Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread, July 18, 2020 [KT]

Hello! How are all you gardeners, putterers and dreamers among The Horde doing today. Today's short thread is dominated by nature lovers and putterers.

The great hummingbird photo above is from PointyHairedBoss, who also sent in another of his great SloMo insect videos:

If you're wondering about the flowers in the background of a few of the clips, I'm sorry but I won't be much help. That's the Missus' department. I'm only in charge of puttering.

Edible Gardening and More

Brent sends in the following great design. Yes, those are hummingbird feeders hanging from the frames. Fun!

Thought folks might to see my design for a raised bed garden. I originally had four 4x4 foot beds 1 foot high, but when I added the covered greenhouse enclosures, it was hard to maneuver around, particularly when the covers were in place. So I reengineered things for four 14 x 2 foot beds, two feet high for less stooping, with a center aisle in each greenhouse.
Irrigation is necessary here in arid Utah, so you can also see the overhead watering system I installed that is tied into my automatic sprinkler system.

Yes, outside of arid climates, overhead sprinkling would probably not be the best choice for crops like, say, squash. Clever design!

Bonus: NaughtyPine sent in some fun photos a while ago:

Other things that flowered this past week but normally aren't considered flowers: rhubarb, chives, and a tiny strawberry in the mulch aka weed pile.

See an insect?

The strawberry looks like one of those new pink-flowered "ornamental edibles". Can you name any of the weeds?

Tools

redc1c4 IRL noticed that this catalog had a wide variety of gardening tools:

Off hand, I went there because a catalog showed up at the house, and I went looking on their web page to see if they had something i was looking for, but it's more gardening type stuff than wood handling tools, which is what I needed
Since I live with "Gadget Girl", my tools already have tools, I didn't look very closely. besides, my yard is mostly native plants, which require very little maintenance, once established.
I just figured it would be a place the hordian green thumbs might find interesting to peruse.

Thanks! Sometimes a special tool can make a difference. Let us know if you do any interesting wood working.

Nature

Willow's Apprentice sent in this lovely photo. Can anyone ID the bird?

PointyHairedBoss sent in some more nature photos from around the house, too:

Mama snapping turtle was laying eggs at the edge of our driveway.
Later I just managed to miss stepping on baby turtle which looked like a piece of gravel.
Sawyer beetles eat dead trees. If it's quiet you can hear them munching away.
All photos were taken with an Olympus TG3 point & shoot camera. On macro setting it can focus as close as 1 cm & has a cool feature called "focus stacking" that automatically combines several photos at varying focus distances to get maximum depth of field. A good example is the sawyer beetle photo.

This one is remarkable:

Glad you didn't squish this baby:

Dragonflies can be dramatic:

Remarkable details above about the Sawyer Beetle:

Over at Maggie's Farm, Bird Dog re-posted a thread on the Day of the Cicida.

Gardens of The Horde

We still have peaches. And Pluots are ripening.

Anything going on in your garden?

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

ktinthegarden
at that g mail dot com place

Include your nic unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:07 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 gorgeous pics

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:10 PM (ONvIw)

2 .

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 18, 2020 01:10 PM (vgnpr)

3 It's so hot here I cant even weed

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:10 PM (ONvIw)

4 sorry... i was trying to make a point.

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 18, 2020 01:11 PM (vgnpr)

5 It's a bit warm to plant anything here; but, the hummingbirds are battling over the feeders all day!

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at July 18, 2020 01:15 PM (gtatv)

6 I like those raised bed greenhouses. I'm going to have a greenhouse, but it will most likely be seasonal. Thinking about some raised beds in the back yard, though, for herbs and kitchen crops like lettuces.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:15 PM (f1Vqw)

7 Tomatoes are crazy plentiful. The red echinacea are blooming as are coreopsis, but the only roses left are the fairies. Other roses are producing nice thick new canes.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:15 PM (ONvIw)

8 It's so hot here I cant even weed
Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:10 PM (ONvIw)

Ditto. And I've got plenty of weeding to do.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:15 PM (f1Vqw)

9 Bird is a Great Blue Heron - love to watch those things!

Friend of mine had a little water feature built in his front yard, with a fountain. Had a little pond that he bought some koi fish for, because he liked to look at them. About a week after he got them, a Great Blue spied his pond - cleaned it out in a single day!!! After that he never bought any more, he said "why should I feed that damn bird???"

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 18, 2020 01:16 PM (V2Yro)

10 CN, have you ever seen orange and yellow echinacea? I never had, until this year. I want to collect and propagate all the colors. They're deer-resistant, which is a major factor around here.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:17 PM (f1Vqw)

11 Good afternoon Greenthumbs.
Picking 2 -3 cucumbers a day, lots of tomatoes and hot peppers starting but none ripe yet.

Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 01:17 PM (6f16T)

12 Tom Servo - I knew it was a heron, but are you sure it's a Great Blue?

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:18 PM (f1Vqw)

13 Can anyone ID the bird?

Its a Pterodactyl, thought they were all extinct but guess I was wrong

Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 01:19 PM (6f16T)

14 They're deer-resistant, which is a major factor around here.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:17 PM (f1Vqw)

Our suburban deer will eat anything. I finally started using a malodorous spray on the more vulnerable plants, and that seems to keep them away.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 18, 2020 01:21 PM (dLLD6)

15 >>>Our suburban deer will eat anything. I finally started using a malodorous spray on the more vulnerable plants, and that seems to keep them away.

That was the only thing that saved our okra last year.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:22 PM (f1Vqw)

16 Has anyone ever used Florida weave to support tomatoes?

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:22 PM (f1Vqw)

17 12 Tom Servo - I knew it was a heron, but are you sure it's a Great Blue?
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:18 PM (f1Vqw)

Oh yes, that picture is a bit distant, but the only other herons with a neck that long are the Great Egret (all white) and the Louisiana Heron, which you can only see if you're near the southern coast. (it's also darker)

It should have been named the Big Light Grey Heron, but whoever named it went with Blue for some reason.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 18, 2020 01:25 PM (V2Yro)

18 Aww, hummiebird! My hummie has been showing up to enjoy the hummingbird mint. Doesn't hang out too long though.

Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:26 PM (DJFLF)

19 8 It's so hot here I cant even weed
Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:10 PM (ONvIw)

Ditto. And I've got plenty of weeding to do.
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:15 PM (f1Vqw)

Quit bogarting and pass that shit over!

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:27 PM (NWiLs)

20 our little dogwood has been dying for years, and I think it's finally dead

looking for a small tree to replace it
something thst won't fall prey to bugs or disease

Posted by: vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:28 PM (TOyHQ)

21 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 July 18, 2020 01:28 PM (NWiLs)

22 Yes, bird is a Great Blue Heron.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at July 18, 2020 01:28 PM (gd9RK)

23 Quit bogarting and pass that shit over!
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:27 PM (NWiLs)

If only!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:28 PM (f1Vqw)

24 I thought the head looked a little different, but it's just that particular photo.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:29 PM (f1Vqw)

25 21 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life."

