Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread 2/22/20 [KT]

Hello, gardeners, putterers and winter dreamers! 40 miles north sent in the lovely photo of Vinca major above. It was an extra-large flower, so he thought we might like to see it. Lovely. Geometric. There are a couple more plant photos below.

Meanwhile, Larro had some interesting visitors:

My wife heard a scratching at front door, and thought I wanted in.
I was in the back; this fellow was looking for a hideout on our front porch.
Yeah, I tried to coax him down and got a sound similar to a buzzsaw that made me feel like cheap plywood.... danger Will Robinson!!! Back off!

This bird shows up in backyard to go fishing.

In late January and early February, he got visitors around his bird feeder. Care to identify them?

He says the doves usually stay on the ground under the feeder.

And daddy cardinal won't approach. At least while people are looking.

It has snowed in Northern Texas since then.

In other critter news, watch out for florida snake orgies.

Here are the other plants that 40 miles north has got goin' in California:

My penstemons are difficult to photograph because the flowers are usually pointed downward, and mine often need additional weeding and deadheading to become photograph-ready.
I believe these are Penstemon Barbaratus.

I have three tomatos that survived the winter, including a San Marzano that decided it's spring:

Have you picked your tomato varieties for this year? San Marzano is a good paste type if you have the right climate for it.

Music

Scott Johnson thinks he may know where thespian Mike Bloomberg may have gotten his impression that farming is simple. There is some commentary by Victor Davis Hanson, an actual farmer, at the link above.

Professional Photography

My Modern Met did their picks for the best photos of 2019. There's a wet plate photo of Greta. Think it must have used some toxic chemicals. I've seen better wet plates. But I've never had any experience with wet plates myself. Ever taken, developed or printed a plate photo of any kind?

Anyway, this little guy is kinda cute. The Dutch photographer sells wall art, so you can get a big print if you want.

There are some great photos at the link. I like the hummingbird.

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:28 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good Afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 01:30 PM (ZCEU2)

2 THe left is a female cardinal. Not sure about the one on the right. Looks like a sparrow.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at February 22, 2020 01:33 PM (w2TA9)

3 A great blue heron! They are so majestic when they take off to fly.

Posted by: corn and beans at February 22, 2020 01:33 PM (tkNkP)

4 Her name was McGill, and she called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy.

Posted by: Paul at February 22, 2020 01:34 PM (l3+k2)

5 The raccoon pics are cool.

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at February 22, 2020 01:34 PM (w2TA9)

6 I wish my Samsung galaxy tablet took good pictures. My 1/2 pine tree that went down last spring is all but gone and have 3 dead trees to get down but haven't started yet on those.
Daffodils are about 4 inches high but still getting below freezing
day and night

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 01:35 PM (ZCEU2)

7 Rocky, you've met your match.

Posted by: Doctor Stinking of Gin at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (l3+k2)

8 I've developed film in a darkroom, never wet plate though. I did play around with photo dye transfers for a time.

Posted by: kallisto at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (DJFLF)

9 A raccoon in my garage when first moved in was smelliest animal I ever met.

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (ZCEU2)

10 Closest to plate photography I have come is 4x5 BW we learned on in HS. Shot, developed, and printed (even IR 4x5 stuff) Vocational school Photography classes. Before digital was a thing. two years 4 hours a day. (got me off the HS campus).

Posted by: USNtakim profoundly deplorable. at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (0OmEj)

11 first bird photo: female cardinal and male house sparrow

second: male purple finch

third (l to r): female purple finch, male purple finch, female house sparrow

Posted by: JTB at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (7EjX1)

12 I hate raccoons.

Posted by: Ronster at February 22, 2020 01:37 PM (13cYS)

13 The big fatso with the red breast is a Purple Finch.

I know, I know...

