Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, June 3

Hi KT!
Here's a couple more from the garden. Yellow and purple Iris. They have a pretty short bloom period. I took these quick photos before they're gone by next week probably.
Halfhand

They're beautiful. Does that purple one smell like grapes?

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Hey KT,
I has gone from Mulberry season here at WeeKreek Holler, to peach, fig, and apple season. We are going to be heavy into fruit eating I think.
Lots of peaches and even though I thinned a lot I got two broken branches when we had some serious wind a few weeks ago. They still have a ton of fruit on the broken limbs that haven't broken all the way through. I am going to wait until after I harvest the fruit to cut the limbs off. It saddened me to have the limbs break but I will just have to be more brutal with thinning next year. Lesson learned.

Sorry about the limbs. Remember that with peaches, the branchlets that bore fruit this year will not bear fruit (at the same spots at least) next year. You want to induce some new growth.

Our fig tree is doing amazing this year. Not sure if it is from all the spring rain but we are getting some amazing figs off of it.

Looks like you have some bird protection on a couple of those figs.

The dragon fruit is flowering. Last year none of the flowers produced fruit so this year I am making like a bee and hand pollinating them. That is my paint brush loaded with pollen. I have 5 flowers and this is the first one open. So I am going to keep the paint brush with pollen until the next flower opens and give it a go. I have had luck hand pollinating our pear tree so hopefully this will work.

The flower is gorgeous! Hope the pollen stays viable for cross-pollination. Have you considered getting another plant?

The pepper plants are starting to give peppers again and I am off to make some fermented jalapenos with todays bounty of 30 jalapenos. Hope the rest of the horde is having as much fun in the garden right now as I am.
WeeKreekFarmGirl

Thanks!

Our Midnight Snack tomatoes are starting to turn red. This is as of this morning.
- fd

They look great! Waiting for a flavor report.

So, from nothing to this big in just a couple days, and 2 in the jar have already pupated in the dirt-there were 7 and now only 5.
Tomorrow morning we have to go get more tomato plants because they mowed them . . .
Nan in AZ

Brave of you to save them. I've done it too . . . Gotta watch those plants carefully, or have a control plan . . .

We let the artichoke bloom, just for fun! The second one is on the Annie apple; nice little spider with a really pretty web - - hope my pictures show it off. Nan in AZ

Love the photos! That spider has a shadow! I wonder how many people know what artichokes look like when they bloom?

Gardens of The Horde

From Neal in Israel:

Garden views: I've been thinking for some time that since you publish a gardening thread, I should send photos which show how the garden looks, as opposed to closeups of this or that plant. The closeups can look great, but it's really just the work of genetics/the good Lord, not of the gardiner. Problem is, it's harder to show in a photo what works in the garden.
In any case, here are a couple of shots of our front yard in its Independence Day decorations and a view from the front yard patio (clementine on the left; mini-lemon on the right).

So interesting! Love the layout of the paths. Thanks for sending the Independence Day photo, too!

Bottlebrush: One of the first signs of spring in my garden are the flowers on the bottlebrushes which we planted on the border of our back yard.

Like the little visitor in the first photo, and the dramatic lighting. I am wondering if removing seed pods would lead to repeated bloom.

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? Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Memorial Day Weekend

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.

Scented Geraniums, Ensenada

Posted by: K.T. at 01:17 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 01:22 PM (xhxe8)

2 Might be able to harvest some peppers this week.

Posted by: BignJames at June 03, 2023 01:24 PM (AwYPR)

3 Couple things
First of importance my house seems to be in a desert as hasn't rained here in 3 1/2 weeks so having to water garden at least every other day.
I do have some peppers starting but rarely get anything worth out of the first peppers no matter if I leave them on or take them off the plant they don't ripen.

Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 01:26 PM (xhxe8)

4 I just wonder: do people come back to read the comments in the evening or next day? Or am I just posting for my own entertainment?...

Posted by: Pat* at June 03, 2023 01:27 PM (ru2kb)

5 does the yellow one smell like piss ??

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 01:27 PM (us2H3)

6 4 I just wonder: do people come back to read the comments in the evening or next day? Or am I just posting for my own entertainment?...
Posted by: Pat* at June 03, 2023 01:27 PM (ru2kb)

noyes

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 01:28 PM (us2H3)

7 A friend of my wife's gave her a bag of "roman beans" which I am told are also called "cranberry beans"

I stuck some in the garden to see what they do. The pictures look lovely but the internet tells me they don't twine, they grow up stalks that have to be supported.

Has anyone grown them?

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 01:31 PM (xhaym)

8 Inspector got me the book Botany In a Day that should be here today. Focuses in using botanical family groups to both identify plants and to make an educated guess as to their medicinal effects in herbalism. That should be the last I need in working on my Materia Medica.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 01:33 PM (nC+QA)

9 Pat* at June 03, 2023 01:27 PM

I think that many of the active gardeners come back and read them. Plus many of the readers who hit the weekend threads all at one time.