Lighten up, Uriel.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 18, 2020 01:30 PM (V2Yro)

26 PHB, that video was lovely! I can really believer that old inspirational story about why bees shouldn't be able to fly, from watching them here.
Thank you for bringing us the details we wouldn't otherwise see.

Very little going on here in CenTex, garden-wise. Just keeping everything healthy until the end of August.

The neighbors, who have a family farm, have been very generous with the squashes. I'm shredding and freezing them for future baking, as well as using them fresh. And, she gave me a bag of okra, which is all for my ownself, b/c he does not like it.

The herbs whose flowers are the crop are frustrated that I'm picking them all, so they're producing well.

Back to puttering- I'm making the granddaughter a quilt from her theater T-shirts and needed to take a break from the putting it together calculations.

And since she leaves around the 12th of August and I have to hand-quilt this sucker, I should go "Sew, old one! Sew like the wind!"

Have a great week, everyone.

Posted by: Sal at July 18, 2020 01:30 PM (bo8pf)

27 Hello green thumbs. I've not been good enough about watering this year. I haven't yet killed the hollyhocks but I doubt they will bloom. Mostly I've been doing deliberate black thumb spot spraying the noxious weeds, trying to get to a better class of weeds around the place.

Today I puttered putting up a towel rack that was in a dumb spot when we bought this place and I had never replaced in several years after it came out of the wall. I decided it would work in a different spot and put it up today. One piece of former clutter now able to serve a purpose.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at July 18, 2020 01:31 PM (kOHLB)

28 our little dogwood has been dying for years, and I think it's finally dead

looking for a small tree to replace it
something thst won't fall prey to bugs or disease
Posted by: vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:28 PM (TOyHQ)

I love crepe myrtle and redbud.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:32 PM (f1Vqw)

29 After that he never bought any more, he said "why should I feed that damn bird???"

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 18, 2020 01:16 PM (V2Yro)
Too funny.
Just this morning was thinking about adding more water dishes to my little nature environment on my deck. The birdies luv them some a-splashin' in the birdbath, and water to sip from the little bowls.

Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:32 PM (DJFLF)

30 Westside Oregon moron checking in. I have 60+ heirloom tomatos in 30 and 45 gallon smart pots. Smart pots are the felt material raised planters. I like them a lot for temporary spaces and they also automatically root prune your plants so none get root bound. My whole gravel side yard is basicly a tomato forest. Varieties: Boronia, cherokee chocolate, cherokee purple, black cherry, red cherry, Siletz, Genovese Costuloso, Ivan, Arkansas traveler, mortgage lifter, Ashleigh, Hawaiian Pinapple. Also 6 tomatillos which are going crazy. What I failed on is the hot peppers. If anyone has any advice on them, they basicly stunted, got to about 4" and stopped growing despite having plenty of space and nutrients and water. Carolina reaper, early jalapeno, Serrano, ghost. Maybe I'll send a pic in next gardening thread.

Posted by: KarlHungus at July 18, 2020 01:33 PM (r0XR3)

31 What I failed on is the hot peppers. If anyone has any advice on them, they basicly stunted, got to about 4" and stopped growing despite having plenty of space and nutrients and water. Carolina reaper, early jalapeno, Serrano, ghost. Maybe I'll send a pic in next gardening thread.
Posted by: KarlHungus at July 18, 2020 01:33 PM (r0XR3)

Sound like my sweet banana peppers

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:35 PM (f1Vqw)

32 vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:28 PM
Where are you, approximately?

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 01:36 PM (BVQ+1)

33 Just a reminder, please don't put artificial sweeteners in the hummingbird feeders. Unlike the neighbor who sucks down 5 "Big Gulps" a day the hummingbirds aren't going to get too fat to fly.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM (SchxB)

34 Identify the bird? That's Dave.

Posted by: klaftern at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM (RuIsu)

35 Sound like my sweet banana peppers
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:35 PM (f1Vqw)

I thought publius was your sweet banana pepper.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM (NWiLs)

36 34 Identify the bird? That's Dave.
Posted by: klaftern at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM (RuIsu)

Thought that was Brad.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:39 PM (NWiLs)

37 15 I've been sprinkling deer food with cayenne. Changes their wanker attitude..they get agitated and flee. Another thing they hate is my 5yo grandson screaming. Neighbor says it's because it sounds like a dying animal.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:39 PM (ONvIw)

38 Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:35 PM
Peppers can be problematic. For one thing, they don't like to be planted when the soil is still cool.

I have had more trouble with bell peppers than hot peppers. I grow mild Anchos instead of bell peppers, partly for than reason.

Another reason for stunted growth could be bound roots before transplanting.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 01:40 PM (BVQ+1)

39 Identify the bird? That's Dave.

Posted by: klaftern at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM (RuIsu)

Thought that was Brad.

Unless it's a really old picture, no. Brad doesn't go anywhere without Janet.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at July 18, 2020 01:40 PM (SchxB)

40 vmom,
Vitex is a nice small tree (a shrub, really but like the crape myrtle, it can get quite large). Grey-green foliage and pretty lavender flower spikes. It does well here in TX.

Posted by: Sal at July 18, 2020 01:40 PM (bo8pf)

41 PaleRider is simply irredeemable at July 18, 2020 01:31 PM
Your hollyhocks might surprise you. They are tough.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 01:41 PM (BVQ+1)

42 I thought publius was your sweet banana pepper.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM (NWiLs)

LOL! He's my sweetie, for sure. But we can't figure out the pepper problem. The green bells are only marginally better. He suggested we take soil samples and send for analysis.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:42 PM (f1Vqw)

43 Hot peppers I always have success with, sweet barely a decent pepper. So this year only hot, 2 Anaheim, 4 jalapeno and 4 Cayenne.
No idea whyhot grow well, sweet not worth the trouble.

Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 01:43 PM (6f16T)

44 Another reason for stunted growth could be bound roots before transplanting.
Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 01:40 PM (BVQ+1)

Maybe. It sure wasn't cool soil. Next year I'll pot them up before planting out in the field to get a better root system developed.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:43 PM (f1Vqw)

45 Where are you, approximately?
Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 01:36 PM (BVQ+1)

SE PA zone 6

Posted by: vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:50 PM (TOyHQ)

46 Thought that was Brad.

Unless it's a really old picture, no. Brad doesn't go anywhere without Janet.
Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at July 18, 2020 01:40 PM (SchxB)

Dammit.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:50 PM (NWiLs)

47 I love crepe myrtle and redbud.
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:32 PM (f1Vqw)

I've heard redbud is a good choice
I'll look up crepe myrtle

Posted by: vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:51 PM (TOyHQ)

48 1. Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, " Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. "

Widen your perspective Insom. God is just , but he is also good.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 01:51 PM (roHD+)

49 My flowering plum is dead. I think Little Pancho dogwood is the tree I'll replace it with.

Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:51 PM (DJFLF)

50 We had a very late cool spring, root bound could be an issue too, I started from seed and they did get a little bound in the tiny seed starting trays, I rough them up when transplanting and tomatos usually snap out of it but the peppers not so much. I think next year I'll keep them inside or a greenhouse much longer.