Posted by: kallisto at February 22, 2020 01:37 PM (DJFLF)

14 The second pic is a house finch. They have that little bit of red. I kind of cheated though because I have a little Audubon Society pocket guide. I used to have lots of bird feeders until the wood peckers took over and started banging on the house siding. Had every type from little ones to full red headed big ones.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 22, 2020 01:38 PM (QzF6i)

15 Before digital was a thing. two years 4 hours a day. (got me off the HS campus).
Posted by: USNtakim profoundly deplorable. at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (0OmEj)

Working in a darkroom is so relaxing. Is that your experience? The chemicals though, too much exposure to them no good.

Posted by: kallisto at February 22, 2020 01:38 PM (DJFLF)

16
Yeah, I tried to coax him down and got a sound similar to a buzzsaw that made me feel like cheap plywood.... danger Will Robinson!!! Back off!

Bill Mumy had a raccoon in Rascal.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 22, 2020 01:38 PM (aKsyK)

17 I'm in the next room at the hoe down.

Posted by: Dan at February 22, 2020 01:38 PM (l3+k2)

18 Eurasian tree sparrow & m/f Purple Finch. Maybe a Chipping Sparrow on the right of them.

Posted by: Bob at February 22, 2020 01:39 PM (vHUcF)

19 I'll get better as soon as I am able.

Posted by: Rocky at February 22, 2020 01:41 PM (l3+k2)

20 Than you posting an entertaining thread.

I just wanted to point out that every tomato ever grown is from Satan.

Posted by: Tomato No at February 22, 2020 01:41 PM (Pgcou)

21 Cool thing I do with my 3 yr old granddaughter. Hard to carry on a conversation over FaceTime with a 3 year old. Started using my bird book. I hold up a photo and she has to guess what kind of bird. She is especially partial to the blue jay, eagle and hawk.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 22, 2020 01:42 PM (QzF6i)

22 Hooray! This is the first gardening thread I've been able to read in real time. I missed it.

Love the photo of the little critter (prarie dog?) 'cuddling' up to the flower.

Posted by: JTB at February 22, 2020 01:42 PM (7EjX1)

23 Not a fan of coons.

Love to see the color this time of year. Only good photo I have is of a pair of sheds my wife found. Talk about no color!

https://tinyurl.com/tzcanvj

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 01:42 PM (i022r)

24 I developed allergies to developer. Yes relaxing and frustrating at the same time. I never did any darkroom work after HS. Joined the navy out of HS. Never used photo skills for money or a job. Large format photography was always my favorite. Learned about Zone system photography Jr year in HS. Never mastered it.

Posted by: USNtakim profoundly deplorable. at February 22, 2020 01:44 PM (0OmEj)

25 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. -- Genesis 3:17-19

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at February 22, 2020 01:46 PM (NWiLs)

26 7 Rocky, you've met your match.
Posted by: Doctor Stinking of Gin at February 22, 2020 01:36 PM (l3+k2)

Doc, it's only a scratch.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at February 22, 2020 01:47 PM (NWiLs)

27 In late January and early February, he got visitors around his bird feeder. Care to identify them?

==

easy : female cardinal and house sparrow. house sparrows should be shot.

Posted by: runner at February 22, 2020 01:49 PM (zr5Kq)

28 I checked my violet patch the other day, there were about seven in bloom...in February. I'll have to take a look later today, the cold spell of the past two days probably killed them.

Posted by: kallisto at February 22, 2020 01:49 PM (DJFLF)

29 Our garden this year will be pretty minimal. Just a few containers for leaf lettuce and herbs and maybe some cherry tomatoes. We do have hopes for a more extensive veggie garden in future years.

Posted by: JTB at February 22, 2020 01:51 PM (7EjX1)

30 Bob at February 22, 2020 01:39 PM
Wow, Bob. You are getting specific there.

Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 01:51 PM (BVQ+1)

31 Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 01:42 PM (i022r)

I thought they would be actual sheds, you know, backyard structures! I used to shoot old buildings and dilapidated houses and things.

