Even though my season isn't finished yet, I'm already preparing for next and I have tons of ideas and questions.

I planted some blueberry bushes a couple weeks ago and now I'm looking for a good spot to put my Blackberry (hopefully thornless) vines.

I'm going to transplant my strawberries this weekend, so I can actually get enough to make jam next year.

Anybody else doing anything? It's going to be a long winter, start planning now.:)

Oh, I've planted some Dutch Iris bulbs this week as I love Iris blooming in my yard. I also planted some young Blackeye Susan plants so that I'll have big, bushy plants next spring all around my house.

Oh, just a note on your blueberry bushes. I have a friend here in Ohio that has about 2 acres of his yard devoted to blueberry bushes. He used to add about 10 bushes a year until he can't add any more to his lot. He's been doing that for 20 years now. He does not spray them at all. The berries are out of this world delicious! He also takes special netting and nets his plants so the birds don't eat all his fruit. He must do this as the birds know where all the blueberries are and have cleaned his trees of all the fruit until he started netting them. He sometimes sells his blueberries at the office where he works and can't pick enough to keep up with the demand as his coworkers clean him out. His wife does freeze quite a lot of berries for eating in the winter.

I'm getting a snuggle so me and the man can keep warm because I live in the snowiest city in the U.S.
I live in Syracuse New York.
Get the snowfall totals on this link,its funny :)

Syracuse, New York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse,_New_York)
If you do read this I am in Eastwood ,the village within the city.

OK, so the blueberries are planted and the Blackberries are planted. The strawberries have been replanted with a couple new ones (for variety) and I'm trying Romaine lettuce, just a few to start.

I'm also in the process of trying to clean up for the up and coming winter. I took some pictures so there will be a 'before' shot, but I don't have the energy to post them tonight, maybe Tuesday.

Our weather has dropped 20 degrees since yeaterday and I love it!:D Sunday it was 100 and today about 80. Right now only 77! All the windows are open and the fans are bringing in glorious fresh air.:)

What:eek: Do you just have buckets every where:confused:
I'm so sorry about the demise, that soil looked very sad:(

I think I'm going to attach a couple pictures that you can delete after you see them, since they really have nothing to do with UDTs, but I wanted to share.:)

25057
Some of my fish, which are a pain in my butt.

25058
The shed when DH was out of town. When he came back, he did the roof.

25059
My crazy bees, I have bee proof feeders now and the humminbirds think that all I live for is to give them more nector. The birds and I need to sit down and have a talk.

25060
I am standing where most of the tomatoes are planted and where my hammock is. Haven't had much time for the hammock this year.. YET:D

Loved your picture of your Koi fish. Wow are they ever big!

Loved your bee picture as well. It's nice to see you feeding them as well.

Your backyard looks so inviting. And same for your pool!

Thanks, I had posted those in the UDT thread for KUXJ to see, I had been telling him about things and never got around to posting pics.:rolleyes:

He moved them here, since they really didn't belong there, soon I will post the ones I had talked about before.

Hi! Just Dahlia :)


What are you doing to prepare for next season?

My response will naturally depend on my local climate, and the conditions I am used to.
For some of our fellow gardeners/members this can be a daunting task as
they may have recently moved to different Hardiness Zones (HZ).

As one can see by the image, courtesy of Arborday.org.
Not only does location have a bearing on what you can do, and when, but
the natural ecology of Earth does as well. wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecology)

http://www.arborday.org/media/graphics/changes06.png

Borrowed from wise geek: Can You Use USDA Zones Around the World? (http://www.wisegeek.com/can-you-use-usda-zones-around-the-world.htm)

However, because the USDA zones look at average minimum temperatures, they often miss summer temperatures, which are key. Regions with the same average minimum temperature might have summer temperatures which vary, so plants which thrive in, say, Michigan, won't grow in England. Furthermore, USDA zones don't consider other important issues like annual rainfall, wind, soil conditions, and so forth, making them more of a rough guide than a hard and fast set of rules.

You also have to realize that you can not put blind faith in these maps.
There are at least four other variables you can observe to help in your plants growth. Alternative U.S. Hardiness Zone Maps (http://www.garden.bsewall.com/topics/hardiness/alternates.html)

For other parts of the world... World Hardiness Zone Finder on Earth Clinic Planet. (http://planet.earthclinic.com/garden/zone-finder.html)

My conundrum revolves 'round the fact that I have recently retired (last Nov.), and can devote my full energies to re-establishing a full time garden.
I have to be careful though, that I don't go off in a direction that won't yield good results, analogous to "slow and steady wins the race", but I imagine that we all face that at some/certain points in our lives.

So my present course is to maintain the "status quo", and prepare next years garden accordingly, and this involves steps to take in a logical manner.

Some links to help in accomplishing that task:
Gardeners Diary & Monthly Gardening Planner - InsideOut Gardening (http://www.insideout-gardening.co.uk/diary/)
Let your computer help your garden grow - Microsoft Home Magazine (http://www.microsoft.com/canada/home/life-and-style/articles/let-your-computer-help-your-garden-grow.aspx)
Creative Landscapes - Garden Planner. Month by Month guide for your landscape. (http://www.creativelandscapes.com/planner.html)

For those that have a more desert clime:
Monthly Desert Garden Calendar - Phoenix Garden Tips (http://phoenix.about.com/od/monthlygardencalendar/Monthly_Desert_Garden_Calendar.htm)

Care to design your own? Shareware:
User feedback on Garden Planner (http://en.kioskea.net/download/garden-planner-3933-avis-opinions.php3)

Free download, but has $10 price? :confused:
Garden Planner - FreeFunFiles.com - A free download site (http://www.freefunfiles.com/software/hobby/homeandgarden/garden-planner.html)
Screenshot for 'bove:
Garden Planner ScreenShot - FreeFunFiles.com - A free download site (http://www.freefunfiles.com/software/hobby/homeandgarden/garden-planner-screenshot.html)

Well that's it for now, I got a little more technical than I wanted to. Next time I'll talk on what I've actually been up to.

by the way... In researching, I found JD's thread #25 on one of the Google searches I made... Way to go JD!! :cool:


k

Why #25 :confused: What was so special about that? Must have been a couple perfect 'key' words.:rolleyes:

I'll take my prize and just get on with my bad self:D

Jd seen this on homemade Ketchup thought you'd like to see: Making Your Own Ketchup, the New Old-fashioned Way! (http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2657/) recipe's at the bottom

Jd seen this on homemade Ketchup thought you'd like to see: Making Your Own Ketchup, the New Old-fashioned Way! (http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2657/) recipe's at the bottom
I'll maybe try that next year, I love Heinz and I can't imagine the reaction I'll get with home made ketchup. DH is still asking me about all the jars of chicken and beef stock.

I have a couple (a lot) of pictures, hopefully I'll get them in order from 'before' to 'after'
This is before of my lemon grass and area.
The second is after
The third is before (different angle)
The 4th is after

There doesn't look like that much of a difference, but believe me I was cutting and trimming for quite a while.:eek:

But wait, there's more:eek:
25474
This is before of the side crap I had to pull out, and re-do the sprinklers because the banana trees were blocking the water flow

25475
After
25476
This is my new 20 gallon, half buried compost bin that KUXJ and tick helped me decide on. Bought 20 worms at Wal-Mart and threw them in, don't see them any more.:eek: Might have to get more.:(
25477
This is my pineapple top that I planted and it looks like it's doing pretty good.:)

Jd,

Just love what you've done to the place. You certainly have an eye for presentation.

Even though I see different uses for our property, I just hope I can come up to the caliber of gardening you display in yours.

In your second pix, are those two turquoise colored trees, palms? I can't tell from where I'm sitting...

And those banana trees :cool:

Looks like you found the perfect place for the compost bin, if you didn't drill holes for ventilation those worms are in there.

You definitely earned the "garden of the month" award. ;)

Steve

Jd,


In your second pix, are those two turquoise colored trees, palms?

Steve
Those are some palms that light up, I'll have to take a picture at night someday to show you. The whole back yard lights up:D

Another novel approach.
When I have Christmas lights up, I'll leave 'em up all year round, then on special occasions light 'em up to accent the mood.

They'll help when eddie comes to roost. :p :D :p

Monster storm today and this afternoon going into the night, my nice clean yard is now a big mess. :(
Lost a couple 100 lb pots with large trees and one might have cracked the concrete steps going down to the pool. One of my fake lighted palm trees is snapped in half and my white fence to keep the dogs away from the pool is down. My Dahlia is lying on the ground next to my wisteria tree and my pond is overflowing downhill towards the pool. Hopefully the fish are holding on to something.:eek:
I'll post the icky pics a little later.

The hammock is still hanging so Eddie is OK!:D

JD, are you, and the family (dogs too), the house, all right?
I hope so!

But, That does it!! :mad:

Even though I'd be chompin' at the bit to give a compliment... Hold me back eddie!!!!!

From now on to the end of time, I will not, EVER AGAIN, praise anyone on how nice their flowers, veggies, garden or lawn look.

My Mom warned me once, when I said something nice 'bout her 6year old Cybidium...

Oh No, she said, you never praise another person's, "growing things" ,cause they'll end up dying.
I felt so bad a month later, I went, and got her a new one.

I feel just awful :(

We new the storm was coming, so it wasn't your praising and nothing died (that I know of) just broke a lot of things.