Posted by: KT at June 03, 2023 01:33 PM (rrtZS)

10 Pat* I do come back and read your notes, I don't much post in response.

Why do you shred your oak leaves instead of letting them compost a year on their own to leach out the tannns and let them be the basis of the following year's compost pile?

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 01:34 PM (xhaym)

11 REDACTED at June 03, 2023 01:27 PM

No.

Posted by: KT at June 03, 2023 01:34 PM (rrtZS)

12 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at June 03, 2023 01:36 PM (Zz0t1)

13 From Boise area: Lows 52-61 F, highs 79-84. I topped up my potato bags with my compost and peat moss. I made more future compost with de-thatched lawn grass.

Husband bought a cubic yard of compost, finished the dry stone wall construction, and put compost into the new bed. I planted in 8 clumps of lilies of the valley (finally moved out of squash bed!) and 3 new forsythias.

Husband pulled up dead sod from an area on our north side, and we put in compost and fresh grass seed.

I've been cutting and drying oregano and thyme. The basil seeds sprouted and have 4 to 6 leaves each - too early to collect that!

Purple Siberian Iris and lavender bearded irises going fast. Johnny Jump-Ups flowering randomly around the back yard.

I'll be out of town next Saturday, so no post then.

Posted by: Pat* at June 03, 2023 01:40 PM (ru2kb)

14 I rotate compost piles two years, 2022 leaves are in bin, 2021 are in pile and will get used next year.
I should rotate both piles.

Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 01:40 PM (xhxe8)

15 I have dallisgrass taking over my front yard. I'm sure my neighbors are pissed about it. Oops.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at June 03, 2023 01:41 PM (Zz0t1)

16 my house and the four pergolas are covered in climbing hydrangea

people call it the vine house

the drought has turned half the leaves brown and killed off all the flowers

luckily, I can see some new leaves in the midst of the brown

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 01:42 PM (us2H3)

17 I should rotate both piles.
Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 01:40 PM (xhxe

good idea

Posted by: Bootyjuice at June 03, 2023 01:43 PM (us2H3)

18 I'll be out of town next Saturday, so no post then.

Posted by: Pat*

I catch your 'late' posts later in the day.
I don't comment because, well, it's later.

Oh, and I enjoy your posts!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 01:46 PM (bmj8v)

19 12 FIRST!!!!!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at June 03, 2023 01:36 PM (Zz0t1)

YFPOS

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 01:46 PM (us2H3)

20 Kindltot, we don't shred the oak leaves. We normally burn them - this past fall, they were burned atop the corn bed. This was to try to kill weed seeds. (Not that you could tell, given the current weed level there.) If we get a dry autumn, we mix some sycamore leaves into the oak leaves, which helps us get rid of more sycamore (that normally has to be trashed, or leaf-bagged, since it doesn't break down well in our compost, either).

The oak leaves have a waxy coating that helps them burn, and makes it harder for them to decompose. We have enough trees whose leaves work well, that we don't need to figure out how to use the oak.

Posted by: Pat* at June 03, 2023 01:47 PM (ru2kb)

21 I come back and read them on occasion. I've been known to post a few hours after the last post.
I'd really like to correct mis-apprehensions about Roundup.
First, only buy straight 41% glysophate. Most Roundup concoctions sold at the big box stores (and lots of nurseries) have "kickers" in them to burn down the foliage quickly. RU can take a week to 10 days to kill the plant.
Second, RU becomes inert once it hits the soil. It's why it revolutionized farming.
A very useful tool, but just like any tool needs be used correctly.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 01:47 PM (cPGH3)

22 Bizarre, mid 90s yesterday, 73 and overcast with light breeze

Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 01:48 PM (xhxe8)

23 Been hot and humid here in Bourbon Country. Dry too. Had to run the sprinkler (which hadn't been used in about 5 years) for an hour or so yesterday. Veggie garden was looking parched. Better now.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 03, 2023 01:48 PM (Q4IgG)

24 Posted by: Pat* at June 03, 2023 01:27 PM (ru2kb)

I usually check throughout the day, so generally do see your comments.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 01:49 PM (nC+QA)

25 And... dunno if I posted this yet, but we've gone to using fabric on the garden, and using drip tape irrigation. At least in the upper garden. Lower garden with the cucurbits, we are using straw, as usual, cause many of them root along the ground.
We'll see. But we're getting too old to spend 3 months weeding.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 01:50 PM (cPGH3)

26 My earliest planted batch of potatoes are starting to bloom, they were the ones I planted in ridges to try to keep them out of the sodden ground in March. I am not convinced this is the best way to grow potatoes but I am thinking it works well in wet gardens very early in the Spring.

I planted a handful of Korean melon seeds in each melon hill, and I am thinning them to two per hill since most of them survivied, and my wife is thinning the radishes by picking and eating some of them.
I swear the worst thing ever is not having anything I plant grow, and the second worse thing is having everything grow and I have to figure out what to keep and what to uproot.