Posted by: KarlHungus at July 18, 2020 01:52 PM (r0XR3)

51 KarlHungus at July 18, 2020 01:33 PM

There are a couple of tomato varieties in there I haven't hear of. Boronia?
We would love to see a photo.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 01:52 PM (BVQ+1)

52 It's so hot here I cant even weed
Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 01:10 PM (ONvIw)

Ditto. And I've got plenty of weeding to do.
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess

Same here.

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 01:53 PM (arJlL)

53 Hiya Mr. Sunshine !

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 01:54 PM (arJlL)

54 Is anyone already looking forward to fall, and even further out - planning next year's garden?
I think that next year I will plant a bunch of different basils on the sunny side of the house. There are so many varieties and colors, should be a real treat to view and also perceive olfactoriorially.

Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:54 PM (DJFLF)

55 I've heard redbud is a good choice
I'll look up crepe myrtle
Posted by: vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:51 PM (TOyHQ)

I love the bark on crepe myrtle - it's very interesting.

Best not to plant over patios or walkways, since the flowers make a mess when they fall. Like mimosa, another fave of mine.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:54 PM (f1Vqw)

56 Went to a coupla yard sales this AM, before it got too hot.

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 01:55 PM (arJlL)

57 I made up that word.
Also - we are plagued by lanternflies. I have developed a squashing method. You can't come up from behind them , you have to get them on the lateral.

Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:55 PM (DJFLF)

58 Love the pic of the baby turtle, looks like maybe its a snapping turtle? If so, good thing it is still small.

Redbuds are beautiful and crepe myrtles are my favorite, but I can't grow them where I live in NH.

Posted by: squeakywheel at July 18, 2020 01:56 PM (3SGsa)

59 Don't think I've ever seen a lantern fly.

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 01:57 PM (arJlL)

60 ugh spotted lanternflies

Posted by: vmom 2020 's tale of teigen twitterazism at July 18, 2020 01:57 PM (TOyHQ)

61 I frequently see blue herons in my neighborhood by the retention pond. No kidding. Snowy egrets and ibis too. Ibis are interesting because they don't just flock, they practically swarm. I'll see 15-20+ at a time on someone's lawn nibbling in the grass and eating whatever it is they eat. Insects I guess.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 01:58 PM (NWiLs)

62 Boronia is pretty cool, they are the only semi-determinant one I have so they stay pretty compact. Dark red with brown shoulders, medium sized. No cool pics yet they are all still green. I also have indigo apple variety which I am liking a lot for our region, very vigorous and already has some dark purple blushed fruit.

Posted by: KarlHungus at July 18, 2020 02:00 PM (r0XR3)

63
Took a ride east heading out to the country this morning looking for farm stands. Hubby and I had regular farm stand-stops for years. A few years back some of those farmers started to close-up the stands due to health issues (or death) or retirement. If purchased by a large conglomerate, the farm stand went away.

Today was sad seeing how few stands were left, a grand total of three - 10, 15 years ago we couldn't drive a mile without hitting at least one farm stand.

We will head northwest the next time we go out. Hubby has hunting land up near Lake Ontario, and that is the route road with the fruit stands. That land is surrounded by apple (and some pear) orchards, and the apple orchard next door to him will sell their apples, as well as other farmer's goods when they are open for the season.

There are a few more stands we know of up that way and I am hoping for the best. I purposely did not grow tomatoes this year (NYS has a terrible problem with blight) figuring I'd just buy from one of the farm stands out near the hunting land. If all those have closed up too, I will be very sad indeed.

Posted by: Ann at July 18, 2020 02:00 PM (NDO5Q)

64 50 + miles north of Spokane yet my gardening climate is closure to that of Anchorage then Spokane. I'm a bit envious of some of you morons. I'm excited because I have green tomatoes, my cukes and pole beans are starting to climb and the raspberries will be on in about 2 weeks. In the meantime, we've been picking the huckleberries on our property which means that next week we will head higher up for the real good picking.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:00 PM (roHD+)

65 KT, my Anaheim peppers get decent sized, but not store size. Interestingly enough, if you let them start to turn red, they get hotter. No matter what, they're really good to cook with.

I pulled out two of my zucchini plants, as they'd decided it was too much trouble to live and produce. No matter, as I'd put too many in to close quarters.

Tomatoes are going wild and it looks like we're going to get a good crop this year.

On to puttering: I've a shed/shop in the yard. I was looking into getting power to the shed, so I could get away from using the generator when I want to run my table saw or miter saw. My first thought was some sort of solar array. But, then I started doing the math and quickly realized the cost of putting in solar system large enough to handle the load quickly exceeded the cost of having a sub panel run to our shed.

I was interested in solar as a quiet backup system in case things get out of hand, power outages become a real thing and gasoline becomes scarce. Granted, it wouldn't be enough to really power the house, but, it would have allowed us to do a lot more than just keep the fridge running.

After looking into solar and battery systems, I've decided I will put together a small solar backup system, but, it will be only enough to charge a few items, run a hot plate, and the fridge a little bit.

I will say that it's amazing how far solar systems have come, but as a cost effective option to grid power, not even close.

But, for areas with no power readily available and getting gasoline in might be problematic, they're a good way to go.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:01 PM (WEBkv)

66 Place where I worked, years ago, the head of our department, a gal, put various kinds of fish in the pond by the patio.

A small Great Blue Heron spotted the fish and camped out, enjoying the smorgasbord of snacks.

The fish getting eaten didn't sit well with the boss lady.

It was amusing.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:04 PM (WEBkv)

67 I didn't have my hot peppers in too early, the Anaheim's are within the mini greenhouse so maybe by end of September will close it back up . They always seem to be going gangbusters when the early frost hits.

Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 02:05 PM (6f16T)

68 I frequently see blue herons in my neighborhood

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo

Do they sing the blues ?

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 02:05 PM (arJlL)

69 We were late getting our veggies in this year so it's only been in the last couple of days that we've seen anything worthwhile to pick.

The overall situation is meh. Cucumbers are off the charts, but the squashes, tomatoes, beans, etc. are not doing as well as they did before. I have picked two zucchini and two yellow and they're good, but there are not very many on the plants and some appear to rot as soon as the flower is done blooming.

I think the garden needs an infusion of manure and some good topsoil.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 18, 2020 02:05 PM (3H9h1)

70 Also - we are plagued by lanternflies. I have developed a squashing method. You can't come up from behind them , you have to get them on the lateral.
Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:55 PM (DJFLF)

They're horrible, just horrible. I tried spraying them with Windex. They don't care.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 02:06 PM (f1Vqw)

71 48 1. Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, " Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. "

Widen your perspective Insom. God is just , but he is also good.
Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 01:51 PM (roHD+)

Then again, at that point in time, God had just wrapped up killing millions (just spitballing the number) of people that he made in his own image and put on the earth, knowing full well he was going to kill them all. So I'm still leaning toward the God's really kind of a dick side.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:06 PM (NWiLs)

72 Best not to plant over patios or walkways, since the flowers make a mess when they fall. Like mimosa, another fave of mine.
Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 01:54 PM (f1Vqw)
------------

We have several crepe myrtles. I took two of ours "down to the studs" took them down to about 8' tall, from about 15', took off all small branches, everything. Really cleaned them up.