We are all OK and at the end I got a beautiful apology rainbow!:) It was a double, but the second part was faint. I'll post that pic too.
25531

25532

25533
Looks root bound to me, maybe it was meant to be

25534

25535

25536


25538

If you look close you can see the second rainbow:)

Couldn't rate you JDahlia,
But wow!!
Love your grounds.


.

It ended up no big deal, we are used to it at least once a year. I have glued together many pots. This one I will attempt to glue together, but use for something else since my plant was root bound.

How am I going to get it's twin out of the other pot? Don't want to break it.:eek:
The concrete pot got a chip, but the stairs are OK:)
I bailed 40 gallons on water out of the garden and 1/3 drained the pond of mucky water. Then re-filled. I think all the fish are still there.:confused:

I have 5 bags of debree and a stack of stuff from my Pampas Grass (sp) and now I will go cleanse myself and tend to wounds.
Pampas Grass is nasty.. DO NOT ever plant it!:eek:

KUXJ... I have a picture that I have yet to find from 15 years ago of our yard. All there was, was grass. We bought it because it was huge and we wanted a pool. We never could afford it until I was 40, but until that time DH wanted to plant a tree in the middle of the yard and I would never let him, thinking that some day I was going to get a pool and have to kill that tree. I was right.

No plants died and if you don't praise my efforts again, it will be sad.:( I work hard and it's nice to think that someone thinks it looks nice. We have done everything on our own (except the pool) and my son even helped with that. (he needed a summer job):D

In life, as in all things great and small, there are moments of serendipity.
Moments that make one stop, and ponder.

Today I returned a book that my neighbor had loaned me, the neighbor that has the windmill project.

As Harry, and I talked he told me the installers were there finishing up on the landscaping, and their plan was to take the leftover soil over to the Twp. Dump, yes the same place where the compost is made. Within minutes, and with everyone's okay I had approximately 12 tons of soil redirected onto my property. The three piles in the pix.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_80cGISOzOds/SsbQsCLxE6I/AAAAAAAAA54/BmE7Tz7lyKU/s400/100_1612.JPG

Far be it from me, to be the one to make you sad Just Dahlia. Let us use these two occasions as growth in our lives, and our gardens, and I will continue to praise your efforts.

eddie where's that video of Händel's Messiah?.....rummage....searchin'....rummage....Ah ! there it is I found it Händel's Messiah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up3TIPoVh-M&feature=related)

Now... 'bout that other clay pot, if it's akin to the broken one, I'd just remove the plant by by cutting the whole way around, and straight down into the pot. If done correctly you should be able to lift the plant straight out of the pot. It'll still take some effort though.

JD, the garden lady was on for her 1" spot on the local news, and she was talking 'bout winterizing fish ponds.

You probably don't have to worry 'bout it, but she said if you have one the time to start is when the temp reaches 50F ~ 10C and going lower

She bares an uncanny resemblance to you. Winterize Your Pond (http://cfc.whtm.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=50739&cat=gdt) Well... At least I think so.

K

I watched the pond lady and she looks young, so I'm going with "Thank You":D

DH removed all the white picket fence today (that fell down in the storm) and replaced it with that 'new fangled' black iron, 3 feet tall stuff. It looks great and we don't have to worry about a dog jumping over it. (G-d rest his soul, Winston (the jumper) is no longer with us) The dogs are little and have no desire to escape. Not sure what was up with Winnie, but he always tried.

I couldn't help myself when we went to get the fencing. They have 'ba$tard plants that are not good for the average eye and priced at 1/2 or lower off. I bought 2 more Blackberrys and a red Dahlia (not dinner plate) and another Dahlia (not sure what color) but I know that I can grow them and they come back, so I'm good.

I transplanted my poor broken Palm in another pot (bigger) funny story, but no time for that now, and it is now in the front yard:)

I still am going to glue the old pot together and put it in the back, because it was such a beautiful pot and I am anal.:rolleyes:

I watched the pond lady and she looks young, so I'm going with "Thank You":DYour welcome! :)


DH removed all the white picket fence today (that fell down in the storm) and replaced it with that 'new fangled' black iron, 3 feet tall stuff. It looks great and we don't have to worry about a dog jumping over it. (G-d rest his soul, Winston (the jumper) is no longer with us) The dogs are little and have no desire to escape. Not sure what was up with Winnie, but he always tried.I've been looking at that 3' fence, not sure where I could use it.
Candy Pester our feline is a master escape artist.


I couldn't help myself when we went to get the fencing. They have 'ba$tard plants that are not good for the average eye and priced at 1/2 or lower off. I bought 2 more Blackberrys and a red Dahlia (not dinner plate) and another Dahlia (not sure what color) but I know that I can grow them and they come back, so I'm good.I know, we're the same way. This is the time of year for good deals


I transplanted my poor broken Palm in another pot (bigger) funny story, but no time for that now, and it is now in the front yard:) Can't wait to hear it!


I still am going to glue the old pot together and put it in the back, because it was such a beautiful pot and I am anal.:rolleyes:Do you use a special epoxy for pottery?

K

Do you use a special epoxy for pottery?

No, just Gorilla glue. It holds them together very well. This will be the first time I am doing it without a plant in the pot. I had 2 queen Palm blow over last year and the year before and had to glue the pieces back on while the plant was in the pot. Not a very good effor but the broken glued side is backed up against some grasses, so you can't see where the repair was made.

Today I spent the glorious weather day planting 3 shrubs (for hedge) in the dog yard behind the spa where the fence blew down. After I planted them I couldn't help changing things and shaped the whole back yard into a semi circle for easier mowing and it looks great. I have to pick up bark Monday when I get off work to finish up and I still have to staple the mow strip in.

My funny story about the pot was...
We went to Costco to see if they had any big pots, got out early to beat the rush. As we entered the store, I told DH that I needed one about the size of the one I had in the front.:rolleyes: and then realized that I could use the one in the front, I never planted anything in in. I looked at DH and said "we can go home now" We still looked at the pots and they had wonderful giant ones for $50.00, but we left saving the 50 and then spent it on hedge bushes instead.:p

I burned a lot of dead pampas grass yesterday and reduced my Green bin pick-up. Worried for a little while that the fire Dept would come (smoke) but no Hot Firemen showed up:( also no Fine:)

DH went to play poker last night and pulled a hamstring,(:confused:) so he sat and iced all day, but keep me company.

The dogs love the new fence!

I usually have a bottle of that glue around also, I don't know 'bout you, but I usually end up with it on my fingers, an then half to use something like finger nail polish remover or gas to remove it.

Yes it finally was a sunny day here too. Started raining Thursday morning 'bout 5am, and didn't finally stop until this morning (Sunday) around 11am, total rain 3.86" :eek:
You were guided by providence to improve your yard, can't wait to see the new layout!
Do you get the bark in bags or do you have a truck, and load it?

Now how did you ever have a container that you didn't have something planted in it? :D
We're always making shopping lists for when we go, but 10% of the time we'll end up leaving it at home, well, its good you had the money for the bushes, We like when it works out like that to.

All it takes is one neighbor. Do like I do when I burn, and put some potatoes in the fire, and if the fire co. does show up I tell 'em I'm having a B-B-Q. :D
Still your fortunate, I can only imagine how strict they are where your at.

What! Was DH going for an inside straight? :p Had one of those once, their no fun :(
Always helps to raise the bonding quotient. ;)

Yay! For the pooches.

Oh and I forgot...
I saved all the worms I found and put them in my new compost bin.:)

I usually have a bottle of that glue around also, I don't know 'bout you, but I usually end up with it on my fingers, an then half to use something like finger nail polish remover or gas to remove it.

Yes, I'm going to attempt to use gloves this time

Yes it finally was a sunny day here too. Started raining Thursday morning 'bout 5am, and didn't finally stop until this morning (Sunday) around 11am, total rain 3.86" :eek:
You were guided by providence to improve your yard, can't wait to see the new layout!
Do you get the bark in bags or do you have a truck, and load it?

We got rid of our truck for gas price purposes, so I get it in bags now, but the most I get is 4 at a time.

All it takes is one neighbor. Do like I do when I burn, and put some potatoes in the fire, and if the fire co. does show up I tell 'em I'm having a B-B-Q. :D
Still your fortunate, I can only imagine how strict they are where your at.

Almost everyone has fire pits, portable and in ground or Chimanias, I think they are allowed since they are sold everywhere. So I just burn the stuff in the portable one. I save the small pieces for the table fire pit.
Although in some months of winter there are 'No burn days' So when it's cold and we want a fire in the fireplace, we have to check.:rolleyes:
.

I'm not trimming my roses till February, but have you ever heard of using a wire brush lightly on the root ball to allow more sun to the plant:confused: One of the rose experts around here does that and I can't seem to find anything about it, so I haven't tried it yet. I asked this question last year, but got no responses.:(

Edit: It's been raining all morning, so I won't be able to get my bark down today, plus my house is probably now filled with mud from the pups.

I saved all the worms I found and put them in my new compost bin. :)
Have I got the composter for you! Only $249bucks. Sawer on "Ask This Old House"

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/cleanairgardening_2077_35416280
Rotating Sphere Composter with Base (http://www.cleanairgardening.com/sphere-composter.html)


I'm not trimming my roses till February, That's what I told J_9 in her post

But have you ever heard of using a wire brush lightly on the root ball to allow more sun to the plant:confused: One of the rose experts around here does that and I can't seem to find anything about it, so I haven't tried it yet.
Can't say that I have, It is a muti-purpose tool :rolleyes: Usually used for cleaning tools. Is this hearsay? or can you contact him to ask why he uses it.
I can't picture him using a 4" angle grinder, but maybe a small brass brush, like a toothbrush. I could accept the reason that it would clean out, and at the same time stimulate the root system.