It has been a wonderful spring, besides the two 90 degree days. I am hoping for rain though.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 01:53 PM (xhaym)

27 We use roundup with goal as a kicker. It works really well.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 01:54 PM (UAF4x)

28 Greetings ... One entry on my bucket list -- which Life continues to delay -- is building a Hugelkultur ... Does anyone have any experience and/or tips to share?

Posted by: Kathy at June 03, 2023 01:55 PM (JklXp)

29 CaliGirl,
Most kickers will volatilize. I can't use them here, cause even with no drift, spraying early, I can get volatization drift later in the day.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 01:57 PM (cPGH3)

30 The 'yellow desert' low has been burnt off and now the hi-yellow (trees) have gone to seed so the palo verde trees have a brown seed pods.
The saguaro bloom is about complete so they all have frizzy standup 'fruit' which will ripen and they there will be a white wing dove on top of each and every limb dining on the red flesh and seeds.
The red bird of paradise are beautiful this year, last year we didn't water them often enough and the stayed green; but, lacked flowers, not this year!
Coyote, dove, quail, rabbits, squirrels, javalina and owls show up on the trail cam aimed at the water dishes. We have seen any 'cats' so far this year.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 01:58 PM (bmj8v)

31 27 We use roundup with goal as a kicker. It works really well.
Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 01:54 PM (UAF4x)

over crushed ice, with a lemon twist ?

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 01:59 PM (us2H3)

32 Needing to water since we've only had a couple of brief showers in the last few weeks.

Especially need to water because I justed planted some Black-eyed Peas around the oak. They seem to be the ones in the backyard that are vining, have large yellow blossoms, and pods with burgundy tips so I thought they'd be attractive enough for the front.

I also transplanted some "anti-aphid alliums" to the main front bed since I saw some aphids there earlier this week. When doing the planting I also put in some sprouting ginger and saw that two of the turmeric I planted last year have come up again.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 01:59 PM (nC+QA)

33 29 CaliGirl,
Most kickers will volatilize. I can't use them here, cause even with no drift, spraying early, I can get volatization drift later in the day.
Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 01:57 PM (cPGH3)

Are you a PCA?

I only learned about the Goal kicker because they spray that in my grapes and I can recognize the smell now. My husband explained it to me.
I think they use it around here in the backpack sprayer too. If I see them in the tyvek white suit I go the other way, not sticking around to ask questions.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:01 PM (UAF4x)

34 OK I got a bunch of guys to come and redo my back yard, they flattened it out, tilled it, added a layer of soil, seeded it, and covered the seeds with a shallow layer.

Its started to sprout a week or two ago and I've been watering it regularly, it looks wonderful if a bit patchy. I am not very worried about the patches, they will fill in eventually.

What I am concerned with is how often to water at this point, and when to mow. Its still pretty short but its gonna need mowing eventually. And some weeds are popping up, when can I start to safely treat them?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at June 03, 2023 02:03 PM (0hOvj)

35 Greetings ... One entry on my bucket list -- which Life continues to delay -- is building a Hugelkultur ... Does anyone have any experience and/or tips to share?
Posted by: Kathy at June 03, 2023 01:55 PM (JklXp)

I tried to build a small one in the back yard with a lot of rose hedge and branch trimmings. All in all I was surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops because of that suspicious six by four foot mound that appeared. Apparently it did not have enough mass in it to keep the moisture in the summer so I plowed it under and made a standard garden.
I like the concept and I think it is a good idea in areas with dry periods to keep the moisture, I am not as convinced it is a good idea for nutrients since the wood sucks nitrogen out of the soil during decomposition, though I am sure it gives it back later. It is also probably a pain to landscape around, but if I had a plot in the country I might try it again. The Permies people were pushing it, and I was not as blown away as they were.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 02:05 PM (xhaym)

36 I'm just here for the pictures!

That iris is beautiful. Ours last for about 3-4 days and then fade. It's sad.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 03, 2023 02:06 PM (lIySD)

37 my new project is to get a good sniffing dog and start to look for truffles

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 02:07 PM (us2H3)

38 Posted by: Kathy at June 03, 2023 01:55 PM (JklXp)

I've seen people on YouTube saying that it's frustrating because the large wood pieces take *so* long to break down and they need the space more immediately than works with the system.

