THE WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD 3/2/2018

freerepublic | 3/2/2018 | greeenyes

[greeneyes]

It kills everything. Don’t let it get on anything you want to save. If you aim it carefully you won’t kill much grass.

Later, you can plant some grass seed, if there is a bare spot.

[OftheOhio]

I was having some weird pains in some of my bones recently. Left Ulna, right thigh bone, and ring finger of left hand. I went off all my meds and feel much better, no more inflammation or other pains. Anyone have information on getting vitamin D more naturally. I have read just yesterday some disturbing information on vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) being a mouse/rat killer and being able to kill dogs with a small dose. After reading about the mechanism of death being hypercalcemia and further researching same, I’ve come to some very disturbing conclusions about medicine in general.

[greeneyes]

A good balance of Vitamins is needed. When you take one supplement you can have problems. I had a tumor that caused hypercalcemia. Was not diagnosed for 20 years. Finally figured it out myself through research. This caused osteoporosis.

To reverse that I take Calcium, VitD3, and K2, and eat to make sure I get adequate vit. A and B vitamins. If you do not have adequate K2 in particular, the calcium will build up in arteries instead of deposit in bones.

K2 is a fat soluble vitamin - not found in plants. Found in animals that eat grass/greens. It has been just about totally eliminated from our food due to commercial farming methods/grain feeding.

The biggest source is Natto - Japanese fermented goo that smells like old socks. UGH

Best bets for US: Butter and whole Milk from grass fed cows and other dairy from same. Egg yolks from free range hens not fed corn, and gouda cheese-process helps to increase.

Vitamin K2 is different from K1. K1 is in green food like broccoli. K2 comes from animals that eat green stuff.

Twenty minutes of sunshine on the beach or elsewhere will give you enough sun for the body to make your own vitamin D. Not great in winter and Northern climates.

[NTHockey]

Crazy weather here in Delaware. Last week it was in the 70’s and yesterday it snowed. Started herbs and leeks indoors two weeks ago - sage, oregano and cilantro are sprouting; nothing yet from thyme and leeks.

We are planting some unusual plants in addition to our regulars. Last week we planted Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate and when it warms up, we’ll plant Strawberry Spinach and Toothache plant. A little diversion.

BTW! Anybody have an easy way to unclog a water barrel? I have a screen on top, so no dead animals. Probably accumulated silt from the rain.

[greeneyes]

Would a wet/dry shop vacuum do the trick? What’s the weather like this weekend? I heard there’s storms on the East Coast.

[Mercat]

Does anyone have a worm farm? Homemade or purchased? Also, advice on growing blackberries.

[redinIllinois]

Thanks for posting the weedkiller.

It looks a good one to try when the time comes :)

[afraidfortherepublic]

I was shocked to receive photos last week from South Carolina of my granddaughter and her date for her high school Military Ball. (She is Jr. NROTC.) She was chosen Queen (brag, brag), she was beautiful in a floor length purple gown, & her date was handsome in full military regalia. But the SHOCK was that they were posed in front of a BLOOMING deciduous magnolia! (lavender blooms, beautiful with the purple dress) I was SHOCKED because we still had several inches of snow in our yard and 2 foot banks piled up where it had been plowed around the driveway.

Second shock is that I did not realize that deciduous magnolias grew in the south. I thought that was a Wisconsin favorite, and ours won’t bloom until May. Spring IS on the way. I’m SO ready.

[DuncanWaring]

Amusing story on Silicon Valley chicken keepers with more money than brains:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/03/02/feature/the-silicon-valley-elites-latest-status-symbol-chickens/?utm_term=.bb036459827f

[CottonBall]

All of our trailers from the 70’s (we bought cheap trailers in the 90’s) had signs that the cooking appliances were not to be used for personal heating. I thought that was odd - but now i know why, lol!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

We pulled the trigger this morning, and our 8x12 Greenhouse should be here by March 20th! It may not be assembled in time to use it this spring, but I'll be able to extend the fall season, for sure. We need to put in a 'pad' for it, and the flooring will be silo staves (we have eleventy-thousand of those) and we already have metal fencing panels that we can make into the shelving. Another dream coming true, thanks to Mr. Wonderful!

Palram Bella Hobby Greenhouse 8'x12'

[trisham]

:)

[Redleg Duke]

This past week, we had temps in the fifties and sixties and happily, our honey bees were all over our bird feeders and the sugar syrup that Household Six made for them. Nearly all of our snow is gone.

The Nor-Easter that shut down the government, is blowing through here.

We are planning for spring. I have to get that damned 100 lb sink down into the basement and installed! Need to move cabinets down the wall, first, but we will do it!

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

CottonBall :" I’m hoping they (Canning Lids/Rings)will last as long as I need them to."

They will last, provided they are protected from moisture and sunshine.
Many people store excess rings and lids in a plastic bag to keep them clean and rust free; most people store in a basement, but humidity there is a damage factor.
If you add silica gel packets, you are able to store for a longer period without damage, and the silica gel can be reconditioned.
The best sources for surplus silica gel are shoe stores, electronics equipment, and piano stores where humidity needs to be controlled during transport.
The silica gel packets are generally marked as :" Silica Gel, do not eat."
The silica gel packets can be reconditioned and moisture removed by placing in a microwave oven, and microwave for a minute or two, depending on the number and size of packets.

[metmom]

I just keep my lids in a drawer in the kitchen.

My basement gets too wet in the summer when the humidity condenses on the walls.

The kitchen is a nice consistent temperature.

I don’t think any of the lids I have are more than 5-6 years old.

[CottonBall]

I guess I was thinking about it the wrong way, I thought moisture would be a good thing. So I do have mine in the basement. I thought to keep the rubber part moist so it doesn’t dry out would be a good thing. But I think I’m thinking like I live back in the California desert :-) where almost everything dry rotted. Especially our windshield wipers!

But I guess it’s the metal part we’re worried about? I’ll bring mine upstairs and put them in the laundry room then. Or maybe food saver them. I’m kind of addicted to using that machine. I food saver all sorts of ridiculous things now. Mylar and oxygen absorbers I think would be too much trouble. And maybe not even that effective if moisture is the only concern.

Thanks for your learned input!

[CottonBall]

Wow, well you have the right screen name!

[NTHockey]

Thanks, I’ll try it. Weather is in 40s - 50s; no rain or snow.. At least, that’s what the weatherman claims today.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

CottonBall :" But I think I’m thinking like I live back in the California desert :-) where almost everything dry rotted." When changing climates, one has to learn to adapt.
What is good in one climate, doesn't work in another.
In Florida, I learned that most of the older folks eat out at restaurants to avoid the heat and humidity, regardless of the season.
I had to learn to store bread in the refrigerator, wrapped in a paper bag, and then in a plastic bag, otherwise it starts to get stale sooner.
Damage to wiper blades is generally occurs with too much sun, too much heat and exposure to ozone.
Exposure to salt, acids, or moisture impacts on metal parts, hence, glass jars outlive the rings and lids;
Tattler lids can be reused several times, after a through cleaning, and put up into storage after drying.
I food saver my excess seeds this year for future plantings for next year, with a silica gel packet; just be aware of ambient humidity when you seal them up,
and know of the viability of the seeds since smaller seeds (onion,chive,carrots,etc.) generally don't store as long as larger seeds (squash/beans/corn).
Then next year, I will do a germination test, transplant the successes, and figure what seeds need to be replaced for the Spring or Fall garden, and re-order seed accordingly.

[blackdog]

The Japanese Royal Magnolia is amazing. Part gardenia and then dense manageable yard shade tree.