Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, May 14

Happy Spring, everybody! Today, we're starting in the desert.

Springtime in the desert is a wonderful spectacle. Beautiful colors emerging from the Ocotillo blossoms. Palo Verde trees are blooming beautiful yellow blossoms. Prickly pear cacti and saguaros also blooming. Bees and hummingbirds are working overtime.
Thanks, jd

Looks inviting, jd!

And from Gordon:

Adeniums. Being sold in Mesa. Native to India.

Bushman's Poison, Desert Rose, Dwarf Elephant Foot. Has other names, too!

Edible Gardening

Hey KT,
A little update from my garden. I am getting my first Sapotes! I am very excited as I have had the tree for about 5 years and this is the first full size fruit I have gotten. Last year I had a lot of little baby ones but they all fell off. I have 3 on the tree all this size. They are not ripe yet but I am impatiently waiting. And yes I have covered them all in the organza bags. If a bird gets them before I do I am not going to be a happy gardener. When we bought the tree the seller said they tasted like a mango sort of with the texture of a banana. I will let you know.
Also got the first harvest of peaches off the tree. Not quite ripe yet but if you leave them on too long the birds get them. These should ripen up in a few days. I guess I know what is in my smoothies for the next month.
Hope the horde is enjoying their gardens after the long winter!
WeeKreekFarmGirl

Wow! Most people don't have fruit yet!

Meanwhile,

All About Asparagus: Why You Shouldn't Snap the Ends Off Asparagus and Why You Should Overcook It

Recipes at the link.

And Kindltot sent in this timely video, pertinent in a time of fertilizer shortages:

Putting things by

By-Tor's Pickles won awards! A friend took photos!

The results are in from the Fair.
I got Best in Class for my Bread and Butter pickles and 2nd place for my naturally fermented dill pickles.
Not bad for a first time entrant.

Congratulations, By-Tor!

Critters

From Eromero:
KT, I took this picture 0530 this morning in Smith County Texas. Isn't she beautiful? That's my size 12 1/2 foot for comparison.

By-Tor has a racoon update:

Well, it appears Mama Racoon has given birth finally, so I'm hoping they move on to greener pastures in the next few days. That's what happened the last time she took up residence.
They're cute, but can be trouble. So far I have counted four in this litter.

Wildflowers

My two oldest sons started picking wildflowers for their mom 2 years ago during the pandemic. It was a nice way to pass the time in the evenings. Here is a bouquet from last May. All of the flowers came from the field behind our house in northeast Texas. I know one of the flowers is an Indian Paintbrush...not sure about the others.
Best,
Mishdog

We have a few things left over for next week, but not enough for an entire thread.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden at g mail dot com

Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Week in Review

What has changed since last week's thread? May 7, Mother's Day! It included a (now award-winning) fermented pickle recipe, salad dressing recipes, irises, azaleas, violas, a garden revenge video, a very special little rose, lilacs, tulips, indoor cacti, and remarkable deer behavior in a remarkable yard.

I can't believe they held World Naked Gardening Day on Mother's Day Weekend!
And check out the late comments by The Famous Pat*.

Any thoughts or questions?

The comments here are closed so you won't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 01:24 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 What a beautiful moth! We were just talking about them at work. It's a real treat to come across one of them, usually unexpectedly.

I recall one that must have had some camouflage ability, it blended in exactly with the brick of our building.

Posted by: kallisto at May 14, 2022 01:28 PM (DJFLF)

2 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Not much in garden preparation and not bought plants but besides from previous year herbs oregano and chives my dill has begun to make a appearance

Posted by: Skip at May 14, 2022 01:33 PM (2JoB8)

3 "Really love your peaches...wanna' shake your tree"

Posted by: BignJames at May 14, 2022 01:34 PM (AwYPR)

4 Not everything would fit in this week's thread, so if your stuff is missing, look next week.

Yes, it is a beautiful moth. Know what kind it is?

