Saturday Gardening Thread: Gearing Up [KT]

Hello, Horde! Gardening and farming are really gearing up in the Central Valley now. And there are big things going on in a few other parts of the country, too. It's still a tough month for gardening in most of the country, though. Here's a Regional Gardening Guide for February. Spring will arrive. There's a pretty photo of grape hyacinths in the snow at the link.

Lettuce visit Yuma, Arizona today for a preview of spring. Winter lettuce harvest is underway. Weather may impact lettuce supplies across the country sometime in March or April. They have had a warmer and wetter than normal winter in Yuma, and some issues with mildew. And the Salinas Valley in California has been hit hard by flood conditions in the fields. I think the coordination of the lettuce harvest between the two growing areas is interesting. Something we don't usually think about when picking up produce at the supermarket.

"Yuma will end ahead of schedule and Salinas will start behind schedule. We are anticipating a gap in production," Antle said. The harvest is split between April through November in Salinas Valley and the remainder in Yuma County, AZ.

Yuma, nicknamed the "winter vegetable capitol of the world," is known for year-round sunny weather, but the region has also seen a warmer than usual winter.

Tim York, president of Markon a Salinas-based coop that provides, delivers and markets fresh produce, said the impact will likely be a seven to 10-day production gap. Growers can either "harvest Salinas earlier or hang on in Yuma a little longer and stretch it out," he said.

York said the next 45 days are critical for a more accurate picture on industry impact.

This video shows how the lettuce harvest is supposed to go in Yuma.

Anybody got a good recipe for Hearts of Romaine salad? Do you have lettuce started in your garden or on a windowsill? I'm partial to romaine, though I like some of the butter lettuces, too. Loved "Tom Thumb" growing up. With a little vinegar and salt, right in the garden. Do you have a favorite variety?

They harvest lettuce seed in summer near our house. By hand. Last summer it was a very dark-leaved cultivar. It may have been the same one that grew all over our yard one winter after a friend spread chaff from seed processing over the garden. Lettuce is definitely a cool-season crop here if you want to eat it rather than gather seeds.

Tractors

To grow a field of lettuce like the one above, you need some big equipment. I didn't go to the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California this year, but I heard a few reports, some of them about advances in tractor design in recent years. And about how much easier they are to operate than tractors in days of yore. They start farmers young there.

Thinking about getting a farm grant, like Weasel? Why not think big? What to check for if you are in the market for a used crawler tractor. Don't you think it would be fun to drive one?

Antique tractors still have their admirers, too. Below is an old steam tractor in a show in Illinois. From the owner of the tractor:

We run at 150 psi. The Engine weighs around 42500 lbs loaded with coal and water. Torque is 3000 ft lbs at 240 rpm. The sled was definitely weighted and i know from experience first hand that the engine can drag the sled with the weight box all the way up and the bars dropped. Don't worry about the fire hazard. What you see is a very exaggerated amount of burning embers coming from the smokestack. The sparks are created as a night spectacle for entertainment. Before this pull, sawdust was added to the firebox to enhance the night "spark show."

Having said that back in the day there was always a risk of fire. There was less of a risk during plowing season. The highest risk was during harvest when the steam engines returned to the fields to thresh (separate) the grain from their stalks, in typically dry fields. Weeks before the steam engines arrived the grain was cut and bundled by binders. These mechanized machines looked the front of modern "combines" but binders only cut and a bound the grain. . .

One day, I hope to make a video of these separate processes that are now preformed by a single combine. As for now, if you watch the movie "Of Mice and Men" with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich you can see threshing in action. . .

There are several additional videos featuring steam tractors and other steam-powered vehicles at Jay Leno's Garage. Maybe we shouldn't have whacked down our weeds this week. We could have used them to power a tractor! Renewable energy!

More Spring Bulbs!

Today seems like a good day to feature an additional wild bulb from Kindltot's native plant photos. This is the Camas Lily.

My books tell me that the pink fawn lily was used as a sometimes food source for coastal Indians, but the real food source for the Indians in this area was the Camas lily, Camassia quamash. The Lewis and Clark expedition mentioned when they came to patches of it under the trees it looked like expanses of water through the trees. If you go to the right places at the right time, like along Hwy 240 in Yamhill county you can see broad fields turned blue at the boggy parts. These shots are from Bush Park in Salem.
Traditional rights to harvest certain plots were guarded jealously by the indians, since not harvesting those meadows would mean the groups would starve, and some of the early serious disputes between the settlers and the Indians in The Dalles area was over settlers setting their pigs on the Indians camas fields.

The bulb is edible, and rather sweet, but they had to be steamed black to convert the inulin sugars that give you gas

The bulbs themselves are easy to transplant, but I am told it is hard to get them to reseed. There are a number of nurseries that sell these bulbs mail order.

Thanks for the beautiful photos and the information, Kindltot. The list of bulbs that will grow in boggy soil is not a long one. The list of edible flower bulbs is not a long one, either.

I think those camas lillies would look beautiful in the garden with one of the daintier narcissus varieties blooming on a little higher ground. These are Narcissus 'Trevithian' blooming with Leucojum aestivum in the foreground. Trevithian is one of the fragrant selections of Narcissus Division Seven, the Jonquilla Daffodils (Jonquils). Several examples in different colors, blooming at different seasons, are shown at the link. Many jonquils are popular in milder-winter areas where they may naturalize more readily than some other types of narcissus.

Anybody got daffodils or jonquils blooming? Other bulbs?

For something more dramatic, how about some Crown Imperial?