If you have a lot of space and/or a lot of time I'm sure it works great. I suspect a modified version using chipped wood instead of logs, or maybe just a thicker layer of soil initially would probably work.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:07 PM (nC+QA)

39 Greetings ... One entry on my bucket list -- which Life continues to delay -- is building a Hugelkultur ... Does anyone have any experience and/or tips to share?
Posted by: Kathy

I hadn't heard of it. Here in the dessert I don't think the composting interior heat would help as the roots are warm enough...
I like the idea of a strawbale outer wall, I wish I had know about those when we lived in southern or northern california.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:07 PM (bmj8v)

40 Now, biochar on the other hand has gotten my attention. I both tried faking a terra preta thing by digging charcoal and compost into post holes, and by soaking charcoal in compost before tilling it under

I have also done things like fill a barrel full of water and weeds (and dirt and dead snails and other organics) and soaked charcoal in that to let it go nasty in its anaerobic fashion. I dumped that one after a half year on the garden to till it under this spring and I am still waiting to see if that end of the garden does better than the non-treated end.
Barrels full of rotting anaerobic wet compost smell terrible by the way, and my wife asked me regularly to empty it

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 02:08 PM (xhaym)

41 Re: new seed. Usual recommendation is after two mowings, the seedlings can take herbicides.
CaliGirl, if PCA means a Professional Commercial Applicator, then yeah. But I don't use herbicides in my business... only at home.
We do insect and disease control in ornamentals.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:09 PM (cPGH3)

42 Been raining all day. And has been for most of the week. May was a very wet month for this area, record-setting amounts. And there is no sign of it going away soon. My lawn has gotten very shaggy.

But also it's lilac season and I love the fragrance. You can smell it all over town.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at June 03, 2023 02:09 PM (T/Lqj)

43 does the yellow one smell like piss ??

Oddly enough - yes. There is a faint urine-like odor to it. The purple one smells faintly of my very fragrant purple roses.

Posted by: Halfhand at June 03, 2023 02:11 PM (YYt0O)

44 GOD put those flowers on this earth to remind us to smile.

Posted by: Eromero at June 03, 2023 02:12 PM (z3WCn)

45 I envy those figs! Fresh figs are a treat from the gods but the ones from the store seem to have a shelf life of five minutes. I know certain figs will grow in our area so I should look into types I could grow in a big tub. Don't need huge amounts, just enough to satisfy my taste for them. Trying to plant fruit trees of any kind in our clay and rocky backyard is a crap shoot and digging in it is less appealing as I get older. Tubs may be the way to go.

Posted by: JTB at June 03, 2023 02:12 PM (7EjX1)

46 Planted 15 trees this spring, one dogwood withered pretty quick, one is now withering but was going gangbusters up until recently, now the leaves are drying out. I dump five gallons of water twice a day around the roots but I'm guessing the sandy loam is draining off the water too quick. Dittos with a redbug planted proximate to it. The others are doing fine with less/same/more sunlight.

I'm thinking if these do not recover, to replace them but dig out a 4' diameter by 3' foot deep hole and fill it with whatever I can dredge from the lake. Maybe that silt will be better than sandy loam and not drain so fast.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at June 03, 2023 02:12 PM (YXHzG)

47 CaliGirl,
I read the Goal label... 8 month control with a single spray. That's why it's being used. Would devastate a veggie garden with 2 or 3 plantings a year.
But how nice for an orchard or vineyard, eh?

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:13 PM (cPGH3)

48 43 does the yellow one smell like piss ??

Oddly enough - yes. There is a faint urine-like odor to it. The purple one smells faintly of my very fragrant purple roses.
Posted by: Halfhand at June 03, 2023 02:11 PM (YYt0O)

well, plant a couple of Cleveland pears near them

the smell of rancid meat will cover the piss

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 02:13 PM (us2H3)

49 The dragon fruit flowers really only last one day. I had three yesterday that were open so I pollinated like mad. I joined a dragon fruit club online and they suggest hand pollinating for better fruiting so that is why I am trying it.

Posted by: Weekreekfarmgirl at June 03, 2023 02:13 PM (Vju5x)

50 There ended up being 10 large and 3 small Monarch caterpillars on my singular Butterfly weed. They stripped it down to a couple of nubs people n two days. I tried to buy another, but the place I'd gotten it from didn't have any more. So far we have found 7 pupa cases, so hopefully they got enough to eat and will be able to successfully pupate.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:13 PM (nC+QA)

51 Artichokes in bloom-I let a few of my chokes bloom too, and the first time I did I was surprised at how bright and florescent the purple thistle flower is. All of my artichokes come from 4 original plants given to me as a housewarming gift from my Momma. The plants return year after year, though the chokes get smaller year to year. The plants die back in July/August. New growth starts in mid-fall/winter making the chokes one of the few green growing things that time of year. I have some volunteer plants that now grow in the yard from chokes I let bloom that went to seed.

Pretty sure everyone who grows artichokes has a problem with the earwigs living amongst the leaves. As far as I can tell, the earwigs aren't hurting the chokes, but having the bugs float/come out during cooking is super gross. I submerge my chokes in water for an hour, and that seems to work. But if I am made to eat bugs in the future, I can harvest my very own earwigs

Posted by: Lisan at June 03, 2023 02:14 PM (fS6vE)

52 We used to put straight sided open topped cans (we used tuna cans) out to measure how much water the grass was getting. Make sure to scatter the cans around the area so you know if one area is getting a lot and another area not enough water.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:15 PM (bmj8v)

53 Our rose of sharon look great but haven't blossomed yet. I always look forward to that since the honey bees and humming birds are attracted to them. Anything that brings humming birds to the yard is welcome. They are fascinating.