I asked this question last year, but got no responses.:(
I wasn't here last year. :D I'll keep lookin'

Edit: It's been raining all morning, so I won't be able to get my bark down today, plus my house is probably now filled with mud from the pups.
I'm still trying to break out of my cabin fever from last week

That compost bin looks like the Monster from 'The Incredibles' :eek:

Hi! JD,

When I saw it on the show it rolled pretty freely, but I wonder how it would do with the 71lbs, it claims to hold.

Sit it under a tree, Place a fog machine, and speaker inside the stand, put an orange skirt around the stand, Use craft paint to put a Halloween face on it, :) hang some spiders from the tree, and there you go... A Halloween decoration :eek: :cool:

Get the mechanism from one of those oscillating fans, and it'll watch the kids as they walk up an down your sidewalk. ;)

Get the mechanism from one of those oscillating fans, and it'll watch the kids as they walk up an down your sidewalk. ;)

I like that idea, very ingenious.:cool:

I haven't got around to my bark yet, because of the rain and visitors, but maybe this weekend when I'm not working on the decorations for Sheries door.:)

Yea, been busy too.

Just got the lawn cut for the last time this season, today. Deck comes off, and snow blade goes on. Finished the last part under sprinkles, raining steady now, Possible 1.50" by tomorrow night.

Made up burger goulash with UDT, and neighbors zucs for Supper, DW should be home in a half hour.

What's that eddie?.
Don't forget it's Friday, you have News from the Bucket to do too.

Oh poop! Your right! Well I got to go JD, remember to use fake blood on Sheries door!

Almost got the yard and stuff all away from the storm and now we are going to get really windy with 40 MPH gusts. So I guess Tuesday, I will be starting all over cleaning up. I will be able to tell how my new fence holds up.:)

Haven't planted my new Dahlia yet, maybe when I get home from work before the wind hits, need to find a big enough pot first:rolleyes:

Well, I started to panick, because my 'key lime tree' limes started to turn yellow and I wasn't sure what to do, but as I checked on the world wide internet, they said that is normal, when they are ripe (unlike store bought ones) I guess I will be making key lime pie soon, since I have way too many for Gin and tonics.:)

:) :rolleyes: durn shame we're not neighbors ;) :D

Pie? Or drinks?:rolleyes::):D

:cool:Well, I'd have to get some work done, before pie, and drinks.;)

I've been throwing all my fruit and veggie scrapes into the new compost bin along with coffee grounds and tes bags and egg shells. I had read that ALL were OK.

I'm getting flies and fruit flies. I read to add some shredded paper, did so. Didn't help:eek:. I stopped putting the coffee grounds in (maybe too moist) and added a little more paper.

Any other suggestions?:confused:

The main reason your getting flies is because the adult flies are able to reach your food, and veggie scraps.
For anything you place in your composter, you need to bury it at least 2", don't matter with what, just needs to be covered on all sides.

You can also try hanging plastic freezer bags filled with water near the composter. :confused:
Some gardeners swear by it.
Verminators : HowStuffWorks Articles : Discovery Channel (http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/verminators/hsw-top-10-diy-bug-beaters-04.html)

K

Really:cool::eek: They never said anything about that:rolleyes:
I'll try the paper and a little soil.

I started a pile back in the spring with oh, a couple, to 3hundred lbs. of soil, and as long as I kept the scraps completely covered, all was well, but let just a piece exposed, the flies would appear.

One grace I have is, the weather is getting colder so the fly problem subsides, but I still have to be careful or I can also attract the night foragers from skunks to deer.

I used to have a semi open bin 7 years ago and never had any problem at all:confused:

Has anything changed since this photo, Like after the big storm?
What's your neighbor have on the other side of that fence?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attachments/gardening-plants/25476d1255383588-what-you-doing-prepare-next-season-oct-2nd-2009-045.jpg

That's my fence, the other side is the front yard. Nothing has changed in that area that I'm aware of. I'll check the front and see what's going on when I get home from work, but I think everything is still the same, unless a sprinkler broke.:confused:
I had been just throwing stuff in there weekly and not putting anything on top. I'll bury now.:)

It is also helpful if you can mix or turn the "pile" every now an then.

'bout that possible broken sprinkler... Its okay to have a moist to dry mix, but not one that is soppin' wet, otherwise you won't generate the heat needed for fermentation.

I cleaned out all my hoses on the pond today and guess what?? It's running better:rolleyes:
Also baited some mouse traps around the garden bench and wood pile with chunky peanut butter (all I had, used the rest for dog cookies) before they come into the house, I'm always keeping the door open:eek:

My Romaine is looking good:D I never tried lettuce before. I set up a pot (sort of) in the back area that doesn't get much sun except in the summer, but it is wasted space and I hate that. Don't know what I will plant in it yet. Maybe a tomatoe next year,

I've been collecting pieces of old duct work from an HVAC company that dumps their garbage where I work. If I can get to it before the 'Junk Man' comes... I have pots! Square, Rectangle, round... it's scary that my DH hasn't complained yet.:cool: I still have not painted them, so they are silver and look like what they are, but suit the purpose.

Hi! JD was thinking 'bout you today :) (Series of storms in California :()

I'm continuing to get cuttings from Anak (Son of BB) have 'bout 5 now, and soon as the weather breaks in May I'll be planting them outside.

I was thinking of getting one of these...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_80cGISOzOds/S1aNofDuHRI/AAAAAAAABZE/-G5duOKsi40/s800/1-14-2010%204%3B10%3B28%20AM.jpg

Wadaya think? I checked on them, and it's a hybrid of a tom an poe plant. Kind of expensive though... k

Very expensive, and I'm sure they won't ship to California.
I would spend the extra 5 bucks and get 2, I'm sure you can grow anything:D Would you have to wait until all your tomatoes are gone before you can get a potato? If you dig up the roots, you will kill the tomato part, right:confused:

The weather is very icky here, but so far nothing has blown over and broke and even though the pond is overflowing the fish are staying in, which is a good thing because they would just be carried downstream to the chlorine pool:eek:

We had snow not that long ago and I don't know yet if my blueberries and blackberries survived. My key lime has lost all it's leaves, so I don't know about it either.:(

The entire yard just looks burned. I will know in a month or so what survived. It's very depressing, but nothing can be done at this point.

On a brighter note... I have Daffodils popping up every where:)

Nice hearing from you:D

Very expensive, and I'm sure they won't ship to California.
I would spend the extra 5 bucks and get 2, I'm sure you can grow anything:D Well, most anything.

Would you have to wait until all your tomatoes are gone before you can get a potato? If you dig up the roots, you will kill the tomato part, right:confused: That's a good point. I would think you would have to wait until all the toms are done before you would think 'bout digging up the poes.


The weather is very icky here, but so far nothing has blown over and broke and even though the pond is overflowing the fish are staying in, which is a good thing because they would just be carried downstream to the chlorine pool:eek:eddie sez... That would be somthin' to see...


We had snow not that long ago and I don't know yet if my blueberries and blackberries survived. My key lime has lost all it's leaves, so I don't know about it either.:(The berries should be okay,

Blueberries:
cold-hardy blueberries tolerate temperatures of - 35°F (2° C)or below, and many cultivars survive temperatures between - 20 and – 25°F (-29 to -32° C) .
Require acid soils, and a soil pH between 4.5 and 5.2 is ideal.
http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/BUL/BUL0815.pdf

Blackberries:
Brambles grow best on a sunny site in sandy loam soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/2161/17282.pdf

If your berries are in proximity to each other, try to keep a happy medium like 5.5.
To tell if you need to apply acid or a substitute like sulfur, you should be able to get a pH tester from your local dedicated garden supply.

Here's a visual aid for Blackberries:
Blackberry Diagnostic Tool (http://www.ncsu.edu/project/berries/diagnostic_tool/blackberry_diagnostic_tool.html)

Key Lime:
Borrowed from:
Key Lime Tree | Plant Aficionado (http://www.plantaficionado.com/Key_Lime_Tree)
The Key lime tree is considered hardy to approximately 30 degrees F, or in USDA zones 9, 10, and 11.
So if it wasn't too cold for too long I would think the tree would be okay, but not the fruit.

For both the Berries, and the Key Lime, drainage is crucial or the berries could end up with a fungus, and the tree with root rot.

As a side note:
With all the rain your having, the pond, and pool waters should be diluted to a point that shouldn't affect the Berries, but if they are in the way of the runoff, I'd think 'bout creating some type of diversion, like sand ina sock, and lay them down for protection.
If they are both downstream, just create a barrier on the lawn so the majority of the runoff stops some distance away from them, and drains into the lawn.


The entire yard just looks burned. I will know in a month or so what survived. It's very depressing, but nothing can be done at this point.I feel your pain, I'm in the same boat.
Not sure how close this is to you, but if you in the mood for a break, check this out:
Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties - Tomato & Pepper Plant Sale (http://groups.ucanr.org/sanmateo/Tomato_%26_Pepper_Plant_Sale/)

On a brighter note...I have Daffodils popping up every where:) Those guys are hardy, I still have a gaggle of those, and Iris that survived our winter of '94... -22°F (-30° C)
... eek.. .