These plants are said to have a skunky or foxy odor that repels mice. Unusual flower. The Royal Horticultural Society was the only site I saw that recommended companion plants. Foxtail lilies might be a nice partner. Both plants need excellent drainage. Crown Imperial is sometimes planted on its side to keep water from invading the bulb from the stem end.

Gardens of The Horde

Well, well, well. Ace has taken up gardening with his purchase of jars and seeds to grow broccoli sprouts! Next thing you know, he'll be doing some sunflower shoots or (shudder) wheatgrass for juice. Then, it could be microgreens. Or we could read that he's been out foraging chickweed in the park. Any tips for our Fearless Leader?

Earlier this month, Kristen in Kentucky asked for some tips on plants up to the 3 or 4 foot range to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to her new yard. She is also interested in growing heritage flowers.

There are several sages that would fit her criteria. As an annual filler the first year, I would recommend Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage). It can persist as a perennial in Zones 8 - 10, but probably not in Zone 6 Kentucky. The species grows from 2 to 4 feet tall, though several popular cultivars are shorter. It is cheap and easy to find in stores, ready to bloom. I like the bicolor pink and white ones.

Any other suggestions for her?

Have a great week.

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 This is going to turnip one of those threads huh?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 25, 2017 12:12 PM (5req4)

2 Anna Puma,

Dang, I forgot the turnips.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 12:14 PM (qahv/)

3 Wow. I have lived in AZ since 1982 and did not know that.
And that hummingbird? Female. We see them a lot here.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at February 25, 2017 12:16 PM (hVdx9)

4 I'm a fan of giant, uh, tools!

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at February 25, 2017 12:17 PM (0mRoj)

5 I love manatees. It's best tartare, fresh from the boat propellor.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 25, 2017 12:18 PM (0mRoj)

6 Hummingbirds are attracted to any flowering plant but they LOVE humminbird feeders. If you have sheltered place where the wind will not blow them around and can block ants from getting to them you will have hummingbirds out the kazoo.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 25, 2017 12:19 PM (mpXpK)

7 Wow, extensive post, have to show the better half.

When it be wrong to note the conspicious lack of low-riders in the harvest video? I have been told my whole life that there would be low-riders at the harvest.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 12:21 PM (P/kVC)

8 Wonderful post. Fabulous photography. Thanks.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at February 25, 2017 12:22 PM (5ZhDL)

9 Hummingbirds are attracted to any flowering plant but they LOVE humminbird feeders. If you have sheltered place where the wind will not blow them around and can block ants from getting to them you will have hummingbirds out the kazoo.


Posted by: Vic
****

No matter what we do the ants find a way to get to our feeders. Very annoying.
BTW, I was third after reading the content and watching the tractor video? Yow. Slow morning.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at February 25, 2017 12:23 PM (hVdx9)

10 That poor sea creature hit an iceberg.
Or, "That manatee was master of his Romaine"

===


Hey look, you can spinach anyway you want to but at least try to leaf the beast his dignity.

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 12:24 PM (KgpWR)

11 Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 12:21 PM

We see some low riders around here. Also those hydraulic systems that lift one side of the car into the air as it rounds a corner. Startling if you are behind one of those.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 12:24 PM (qahv/)

12 Not sure if it works in Kentucky, but we have a bunch of cape honeysuckle bushes here and the hummingbirds go crazy for them. They can really grow big here in So Cal too but look great with orange flowers and shiny dark green leaves. Also there are many varieties of salvia that are great for that. I have some variant called "hot lips" sage which is mostly bright red flowers with a little white and they are in that all the time.

Getting DH to plant a new grapefruit tree and olive tree for me today. That's going to be nothing for him once he sees that patch of lemongrass I want him to rip up.......

Posted by: keena at February 25, 2017 12:24 PM (RiTnx)

13
Tractor Supply is the greatest store in the History of Stores.

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 12:28 PM (KgpWR)

14 9 No matter what we do the ants find a way to get to our feeders. Very annoying.

BTW, I was third after reading the content and watching the tractor video? Yow. Slow morning.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at February 25, 2017 12:23 PM (hVdx9)


I hung mine from a beam on the porch and then smeared Vaseline on the wire handle. The ants could not get past the Vaseline.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 25, 2017 12:29 PM (mpXpK)

15 My Asian Quinces are starting to bud out, and the paperwhite narcissus are starting to bud also.

I did follow through and cut a number of switches off an Indian Plum that was just starting to show buds, and stuck them in the mud along the back fence. The books say that is one way to propagate them. This year I cut the switches over a foot long, and stuck them a good nine-inches deep, making sure to put at least one leaf bud underground to see if that will help them root.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 12:30 PM (XMCn6)

16 The Philadelphia Flower Show is from March 11 -18, worth the trip if you can get there.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 12:31 PM (HDU3V)

17 Idaho's Banana Belt: Not much going on. I'm still cutting up and freezing last year's butternut squash, and testing methods of roasting pumpkin seeds - only 1 more pookie left to process now. I'm getting disappointed with how much actual flesh each sugar pumpkin has - but then, they ripen way faster than butternuts. I'll probably grow one vine of each this year. Pookies can always be October decor, then turn into a source of yummy seeds, at worst.

A week of drizzle and rain. We even had a dusting of snow on Wed. and Thurs. nights, but everything disappeared when the sun came out.

Tim for cleanup - lots of soggy leaves to rake up, and broken branches to pick up. Also raking parts of lawn affected by "snowmold" - never heard of it before. I gather you just fluff the affected areas with a rake, for mild cases.

I started cutting down the asparagus stalks - have to finish that soon, before they decide to send up new stalks. This year we get to start harvesting a bit.

Most tulip beds and pots have sprouts - 2 small tulip circles have nothing so far. One hyacinth circle has leaves several inches high, 2 other areas have nothing. Nothing showing from the possibly frozen Siberian Squill.

