Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, August 12

Happy Saturday, everyone!

From Neal in Israel:

Against all odds, I've managed to keep alive two orchids which I received as gifts two years ago. This year they even flowered. The plant with smaller flowers gave a full spray. The plant with bigger flowers had a fair number of buds on its flower stem, but only one of the buds actually produced a flower.

Absolutely gorgeous!

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Tomato Art

From 2017 come these wonderful (and soon 'desaperacido'-ed after the imaging) Cherokee Purple Heart tomatoes. They were purchased from vendors at Cordova's Farmers Mkt at the AgCenter. I can't think of a tomato I like more than the Purple Heart. I always thought the Creole tomatoes were 'the bestest!' - until I tasted a CPH. Now the Creole tomato, while still good, takes a back seat to the CPH in the Land O' Flavah!(TM) ... Use as you deem suited for Tasque et Porpoise and ... enjoy.

(Dr_No)

What is YOUR favorite?

From By-Tor:

I wasn't happy with the batch of apricot jam I made two weeks ago. Too tart and it didn't set up properly.
So I dumped 12 pints into a pot, added a can of chopped up pineapple, some sugar, and a bunch of pectin.
Even if it doesn't set up it still tastes better.
I have eight months to perfect the recipe before the next LA County Fair.

Who else will be entering competitions?

Ah, Nature

Worst Pinata Ever

From Southern Living:

What Wasps Are Aggressive?

How Do I Keep Wasps Away From My House?

How To Get Rid of a Wasp Nest

Adventure

Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide:

The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch 550 miles from North GA to PA, encompassing more than 34,000 square miles of mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls in 8 states.
The Blue Ridge range is part of the much larger Appalachian Mountains range. But the Blue Ridge also has myriad sub-ranges, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Black Mountains, Craggy Mountains, and more.
It's home to the tallest mountains east of the Mississippi River, with 20+ peaks in North Carolina alone that measure over 6,000 feet in elevation.

There's still time for a hike this year . . .

Gardens and Farms of The Horde

From Weasel:

Some of the delightful organic pine trees at WeaselAcres.

I love them.

Anything going on in your garden, yard or farm?

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, August 5

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 01:09 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:11 PM (MOY79)

2 Did this thread work right?

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 01:11 PM (rrtZS)

3 Yeah!

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:13 PM (ouTlx)

4 Wow things are messed up in earlier threads.

Worst Pinata ever: Yes.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (qPw5n)

5
*rushes in*
*slams door closed*
*gasps for breath*

Is it safe now?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (MoZTd)

6 No idea what is going on. I am trying a few things, but I am on my phone on a plane, so it's tough.

Maybe the Horde can push Ace to upgrade...

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (6zZjf)

7 Finally getting some ripe tomatoes this week.
And sadly can't can pickles but tomorrow will try and at least make refrigerator pickles.
I have cucumbers still coming out of my ears, and little sign of them giving up.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (MOY79)

8 *tap tap* Is this thing on?

Posted by: Reforger at August 12, 2023 01:15 PM (B705c)

9 As soon as I saw King Harv below the thread I knew it was good

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:15 PM (MOY79)

10 I was sort of afraid to post a full thread. So this one is kinda short.

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 01:15 PM (rrtZS)

11 Yes, KT.

Posted by: Infidel at August 12, 2023 01:16 PM (JEuTj)

12 This is week three on my hydroponic set up. Time to start harvesting lettuce. This is probably not very cost effective. But they make nice houseplants. I wouldn't have lettuce outside this time of year. Will probably replant this in another week or so.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:17 PM (ouTlx)

13 I see the blog is fixed. Good.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:17 PM (xTRSc)

14 I see the blog is fixed. Good.

Nah, it's still messed up below this thread.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 12, 2023 01:19 PM (Xrfse)

15 No idea what is going on. I am trying a few things, but I am on my phone on a plane, so it's tough.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Pull up! Pull up!

Posted by: Drink Like Vikings at August 12, 2023 01:19 PM (nmjXP)

16
We're under Severe Drought conditions here in Brazoria County. We have some new trees planted last year that we're trying to keep going. Unfortunately, watering them isn't easy because they're so far away from a outside faucet.

I bought some nice 20-gallon tree watering rings to put around them. They look to be doing what I need for them to do. They also save water and time.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 12, 2023 01:19 PM (MoZTd)

17 @15: Terrain! Terrain!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 12, 2023 01:20 PM (qPw5n)

18 Re: Orchids

For anyone who is into that sort of thing (or has kids), there are floral Lego sets, one of which is an orchid.

It looks remarkably realistic sitting on a desk or piano from 10+ feet away, and then the observer gets to marvel that it's Lego.

https://tinyurl.com/2vhwbssd

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:20 PM (BMWRT)

19 Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide:

-------

My advice, stay the hell away. It's dangerous country, inhabited by dangerous people. No civilized person, with any instinct for self-preservation, would find themselves within 500 miles of that country.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2023 01:21 PM (jLXOm)

20 Weasel, love the pine trees.

My family back in Michigan used to grow Christmas trees.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:22 PM (xTRSc)

21 I consider Shenandoah National Park to be my timeshare.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 12, 2023 01:22 PM (NBVIP)

22 > 17 @15: Terrain! Terrain!
______

Pull Up! Pull Up!

