Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, May 6

Purple Thistle with Bee

Hooray, it's May!!!

We have some great reports coming in.

Hi there:
Always love the gardening thread. Spring has sprung here in the Texas hill country - I moved back here from Dallas about a year ago, and am enjoying all the spring flowers instead of urban sprawl. We have bluebonnets, indian blanket, black and brown-eyed susans, white poppies, purple thistle, mexican hat, and others I don't know the names of - and the prickly pear has just started to bloom, it's beautiful.
I even spied some red and white bluebonnets (I read somewhere a botanist wanted to make red and white bluebonnets to create a Texas flag out of bluebonnets, or represent the colors in the Texas flag). I've been bringing my camera with me on the early morning tiny dog walk to capture some of these gorgeous blooms, and wanted to share with the rest of the horde.
Thanks very much for putting together this thread for the rest of us!
jerake75 aka Tina in Texas

How great to be able to see these wildflowers on a tiny dog walk! I wonder if that white poppy is a prickly poppy?

Bluebonnet with a Susan

White Poppy

Mexican Hat

Indian Blanket

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Our first tomatoes. These are cherry tomatoes called "Midnight Snack". They are supposed to eventually turn red.
They are growing in a container up close to the house. It's the only way to keep the critters off of them.
- fd

They're beautiful. I looked the variety up. It's one of the Indigo tomatoes with anthocyanin (like blueberries). An All-America Winner. It will be interesting to hear what stage of ripeness turns out to taste best.

Our only other report of ripe tomatoes this year is of Orange Hat Micro Dwarf grown indoors by Lirio100. They could make a nice contrast with each other.

Ah, Nature

Say No to "No Mow May"

If you're reading this, chances are you've heard about the #NoMowMay movement that's been gaining steam on social media and in eco-conscious circles these past few years.
Started in 2019 by citizen scientists in the United Kingdom, the call for homeowners to abstain from mowing their lawns during the month has spread to other countries, including the U.S.
The intention is admirable: Let your grass and weeds grow and bloom to provide food and shelter for essential pollinators like bees and butterflies early in the season, when such necessities may be scarce.

Frankly, I think it's a terrible idea.
Some of those pollinators you set out to protect will likely get shredded up with the first mow of the season. Grass will no doubt get shaded by tall weeds, which can lead to fungal diseases. And weeds and invasive plants that take hold during the month won't simply disappear once the mowing commences. That might lead people to apply chemical pesticides they wouldn't otherwise use.
And what about rodents, snakes and other undesirables that also will likely avail themselves of the shelter?
Perplexed by the seemingly runaway-train popularity of the now-annual event, I called Tamson Yeh, turf specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County in New York. "Is it me?" I asked. . .

Sorry, folks.

Just let the grass grow until the crocus foliage has a chance to ripen.

Gardens of The Horde

The first photo is the large Cordia, also known as a Texas Olive. Next the pink blossoms are on the Chitalpa, a desert willow cross with Catalpa. And lastly, what I thought were guava fruits are now blooming and they are flowers that look like eucalyptus flowers. Since we've never had a guava before, this is all new! Nan in AZ

Cordia is a beautiful flower. The Chitalpa looks different from the really pink ones we usually see in California - more like a Chilopsis. Does it attract hummingbirds?

The guava flowers are darling.

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, April 29

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.

Below, a couple of shots from the Tulipfest in Utah. You will notice that the tall flowers in the first photo are Fritillaria lutea maxima, not tulips.

Posted by: K.T. at 01:20 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 01:21 PM (xhxe8)

2 About to do lawn, been turning over garden soil by hand and have 1 cart of compost to put on top.
Oregano is going crazy, need to start using it, and Iris should be out very soon.