Nice hearing from you:DThank You, it is nice to be out and about again.
I'm going to Physical Therapy 3x's a week, it's helping, and I hope to be ready to go planting in May.

k

Well, I just replied to you and it disappeared. I will try again when things are working right, wouldn't want to lose it twice.:D

I had trouble with my reply. :(

"Time to visit Wierd Occurences and goings on" :) :eek: :confused: :D :rolleyes:

QUOTE: As a side note:
With all the rain your having, the pond, and pool waters should be diluted to a point that shouldn't affect the Berries, but if they are in the way of the runoff, I'd think 'bout creating some type of diversion, like sand ina sock, and lay them down for protection.
If they are both downstream, just create a barrier on the lawn so the majority of the runoff stops some distance away from them, and drains into the lawn.

As I was saying:rolleyes:, I don't have to worry about about the plants and flooding they are uphill by the house.

But I did find a better way of creating a barrier or diversion instead of sand. When our roof was being cleaned and blasted I didn't want any off the black gunk going into the pool or pond (they are downhill from the house) The man suggested garbage bags and the hose. Just put them where you want them and fill to a certain point with water, twist off and they shape themselves. It worked great and of course easy clean up.:D

Would you mind if I joined in here, when I can?

I was the former secretary as well as president for our local horticulture club. I'm also an avid flower and vegetable gardener.

I haven't done much with my own gardening in the past couple of years. Am looking for some inspiration though...

Thanks!

Would you mind if I joined in here, when I can?

I was the former secretary as well as president for our local horticulture club. I'm also an avid flower and vegitable gardener.

I haven't done much with my own gardening in the past couple of years. Am looking for some inspiration though...

Thanks!

The more the merrier:D This is my favorite spot on the whole site, I learn so much from KUXJ and it's fun.:)

Originally Posted by Clough https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/gardening-plants/what-you-doing-prepare-next-season-399861-6.html#post2187030)
Would you mind if I joined in here, when I can?

I was the former secretary as well as president for our local horticulture club. I'm also an avid flower and vegetable gardener.

I haven't done much with my own gardening in the past couple of years. Am looking for some inspiration though...

Thanks!



The more the merrier:D This is my favorite spot on the whole site, I learn so much from KUXJ and it's fun.:)

Thank you!

I haven't done much with my own gardening in the past couple of years. Am looking for some inspiration though...



My inspiration is to grow as much as I can instead of buying, plus it tastes better.
I also love fresh flowers in the house, I have several small vases everywhere, that I love to just put small cut flowers in. flowers are expensive to buy:eek:

Plus I love being outside and can't stand to be idle:cool::rolleyes:

But I did find a better way of creating a barrier or diversion instead of sand. When our roof was being cleaned and blasted I didn't want any off the black gunk going into the pool or pond (they are downhill from the house) The man suggested garbage bags and the hose. Just put them where you want them and fill to a certain point with water, twist off and they shape themselves. It worked great and of course easy clean up.:DWhat a novel idea! I filed that idea away in my "Chest o' Tips"


Would you mind if I joined in here, when I can?

I was the former secretary as well as president for our local horticulture club. I'm also an avid flower and vegitable gardener.

I haven't done much with my own gardening in the past couple of years. Am looking for some inspiration though...

Thanks!Sure Clough! But You'll haveta put up with my sidekick eddie chiming in once and a while.

Sounds like you would you have to start from scratch. Any particular way you'd like to go?
What's that eddie?.....No, you're not getting another passenger, your locked in for this flight.


The more the merrier:D This is my favorite spot on the whole site, I learn so much from KUXJ and it's fun.:)JD your so nice, you make a guy blush :o .

Fun's what we're all 'bout Clough. People, plants, and animals intertwining in their journey on this big blue marble we call "Earth".

K

I'm trying to get inspired again.

There was one year that I started over 1,200 seedlings of vegetables and flowers.

I do have pictures of doing that. But, I would need to find them...

I gave most of them away as gifts to people.

Again, I'm trying to get inspired to do what I used to do.

I need help in being inspired...

Thanks!

I'm trying to get inspired again.

There was one year that I started over 1,200 seedlings of vegetables and flowers.

I do have pictures of doing that. But, I would need to find them...

I gave most of them away as gifts to people.

Again, I'm trying to get inspired to do what I used to do.

I need help in being inspired....

Thanks!

Well tomorrow, if it's not raining too hard I will take a picture of my burnt back yard (you already saw it un-burnt in previous pictures) maybe that will inspire you to give me a clue as where to start:) and then as you come up with ideas for me, you will come up with some for yourself:cool:

First, you'll have to decide on what you'd like to use your garden for.

Will it be a place for children or grandchildren to play.
A place to grow fruits, and vegetables for friends, and family.
A place for entertaining friends.
A quiet tranquil place, to relax in, and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Then, what features do you want.
Water
Fire
Cooking
A gazebo to hold small concerts with your quartet friends or even to hold small plays with your theatrical friends.

There's no right or wrong way to tackle a DIY garden design, it's your garden and with a bit of effort you can transform even the smallest garden into a wondrous place to spend the summer days or evenings, and even the rest of the year if the weather allows.

Before you can have inspiration, you must have desire...
(KUXJ... 1951- )


K

I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!

I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!

Oh! I like that and I want to be your neighbor:)
I have heard of those, but I don't know of anyone around here doing such.
There are some gardeners who scope out prime spaces in peoples yards front yards mostly and make a deal with the owner to plant and tend (they plan on selling their goods) but the property owner gets what ever free veggies they want for lending out the land.:D
They would not make a profit on me, since I tend to pick and can:cool:

If you continually plant the same veggies, make sure you rotate the proper crops to avoid problems and increase yield. You can obtain a simple rotation schedule from our website Welcome to Tippolly Farm (http://www.tippolly.com)

I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!Okay, now we have a theme.

Clough, it would help if you could post some pixs of your backyard, so I could get an idea of the setting, how large of an area you have to work with, and any property restraints you may have with your neighbors.

Do you have all the tools, and equipment from your previous endeavor?
How much are you willing to DIY, compared to hiring a Landscaper?

Presently I'm envisioning a “U” or “V” shape garden, where you, and your visitors would enter from a pergola in one direction, and exit to it from the other, a gathering area if you will; of course with human nature being what it is, this style shouldn't assume to stop anyone from probing the garden at their leisure.

With this style, small arboretums with fruit trees could be alternated with varying sizes of vegetable, and flower plots. The arboretums could also incorporate statuary, bird feeders, and water-baths. With motion-detected or user-activated stationary tour guides describing to your visitors what they are observing.

The bottoms of the “U” or “V” shapes would have a resting area, a gazebo?
And if plumbing, and electric could be run into this area creature comforts would be available as well.
The center of the “U” could have a natural screen of grasses, and grapes, as could the open areas of the “V”.

As you can see there are many possibilities, and I have added more inspirational links at the bottom of this post. Now all you need is the desire.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Oh! I like that and I want to be your neighbor:)
I have heard of those, but I don't know of anyone around here doing such.
There are some gardeners who scope out prime spaces in peoples yards front yards mostly and make a deal with the owner to plant and tend (they plan on selling their goods) but the property owner gets what ever free veggies they want for lending out the land.:D
They would not make a profit on me, since I tend to pick and can:cool:

Hi! JD, you may be laboring under a slight mis-conception.

The garden type you describe would be better classed as “communal”.
In the strictest sense “friendship or international gardens” are more of an “arboretum” type.
Clough is trying to form a variation of a theme.

See:
Some international versions:
friendshipgardens.org (http://www.friendshipgardens.org/Gardens/gardens.htm)

Here are several versions of friendship gardens near Clough:
City of Rock Island, Illinois - Park Information - Longview Park (http://www.rigov.org/citydepartments/parks/longviewpark.html)

John Deere Attractions - Welcome to the Deere-Wiman House - About the House (http://www.deere.com/en_US/attractions/homes/about_dw.html)

The Ellwood House (http://www.ellwoodhouse.org/)

May be a little late now, but still a nice garden. Do you like chocolate Clough? :
Quad City Botanical Center (http://www.qcgardens.com/)

A list of gardens in Illinois:
Illinois Gardens (http://www.ilovegardens.com/Illinois%20Gardens.htm)
A list of gardens in California:
List of botanical gardens in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_botanical_gardens_in_the_United_States#Cal ifornia)

And finally, but not least:
Friendship Garden site:youtube.com - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=Friendship+Garden+site%3Ayoutube.com+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)

There's even tips on Koi JD!

K

It's still raining here:( If I don't see some sunshine soon, I will go mad:eek: or MORE mad:eek::eek:

Originally Posted by Clough https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/gardening-plants/what-you-doing-prepare-next-season-399861-7.html#post2189145)
I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!



Oh! I like that and I want to be your neighbor:)
I have heard of those, but I don't know of anyone around here doing such.
There are some gardeners who scope out prime spaces in peoples yards front yards mostly and make a deal with the owner to plant and tend (they plan on selling their goods) but the property owner gets what ever free veggies they want for lending out the land.:D
They would not make a profit on me, since I tend to pick and can:cool:

I really like the idea about the property owner getting what they want! Excellent idea!

It's still raining here:( If I don't see some sunshine soon, I will go mad:eek: or MORE mad:eek::eek:

It's still snowing here, and I've been trapped in the home where I'm house and dog sitting!

It's still raining here:( If I don't see some sunshine soon, I will go mad:eek: or MORE mad:eek::eek:JD, that storm that hit your area 'bout last Tuesday just left here, also left 2.11 inches of rain.

