Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, August 20

Happy August, everybody! How is the weather treating you? I think the photo above looks cool and inviting. And professionally planted:

Hi KT - I had to take a picture of my backyard today, before the whole thing goes to pot in the fall...this place can be a mess when the seasons turn - lots of trees.
But the flowers Mrs Boswell planted back there are loving it right now ...
Boswell

What a lovely scene!

* * * * *

Looks like there might be some Vinca in there (unless I'm seeing Impatiens). I love this close-up from Pilot:

"Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James
Petunias and vinca may be common annuals found at every suburban nursery or "big box" store, but when the dog days of summer hit, their hardiness and colorful blooms are much appreciated.

* * * * *

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Hi KT and gardening enthusiasts! It's sunflower season again. I haven't had a lot of luck with my seedlings this year-too many squirrels and rabbits. I have grown a few good ones that are blooming and producing lots of seeds. Mr. L is my sizing example of how tall these flowers have gotten-he is six feet tall so those flowers are getting to the 10-11' range. Now if I can just keep the squirrels from climbing up to eat them.
Thanks for all you do!
Mrs. Leggy

Impressive! Makes me feel small.

Ah, Nature

A contented bee on Russian Sage. It's still hot in eastern Nebraska but Fall weather can't be far away, can it?
A Midwest Lurker

Great photo!

* * * * *

Below, a not-so- nice aspect of nature that MarkY thought we might want to be aware of: Fibromas in deer. "Gross, but meh.":

Fibromas (Papillomas, Warts)
Commonly Infected Wildlife
There are many mammal species that can be affected by fibromas.
Is This Animal Infected?
Infected animals have hairless growths on their skin.
These growths are variable in color, texture, number, and size (from a dime to a baseball), and often found around eyes and neck but may also be on the body or legs.
Can I Get It?
No. People cannot be infected with this type of wart. . .
Protect Myself and Others
Affected tissue is unappetizing.
Once infected tissue has been trimmed away, meat can be properly cooked and eaten.
Safe for Pets?
Yes. After trimming away affected tissue, and properly cooking the meat, it is safe for pets to eat.
What Causes It?
A virus in the Papovaviridae family. Fibromas typically do not cause adverse effects to the animals unless their size or location interferes with normal body functions such as sight, eating, respiration, and locomotion.

* * * * *

We had a fairly intense storm the other day, and when I came home, there was something on the mat outside the door. A closer look--
I know they're pests to many, but they are darned cute.
Thank you!
BeckoningChasm

Awwww . . .

* * * * *

Gardens of The Horde

Lirio100 sent these a while ago. Hope things are going well now:

These are before and after pictures of my garden. I broke my leg twice in the last ten years (yes, I am a klutz) and lost control after porcelain berry and native Dutchman's pipe got established from bird dropped seed (I assume--I didn't plant them!). I had a landscaper go scorched earth while I chanted there's always next year. There were some casualties but I know what got lost and while be re-planting in the next few weeks.

Saving any existing plants?

Not the Dutchman's pipe! There were azalea and weigela bushes under all that!. i admit I committed the crime of over planting years ago; had a mock orange in one corner that took over too and a huge clump of false indigo. Most of my smaller plants were shaded out, like a clump of lungwort.. I did like the porcelain berry and suspect I'll have some come up from the root but if it does it will be kept strictly under control. I did order wine cups, bletilla, and yarrow to replant now but otherwise I'm waiting to see if anything resurfaces. The last couple of years particularly I'm afraid a lot of my plants were shaded out. It took a team of three men three hours plus to clear it all out.

What a lot of work! And what a difference!

From Don in Kansas, Think Pink

Pink!

* * * * *

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

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? Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, August 13

Any thoughts or questions?

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn'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 Hi all

Posted by: Ciampino - know your snakes in the grass at August 20, 2022 01:27 PM (qfLjt)

2 All on my lonesome?

Posted by: Ciampino - know your snakes in the grass at August 20, 2022 01:28 PM (qfLjt)

3 Brett Favre grows sunflowers?

Posted by: davidt at August 20, 2022 01:28 PM (oTZbj)

4 Hi KT!

I just emailed you with a question, but I guess I'll ask it here too...

I have three vibrant basil plants that yield far more than I need. I am going to harvest a bunch of it today and make an olive oil/basil emulsion.