Anyone have a vote for annuals I can grow from seed that attract hummingbirds? (Something that's actually useful to them as a food plant - I don't want to attract them but not feed them!) They have to tolerate 100 degree heat, thought they'd be put in a place where they'll be watered as often as the lawn gets watered (5-6 days a week).

Also, if anyone knows a lot about what plants California Quail will eat, that'd be helpful. (I think they eat seeds from plants, mostly.)

Posted by: Pat* at February 25, 2017 12:34 PM (qC1ju)

18 Gonna axe this question on both threads.

I have to buy a new chainsaw.

I was always a Stihl guy and we used Huskies occasionally.

Any
recommendations? Usage will be cutting some PT wood and painted wood
and also cutting up fallen trees. Mostly weekly weekend project work
but I don't want to buy a disposable saw.

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 12:34 PM (KgpWR)

19 Took the good weather and cleaned out leaves from flower beds and generally around, 3 tarps worth and chopped them up and into the compost bin. Found a onion growing in it so pulled it out and planted it, tried this a few times last year with no success. And maybe my chives are coming up will keep a eye on them.
Daffys are 6 inches high so won't be long.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 12:35 PM (HDU3V)

20 Just planted two ocotillo in front here in Phienix. Moving to all cactus in front. I just love some of the older homes here with giant cactus. Moving the flowering plants to the backyard. Next year we'll set up gardening tables for herbs and veggies on the East side of the house. Partial sun..

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at February 25, 2017 12:37 PM (eWwua)

21 The stinky ass Bradford pears are losing their blooms, cherries have bloomed, those yellow bush trees are in full bloom, Easter flowers have bloomed, hummingbirds are here, robins never left and the copperheads are out everywhere. Weird February.

Posted by: NCKate at February 25, 2017 12:37 PM (CVz3a)

22 I had an ocotillo just outside my office window when I was stationed down at Ft Huachuca. Beautiful plant.

Posted by: Diogenes at February 25, 2017 12:40 PM (0tfLf)

23 Kind of a gardening question:

Does anyone have a water barrel and a system so it can be used with a hose to water the lawn?

Posted by: shibumi, a rational single white female and kitteh servant at February 25, 2017 12:40 PM (J5mC3)

24 My mother has butterfly bushes in Kentucky for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Also her rose gardens. Irises and cannas. She has a crazy number of hummingbirds around.

Posted by: NCKate at February 25, 2017 12:43 PM (CVz3a)

25 Stihl makes the best chainsaw, as far as I can tell. If you want a lighter duty saw, Poulan makes a decent saw, but if you are doing a lot of cutting it might not be sturdy enough.
The Poulans do cost less.
As for safety, I think they are about the same

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 12:43 PM (XMCn6)

26 Diogenes. We've had much rain recently in the fesert. We sgouod gave a,record bloom soon. Ocotillo as you know have those stunning red flowers. I love seeing the desert lit up with blloms. God is great

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at February 25, 2017 12:45 PM (eWwua)

27 Went over to parents house and found bulbs breaking out and long purple blossoms. Took picture and went inside and showed it to them both.
Ma: those are snowdrops
Pa: no,they are purple
Ma: yes, snowdrops
Pa:
Silence spreads as they both know they are right but it ain't worth arguing about.
That's how to stay married for 65 years.

FYI, I have no idea what it is. It is purple. I am an expert on lawn moss. Green wet, brown dry.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at February 25, 2017 12:45 PM (FtrY1)

28 Damn. Can't see on this phone

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at February 25, 2017 12:45 PM (eWwua)

29 I'd like to open the gardening thread with an invocation.

Lettuce spray...

Posted by: Muldoon at February 25, 2017 12:47 PM (wPiJc)

30 No matter what we do the ants find a way to get to our feeders. Very annoying.

BTW, I was third after reading the content and watching the tractor video? Yow. Slow morning.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at February 25, 2017 12:23 PM (hVdx9)


I hung mine from a beam on the porch and then smeared Vaseline on the wire handle. The ants could not get past the Vaseline.


Posted by: Vic
****

We tried something like that too. The ants eventually made a sacrificial bridge out of their brethren to get to the feeder.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at February 25, 2017 12:47 PM (hVdx9)

31 So Muldoon is doing the captions on post photos now?


Yuma (and Imperial County?) and Salinas may have had off seasons, but America's Finest City has had a perfect lettuce year. Wet (by local standards) and cool.


Green and red romaine, red leaf, and oak-leaf just about played out (used up, not bolting or even close thanks to the cool weather), and mizuna (an experiment and a home-run) about gone too.


Second wave is green romaine, kale, rainbow chard, and two experiments: speckled bibb, and Merveille Quartre. Just one each of those, so probably another six-pack going in (green leaf, if I can find it - my favorite in some ways).

Posted by: rhomboid at February 25, 2017 12:48 PM (QDnY+)

32 My water barrel is on a 4 foot high stand with a hose bib attatchment and gets filled right under the back side of outbuilding downspout. I hook a hose to it and can water my garden. It is only gravity feed but with it off ground it is good. Actually I use it slow to allow water to seep into ground.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 12:49 PM (HDU3V)

33 Ocotillo is blooming already? Seems a month early.


And what do I do with rainbow chard? Looks pretty. I usually think of chard as for stir fries and sauteed dishes.


Also no sure when to pick it or when it maxes out.

Posted by: rhomboid at February 25, 2017 12:51 PM (QDnY+)

34 Hi KT!
Speaking of farm grants, I now have about $100 invested in my growing operation, and will need to perfect my grant application soon! I ordered a seed starter kit, a grow light, a bunch of vegetable seeds and some 7 gallon cloth planters for the deck. I have snow peas started from seed as of last Sunday, so I am expecting little baby snow pea plants any day now. I hope these larger grow bags will correct some of the container capacity problems I had last year.