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 12, 2023 01:22 PM (Q4IgG)

23 I got the sticks picked up. Goal accomplished. Anything else is gravy. The heat index says it feels like it's 113 degrees outside, but I don't think that's right. It feels more like 114.

Posted by: fd at August 12, 2023 01:23 PM (vFG9F)

24
In the old days when people grew their own food having teens around this time of year was critical to harvesting so schools didn't open until the onslaught of ripening slowed down a bit. Now in some states the schools are already back in session.

I can remember August at my grandparents farm when I was a young teen. My grandfather went off to work but left about 25 bushel baskets for me to fill. All day spent picking ripe tomatoes and filling those baskets. Too heavy for me to lift. At the end they said to my father, "____ knows how to work."

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 12, 2023 01:23 PM (enJYY)

25 I usually miss the Garden thread because it reminds me I suck and have two black thumbs and the yard needs to be watered.

Better get to it before the boiling starts.

Posted by: Reforger at August 12, 2023 01:23 PM (B705c)

26 >>>How To Get Rid of a Wasp Nest

It's easy if you have the right tool.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DYB9NQT/

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2023 01:24 PM (klJTj)

27 Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide:

-------

My advice, stay the hell away. It's dangerous country, inhabited by dangerous people. No civilized person, with any instinct for self-preservation, would find themselves within 500 miles of that country.
Posted by: Mike Hammer

--

(plans bicycle ride on busiest scenic highways and parkways because there are not thousands of miles of side roads going through the same area)

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:24 PM (BMWRT)

28 25 I thought global boiling had already started.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:24 PM (xTRSc)

29 It is harvest time, I am making tomato sauce out of the first batch of tomatoes.
I am also getting the first ripe apples so I will be making apple sauce and probably some apple butter or apple compote today.

Apple butter is pretty much cooking apple sauce down to butter, the compote is shredding your cored and peeled apples and then using the shreds like you would any crushed fruit. It makes a far more lively and delicate flavor than even apple jelly. I do this also for making pear compote

In reality it probably isn't compote, but it is sort of close.

Wish me luck canning season is upon us.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 12, 2023 01:25 PM (xhaym)

30 Apple butter was the first thing I ever put up.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:26 PM (BMWRT)

31 Not doing any "gardening" today, but my mission for the day is to try to fix a Weedeater wheeled string trimmer that I got for ten dollars at a yard sale in Arizona. It ran for a few seconds when I sprayed brake cleaner in the air intake and cranked it, but the carb diaphragm and fuel pickup tubes were all destroyed by bad fuel. Ordered service parts from Amazon, and they arrived, but never had time to get into it until now.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 12, 2023 01:27 PM (7vnDx)

32 My advice, stay the hell away. It's dangerous country, inhabited by dangerous people. No civilized person, with any instinct for self-preservation, would find themselves within 500 miles of that country.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2023 01:21 PM (jLXOm)

Truth, especially western NC, very dangerous, I’m sure dragons live there.

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 01:29 PM (wbjP0)

33 I'd post about my Wandering Jew but it would probably end up in the other thread.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 12, 2023 01:29 PM (hv9bm)

34 Lettuce is near the top of the list of "evanescents," things that are known to bolt, wilt, and wither as soon as Real Summer sets in. I've found that by using the shade at one end of the garden, where evergreens protect them all morning, I can get a much better season for leaf goods. Took years of experimenting.

You can take a lot of chances with the light loose-leafs, oakleaf, spinach, red sails, 'salad bowl' mixtures, because a late frost does not do them in. In northern Ohio that can mean planting in March, and you're [selectively] picking by mid-May. Guides will tell you it's all over by June, but in the shade I usually don't get them putting up stalks until our normal hot-dry spell, right around now. Head lettuce and romaine are a little different, and you're likely to need solar-tent fabric or tiles to keep them doing well later. But I've had the "Little Gem" head lettuce do pretty well right out in the open through July, if rain is normal.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 12, 2023 01:30 PM (4PZHB)

35 As a kid we traveled through and stayed 1 year at Shenandoah NP.
One morning when we were leaving soon took my younger sister who couldn't been 6 or 7 on a long walk, got lost. Found Appalachian trail and got lucky I went the correct direction following it knowing it was close to our camp site.
Keep meaning to tell my sister some day I almost got her lost for good.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:31 PM (MOY79)

36 I’m sure dragons live there.

Well, Earnest T. Bass, anyway.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:31 PM (xTRSc)

37 It's easy if you have the right tool.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DYB9NQT/
Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2023 01:24 PM (klJTj)

A cheap Chinese copy of the real thing, made right here in Alberta for some 40 years:

https://www.tigertorch.ca/

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 12, 2023 01:32 PM (7vnDx)

38 *steps one foot in thread cautiously, testing for sudden portal syndrome *

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at August 12, 2023 01:32 PM (5NMQ1)

39 This came up yesterday evening, if you are interested in canning and don't know where to start, the Ball Blue Book of Canning is probably one of the best canning books to use. If you are not willing to drop the money for a book, you can find the same information at the Fillmore Container blog, https://www.fillmorecontainer.com/blog/

You can also find information and PDFs at the various State Extension services.