Good golly, did they come back with a vengeance this year.

I'm now planning to do the same cut back with our two crepe myrtles in the front.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:07 PM (WEBkv)

73 I think that next year I will plant a bunch of different basils on the sunny side of the house. There are so many varieties and colors, should be a real treat to view and also perceive olfactoriorially.
Posted by: kallisto at July 18, 2020 01:54 PM (DJFLF)

A friend in Sweden was a fiend for the many varieties of thyme. One was a ground cover that I used between stepping stones. It released a lovely scent when you stepped on it.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 02:08 PM (f1Vqw)

74 I will say that it's amazing how far solar systems have come, but as a cost effective option to grid power, not even close.

But, for areas with no power readily available and getting gasoline in might be problematic, they're a good way to go.
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing

This year's project list included solar backup for my well pump. My list schedule went out 5he window about a month ago. Hopefully I can get to it before the snow flies.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:08 PM (roHD+)

75 Afternoon all

Posted by: Nevergiveup at July 18, 2020 02:08 PM (85Gof)

76 Hummingbirds are pretty cool. They've been drawing down the feeder fast right now. I want to say 1/2 pint a day, almost.

I wrote the Perky Pet people, as a lark. Said I put the feeder up, it's been almost an hour, and no hummingbirds! I want a refund. They didn't take the bait, just boilerplate. Oh well.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 18, 2020 02:09 PM (i9Gy2)

77 Don't think I've ever seen a lantern fly.
Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 01:57 PM (arJlL)

Hope you never do. In 2018 they were the most threatening pest for agriculture in PA.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at July 18, 2020 02:09 PM (f1Vqw)

78 66 Place where I worked, years ago, the head of our department, a gal, put various kinds of fish in the pond by the patio.

A small Great Blue Heron spotted the fish and camped out, enjoying the smorgasbord of snacks.

The fish getting eaten didn't sit well with the boss lady.

It was amusing.
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:04 PM (WEBkv)

Way too many people think nature is a fucking Disney movie. It's red in tooth and claw, bitches. Did these people never watch even a single National Geographic special when they were kids? "And here we see the lioness murdering the shit out of the young, wide-eyed antelope who fell too far behind the rest of the herd."

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:09 PM (NWiLs)

79 So I'm still leaning toward the God's really kind of a dick side.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo

Man + free will =

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:11 PM (roHD+)

80 Hiya Captain !

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 02:11 PM (arJlL)

81 This year's project list included solar backup for my well pump. My list schedule went out 5he window about a month ago. Hopefully I can get to it before the snow flies.
Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:08 PM (roHD+)
---------------

Are you looking at SLA battery or Lithium Ion?

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:11 PM (WEBkv)

82 that next year I will plant a bunch of different basils on the sunny side of the house. There are so many varieties and colors, should be a real treat to view and also perceive olfactoriorially.

Should smell really good too.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 18, 2020 02:11 PM (i9Gy2)

83 . So I'm still leaning toward the God's really kind of a dick side.
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo

You're gonna get hit in the face with a poop pie for that one too !

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 02:11 PM (arJlL)

84 You're gonna get hit in the face with a poop pie for that one too !
Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 02:11 PM (arJlL)

Heh. Probably.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:14 PM (NWiLs)

85 Way too many people think nature is a fucking Disney movie. It's red in tooth and claw, bitches.

First time my daughter, about 8 at the time, was with me when I shot a deer she proudly told her mom when walked in the door, " dad shot Bambi !"

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:14 PM (roHD+)

86 "And here we see the lioness murdering the shit out of the young, wide-eyed antelope who fell too far behind the rest of the herd."
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:09 PM (NWiLs)
---------------

The author of "Unintended Consequences" makes the point that nothing in nature dies of old age. Once a prey animal loses a step, it's lunch. And once a predator loses a step, it's no longer able to catch lunch.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:15 PM (WEBkv)

87 85 Way too many people think nature is a fucking Disney movie. It's red in tooth and claw, bitches.

First time my daughter, about 8 at the time, was with me when I shot a deer she proudly told her mom when walked in the door, " dad shot Bambi !"
Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:14 PM (roHD+)

Awesome story!

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:15 PM (NWiLs)

88 I have a Purple Heart tomato that mom brought up that had developed a nearly-ready fruit, until something took a bite out of it and it started rotting. Sunsugar tomatoes in the direct-sun mulched bed are all spindly and dry, even with as much as I've watered them and as much bark mulch as they're under. Bush cucumbers are doing fine, as are Cayenne and Serrano peppers, partly-shaded tomatoes (Mr. Stripey, Indigo Rose) and both green and purple basil.

That's all I've got for now. Well, that, and I saw a tomato variety called "Beefmaster", and I'm wondering where I can go to bring suit for infringing on my stage name.

Posted by: hogmartin at July 18, 2020 02:15 PM (t+qrx)

89 That's all I've got for now. Well, that, and I saw a tomato variety called "Beefmaster", and I'm wondering where I can go to bring suit for infringing on my stage name.
Posted by: hogmartin at July 18, 2020 02:15 PM (t+qrx)
------------

Sounds like a "Chunk N Dale" stage name.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:16 PM (WEBkv)

90 Did the weeding and wareing in mom's flower beds early, before it got too warm.

One of those weeds pictured is creeping charlie. Pretty purple flowers if you don't mind it taking over everything! Not sure what that heart shaped leaf weed is, but we have those too.

Posted by: My life is insanity at July 18, 2020 02:17 PM (Z/jzm)

91 Are you looking at SLA battery or Lithium Ion?
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing

Haven't got that far. Neighbor up on the hill has a fairly extensive solar system. He's offered to help me avoid some of his learning curve.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:18 PM (roHD+)

92 *watering. Sigh.

Posted by: My life is insanity at July 18, 2020 02:19 PM (Z/jzm)

93
Awesome story!
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo

Venison is greatly appreciated in my household.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:19 PM (roHD+)

94 Way too many people think nature is a fucking Disney movie. It's red in tooth and claw, bitches. Did these people never watch even a single National Geographic special when they were kids? "And here we see the lioness murdering the shit out of the young, wide-eyed antelope who fell too far behind the rest of the herd."
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo

So much this. Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom, anyone? As atc says, the outside is trying to kill you.

Posted by: Infidel at July 18, 2020 02:19 PM (Tt+tJ)

95 Haven't got that far. Neighbor up on the hill has a fairly extensive solar system. He's offered to help me avoid some of his learning curve.
Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:18 PM (roHD+)
----------

Yeah, good way to go, learn from the other guy. When I first started looking into solar, I was shocked at the amount of power even basic equipment requires.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:20 PM (WEBkv)

96 The fish getting eaten didn't sit well with the boss lady.

It was amusing.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:04 PM (WEBkv)
_______________________
Way too many people think nature is a fucking Disney movie. It's red in tooth and claw, bitches...

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:09 PM (NWiLs)

Yes, koi lovers have 2 main enemies around here, the great blue herons and raccoons. Funny, I don't ever recall a great egret being an issue, even though we got those too.

