by: eleven at March 15, 2014 10:43 AM (fsLdt)

135 Rabbits are hard to sex. I was sold two females and ended up with bunnies about 8 weeks later.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 10:44 AM (Pfvig)

136 136 Rabbits are hard to sex. I was sold two females and ended up with bunnies about 8 weeks later. Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 02:44 PM (Pfvig) Nature finds a way.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 15, 2014 10:47 AM (UAMVq)

137 Thanks Tammy, I am there!

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 15, 2014 10:52 AM (SUKHu)

138

Nature finds a way.

lol

Posted by: eleven at March 15, 2014 10:56 AM (fsLdt)

139 Y-Not & WeirdDave Thanks for the thread I look forward to it.

Posted by: NativeNH at March 15, 2014 11:00 AM (T54SX)

140 Mrs. McGyver (Giggles) got her Master Gardener III qual last year. When I get home from this trip I get to re-do her gardening beds, so she can take credit (again) McGyver, Out

Posted by: McGyver at March 15, 2014 11:05 AM (QYhUb)

141 Planted tomatoes (about a dozen varieties, mostly heirloom) last Tuesday, everything is getting a good rain on it right now. Can't wait for tomatoes.

Posted by: SouthCounty at March 15, 2014 11:11 AM (6CSR9)

142 "Heritage Tomatoes" is kind of a catch-all term to keep people from calling more recent open-pollinated tomatoes and F1 hybrids with an heirloom parent "Heirlooms". Which is what some nurseries used to do. I castigated one for the former practice, I'm afraid. I'm growing some heirlooms, some "heritage" tomatoes and some boring hybrids this year.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2014 11:26 AM (qahv/)

143 WeirdDave, I don't see why you couldn't eventually combine your square foot beds with your "dig out the rocks below" plan, with some nice perennial-weed-resistant paths between the beds. I think the 4-foot-wide rule is a good one. 2.5 feet next to a wall or fence, 2 feet for short or disabled people. Personally, I think 8 inches is a little shallow for big tomato plants in some climates, unless you're adept at babying them.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2014 11:30 AM (qahv/)

144 Just checking in. Been at work. Trash tree stump treatment - 1/2 water 1/2 Roundup. Paint on bare wood after cutting. Roundup is adsorbed onto soil particles. No residual. JC Raulston Arboretum @ NC State. Probably not much to see right now though. Go Pack. Fcuk Duke. I apologize for the misspelled profanity in advance.

Posted by: Golfman in NC at March 15, 2014 11:47 AM (/djtm)

145 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2014 02:40 PM (Pfvig) You still around Tammy? If so, I'll say "dunno" it's not under the house it's under the porch. Apparently that leaves "raccoon" in the mix according to the last guy I called. Cost the same to remove a raccoon as to remove a groundhog, so I don't care what it is.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at March 15, 2014 12:34 PM (HDwDg)

146 The dogs treed a raccoon in the yard this morning. I had to get actively "involved". Everybody loves chicken! I picked up seed potatoes (red) and red onion sets at the feed store today. It is, finally!, springtime here in the 'way' south...

Posted by: Spun and Murky at March 15, 2014 01:39 PM (4DCSq)

147 Brandywine ("heirloom") = deeeeeelicious!

I've started them from seed because I'm not sure transplants will be available here this year.

It will be *TomatoFest* for our garden this time. After many years of growing popular hybrids, it's time for something different. All heirlooms, so I can save seeds:

'Brandywine Red' (of course!)
'Bloody Butcher'
'Quarter Century'
'Rutgers'
'Red Currant'

Also a huge fan of golden zucchini--they stand out from the foliage, so you can see them *before* they're larger than a child, lol!

Posted by: JeanQ at March 15, 2014 02:02 PM (82lr7)

148 thanks for all the contributions, gardeners!

Posted by: Y-not at March 15, 2014 02:50 PM (zDsvJ)

149 Just came in. Got all the seeds planted. Ran out of mulch for the front yard, need about 8-10 more bags. The citrus is Meyer Lemon and a lime. Christy thanks for the rose info. I'm tired......

Posted by: lindafell at March 15, 2014 02:56 PM (PGO8C)

150 nood

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 15, 2014 04:00 PM (aDwsi)

151 Â“bodies as fertilizerÂ”

Sprouts.

Posted by: Corona at March 15, 2014 04:59 PM (fh2Y7)

152 Hey, JeanQ I may grow "Quarter Century" next year. It's supposed to be compact (4 feet tall) and do well in the desert in containers. A lot of people think that "Brandywine Red" is a huge beefsteak, and there are some with that name on the market, but it looks like the one you're getting from TomatoFest is the "real" one. I'm growing Brandywine OTV (a newer OP cultivar selected by Carolyn Male) instead, and Stump of the World instead of Brandywine (pink). Because of our hot summers. Heirlooms and other OP tomatoes have their climate preferences. Have a great season in the garden.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2014 05:50 PM (qahv/)

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