Posted by: JTB at June 03, 2023 02:16 PM (7EjX1)

54 No dill has popped up, it usually does on its own but so dry can't be helping. Have watered there square some but not always.

Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 02:17 PM (xhxe8)

55 Reuben Hicks, one option to try is to get a five gallon bucket, and drill a tiny hole in it to act as drip irrigation. It will keep enough moisture in the root zone, even if it is just passing through. You might think about mulching it heavily too, though I don't know if that is a good thing or not a good think with dogwoods.

My wife got a rose we transplanted early this spring, and the roots are not doing well enough to let it grow well. I dug it too late in the season to get established before the warm dry weather hit. I keep it watered that way, though we have pretty heavy clay soil here. It is surviving so far.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 02:17 PM (xhaym)

56 Reuben Hick

I'd suggest you look into a Missouri Gravel Bed for your trees for the first 6 or 8 months.
https://tinyurl.com/3m2ke8px
(PowerPoint)
It's a way to lay on an amazing root system before being planted out.
Both those trees don't have a very fibrous root system, and it sound like that's what you need in those soils.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:18 PM (cPGH3)

57 I'm thinking if these do not recover, to replace them but dig out a 4' diameter by 3' foot deep hole and fill it with whatever I can dredge from the lake. Maybe that silt will be better than sandy loam and not drain so fast.
Posted by: Reuben Hick at June 03, 2023 02:12 PM (YXHzG)

maybe think about getting your trees from another source

if you are near central TN, I can give you some places to go

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 02:18 PM (us2H3)

58 I have no gardening to report.

Just thought you should know.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:19 PM (Wy1BU)

59 58 I have no gardening to report.

Just thought you should know.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:19 PM (Wy1BU)

not even a little trimming ??

Posted by: REDACTED at June 03, 2023 02:19 PM (us2H3)

60 Nope. Nothing.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:21 PM (Wy1BU)

61 41 Re: new seed. Usual recommendation is after two mowings, the seedlings can take herbicides.
CaliGirl, if PCA means a Professional Commercial Applicator, then yeah. But I don't use herbicides in my business... only at home.
We do insect and disease control in ornamentals.
Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:09 PM

It means Pest Control Advisor and they usually work for the chemical/spray companies or they are in-house. Our guys are licensed too.
They walk our fields and tell us what bugs and diseases are on the product and how to treat them. They all usually wear a magnifying glass thing around their neck.
The guy that walks our grapes was just here yesterday and he's going to bring me fresh brussel sprouts so I'm really excited about that. My husband won't grow them here, he doesn't like them but I do.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:21 PM (UAF4x)

62 You might think about mulching it heavily too, though I don't know if that is a good thing or not a good think with dogwoods.
Kindltot

Mulch is a great idea, too. As long as it's not so deep to create an anaerobic soil, and never on the trunk.
The 5 gallon bucket idea is as good as those drip bags, and about $20 cheaper, too!

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:22 PM (cPGH3)

63 The 5 gallon bucket idea is as good as those drip bags, and about $20 cheaper, too!
Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:22 PM (cPGH3)

go to the KFC or McDonalds and ask for the buckets they are throwing out. Some won't give them away, others will tell you to dig through the dumpster for them.

I use them for watering my garden and I call it my Redneck Drip irrigation system

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 02:23 PM (xhaym)

64 Here's some garden humor
“A favorite of birds” means to avoid planting near cars, sidewalks, or clotheslines.
“Grows more beautiful each year” means “Looks like roadkill for the foreseeable future.” “
Zone 5 with protection” is a variation on the phrase “Russian roulette.”
“May require support” means your daughter’s engineering degree will finally pay off.
“Moisture-loving” plants are ideal for landscaping all your bogs and swamps.
“Vigorous” is code for “has a Napoleonic compulsion to take over the world.”
Knee: a device for finding rocks in your garden.
“Annuals” mean disappointment once a year.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:27 PM (Wy1BU)

65 Of the 56 tomatoes transplanted last week, it looks like 4 may not make it. I have replacements standing by.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 03, 2023 02:27 PM (Mzdiz)

66 One of my tomatoes started to produce fruit early and is a lot smaller than the other plants now. Should I cut the fruits off? Same with one of my jalapenos.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 03, 2023 02:28 PM (u73oe)

67 Madamemayhem

Great!

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:30 PM (cPGH3)

68 The Missouri Gravel Bed appears to give the root system that these things need. Though there may be some truth to the better source for trees.