Posted by: KT at May 14, 2022 01:35 PM (rrtZS)

5 hiya

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 01:35 PM (arJlL)

6 Irises and Peonies are in bloom here in the Bluegrass. Roses should pop soon. Potatoes, green and jalapeno peppers, some beans, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers have been planted.

Now, we wait.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 14, 2022 01:36 PM (BFigT)

7 I enjoy watching the nest-building birdies harvest the dried materials on my deck. Yesterday one of them spotted a thread coming off a piece of cloth I had left on the deck. He kept tugging and tugging, and the thread wouldn't lift off with him. The little guy was persistent...he was sure he'd be able to detach the thread.

It was so cute, and amusing! I was amazed at his persistence. He kept jumping up in flight, I guess to get more leverage, to no avail. Finally he attracted an audience...three more birds showed up to watch.

And then he gave up, I guess didn't want his buddies to see him exert himself to no avail.

Posted by: kallisto at May 14, 2022 01:40 PM (DJFLF)

8 Watched two hummingbirds today. Looked like they were fighting and they went all the way to the ground. The one I got a good look at was a female though. Really seem to be a lot more of them here this year.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at May 14, 2022 01:42 PM (YynYJ)

9 Thanks to Zod for recommending lantana last year. The hummingbirds and bees love it!

The community garden is open next week and I can try my hand at vegetable gardening after a long hiatus. If I can get a few decent tomatoes I will declare it a success.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at May 14, 2022 01:43 PM (aPgsk)

10 Irises are in bloom. Peonies are close. Maters, peppers, etc. maybe going out tomorrow. We went from mid 50's to mid 90's last week. Stupid to put delicate plants out without hardening.
The bulk of the unplanted garden is a mess. If no wind early tomorrow, all gets nuked with our favorite deadly poison, glysophate. Then tilled again.
Splitting bee hives in 3 days.

Posted by: MkY at May 14, 2022 01:44 PM (cPGH3)

11 I forgot. Im learning my wildflowers again. Goldenrod has been great. Black locust is in bloom, and I need to mark that on the calendar (or in my brain, cause their blooms coincided with the hatching of drone brood in the hives).

Posted by: MkY at May 14, 2022 01:47 PM (cPGH3)

12 Oh Iris are coming out, will get a picture to post

Posted by: Skip at May 14, 2022 01:47 PM (2JoB8)

13 I want one of those Desert Roses. What a great-looking plant!

Posted by: 40 Miles North at May 14, 2022 01:49 PM (uWF4x)

14 I've joined a historical irises group on FB. Beautiful flowers. I am hoping to plant some at the new place this fall.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at May 14, 2022 01:51 PM (YynYJ)

15 I am thiiiiiiiiis close to becoming the old man screaming at kids to "Get off my lawn!" Last weekend some bratty neighborhood kids picked all the dafodill and hyacyth flowers I had growing in my yard. Someone, probably the same kids, absolutely shredded the actual leaves of some tulips in the common area that hadn't even flowered yet. And earlier in the spring, I had some crocuses get pulled out of the ground completely. Fortunately crocuses are bulbs, so I just put them back in the soil and they should spring up next year....Ah, kids....

Posted by: Castle Guy at May 14, 2022 01:52 PM (Lhaco)

16 Also got the first harvest of peaches off the tree. Not quite ripe yet but if you leave them on too long the birds get them. These should ripen up in a few days. I guess I know what is in my smoothies for the next month.

Birds ?

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 01:53 PM (arJlL)

17 Birds ?

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 01:53 PM (arJlL)

Chicken smoothie!....hadn't thought of that.

Posted by: BignJames at May 14, 2022 01:56 PM (AwYPR)

18 Everything is blooming here. In back we have the 5 foot tall mystery succulent with the yellow growth spurt, we have Cala Lillies, Tiger Lillies, small pink roses, cineraria, and some volunteer California poppies.
The front of the house is lined with lantana.
If we ever sell our house we should do it in May.
That is a gorgeous moth!