All in all, there is little mystery in canning, it is old and safe technology, follow the istructions and you are good. The instructions are not difficult.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 12, 2023 01:32 PM (xhaym)

40 Truth, especially western NC, very dangerous, I’m sure dragons live there.
Posted by: Rufus T Firefly

-

Ha. I've got a friend that lives over there, and he always laughs that people go and putter down the parking-lot-speed Tail of the Dragon. There are tons of roads like that all over. I was on a motorcycle trip once and he told me a bunch to try and take. The only one's I can remember off the top of my head (IIRC) Black Mountain down to Lake Lure (I think it was actually Bat Cave), and a road going out of Brevard.

Useful roads, too. Roads that get you places. Those folks drive those curvy roads every day.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:33 PM (BMWRT)

41 I'm using a summer lettuce blend. I think I have black seeded Simpson and romaine. There's a red speckled one too. I didn't thin anything.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:33 PM (ouTlx)

42 Wasp nest? Kill it with burning newspaper (best recycle policy), then use baby wasps for bream bait.

Posted by: Eromero at August 12, 2023 01:34 PM (z3WCn)

43 Another resource for home canning and preserving is:

National Center for Home Food Perservation

https://nchfp.uga.edu/#gsc.tab=0

Posted by: Kindltot at August 12, 2023 01:34 PM (xhaym)

44 Beautiful photo Weasel.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 12, 2023 01:35 PM (hv9bm)

45 bought some nice 20-gallon tree watering rings to put around them. They look to be doing what I need for them to do. They also save water and time.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 12, 2023 01:19 PM (MoZTd)

Last drought the big and solitary pine's needles started to brown. Dug a trench, just outside the drip line . Filled the trench then let the water trickle for days till the ground was totally saturated afoot or more down

Did it more than once.
Saved my big pine.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 12, 2023 01:35 PM (veKf8)

46 Wasp nest? Kill it with burning newspaper (best recycle policy), then use baby wasps for bream bait.
Posted by: Eromero at August 12, 2023 01:34 PM (z3WCn

You can also leave it alone and let it eat all the pests in your garden.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 12, 2023 01:35 PM (xhaym)

47 15 No idea what is going on. I am trying a few things, but I am on my phone on a plane, so it's tough.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Pull up! Pull up!
Posted by: Drink Like Vikings at August 12, 2023 01:19 PM (nmjXP)
***

Bandits 12 O'clock High!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at August 12, 2023 01:35 PM (hv9bm)

48 Well, Earnest T. Bass, anyway.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:31 PM (xTRSc)

yeah, and he’ll throw rocks at you too!!

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 01:36 PM (wbjP0)

49 These are the answer to paper wasp nests:

https://tinyurl.com/mr3kmkn7

Wait until dark, light fuse, jam in the entry hole of the nest, run like Hell.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 12, 2023 01:36 PM (7vnDx)

50 @26 How To Get Rid of a Wasp Nest
It's easy if you have the right tool:

https://tinyurl.com/wjdhc26j

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 12, 2023 01:37 PM (4PZHB)

51 And this is my first summer in KS and not typical weather at all, per the guy that does my lawn. Will be back to triple digits in a week.

I found one of those small outdoor greenhouses, like I got my stepson, for $49 at Tractor Supply. Picked one up and will store it till next spring.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:37 PM (ouTlx)

52 yesterday was payday, so this weekend's adventure for me is balancing the checkbook and paying bills.

*sigh*

Posted by: peasant scum anachronda at August 12, 2023 01:39 PM (edU/H)

53 We have a number of yellowjackets that live in the ground, but we also have the black faced hornets which are aggressive. I was always lucky, they would home in on dad for some reason and leave me alone.

He had a bum knee, too. I realized we would be in trouble if we found a bear. You can't just run off when the slow man in the group is your dad.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 12, 2023 01:39 PM (xhaym)

54 My age addled brain can’t recall who posted about Oliver Anthony, listening now many thanks!

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 01:39 PM (wbjP0)

55 Speaking of wasps and hornets and such, this is worth seeing if you never have (has some bad words but makes sense in context):

Comprehensive Guide to Yellow Stripey Things

https://tinyurl.com/4us8f2re

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:40 PM (BMWRT)

56 I picked up a nice blue half gallon Atlas jar at the second hand store. This is the kind with the bail. I have a couple of blue quarts. I don't collect this stuff but they are handy for storage.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:42 PM (ouTlx)

57 Tryin to fix the muthafuckin blog from the muthafuckin plane!

Posted by: Samuel L. Jackson's, uh, dildo at August 12, 2023 01:43 PM (4oVT8)

58 hmm. the illegal chinese biolab seems to have assimilated the tech news.