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 01:23 PM (xhxe8)

3 correction

that's a Susan with bluebonnet on it

get with the program

Posted by: REDACTED at May 06, 2023 01:25 PM (us2H3)

4 Got the maters planted in grow bags. Wife ordered some cool tomato cages. They’re fully adjustable as the plants grow.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at May 06, 2023 01:26 PM (u73oe)

5 I've got to hoe, hoe, hoe. Like 16 rows, maybe close to 1000 row feet. And still a bunch of flower seeds that haven't been started in pots. What I really need is two months of April.

I miscounted my tomato plants (San Marzano - 31, Terra Cotta - 26, Rutgers 250 - 16, Kentucky Beefsteak - 10) and have 83 instead of 73. We'll be using fencing to stake them up in the garden, but I'd only planned for 60. I guess I'll have to use my cages for the rest. Holding back a bit in case anyone doesn't make the transition.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 01:31 PM (Mzdiz)

6 In answer to No Mow May....we have a neighbor who starts weekly mowing late March/Early April. Think he's already up to double-digits. Our yard, OTOH, got mowed for the first time Thursday.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:32 PM (tQL7r)

7 Everything's better with Bluebonnet on it!

Posted by: Advertisement from my misspent yute at May 06, 2023 01:33 PM (DhOHl)

8 We live in a field, so we leave it for awhile in the spring to do a meadow-like thing. We're gradually taming the landscape from the inside out.

But eventually the bushhog will come.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 01:34 PM (Mzdiz)

9 Flowers are like 'ettes, pretty and smell nice too. Don't forget they carry sharp pointy stuff around.

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 01:37 PM (0G42s)

10 Like 16 rows, maybe close to 1000 row feet. And still a bunch of flower seeds that haven't been started in pots. What I really need is two months of April.

I miscounted my tomato plants (San Marzano - 31, Terra Cotta - 26, Rutgers 250 - 16, Kentucky Beefsteak - 10) and have 83 instead of 73. Posted by Miley, Okravangelist

Wow, that's a great deal of tomatoes. Do you put them up? Give them away? Sell them? Feed most families in your community?

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:39 PM (tQL7r)

11 Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 01:31 PM

Wow. That's a lot of 'mater plants. Maybe you will be able to prune some to a single stem for BIG tomatoes.

Posted by: KT at May 06, 2023 01:40 PM (rrtZS)

12 We finally got some rain and I should be able to rototill my garden over the next few days. Tilling is just not possible in 45 mph winds, at least for me. My tomatoes are sprawling all over the dining table and the cayenne and bell peppers are growing steadily.

Posted by: huerfano at May 06, 2023 01:42 PM (uE10U)

13 I even spied some red and white bluebonnets (I read somewhere a botanist wanted to make red and white bluebonnets to create a Texas flag out of bluebonnets, or represent the colors in the Texas flag).

Those red and white bluebonnets are wild, aren't they? Have a brother in Texas who dabbles in photography -- bluebonnets are his very favorite thing to get pictures of. Looking at a beautiful photo he gifted me, somewhere around Austin of the 3 colors of bluebonnets.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:43 PM (tQL7r)

14 Wow, that's a great deal of tomatoes. Do you put them up? Give them away? Sell them? Feed most families in your community?

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:39 PM (tQL7r)

We do a LOT of canning and will give a lot away, I'm sure.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 01:44 PM (Mzdiz)

15 All around the area, beautifully dressed children are having their pictures taken with colorful, blooming flowers & trees. It's Holy Communion & it's heartwarming.

Thank you for sharing lovely flowers & amazing plants through this thread.

Posted by: Lola - ALL the 1/6 videotapes from Alexandra & Jade, too. at May 06, 2023 01:49 PM (GshMh)

16 Some light but steady rains in the last week are much welcomed, but need more to fill the ponds. Still, Spring has fully arrived, the grass is growing back (where it wasn't totally burned), the big oak out front is fully leafed out. (Oh no! It's practically autumn!