Posted by: gourmand du jour, font of unseriousness at May 14, 2022 01:56 PM (jTmQV)

19 As usual, I want to visit other people's gardens. I've never been to a desert before, but the flowers looks gorgeous.

In my garden, the turf war has begun. This morning a chipmunk was eating weeds and a squirrel leaped down almost on top of it. Squirrel 1, chipmunk 0.

I've been battling wasps. So far, so good. But right after I log off, I will be opening the shed and attempting to retrieve the taproot-puller. They still are getting in there, so I hope I don't get stung.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at May 14, 2022 01:57 PM (/+bwe)

20 I planted some alyssum. I'm waiting impatiently to see if any will sprout and survive. Trying to keep the soil moist. Hard to do with dry and windy weather and sandy soil so it may end being a complete bust. I should probably just stick to spring bulbs and hollyhocks. They manage to survive a fair amount of neglect.

Posted by: PaleRider, Simple Irredeemable at May 14, 2022 02:01 PM (3cGpq)

21 Congrats on the pickle wins, By-Tor. Pat yourself on the back for that win. Love the desert flowers. They always look nicer up close.

Posted by: AlmostYuman at May 14, 2022 02:05 PM (D+Fjg)

22 I have inherited my mother's black thumb. Question: when mowing, mulch or bag?
Thanks!

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at May 14, 2022 02:06 PM (7Fj9P)

23 >>>Wow! Most people don't have fruit yet!

It is still so cold and miserable here in the NW, that even the weeds refuse to grow much.

Nice pickles, By-Tor. I would love to read your recipes in the food thread.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 14, 2022 02:08 PM (SH2Zi)

24 I have inherited my mother's black thumb. Question: when mowing, mulch or bag?
Thanks!

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at May 14, 2022 02:06 PM (7Fj9P)

Mulch vs. Bag

Mow twice as frequently vs. lift the heavy bag and dispose of the clippings. I know I should mulch, but I end up bagging.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 14, 2022 02:09 PM (SH2Zi)

25 It has rained a lot. It is warm, but too wet to till.

I am ready to plant since I started lots of veggies, they are starting to get big enough to put in, once I till my garden.

I dug up blackberries yesterday, and I noticed that the areas where the vines had killed all the grass, the ground was clayey, greasy and heavy, in spite of all the worms. Where it was grassy the roots came up and the dirt was looser and knocked off the roots easily. I am coming to the conclusion that the turf helps keep the soil loose and easy to work

Posted by: Kindltot at May 14, 2022 02:11 PM (xhaym)

26 Very early this spring I scooped the moss and sprouting grass off the cement driveway, and on a whim, put it down on the bare earth by the back fence where I had cleared the blackberries back, and so far the grass has rooted and taken off.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 14, 2022 02:12 PM (xhaym)

27 Normally, my veggies would be planted now.
This year, I'm getting a new roof and the scaffold will be where my garden is.
I spoke to the guy doing the work this past winter and told him to have it done before May and he said no prob.
The he said it would be done by mid May. I spoke to him this past week and he said mid June.

Nice guy, but he will never be mistaken for a bolt of lightening.

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 02:13 PM (arJlL)

28 RE: asparagus - dwelt in Germany back in the 80's. Those folks know how to cook and dine! At first the strangest dish I saw was asparagus. The grow the plant with constant covering of soil, leaving only the very tip out of the earth. Results in pure white stem, which they boil in skillets, very gently. The taste was superb. Tender and very tasty!

Nope, I didn't read the associated content, so if this was in there, apologies.

Posted by: LRob in TX at May 14, 2022 02:15 PM (OMpI3)

29 The irises are done, but two of them have developed seed pods- something I've never noticed before. I am going to harvest them and see if they will sprout.

There are mystery volunteer vining plants in one bed- they are either morning glories or pole beans. Both of which were growing there last year and either of which I will be happy to let grow.

Working on a bin of 18-day Berkley compost. In between the huge amount of leaves from our various trees and the grass from our larger yard (and bags from the neighbor), I need a quicker method.