From where should I take the leaves? Top, bottom, middle, a few from everywhere?

I am a hopeless gardener, so please use small words!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 20, 2022 01:28 PM (XIJ/X)

5 "Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James.

With all due respect to Mr James, but the two most beautiful words in the English language are "It's benign".

Posted by: Nemo at August 20, 2022 01:29 PM (S6ArX)

6 Looks like widdle wabbit has a dead beetle for company...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:30 PM (ynpvh)

7 Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James.

Henry never spent summer in Houston

Posted by: MAC V SOG at August 20, 2022 01:31 PM (P4Pk9)

8 I would take leaves from all over the basil. If you are going to let them continue growing, take the ones from the bottom.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 20, 2022 01:33 PM (9WSy4)

9 If you are going to let them continue growing, take the ones from the bottom.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 20, 2022 01:33 PM (9WSy4)

I do!

So take from the bottom, but leave some? Or can I go scorched earth?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 20, 2022 01:35 PM (XIJ/X)

10 7 Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James.

Henry never spent summer in Houston

Posted by: MAC V SOG at August 20, 2022 01:31 PM (P4Pk9)

Or the SW US deserts in non-raining monsoon weather...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:38 PM (ynpvh)

11 @6 - so much better than a dead bishop on the landing.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 20, 2022 01:40 PM (m0zqP)

12 Hiya Mrs. Leggy !

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 01:41 PM (T4tVD)

13 Weather treating me mean, don't like this heat 98-102 in San Fernando valley. I fold up.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at August 20, 2022 01:41 PM (sb4oq)

14 Its hot out thar !

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 01:41 PM (T4tVD)

15 One of the homes we looked at yesterday during our search had the worst deer damage to the flower gardens I've ever seen. In most cases, the flowers and plantings were eaten down to the ground.

He also had a deer feeder in the back yard.

No connection between these two things, I'm sure.

Posted by: Tonypete at August 20, 2022 01:41 PM (LsEU/)

16 Hiya

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 01:42 PM (T4tVD)

17 11 @6 - so much better than a dead bishop on the landing.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 20, 2022 01:40 PM (m0zqP)

Classic

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:42 PM (ynpvh)

18 "Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James.

Nope. "Summer morning"

afternoons are way too hot. Although tbf, Henry did spend most of his life in Boston then England. So summer afternoons were probably not as hot there.

Posted by: kallisto at August 20, 2022 01:43 PM (dCxaZ)

19 15 One of the homes we looked at yesterday during our search had the worst deer damage to the flower gardens I've ever seen. In most cases, the flowers and plantings were eaten down to the ground.

He also had a deer feeder in the back yard.

No connection between these two things, I'm sure.

Posted by: Tonypete at August 20, 2022 01:41 PM (LsEU/)

I thought having edibles growing in your yard automatically ranked as a deer feeder...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:43 PM (ynpvh)

20 >>> 15 One of the homes we looked at yesterday during our search had the worst deer damage to the flower gardens I've ever seen. In most cases, the flowers and plantings were eaten down to the ground.

He also had a deer feeder in the back yard.

No connection between these two things, I'm sure.

Posted by: Tonypete at August 20, 2022 01:41 PM (LsEU/)

Fences are good things.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at August 20, 2022 01:44 PM (llON8)

21 CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 20, 2022 01:35 PM

If you leave little leaves at the top, the plants are more likely to bloom sooner. If you want basil blossoms for garnish, take leaves from the bottom. If you want the plants to last longer into fall, cut the plants off partway up the stems to leave some growth nodes and use the top leaves. Or taste them and see if you like the flavor of the top or bottom leaves better. They will probably be pretty close.

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 01:44 PM (rrtZS)

22 18 "Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James.

Nope. "Summer morning"

afternoons are way too hot. Although tbf, Henry did spend most of his life in Boston then England. So summer afternoons were probably not as hot there.

Posted by: kallisto at August 20, 2022 01:43 PM (dCxaZ)

Where I grew up, "September Morn" was that time where you first got that break from the heat...if you were lucky.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:45 PM (ynpvh)

23 I guess that's Mr. Leggy.

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 01:45 PM (T4tVD)

24 Lunch is near...my wonderful wife has baked me a...tomato pie!

Posted by: BignJames at August 20, 2022 01:48 PM (AwYPR)

25 24 Lunch is near...my wonderful wife has baked me a...tomato pie!

