Posted on 04/20/2012 10:06:22 AM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde
Good morning to my FRiends, fellow gardeners, future gardeners, and lurkers! It is beautiful and sunny today here in NELA. We received 2-1/2 inches of rain earlier in the week and it is still very wet in the yard and garden.
I've been keeping busy with my bee yard ... I got called about a swarm day-before-yesterday, about 25 miles south of my house. I still had all of my bee catching equipment in my truck from doing a hive cutout last weekend, so off I went. Below is a photo of the swarm when I got there, and the latest photo of my bee yard with the newest hives on the right-hand side.
It is my hope that everybody is getting the weather they need, and none of what they don't. Check-in and let everybody know what you're up to in your neck of the woods.
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
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I wouldn't because the extra water might interfere with what the field is supposed to be doing. But I really don't know. Mine is eased in around the septic lines so between not wanting to disturb them and having a tiny yard, the garden is at its max now.
Gabz,
I remember when I built my raised beds. The topsoil that was delivered was kinda lousy. Real heavy and clay like. I ended up mixing up a blend of 2 parts crappy topsoil, 1 part peat moss, 1 part sand. Thinking back I should have gone with more peat moss in the mix.
Keep in mind the beauty of raised beds is you can make the soil perfect and you don’t walk on it so it never gets compacted. Invest the added effort now as you build the beds and it will save a lot of effort in the long run.
Oh, one other thing I noticed over the years. Back when I planted everything on the ground, I lost quite a bit to rabbits. I was always chasing rabbits out of the garden. Now that I plant everything in beds raised 1 foot, the plants have not been touched by rabbits in 14 years!!!
Wonderful pics, JDB!
Prayers for Mark are on the way. Please keep us posted.
I love bamboo. It’s a great screen.
I don’t do well with the traditional bleeding hearts here in Massachusetts, but the fern leaf dicentra is mistake proof, and lasts all summer.
Looks like a very expensive, proprietary top-bar.
http://www.beepods.com/product/beepod-top-bar-hive
Thanks for the link...going back now.
Thanks for the tip!
Rabbits are not a problem around here - the foxes and eagles keep them in control. My biggest problem is with deer. they think baby canteloupe are snickers bars!
This raised bed is just for flowers. I don’t normally do flowers, but I caved into a fund raiser for the children of a friend. They were selling bulbs to raise money so the K and pre-K classes can go to the Smithsonian.
This is an experiment I have been promising my daughter for nearly 3 years. We shall see.
Gorgeous photos!
It is so warm and balmy here in So Cal that I’m having a hard time keeping my mind on my work.
A while back, I posed a question about small, green, mostly round pellets I see scattered as fertilizer. It is not for hydration, but food. I can’t find out what it is, though I’ve searched high and low. I’m wondering if it is lawn fertilizer. If anyone has any ideas about what it is, let me know. Thanks! The mystery is really bugging me!
My sweet corn is looking good. Was about to plant some purple hull peas, but the rain will put a hold on that.
Sounds like everything is growing really well, including the weeds! Think of the harvest ... it is a good motivator! LOL at your chubby dove. I have a pair that sit in the corn trailer under the equipment shed. Surprises me that they can even fly out. I’ve run across several baby doves that don’t fly yet out in the yard. Luckily, they’ve all been across the pond where the cat doesn’t hang out much.
Thank you so much for your prayers. Mark's wife said that he is still in ICU, of course, and he has been in and out ... complaining that his chest hurts. Well, I guess so! I can't even imagine.
Sounds great! I hope you continue success, and thank you for checking in.
Thank you for your prayers. Hopefully, it will warm up again so you can get those beautiful little plants in the ground. Let us know how the water crystals work out. I received a bunch of those big gel things packed around some of the fruit trees I ordered. They stayed wet for what seemed like forever.
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