Posted by: sal at May 14, 2022 02:15 PM (bJKUl)

30 You might as well plant some fast maturing stuff JT, sounds like your roofing project is likely to slip to July or August

Posted by: PaleRider, Simple Irredeemable at May 14, 2022 02:16 PM (3cGpq)

31 Question: when mowing, mulch or bag?
Thanks!
Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at May 14, 2022 02:06 PM (7Fj9P)

It's always best to mulch. Returns the nutrients to the yard.

Unless, you've gotten behind on mowing and you have so many clippings where they may smother the grass. Mow often enough where you remove no more than 1/3 of the grass.

Posted by: golfman at May 14, 2022 02:17 PM (aX0CW)

32 I have inherited my mother's black thumb. Question: when mowing, mulch or bag?
Thanks!
Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at May 14, 2022 02:06 PM (7Fj9P)

I mow because the city will cite me if I don't.

I bag my clippings to put them in the compost*, it heats it up wonderfully.
IF you use weed and feed, then just let it stay on the yard to recycle the weed and feed residue. It will poison your garden if you run it through the compost

*at least I did until I backed over the bag when it was full, cutting a large hole in it.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 14, 2022 02:17 PM (xhaym)

33 Nice guy, but he will never be mistaken for a bolt of lightening.

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 02:13 PM (arJlL)

I might know him....goes by "Speedy".

Posted by: BignJames at May 14, 2022 02:17 PM (AwYPR)

34 I'll mention this on the book thread but I'm reading "The Nature of Oaks" by Douglas Tallamy. It's a month by month description of why oak trees, especially white oaks, are so important in the landscape for birds and soil conservation. I bring it up here because it's a plant and he makes a strong case for planting more trees even when yard space is limited. I think gardeners would find it interesting.

Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:17 PM (7EjX1)

35 Hiya all.

Posted by: Ciampino at May 14, 2022 02:18 PM (qfLjt)

36 Congrats to By-Tor for the prize winning pickles. I saved and printed the recipe from last week for the dills which I plan to make this summer. Mrs. JTB already makes, for my taste, the best bread and butter pickles on the planet. But our previous tries at dill pickles were less than successful so I look forward to By-Tor's proven version.

Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:23 PM (7EjX1)

37 Love the Texas wildflower bouquet! Yes, the red ones are Indian Paintbrush. The purple ones are verbenas. The pale pink ones are evening primrose. The yellow ones a "damned yellow composites." No, really, that's what they are called. Don't know what the ones that look like tiny daisies are. I'll see if I can find out.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at May 14, 2022 02:23 PM (fTtFy)

38 My driveway is 120 ft. long, with a strip of dirt approx 1 ft. wide between my neighbor's chain link fence and the railroad tie bordering the blacktop.

I usually plant flowers in that strip of dirt. Every year I have to pull up the grass that grows there before I can plant. I pull it out by the roots, and every year it grows back, better than the grass I plant on my lawn.

I will never understand it.

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 02:24 PM (arJlL)

39 The photos on the thread are always wonderful but that vase of wild flowers really caught my eye. Just gorgeous! It made me think of the still life set ups I put together when I did photography.

Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:27 PM (7EjX1)

40 I will never understand it.

Posted by: JT at May 14, 2022 02:24 PM (arJlL)

There's been research going on for years to hybridize weeds into golf course grass.

Posted by: BignJames at May 14, 2022 02:28 PM (AwYPR)

41 Ah, the wildflowers that look like tiny daisies are probably plains fleabane.

https://tinyurl.com/mrcyy9pm

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at May 14, 2022 02:33 PM (fTtFy)

42 Birds, packrats, or chipmunks. The birds peck them, rats chew on them as do the chipmunks. They got 7 peaches so far. I leave a few on that have already been bitten to try to encourage them to just eat those. I think it was a pack rat got one of my sapotes last night. The one in the picture in fact. It was off the tree in its lovely bag, it bit the whole branch off. It got me a little pissed off this morning. I don't think sapotes ripen off the tree...