Posted by: kallisto at February 22, 2020 01:55 PM (DJFLF)

32 First?

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:19 PM (Z/jzm)

33 Did the blog go haywire for anybody else but me? I took out the video. Seems to have fixed it.

Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 02:19 PM (BVQ+1)

34 KT, check out the end of the ONT comments. We were transported.

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:20 PM (Z/jzm)

35 Is this real life?

Posted by: DR.WTF at February 22, 2020 02:20 PM (aS1PU)

36 OOOH, it's back!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (rCwaK)

37
I thought they would be actual sheds, you know, backyard structures!

Well, I've got them, too. Skinned what I call my woodshed with sawn utility poles. Looked like it was 80 the day it got sided. Love that shed.

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (i022r)

38 /falls off Escher-esque sideways staircase

Oof. I guess this means reality is back?

Posted by: mikeski at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (P1f+c)

39 Or is it fantasy?

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (Z/jzm)

40 Now Gardening is 385878.
Math.

Posted by: m at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (ghFVE)

41 We're back! That was scary!!

Posted by: Weasel at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (MVjcR)

42 Crack is whack!

Posted by: Pixy's hamsters at February 22, 2020 02:22 PM (9qO5G)

43 KT - everything took whoever back to the ONT.
EMT, coffee break and pre Garden Thread disappeared

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 02:22 PM (ZCEU2)

44 My lilies are coming up, here in upstate SC. Getting horny to garden.
I had a bunch of cabbage seedlings in the fall that never got planted. Damned deer woulda et 'em anyway. Can I plant them now?

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:22 PM (rCwaK)

45 Now Gardening is 385878.
Math.
Posted by: m at February 22, 2020 02:21 PM (ghFVE)

For a while there it was 666

Posted by: DR.WTF at February 22, 2020 02:22 PM (aS1PU)

46 Oooh, 2/22 at 2:22 pm!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:22 PM (rCwaK)

47 In Bernie's Amerika you will be sent to the thread that is best for the party!!!

Posted by: db at February 22, 2020 02:23 PM (dYtpd)

48 Hey, my hash is different. What did Publius do?

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:24 PM (rCwaK)

49 In Bernie's Amerika you will be sent to the thread that is best for the party!!!
Posted by: db at February 22, 2020 02:23 PM (dYtpd)

It's always party time in the ONT.

Posted by: DR.WTF at February 22, 2020 02:24 PM (aS1PU)

50 Hello.

Posted by: runner at February 22, 2020 02:25 PM (zr5Kq)

51 My hash is same

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 02:25 PM (ZCEU2)

52 48 Hey, my hash is different. What did Publius do?
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:24 PM (rCwaK)

It's almost Crack is Wack!

Posted by: m at February 22, 2020 02:25 PM (ghFVE)

53 Hey, my hash is different. What did Publius do?
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess

Check your USB port for Folger's crystals.

Posted by: mikeski at February 22, 2020 02:26 PM (P1f+c)

54 The blog went somewhere into a different place.
Back now but I had thought it was just me.
Speculum has been off line most of the morning.
Finally back, for now at least.

Terrific bird photos up top.

Posted by: Winston a dreg of society at February 22, 2020 02:26 PM (3vrTU)

55 Hey, my hash is different. What did Publius do?
Upgraded you to the Morrocan stuff?

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Not scanning your email for ad targeting at February 22, 2020 02:26 PM (xkSJa)

56 >>My hash is same
Posted by: Skip

Mine, too. But at home it changes often. It's an AT&T thing there.

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:26 PM (Z/jzm)

57 So back to gardening.
Little greenhouse is still up and working well, think as soon as frost is past I can start getting plants in it to get a jump on spring. Still well below freezing so far.

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 02:27 PM (ZCEU2)

58 Check your USB port for Folger's crystals.

Posted by: mikeski at February 22, 2020 02:26 PM (P1f+c)

Only dilithium crystal here, as usual.
----Hey, my hash is different. What did Publius do?
Upgraded you to the Morrocan stuff?