We're under a flood warning:

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE:
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER AT HARRISBURG.
FROM THIS EVENING TO LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELED.
AT 4 AM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 10.4 FEET AND RISING.
FLOOD STAGE IS 17.0 FEET.
MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
THE RIVER IS FORECAST TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY TONIGHT AND CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 18.1 FEET DURING THE MID MORNING HOURS ON WEDNESDAY. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE WEDNESDAY EVENING.
AT 19.0 FEET...A NUMBER OF HOMES IN WEST FAIRVIEW... DAUPHIN... AND HARRISBURG FLOOD.

We live 'bout a mile from the river, and only have minor local flooding, but the yard feels like walking on a sponge...

Okay, now we have a theme.

Clough, it would help if you could post some pixs of your backyard, so I could get an idea of the setting, how large of an area you have to work with, and any property restraints you may have with your neighbors.

Do you have all the tools, and equipment from your previous endeavor?
How much are you willing to DIY, compared to hiring a Landscaper?

Presently I'm envisioning a “U” or “V” shape garden, where you, and your visitors would enter from a pergola in one direction, and exit to it from the other, a gathering area if you will; of course with human nature being what it is, this style shouldn't assume to stop anyone from probing the garden at their leisure.

With this style, small arboretums with fruit trees could be alternated with varying sizes of vegetable, and flower plots. The arboretums could also incorporate statuary, bird feeders, and water-baths. With motion-detected or user-activated stationary tour guides describing to your visitors what they are observing.

The bottoms of the “U” or “V” shapes would have a resting area, a gazebo?
And if plumbing, and electric could be run into this area creature comforts would be available as well.
The center of the “U” could have a natural screen of grasses, and grapes, as could the open areas of the “V”.

As you can see there are many possibilities, and I have added more inspirational links at the bottom of this post. Now all you need is the desire.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Hi! JD, you may be laboring under a slight mis-conception.

The garden type you describe would be better classed as “communal”.
In the strictest sense “friendship or international gardens” are more of an “arboretum” type.
Clough is trying to form a variation of a theme.

See:
Some international versions:
friendshipgardens.org (http://www.friendshipgardens.org/Gardens/gardens.htm)

Here are several versions of friendship gardens near Clough:
City of Rock Island, Illinois - Park Information - Longview Park (http://www.rigov.org/citydepartments/parks/longviewpark.html)

John Deere Attractions - Welcome to the Deere-Wiman House - About the House (http://www.deere.com/en_US/attractions/homes/about_dw.html)

The Ellwood House (http://www.ellwoodhouse.org/)

May be a little late now, but still a nice garden. Do you like chocolate Clough? :
Quad City Botanical Center (http://www.qcgardens.com/)

A list of gardens in Illinois:
Illinois Gardens (http://www.ilovegardens.com/Illinois%20Gardens.htm)
A list of gardens in California:
List of botanical gardens in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_botanical_gardens_in_the_United_States#Cal ifornia)

And finally, but not least:
Friendship Garden site:youtube.com - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=Friendship+Garden+site%3Ayoutube.com+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)

There's even tips on Koi JD!

k

What I have for gardens, aren't really all that fancy. But, I do have a number of small gardens.

Really need to get inspired again about those things.

I can't get into the computer right now, where I have a bunch of images. I'll try to find the cd's where they are - but that will definitely be a task!

Thanks for posting the links! I've been to many activities at the Botanical Center in Rock Island.

I'll answer your other questions at a latter time. Need to go try to generate some income now...

If you are talking about Vegetables and Herbs, you might want to visit our Website at www.tippolly.com where you can view how to build a raised bed to prevent moles, how to grow seeds indoors, etc.
Tippolly Farm

If you are talking about Vegetables and Herbs, you might want to visit our Website at Welcome to Tippolly Farm (http://www.tippolly.com) where you can view how to build a raised bed to prevent moles, how to grow seeds indoors, etc.
Tippolly Farm

I appreciate your input, but you need to make it a little more personal, because after all we are 'people'.:rolleyes: I could be wrong, but I don't think any one was talking about Moles.

If you would like to help, I think you need to say something and then reference your web site. We are all very capable of finding a website.

If you are truly interested in this topic, I would like to know how to successfully grow Dill, to the point where I can harvest it for my pickled Asparagus:confused::D;)

I appreciate your input, but you need to make it a little more personal, because after all we are 'people'.:rolleyes: I could be wrong, but I don't think any one was talking about Moles.

If you would like to help, I think you need to say something and then reference your web site. We are all very capable of finding a website.

If you are truly interested in this topic, I would like to know how to successfully grow Dill, to the point where I can harvest it for my pickled Asparagus:confused::D;)

Dill prefers slighty moist, rich and loose soil. Sow seeds 1 week after the last spring frost. It prefers a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Spacing of plants should be between 10" - 15", and it will grow to a height of24" - 36", so plant it so it doesn't shade other plants that require a lot of sun. Dill itself likes lots of sunshine. You can use the frest leaves, dry the seeds or dry the leaves on cheesecloth. Plant it near squash as it tends to deter squash bugs.

Dill prefers slighty moist, rich and loose soil. Sow seeds 1 week after the last spring frost. It prefers a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Spacing of plants should be between 10" - 15", and it will grow to a height of24" - 36", so plant it so it doesn't shade other plants that require a lot of sun. Dill itself likes lots of sunshine. You can use the frest leaves, dry the seeds or dry the leaves on cheesecloth. Plant it near squash as it tends to deter squash bugs.

Mine tend to grow and die very quickly and never get the large buds/flowers? At the top, maybe I'm planting too late in the season and it gets too hot. I believe I am in zone 9.
I'll try what you suggested and plant in about 3 or 4 weeks.
Thanks!:)

JD, check this out:
gardening.about.com/Herbs, A to Z Growing Tips for Specific Herb Plants (http://gardening.about.com/od/herbsatoz/Herbs_A_Z_Growing_Tips_for_Specific_Herb_Plants.ht m)

Scroll down to the first Dill listing, then down to Growing Tips: Soil:

It does have a tap root, so compacted soil could be a problem.
But, with your garden I wouldn't think compaction would be a problem...

Just a thought

K

28692

OK I bought all this... now what:confused: Just kidding:)

I cleaned up a lot of the upper garden today (60 degrees) and cut back some stuff. Managed to get the back yard roses cut back, I don't think 'Nancy Reagan' is doing too good:( but Ronnie is looking great:)
Filled up my green waste, but I will over-fill it on Sunday, because I need to do the front roses and I might even do the neighbors, if they aren't looking:rolleyes:

Noticed my Irises that I never got around to separating, I think they know that I thought about them a lot, so they might be kind to me.

KUXJ, I'm sorry my rain went your way:(

Don't forget to rotate your crops (especially tomato plants) to help prevent disease and increase production. We have a simple rotation chart on our Tipp Tools page that you can download for free: http://www.tippolly.com/tipptools.html

Don't forget to rotate your crops (especially tomato plants) to help prevent disease and increase production. We have a simple rotation chart on our Tipp Tools page that you can download for free: Tipp Tools (http://www.tippolly.com/tipptools.html)

Yes, I have been scoping out new areas for everything. I don't have a lot of room, so I might move some into the front yard.

I've been looking into uses for my fireplace ashes.
So far I think I have found out that if I save them and sprinkle lightly over lawn. Good:)
Blueberries. Bad:(
Compost only small amounts.:confused:

I'm going to save mine in a small metal garbage bag and look more into it.
If anyone has suggestions, please let me know.:D

If anyone has suggestions, please let me know.:D
Wood ash has a lot of uses. Here are just a few suggestions.


A fertilizer for the yard and garden. Wood ash contains 10-25% calcium, 1-4% magnesium, 5-15% potassium and 1-3% phosphorus. This makes it a good (0-2-10) fertilizer for the garden.


The types of wood you burn does play a role in the amount of nutrients it contains. Hardwoods generally produce 3 times more ash that contains 5 times more nutrients than softwoods.


Ash will temporarily change (increase) the pH of garden soil, so you should only use it sparingly and not at all if your soil pH is already over 7.0. Two pounds of wood ash equals about 1 pound of ground limestone.


When used as a fertilizer, wood ash should be applied at least two months before high nitrogen fertilizers because it promotes the loss of nitrogen from ammonia-based fertilizers. Don't use wood ash on acidic-loving plants like rhododendron, blueberries (As you found out) or azaleas and don't add wood ash to the compost pile.


Deodorizing. When your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, a little ash rubbed into its coat will help neutralize the smell.


Control pond algae. One tablespoon per 1,000 gallons adds enough potassium to strengthen other aquatic plants that compete with algae, slowing its growth,


Pump up tomatoes. For the calcium-loving plants, place 1/4 cup right in the hole when planting,


Roses, use the tom recipe above.


Wood ash can be rubbed over metal to polish it. It can also remove moisture rings from most wood surfaces.


As a glass cleaner. Wood ash is a key ingredient in lye soap. It can be mixed with a bit of water (or dabbed on a damp sponge) and used to clean dirty fireplace doors.


Make soap. Soaking ashes in water makes lye, which can be mixed with animal fat and then boiled to produce soap. Salt makes it harden as it cools.


As an insect repellent. Sprinkle small amounts around the perimeter of your garden to deter slugs and snails.


As a spot remover on wood furniture. Mix it in with a small amount of water until you create a paste. Rub over rings left by water glasses or hot beverages, and follow up with a furniture polish. Test on a small area first.
Shine silver. A paste of ash and water makes a dandy nontoxic metal polisher.


As traction. In the winter, sprinkle wood ash on slippery walkways or driveways to improve traction. Wipe you feet before going inside, because the ashes will easily track indoors.