Posted by: WeeKreekFarmGirl at May 14, 2022 02:35 PM (iplQb)

43 Repost of the food thread with By-Tor's pickle recipe.

https://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=399027

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 14, 2022 02:35 PM (SH2Zi)

44 Thanks for the video on fertilizing without buying stuff. Aside from the cost these days, I increasingly believe many commercial substances can't be used without some undesirable effects.

Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:36 PM (7EjX1)

45 I texted the fermented pickle instructions to my stepson last week. He was canning pickles and I told him about fermented ones. Really happy to see them canning.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at May 14, 2022 02:39 PM (YynYJ)

46 The desert is indeed a beautiful place, especially the Sonoran desert.

Posted by: Jewells45 at May 14, 2022 02:41 PM (nxdel)

47 Dammit! I looked it up and it said they could ripen off the tree. I already bit the one the rats tried to take. Wasn't good, very hard and not ripe. I will try to let it ripen off the tree next time. Patience is a virtue I don't apparently have.

Posted by: WeeKreekFarmGirl at May 14, 2022 02:45 PM (iplQb)

48 J-Rob-
I believe that huge white asparagus is also grown in Holland. We had it at The Bavarian Inn in Plano, but Mrs.E did not see any on her trip to Holland, neither did I when I went through there. You'd think asparagus that big woild be tough as a rubber tirre but you can cut it with a fork. Best ever.

Posted by: Eromero at May 14, 2022 02:47 PM (gktX6)

49 MOTHRA!!!!!

Oblig.:

https://tinyurl.com/Mothra-Twins-Singing

Posted by: Sharkman at May 14, 2022 02:49 PM (ZUe2Z)

50 I texted the fermented pickle instructions to my stepson last week. He was canning pickles and I told him about fermented ones. Really happy to see them canning.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at May 14, 2022 02:39 PM (YynYJ)

Yep. Canning is self-reliance is freedom. Well-done.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 14, 2022 02:49 PM (SH2Zi)

51 There was a post on my "come get the excess" backyard citrus group here in Mesa. So I got about a dozen grapefruit and the last ten oranges. I could have had 100 grapefruit but there's not room in the freezer now.

I got some herbs, peppers and tomatoes into the grow boxes. They are handling the 100 degree temps without difficulty. We will see when it's 115.

Posted by: Gordon at May 14, 2022 02:53 PM (29WCA)

52 27 Normally, my veggies would be planted now.
This year, I'm getting a new roof and the scaffold will be where my garden is.
I spoke to the guy doing the work this past winter and told him to have it done before May and he said no prob.
The he said it would be done by mid May. I spoke to him this past week and he said mid June.

Nice guy, but he will never be mistaken for a bolt of lightening.
----
Does it come in a white or are other colors available for this bolt of lightning?

Posted by: Ciampino at May 14, 2022 02:53 PM (qfLjt)

53 45 ... "Really happy to see them canning."

We get most of our canning supplies from a local family run hardware store. It's the kind of place where you can get a few nuts and washers, replacement lamp sockets, bicycle bells, and wind-up alarm clocks. One of the owners mentioned that they have had more young people, twenties and thirties, buying canning supplies in the last couple of years. I hope it's an increasing trend.

Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:53 PM (7EjX1)

54 I bought two lemon trees from Next Door--indoors most of the year, since this is MT. From dirt to top leaves, one is 30 inches, the other 40. The previous owners grew them from seeds, from lemons that were a gift. They've had such good luck so far and seem so healthy, I want to do right by them. Any recommended books on citrus? Advice on pruning? Watering?

Posted by: Wenda at May 14, 2022 02:54 PM (TK9+5)

55 44 Thanks for the video on fertilizing without buying stuff. Aside from the cost these days, I increasingly believe many commercial substances can't be used without some undesirable effects.
----

Could you enlarge on that 'undesirable' please? As a chemist I am always interested in such matters which often contain misinformation but occasionally tell me something I didn't know.