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Not scanning your email for ad targeting at February 22, 2020 02:26 PM (xkSJa)

OMG I wish!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:27 PM (rCwaK)

59 No daffodils here, yet. Still too much snow cover. With a later Easter there's hope we will have some blooms by then.

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:28 PM (Z/jzm)

60 I think I'll sow parsley today. Maybe see if I can get a few contraband seeds to sprout.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:28 PM (rCwaK)

61 So who forgot to turn off the time machine after they where done playing with it?

Posted by: Big V at February 22, 2020 02:30 PM (XEC2p)

62 So who forgot to turn off the time machine after they where done playing with it?

Posted by: Big V

I think you mean "who is about to forget to turn off the time machine before they were started playing with it?"

Posted by: mikeski at February 22, 2020 02:31 PM (P1f+c)

63 I think you mean "who is about to forget to turn off the time machine before they were started playing with it?"

* golf clap *

Posted by: db at February 22, 2020 02:33 PM (dYtpd)

64 I got my bagging mostly done, but I had to treat an injury. Not to self: winter gloves

The corabells in the southeast corner are turning green and pliant. Some birds are returning, too. Haven't spotted a robin yet, though.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 02:33 PM (/+bwe)

65 Ths has been the mildest winter we've had for a long time. So far. Plenty of rain but almost no snow or (even better) almost no ice. A few nights below freezing but only a few. I wonder how that will influence gardens this year. I can say we have some dandelions showing up in the lawn and I've been told a few daffodils growing against sunny walls have ade an appearence.

That doesn't mean there isn't plenty of time for serious winter weather to show up.

Posted by: JTB at February 22, 2020 02:33 PM (7EjX1)

66 Damned deer woulda et 'em anyway.

The deer are massing in the woods behind my house, in preparation for an attack on any sprouts which have the temerity to poke their heads up. I've already found many holes in my bulb beds indicating marauding critters. Why can't nature be more....sterile?

Posted by: pep at February 22, 2020 02:34 PM (T6t7i)

67 Good afternoon, gardeners! It's a beautiful day here in central Indiana. I know it won't last (snow is predicted this week) but the bright sunshine is glorious. It inspired me to purchase a package of sunflower seeds. Planting weather soon!

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at February 22, 2020 02:35 PM (Vf4Y7)

68 Birds, cute.
Flowers, nice.
Tomatoes, green.
Racoon, pest.

Those racoon critters seem nice at a distance but close up you can smell the malevolence. Or maybe that's your garbage they dumped and spread all over the place.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at February 22, 2020 02:37 PM (e1mEI)

69 Half my comment disappeared. I was making a joke about winter gloves not being garden gloves.

My local cardinals come to the feeder at twilight only.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 02:37 PM (/+bwe)

70 I asked Ace to feed the hamsters.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2020 02:38 PM (aA3+G)

71 This town aint big enuf for me n no trash pandas.

Posted by: Jake from State Farm at February 22, 2020 02:38 PM (Jj+59)

72 I need to get outdoors more. Part of my post didn't post this morning, so I deleted it. THEN the post imported part of the ONT. Or something.

Is YouTube after me?
My power went out again after I took out the video that seems to have caused the problems, too.

Whew.

Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 02:39 PM (BVQ+1)

73
My local cardinals come to the feeder at twilight only.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 02:37 PM (/+bwe)

We don't have cardinals here at our new home.

Prior to moving we had several cardinal families and they would always feed at dawn & dusk.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2020 02:39 PM (aA3+G)

74 Good afternoon, y'all. I was going to try to get some stuff done in my yard today, but it's still too wet. Hopefully later this week I can get some preparation for spring accomplished.

At least college baseball has started!

Posted by: Bert G at February 22, 2020 02:40 PM (OMsf+)

75 I just want to say it was a honor to have gone through "The Garden Thread Incident" with you all.

Posted by: Weasel at February 22, 2020 02:40 PM (MVjcR)

76 The deer are massing in the woods behind my house,
in preparation for an attack on any sprouts which have the temerity to
poke their heads up. I've already found many holes in my bulb beds
indicating marauding critters. Why can't nature be more....sterile?