I think the herons just have bigger balls. They've landed right in front of us on the deck, grab a 10 year old koi, swallow it whole, give a wink and fly off in 3 seconds flat. At least these guys won't trash the pond like raccoons.

I've got a great series of shots of a great egret spearing a gopher, giving it a flip and swallowing it. Those long skinny beaks ain't just for looks.

Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:21 PM (8B6Ng)

97 I assume every animal and every Human being is trying to kill me and i act accordingly

Posted by: Nevergiveup at July 18, 2020 02:21 PM (85Gof)

98 My gardening skills aren't the best. Prize winning, Blue Ribbon Dandelions are my specialty.

A good ground cover would be Plantain, Dandelion, Purslane, Violet. Unfortunately most city and municipal governments think otherwise. I like bluegrass for turf, but it is kind of a pain.

I have to rip out a bunch of overgrown creeping juniper. I haven't found anything power-tool related that seems to do the job. Even hacking with a machete doesn't seem to work so great. Roundup kills it, but I guess it's going to be good old fashioned elbow grease. Not today though 95 F and an almost equal humidity says "stay inside, if possible" to me.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 18, 2020 02:23 PM (i9Gy2)

99 Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:21 PM (8B6Ng)

------------

Speaking of raccoons, a family friend had some raccoons invade her pool. The damage they did to all of the equipment was astounding.

Cute, furry and cuddly raccoons are not.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:23 PM (WEBkv)

100 Weed ID in the pink strawberry pic? I'll take a stab. All around is grass, lawn type grass. To the left looks like violet foliage of some sort. Lower left is gill-over-the-ground, lower center looks like it might be forget-me-not maybe, not sure, and lower right is jewelweed. Sans the strawb, it looks like that could be the sproutage in my own compost heap.

Posted by: Equirhodont at July 18, 2020 02:23 PM (+2GwM)

101 it looks like that could be the sproutage in my own compost heap.

We're all destined for the compost heap.

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:25 PM (NWiLs)

102 Hummingbirds sound like giant wasps.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:26 PM (vuisn)

103 Has anybody here grown Armenian cucumbers? I was dumb enough to say "those look nice" and got one. In a fairly limited space. I didn't know it was really more of a melon, and takes about that much room and then some. It's got hundreds of blossoms. I'd grown just regular green cukes in the past, they're nothing like this beast.

I didn't look for a couple of days, and had some that were well over 24" long. I made some bread & butter pickles for the first time in my life, and they're killer. But, I can only make and can so many. I'd only wanted a few cukes for gaspacho.

Other than that, I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do with these things. I'm already considering hacking it back, I hate to have to throw away the fruit.

Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:27 PM (8B6Ng)

104 102 Hummingbirds sound like giant wasps.
Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:26 PM (vuisn)

Giant murder wasps!

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:28 PM (NWiLs)

105 For identifying plants, there's this app (for iPhone and Android) called "PictureThis". It's alarming how accurate it is, if you can get a good picture with leaf shape, maybe some buds or blossoms, seed pods, that sort of thing. Just scary good. Like you're using a Star Trek tricorder. There's a membership required, but I think you get X free lookups. I didn't write it and don't make any money off it, but it's pretty impressive, if anyone has some weirdo plant they can't quite identify.

https://www.picturethisai.com/

Posted by: hogmartin at July 18, 2020 02:28 PM (t+qrx)

106 Huh, that weed on the upper left is a violet? Crap, i pulled those out. Different from the smaller wood violets that pop up in early spring in our lawn. I have that one you call jewelweed, too. Apparently it loves hot humid weather because it is prolific here, all of a sudden. Easy to pull out, though

Posted by: My life is insanity at July 18, 2020 02:29 PM (Z/jzm)

107 Speaking of gardening, time to get off my ass and my phone before Mrs. Sock wanders back in and gives me yhe eyeroll.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:30 PM (roHD+)

108 Giant murder wasps!
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:28 PM (NWiLs)
-----------------

heh.

We got a bush with bright orange flowers that attracts hummingbirds. I was out working on our tomatoes, which are next to the bush and had a hummingbird show up, hover for a bit, giving me a bit of sideye, almost like it was saying, "Hey bub, just what do you think you're doing in my space?"

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:30 PM (WEBkv)

109 >>>So much this. Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom, anyone? As atc says, the outside is trying to kill you.

I've heard "Help me, Marlin," so many times, I figured it'd be Fowler's last words sooner or later.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:30 PM (vuisn)

110 Cute, furry and cuddly raccoons are not.
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:23 PM (WEBkv)

Raccoons can be really bad news, especially since they can form large packs. One almost drowned my dog when I was a kid.

Had a neighbor lady think they were so wonderful when they moved out of the city, so she'd go and buy marshmallows and cat food for them, much to my dad's chagrin. Of course, if she'd forget to feed them they'd take it upon themselves to forage and destroy everything in their path.

They can usually figure out any sort of determent in a matter of minutes, so mixing smarts with assholes isn't a good combo.

Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:31 PM (8B6Ng)

111 Marlin: I will watch from the safety of the bulldozer while Jim births a water buffalo baby.

Jim: Do I have to nurse it too?

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:32 PM (JFO2v)

112 By the way, my grand experiment with herbs grown from seeds has been a colossal failure.

Basil and thyme from seeds, and I got a grand total of....zero plants!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 18, 2020 02:33 PM (dLLD6)

113 Raccoons can be really bad news, especially since they can form large packs. One almost drowned my dog when I was a kid.

Had a neighbor lady think they were so wonderful when they moved out of the city, so she'd go and buy marshmallows and cat food for them, much to my dad's chagrin. Of course, if she'd forget to feed them they'd take it upon themselves to forage and destroy everything in their path.

They can usually figure out any sort of determent in a matter of minutes, so mixing smarts with assholes isn't a good combo.
Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:31 PM (8B6Ng)

My semi drunk fights with raccoons made my neighbors laugh. They were fucking with my grill and I resisted we much!

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:33 PM (JFO2v)

114 Speaking of getting off my ass. No

Posted by: Menack at July 18, 2020 02:34 PM (buTO7)

115 They can usually figure out any sort of determent in a matter of minutes, so mixing smarts with assholes isn't a good combo.
Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:31 PM (8B6Ng)
------------

I got over raccoons the first time I caught one raiding a trash can and it hissed at me, loudly. It was a mama and I saw the cub had gone up the tree a bit.

A large female raccon with attitude isn't something to be taken lightly.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:35 PM (WEBkv)

116 heh.

We got a bush with bright orange flowers that attracts hummingbirds.
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:30 PM (WEBkv)

A bush with bight orange flowers is

'Noninflammatory disorder of vulva and perineum, unspecified
N90

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:35 PM (JFO2v)

117 107 Speaking of gardening, time to get off my ass and my phone before Mrs. Sock wanders back in and gives me yhe eyeroll.
Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 02:30 PM (roHD+)

we call that 3 or 4 play here

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:36 PM (JFO2v)

118 Speaking of raccoons, a family friend had some raccoons invade her pool. The damage they did to all of the equipment was astounding.

