Gardening Thread 2021

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

Earwigs/pincher bugs ate most of the seedlings I put outside.

 

[Alaskan]

Earwigs/pincher bugs ate most of the seedlings I put outside.

Nightmare!!!

 

[Alaskan]

Cold here.


Our few days of heat sure were nice.

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

I called it about a week ago. Memorial Day is coming it'll rain. Sure enough started last night hasn't stopped yet. Supposed to rain through tomorrow late afternoon. Other day it was 92 now it's 53.
Worked day shift yesterday, got home set to planting. Put 14 tomato plants in. Put straw around them as wind block.
Clumsy me I broke a plant off close to the potting soil. I planted it anyway. Top and bottom. It should grow, might get two plants. It happened once before and worked out. Rest of the plants will go to work Tuesday.

 

[Mini Horses]

We have rain here, the lower temps and I am really ok with it! No party plans and need the rain, temps ok after high temps for couple weeks. Pulls us out of weeks of NO rain, light drought. It's an all day affair.

Here's my latest consideration....Epsom salt. Anyone use? I've put it in planting holes for tomatoes but, when looking for ways to discourage a groundhog who wants to move onto my property, again!, I came upon Epsom salt as deterrent. Reading further, it can help with slugs, snakes, skunk, some of our plant insects and help the plants. Plus small amounts actually help such as chickens.

With my rainy day time, I'll research further. Anyone already use? If so, how and results?

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

I have never used Epsom salts for much of anything. I read that spreading it around and on the plants will stop them. Hanging Irish spring soap on the fence is supposed to work but it takes a lot of soap and your garden is huge. Supposed to hang it every 3 feet. You'd grow broke. Fox urine will stop some animals. I read human urine will deter groundhogs. 3 years ago I came home and found a huge burrow in my garden. Couple plants were shredded. I grabbed the garden hose put it at the top of the hole stepped away and turned it on. Not knowing what it was I stayed outside the fence. Took about a minute and out comes the groundhog soaking wet. I chased it, cornered it and kept soaking it with the hose. Poor feller was scared to death, quit moving. I ran too get an implement of destruction. It got out the fence I don't know how and never returned. Neighbors said it had been living under their shed. Dogs will chase them but it's an even fight unless it's 2 dogs. I saw a dog after it tangled with one. I don't know who won but the dog looked pretty well whooped.

 

[Mini Horses]

Fortunately, he hasn't found my garden....but did have one visit some yrs ago! Big eaters. LOL. He is by the chicken coops, about 800 ft away. I flooded, dug and refilled it last yr. Guess it likes it here. There are several living along a no longer used RR track adjacent to me. But, finding this as a deterrent was interesting and led me to more garden uses. Plus other animals that don't like the smell....and on to if it would hurt any of my own who may eat. Seems it's actually good for chickens.

I'll backhoe the tunnel, again, then refill. But will use the epsom salts all along the fence line. Moth balls work under the coop where chickens can't go. Runs off the skunks. Don't want any animals to eat the moth balls!! Snakes don't like moth balls so those are good in some areas.

 

[HomeOnTheRange]

Here's my latest consideration....Epsom salt. Anyone use?

Yes, I use it for my peppers and tomatoes. When planting I use a mixture of organic fertilizer (5-6-5) and Rock Phosphate in the hole. Then I put some Epsom Salt on the top of the bare ground and cover with wood mulch. Right before heavy fruiting season, I will top dress again with the fertilizer and rock phosphate on a wide circle of each plant. Will try and get some pictures of the plants if you would like...

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

Moth balls work under the coop where chickens can't go. Runs off the skunks. Don't want any animals to eat the moth balls!! Snakes don't like moth balls so those are good in some areas.

Moth balls...wow I didn't know that. Definitely get some tomorrow. I just want the snakes to stay away. Thanks.

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

Yes, I use it for my peppers and tomatoes. When planting I use a mixture of organic fertilizer (5-6-5) and Rock Phosphate in the hole. Then I put some Epsom Salt on the top of the bare ground and cover with wood mulch. Right before heavy fruiting season, I will top dress again with the fertilizer and rock phosphate on a wide circle of each plant. Will try and get some pictures of the plants if you would like...

Pictures definitely. What types of pepper and tomato did you plant?