Posted by: pep at February 22, 2020 02:34 PM (T6t7i)

Ours are crafty bastards who only come out at night when you can't see to shoot 'em.
I see four-strand electric fence in my future.
Publius is about to get a crash course of PT. I need him functional PDQ.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:40 PM (rCwaK)

77 I just want to say it was a honor to have gone through "The Garden Thread Incident" with you all.

Posted by: Weasel at February 22, 2020 02:40 PM (MVjcR)

Disasters bring us closer together. I didn't even have to break out MREs or load the AR.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:41 PM (rCwaK)

78 Damn, missed the time warp. The raccoons got into the works.

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at February 22, 2020 02:42 PM (Vf4Y7)

79 by: Bert G at February 22, 2020 02:40 PM (OMsf+)

75 I just want to say it was a honor to have gone through "The Garden Thread Incident" with you all.
Posted by: Weasel at February 22, 2020

If I ever get a tattoo, it will commemorate the event.

This is my favorite thread and I was a little bummed to have it hacked by oligarchs or proletariat forces or aliens.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 02:44 PM (/+bwe)

80
g'afternoon, 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at February 22, 2020 02:46 PM (ueyHg)

81 Raccoons, so darn cute. Pesty, smelly, but that face!

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:46 PM (Z/jzm)

82 Well, I feel dumb.I thought the vinca flower looked kind of like a periwinkle... and duh!

The greenest thing in my yard right now is a groundcover that started showing up after I spread a leftover bag of potting soil around the #1 rhubarb . Not sure if the soil wasn't properly sterilized or if the extra nutrients gave it a boost. It's rather like baby's tears: tiny, round leaves on spreading vines.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 02:49 PM (/+bwe)

83

If I ever get a tattoo, it will commemorate the event. This is my favorite thread and I was a little bummed to have it hacked by oligarchs or proletariat forces or aliens.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 02:44 PM (/+bwe)
-----
Long after we are gone, future generations of Garden Thread commenters shall speak of this day with reverence.

Posted by: Weasel at February 22, 2020 02:50 PM (MVjcR)

84 Raccoons, so darn cute. Pesty, smelly, but that face!
Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 02:46 PM (Z/jzm)

They Smell?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 22, 2020 02:50 PM (CP/Bn)

85
..."but that face!"

I sell you raccoon faces 5 for a $1!
(I've heard the skins bring nothing now, and that's why we are inundated with the darned things).

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 02:51 PM (5RkWa)

86 This thread is cross posted at 63red.com

Posted by: longtime lurker at February 22, 2020 02:51 PM (Rd3ji)

87 Racoons are big rats/ vultures, will eat anything especially if prepared by humans.

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 02:53 PM (ZCEU2)

88
"I see four-strand electric fence in my future."

Miley, we did a pretty cheap deer-proof fence for our garden. Hasn't been breached yet (several years).

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 02:53 PM (5RkWa)

89 Racoons are big rats/ vultures, will eat anything especially if prepared by humans.

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 02:53 PM (ZCEU2)

They love our cooking.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:54 PM (rCwaK)

90 "I see four-strand electric fence in my future."

Miley, we did a pretty cheap deer-proof fence for our garden. Hasn't been breached yet (several years).

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 02:53 PM (5RkWa)

Tips, please!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:55 PM (rCwaK)

91 Bill Mumy had a raccoon in Rascal.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 22, 2020 01:38 PM (aKsyK)

True story.

Rascal was a big hit in Japan.

Persons began importing raccoons and selling them as pets.

Persons bought raccoons and pets and released them into the wild when pets no longer pet like.

Raccoons are survivors.

Now various parts of Japan are trying to cope with wild raccoons. They love to gnaw on all the wood at some of the Temple structures.

Posted by: Adriane the NHK has some Interesting Stuff Critic ... at February 22, 2020 02:56 PM (LPnfS)

92 Man, I've got a crapload of puttering to get through this morning.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at February 22, 2020 02:56 PM (XVuno)

93 I need to get outdoors more. Part of my post didn't post this morning, so I deleted it. THEN the post imported part of the ONT. Or something.

Is YouTube after me?
My power went out again after I took out the video that seems to have caused the problems, too.