Another idea is to run the aerobic septic outflow through sprinkler heads near those trees. PVC and a few heads are cheap and it beats where the current heads are throwing water now. That way these things get hit with water frequently.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at June 03, 2023 02:31 PM (YXHzG)

69 There is a vine growing through the back fence from the neighbor's yard. I'm hoping it's a cucumber and not just a non-edible gourd.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:31 PM (nC+QA)

70 Should I cut the fruits off? Same with one of my jalapenos.
Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 03, 2023 02:28 PM (u73oe)

Is the fruit ripening normally? If so just harvest and enjoy an early treat.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:31 PM (Wy1BU)

71 I'm deep in the middle of East Texas oil country and pipes run everywhere under this land. What I am discovering is that if there isn't something growing at a particular spot, there is a reason.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at June 03, 2023 02:33 PM (YXHzG)

72
Ten tomato plants all doing well, lettuce growing extremely slowly. Only one pumpkin plant out of four seeds sprouted. Zero watermelon seeds sprouted. Weird weather in SE PA. Been watering twice daily to little avail. Some other stuff like zucchini and cucumber mixed results from seed.

I probably should have pre-soaked all the seeds but I use the pre-soaker for my wife's sprouts. She loves the crunch they give to salads and wraps.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 03, 2023 02:33 PM (enJYY)

73 Should I cut the fruits off? Same with one of my jalapenos.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 03, 2023 02:28 PM (u73oe)

Is there any reason you need the plant taller?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:33 PM (nC+QA)

74 My peonies bloomed like crazy this year. I wouldn't say it was colder but it sure rained a lot. I'm going to make sure to water them this winter along with the ice.

I let some of the flowers go to seed and my guy is going to show me how to plant them. I hope they'll brow.
They are tree peonies I think.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:33 PM (qkXcd)

75 Cabbage is forming heads, and so is the broccoli!

I've been weeding the second planting of white corn; it was close to being taken over by weeds. I was sidelined for a day with back problems.

Publius has planted 8 stands of corn, at least 4 50-foot rows in each. We till of course, but the weeds nearest the plants have to be dealt with by hand, at least until the corn is big enough to shade it.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 03, 2023 02:34 PM (Mzdiz)

76 There's a century plant in my neighborhood that's sent up a stalk. (big agave, common in AZ, kind of rare around here) The flowers are incredible, but it's hard to get a decent picture of them since the stalk is a good 15' tall. It's beautiful but sad - this is an old plant, and I'm pretty sure this is a bloom once and die variety.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 03, 2023 02:34 PM (S6gqv)

77 Is the fruit ripening normally? If so just harvest and enjoy an early treat.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:31 PM (Wy1BU)

——————

It’s starting to turn red so I guess I’ll leave it. Hopefully the plant starts growing like the others.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 03, 2023 02:34 PM (u73oe)

78 I must say that I have no idea what is in the cottage cheese container pictured above.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 03, 2023 02:35 PM (S6gqv)

79 Mulch is a great idea, too. As long as it's not so deep to create an anaerobic soil, and never on the trunk.

Oops.

(scurrying out to the yard with a spade now)

Posted by: Reuben Hick at June 03, 2023 02:35 PM (YXHzG)

80
I use them for watering my garden and I call it my Redneck Drip irrigation system
Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 02:23 PM

That's a brilliant idea! I love it.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:36 PM (qkXcd)

81 I've never seen an avocado bloom before, that is beautiful! Pretty sure that's an orb spider, I've had some around my house. They're incredibly beautiful, and their webs are spectacular.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 03, 2023 02:38 PM (S6gqv)

82 Are the scented geraniums in the same family as citronella?
I have a citronella plant and it's blooming now and the flowers look similar to the pic above.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:38 PM (qkXcd)

83 (scurrying out to the yard with a spade now)
Posted by: Reuben Hick

Talk to any extension plant pathologist, or any State Forester, etc... they'll tell you the #1 reason for trees dying is being planted too deeply, or having mulch piled on the trunk. Not insects or disease.
Go look at a nurseries bone pile. Look at the soil line vs. where the first root is.
For trees, "Upon completion of planting, the first major root that arises from the trunk SHALL be visible at the soil line".
Only way to know if a tree is at the right depth.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:39 PM (cPGH3)

84 Thanks, All, for sharing your thoughts on "Hugelkultur" garden beds ... Sketching a draft was the closest I ever got to building one ... Wirhout the equipment (ot youth) to dig a deep trench, I considered fashioning an above-ground A-frame from pallets; shaving off strips of sod; positioming the A-frame over the sodless section; and filling the A-frame's interior space with tree twigs, leaves, half-finished compost, etc. ... During the first year I hoped to pack the lowest section of the A-frame with enough soil (purchased if needs be) to plant something non-fussy (using the shaved sod to prevent washouts) ... Alas, the furthest progress made was gathering pallets, which ended up being used for something else.

Posted by: Kathy at June 03, 2023 02:41 PM (JklXp)

85 After my pretty birdbath cracked in the freeze last winter I didn't like the look/price of those available so I made one from a large planter and a clear shallow round that fit well in the opening.