Here's a question for you - I live in Northern Virginia (zone 7) and we've been having unusually warm weather. Everything is starting to bud out and green up - trees, plants, grass - everything. At what risk are these plants if the weather returns to a more normal pattern and we see freezing temps?

Posted by: Weasel at February 25, 2017 12:52 PM (Sfs6o)

35 My water barrel is on a 4 foot high stand with a hose bib attatchment and gets filled right under the back side of outbuilding downspout. I hook a hose to it and can water my garden. It is only gravity feed but with it off ground it is good. Actually I use it slow to allow water to seep into ground.
---

Interesting. I had not thought of the gravity feed option.

Posted by: shibumi, a rational single white female and kitteh servant at February 25, 2017 12:52 PM (J5mC3)

36 keena at February 25, 2017 12:24 PM

Cape honeysuckle won't make it for Kristin in Kentucky, Keena. Great where winters are really mild, though.

Are you planting Oro Blanco or MelloGold (sp?) grapefruits? Most grapefruits will be unacceptably tart near the coast.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 12:53 PM (qahv/)

37 Last year screened the openings and it did keep mosquitos out, that was a problem before. Mosquitos I here live and breed in a very small area.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 12:55 PM (HDU3V)

38 Good luck with your Indian Plum starts, Kindltot.

Fun to hear about your narcissus and persimmons starting to bud. Thanks again for the photos.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 12:55 PM (qahv/)

39 Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 12:34 PM (KgpWR)
----------
I used to do a lot of work on a trail crew and for years was certified as a logger on Federal land (I had to attend a multi day course and pass a written and practical exam every few years to remain certified) Anyhow, we almost exclusively used Stihl saws, and that's what I own here at WeaselAcres. The model I have (026?) leaks bar oil like a mischief, though. Great saws otherwise.

Posted by: Weasel at February 25, 2017 12:59 PM (Sfs6o)

40 I saw the manatee and thought this was the pet thread.

Can we talk about guns yet?

Posted by: Bossy Conservative....outlaw in America at February 25, 2017 01:02 PM (S6Pax)

41 The stand is 4 4x4's with 2x4's as connecting the 4x's top and bottom.
A 50 gallon barrel filled could weigh 400lbs

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 01:03 PM (HDU3V)

42 A 50 gallon barrel filled could weigh 400lbs
Posted by: Skip


Especially if you put 3 illegal Mexicans in it, you monster.

Posted by: Bossy Conservative....outlaw in America at February 25, 2017 01:05 PM (S6Pax)

43 It goes like this
I cleaned up leaves
Gathering a wheelbarrow full of sticks
Which to get rid of the burn them
So to not waste the effort use them to melt lead
Which is made into bullets
Making this a gun thread.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 01:06 PM (HDU3V)

44 the only other flower that I have blooming is the filberts (hazelnuts)

When the catkins pop out and start dangling, those are the male flowers. The female flowers are these tiny scarlet flowers that are set on the end of the fatter buds - those are the nut buds, the leaf buds are thinner. The flowers are very easy to overlook, and I never knew they were there until one of the master gardeners pointed them out to me one spring.


My other attempt this spring is to air layering some plums so I can give a tree start to a co-worker. It is a volunteer tree so I am not so worried about bad roots or rootstock, but it grows wonderful and abundant fruit.

Never tried it before so we will see what happens!

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 01:09 PM (XMCn6)

45 A 50 gallon barrel
===

How do you go about picking up used 50 gallon barrels without setting off Federal meth lab alerts ?

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 01:09 PM (KgpWR)

46 JTB, who is driving the car right now, says this post sounds most interesting and will visit it a bit later when we return home. Mrs JTB note: This thread is one of his favorites.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at February 25, 2017 01:10 PM (5ZhDL)

47 Good info on the chainsaws, Weasel and Kindltot, thanks!

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 01:11 PM (KgpWR)

48 Another thumbs up on the Stihl 026 model, here too. Still has a homeowners model (FarmBoss, I think). I'd go for the commercial one myself.

Invest in a good chain, as well. Always keep a sharp chain on the shelf.

Posted by: golfman at February 25, 2017 01:11 PM (48QDY)

49 Good point , golfman.

I got pretty good at sharpening saws with the file. Hopefully I haven't lost the skill.

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 01:13 PM (KgpWR)

50 Damn. Can't see on this phone
Posted by: Cannibal Bob at February 25, 2017 12:45 PM (eWwua)

Can't spell either.

AND I guess I'll be adding STIHL to the spellcheck dictionary.

Posted by: golfman at February 25, 2017 01:14 PM (48QDY)

51 Those lettuce plants look so uniform, seems likely a robot could pick and pack them, or do half the work at least. Picking tree fruit by robot hand would be tricky, but I think they are working on it.

That little track hoe looks like a toy but would be pretty useful at times. My little creek had a big pile of nice rock after one rain, but next rain it was mostly gone. I snooze I lose. lol A three-point hitch backhoe attachment is only maybe $4000 used. That little Kubota track hoe is about $20,000 used. The big Deere tractor on tracks ... somewhere up in the six figures, but tracks are the way to go to avoid compaction and to get in the field in wetter conditions.

Had some 70+ degree days here in west central IL and I noticed the daffodils are already up 6". There is a lot of early bud swell they say, which might be a problem if we get a late freeze.