Posted by: BignJames at August 20, 2022 01:48 PM (AwYPR)

Um...savory or sweet?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:49 PM (ynpvh)

26 Um...savory or sweet?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 01:49 PM (ynpvh)

Savory!....onions and...BACON!

Posted by: BignJames at August 20, 2022 01:51 PM (AwYPR)

27 I might have mentioned a while ago that I was attempting to grow tomatoes in my Aero Garden. This experiment is not exactly going well. If it weren't for the fact that I have about a dozen small green tomatoes present, I'd tear it all out, and start Experiment #2, Mouse Melons. I figure I can set my Aero Garden up a little closer to the large south facing window in my office, and just train the vines in that direction, and harvest the little mini cukes most of the winter.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at August 20, 2022 01:52 PM (CCf67)

28 Fibromas, had a mule with one over 60 years ago. Didn't seem to affect her pulling a wagon or plow.

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 01:56 PM (gktX6)

29 I guess that's Mr. Leggy.
Posted by: JT

I bet he owns a weedwhacker.

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 01:58 PM (T4tVD)

30 To: K.T., all the COBS, & anyone submitting pics for any feature here at AOS.

Folks, if you don't do it yourself, I'll hope the COBs take note of this, and commit to the practice of BLURRING OUT any street names or visible address numbers on our beloved Horde's homes or properties.

There are those out there who would LOVE to doxx one or all of us, for all of their evil, nefarious reasons. Can we step up the OPSEC just one half-step here, at least? Please? Let's not make it TOO damn easy for 'em.

*sallystruthersvoice* "..won't you please do it, for the chillldren?"

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

we now return you to your regularly scheduled gardening thread

Posted by: Jim at August 20, 2022 01:58 PM (tkOps)

31 I'd like to be sitting by Boswell's pool right now.

Posted by: Pilot at August 20, 2022 01:59 PM (REwbE)

32 Good thinkin' Lincoln !

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 02:00 PM (T4tVD)

33 Next year, I have decided, all my tomatoes will be cherry ones. I grew eight different heirlooms in containers, three cherry and five regular, and was not impressed with any of the regular ones, and they're not even prolific. But the three cherry varieties are wonderful. One darling little determinate Gold Nugget plant has given me hundreds, and borne for eleven weeks. Going to add some black cherry ones next year.

Posted by: skywch at August 20, 2022 02:00 PM (uqhmb)

34 The pool photo is so nice it looks like a hotel, just lovely.

Posted by: CaliGirl at August 20, 2022 02:05 PM (wRauk)

35 If you want the plants to last longer into fall, cut the plants off partway up the stems to leave some growth nodes and use the top leaves.

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 01:44 PM (rrtZS)

So just cut the top half or third of the plant? The leaves are great no matter where we take them, so I am not concerned about flavor...

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 20, 2022 02:05 PM (XIJ/X)

36 Uh, the address on the house doesn't match the street.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at August 20, 2022 02:05 PM (hwoGt)

37 Saw the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. in July. Very nice.

www.butchartgardens.com

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at August 20, 2022 02:08 PM (u82oZ)

38 ..Uh, the address on the house doesn't match the street. Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at August 20, 2022 02:05 PM (hwoGt)

Angular dissonance. Most noticeable when the curb-paint gypsies paint two adjacent addresses, right next to one another.

That said, the number on the house matches the number on the house. Point being, any address numbers oughta be digitally smudged or such. Because, Smart Military Blog, and etc., but mostly, "etc."

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at August 20, 2022 02:08 PM (tkOps)

39 CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 20, 2022 02:05 PM

Should be fine.

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 02:09 PM (rrtZS)

40 I used to top my basil plants at least 1/3 down and it would grow back like crazy.

Posted by: dartist at August 20, 2022 02:09 PM (+ya+t)

41 Uh, the address on the house doesn't match the street.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy

Its in The Twilight Zone.....

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 02:09 PM (T4tVD)

42 Blurred the addresses.

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 02:10 PM (rrtZS)

43 Thanks for the basil questions/answer. Fortunately for me the groundhog does not like basil. I need to do some work in the yard/garden and will add this basil tip to my to do list!