)

We had the tree pros out here to fix a few things. We have ~100 year old oaks and pecans. The big old pecan which for many decades shaded the shed was rotten to the core and threatening to fall any moment. The guys did a good job getting it to fall the right way. Said it was the biggest pecan he'd ever seen, until he got up in the bucket and realized the tree behind the shed was bigger. They're impressive, but don't produce much anymore.
Tree falls vid (0:15)
https://youtu.be/ckEmBgpxFZM

Posted by: mindful webworker - everything ages at May 06, 2023 01:50 PM (jxGzv)

17 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at May 06, 2023 01:52 PM (DhOHl)

18 We do a LOT of canning and will give a lot away, I'm sure.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist

Good for you! Canning is a full-time job at the height of the season.

My dad used to say receiving a gift of good home-grown tomatoes was just like gold. I'm sure many folks will thoroughly enjoy the fruit of your labors.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:52 PM (tQL7r)

19 All around the area, beautifully dressed children are having their pictures taken with colorful, blooming flowers & trees. It's Holy Communion & it's heartwarming. Posted by Lola

Aww, I bet that is great to see. Kind of restores the ol' faith in humanity thing. Not every single thing in the country is falling by the wayside....though it feels that way sometimes

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:56 PM (tQL7r)

20 My dad used to say receiving a gift of good home-grown tomatoes was just like gold. I'm sure many folks will thoroughly enjoy the fruit of your labors.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 01:52 PM (tQL7r)

We've got people who are too old to grow their own tomatoes now, so they'll be appreciated. Not like the old neighborhood when people left bags of tomatoes and zucchini on porches like so many orphans.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 01:58 PM (Mzdiz)

21 I always detested margarine

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 01:59 PM (xhxe8)

22 The Crumbl Cookie shop down the street dropped off 3 boxes of cookies at my office this morning. Life is good.

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 01:59 PM (0G42s)

23 The guys did a good job getting it to fall the right way. Said it was the biggest pecan he'd ever seen, until he got up in the bucket and realized the tree behind the shed was bigger. They're impressive, but don't produce much anymore.
Tree falls vid (0:15)
https://youtu.be/ckEmBgpxFZM
Posted by: mindful webworker - everything ages

They did do a good job! Know that sometimes trees have to be cut down -- we've had 6-7 cut over 18 yrs. But I hate to lose a tree for any reason.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:02 PM (tQL7r)

24 Anyone have any luck starting melons or cucumbers from transplants?

I usually direct seed, but our short growing season tends to threaten maturity, so I was wondering if this would create better success?

I've started squash both direct seed and transplant, but it seems the direct seed always out grows the transplant. Seems shock of transplanting makes the two options a toss up.

Posted by: Derak at May 06, 2023 02:05 PM (xfgf0)

25 Tilling is just not possible in 45 mph winds, at least for me. Posted by Huerfano

Yikes! I wouldn't think much of anything outdoors, gardening-wise at least, could be done in a stout wind like that.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:06 PM (tQL7r)

26 To my great surprise, we have some herbs that survived the winter and total neglect. The chives look great (I love them chopped up and sprinkled on fried eggs before I flip them) and the rosemary is coming along.

Posted by: JTB at May 06, 2023 02:07 PM (7EjX1)

27 We've got people who are too old to grow their own tomatoes now, so they'll be appreciated. Not like the old neighborhood when people left bags of tomatoes and zucchini on porches like so many orphans.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist

Exactly! My dad's church members kept my 80-yr old parents supplied with all kinds of garden abundance. And they loved it.

That's too bad the zucchini went a-begging. I enjoy making zucchini bread and freezing it. Very modest compared to your big operation, I know!

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:11 PM (tQL7r)

28 24 Anyone have any luck starting melons or cucumbers from transplants?

Yes.. We started Armenian cukes and they are already in the garden along with zukes,purple pole beans, and patty pan squash... All from seed my Husband started

Posted by: It's me donna at May 06, 2023 02:13 PM (bs+z0)

29 The Crumbl Cookie shop down the street dropped off 3 boxes of cookies at my office this morning. Life is good.
Posted by: Eromero

Not familiar with Crumbl Cookie, but cookies are usually wonderful, no matter their source.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:13 PM (tQL7r)

30 17 Birdbath status?
Posted by: Just Wondering

Bird bath is short on water.