Whew.
Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 02:39 PM (BVQ+1)

Yeah, OK, sure. Whatever. Now tell us the truth, what really happened ?

Posted by: runner at February 22, 2020 02:56 PM (zr5Kq)

94 This is the first gardening thread I've been able to see live for almost two months. I'm not saying I'm bad luck, but ...

Posted by: JTB at February 22, 2020 02:57 PM (7EjX1)

95 Learned about Zone system photography Jr year in HS. Never mastered it.
Posted by: USNtakim

---

Yeah, me neither. Took a great photography and photo lab class while in college. Developed our own film and prints. Great fun. Also used large format cameras most of the time. Our prof was very much into very short/very long exposure work. As a result he'd sometimes would set up sound actuated lighting or shutter for us. Took lots of shots of balloons popping (actually, they don't pop, they rip) and pellet gun projectiles through fruit. Long exposure work for night sky scenes.

That sort of thing. Never did any lab work after that though.

Posted by: Tonypete at February 22, 2020 02:59 PM (Y4EXg)

96 72 I need to get outdoors more. Part of my post didn't post this morning, so I deleted it. THEN the post imported part of the ONT. Or something.

Is YouTube after me?
My power went out again after I took out the video that seems to have caused the problems, too.

Whew.
Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 02:39 PM (BVQ+1)

We appreciate you!

Posted by: m at February 22, 2020 02:59 PM (ghFVE)

97 KT has a pic somewhere from last year.

But.. 6 foot T-posts pounded 1' in (clay soil). 8' intervals. Hog fence to 4'. Then 1/2" conduit, cut in two (come in 8' sticks), affixed to the T-post with baling wire. Chicken fence on top, affixed with zip ties.

We then put ribbon here and there all over to show there was something there. Pretty easy to not see after dark, even for a deer.

60' X 40' enclosure was done by 2 guys in one day, with enough light left over for recreational drinking.

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 03:00 PM (5RkWa)

98 I think I'm going to grill today. Upper 50s and no wind. So I need to go shopping. See you guys later!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 03:00 PM (rCwaK)

99 Racoons are sweet, dignified creatures.

Posted by: Calvin Chillage at February 22, 2020 03:01 PM (1Gdi8)

100 >>They Smell?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 22, 2020 02:50 PM (CP/Bn)

It's what Skip said. I can attest to pesty. Maybe it's the garbage they eat? Altho i think they have a scent gland, too

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 03:01 PM (Z/jzm)

101 Racoons are big rats/ vultures, will eat anything especially if prepared by humans. Posted by: Skip

They can be quite entertaining though, as long as they stay out of your rafters and attic and garden.

I always enjoyed the antics of the three legged pet raccoon, Tripod, from the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke.

Posted by: corn and beans at February 22, 2020 03:02 PM (tkNkP)

102 This thread is cross posted at 63red.com
Posted by: longtime lurker at February 22, 2020 02:51 PM

Cracking up imagining what some unsuspecting first timer found when the Garden Thread Snafu hit and sent them to the ONT

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 03:04 PM (ZCEU2)

103 Years ago, watching tv late one summer night, doors open. Heard something outside, turned on the outdoor light and startled the biggest racoon I'd ever seen. She had her young ones with, and was about to pry off the lid of the garbage can. She jumped off the can, ran towards the house and slammed into the screen door. Hissed/growled at me through the screen! Protecting her babies, but scared the heck out of me!

Posted by: My life is insanity at February 22, 2020 03:07 PM (Z/jzm)

104 Went out to start the mowers.

Push mower number one will not start.

Self propelled push mower ran for 15 minutes, stopped and will not restart.

Riding mower battery was dead. Charged up and runs but leaking oil from the front of the engine somewhere.

Lovely.

Posted by: weirdflunky at February 22, 2020 03:10 PM (cknjq)

105 pets are up

Posted by: m at February 22, 2020 03:14 PM (ghFVE)

106 I went and bought a couple packets of heirloom seeds -corn, beans, tomatoes, and pumpkins - today. I probably won't be planting anything this year, but the crazy survivalist in me is a bit happier to have the beginnings of a small "victory garden" in stock just in case the world goes all pear-shaped.