Posted by: peasant scum anachronda at August 12, 2023 01:43 PM (edU/H)

59 We have a lot of red wasps flying around the area.Very common in Arkansas. Found out (I think here but trust and verify) that they are not really aggressive towards humans unless you mess with the nest. Also, they think the outdoor roaches, also common here and eventually like to come indoors are tasty. We got a deal, me and the red wasps, they leave me alone, I leave them alone.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 12, 2023 01:43 PM (0EOe9)

60 We have a number of yellowjackets that live in the ground, but we also have the black faced hornets which are aggressive. I was always lucky, they would home in on dad for some reason and leave me alone.

He had a bum knee, too. I realized we would be in trouble if we found a bear. You can't just run off when the slow man in the group is your dad.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 12, 2023 01:39 PM (xhaym)

Bald Faced Hornets are Merick Garland of the wasp world, just mean sum bitches

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 01:44 PM (wbjP0)

61 Last year high in tree Cloe to house had paper wasps, it was bigger than a basketball yet none bothered us at all. Over winter it fell down.
They do prey on other things

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:44 PM (MOY79)

62 55 Speaking of wasps and hornets and such, this is worth seeing if you never have (has some bad words but makes sense in context):

Comprehensive Guide to Yellow Stripey Things

https://tinyurl.com/4us8f2re
Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:40 PM (BMWRT)

That is horrifying.

Nuke the planet from orbit.

It's the only way to be sure.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at August 12, 2023 01:44 PM (zZu0s)

63 welp, off to mow the grass. that's as green a thumb as I got. well, brown. It is Virginia in August after all.

Posted by: Drink Like Vikings at August 12, 2023 01:44 PM (4oVT8)

64 One of my long suffering African violets is about to bloom. I bought five standard plants right before the move. They got bounced around a lot, even though they were in the car. Two died. They've finally recovered and I'll get to see what sort of blooms they have.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:45 PM (ouTlx)

65 (Substitute report from Boise, ID area again: Pat* is in hospital recuperating from appendectomy, laparoscopic fortunately. On top of knee surgery, sheesh! I never rains but it pours.)

High 80s and low 90s here, 50s overnight.

Green beans getting their second wind. Processing some while waiting to bail Pat* out of hospital later today.
Most sweet corn processed, matured quickly in the heat. Will start dumping pots of fingerling potatoes this week.

Getting a good number of butternut squash developing, but only three cantaloupe in spite of lots of vine, and two tiny cucumbers. No bread and butter pickles for me? Poblano peppers are looking good though and slicer/paste tomatoes are starting to show color.

1/2

Posted by: Pat*'s Hubbie at August 12, 2023 01:45 PM (TL3TN)

66 My favorite tomato just came out of the garden, either mine or someone else's, and is sitting next to a plate of bacon, toast and mustard greens.

Posted by: huerfano at August 12, 2023 01:46 PM (7zEAH)

67 BIA,

I'm the same with wasps unless they are nesting right in your face. They are amazing to watch if you have binos or a telephoto that can focus closely.

Everyone of them kills and eats a bunch of nasties everyday as far as I'm concerned. Much like bats.

Posted by: pawn at August 12, 2023 01:46 PM (wsHtO)

68 You can also leave it alone

Insects vary widely in their aggression, and learning the lesson can be painful. But I've often been happily surprised. I was raised to be pretty damn leery of anything with a stinger, but more than once at the end of the year when the leaves fell I found out I'd had a massive nest only a few feet away from a trafficked area and never had a problem with them at all.

Straight ammonia window cleaner spray is good to keep around.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 12, 2023 01:47 PM (4PZHB)

69 Ground Yellowjackets on the other hand need to be terminated with extreme prejudice.
Twice they got me with at least 7 stings at once

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:47 PM (MOY79)

70 Awesome. Tornado watch in my AO until 9:00 this evening.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 12, 2023 01:47 PM (Xrfse)

71 That is horrifying.

Nuke the planet from orbit.

It's the only way to be sure.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop

--

Some of them are pretty cute. I think it says "looks like Satan's nightmares" about the cicada killer, which is also pretty great.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 01:47 PM (BMWRT)

72 Fair entries: Well I got two into the beer etc. contest: A dry hopped hard cider, and a chocolate milk stout. We'll see.

Pat* was hoping to get carrots, cherry tomatoes and a variety of herbs entered, but that has to happen next Wednesday. We'll see whether it's possible after hospital discharge...

2/2

Posted by: Pat*'s Hubbie at August 12, 2023 01:48 PM (TL3TN)

73 Yeah, bald-faced hornets are vicious. My brother stirred up a nest of ‘em once. He tried to outrun ‘em in his truck, but they swarmed on his windshield and stayed there even as he drove at 50 MPH. And this was in the fall when they were supposedly entering their dormant period. Bad stuff.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:49 PM (xTRSc)

74 The dehydrator has been running almost nonstop here. Mostly herbs and tomatoes. Took another couple sacks of zucchinis, cucumbers, jalapenos, a huge sprig of basil and a bunch of chives to my guys a the liquor store.