Posted by: Iris at August 20, 2022 02:11 PM (foa6+)

44 Jim SND Johnson is right.

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 02:13 PM (gktX6)

45 ..Blurred the addresses. Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 02:10 PM (rrtZS)

Highly appreciated, K.T. !

Hope I've not offended anyone with a bit of caution, but such are our times.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at August 20, 2022 02:13 PM (tkOps)

46 Angular dissonance. Most noticeable when the curb-paint gypsies paint two adjacent addresses, right next to one another.

Ah, yes. Parallax error.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at August 20, 2022 02:16 PM (hwoGt)

47 Hope I've not offended anyone with a bit of caution, but such are our times.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn

Ya never know who's a cereal killer anymore.

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 02:17 PM (T4tVD)

48 15. One of the homes we looked at yesterday during our search had the worst deer damage to the flower gardens I've ever seen. In most cases, the flowers and plantings were eaten down to the ground.

He also had a deer feeder in the back yard. - Tonypete

I feel your pain. We have a large garden, constantly under attack from rabbits and deer. Many of our neighbors have bird feeders, and the birds (almost exclusively mockingbirds) kick or drop the bird seed on the ground, which attracts rabbits and deer. While the deer and rabbits munch on the seeds, they frequently take note of Paco's All-You-Can-Eat Garden Buffet, and amble over to lay waste. At one time, I considered the possibility of lurking in the garden at night with a shotgun, but Mrs. Paco insisted that shooting the critters might excite comment among the neighbors. Fortunately, we've got a good recipe for homemade repellant.

Posted by: Paco at August 20, 2022 02:17 PM (njExo)

49 Fences are good things.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at August 20, 2022 01:44 PM (llON

Quite.

Posted by: Gilbert Keith Chesterton at August 20, 2022 02:19 PM (PiwSw)

50 Don't let Liz Chaney know about that bunny.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 20, 2022 02:24 PM (nDCOZ)

51 ..Ya never know who's a cereal killer anymore.
Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 02:17 PM (T4tVD)

Kaboom!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at August 20, 2022 02:27 PM (tkOps)

52 I love dianthus (pinks, carnations), especially the fragrant ones.

Posted by: Emmie at August 20, 2022 02:29 PM (6RgRK)

53 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Home from work, did 2 man stuff myself leaving easy stuff for other guy.
Think cucumbers are done, and it worked putting a clear plastic jug cut so a tomato on vine fits in so critters can't get to it

Posted by: Skip at August 20, 2022 02:30 PM (k8B25)

54 Uh, the address on the house doesn't match the street.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy
-------

Let me tell you about how the VA mis-issued me a name. Rather than try to fight through the system to correct it, I just decide to roll with it. It has been most entertaining.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 20, 2022 02:30 PM (c8iAR)

55 I've been to Butchart Gardens twice. They are absolutely stunning. Worth a trip if you are in Victoria, BC.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 20, 2022 02:35 PM (fTtFy)

56 Glad deer here seem ok

Posted by: Skip at August 20, 2022 02:38 PM (k8B25)

57 Nice post, KT. That dianthus really pops. I had to remove the Carob tree in my front yard this week. It had a sulfur fungus infection and one of the 400+ lb branches fell off. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Posted by: 40 Miles North at August 20, 2022 02:40 PM (uWF4x)

58 >> 24 Lunch is near...my wonderful wife has baked me a...tomato pie!

Pizza with no toppings?

Posted by: 40 Miles North at August 20, 2022 02:41 PM (uWF4x)

59 Rather than try to fight through the system to correct it, I just decide to roll with it. It has been most entertaining.
-------
I'm going thru means testing at the VA for the first time in 10 years. More like an idiot audit than anything else. I hope the IRS isn't in line behind them.

Posted by: dartist at August 20, 2022 02:45 PM (+ya+t)

60 Let me tell you about how the VA mis-issued me a name. Rather than try to fight through the system to correct it, I just decide to roll with it. It has been most entertaining.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 20, 2022 02:30 PM (c8iAR)

——————

Mike Hummer? Mike Hunt? Wait, I’ll have more guesses in a minute.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 02:46 PM (u73oe)

61 Weather forecasters in KC are some kind of special. Zero percent chance of rain today, they said. Guess what it’s doing right now.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 02:47 PM (u73oe)

62 DMV put male on my DR. Got lot's of good mileage from that one.

Posted by: Infidel at August 20, 2022 02:48 PM (QgnTJ)

63 47 Hope I've not offended anyone with a bit of caution, but such are our times.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn

Ya never know who's a cereal killer anymore.