I wish I could plant a garden, though. I'd like to give sweet potatoes and pumpkins a try....

Posted by: Grey Fox at February 22, 2020 03:16 PM (nBq51)

107 The penstemon is not barbatus, it's probably one of the Californian species I've never seen or a hybrid,

Posted by: Hall Dall MD at February 22, 2020 03:19 PM (qwx9H)

108 About to load a few tons of topsoil onto the truck and turn a bit of garden that was all suckers and rubbish seedlings into lawn. As we has 3 acres of garden this little project is not worth mentioning. The 5 trailer loads of green water for the the chipper from yesterday that is worth mentioning. My shoulders.

Posted by: NZFrank with a M2 at February 22, 2020 03:19 PM (tAuzy)

109 Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 02:28 PM
Might as well pick up some Giant Italian Parsley seeds. Parsley takes a long time to sprout. The difference is worth it.

There are some other selected parsleys that also taste better than the kinds grown from the seeds at the drug store.

Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 03:21 PM (BVQ+1)

110 Couple years ago tried to grow pumpkins, lots of plant, some flowers not a pumpkin to start, something about male and female flowers and not at same time I take it.

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 03:27 PM (ZCEU2)

111 I had a bird feeder once and the doves always stayed on the ground under it. They aren't stupid. The sparrows would be tossing the food everywhere, and the doves were like thanks dude, we can stay in the soft grass and eat.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at February 22, 2020 03:40 PM (9Om/r)

112 I had an used 35-mm film in storage for about 12 years. One day I had it developed. The result was pretty interesting. The picture had a nice pink cloud/wet-plate effect.

https://ibb.co/fxvnLbd

That's my awesome self.

Posted by: nono at February 22, 2020 04:18 PM (2Cm6i)

113 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, Boise area: On Thursday afternoon, I went out to dig and turn the soil in 2 of the remaining 4 raised beds - no dice! The last week of nights in the low 20's has finally frozen the soil. Instead I cut down the rest of the dead stems in the hummingbird flower bed, then finished filling the trash with leaves from the 3rd front yard drain pipe. Just one more pipe to go. (This is the first time I wore sunglasses when gardening. Eye doc says, now that you're at 43 north and have some eye issues, you should wear them most/all of the time when outdoors. I bought a 2nd pair, so I can have one "good" pair in the car, and one by the back door for going outside in the yard. I'll have to test wearing them, next time I hit the outdoor gun range, too.)

Poblano pepper seeds have 4 of 8 sprouting. We'll probably add another seed to the 4 starter pots that haven't started yet - given the age of the seeds, a 50 percent germination rate might actually be a good result!

Last year, we had so many types of tomatoes and other things started, it was hard to remember which little pot was which. Husband came up with the idea of using flat toothpicks with colored ends, stuck into the pots, so we could keep track. So far, no need for them, but as soon as we start some tomato seeds, we'll need them! (I'll list tomato types once we start them - I think there's 2 kinds of Roma, plus Brandywine, plus one I plan to get, and maybe Big Boy/Better Boy.)

State of the yard: Tulip sprouts are several inches tall, especially in the sheltered area behind the kitchen. Hyacinth sprouts behind kitchen have buds showing; ones out front just have a few with tiny dots of tips showing. My rescued crocus have 7 of 8 showing tips. Last year's new dogwood tree has fat buds. Lilacs, and many trees, have buds showing at the tips. I think both the cilantro and the parsley survived the winter! And the chives already sprouted, but this cold spell put them on hold. Some of our bunchgrass bunches have green showing. The large-type daylily behind the house has sprouts as well.

In other news: got up at 5:30 AM MST on Tuesday so I could see the end of the Moon-occults-Mars event.
I'm preparing for a gaming tournament next month, "Settlers of Catan" - I don't expect to win, but I get to play three 4-man games and eat snacks!, so it's all good.