Cute, furry and cuddly raccoons are not.
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:23 PM (WEBkv)

Sound just like inlaws!

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:37 PM (JFO2v)

119 clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:27 PM
Yes, Armenian cucumbers are, botanically, melons. You can pick them when they are small if they are starting to overwhelm you. Go ahead and pinch the vines back and let them fill in if they are taking too much space.

They are easier to grow than most cucumbers in hot-summer areas.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 02:38 PM (BVQ+1)

120 86 "And here we see the lioness murdering the shit out of the young, wide-eyed antelope who fell too far behind the rest of the herd."
Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at July 18, 2020 02:09 PM (NWiLs)
---------------

The author of "Unintended Consequences" makes the point that nothing in nature dies of old age. Once a prey animal loses a step, it's lunch. And once a predator loses a step, it's no longer able to catch lunch.
Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:15 PM (WEBkv)

Like a Red shirt on Star Wars. They last till first commercial break.

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:39 PM (JFO2v)

121 They are easier to grow than most cucumbers in hot-summer areas.
Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 02:38 PM (BVQ+1)

Mines bigger. My cucumber. Its bigger. I think vegetables can be very sensuous, dont you?
No, vegetables are sensual. People are sensuous.

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:41 PM (JFO2v)

122 I think my grandmother called hummingbirds pocket bird or pouch birds. Something about their nest.

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:42 PM (JFO2v)

123 Hummingbirds sound like giant wasps.
Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:26 PM (vuisn)

We have pretty much exclusively Anna's hummers in my area, they're crazy about whatever flower is growing outside the kitchen window. But this spring we got an Allen's, which I tried to keep around with a feeder, but I think they just visit for breeding purposes.

The difference in sound between the two is amazing. The Allen's is a bit smaller than the Anna's. It sounds like a 2 stroke engine comparatively, I could hear them flying quite some distance off. Not sure if they make the same sounds (calls) or not.

Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:43 PM (8B6Ng)

124 I am already thinking about what to plant in the fall. Also want to start irises from seed, my grandmother was able to do that, so I want to try.

There was success with bending a rose cane and creating a duplicate plant. I think I'll wait till fall to sever the new one and move it though.

Another moderate success was dill weed. I planted many and got enough to thin. Nasturtiums look good too.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:44 PM (ONvIw)

125 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, Boise area: This week I feel like wandering through time as well as space, and doing the full midsummer overview of the garden. If you get bored (or intimidated) by long posts, feel free to skip.

Long gone - asparagus, radishes, strawberries (poor crop due to mini-millipedes)
Just finished - Spinach. It all bolted. I've been feeding it to the neighbors' chickens, but it was shading the baby poblanos, and in the way of the approaching watermelon vines, so I pulled out all the plants.

About to finish - Lettuce. Mostly going to neighbors' chickens since it's bolting, and it's also in the way of the watermelons. I'll pull each plant out after I strip it.

Harvesting now - Shelling peas. 16 feet of row, on trellises. 2# in freezer, but I don't see many new flowers, so we're thinking if we want a good crop to put in the freezer each year, we're going to need to plant more row, possibly in the paddock rather than in raised beds.
Blueberries. 3 small bushes. These are just for fun, rather than a serious crop. I head for the local you-pick farm if I want to get a lot into the freezer.
Red Raspberries. Husband says these early ones are just for juicing, which means I don't feel guilty about eating the best ones. We'll freeze the better ones for shakes later on.
Lavender (for sachets), chamomile (for tea).
Green onions. I did 4 staggered plantings of 20 onions each, this spring. We're down to the last 20-30 of them, but now they're behaving more like small onions rather than scallions. I should have staggered the plantings by a good 3-4 weeks!
Carrots. Big success! I have plain orange ones from old seed, and yellow, red, and purple types I just got this year. All doing well - 8# in freezer and more to come.

Soon to come - Zucchini. Just picked one, but definitely more approaching. We only put in 2 plants, hopefully that's not too many...
Green bush beans. The earliest ones are just about big enough to pick.

Any time - The nominally "blueberry beds" also have chives (too freakin' many) and cilantro (going to seed).
The herb bed has sage (probably needs a third trimming back!), oregano (flowering), parsley (2 plants that survived the winter now forming seeds), spearmint (vigorous), basil (grown from seed each year), thyme (grown from seed this year because it died this past winter) - plus the 2 'Provence' lavenders (took a lot of winter damage despite mild winter, had to be cut way back).

In the future -
Tomatoes. Beefsteak, Legend, Roma, Big Boy, Indigo Blue Berries.
Corn. 2 varieties. I can see the ears forming now.
Soybeans. We put a test row in the good soil of the raised beds to see what happens.
Watermelons. Mini sized ones. Some teeny fruits on the vines now.
Peppers - poblanos and 1 Anaheim. Our starts had trouble once they were planted out, so we don't expect much of a crop.
Cantaloupe. All the indoor starts died, so we had to start from seed outdoors. Hopefully there will be enough time for them to produce something.
Potatoes. Fingerlings, Yukon Gold, and Purple Majesty, in cloth pots. Getting pots with handles, makes it easier to dump the whole bag onto a tarp and pick out the potatoes.
Apples. We have 2 old trees and 3 just planted this year. One of the old trees may have a decent crop, the other barely flowered, and the new trees will only produce a tiny number, so it won't be a big year for apples.

Alfalfa. Not technically a 'crop', though we've given it away as chicken feed and bedding. Mostly it's there to suppress weeds in one corner of the paddock.

I think that covers the whole food garden. My red penstemon and fireweed are blooming. Both types of day lilies are flowering. My Johnny-Jump-Ups are going through their midsummer drying out - but I'll get baby plants this fall from the seeds they're dropping now, so it's all good.

Mood is still quiet around here. Summer is finally upon us - temperatures will stay above 90 for at least 2 weeks and may crack 100. Husband is slowly getting over whatever crud disease he had, but his throat's still sore. He's still been able to do the weekly mowing, and he's back to spraying weeds, so that's a positive thing.

Hope everyone else is staying safe, staying well, and *staying prepared* for whatever craziness may show up before the November election.

Posted by: Pat* at July 18, 2020 02:45 PM (2pX/F)

126 Hummingbirds sound like giant wasps.
Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:26 PM (vuisn)

I always hear them before I see them, so I jump out of my seat scaring them off before I get a chance to see them close up.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:45 PM (vuisn)

127 Nasturtiums look good too.
Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:44 PM (ONvIw)

you have to be nasty to Nasturtiums

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:47 PM (JFO2v)

128 They are easier to grow than most cucumbers in hot-summer areas.
Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 02:38 PM (BVQ+1)

Good to know, thanks! I've not pinched anything back before, but I can see already I'll be way overwhelmed. The thing about them is they're super skinny up to about 6-8", then go nuts. They sure are tasty though.

The south bay area isn't particularly warm (for stretches anyway), but this thing is particularly hardy.

Not sure what I'm doing - I don't recall ever having 6' tomato plants before either. I thought I was way late and planted 3 - which was another goof on my part! No red ones yet, but soon!