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 02:17 PM (T4tVD)
----
Cereal killer? I always heard it was the California Raisins, you know those nuts down there.

Posted by: Ciampino - I know Meg, she's a nut at August 20, 2022 02:50 PM (qfLjt)

64 I've had a few plants reappear! One tiny shoot of a Cobra's eye iris, and a purple clematis (tiny flowered) is pushing up a few shoots. The box wood is re-leafing the back half that had been shaded out, and the weigela is re-leafing. I moved a clump of the false indigo to the back corner by the stairs in place of the mock orange. I've planted a few things (a short Texas yucca for my husband!) but in the main am waiting until next spring. Will be trimming the azaleas next year, the poor things are all leaning toward the street, probably from trying to get some sun.

Posted by: Lirio100 at August 20, 2022 02:51 PM (r0RRi)

65 Short (10 minute) syfy movie about the perils of future young love: Steel Tears

https://youtu.be/-5f1v37rvNQ

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 20, 2022 02:51 PM (FVME7)

66 60 Let me tell you about how the VA mis-issued me a name. Rather than try to fight through the system to correct it, I just decide to roll with it. It has been most entertaining.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 20, 2022 02:30 PM (c8iAR)
——————
Let's see: Jack Hammer, Mike Sledge, Mike Ballpin, Mike Hummer

Posted by: Ciampino - OK I'll stop knocking at August 20, 2022 02:56 PM (qfLjt)

67 Jack Hamster, Jock Mahomey, Juke Hamfast?

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 02:59 PM (gktX6)

68 Hammer McHammerface?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:01 PM (u73oe)

69 Sledge Hammer?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at August 20, 2022 03:03 PM (oGiDo)

70 We're dying here. Mike relieve us of our curiosity.

Posted by: Ciampino -- OK I'll stop knocking at August 20, 2022 03:09 PM (qfLjt)

71 Testing

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 20, 2022 03:10 PM (Japlj)

72 Killed power to router a few minutes and it changed hash

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 20, 2022 03:10 PM (Japlj)

73 I don't like it

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 20, 2022 03:10 PM (Japlj)

74 If Hammer won’t tell us, we’ll keep guessing til we nail it.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:11 PM (u73oe)

75 Skip, how was your trip to Japan, in one word?

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 03:12 PM (gktX6)

76 how was your trip to Japan, in one word?

Inscrutable? Clever?

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at August 20, 2022 03:13 PM (zLQ1W)

77 Fortunately, we've got a good recipe for homemade repellant.

Paco - do tell???

Posted by: Iris at August 20, 2022 03:14 PM (foa6+)

78 We could do hammer puns til we get board.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:14 PM (u73oe)

79 Changing hash and working Saturday has kept me off the most commenter list this last month

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 20, 2022 03:15 PM (Japlj)

80 Going to add some black cherry ones next year.
Posted by: skywch

World's smallest BLT's?
We're exactly the opposite. We've decided to never plant the really small cherry type tomatoes. Couldn't get Chelsea Sweet seeds this year, so tried two others... too much work to do anything with.
We dry them for winter salads, as well as eat out of hand and summer salads.

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:16 PM (cPGH3)

81 Thanks for publishing my sunflowers! They are bending their heads now, ready to disperse the hundreds and hundreds of seeds. I will send some pictures of the flowers/seeds this week.
That's a great bee picture.

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at August 20, 2022 03:18 PM (Vf4Y7)

82 We have had a critter in the garden. First time in 6+ years of having a deer fence up. No bunnies, no deer... squirrel are afraid of us.
With a game cam and a trap we discovered it is opossums. Light enough to not break down the fence at the top.
Gonna spend some $350 to run a solar powered electric fence around the perimeter.

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:20 PM (cPGH3)

83 I found out what that mysterious pepper plant was in my garden. It's called a fish pepper. Supposed to be pretty hot so not sure I'll be using them much.