Posted by: JN-25 at May 06, 2023 02:16 PM (iVvBF)

31 Birdbath status?
Posted by: Just Wondering

Idk what this refers to but have to ask: does anyone with a birdbath have problems with mosquitos breeding in them? Tried several different things with ours, but nothing worked.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:16 PM (tQL7r)

32 The blossoms are gone from the redbud in our front yard and it is fully leafed out. We have the usual load of seed pods, which seem to develop overnight. The pods are a dull dark brown unless you see them when bright sunlight hits them. Then they take on a deep burnished appearance. It makes a nice contrast with the green of the leaves. Nothing spectacular like in the photos in the post above but lovely in a subtle way.

I should check out how to gather the seeds and try to sprout them in other parts of the property. Once established, the redbud seems to be a pretty bullet proof shrub.

Posted by: JTB at May 06, 2023 02:17 PM (7EjX1)

33 This past Thursday we got our vegetable garden planted. A beefsteak, cherry and roma tomato, both jalapeno and green peppers, zucchini and summer squash, black beans, cucumbers and potatoes. Seems like a lot for 2 people.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 06, 2023 02:19 PM (Q4IgG)

34 Those beautiful tulips!

Posted by: m at May 06, 2023 02:22 PM (1rQ1e)

35 What's the flower under Tina in Texas's Mexican Hat?

Posted by: m at May 06, 2023 02:25 PM (1rQ1e)

36 Prime Sister, Crumbl Cookies are the best cookies around, they only bake 8 different varieties oer day, any over-runs end up given away while still warm, and some wind up on my desk. They are a chain, this one is the only one we have in our ETEX town. They're good people.

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 02:28 PM (z3WCn)

37 Put a few drops of olive or like oil in a bird Bart, never did it but should work. I have to change mine daily and should get it out soon so never worry about mosquitoes. But the little bsstards do still get in my water tank for garden.

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 02:33 PM (xhxe8)

38 I always detested margarine
Posted by: Skip
-------

A couple of the original ingredients were pig's stomach, and cow udder, so...

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 06, 2023 02:33 PM (gJagN)

39 It’s getting hot out there. Glad I tended to the garden yesterday.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at May 06, 2023 02:36 PM (u73oe)

40 Got nine tomato seedlings in their big-boy pots today, and two bell peppers. Will be dragging them around for the next four months to get enough sun in my shady yard. Lying here on the couch, putting off getting up, because it hurts too bad, lol.

Posted by: skywch at May 06, 2023 02:39 PM (uqhmb)

41 Mike - I knew it had to be horrible

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 02:39 PM (xhxe8)

42 Da Boids are thirsty today.

Posted by: JT at May 06, 2023 02:39 PM (T4tVD)

43 What kind of bee in the top pic ?

Posted by: JT at May 06, 2023 02:39 PM (T4tVD)

44 More than half way turning soil, but have a big patch and inside greenhouse to get the cart of compost in., probably have at least 2 more carts to sift through.

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 02:40 PM (xhxe8)

45 What kind of bee in the top pic ?
Posted by: JT at May 06, 2023 02:39 PM (T4tVD)

——————

It’s a killer bee! Everyone get to the Superdome!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at May 06, 2023 02:41 PM (u73oe)

46 Has anybody here grown the small pepperocini type peppers and if so, do you have a good recipe for pickling them?

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at May 06, 2023 02:43 PM (a4EWo)

47 My Early Girl tomatoes have bloomed but I can't tell if they set yet.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at May 06, 2023 02:44 PM (aD39U)

48 36 Prime Sister, Crumbl Cookies are the best cookies around, they only bake 8 different varieties oer day, any over-runs end up given away while still warm, and some wind up on my desk. They are a chain, this one is the only one we have in our ETEX town. They're good people.
Posted by: Eromero

Hmm, those sound tasty. So, part of a chain? I'll have to give them a look-see on the ol' interwebz.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:47 PM (tQL7r)

49 > We live in a field, so we leave it for awhile in the spring to do a meadow-like thing. We're gradually taming the landscape from the inside out.