Posted by: Pat* at February 22, 2020 04:27 PM (2pX/F)

114 Never heard of Settlers of Catan before, could be interesting

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 04:53 PM (ZCEU2)

115 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. -- Genesis 3:17-19
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo

Hiya Mr. Sunshine !

Posted by: JT at February 22, 2020 05:04 PM (arJlL)

116 I planted mini-pumpkins one year, they were ALL over the place !

Posted by: JT at February 22, 2020 05:06 PM (arJlL)

117 I only hoped for 2 pumpkins, 1 to make a pie, 1 to carve, not a lot to ask for I thought.

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 05:18 PM (ZCEU2)

118 Cracking up imagining what some unsuspecting first timer found when the Garden Thread Snafu hit and sent them to the ONT

Posted by: Skip at February 22, 2020 03:04 PM (ZCEU2)

Cathy the Bloomberg bot. LOLGF

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 22, 2020 05:57 PM (rCwaK)

119 Pat,
Hope I don't get the bam hammer for being late, but always enjoy your updates.

Posted by: MarkY at February 22, 2020 06:18 PM (5RkWa)

120 MarkY at February 22, 2020 06:18 PM
You should be safe from the ban hammer for at least a day. Unless people post an unusually large amount of content.

Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 06:32 PM (BVQ+1)

121 Content on the site, I mean. You don't want to post on threads that aren't on the first page anymore.

Of course, with the weird things that happened on the thread earlier today, can anyone really say that we are safe? Heh.

Posted by: KT at February 22, 2020 06:35 PM (BVQ+1)

122 Well wait to the party as usual, I always have to work Saturday. My AeroGarden is going crazy, more greens and herbs then we can eat. I've been giving them away to keep up.

Think I'll start some tomato seeds soon. I have had three requests in the last few months 4r Lincoln manahan tomato seed. This was grown from seed we found in an outhouse dig at the home Lincoln State in here. From the artifacts in the Dig received is over a hundred and fifty years old. I think we set a record when we got some to germinate.

The story made VAP and so people have found it. Even had a request from Puerto Rico recently for seed. I'm about out and have to pick through an old dried-up tomato that I didn't get the seed out of before. It's kind of cool people really want this Old seed, U of I could not identify it so it may be lost variety.

Posted by: Farmer at February 22, 2020 06:49 PM (y5qNj)

123 Sorry about all the errors forgot to proof it, this voice recognition is great on the phone so I don't have to type but not so great in getting things accurate.

Posted by: Farmer at February 22, 2020 06:52 PM (y5qNj)

124 Trash panda + .22LR = problem solved.

Posted by: Earth Pig at February 22, 2020 07:21 PM (lz4Mw)

125 Farmer, that is a cool story, mistakes and all! Are the recipients required/requested to keep the resultant seeds going if it produces?

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 07:30 PM (/+bwe)

126 My only pumpkin-growing was successful: eight pumpkins from a single vine, plus a lot of pumpkin-blossom for stir-fries and garnish over the growing season.

The secret? I dumped the previous Halloween's pumpkin into the compost heap. "Volunteers" are the way to go!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 22, 2020 07:35 PM (/+bwe)

127 I like black/white photog. most of early stuff was all tri-x... i mean, usta be that having a Gidding's photo for publicity was the pinnacle of Graphic arts communications.

I worked with a 24" process camera for newspaper/ commercial; it was panchromatic film (sees all colors but reproduces as only black and white) and had a transporter with a developer behind the darkroom... I can still smell the chemistry on my hands...
I played with a pinhole camera several times to pass time, and dabbled/studied "dry dot etching" and spreads, chokes, and exposure vs. apertures.
but the heartbreaking thing was, when the company went to image-setting (computer driven laser burning the film), no one- not even a school wanted the 20' bed camera. It had 4 magazines feeding 24" rolls of film into the camera.
---state of the art back in the '60's. Spartan MK IV I think. I drove the forklift that lifted it into a giant dumpster

Posted by: LaRro at February 22, 2020 10:26 PM (10GNe)

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