Hide stains on paving. Ash absorbs wet paint spatters on cement by sprinkling ash directly on the spot; it blends in with a scuff of your shoe or boot.


You add it to any kind of glue and it makes it stick harder


Since your being frugal wood ash is last:
Make Your Own Fertilizer - Homemade Fertilizer Recipes (http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/tp/Homemade_Fertilizer.htm)

And remember not to burn trash, paper, or pressure treated wood in your fireplace or the toxins from those items will end up on you.


K :)

Quote::And remember not to burn trash, paper, or pressure treated wood in your fireplace or the toxins from those items will end up on you.::

I use news paper to start my fire and sometimes use a small starter log to get it going? Can I still use my ashes?

I love that I can use it for the roses, tomatoes and the pond... and insect repellent.:D
I never knew this and have always been tossing it.

I knew the Epsom salt was good, but never had a recipe. Thanks:D
I will add it to my household cleaner recipes that I use everyday. It's amazing the money you can save mixing a few things and they work as good or better. I haven't bought cleaners in a long time and saved myself hundreds.
I also use newspaper for cleaning mirrors and windows and I can't believe how clean the become.:D I think I should have been born in the 1900's.:rolleyes:

EDIT:: The agree/Disagree thing is freaking me out a little bit :)

Quote::And remember not to burn trash, paper, or pressure treated wood in your fireplace or the toxins from those items will end up on you.::


I use news paper to start my fire and sometimes use a small starter log to get it going? Can I still use my ashes?Depends... How much you burnin', a weeks worth? eddie git outta' 'ere:o
Even though the Newspaper Industry standard has been to moved to water solvent inks for newspapers. I can not verify the same standards for the Commercial Printing Industry, so... I've always advised not to burn any of the free standing advertisements that one would receive in their daily newspaper, bundle them, and recycle. You know, all that shiny stuff.
They are often printed on a denser, glossier paper, and require a more penetrating ink. The color comics printed simultaneously with your daily are an exception.
Newspaper Periodicals like USAToday could fall in to this category, again, They are often printed on a denser, glossier paper, and require a more penetrating ink.


I love that I can use it for the roses, tomatoes and the pond...and insect repellent.:D
I never knew this and have always been tossing it.Just be careful using wet ashes... That starts the lye process...


I knew the Epsom salt was good, but never had a recipe. Thanks
I will add it to my household cleaner recipes that I use everyday. It's amazing the money you can save mixing a few things and they work as good or better. I haven't bought cleaners in a long time and saved myself hundreds.
I also use newspaper for cleaning mirrors and windows and I can't believe how clean the become.:D I think I should have been born in the 1900's.:rolleyes:... :rolleyes:... I think it is 1cp Vinegar to one of those spray bottles O' water


EDIT:: The agree/Disagree thing is freaking me out a little bit :)Are you still having trouble?
What are you using to get on the Internet?


K

Quote::Are you still having trouble?
What are you using to get on the Internet?

No, I have no trouble, just fear change, and it changed.:eek:


I never use the shiny paper in the fire place and tell DH not to use it, hopefully he listens to me.:rolleyes:

I put a little of the ash in the compost bin:eek: tomorrow I will get some dry leaves to throw in and stir it all up and then throw something else on top. The only dry thing I have at this point is shredded paper (not glossy):)
It's still raining and we are expected to get another storm in 2 days.:mad: It's getting very icky to deal with, but I have my puppies:D

I just planted my seeds and now I am waiting.:) ::tap tap taping foot impatiently:::rolleyes:

I've scoped out all the areas that I can put my babies and I need to make some raised beds out of some old wood and some that I will buy on Saturday morning.

Looseleaf blend of Lettuce
Italian Parsley
Cilantro
Basil
Dill (some now some later) I can always use the seeds.
Summer Salsa tomato (Roma)
Super Beefsteak tomato
Hybrid Big Boy

I'm determined to have so many tomatoes that I won't know what to do with them (won't happen)
I just planted what is too high priced in the store that I always use. Hopefully it will work out. The greenhouse is in the kitchen right now, but my house is usually always around 65 degrees and I'm wondering if that is warm enough. I do have a hot pad to plug in or I could use a sock full of rice nuked at night.:confused: Maybe 65 is OK.

I still haven't pulled my old tomatoes out yet. The weather went from great to crap too quickly and my green waste is filled with Rose clippings now. I trimmed mine and some of my neighbors (they never do it) and then hid inside.:o So far no one has said anything:rolleyes: After Thursday (if it's not raining) I can get rid of the old tomato plants.

Hi JD,


I just planted my seeds and now I am waiting.:) ::tap tap taping foot impatiently:::rolleyes:eddie got a chuckle out of that :p


The greenhouse is in the kitchen right now, but my house is usually always around 65 degrees and I'm wondering if that is warm enough. I do have a hot pad to plug in or I could use a sock full of rice nuked at night.:confused: Maybe 65 is OK. During the day the kitchen should be fine (it's usually one of the warmer rooms of a house). At night though you'd do well to try and raise that 65 another 10°
See :
Soil Temperature Conditions for
Vegetable Seed Germination (http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1061/ANR-1061.pdf)

Even though your thermostat may say it's set at 65 it could be lower.
Do you have a small thermometer to place nearby the seed trays?
Take readings for a couple of days to see what the seedlings micro-climate is, and adjust accordingly.
If you have one of those indoor/outdoor type just lay the outdoor sensor on top of the soil... come back in ten minutes to check the reading.



I still haven't pulled my old tomatoes out yet. The weather went from great to crap too quickly and my green waste is filled with Rose clippings now. I trimmed mine and some of my neighbors (they never do it) and then hid inside.:o So far no one has said anything After Thursday (if it's not raining) I can get rid of the old tomato plants.
We just had 4" of snow Wednesday, and are looking at 12 or better for Saturday.
I hear a weekly succession of big snows for us until the first week of March :(

Hi JD,

eddie got a chuckle outta that :p

During the day the kitchen should be fine (it's usually one of the warmer rooms of a house). At night though you'd do well to try and raise that 65 another 10°
See :
Soil Temperature Conditions for
Vegetable Seed Germination (http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1061/ANR-1061.pdf)

Even though your thermostat may say it's set at 65 it could be lower.
Do you have a small thermometer to place nearby the seed trays?
Take readings for a couple of days to see what the seedlings micro-climate is, and adjust accordingly.
If you have one of those indoor/outdoor type just lay the outdoor sensor on top of the soil....come back in ten minutes to check the reading.



We just had 4" of snow Wednesday, and are looking at 12 or better for Saturday.
I hear a weekly succession of big snows for us until the first week of March :(

I can't read that:eek: Too small or I'm too old. I'll try to come up with a way to warm the area up a little at night.

I'm sorry about the snow:( Your going to be stuck in for a while, hope you have plenty of wood:)

Hey! Watch that old stuff...

Not much I can do 'bout that, but... JD, if by
I can't read that :eek: you mean the link I provided, it opens up in Adobe Reader does it not?

Well, up in the left center of the tool bar of the reader you'll see two circle's one has a minus - , and one has a plus + , click on the + until you get it to a percentage that is comfortable for you.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_80cGISOzOds/S2s1nraOuWI/AAAAAAAABgA/GYyrTt_895w/s800/PDF%20toolbar1.jpg

There is also a drop-down box there, click on the down arrow, any percentage from 100 to 200 is good, then use the scroll bars to position the document to where you can read it.

This is a pretty universal display for magnification tools, sometimes you may see a little magnifying glass instead.


I'm sorry about the snow Your going to be stuck in for a while, hope you have plenty of woodWe'll be allright, when the DW gets home from work we're going out to grab a few things. We're still stocked up from the holidays.

I just might make some sugar cookies when we get back...

I have moved my seedlings into the bathroom (I have a heater in there and a door to close) I keep the heat in the house 60 at night and hardly turn on during the day (I hate to be hot) good thing I live in California:rolleyes:

In the bath I can turn the timer on for however long I want and then keep the door closed and it stays warm in there for a long time. DH promises not to mess with the babies:)

Once our storms are over, it will warm up here.

I forgot:D Save me some sugar cookies, I like a little icing on mine please:D

DH promises not to mess with the babies :) DH should be nominated for sainthood ;)


I forgot :D Save me some sugar cookiesI do sprinkles, and Pecans also :)

I got all my old dead tomatoes in the 'green waste' bin.
I chopped off the top of all the bananas in the back yard.
Pulled a lot of weeds.
Made 3 different raised wood beds for planting.
Fixed my poor fake palm trees (from the wind)
Trimmed and threw away a bunch of jade
Put 4 cf of bark in the 'way' back yard
Made and canned some BBQ sauce:rolleyes:

And watched the Saints win:D

I spent 4hours blowin' snow... :(

Made carrot cake with sour cream icing... :)

And watched the Colts lose... :(

Well... Some of the game. I don't know, I
Just can't get into it like I use to.

AND, there's 6to12 coming Tuesday night... :(

Pictures of snow! I need pictures of snow:D
I love snow, especially when I am not there:rolleyes:

Alty had some great ones in 'pictures out your front door' thread.:)

I'm sorry your Colts lost, I'm not a big football fan. I actually could care less who wins as long as they don't show any of the losers. I feel so sorry for them I cry. The only sports that I actually paid attention to was hockey (only because my son plays) but I don't care about any team except for the one my son is on.:rolleyes:

I leveled out one of my raised beds today and emptied out some soil from other things. We are getting rain on Tuesday, so I will have to wait till Wednesday to do more.