The round is large enough that I thought the birds might like it if I put something in the middle to also perch on, so I put a large bit of broken brick there. When the brick soaked up water it reminded me that I had chia seeds. I thought chia was grass-like, but the sprouts actually have round leaves.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:42 PM (nC+QA)

86
Publius has planted 8 stands of corn, at least 4 50-foot rows in each. We till of course, but the weeds nearest the plants have to be dealt with by hand, at least until the corn is big enough to shade it.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 03, 2023 02:34 PM (Mzdiz)

I love white corn, one of our kids use to call it sugar corn because it was so sweet.
I planted 6 plants this year, I hope I get some corn. We will see.
What are your plans for the corn?

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:42 PM (qkXcd)

87 Have some beautiful Siberian irises blooming in N Illinois. Yellow and I swear they smell like lemons.

Question—have gotten interested in Elm trees, since they mostly died off when I was a kid. Anyone try to plant one of the newer DED resistant varieties?

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at June 03, 2023 02:44 PM (WjT8F)

88 Have a new puppy who uprooted my broccoli but I don’t think we started the pet thread

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at June 03, 2023 02:45 PM (WjT8F)

89 Question—have gotten interested in Elm trees, since they mostly died off when I was a kid. Anyone try to plant one of the newer DED resistant varieties?
Posted by: Big Fat Meanie

I planted a Liberty Elm in my last yard. 30 years ago. High disease pressure around it, and it's still going.
If you put it in a critical spot, and if it gets big, I'd still inject it... resistance is not immunity.

Posted by: MkY at June 03, 2023 02:47 PM (cPGH3)

90 o to the KFC or McDonalds and ask for the buckets they are throwing out. Some won't give them away, others will tell you to dig through the dumpster for them.

I use them for watering my garden and I call it my Redneck Drip irrigation system
Posted by: Kindltot

Great idea.
Doughnut places get there glaze in 4 or 5 gal buckets. I buy them (with a lid) for a buck a piece.
I've used them for storing pellets for the smoker.
I think I'll get some more and set them up for gardening!
Thanks.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:47 PM (bmj8v)

91 Is there any reason you need the plant taller?
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:33 PM (nC+QA)

—————-

Not necessarily. I planted five other varieties at the same time and they’re all twice it’s size now.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 03, 2023 02:48 PM (u73oe)

92 Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:42 PM (nC+QA)

I had a broken bird bath and my guy fixed it with either gorilla glue or some other kind of epoxy. It still holds water after about 5 years.

It was broken in just two pieces and my plan is to make a mosaic with all the pieces of broken pottery I find after a big storm. I keep finding pieces of old dishes with blue on them, after the huge storm I am finding a different set of dishes. They look Asian with red and gold on them.
I can't figure out why there would be broken dishes and pottery on the mountain behind me, everything washes down into my chicken coop area.

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:48 PM (qkXcd)

93 We had figs started but a late freeze got them. We have plenty of preserves from last year though, and the year before.

Posted by: fd at June 03, 2023 02:49 PM (iayUP)

94 " just wonder: do people come back to read the comments in the evening or next day? Or am I just posting for my own entertainment?...
Posted by: Pat"

I'm usually busy during the day, but will catch up when taking a break, like now.

Posted by: fd at June 03, 2023 02:50 PM (iayUP)

95 Thanks, MkY, I may go with a Valley Forge

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at June 03, 2023 02:50 PM (WjT8F)

96 I can't figure out why there would be broken dishes and pottery on the mountain behind me, everything washes down into my chicken coop area.
Posted by: CaliGirl

Time to climb the mountain and find were someone had a home long ago.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:52 PM (bmj8v)

97 Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:48 PM (qkXcd)

That is really interesting about the broken dish sets. Sounds like they were really nice at one point. Not what you'd expect to find in a mountain cabin or suchlike.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 02:53 PM (nC+QA)

98 The folks in eastern New Mexico have been hammered night after night after a decade of drought. The storm chasers have spent so many nights in Clovis that they're getting notices for jury duty. The reservoirs are up eight feet in a week.

OTOH the chasers say they've never had it so good.

Here in Mesa there has been a fire in some sort of mulch pile near Gateway airport. It's lasted a few days now, and this morning the whole city smelled like burning mesquite.

Posted by: Gordon Scott at June 03, 2023 02:53 PM (YaNzq)

99 I want to try canning... the American made run about 300 - 400. The presto ~140.
Any recommendations?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:53 PM (bmj8v)

100 We are sure one of the hawks upset and broke my bird bath, it has been Flex Sealed repair and holding fine for the 2nd year.

Posted by: Skip at June 03, 2023 02:54 PM (xhxe8)

101 Why was the mushroom called the life of the party?

Because he was a fun-gi!

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:55 PM (Wy1BU)

102 It's lasted a few days now, and this morning the whole city smelled like burning mesquite.
Posted by: Gordon Scott

I grew up smelling SoCal forest fires and don't find the smell offensive.
The smell of this mulch fire is nasty (not like the mesquite I burn in the pizza oven).
I'll be very glad when it's finally out.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:56 PM (bmj8v)

103 Why was the cucumber upset?

He was in a pickle!