Grapes can put out secondaries if the first one freezes, even "tertiaries" if those freeze. Still a little early for the lime sulfur spray I guess, which can kill off some of the disease sitting around before the buds pop out too far. Back in the 20's today, but the grass is a little green, which is nice.

cheers

Posted by: illiniwek at February 25, 2017 01:14 PM (YMJtx)

52 Now that winter is over my one bunch of bananas that was still there after Hurricane Matthew blew through has resumed ripening.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 01:16 PM (P/kVC)

53 How do you go about picking up used 50 gallon barrels without setting off Federal meth lab alerts ?
Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 01:09 PM (KgpWR)

If you have a local company that does fruit juices or purees or something, that would be a start.
Some garden centers will sell them or tell you where to find them.
I was looking at getting a couple of old water heaters and pulling the tank out of them once, that used to be the go-to thing for troughs and planters once upon a time, I remember there used to be a lot of those planters when I was a kid.

Mind, I still have a 50 gal barrel in my back yard and it still is not set up for watering or catching rain yet. This is year two of looking at it.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 01:16 PM (XMCn6)

54 Iceberg lettuce in a salad provides 0.04 milligrams of iron.

It would take a lot of lettuce to build a battleship.

Posted by: Dave at Buffalo Roam at February 25, 2017 01:19 PM (qGuSZ)

55 I spent a weekend in Tulare, CA. It smells like manure. We attended a nearby rib fest (great ribs, low prices) and a horse sale (who knew a pair of mules can sell for over $5000?). I did not attend the ag expo, but the Minnesota State Fair has a pretty good selection of ag toys.

Posted by: Gordon at February 25, 2017 01:20 PM (vXUzT)

56 How do you go about picking up used 50 gallon barrels without setting off Federal meth lab alerts ?
Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at February 25, 2017 01:09 PM (KgpWR)

An old neighbor of mine used to get discarded blue plastic food-grade barrels from a local hippie-goods distributor. They were originally used to transport various food oils, I think. I'm not sure why they weren't re-used, since they were still in pretty good shape. She drilled a hole near the bottom, fit brass spigots and washers/flanges for sealing, and sold them with a piece of screen and a bungie to keep debris out.

If you're looking for a rain barrel (or just the barrel itself for DIY), you could probably start by finding your local master gardener's club.

Posted by: hogmartin at February 25, 2017 01:21 PM (8nWyX)

57 Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 01:16 PM (XMCn6)
-----------
They aren't as sturdy as a rain barrel, but 50 gal trash cans (minus the trash) might work in a pinch

Posted by: Weasel at February 25, 2017 01:21 PM (Sfs6o)

58 Oh, Mortimer, my dad was downright boring about wearing saw chaps. He went on and on and always repeated himself about how important that was. He also got 40 stitches in his knee the last time he used a saw without chaps on and is glad he only nicked himself that time.

So chaps are a good idea.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 01:21 PM (XMCn6)

59 I cut Osage orange and black walnut for my projects. If you have never tried a carbide tipped chain you should consider it. You won't go back to regular chains.

Posted by: Dave at Buffalo Roam at February 25, 2017 01:22 PM (qGuSZ)

60 Those lettuce plants look so uniform, seems likely a robot could pick
and pack them, or do half the work at least. Picking tree fruit by robot
hand would be tricky, but I think they are working on it.

I take a back seat to nobody in my demand that we get the border under control and send back those who don't belong here. That said, Those lettuce pickers work really hard, in the sun, all day long. And no, you couldn't get Americans to do the work without quintupling the price of the product, and probably not even then.

I've seen the same work ethic from the Latinos in the building trades here in NoVa. Specifically, this week they tore out my old sidewalk in front of my house, and built me a new brick and flagstone number. I'm talking with the guy in my neighborhood who owns a nursery, but haven't seen a price or a plan yet. I'm sure his workers will also be Latinos.

Posted by: pep at February 25, 2017 01:22 PM (LAe3v)

61 Check with your local officials about collecting rainwater. It can be illegal.
So camouflage your container.
Try something easy to grow.
Bamboo. An added benefit is it will attract cute panda bears.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at February 25, 2017 01:24 PM (FtrY1)

62 You can easily find 55 gal metal drums here. I have used them for years for burning trash. However if you want something clean for watering purposes its best to go to a hardware store and get clean plastic ones.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 25, 2017 01:25 PM (mpXpK)

63 I live in northern VA; have daffs about ready to bloom, a few croci already did, rose bushes about ready to leaf out, Daphne blooming, and strawberry leaves showing. We're supposed to have a thunderstorm come through, and predicted low temp of 34. I'm saying goodbye to the croci, but the other stuff should be okay unless it stays that low or lower. We've had snow here into late March, so.....

Posted by: Lirio100 at February 25, 2017 01:27 PM (JK7Jw)

64 yeah the Stihl is best imo. I've been using my "Farm Boss" a lot lately. Runs fine and I'm not sure what more the "commercial" model offers. If it was much more powerful it might scare me. The Farm Boss weighs 13 pounds, which gets heavy quick enough if you are reaching in awkward places at all. But I discovered I somehow got old and out of shape, so some might toss it around all day easily. heh

I learned to file my chain every couple tanks of gas now, but happiness, is a warm gun, or a new chain.

Posted by: illiniwek at February 25, 2017 01:29 PM (YMJtx)

65 Friggin rock and roll...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cNiY0siZY3Y

Posted by: B Goode Johnny at February 25, 2017 01:32 PM (M3DRt)

66 Daffodils started blooming two weeks ago. It was one of the mildest winters here I've ever experienced. Dang mosquitoes are already about and no doubt many other insects had a low mortality rate due to it only freezing once or twice. Maybe the pollination rate will go up this year instead of Q-tipping plants.