Posted by: jewells45 at August 20, 2022 03:21 PM (nxdel)

84 Hiya JT! And Mr. L does indeed own a weedwhacker!

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at August 20, 2022 03:23 PM (Vf4Y7)

85 That $350 will give us the perimeter of the garden, plus, with less than $50 more, we can expand it for more fruit trees, instead of the marginally effective fencing I have around the individual trees now. Deer will reach over the fencing to eat the young stems and leaves, so the fence area needs to be pretty big... becomes a maintenance headache.

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:24 PM (cPGH3)

86 Harvested a bunch more anaheims. Gonna roast em and make a queso dip today.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:24 PM (u73oe)

87 The pool photo is so nice it looks like a hotel, just lovely.
Posted by: CaliGirl at August 20, 2022 02:05 PM (wRauk)

I want to have a MoMe at my house in Long Island- my bbq ribs - splashing in the pool - lots to drink - Mrs. Boswell frowned when I mentioned it.

Posted by: Boswell at August 20, 2022 03:26 PM (+Cgut)

88 We have the worst okra season yet. Anyone else grow them? Pitiful plants, pitiful yields. 4 rows, and not getting enough to even roast for 2.

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:27 PM (cPGH3)

89 Harvested a bunch more anaheims. Gonna roast em and make a queso dip today.
Posted by: Duke Lowell

Love green chilis. We do dips, green sauces. We roast them, peel them and freeze them for winter. Great pepper!

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:32 PM (cPGH3)

90 Starting to get rip Anaheim peppers, can't wait to grill them

Posted by: Skip at August 20, 2022 03:32 PM (k8B25)

91 83 I found out what that mysterious pepper plant was in my garden. It's called a fish pepper. Supposed to be pretty hot so not sure I'll be using them much.

Posted by: jewells45 at August 20, 2022 03:21 PM (nxdel)

Wiki says 5K to 30K Scoville units. For reference:

Jalapeño is 4K to 8.5K
Serrano is 10K to 25K
Cayenne is 30K to 50K
Habañero is 100K to 350K

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 03:33 PM (ynpvh)

92 I also got a bunch of banana peppers. I pickled those.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:34 PM (u73oe)

93 MkY @ 88-
This is serious. And the Mexican okra ain't fit to eat this year.

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 03:35 PM (gktX6)

94 Anaheim chilis. If you live in Pueblo, they're Pueblo chilis. Hatch? Yep, Hatch chilis. So, we grow KC chilis?

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:36 PM (cPGH3)

95 77. Paco - do tell??? - Iris

It's pretty much the same stuff you find in the deer and rabbit repellant at the store.

One egg.
Half a cup of milk
One tbsp cooking oil
One tbsp dish detergent
Half a tspn of cayenne or chili pepper
One gallon of cold water

Blend the ingredients in a blender, add to gallon of cold water. Shake well. Let it "age" in a warm place (e.g., the garage in summertime) for 24 hours. After that, hold your nose, and pour what you need into a sprayer. Remember to shake the gallon jug well before each use. We like to pour from the jug into a sprayer through a funnel lined with panty hose to keep any undissolved pepper out (so as not to clog the sprayer). We have found that this works well. Apply no less frequently than once a week, and make sure to do a new application after a rainfall.

Posted by: Paco at August 20, 2022 03:37 PM (njExo)

96 94 Anaheim chilis. If you live in Pueblo, they're Pueblo chilis. Hatch? Yep, Hatch chilis. So, we grow KC chilis?

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:36 PM (cPGH3)

If from Tampa, Tampan chiles? No thanks.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 03:37 PM (ynpvh)

97 Been eating Hatch chilis every meal for over a week. The go with everything.

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 03:37 PM (gktX6)

98 Eromero
So not just us? We thought it might be cause we didn't buy seeds. Supposedly come true to form from seed.

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:38 PM (cPGH3)

99 Had lots of chile peppers on little bush, used them all up but getting more though green still.

Posted by: Skip at August 20, 2022 03:39 PM (k8B25)

100 100

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:40 PM (u73oe)

101 We have the worst okra season yet. Anyone else grow them? Pitiful plants, pitiful yields. 4 rows, and not getting enough to even roast for 2.
Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:27 PM (cPGH3)

It's been a very dry summer here, and nothing much is growing at all.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at August 20, 2022 03:40 PM (CCf67)

102 91 83 I found out what that mysterious pepper plant was in my garden. It's called a fish pepper. Supposed to be pretty hot so not sure I'll be using them much.