Posted by: clutch cargo at July 18, 2020 02:47 PM (8B6Ng)

129 That weed looks like chives.

Posted by: Bosk at July 18, 2020 02:48 PM (lDdRA)

130 One thing I miss about summer this year is that I did not join the local FSA. It was going to be "pick up" only which annoyed me. I like to choose my produce, not have someone toss it in the bag for me. Plus, the grandsons loved to come with me to pick out vegetables. Glad I have a lot of deck tomatoes, so that they can pick liberally.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:49 PM (ONvIw)

131 One of the main therapeutic responses is "it may not have been your fault, but if you want to change, it's going to be your responsibility to do so."
Posted by: BurtTC at July 18, 2020 02:20 PM (hku12)

They do love their poor soil, so they are near the gaillardia which also likes low nutrient spots.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:51 PM (ONvIw)

132 Nice Pat, my Grandpa was born in Emmit, we sent his ashes down the river that flows through there recently. Beautiful area.

Posted by: KarlHungus at July 18, 2020 02:52 PM (r0XR3)

133 I have a large Blue Heron rookery at the end of my driveway.

They are vicious fuckers

Posted by: REDACTED at July 18, 2020 02:53 PM (JgrP5)

134 Wonderful pictures and video, PHB! Love the tiny turtle. I had no idea the babies were so small. Even that small, you can see it has powerful jaws.
Lantern flies are just making their presence known in Indiana. Our DNR always has a great display on invasive species at our State Fair and I always stop by to get information for my science classes. Last year was the first year they featured Lantern flies. No State Fair this year, unfortunately. Grrr.

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at July 18, 2020 02:53 PM (Vf4Y7)

135 131: Gosh, that was careless. The nasturtium comment was in response to: you have to be nasty to Nasturtiums
Posted by: rhennigantx at July 18, 2020 02:47 PM (JFO2v)

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:54 PM (ONvIw)

136 I've been seeing leaf-footed bugs more often.
Their size is offputting, like some Starship Troopers kinda shit.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 18, 2020 02:54 PM (vuisn)

137 I hope the new granddog (coming home today) is not a digger of flower beds.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:56 PM (ONvIw)

138 Raccoons are the Antifa of the animal kingdom

Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 02:57 PM (6f16T)

139 thanks for the update, Pat.

Far more ambition than I have.

Posted by: blake - semi-lurker in marginal standing
at July 18, 2020 02:58 PM (WEBkv)

140 CN at July 18, 2020 02:44 PM
Irises from seed sounds ambitious. Bearded iris?

Might get something closer to the parent plant if you start with species irises, but if you plant seeds of bearded hybrids, you have some chance of getting something new and beautiful.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 02:58 PM (BVQ+1)

141 138 Raccoons are the Antifa of the animal kingdom
Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 02:57 PM (6f16T)

I'd have chosen deer. Raccoons run when you turn the light on them. NJ deer are bold as brass and hold their ground. Blessedly they really hate cayenne.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 02:59 PM (ONvIw)

142 PET NOOD

Posted by: Skip, the guy who says NOOD at July 18, 2020 03:02 PM (6f16T)

143 Might get something closer to the parent plant if you start with species irises, but if you plant seeds of bearded hybrids, you have some chance of getting something new and beautiful.
Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 02:58 PM (BVQ+1)

That is the goal, something new and different. I bought multiple pots of yellow bearded iris in full bloom this spring. They were among a wide array of other colors of irises. They are putting out great big seed pods! I am up for a challenge.

Posted by: CN at July 18, 2020 03:02 PM (ONvIw)

144 Thank you, Pat*, I always enjoy your updates.

Posted by: My life is insanity at July 18, 2020 03:03 PM (Z/jzm)

145 Two years running have grown Japanese cucumbers, love them, had 1 quartered for lunch.

Posted by: Skip at July 18, 2020 03:03 PM (6f16T)

146 Brent,
Why did you use spray vs soaker hoses? Still think it's the best choice? and why?

PointyHairedBoss,
Nice photos!

Romeo13,
Thank you for your service!

Posted by: Gilded Age II, now with comprehensive surveillance, communist allies, and fake "science" at July 18, 2020 03:03 PM (BRkq2)

147 Pat* at July 18, 2020 02:45 PM
Thanks for the great report. Glad your husband is feeling a little better and has been able to do some things around the yard.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 03:06 PM (BVQ+1)

148 "too many people think nature is a fucking Disney movie. It's red in tooth and claw, bitches."

after losing on chicken, I upped my kill rate on the garden invaders. Five coons in midday as they decided my apples were ripe I guess, and walked right past my chickens to get the Fuji. Way overpopulated around here, and hides worth little now, so not many hunt. Mouse traps in chicken coop will fill up every night, so I bought a "walk the plank" trap that fits on a five gallon bucket.

yes, lots of killing fields in nature ... hawks, vultures, coons, coyotes, bobcats ... lots of hunters out there, besides the herbivores. If you grow it, they will come.

Posted by: illiniwek at July 18, 2020 03:17 PM (Cus5s)

149 Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com lives again at July 18, 2020 01:38 PM
Yes, artificial sweeteners are bad for hummingbirds, and too concentrated a sugar solution in the feeder harms their livers.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 03:18 PM (BVQ+1)

150 It's Autumn in Texas y'all. Leaves are turning yellow. (long time no rain and hot as shi'ite)

Posted by: These fish sticks are hard as tits at July 18, 2020 03:22 PM (AgR7f)

151 Gilded Age II, now with comprehensive surveillance, communist allies, and fake "science" at July 18, 2020 03:03 PM
Not sure, but I think Brent chose the sprinklers for his beds because he could hook them up with his automatic timers for watering the yard.

Probably not a good idea where the air is more humid.

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 03:27 PM (BVQ+1)

152 thanks, KT

Posted by: pet of the month at July 18, 2020 03:56 PM (BRkq2)

153 Posted by: illiniwek at July 18, 2020 03:17 PM (Cus5s)

For a $50/head coyote bounty the national problem could be solved for practically nothing.

Posted by: Gilded Age II, Now with comprehensive surveillance, communist allies, and fake science at July 18, 2020 04:02 PM (BRkq2)

154 Pat*. Wow.

Mrs. Leggy - what I find so cool is that the tiny little snapper is identical to an adult, right down to the little scales & claws.

Posted by: PointyHairedBoss at July 18, 2020 04:26 PM (KIFsH)

155 What is the best indoor-outdoor guard dog? I mean one such that hotpants probably would be spared busting a cap or six in a dumbass because the dog made s snack of the problem first. But loves affection and doubles as an adorable pet?

Posted by: Gilded Age II, Now with comprehensive surveillance, communist allies, and fake science at July 18, 2020 04:35 PM (BRkq2)

156 Hiya Mrs. Leggy !

Posted by: JT at July 18, 2020 04:35 PM (arJlL)

157 Can't name the weeds in that pink-flowered strawberry pic, but they are all present here. Plus many others, of course.

Got *some* weeding & trimming done this morning. Had to keep moving along, trying to stay in the shade, lol.

Mint and little elm trees abound. Plenty of walnut saplings also. F'in squirrels put them in the damnedest places-- hard to get to them sometimes.