OTOH, I have already started my Roma and Beefsteak seeds and Bonny Nursery has got tomato plants for sale a CT Garvin's Feed n Seed. I bought a few tomato plants to get a jump on the season. I usually wait till mid April before doing anything other than clearing the pine trash off but this year I'm trying a new method. I bought 3 10' PVC sewer pipes I'm cutting up into 6" pieces and every plant will be in the center of one. The idea is watering is easier and no weeding. Did I mention old age is turning me into a lazy person, or a damn genius reducing labor intensive tasks into merely placing a weed guard up and giving me a target to aim the hose at.

BBL, going to cut up some PVC with a power tool and maybe break out the tiller to kill off some mint and put in some strawberry mounds. I might even put tomato plants in the ground.

Posted by: Gmac - 'All politics in this country now is dress-rehearsal for civil war' at February 25, 2017 01:35 PM (sWBQ5)

67 RE: rainwater collection, it's legal in most states; a few like Colorado and I think Commifornia have some issues.

Also, it's not illegal to collect it, but there are laws against collecting, bottling and selling it.

Posted by: shibumi, a rational single white female and kitteh servant at February 25, 2017 01:41 PM (J5mC3)

68 "I'm talking with the guy in my neighborhood who owns a nursery, but haven't seen a price or a plan yet. I'm sure his workers will also be Latinos.
Posted by: pep

yeah the blue collar Latino workers might be the best addition to America. I suppose many of them are legal and go back and forth as in that video, and the US dollar goes further in Mexico. Americans do often seem spoiled, and maybe our schools and welfare system did that to them.

I'd say we keep most of the hard workers and teach them English and a lot of US civics. Retraining the spoiled Americans and millennials that were raised by leftists might be a bigger challenge. But mechanizing will also be helpful in keeping cost down, and will offset the low reproduction rates. (Europe and other places seem to think they need to keep growing the population to grow the economy, and are willing to sacrifice heritage to accomplish that)

Posted by: illiniwek at February 25, 2017 01:41 PM (YMJtx)

69 You can easily find 55 gal metal drums here. I have used them for years for burning trash. However if you want something clean for watering purposes its best to go to a hardware store and get clean plastic ones.
---
This is a spring project for me.

You wan to use plastic for rainwater collection, and if you're getting it used, find out what was in it. You can also find them via Craigslist.

Posted by: shibumi, a rational single white female and kitteh servant at February 25, 2017 01:42 PM (J5mC3)

70 barrels...I just looked on Craigslist. There should be ads for used ones. I picked up 5 used food grade (they had held lime flavoring) ones for $30. Some have easily removable lids, some don't. Mine didn't, but my sawzall solved that problem.

This company

http://tinyurl.com/zxsbfey

sells them along with the fittings for rain barrels for a reasonable price, and they ship all over. The website has a lot of useful information.

One can also go with the pallet-sized 275-gallon IBC containers. They seem to go for about $100 used. A guy down the road watered his garden from one of those. These are the ones with the white rectangular tank surrounded by an aluminum frame.

They are cheap because they cannot be reused for food. It's like the bigger cousins of the 5-gallon buckets we all know.

Posted by: Gordon at February 25, 2017 01:47 PM (vXUzT)

71 I have something made to hang the hummer feeder on that keeps the ants out. It's like a little moat. Put water in it and no ants. Works great.

Posted by: Ronster at February 25, 2017 01:50 PM (CDUSe)

72 I'm going to plant some vegetables this year.

I plan on selling them by the roadside so I can earn more money.

I haven't been working hard enough to finance Jesse Jackson Jr's lifestyle.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at February 25, 2017 01:51 PM (Qk4LE)

73 Pat* at February 25, 2017 12:34 PM

The Salvia coccinea mentioned above can be grown from seed. It will take 100 degree heat (and more). It blooms repeatedly if deadheaded. If you don't deadhead, seeds for quail!

Some other annual hummingbird nectar plants include hollyhocks (quail food), clarkia (not long-lasting), cleome, larkspur, petunia, pentas for hot shade and zinnia.

Perennials you can grow from seed include some kinds of agastache, four o'clocks, foxglove (part shade), coral bells, lupine, bee balm, penstemon, and veronica.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 01:52 PM (qahv/)

74 A friend has hummingbird feeders. If she forgets to fill them, the birds tap on the window to remind her.

Posted by: Gordon at February 25, 2017 01:53 PM (vXUzT)

75 I'd say we keep most of the hard workers and teach them English and a lot of US civics.

If I had any faith that such training could be done reliably, I might agree with you. The fact is that the US economy currently depends on them in many areas.

Posted by: pep at February 25, 2017 02:01 PM (LAe3v)

76 Posted by: Ronster at February 25, 2017 01:50 PM (CDUSe)
Those ant mots do work for me. There are different styles: http://amzn.to/2lReSn8

Posted by: plum at February 25, 2017 02:02 PM (usy4h)

77 And Pat*

Annual lavatera (Lavatera trimestris) is spectacular, though it may not last all summer in heat. Attracts hummingbirds, seeds should make good quail food.

Ditto Malva zebrina, which is shorter. Purple striped.

Hummingbirds and California Quails also eat insects. Small insects in the case of hummingbirds, so if you want to plant something that gets infested with an insect that doesn't bother your other plants, that would be perfect.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:07 PM (qahv/)

78 Thunderstorms and rain moving in. Feels like summer.

Posted by: pep at February 25, 2017 02:11 PM (LAe3v)

79 rhomboid at February 25, 2017 12:48 PM

Glad to hear about the Mizuna. Interesting selection of lettuce and other greens. You going to cook any of that kale or the chard?