Got a bottle of Bourbon in exchange.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 12, 2023 01:49 PM (Q4IgG)

75 67 Yeah. When I first came down here and would be, say sitting outside for coffee, I would swat at them. Now I just watch them and I'm sure they are watching me. Another entertaining insect is the dragonfly. I had one sitting on my rubber ducky radio antenna on the car, drove to the dollar store a few blocks away and the critter was still there.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 12, 2023 01:51 PM (0EOe9)

76 I'm the same with wasps unless they are nesting right in your face. They are amazing to watch if you have binos or a telephoto that can focus closely.

Everyone of them kills and eats a bunch of nasties everyday as far as I'm concerned. Much like bats.
Posted by: pawn at August 12, 2023 01:46 PM (wsHtO)

This is true, the problem is increasing they’re done building the nest and tending to the larvae, they have nothing to do. Shananagins soon follow . To our dismay.

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 01:52 PM (wbjP0)

77 75 BiA, Dragonflies are cool. Probably my favorite insects. Mantises are a close second.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 01:53 PM (xTRSc)

78 Increasing = once,

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 01:53 PM (wbjP0)

79 Looking back over my 29++ years, I can only remember one insect bite that was truly painful. Used to call them "sweat bees", mean little things. Now, my twins have a weird thing going. One could be working naked in an apiary with no problem, the other anything that flies and stings finds him. I never even had too much of a problem with mosquitoes. In other words, I stink.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 12, 2023 01:57 PM (0EOe9)

80 There's just no comparison. The Organic Pine Trees are far more wonderful than the Lab-Created, Genetically-Altered, WEF-Mandated, Big-Ag, Surgically-Enhanced, Pine Trees.

Did you know that some parts are edible?

Posted by: Zombie Euell Gibbons at August 12, 2023 01:58 PM (83IzV)

81 Trump is walking through the crowd.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 12, 2023 01:59 PM (veKf8)

82 Sous-vided pine trees with maple syrup for the win!

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:00 PM (xTRSc)

83 Mud daubers are the main type of wasps at the lake home. Especially bad on the dock. Wife did find a yellow jacket nest in the ground at base of oak tree in front yard couple of days ago. Need to get some sevin to drop in there.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 12, 2023 02:01 PM (7vuhT)

84 We have dragonflies around here at this time of year. Like some of the birds, they go after small insects like gnats, aphids and.... mosquitos (if they're small enough.) They also prey on mosquito larva in water.

I encourage them to hang out.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 12, 2023 02:01 PM (Q4IgG)

85 Trump is walking through the crowd.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 12, 2023 01:59 PM (veKf

No doubt inciting an insurrection /s

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 02:02 PM (wbjP0)

86 hiya

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2023 02:02 PM (T4tVD)

87 There was a recent video of people dealing with small paper wasp's nests by covering them with wide-mouth jars with a little gasoline in the bottom. Not gasoline on fire. The wasps just fell into the gasoline.

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 02:04 PM (rrtZS)

88 Mayflies must have hatched last nite. Looked like the Jonestown massacre at the base of the windows on our deck. Gazillions piled up. Of course it started raining before I could sweep them up so now they're a mass of goo.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 12, 2023 02:06 PM (7vuhT)

89 Pretty much every bug is an existential threat to you..They have built up this offensive capability to deal with threats including humans.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 02:06 PM (nhqNw)

90 The wasps just fell into the gasoline.

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 02:04 PM (rrtZS)

Then you light it on fire.

Posted by: Reforger at August 12, 2023 02:07 PM (B705c)

91 Due to the Asiatic cockroaches invading from the outside, the neighbors and I spray a lot, forming a barrier to try and keep most out. Sometimes it's the sweeping of the dead around the patio area and some of the good guys get it for the better good. Kind of feel sorry for the crickets. They're almost like fire flies in not being an annoyance and I kind of enjoy the chirpping.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 12, 2023 02:07 PM (0EOe9)

92 Did the previous thread get unfucked?

*checks*

Apparently not.

Posted by: Where's a post unfucker when you need one? at August 12, 2023 02:07 PM (II3Gr)

93 Mayflies must have hatched last nite.

Isn't their entire lifespan something like a week or less?

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 12, 2023 02:08 PM (Xrfse)

94 15 No idea what is going on. I am trying a few things, but I am on my phone on a plane, so it's tough.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Flying would be tougher, without the plane.

(just sayin')

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2023 02:08 PM (T4tVD)

95 92 Did the previous thread get unfucked?
*checks*
Apparently not.
Posted by: Where's a post unfucker when you need one? at August 12, 2023 02:07 PM (II3Gr)

Pretty much everything since the ONT is all mangled, missing or otherwise messed up.