I've got to 'tame' a particularly vigorous clematis montana that's growing along my fence and now up into the neighbor's hedge (!) May need a ladder for this.

There are Oregon Grapes to be picked and cleaned for jelly-making, too.

No shade in the work areas right now, tho. Break time!

Might water myself a bit while giving the flowers their drink-- it's getting HOT out there. Supposed to get 100+ the next few days. Ugh.

Posted by: JQ at July 18, 2020 04:55 PM (whOIk)

158 What is the best indoor-outdoor guard dog? I mean one such that hotpants probably would be spared busting a cap or six in a dumbass because the dog made s snack of the problem first. But loves affection and doubles as an adorable pet?
Posted by: Gilded Age II, Now with comprehensive surveillance, communist allies, and fake science

Best " protector " I had was my dog Ralph. Black lab/Great Dane mix. Kids mauled him and he loved it. On 2 occasions I watched him literally put dents in my chain link fence when strangers started talking to my young kids from the sidewalk. He weighed about 150.

Posted by: Sock Monkey...still entertaining to children and squirrels at July 18, 2020 05:28 PM (w0iaH)

159 Are dandylion roots edible? I was over at my church school pulling weeds and thought "Gee, I wonder if these are any good."

Posted by: JAS at July 18, 2020 06:19 PM (2BZBZ)

160 74 I will say that it's amazing how far solar systems have come, but as a cost effective option to grid power, not even close."

still, for supporting 9 planets (hi Pluto!) and a lot of planetoids, ours is doing pretty good!

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 18, 2020 06:42 PM (V2Yro)

161 JAS at July 18, 2020 06:19 PM
Dandelion roots have been used in substitute coffees, but I don't think it is for the flavor. They are thought to have medicinal qualities, but may also interact with some drugs, etc. There are some allergies to watch out for.

Dandelion leaves are quite diuretic. One name for dandelion in French is "pissenlit" (piss in the bed).

Posted by: KT at July 18, 2020 06:49 PM (BVQ+1)

162 Besides politics, we have movies, guns, chess, dresses, pets, gardening and weightlifting. Just saying a golf thread would be a nice addition.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at July 18, 2020 07:35 PM (0V/8D)

163 OH yeah, and art. We have art. That is, we have nekkid dwarfs, but no golf.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at July 18, 2020 07:38 PM (0V/8D)

164 Croquet, anyone?

Would be a real challenge in our yard: sloped, lumpy, lots o' tough weed stalks... but plenty of room to play, lol.

I have (what's left of) Grandma's old set plus a brand new one I got on closeout really cheap. Could make a big wild layout and have maybe 10 players.

Should host a kegger and BBQ for it.

Yeah, THAT'S "puttering!"

Posted by: JQ at July 18, 2020 07:59 PM (whOIk)

165 I have (what's left of) Grandma's old set plus a
brand new one I got on closeout really cheap. Could make a big wild
layout and have maybe 10 players.

Should host a kegger and BBQ for it.

Yeah, THAT'S "puttering!"

Posted by: JQ at July 18, 2020 07:59 PM (whOIk)

That would be a blast, set up over an acre or so or mown field. We'd have to flag it like golf.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess, also a Karen at July 18, 2020 08:30 PM (rCwaK)

166 OH yeah, and art. We have art. That is, we have nekkid dwarfs, but no golf.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at July 18, 2020 07:38 PM (0V/8D)

And food - never forget the Food Thread or the Moron Cookbook!

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess, also a Karen at July 18, 2020 08:31 PM (rCwaK)

167 Coyote bounty...they tried bounties, poison, traps, for decades. The coyotes hang in there. They are resilient.

The poison has caused there to be massive, expensive rural water systems, water towers and all, because the ground water has arsenic from the poison. It really gets your attention when you see a modern, tall water tower standing out in the countryside.

I was standing next to my car in a hotel parking lot in Santa Fe. It was about 4 in the afternoon, broad daylight. A coyote came trotting by, about four feet from me. As he passed, he gave me a glance, "how ya doin'?" They are very comfortable living close to us.

Posted by: Gordon Scott at July 18, 2020 10:12 PM (U2QsC)

168 Have been canning carrots, green beans, potatoes, blueberries, cherries, freezing raspberries. The orchard will soon be producing apples, peaches, pears and plums. The apricot tree failed to produce but one apricot-spring was cold/warm/cold/wet/cold. The pollinators seemed to be non-existent earlier.
I've got about 25 pumpkins, 10 acorns squash and 8 butternut. Too much produce to mention. Busy Busy.

Posted by: S.Lynn at July 19, 2020 12:44 AM (+MAQj)

169 Ooh, croquet. I have my mom's set but haven't had the chance to play it yet. I'm game to play - but not the fussy formal kind of croquet with all the fancy layout and rules, though - the kind where you set the wickets wherever you want, and maybe even have to tie little wind-flags on them so you can actually find them, and you wander all over the yard, lumps and bumps and all. That's my game!

Posted by: Pat* at July 19, 2020 10:27 AM (2pX/F)

170 S.Lynn at July 19, 2020 12:44 AM

Wow. You ARE busy. Ever tried drying carrots? I think dried green beans turn out well. Reconstitute with some taters and a little sausage or ham. Good with the Kentucky Wonder types.

Posted by: KT at July 19, 2020 01:09 PM (BVQ+1)

171 JQ at July 18, 2020 04:55 PM

Do Oregon Grapes have a distinctive flavor for jelly? Always thought Mom's black currants made Mom's peach or raspberry jam taste wild.

My clove currants are sweeter, but lack that wild flavor.

Posted by: KT at July 19, 2020 01:12 PM (BVQ+1)

172 Once again, the music and visuals go together perfectly in the video, PointyHairedBoss!

Love the Admiral butterfly. And the dragon/damselflies.

Posted by: KT at July 19, 2020 01:16 PM (BVQ+1)

173 If you are looking for good gardening tools, try Lee Valley Tools.
leevalley.ca

Lee Valley started out doing specialist tools in the early '70's and has expanded both stores and products. Good, well made tools, including slightly different, ok, weird stuff, that you will not find elsewhere. It now has a full Gardening catalog of its own, to go with the Tools, and Hardware catalogs.
The Tool catalog is a big boys toy shop. You have been warned.

Posted by: Dyspeptic Curmudgeon at July 19, 2020 04:04 PM (Kc1Sm)

174 Do Oregon Grapes have a distinctive flavor for jelly?

Yes, KT. Similar to concord grape, and yet... a bit wilder. Not as gamey as elderberry, though!

The juice is *very* strong flavored, so I usually dilute it roughly 50/50 with unsweetened apple juice and use the long boil method (no added commercial pectin). Less than 50/50 is okay, too, just want to get the right amount of total liquid before adding sugar.

I've never mixed them with any other fruit before.

Haven't dug out the recipe, so can't type it up right now. Basically follow a concord grape jelly recipe for juice:sugar ratio.

Berries are in the freezer-- I'm waiting for cold weather before all that cooking!

Posted by: JQ at July 19, 2020 11:15 PM (whOIk)

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