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:12 PM (qahv/)

80 "These plants are said to have a skunky or foxy odor that repels mice."

Got skunks. And foxes.

And mice, and rats.

The odors of the former two obviously aren't doing the job to keep away the latter two.

I am wondering if I can manage to attract owls. Put up a nesting box. With my luck it would be immediately commandeered by starlings.

Posted by: torquewrench at February 25, 2017 02:12 PM (noWW6)

81 rhomboid at February 25, 2017 12:51 PM

Sorry I missed your second post. You can also steam or simmer chard. Try separating the leaves from the stems and cooking the stems a little longer.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:15 PM (qahv/)

82 Weasel at February 25, 2017 12:52 PM

Good luck with the farm grant. I think the grow bags will work better for you. Remember the importance of timing when planting from seed.

If leaves get tricked into coming out too soon, most trees, grass, etc. will grow new leaves. Could kill some annual veggies. Not good for early-blooming fruit trees, either. If it gets cold enough after they bloom, you could lose your crop for a year.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:20 PM (qahv/)

83 Skip at February 25, 2017 12:55 PM

Good tip on screening the water barrel to keep mosquitos out. There can be similar concerns with self-watering containers.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:21 PM (qahv/)

84 Kindltot at February 25, 2017 01:09 PM

Do you get good nuts from your trees? Do you know what kind you have?

Good luck with your air layering project. Volunteer plum trees with good fruit are kind of rare. Peaches have a better chance of providing good fruit from volunteers. You are lucky your plum worked out.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:27 PM (qahv/)

85 Chance of rain here this afternoon, windy and some dark clouds out there now. Just came back from bike ride, does feel like summer in February.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 02:30 PM (HDU3V)

86 Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 01:16 PM

That's a persistent bunch of bananas. Congratulations.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:31 PM (qahv/)

87 Godon wrote:

"I spent a weekend in Tulare, CA. It smells like manure."

That's for sure. A lot of dairies have been started in the Central Valley by dairy owners who became multimillionaires selling their land in Northern and Southern California. Some of their homes are spectacular, but they smell like manure (at least if you don't live near a dairy).

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:34 PM (qahv/)

88 Lirio100 at February 25, 2017 01:27 PM

Wow. Daphne blooming already . . .

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:38 PM (qahv/)

89 The trees are from an old orchard, and need to be cut down and brought up from suckers again. They are rotted out and tend to fall over.

Got to borrow Dad's saw.

I don't eat filberts because I am mildly allergic to the lining between the shell and the meat. It makes eating them a pain. Come to think on it I am not really a fan of Nutella either, but I used to love the small plastic jars for putting together small water proof first aid kits.

Oh, the plum is not ideal because they are small and only last about a day before going bad, but if you catch it dead ripe they will can wonderfully.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 02:41 PM (XMCn6)

90 Just rolled out of bed. Last night I had two different bad dreams where it was election night and Clinton was winning. It sucked! When I woke the first time I actually said "ohhhh... thank God Hillary Clinton will never be president."

Posted by: Serious Cat at February 25, 2017 02:44 PM (Uy6ri)

91 Update: First Squill tip has made an appearance! So at least the bulbs didn't ALL die. I hope to see more of them sprout soon!

I'm familiar with Clarkias - we grew the local varieties at our CA house. We also grew local varieties of annual lupines. (I need to find out more about Idaho native types.) Not interested in the Lavatera or Malva; just not thrilled with the looks of the Mallow Family flowers. Do *zinnias* really attract and feed hummers??

Do Cosmos help any type of wildlife? (They make pretty cut flowers, which is a consideration.)

We grew giant sunflowers at our rental, our first year in Idaho. They got up around 10 feet. The local birds apparently couldn't crack the seeds we harvested, so I fed them all to squirrels before we moved. I could always try growing them again (support the stems by tying to the paddock fence), and crack them myself, then put them in my feeder - though that would be laborious, considering I'll be trying to harvest and process all the people-food crops at the same time.

Posted by: Pat* at February 25, 2017 02:46 PM (qC1ju)

92 Pat*

I've seen several references to zinnias for hummingbirds. Might want to try a single type. They attract butterflies, too.

Cosmos also attracts butterflies.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:54 PM (qahv/)

93 Pat, try Jerusalem artichokes. They should grow where you are at, with little more than some watering, and they should get enormous with your sun.

I have a bunch that I grew, but I have not yet eaten any

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 02:54 PM (XMCn6)

94 Pet Nood

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 02:55 PM (HDU3V)

95 I saw some of those Central Valley dairies, KT. They seem very weird to someone used to the Minnesota/Wisconsin dairy farms. No grass, no trees, no barns. Just dirt and hay. I also saw the gigantic Kraft cheese factory.

Posted by: Gordon at February 25, 2017 02:56 PM (vXUzT)

96 And Pat*

Remember that Jerusalem artichokes are invasive. Kindltot is used to invasive plants. Heh.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:56 PM (qahv/)

97 "Ace has taken up gardeing with his purchase of jars and seeds to grow broccoli sprouts! Next thing you know, he'll be doing some sunflower shoots or (shudder) wheatgrass for juice. Then, it could be microgreens. Or we could read that he's been out
foraging chickweed in the park. Any tips for our Fearless Leader?"



Poke. Salad.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 25, 2017 02:58 PM (tHwdc)

98 ...hard workers...

There is a secret plan. It really isn't secret but it might as well be. A significant part of the US Government agencies want guest workers to work here for 44 years or less. Then they want a worker to go back to their origin. The US Treasury would pay them SS in their home country. That is so they aren't on Medicare and allows the dollar to supplant their local currency. Medicare is unpopular with the US Government agencies and the Medical professions. The issue is that after someone spends more than 20 years in a spot they tend to consider that home.