Posted by: Reforger at August 12, 2023 02:11 PM (B705c)

96 Oh, and if you have a problem with flies, a cheap fix. Gather up all the margarine tubs and the like. Get some real cheap sponges at the dollar store and cut them up and place in the containers. Fill with el cheapo dollar store cleaner that is lavender scented. Flies hate lavender

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 12, 2023 02:12 PM (0EOe9)

97 The fish were adept at stealing bait today. Got nothin for lunch.

Posted by: These fish sticks...on my mobile at Coronado Camp at August 12, 2023 02:14 PM (nAf3S)

98 Pixy’s thread tomorrow should be interesting in light of today’s events.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:15 PM (xTRSc)

99 When I lived in Asheville I loved driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. As a bonus, whenever it rained you could drive up above the rain clouds and get some spectacular views.

https://tinyurl.com/3nuc87bk

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 12, 2023 02:16 PM (CHHv1)

100 Posted by: These fish sticks...

I still chuckle every time I see your nic.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 12, 2023 02:17 PM (Xrfse)

101 That problem with the earlier threads should be fixed now - it was an issue with some of the YouTube embeds.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 12, 2023 02:17 PM (BLOW1)

102 Spasibo, Pixy.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:19 PM (xTRSc)

103 Pixy thanks.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 02:21 PM (nhqNw)

104 KT fixed te blog! Yay!!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 12, 2023 02:22 PM (9Pt4g)

105 Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 12, 2023 02:17 PM

Gracias. Now get some sleep.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 12, 2023 02:22 PM (Xrfse)

106 Thank you Pixy.

Posted by: Reforger at August 12, 2023 02:23 PM (B705c)

107 Pixy never sleeps. He waits in eternal vigilance.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:24 PM (xTRSc)

108 Pixy never sleeps. He waits in eternal vigilance.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:24 PM (xTRSc)

He's from the land Down Under.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 02:27 PM (nhqNw)

109 I don’t know who fixed what or how, but I am bending at the waist and thanking you.

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 02:30 PM (wbjP0)

110 Making more crockpot tomato sauce, this time spicy with roasted poblano peppers.

My favorite varieties this year have been Rebel Starfighter Prime and Brandywine (red and yellow).

Last year's star tomato, Black Pineapple, has been underwhelming.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at August 12, 2023 02:31 PM (i4tOF)

111 I've never been stung by a wasp. Bees yes, many times. Usually on my hand, I feel something on my arm or leg and think it is a fly and brush it off and then I get stung.

My husband had a bee sting inside his mouth yesterday. He was driving his Polaris past the bee boxes and chewing gum. Never again.
Our ranch manager had a leaf in his eye about a month ago. I think they're driving too fast on those things.

Posted by: CaliGirl at August 12, 2023 02:31 PM (21l1k)

112 Pixy can fold space and time! After a bump of mélange.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at August 12, 2023 02:32 PM (i4tOF)

113 Pixy 'splained it to me. Glitch in a Youtube embed made everything between his video and my video invisible on the main page.

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 02:33 PM (rrtZS)

114 I’m commenting on two threads at once. Seems subversive, somehow. But I like it.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:33 PM (xTRSc)

115 Awesome. Tornado watch in my AO until 9:00 this evening.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 12, 2023 01:47 PM (Xrfse)

Most of such watches come to naught. Think you'll be OK.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 02:35 PM (nhqNw)

116 Big black wasps making a neat in my mail box. The first crew got me 5times but them and the next 2 sets of nesters were served Hot Shot.
The finally gave up

Posted by: Braenyard at August 12, 2023 02:36 PM (veKf8)

117 I’m commenting on two threads at once. Seems subversive, somehow. But I like it.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:33 PM (xTRSc)

I do that a lot on the daytime weekend threads.

Not so much on weekdays, mostly because I am supposed to be working at work.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Missing the Point at August 12, 2023 02:36 PM (T/Lqj)

118 I hope Pixy has appropriately chastised the hamsters.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 12, 2023 02:36 PM (xTRSc)

119 *He's from the land Down Under.*

Hand him a vegemite sandwich.

Posted by: Men at Work at August 12, 2023 02:37 PM (NBVIP)

120 OMGosh! that is one nasty piñata! Hope all goes well getting rid of it.
Beautiful orchids. I'm having a time with my two. The smaller one is exactly like your smaller full spray Phalaenopsis, which I have had success with for 4 yrs now. A year ago it developed two flowering stems. I was in awe of it. The other is like your bigger orchid. It was a gift and it stayed with flowers for 6 months. I think I over water this one and then I was futzing around with the planting medium. About a 2 months ago the stem started turning yellow. My head hurt from the different advice on the internet that I was ready to throw out the orchid for fear whatever was going on with it was going to spread to my other orchid. I performed some surgery on the larger orchid and repotted both. They sit in a brighter spot and I have stopped fussing over them. Hopefully, one day I will see flowering stems starting to grow once again. Fingers are crossed.