Posted by: Ciampino at May 14, 2022 02:58 PM (qfLjt)

56 Congrats, By-Tor! Now I wish to try some of your pickles.

Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:00 PM (6RgRK)

57 Canning: the current operator of my Minneapolis garden is now selling her salsa and pickles at one of the markets. She now has a specialty clientele in the heavily Jewish suburb of St. Louis Park. A jar of her pickled beets having been gifted to someone's mom has resulted in more demand than she can meet until late summer.

Posted by: Gordon at May 14, 2022 03:01 PM (29WCA)

58 Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet....

Posted by: Eromero at May 14, 2022 03:02 PM (gktX6)

59 43 Repost of the food thread with By-Tor's pickle recipe.

https://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=399027
Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 14, 2022 02:35 PM (SH2Zi)

Thank you for the link, Flounder!

Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:04 PM (6RgRK)

60 I am growing corn and potatoes for the first time this year. My garden is in, but it must fend for itself most of the time because I am gone so much.

Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:06 PM (6RgRK)

61 David the Good has a book called Push the Zone, which is about growing tropical plants. You might check that out.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at May 14, 2022 03:09 PM (YynYJ)

62 A cool thing I learned is that tree leaves are very good fertilizer. The tree roots draw minerals from deep down in the ground and these minerals end up in the leaves, which fall to the ground, renewing the mineral content of the topsoil.

And supposedly, the juglone in black walnut leaves dissipates as it decomposes. You can let them sit for six months to a year and then the leaves are safe to use in your garden. Supposedly.

Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:10 PM (6RgRK)

63 I want to do right by them. Any recommended books on citrus? Advice on pruning? Watering?
Posted by: Wenda at May 14, 2022 02:54 PM (TK9+5)

Keep an eye out for scale infestations. You must catch it early and be diligent in removing the darned things. This may not be an issue everywhere, but I have lost every citrus I have grown so far to scale.

Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:12 PM (6RgRK)

64 Pet nood

Posted by: Duke Lowell at May 14, 2022 03:13 PM (u73oe)

65 I am growing corn and potatoes for the first time this year. My garden is in, but it must fend for itself most of the time because I am gone so much.
Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:06 PM (6RgRK)

Both the potatoes and corn need earth heaped on them, the potatoes need it a couple of times to give the spuds extra ground to grow in, and the corn when those really ugly aerial roots that look like fingers start popping out just above the dirt

Posted by: Kindltot at May 14, 2022 03:13 PM (xhaym)

66 Onions, maters, bell peppers, squash, cucumbers, asparagus and blackberries are all doing good so far. Marigolds seem to really help keep some of the bugs away.
Gardening is extremely rewarding and my wife is very good at the canning process.
Great photos by the way.

Posted by: 22LR at May 14, 2022 03:14 PM (P0OjO)

67 Cecropia moth:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalophora_cecropia

They are beauties.

Posted by: Pat*''s Hubby at May 14, 2022 03:14 PM (2pX/F)

68 Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 14, 2022 02:35 PM

That's the fermented pickle recipe. We'll try to get the bread and butter pickle recipe.

Posted by: KT at May 14, 2022 03:15 PM (rrtZS)

69 I would be out a-planting, but Piper (the new dog twin) seems to think my raised beds are her raised beds and won't stay the hell off of them, so off it buy fencing I go. It's early this year, no frost halfway through May, so this should make a good season. I lost all of my strawberries in the November deep freeze, which was a weird thing hopefully not to repeat, but next year if it does I shall cover them.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at May 14, 2022 03:18 PM (LOVUx)

70 That's the fermented pickle recipe. We'll try to get the bread and butter pickle recipe.
Posted by: KT at May 14, 2022 03:15 PM (rrtZS)

I canned dilly beans again last year, and then I did the same to all the sweet carrots I had left. Crunchy hot dills with garlic. Damned fine eating, and just the thing for that bloody mary.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at May 14, 2022 03:19 PM (LOVUx)

71 Emmie, you sent me looking for a lemon tree site, which recommended a water meter. So now I'll be a little more confident of that. Thanks.

They recommended an ant barrier, since apparently the ants are responsible for the scale. Would they be required for pots, I wonder?