But eventually the bushhog will come.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 01:34 PM (Mzdiz)
_____________

We do too. I've let a couple patches go natural. At first they just got overgrown with field grasses and weeds. Now, about 5 years later there are dozens of wild Bradford Pears and some sort of Yews that are coming up. It's mostly to attract birds, pollinators and give something for the cats to do.

The trees will eventually bloom white in the spring... which will be pretty.

As an aside, those wild Bradford Pears are considered an invasive species here in Kentucky. I almost expect a visit from the local Ag outreach office with either a fine or an order to remove them. My response has been preordained.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 06, 2023 02:48 PM (Q4IgG)

50 Good afternoon green freaks!

Our local farmers market opened up for the first time this season and I snagged a pink cherry tomato, an orange paste-type, and a semi-hot pepper seedling.

I had too many seedlings of my own, so I jumped the gun and planted a few dupes in my community plot. Hopefully there won't be any frost or ice, but if there is, I have backups.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at May 06, 2023 02:50 PM (48V7z)

51 They did do a good job! Know that sometimes trees have to be cut down -- we've had 6-7 cut over 18 yrs. But I hate to lose a tree for any reason.
Posted by: Prime Sister

Hi, Prime Sister! Yes, trees my grandparents planted long before I was born are reaching their end of life.

A couple of years back, a giant aged oak tried to clobber my truck. Twice. Mostly missed.
"An Oak Tree Falls" - linked in nic

Our most precious trees are a pair of what I believe to be ~100-year-old Ponderosa. Called the Okla. Ag. Dept. about care and maybe new plantings of them. Ag. told us, you can't grow that kind of tree 'round here. Oh, really? There's a long row of the same type, same age, along the road to town. Whatever they are, beautiful.

Posted by: mindful webworker - plant a seedling now at May 06, 2023 02:51 PM (Uyb66)

52 Put a few drops of olive or like oil in a bird Bart, never did it but should work. I have to change mine daily and should get it out soon so never worry about mosquitoes. But the little b******s do still get in my water tank for garden.
Posted by: Skip

Thanks for the suggestion. Olive oil, or some other vegetable oil?

Oh, well there ya go. Changing the water out daily prolly helps a whole lot to cut down on them breeding. Duh! And I thoroughly understand your sentiment about the varmints.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:52 PM (tQL7r)

53 Daughter Sugar Plum Fairy (as she posts here) has a new post on her blog, nice pix of her garden currently.

Spring Garden
linked in nic

Posted by: mindful webworker - a plant-eater based diet at May 06, 2023 02:59 PM (Uyb66)

54 Yes, trees my grandparents planted long before I was born are reaching their end of life.

A couple of years back, a giant aged oak tried to clobber my truck. Twice. Mostly missed.
"An Oak Tree Falls" - linked in nic

Our most precious trees are a pair of what I believe to be ~100-year-old Ponderosa. Called the Okla. Ag. Dept. about care and maybe new plantings of them. Ag. told us, you can't grow that kind of tree 'round here. Oh, really? There's a long row of the same type, same age, along the road to town. Whatever they are, beautiful.
Posted by: mindful webworker - plant a seedling now

I've also had an aged oak try to take out my vehicle and the carport. Thankfully it happened about 3-4 mins BEFORE my sons and I made the school run one morning.

What is it with oaks? Their tap roots don't go down deep, or what?? A friend's mother was killed by a giant oak tree crashing through their house in a thunderstorm with high winds.