Posted by: sidney at August 12, 2023 02:38 PM (hGlnS)

121 I have cucumbers still coming out of my ears, and little sign of them giving up.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (MOY79)

I have buckets of them. The past two weeks threw us off our game completely; first guests and then Publius' daddy. I have a WHEELBARROW of rotting veg to dump in the unused part of the garden. Pisses me off. We planted too much and didn't plan on needing a chain of recipients for our produce.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at August 12, 2023 02:40 PM (Mzdiz)

122 sidney, I completely neglected my two orchid plants for a few months and one flowered. Only 2 blooms but beautiful.

OK, leaving now. Have fun!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at August 12, 2023 02:42 PM (Mzdiz)

123 He's from the land Down Under.*
Hand him a vegemite sandwich.
Posted by: Men at Work at August 12, 2023 02:37 PM (NBVIP)

You'd better run You'd take cover.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 02:42 PM (nhqNw)

124 I'd like to give that pinata a whack. With a can of ether and a lighter.

Anyway, sent in four pics of an interesting speciman. Small contibution but maybe it will be good for some content in the future.

Got dinged on my hurricane inspection and am jumping to get the required improvements done in time for my free follow-up.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at August 12, 2023 02:46 PM (ga8qR)

125 I'm doing more pruning and the pruning has turned in to a kind of demolition job. My neighbor and I share a fence (his) which was badly overgrown with some very tough mature rose bushes (mine) and with a jasmine bush on his side. The problem is that the fence is intertwined by both and fell down, necessitating complete removal of both very mature plants which are now in my yard. The deal is I haul away the dead vegetation and he fixes the fence. The foliage encompassing the fence was 12 feet tall. Now it's in about a 3 foot pile. Yeah, it's been a heck of a morning. I'm beat.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at August 12, 2023 02:47 PM (MeG8a)

126 Watered garden, probably rain tonight

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 02:50 PM (MOY79)

127 Nice orchids at top! We love them, but haven't had any for years. There used to be an orchid nursery near by me, now it's all townhouses.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at August 12, 2023 02:50 PM (MeG8a)

128 have cucumbers still coming out of my ears, and little sign of them giving up.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (MOY79)

Skip, what other vegetables do you have coming out there?

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 02:51 PM (nhqNw)

129 Watered garden, probably rain tonight
Posted by: Skip

Rained twice here this AM, first just a spritz, then a harder rain with thunder.

Now the sun's out.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2023 02:54 PM (T4tVD)

130 My wife and I have decided that our garden needs to be only 2/3 the size it is.
We have too much going to waste, and it's too much work.
Have all the canned whole tomatoes and tomato sauce, juice, and salsa we'll need for a year and a half, and the maters are still coming on.
Okra are going great. Cukes, we're dropping to 3 plants only next year. Zukes same. Enough green beans in the pantry for at least a year.
Peppers are being dried, crushed, etc., according to needs. Carrots being eaten as needed.
We're thinking clover as our rotator crop.

Posted by: MkY at August 12, 2023 02:55 PM (cPGH3)

131 have cucumbers still coming out of my ears, and little sign of them giving up.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 01:14 PM (MOY79)

I think someone posted here that this time of year you need to lock your car or some well meaning neighbor will leave a grocery bag of vegetables on your front seat. I LOL’ed

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 02:57 PM (wbjP0)

132 Hmmmmm, I need to find out tonight what neighbors lock their cars or not.

Pop Up T-storms are around, one in far Chester County

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 03:02 PM (MOY79)

133 Got some small anthills and weeds that need killin'. Got sprays for both. Also got clouds overhead that look like they could turn into rain like they did yesterday, which would wash away any sprays.

Think I'll stay inside and work on stuff that I'll post about in the hobby thread.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at August 12, 2023 03:03 PM (Bd6X8)

134 https://youtu.be/NK85XgtUNrs

Flamethrower drone vs wasp nest

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff at August 12, 2023 03:05 PM (MPQZ2)

135 Watered garden, probably rain tonight
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 02:50 PM (MOY79)

The Pitter Patter of rain a glorious sound.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 03:07 PM (nhqNw)

136 https://youtu.be/NK85XgtUNrs

Flamethrower drone vs wasp nest

It's not a very long or well told story, but it does have a happy ending.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at August 12, 2023 03:08 PM (Bd6X8)

137 Thanks KT!

Friendly reminder for the stargazers out there with clear skies. The Perseids are supposed to peak tonight.

Posted by: Weasel at August 12, 2023 03:12 PM (RG6z4)

138 Thanks Weasel !

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2023 03:16 PM (T4tVD)

139 That was the pitch they made for square foot gardening. People tend to overplant. A smaller garden makes it manageable. Does not prevent large seed catalog orders.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 03:17 PM (ouTlx)

140 Friendly reminder for the stargazers out there with clear skies. The Perseids are supposed to peak tonight.
Posted by: Weasel at August 12, 2023 03:12 PM (RG6z4)

Less likely to get poon?
Stargazers.
Math whizzes

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 03:17 PM (nhqNw)

141 Hit the ground Yellowhackets with a bucket and two cans of wasp spray, early one morning hit their hole with both cans firing then but bucket over.
Total annihilation

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2023 03:21 PM (MOY79)

142 Pat*'s Hubbie at August 12, 2023 01:45 PM

Wow! Hope Pat*'s recovery goes smoothly. And that things go well in the garden. Give her our best.