Posted by: Ok at February 25, 2017 03:11 PM (LD6vw)

99 Stihl is a great saw..Huskys and Jonsered are great saws too! I used them all.

Posted by: Mimzey at February 25, 2017 03:11 PM (n3hky)

100 Jerusalem artichoke is invasive, in that it is a wild native US plant, found originally from the Rockies to the Mississippi.

It deals well with drought and Dakota like winters.

So, yeah. I'd trade it for Himalaya blackberries any day.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 03:18 PM (XMCn6)

101 We mounted a shepherd's hook to the deck rail and hang the hummingbird feeder on that. No ants, but sometimes earwigs and wasps/yellow jackets. Poor birdies were nearly driven off by wasps last year!

Crocosmia -- the red ones especially -- attract hummingbirds and are lovely cut flowers. They like sun and infrequent deep watering, come back every year. Good pictures and description here:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/heelmp6

It's 40 degrees and breezy. Daffodils are about 3 inches high, and the sun offers *some* warmth by the window. Outside? Not so much today.

I've got the winter blahs, and just want to hibernate but there's so much to do. Maybe tomorrow.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 25, 2017 03:20 PM (044Fx)

102 I live in the Southwest and am looking for berries to grow in a partially shaded spot. I assume blueberries and huckleberries are out because of my soil. I'm considering maybe gooseberries or currants.

Thoughts?

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at February 25, 2017 03:49 PM (jv1sc)

103 Have next to get my compost turned into garden soil, might try seeds inside soon as well.

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 03:50 PM (HDU3V)

104
Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 01:16 PM

That's a persistent bunch of bananas. Congratulations.


Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 02:31 PM (qahv/)

It's some backyard ladyfinger/apple variety my wife got from a local friend. Like most it has a bit of an apple flavor to it. It also has a slight orange tint.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 04:23 PM (P/kVC)

105 Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at February 25, 2017 03:49 PM

First question: What's your main goal in growing the berries-- pies, preserves, snacking?

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 25, 2017 04:23 PM (044Fx)

106 @36 KT
It's a Rio Red which is said to be really good in San Diego. Sweet and high producer. Oroblanco was my next choice but I love the look of red grapefruit. I, well I mean my husband, dug up the Hood pear there that was just not producing and I moved it elsewhere and will just train it as an espalier and if I should get an occasional pear, that would be nice but not expected. Any trees up in my orchard area must produce or out they go!

Posted by: keena at February 25, 2017 04:30 PM (RiTnx)

107 Also I'm very excited Tomatomania comes to San Diego in 2 weeks......it's getting near that time of year again!

Posted by: keena at February 25, 2017 04:32 PM (RiTnx)

108 Emperor of Icecream, if you *really* want blueberries of huckleberries, you could try growing them in containers if soil amendment and additives are too much to deal with.

Here's a link to try:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/hh8mr5n

All the berries you mentioned, plus more!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 25, 2017 04:46 PM (044Fx)

109 Gordon at February 25, 2017 02:56 PM

Well, alfalfa hay and corn silage, anyway. The silage is kinda stinky, too.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 05:24 PM (qahv/)

110 Kindltot at February 25, 2017 03:18 PM

You got that right. Jerusalem artichokes don't have thorns.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 05:25 PM (qahv/)

111 JQ Flyover at February 25, 2017 03:20 PM

Thanks for the tip on crocosmia and hummingbirds. I wouldn't be surprised if the species AKA Montebretia were a heritage flower in Kentucky. Maybe some of the others, too.

Hope you get over your winter blahs soon.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 05:37 PM (qahv/)

112 Emperor of Icecream at February 25, 2017 03:49 PM

How "Southwest" are you? I would love to grow gooseberries, but the only edible currant relative I have been able to grow in the San Joaquin Valley is clove currants - Ribes aureum. They are growing on the north side of the house and get sun morning and evening in summer.

Surprisingly, some kinds of blueberries are now being grown around here in raised beds or containers with acid soil. We have discussed this topic earlier.

Here's a link.
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/353431.php

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 05:44 PM (qahv/)

113 Choke cherries grow in New Mexico. They seem to like the mountains. Fine, fine jelly.

Remember, KTM, when you move to one of Prince's houses in Chanhassen, so you can live across the street from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum? You would be about four miles from where the dairy industry was invented. A farmer in Chaska planted lucerne seed, kept choosing plants which survived the winters, and eventually had seed acclimated for here. We call it alfalfa, and being able to grow and store it for winter feeding makes dairy farms possible.

Posted by: Gordon at February 25, 2017 07:00 PM (vXUzT)

114 Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 05:37 PM

Montebretia. That's the name I couldn't remember...

There's a yellow-orange-red variety (the species?) that grows wild, roadside along the Oregon coast. Gorgeous blend of colors on each bloom. Miles and miles of them July/August.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 25, 2017 07:03 PM (044Fx)

115 Gordon,

Such a dream: Living across the street from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. I'll let you know when we come into some money.

Interesting dairy history.

Posted by: KT at February 25, 2017 10:34 PM (qahv/)

116 KT, it need not wait. Prince owned several normal houses near Paisley Park. He needed somewhere to stash his girlfriends where they would be available, but not underfoot. So some of them probably compare to where you are now.

Winter is somewhat more challenging here.

Posted by: Gordon at February 26, 2017 10:01 AM (vXUzT)

117 "Winter is somewhat more challenging here."

Well, yes. Not sure how Mr. Bar-the-Door would like that.

Wonder if the walls in any of those houses talk?

Posted by: KT at February 26, 2017 05:09 PM (qahv/)

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