Posted by: Wenda at May 14, 2022 03:30 PM (TK9+5)

72 corn when those really ugly aerial roots that look like fingers start popping out just above the dirt
Posted by: Kindltot at May 14, 2022 03:13 PM (xhaym

I had no idea about corn. No aerial roots yet. Potatoes have been heaped twice. It seemed the first heaping made them shoot upward, so i mounded more soil around them. Supposedly there comes a time in the maturation process where heaping soil no longer enables more tubers.

Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:32 PM (6RgRK)

73 From Boise area: You people with gardens already producing... ugh. We've had such a wet cool spring (even had SNOW on Mon. 9th) that I only just planted potatoes and peas this week. Other than radioactive chives, largest thing in the garden is a spinach leaf as wide as a golf ball... The asparagus keeps thinking "it's spring", a few spears come up, they freeze - lather rinse repeat.

Husband's still tinkering with tuna cans to see how much water the irrigation zones are actually putting out, and where it's going.

Redbud dropped all its flowers already; crabapple working on that now. The lilies of the valley are starting to flower in earnest, as are the 51 lilacs. There are buds on the Tatarian maples and chokecherries, and flowers on some strawberries. (The wet spring means I am WAY behind on dead strawberry leaf cleanup - there's my afternoon job.)

I bought some black oilseed sunflower seeds from the garden store (bird food) and planted some along the back paddock fence - will see if they come up.

As long as I'm early here - I deeply appreciate when people post their approximate location (or even gardening zone), as I do.

Posted by: Pat* at May 14, 2022 03:48 PM (2pX/F)

74 Supposedly there comes a time in the maturation process where heaping soil no longer enables more tubers.
Posted by: Emmie at May 14, 2022 03:32 PM (6RgRK)

Or some point you are going to make really deep trenches, if you don't stop, and OSHA has to come out and inspect them.

The Irish did two "earthings" as they grew, I figured that was good enough for me.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 14, 2022 03:53 PM (xhaym)

75 I used to have a fenced back yard which captured leaves from two mature oaks, a big maple and a catalpa. 13 inches deep. It would fill 42 of those tall brown paper yard waste bags with some compression.

When I started composting most would be shredded and added to the pile. But I also saved about two bag's worth for each bed. I just kept them stacked against the back fence.

In spring, after each bed had compost added, was planted and the drip hoses deployed, I would dump those somewhat compressed, somewhat composted leaves on top of each bed, about two inches deep. It stopped weeds and held moisture. By the end of the season they had all vanished.

Posted by: Gordon at May 14, 2022 03:59 PM (29WCA)

76 44 Thanks for the video on fertilizing without buying stuff. Aside from the cost these days, I increasingly believe many commercial substances can't be used without some undesirable effects.
Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:36 PM (7EjX1)

It's true. Do you know why? "Fertilizer" was "created" from the need to get rid of wartime chemicals after WWII, I think. Learning that was enough to motivate me to make my own.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at May 14, 2022 07:27 PM (9qiMu)

77 One of the owners mentioned that they have had more young people, twenties and thirties, buying canning supplies in the last couple of years. I hope it's an increasing trend.
Posted by: JTB at May 14, 2022 02:53 PM (7EjX1)

It definitely is a trend amongst the prepper/survival/freedom communities - lots in that age group. Lots of groups on MeWe and Telegram, etc.

They have gatherings - camping, networking, themed speakers and fun. Flotefest, Porcfest, Squatchfest and on and on. Self reliance workshops, you name it and the participating ages are all over the board. Young to old.

Awareness of the need to find your "community" or "tribe" is very high.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at May 14, 2022 07:36 PM (9qiMu)

78 That's a male cecropia moth, haven't seen one around here yet this year.

Posted by: Bob at May 14, 2022 11:10 PM (vHUcF)

79 Very good ɑrticle! We wilⅼ be linking to this great contｅnt on our site.

Keep up the good writing.

Posted by: nirvana at May 16, 2022 12:28 PM (Ibgcb)

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