Posted by: jewells45 at August 20, 2022 03:21 PM (nxdel)

Fish peppers have an interesting history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_pepper

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 03:40 PM (ynpvh)

103 Wait, hash is back, phone must not have picked up wifi

Posted by: Skip at August 20, 2022 03:40 PM (k8B25)

104 Fresno chilis are hit and miss finds here. Also pet bird's favorite. Don't rub eyes after petting.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at August 20, 2022 03:40 PM (zLQ1W)

105 Whoo hoo, thought I was turning Japanese

Posted by: Skip at August 20, 2022 03:41 PM (k8B25)

106 The local ETEX farmers had a bad okra year too. I plan to crank up my garden again this fall, been fallow a few years.

Posted by: Eromero at August 20, 2022 03:42 PM (gktX6)

107 Thanks for the info Jim!

Posted by: jewells45 at August 20, 2022 03:42 PM (nxdel)

108 Jewels45:

I like this list on Wiki. Has most chiles and their heat ratings:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Capsicum_cultivars

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 20, 2022 03:42 PM (ynpvh)

109 PET NOOD

Posted by: Skip g at August 20, 2022 03:43 PM (k8B25)

110 I have to say that I love Sun Flowers - Mrs Boswell won't allow them. She says they look alien. But I think they are just fun - and kids absolutely adore them. Its just not American not to like what kids like in a yard...

Posted by: Boswell at August 20, 2022 03:43 PM (+Cgut)

111 Mrs Boswell won't allow them. She says they look alien.

I once heard a guy relate how he was in a field of tall sunflowers and he freaked out because he thought they were after him.

*I don't get it though* They always seemed pretty harmless to me.

Posted by: kallisto at August 20, 2022 03:51 PM (dCxaZ)

112 and I just checked: the little creek that runs behind my house is dry.

I predict a snowy winter.

Posted by: kallisto at August 20, 2022 03:57 PM (dCxaZ)

113 I predict a snowy winter.
Posted by: kallisto

Many years of observation, or just being contrary?

Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 04:06 PM (cPGH3)

114 Due for one

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 20, 2022 04:58 PM (Japlj)

115 Sorry so late all. We have been getting some much needed rain. Over 4.5 inches in two weeks, which for us is a lot. My garden is very happy. CBD, about basil picking, I try to pick the biggest leaves first, up, down doesn't really matter, just take all the big ones off so the plant can put more energy into making more. My okra season has been good as we have gotten rain and it hasn't been so unbearably hot, very humid now but I will take it for the rain. Starting to plant for fall. Put in some carrots, kohlrabi, turnips, black radishes (found some seeds at Walmart, and said why not?) lettuce is up next but I have to clear the old bed. Had a hummingbird moth in the garden this morning. If it sticks around I will try to get a picture for the horde. They are pretty neat. Next big group of things to plant comes on Sept. 1st. Happy Puttering everyone!

Posted by: WeeKreekFarmGirl at August 20, 2022 05:03 PM (gd57B)

116 Hiya JT! And Mr. L does indeed own a weedwhacker!
Posted by: Mrs. Leggy

LOL !!!

Posted by: JT at August 20, 2022 05:16 PM (T4tVD)

117 We have the worst okra season yet. Anyone else grow them? Pitiful plants, pitiful yields. 4 rows, and not getting enough to even roast for 2.
Posted by: MkY at August 20, 2022 03:27 PM

I'm growing them in containers this year, never tried it before... 9 plants, direct-seeded into 3 pots (each 20in dia x 18in deep) at beginning of June. Have harvested only a dozen pods so far but they're just starting to produce. They are lovely plants! I'll clip and refrigerate pods until there's enough to fry up.

Heat, good/loose soil, adequate water...

Posted by: JQ at August 20, 2022 05:54 PM (dpnJh)

118 78 We could do hammer puns til we get board.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at August 20, 2022 03:14 PM (u73oe)
----
Did you nail it down?

Posted by: Ciampino --- OK I'll stop knocking at August 20, 2022 06:25 PM (qfLjt)

119 From Boise area: I feel like going back to the conversational style I used before we started having a character limit on each post. If it takes multiple posts to get done chatting with y'all, so be it.