Are you talking about Ponderosa Pines? Or some sort of hardwood?
Guess I'm not as up on drendology as when my husband ran a hardwood mill.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 03:05 PM (tQL7r)

55 Miley, when you said 'we live in a field' I thought immediately about Wayership Down and bunnys.

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 03:09 PM (z3WCn)

56 Watership Down, that is.

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 03:10 PM (z3WCn)

57 Wayership Down and bunnys.
Posted by: Eromero

56 Watership Down, that is.
Posted by: Eromero

I've heard it both ways.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 03:12 PM (tQL7r)

58 I'm usually out of the house on Saturdays and miss the gardening thread. I have two questions, both about spray-on/broadcast weed killers.

1) Is there one that works on crabgrass? I have been spot-treating with Round-up which certainly kills the crabgrass but leaves big brown spots in the yard and there's no way to get all of them.

2) Is there one that is safe for rose beds?

Posted by: Oddbob at May 06, 2023 03:12 PM (nfrXX)

59 Just returned from the garden store. We're lucky - there are about 4-5 very close not counting Lowes or Walmart.

The lovely Mrs., for the third or four time this spring, loaded up the vehicle with ~~deer and bunny food~~ um, flowering plants.

At least the bear, turkeys and foxes are leaving it all alone.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 06, 2023 03:13 PM (qoGsy)

60 I've heard it both ways.
Posted by: Prime Sister

Through the grapevine ?

Posted by: JT at May 06, 2023 03:14 PM (T4tVD)

61 Are you talking about Ponderosa Pines?

That's what I always figured. Could be a lesser pine.

You know what's neat? There's an avian sanctuary up the road, and we see all types of birds. Seeing a Bald Eagle flying past a Ponderosa, that's Rocky Mountain stuff. Righ cheer in Oklahoma!

What is it with oaks? Their tap roots don't go down deep, or what??

Probably depends on the soil. I know we only have a couple of inches of good crumbly topsoil before you hit a more clay-ey soil.

Posted by: mindful webworker - nature liker at May 06, 2023 03:15 PM (qWqlQ)

62 Through the grapevine ?
Posted by: JT

That, too!

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 03:15 PM (tQL7r)

63 We put a climbing rose in last week - the location should be optimum but we'll see. First year here and all.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 06, 2023 03:17 PM (qoGsy)

64 Seeing a Bald Eagle flying past a Ponderosa, that's Rocky Mountain stuff. Righ cheer in Oklahoma!

Probably depends on the soil. I know we only have a couple of inches of good crumbly topsoil before you hit a more clay-ey soil.
Posted by: mindful webworker - nature liker

That's Rocky Mountain High stuff!

Yep, am familiar with that also. Is the clay-like soil red?

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 03:20 PM (tQL7r)

65 PET NOOD

Posted by: Skip at May 06, 2023 03:25 PM (xhxe8)

66 Prime Sister Is the clay-like soil red?

Sorta. Not as red as several miles west of us. The dust from western Okla makes for some very nice sunsets!

Posted by: mindful webworker - if a tree falls at May 06, 2023 03:26 PM (qWqlQ)

67 I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And ev'rything I had to know
I heard it on the radio......

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 03:27 PM (z3WCn)

68 I've started squash both direct seed and transplant, but it seems the direct seed always out grows the transplant. Seems shock of transplanting makes the two options a toss up.

Posted by: Derak at May 06, 2023 02:05 PM (xfgf0)

I had that problem last year. Your best bet is to plant the seeds into a container that will allow for strong root development. Putting out little blocks of dirt with roots that only go down 2 inches is a recipe for death. It usually will happen within 24 hours. But the melons I had in 6" pots made it through.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 03:27 PM (Mzdiz)

69 Very modest compared to your big operation, I know!

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 06, 2023 02:11 PM (tQL7r)

We just began to do this in earnest last year; I don't know if I would call it a big operation (everything being relative). We have a lot of refining to do, and at 29 you really have to make the effort count. I'm investing in mulch cloth this year. I had a little last year for the squash and melons and cukes (for some of them, at least) and it really helped not having to weed around them. I'll have that and straw for the tomatoes, and do the same for the squash etc. It's simply not feasible everywhere.