I moved the seedling into the kitchen because I took a light from my turtle (she got a new one)
I'm keeping ever thing close enough to keep warm, but not burn and I put a cloth over the top, so there is not too much light.
The dome is propped at this point because some of the seedlings have emerged and some (lettuce) look a little leggy, but true leaves haven't appeared yet.
I won't pretend to know what I'm doing, because I always start seeds outside, so if any one wants to tell me what not to do, go for it.:rolleyes::)

I put in another bed for the strawberries this afternoon and I might be able to put the strawberries in there tomorrow.

I bought a bunch of bulbs 75% off yesterday and they are in the fridge doing there chilling hours. I'll plant next week. But I'm going back tomorrow to buy more:rolleyes: I love flowers:D

My seedlings seem to be getting leggy... OK they are leggy:rolleyes:
When they were in the bath, they had pretty much no light, but warmth.
Moved them to the kitchen and propped the top a little. They are underneath a warm light, but I have a towel on the top. (so no light) have to wet the towel everyday, so the house doesn't burn down.

I am not supposed to take the top off until all have sprouted. (according to directions) Should I give them the light:eek: They seem to be wanting to reach for the light that they can't see, but know is there.:D

Should I pinch some back:confused:

I'm thinking in about 3 days all will be sprouted and I can take the top off, should I wait and see what happens?

HELP! I've never done this inside before.

OK, I understand I am talking to myself now:rolleyes: but...
I moved my Key lime to a better location this afternoon and organized my potting bench. Saturday I believe I will put my Kumquat in the ground, I'm feeling sorry for it, even though it has been really good to me for the past 4 years.

I have a 10 year old slave coming by on Sat. afternoon, so I might get a lot done. I should start a list for her:)

I couldn't hear you... My snowblower was running :)


My seedlings seem to be getting leggy... OK they are leggy:rolleyes:
When they were in the bath, they had pretty much no light, but warmth.
Moved them to the kitchen and propped the top a little. They are underneath a warm light, but I have a towel on the top. (so no light) have to wet the towel everyday, so the house doesn't burn down.

I am not supposed to take the top off until all have sprouted. (according to directions) Should I give them the light:eek: They seem to be wanting to reach for the light that they can't see, but know is there.:DYour instincts are correct, the seedlings are “stretching” for the light.
Are your lights strong, and close (within inches) .
Are you keeping them on for a minimum of 14 hrs a day? Insufficient light is the only reason for leggy seedlings.


Should I pinch some backOnly if they are flower seedlings. Vegetable seedlings will be harmed by pinching.

Never touch a seedling's stem when transplanting, leaves can handle some crushing, but if you crush the stems vascular system it will perish.


I'm thinking in about 3 days all will be sprouted and I can take the top off, should I wait and see what happens?

HELP! I've never done this inside before.Yes wait, and light! light! light! add more light! 24Hours a day if you can.

Your instincts are correct, the seedlings are “stretching” for the light.
Are your lights strong, and close (within inches) .
Are you keeping them on for a minimum of 14 hrs a day? Insufficient light is the only reason for leggy seedlings.

My light is with 5 inches, but I have kept the towel over the top. Should I take the towel off?
Or should I wait until all have sprouted? It is just a Halogen light for warmth. It's not really sun light
Or does that not matter?

I got the pictures of the beautiful snow, but haven't had a chance to look at them all closely. (I did like the one of you starting down the porch (sidewalk) Like an Eskimo:D
My G-D Daughter is spending the weekend. I'm using her as a slave:) We have already got rid of the mushroom on the rug and will start on our list at 7 am.

My light is with 5 inches, but I have kept the towel over the top.Why? To protect them from the heat of the halogens?
Should I take the towel off??Yes, take the towel off, and get rid of those halogens.


Or should I wait until all have sprouted? It is just a Halogen light for warmth. It's not really sun light
or does that not matter?Yes, it matters. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear earlier.
What your trying to do is replicate the Sun's spectrum, indoors. The warmth is initially needed to germinate the seeds. After they germinate, and start their true leaves, the temperature can be lower.

This is a good read, especially the section on lighting:
Starting Seeds Indoors: Part 3 (http://gardenline.usask.ca/misc/seeds3.html)

Don't use regular incandescent bulbs ("grow bulbs") or halogens to start or grow any plants, this type of light generates huge inter-node spacing, poor vegetative growth, skimpy yields, and could set your house on fire due to the dangerous amounts of heat these lights produce, and is the reason your plants are "leggy".

Spend your money wisely, invest in Fluorescent lighting (good), or High Intensity Discharge lamps (HID-- recommended). HID lighting such as Metal Halide (MH) or High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) supply the high-intensity light that plants need for good growth.

Halogen lighting is a poor choice for plant cultivation because they don't have good spectral output for plant growth.

This is a little technical:
A good way to measure plant growth efficiency of different types of lighting is PAReff. PAR stands for Photosynthetic Active Radiation: the wavelength range of light between 400 and 700 nm that can be absorbed by leafs for plant photosynthesis. PAReff is the PAR/Watt efficiency ratio over a certain area.

Some examples, they don't have to be Phillips just try to match the values:

Philips Advantage Fluorescent, 5000K: 1.44 PAReff

Philips High Pressure Sodium deluxe: 1.38 PAReff

Philips Dense-Line Emitter Metal Halide, 4100K: 1.38 PAReff

People usually choose halogen for the "low start-up" costs of a halogen light.
The real cost of halogens result from its low efficiency.
500 Watt halogen lighting produces about 0.08 Watt/s/nm in the green-yellow spectral region which is about the same as 80 watts of cfl's.

A 500w halogen grow will cost approx $63 for electricity, whereas a more efficient light source generates the same par value for around $10 (depending on your local prices).


I got the pictures of the beautiful snow, but haven't had a chance to look at them all closely. (I did like the one of you starting down the porch (sidewalk) Like an Eskimo:D
My G-D Daughter is spending the weekend. I'm using her as a slave:) We have already got rid of the mushroom on the rug and will start on our list at 7 am.Glad you received the pix's.

Don't you two work too hard, make sure you both take the time to smell the Dahlia's :)

It hasn't been a really good day and now I feel I have messed up my seedlings, when all I was trying to do was save money.:(

I took the lid off and turned off the 'death' light.

:(:(:(

Thanks for the link:)

Stay strong, you wouldn't want to transfer your sadness to your seedlings.

Keep the seedlings going, you can still plant "leggies", and start new ones. They will understand as long as you don't despair :)

You workin' tomorrow or are you off for president's day, and have your helper for one more day?

Stay strong, you wouldn't want to transfer your sadness to your seedlings.

Keep the seedlings going, you can still plant "leggies", and start new ones. They will understand as long as you don't despair :)

You workin' tomorrow or are you off for president's day, and have your helper for one more day?

I have no one:( It's a sad day and I'm going to work on Monday
:(
Thank you so much:) I'm really sad, I need to 'buck up' with my plants.

I can 'DO IT':D

Borrowed from:
Leggy seedlings aren t necessarily a lost cause (http://www.bestmorph.com/cgi-bin/show/page/6803-_Leggy_seedlings_aren_t_necessarily_a_lost_cause)
Some plants, particularly those with "hairy" stems, such as tomatoes, can be buried deeper in the soil to approximate their normal height. They then develop roots along the buried stem. In fact, this is something worth trying with any seedling because depending on the age, even some non-hairy-stemmed plants will continue to grow when buried deeper. If you try this technique, be aware that the root zone is now lower and you may want to water from the bottom to reach it without soaking the buried stem area as you would watering from the top.

Check this out, he's even starting Dahlia's:
My First Starter attempt... (http://www.helpfulgardener.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13054&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0)

That guys stuff grew pretty fast:)

I still have time and seeds and extra pods, maybe I will start new and move everything into the garage and lower my fluorescent light.

This is my plan now..
I will pick up a warm white and cool white bulbs.
Start fresh with the seeds
Move evrything to the garage
Put a heating pad underneath at 70' while germinating with the dome on.
Hang the light 3-4 inches above and raise as they grow.
Take off the dome when they sprout and turn off heating pad. Because the lights should be enough heat, even though they are in the garage right?
Only leave the lights on for 14-16 hours a day.

Am I forgetting anything?:)

This is my plan now..
I will pick up a warm white and cool white bulbs.Make sure they are 40watt.

Start fresh with the seeds
move evrything to the garage
Put a heating pad underneath at 70' while germinating with the dome on.
Hang the light 3-4 inches above and raise as they grow.Start at 2inches above.

Take off the dome when they sprout and turn off heating pad. because the lights should be enough heat, even though they are in the garage right?Only if the temp drops to 45°F or below, then add supplemental heating.

Only leave the lights on for 14-16 hours a day.16hours.

I am going to change to 2":)
I already set up everything this afternoon.
:)Yes, 40 watts

And I put a tin foil tent on top.
Timer set to go on at 4 pm off at 6 am;):confused: I need to re-check your notes:)
Also my heating pad doesn't have temps.. just low medium and high. Right now I have it on high, but it is covered and I put a towel over that. I feel the warmth with my hand, but not anywhere close to hot.

It was 68 today outside, not in the garage:D

Done!:d

I edited my post, but nothing happened:confused: I changed the time to 6 am:rolleyes:

I am going to change to 2"
I already set up everything this afternoon.
:)Yes, 40 watts

and I put a tin foil tent on top.Distance, and wattage... good.
And The foil tent is for increased light reflection?

timer set to go on at 4 pm off at 6 am;):confused: I need to re-check your notes:)What you are trying to accomplish is the Sun's natural rhythm from late Spring to Late summer.