Temperatures still suck - highs 95 to 101 F. Even the lows are oppressive, high 60's to mid 70's. We had some drizzle Thursday morning, which made it muggy.

Under puttering, we had to dig up a drip irrigation riser to check why the new row of red raspberries looks so dry. Husband need to get some parts for that.

Last weekend husband trimmed the front barberry bushes and I raked up.

This morning, we felled a dead backyard maple - husband is pleased that it fell exactly as planned. Then came cutting off branches - I hauled all those to next spring's burn pile, he carted away anything big enough to be cured for firewood. The lowest pieces will need splitting later.

The green and yellow zucchini keep producing, so I keep piling bags of shredded zucchini into the freezer. I guess that comes under "food processing".
(post 1)

Posted by: Pat* at August 20, 2022 06:36 PM (zuZ4g)

120 Also puttering: we started shearing the wild rose hedge/windbreak we planted out back. That job takes multiple passes, as there's only so long Husband can shear above his head before his arms get tired!

I pulled up all the onions that I've grown (about 40), and they're sitting on the patio table to dry for a while, before I cut the tops off and store them. They might not be the size or shape of nice round store onions, but they'll function as onions, and that's all that counts.

Our kind neighbor, the one who gifted us with all the corn seed we planted (and didn't manage to grow because of a clogged drip line), came over one day with his cute little daughter, carrying 6 fat ears of corn as a gift. Love that family!

Our chokecherry trees (also part of the windbreak) are producing a lot of berries, but only one of them is producing ripe ones right now. I started accumulating them in the freezer last year - I'm up to about 2.5 pounds now. When I get to 5 pounds, we'll do chokecherry jelly.

I cut off some oregano to gift to a friend - now I have to start harvesting and drying oregano and basil for myself - so much more fragrant than store bought!
(post 2)

Posted by: Pat* at August 20, 2022 06:46 PM (zuZ4g)

121 Now: Western Idaho Fair!! Entry day was Tues. 16th. First I had to dig up my yellow carrots. This was a challenge - under tomato vines, in hard dirt. I had to dig to the very bottom of the bed (11 inches), and add water to make mud. Then I found out some had grown down right through the hardware cloth wires... so no Largest Carrot entry, since the tips broke off. (Next year - carrots in the top of the strawberry ziggurat, where they'll have almost 2 feet of dirt!)

Still, that digging effort was worth it - my first blue ribbon ever was for "Carrots, Any Other Color"!!
Also, 2nd for Largest Zucchini (9 pounds 2.7 oz.)
2nd for sage
3rd for yellow zucchini
4th for flatleaf parsley
4th for spearmint
4th for "5 herb collection"
(sweet basil got nuthin').

So it's still called my Second Place Herb Garden.

Still, if I added correctly, I'll get $25 for my efforts - wow, I will sure pile up lots of retirement savings this way!

First year I entered, I got 3 ribbons, last year 6, this year 7 - working my way up in the world!
(post 3/end.)

Posted by: Pat* at August 20, 2022 07:01 PM (zuZ4g)

122 WeeKreekFarmGirl at August 20, 2022 05:03 PM

"about basil picking, I try to pick the biggest leaves first, up, down doesn't really matter, just take all the big ones off so the plant can put more energy into making more."

Sounds like a reasonable idea. Plus pinch out the tops of the stems if it looks like the plant is getting ready to bloom and you don't want that.

But sometimes, you might want basil blooms, especially the pink ones from dark basil. And your season is short, so . . . .

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 08:54 PM (rrtZS)

123 Pat* at August 20, 2022 07:01 PM

Yay for your fair submissions and wins!

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 08:56 PM (rrtZS)

124 WeeKreekFarmGirl at August 20, 2022 05:03 PM

The black radishes will be an adventure! A storage food, not like the radishes we're used to!

Posted by: KT at August 20, 2022 08:57 PM (rrtZS)

125 Basil is the only thing I've grown successfully in Mesa, other than aloe and cactus. And mine blooms constantly.

Posted by: Gordon Scott at August 21, 2022 12:51 AM (lcTpO)

126 I’m using solar string lights to curtail deer damage; they have a strobe effect. I’ve had them for five weeks and they seem to work.

Posted by: Marbucks at August 21, 2022 10:10 AM (IENcU)

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