Weeding and hoeing will be the bulk of my effort for the next 2 months.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 03:32 PM (Mzdiz)

70 Now, about 5 years later there are dozens of wild Bradford Pears and some sort of Yews that are coming up. It's mostly to attract birds, pollinators and give something for the cats to do.

The trees will eventually bloom white in the spring... which will be pretty.

As an aside, those wild Bradford Pears are considered an invasive species here in Kentucky. I almost expect a visit from the local Ag outreach office with either a fine or an order to remove them. My response has been preordained.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 06, 2023 02:48 PM (Q4IgG)

Publius' mama has a burning hatred for those things, even when we're driving by someone else's place. She wants them eliminated from the earth.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 03:38 PM (Mzdiz)

71 Miley, when you said 'we live in a field' I thought immediately about Wayership Down and bunnys.

Posted by: Eromero at May 06, 2023 03:09 PM (z3WCn)

If only we had such a tunnel system : )

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 06, 2023 03:41 PM (Mzdiz)

72 Martini Farmer at May 06, 2023 02:48 PM

Bradford pears have a tendency to explode in storms, especially if not pruned to a central leader.

Posted by: KT at May 06, 2023 03:41 PM (rrtZS)

73 The amount of rain received this year in north San Diego county has set off super blooms on my citrus and avocados. Yesterday I started thinning the peaches and pulled over 800 nickel sized ones off of one tree. One down, 30 to go.

Posted by: yobobbyb at May 06, 2023 04:00 PM (et0yP)

74 The white poppy is probably indeed a prickly poppy.

Posted by: Don at May 06, 2023 04:25 PM (tnIBS)

75 Some of what gets called crabgrass is an old asian escapee called creeping speedwell or "Creeping Charlie." There are pellets that will work on real crabgrass if applied enough, but the DNA of speedwell is so close to lawn grasses that anything that takes it out will do in the grass as well.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at May 06, 2023 04:32 PM (jYCXf)

76 As an aside, those wild Bradford Pears are considered an invasive species here in Kentucky. I almost expect a visit from the local Ag outreach office with either a fine or an order to remove them. My response has been preordained.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 06, 2023 02:48 PM (Q4IgG)[/i0

Apparently you can use Bradford Pear as a root stock, try grafting fruiting pear on the roots. The roots are very tolerant, apparently more than edible pears.
And if you make a mistake you have lost nothing.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 06, 2023 05:22 PM (xhaym)

77 We are investing in drip tape. Will take pics as we lay it.
Gonna do 2/3 of the garden, and the lower 1/3 we may use emitters... dunno.
Gotta start somewhere.
Miley, we plant less than 1/2 your tomatoes, and have a year's worth canned (in all varieties) and probably give half the crop away.

Posted by: MkY at May 06, 2023 07:28 PM (cPGH3)

78 From Boise area: Lows 44-59 F, highs 59-90. Planted final 4 corn rows, and a raised bed of green beans. We went away for a 2-night trailer shakedown run midweek, and everything seems to be happening suddenly - maples and linden are leafed out, sycamores starting to leaf out, oak is blooming, lilacs are blooming, asparagus bolting (trying to harvest some before it all does!), fruit trees flowering, lilies of the valley budding. Hyacinths are all burned out; tulips looking very nice. Dogwood has bright white blooms; redbud is covered in flowers.

This was the 3rd of 3 Saturdays we spent running a match (air rifle this time). Then we rushed off to our sponsor's outdoor range for their All-Member Meeting, so we could tell the members the sort of results they're getting from their financial support of our juniors program.

Came home to plant the first 4 tomatoes out, under covers so they don't get sun-scalded. Still have a number of others to plant out, but we'll try to get those hardened off a bit more, since they'll be in places where there are no covers.

Posted by: Pat* at May 06, 2023 09:02 PM (wd7fb)

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