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 03:22 PM (rrtZS)

143 Some wasps are very aggressive, but one year we grew cowpeas meant to be eaten as snaps, and they had nectaries at the outside base of the flowers. The wasps sat drinking the nectar until they seemed drunk. Even if you grabbed them, they didn't react. Big brownish wasps with yellow stripes.

Posted by: KT at August 12, 2023 03:24 PM (rrtZS)

144 And add to it that we think we are younger and more energetic than we are. And that there is nothing new that will come along and demand more of our time.

I still need a garden. There's not much in the way of fresh fruits and veggies here. I still need berry bushes and maybe a fig tree. Still have raised beds to assemble. I just have to really scale back my plans.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 03:26 PM (ouTlx)

145 We had a big yellowjacket ground nest at our place in West Virginia years ago. My son got stung a couple times mowing the grass, so we went out at dusk with the gas can and a lighter. Poured some gas into the hole. But, out of the corner of my eye I saw movement about 5 feet away. Dozens of them were emerging from another hole... so I lit off the hole we were standing over and flames shot out the other hole!

And flaming yellowjackets. It was glorious. Like a 4th of July fireworks fountain.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 12, 2023 03:27 PM (Q4IgG)

146 Some wasps are very aggressive, but one year we grew cowpeas meant to be eaten as snaps, and they had nectaries at the outside base of the flowers. The wasps sat drinking the nectar until they seemed drunk. Even if you grabbed them, they didn't react. Big brownish wasps with yellow stripes.

Posted by: KT

-

People sit and marvel over David Attenborough constantly babbling during nature documentaries for hours every week while never realizing what is happening in their own backyard.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 03:28 PM (k1L5r)

147 Canning is trying to kill me one way or another. I went to finish my tomatoes this morning, set the canner full of water on the cooktop and went downstairs to get the tomatoes. I came back to a fire under the pot, besides the one cause by the gas flame. Some green plastic was burning merrily.

I cleaned it all up but couldn't for the life of me figure out what that plastic was. Until I turned over the grate and found a small magnet stuck onto it. Then it dawned on me - it was the magnetic jar lifter. It must have stuck to the bottom of the pot when I filled it (I had all my tools laid out) and I never noticed.

Posted by: bluebell at August 12, 2023 03:29 PM (pTb/Z)

148 Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 12, 2023 03:27 PM (Q4IgG)

I believe that Yellowjackets emit an attack pheromone once they sting. I’ve heard stories of them chasing people after they were stung.

Posted by: Rufus T Firefly at August 12, 2023 03:31 PM (wbjP0)

149 Pressure cookers = perfectly safe

Magnets = of the Devil

Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August 12, 2023 03:38 PM (k1L5r)

150 In TX it’s always time for a hike.

But where I live, have water. Lots of water.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at August 12, 2023 03:40 PM (jKUtf)

151 Pressure cookers = perfectly safe

Magnets = of the Devil
Posted by: Moron Robbie - The EPA has determined US has cooled since 1948 at August

Boston marathon notwithstanding..

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 04:09 PM (nhqNw)

152 had all my tools laid out) and I never noticed.
Posted by: bluebell at August 12, 2023 03:29 PM (pTb/Z)
I

BB list your tools.One to ten. There must' be a cordless drill somewhere in there.

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 04:32 PM (nhqNw)

153 Progress has been made on the Weedeater service. New fuel lines have been threaded into the tank, and the carb has been cleaned, and new pump and metering diaphragms have been installed, along with their matching gasket. Parts kit from Amazon was the right one. New primer bulb, too.

Just have to bolt the engine unit into the wheeled carriage, and it should be ready for test.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 12, 2023 04:33 PM (9/zMm)

154 Just have to bolt the engine unit into the wheeled carriage, and it should be ready for test.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 12, 2023 04:33 PM (9/zMm)

AOP what is the nightmare scenario, the worst that could happen?

Posted by: JmT at August 12, 2023 04:41 PM (nhqNw)

155 51 And this is my first summer in KS and not typical weather at all, per the guy that does my lawn. Will be back to triple digits in a week.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2023 01:37 PM (ouTlx)

I've lived in Kansas most of my life, and I still don't know what "typical" Kansas weather is.

Posted by: Don at August 12, 2023 05:14 PM (tnIBS)

156
Nasty t-storm along the DE/PA border. Heading north.

Slept right through the tornado warning a couple nights ago. The one that says 'head to your basement - right now!". Ended up about 10 miles west. While I slept. Peacefully.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 12, 2023 05:18 PM (enJYY)

157
Just as a FYI. A tornado 'watch' has five letters. It means things are conducive to a tornado. A 'warning' with seven letters is much longer then five letters and means things could get interesting within minutes. You should pay some attention to 'watch' but definitely pay attention to a 'warning'.

Unless you don't mind not being in Kansas anymore.

:: goes looking for Toto ::

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 12, 2023 05:24 PM (enJYY)

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