Gardening Thread 2021

[farmerjan]

Saw my first black snake of the season going across the road on a trip up from the stone house. BIG one, at least 3 ft long. I slowed down and he pulled back like he wanted to strike, the older bigger ones will do that sometimes... but after I went by he continued on....off the pavement into the grass. I hate to see them get run over because they do eat alot of stuff. Just as long as they stay out of the house, and out of the chickens when I have them, and all, I'm fine with them. We usually see a few when making hay. I try to not catch them up in the rake...

 

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

Saw a gopher snake today, maybe 3-4 foot long. Hubby saw him in the road as we were leaving the in-laws and stopped. We decided it wasn't a rattlesnake since it had no rattles and head was narrow. He then grabbed it by the tail and moved it off the road where it slithered off into the greenery. I'm glad we didn't run it over and hopefully it will eat more ground squirrels. Darn squirrels are so bold they climb the peach tree and snag the just barely ripe peaches (as big or bigger than the squirrel) and drag them off to eat.

 

[Baymule]

My other row of purple podded green beans is coming up! I’m gonna be swarmed with green beans! LOL

 

[R2elk]

I just pulled out an old -- !!! -- sprinkler hose from my barn stash. I don't think they even make them now but they are flat with tiny holes all along one side.

They still make and sell them.

 

[Mini Horses]

Wow...been so long, figured not. Amazing! Haven't seen one anywhere in well over 15 yrs. They work well, just not fun to move much. But, several in a nicely rowed garden and leave in place.

 

[HomeOnTheRange]

Wow...been so long, figured not. Amazing! Haven't seen one anywhere in well over 15 yrs. They work well, just not fun to move much. But, several in a nicely rowed garden and leave in place.

I just use these (see below). They have really gone up this year. Paid $7 for them last year. Bought the store out of them. Will last me about 4 or 5 years in our harsh sun.

Harbor Freight Tools | Whatever You Do, Do It For Less

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

I have a leggy basil plant... can I super deep plant it like a tomato plant when transplanting?

Yes, you can deep plant basil. Just like a tomato, you can start basil cuttings by rooting them in water. This is a great way to get more basil plants quickly.

 

[HomeOnTheRange]

Couple of questions for the group.
1.) Has anyone ever started a CSA? If so, what are the things to watch out for? What software do you use?
2.) Are you a CSA member? If so, what do you like about it and what would you change to make it better?
3.) Has anyone started or used a Seed Library? We are looking to start one in our small community.

 

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

Couple of questions for the group.
1.) Has anyone ever started a CSA? If so, what are the things to watch out for? What software do you use?
2.) Are you a CSA member? If so, what do you like about it and what would you change to make it better?
3.) Has anyone started or used a Seed Library? We are looking to start one in our small community.

I am part of a seed swap group. Covid kind of put everything on hold, but before that we'd have monthly meetups at one of the group member's houses for a potluck and swapping seeds or started plants. I think one of the members started a seed library in their city.

Be aware that a seed library could lead to heartache or annoyance as some people don't follow the rules or just like to take/destroy. Most people are decent though.

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

Ditto
Spilled grain attracts mice. Again metal trash can's can fix that. I wouldn't bother with picking it up at night unless your really that paranoid about the snakes. And don't you feed the rabbits grain. If not, anything they eat, a mouse will love also Alphalfa etc....
Selling point for wife LESS ticks.
I jumped the fence earlier this week to the flower bed to catch a garter snake about 2' long. Good sized for a garter, just to show the kiddos.

Paranoid, kinda they show up where you don't expect. I don't trust what don't run on legs.
Yeah I feed the rabbits pellets but unless they get an attitude they don't spill it. Hay and poop hits the deck and the worms, slugs, crickets show up. Just found out Garter snakes eat the bugs and worms. He was peaking out at me yesterday underneath a hutch. I thought he was gone I chased him in the morning.
It's better now that the neighbors got rid of the backyard lily pond. A lot of black snakes, thought it was funny till he got one in the house.

On a good note we
finally got a sprinkle of rain today.

 

[Alaskan]

Took plants out to the greenhouse yesterday...

Didn't yet pop them into the ground.... greenhouse needed a bit more ground leveling work.

I am thinking I will transplant the peas today... and the cabbage and lettuce....

Finally warming up, ya know... high 40s, maybe even low 50s.