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at June 03, 2023 02:58 PM (Wy1BU)

104 I keep finding pieces of old dishes with blue on them, after the huge storm I am finding a different set of dishes. They look Asian with red and gold on them.
I can't figure out why there would be broken dishes and pottery on the mountain behind me, everything washes down into my chicken coop area.
Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:48 PM (qkXcd)

I lived in an old house where we would always find new pieces of pottery in the back yard after a big rain - even found one of those little ceramic dolls arms (19th century) once, which was a bit creepy. The reason you're finding that stuff is that there was most likely a 19th century structure on that site or just uphill from it. Wooden structures with no solid foundations leave no traces behind, except the debris from when they stood there.

blue and white was the standard ware for the English speaking settlers across the country, but the red and gold, as you say, suggests an interesting Asian connection.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 03, 2023 02:58 PM (S6gqv)

105 Time to climb the mountain and find were someone had a home long ago.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 02:52 PM (bmj8v)

Ay, there's a pot'a'gold buried under them thar hills!!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 03, 2023 03:00 PM (S6gqv)

106
Ay, there's a pot'a'gold buried under them thar hills!!!
Posted by: Tom Servo

Probably not in mid-coastal Calif but on the East side you're definitely correct.
The high-graders (1849 gold rush) got the easy stuff though.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 03:04 PM (bmj8v)

107 I'd like to try a keyhole garden:

https://tinyurl.com/muxjwevx

Unfortunately, none of the garden stuff is getting done. I am going to get the elderberries in the ground and maybe rhubarb and asparagus. My two pot sized blueberries have survived. They will go in the big pots out front, with the two roses coming in next week. If I get that much done, I'll be doing good.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at June 03, 2023 03:06 PM (ouTlx)

108 Almost forgot! Found a dried pod on the beans with three perfect adzuki beans. Trying to decide if I want to use the rest of the adzuki for green beans or let them dry.

I had enough pinto bean green beans that I was able to give some to the people across the street. Hopefully the ability to give extra away will continue.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 03, 2023 03:09 PM (nC+QA)

109 I can't figure out why there would be broken dishes and pottery on the mountain behind me, everything washes down into my chicken coop area.
Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:48 PM (qkXcd)

You are downhill from some old midden. You might check the old fire insurance maps or the county assessor's office for the old maps to see what was there and who owned it.

Also, look at the LIDAR maps, sometimes those will show old foundations or cellar holes. The standard ones locally have a 3 meter resolution

Posted by: Kindltot at June 03, 2023 03:13 PM (xhaym)

110 Pet nood has been up a bit.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 03:31 PM (bmj8v)

111 If you are still here, either canner does the job. The American is much heavier and doesn't need a gasket. I upgraded to the smallest All American and gave my stepson the cheaper one. Homestead Heart has a good video on them.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at June 03, 2023 03:39 PM (ouTlx)

112 Lisan at June 03, 2023 02:14 PM

My cousin ate an earwig when she was a toddler and it became a family story for a long time. She also drank some perfume.

I ate some ants once as a child. There is a reason that formic acid is named for ants.

Posted by: KT at June 03, 2023 03:40 PM (rrtZS)

113 Tom Servo at June 03, 2023 02:35 PM

It's a paintbrush with cactus pollen on it. Looks kinda like a fuzzy caterpillar, doesn't it?

Posted by: KT at June 03, 2023 03:43 PM (rrtZS)

114 So many interesting things today and pretty flowers. The midnight snack tomatoes are something new to me. Look like little eggplants. Hope they are good.
Pat: I do read your comments. Always come back until you post. Enjoy reading about things in Idaho as I lived there a few years many moons ago. wasn't my choice to leave.

Posted by: AlmostYuman at June 03, 2023 03:48 PM (MK9CQ)

115 AZ Deplorable, I'm guessing you know that one does not need a pressure canner for most canning tasks.

IIRC you're over by AJ. Try the Purple Heart thrift store in AJ, as well as all the others. You may find the canner you want at a bargain price.

Posted by: Gordon Scott at June 03, 2023 04:23 PM (YaNzq)

116 Thanks for the replies on the canners.
I understand water baths vs. pressure and definitely want to do recipes which require a water bath.
I also want to do tomato and meat based canning so I'll need a pressure canner.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 05:29 PM (zoXTr)

117 What are your plans for the corn?

Posted by: CaliGirl at June 03, 2023 02:42 PM (qkXcd)

Mostly creamed corn, frozen without salt or fat.

Sorry, I had to leave to weed!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 03, 2023 06:08 PM (Mzdiz)

118 I also want to do tomato and meat based canning so I'll need a pressure canner.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 03, 2023 05:29 PM (zoXTr)

Tomatoes are acidic, so technically you don't need a pressure canner for them; however, pressure canning preserves more nutrients.

I did a bunch of chicken mix and beef mix canning and it came out great (a little less than a pound of meat, with onions, celery, carrots (opt potatoes) and some spices. Quick fix for pot pies etc.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 03, 2023 06:20 PM (Mzdiz)

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