In that time frame the Sun rises in the fifth hour (5am), and sets in the 20th (8pm).
Set your timer to on at 5am, and off at 9pm, that will give you your 16hours.

Also my heating pad doesn't have temps.. just low medium and high. Right now I have it on high, but it is covered and I put a towel over that. I feel the warmth with my hand, but not anywhere close to hot.

It was 68 today outside, not in the garage:DYou need to know what the temperature is, you just can not gauge it with your hand.
A few degrees up or down can make all the difference.

And you really should use an outdoor thermometer to check what the ambient temperatures are in your garage.

What I like to use is one of those indoor/outdoor digital thermometers with memory, the ones I use have a 6foot or better wire lead for the outdoor sensor.

Lay the outdoor sensor between the center, and the edge of the seedling tray, and stretch the display case away from the trays.

That way any time you check on the seedlings you can tell what the previous min/max temps have been.

You'll have to set up your own schedule for when to check an clear.
$10bucks at better drug stores nationwide.
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_14642_1_small.jpg

:eek:
Changing the times! Thanks;)
Brains not working enough to think about the thermometer at this point... needs fuel... :)

The foil according to the sites you gave me 'might give it a 20' warmer reading. I took the fridge thermometer out of the fridge and shoved it against the towel (can't afford a real one right now) I'll check the temp in the morning.
The ambient temp in the garage is cold, according to my toes.:rolleyes:
I turned the heat pad to medium:)

The foil according to the sites you gave me 'might give it a 20' warmer reading.Okay, I just wanted to be clear why you were doing it.
I have been known to set foil under my pots so the light can bounce up to the underside of the seedlings.
Sometimes it helps, others, I can't tell the difference.

Keep the lighting close (2") until the seedlings grow their third set of true leaves, and you begin to thin-out.
Then you can raise the lighting only another inch to 3"...

Check them within 4 to 8hours.
If you see any signs of bolting/legginess/falling over, go back to the 2" distance.

I took the fridge thermometer out of the fridge and shoved it against the towel (can't afford a real one right now) I'll check the temp in the morning.
The ambient temp in the garage is cold, according to my toes.:rolleyes:
I turned the heat pad to medium:)Medium heat should be okay for now, but you still have to know for sure what temps your running.

With this discussion 'bout temps, and lighting, don't forget to make sure the soil medium remains damp/moist, but not wet.

And no fertilizer until you plant them into your garden.

If you could get hold of some good mountain spring water, and I don't mean the store bought kind, actually know of a mountain spring where you could draw 50gallons for yourself.
You could use that in place of the city water your probably using now.

It would be free of all processing chemicals, and have organic nutrients, and minerals that would be beneficial.

Can you smell chlorine when you draw a glass of tap water? If so, you could let a gallon, uncapped, sit in the garage for a day to let the chlorine dissipate.

I moved them back in to the house, got worried. I will try to get a thermometer on my way home today.:)

I couldn't find the type with the cord attachment, they were all remote and that thing wouldn't fit under. I bought a fish tank thermometer and stuck it on the side and put a older little basic one on the other side.:rolleyes:
They are both reading about 77.

Some of the things you are telling me are not quite the same as what I read, so now I need to know if I'm supposed to have the dome on at this point? It's clear plastic and according to the sites, I leave it on until true leaves appear. But they also said at that point to raise the light 5-6 inches.:eek:

So, in your opinion (because our food and Eddy's for the summer is depending on you;)) lid on or off?

We are having some good weather right now:)
I planted my onions outdoors in my new raised beds and re-did my watering system today, getting ready for when other things will be planted.

I added... beets, cherry tomatoes and a mix of bell peppers to the drama:cool:

I hope your having a wonderful time with a good book and Hot Toddy by the fire. I miss my Chicago winters, living here you feel like you need to be doing something all the time. It gets tiring.:(

I couldn't find the type with the cord attachment, they were all remote and that thing wouldn't fit under. I bought a fish tank thermometer and stuck it on the side and put a older little basic one on the other side.:rolleyes:
They are both reading about 77.Good, maintain the setting you are using with the heat pad. Medium? was the last I remember you saying.

That temperature although good for the herbs, and onions, it is a little low for the vegetables, but don't fret. All that means is the vegetable seedlings will take a little bit longer to mature into viable plants.


Some of the things you are telling me are not quite the same as what I read, so now I need to know if I'm supposed to have the dome on at this point? It's clear plastic and according to the sites, I leave it on until true leaves appear. But they also said at that point to raise the light 5-6 inches.:eek:

So, in your opinion (because our food and Eddy's for the summer is depending on you;)) lid on or off?Leave it on. It will help in maintaining warmth, and humidity.

The light distance rule is arbitrary. It depends on what amount of ambient (Natural) light there is in the surrounding area.
Basements, and garages can be darker than kitchens or porches.

With my system I follow what I stated...
2inches of separation, until the third set. By then the seedlings should/will be taller than the dome, then 3inches of separation until the seedlings are 6inches tall.
Then I move the light to 5 to 6inches of separation.


We are having some good weather right now:)
I planted my onions outdoors in my new raised beds and re-did my watering system today, getting ready for when other things will be planted.

I added...beets, cherry tomatoes and a mix of bell peppers to the drama:cool:Our weather's not too bad, this week we'll still be 3°F below normal this week (41°F - 5°C) with highs only 38°F - 3°C

Are those onion seeds or sets? In any event you would do well to mulch them especially if your night time temps fall below 50°F - 10°C


I hope your having a wonderful time with a good book and Hot Toddy by the fire. I miss my Chicago winters, living here you feel like you need to be doing something all the time. It gets tiring.:(You need to schedule in some quiet time... Woman does not live by gardening alone....

Are those onion seeds or sets? In any event you would do well to mulch them especially if your night time temps fall below 50°F - 10°C

They are sets, the package said after danger of frost:eek: I'll mulch when I get home today. Thanks:)

I wrote that after I checked the NWS for seasonal averages for your area...
It shows your night time temps should hover around 45°F - 7°C for this time of year.

So... You should be okay, but still, anything below 50°F is still :eek: chilly for :eek: animal, :eek: vegetable :eek: or mineral. :eek:

Things are popping up and it's all freaking me out. I keep going back over the old posts to see what to do next.:)

They are all still there, so I will just follow along until I run out of advice:)

Thanks:D

I cut back a lot of stuff today, since we shouldn't have any more frost or cold. Things are looking good.:) I also planted some bulbs that I had in the fridge.
Crazy Girl Scouts came by and forced me to buy cookies:eek:

A random Palm tree cutting man and his son came by yesterday drumming up business, so we had them trim 4 of our trees for a great price.
It was very scary watching the young son swaying at the top of our trees, but he looked like he was having fun. We won't have to do them again for a couple years.

A storm is coming in today, so no need to water. Hopefully nothing will get broken again.:)

My plants in the kitchen are doing good. The cilantro never came up, but I can live with that.:rolleyes:
I took the tin foil off today for a week and if I remember I will turn the heating pad off next week for a week, starting to get them ready to go outside.
I sowed some lettuce, beets and dill out in the beds on Sunday... lets see what happens.
As soon as my inside ones are out, I will be moving the light and stuff to the garage to start some Walla Wallas.:)

It's lonely on this thread now.:(

Dahlia,
Is that you in the previous post too? JDahlia?


.

Dahlia,
is that you in the previous post too? JDahlia?


.

Yes there was a glitch in the system and it was approved by Ben:)

:D!
I just saw the thread about your new ID introductions.


.

29555

29556


:d

Love the double rainbow!

Wonderful the way both pics seem to be one and it feels like you are actually looking out a window above your houseplants. :D


.

It's going to be in the 70's all this week, so all plants go outside in the shade during the day and back inside at night.

If the weather will cooperate I will be putting them in the ground around the first day of spring.:confused: Very scary since I have put in this much effort. I'm afraid they are just going to wilt and die. I have been saving 2 liter pop bottles for them, in case it gets cold at night I can just pop a pop bottle over them for protection. :D but then I have to remember to take it off in the morning or they will burn up.

In the waiting time... I am pulling most all of my weeds and getting the sprinklers and drip systems working good.

My killer Pampas Grass is almost completely out. I can't wait to be able to use that area with out wearing a suit of armor, but then of course I'll have to plant something in it's place:rolleyes::)

I have all my plants planted and ended up with 17 tomato plants.:eek: Spread all over in various places, Big Boy, Super Beefsteak, Summer Salsa 'roma' and Cherry. A variety of Bell peppers, Beets, Lettuce, Cilantro, Basil, Italian Parsley, Dill, Red Onions, Yellow Onions and Walla Walla, and Green beans. My Tarragon, chives, thyme, Rosemary, Oregano and lemon grass are still hardy. I need some Sage.
Covered most with bird netting and so far I have had no problems with the crazy Squirrels (thanks binx:)) and I sprinkled ground up peppers all over the dirt to keep the ants away from the lettuce.
I'll post a couple pictures when I get home.

Gosh! You're giving me a lot of inspiration here, Just Dahlia! :)

Thanks!

Everything is doing great, but my husband went to Disney Land and lost my camera (for the second time) I will not be lending another camera to him any time soon, of course first I have to buy one:rolleyes:
So no pictures, until I learn how to use his camera, plus all the pictures I took before are being enjoyed by some low life camera thief:mad: