Posted on 03/02/2024 6:26:35 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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The First Day of Spring!
In 2024, the March equinox happens on March 19 at 11:06 P.M. EDT. This falls on a Tuesday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox
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A 32° chilly start for us today!
They started coming unglued and unraveling as soon as they soaked up water so I guess the glue is water soluble.
Gonna make it so they can ditch the Reuse part of Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Can't have the heathens repurposing things to better their lives. We've got plastic to sell.
Crazy day today. Around noon, high winds rushed in, causing high wind warnings (gusts up to 60 mph). We were visiting about an hour east of the mountain house & had to cross the mountain on a very winding, steep road. As we traveled, the winds buffeted the car & tree debris littered the road, some of it large enough I went around. Going over the mountain, we encountered some larger debris, but no trees that blocked the road.
The red flag alert for wildfires was up. We encountered one at the road’s edge on the east side of the mountain. A crew was watching, shovels in hand, EMS unit was standing by & a sheriff’s deputy had the right lane blocked.
After we crossed over & got closer to home, I could see a fire on the mountain across the river from us. Then I saw another big fire to the left, down the ridge near the other gap - the sheriff had the gap road closed. This fire caused a home development to be evacuated to the local HS gym. Sunset turned the smoke clouds orange. We have kept our power so far, but there are large outage areas all around from the high winds.
After dark, I could see fire glow & occasionally flames flare up on the mountain. On the forest development road, you can see red flashing lights. Lots of LEO & fire equipment on the roads with lights & sirens.
The high wind warning & subsequent wind advisory have expired, but I can hear the wind outside so it’s still blowing & gusting pretty good at times. The winds should continue to diminish tonight. Rain is due in Friday, but that still leaves tomorrow to get through.
Which are TP and which are paper towel tubes? Does that seem to make a difference?
I’ve used TP tubes for-ever to start plants and never encountered that problem, so you’re right - they must me super-duper biodegradable now to satisfy the Enviro-Weenies.
If it makes you feel any better, the American Robins are all here, and we’re looking at 6-10” of SNOW starting late Thursday night and all of Friday.
Told ya it was coming!
“And we would’ve gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for your meddling kids!” ;)
I don’t think I could take (mentally or physically) 6-10” of snow; however, once we pass March 1 around here, it doesn’t last long. I may have to get a snow blower for the mountain house ... it’s just too much for me to do by hand and my back will go on strike after about 15 minutes.
This morning, there was still a LOT of smoke hanging around. The fires across from us were still producing smoke, but the active fire areas seemed smaller. The major road across the gap is still closed - LONG detour for those who absolutely have to get across. At 6:58 this morning, the HVAC company was calling to see if we had been evacuated or were still at the house. I told her we were still there, had power (some of my relatives still do not); however, they were on the other side of the Gap and would not be able to get across .... we re-scheduled the appointment.
I visited a relative yesterday on the east side of the mountains. She ordered galvanized beds off of Amazon and didn’t realize that they were 2-packs. It looks like she’s going to have an extra 3 x 9 bed I can buy off of her & I think she’s giving me some dirt, too. This isn’t a sure thing on the bed, but likely. I also have to see how my ‘site plan’ will look, making adjustments for the bed. The ends are rounded rather than squared off, which I sort of like.
Today is order tubes for LB’s tires (the bro will put them in for me - he just did the two big back tires on his mower), get the new battery in and “maybe” try to start it. The bro says he can’t believe it won’t start .... ha! I told him I’d let him come up here & turn the key the first time (or two or three ...) since he’s so optimistic (and it will probably start for him!).
Back in the flatlands by lunch again today - rain coming in on Friday so depending on your point of view, good/bad. Firefighter: good. Me with outside work/hauling to do: not so good, but I’ll be glad when the fires are out & the smoke has cleared away.
All paper towel tubes, Dollar General premium store brand. Whatever it is, I imagine it’s a combo of cheap and make the EPA happy.
Just bought a 2 pack of 32 cell trays and pot them up asap. I’ll find something else to stick in the extra cells.
The fuzz has subsided since I left the dome off. I’ll just drizzle some water right down the middle until the cell trays come in.
This caution only appears on the actually seed pack itself...it does NOT appear in the catalog listing for this item (I would NOT have ordered it otherwise), nor does it appears in the online catalog. Totally Tomatoes did NOT respond to my e-mail, and they kept me on hold for half an hour on the phone; all the while assuring me that 'I was next in the queue.' I finally gave up.
I intended to use these for food, NOT 'any other purpose'. WTF, TT...is this stuff dangerous, or not? Does anyone know?
Thiram
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/thiram
“Thiram is used as a fungicide to prevent crop damage in the field and to prevent crops from deterioration in storage or transport. Thiram is also used as a seed, nut, fruit, and mushroom disinfectant from a variety of fungal diseases. In addition, it is used as an animal repellent to protect fruit trees and ornamentals from damage by rabbits, rodents, and deer. Thiram has been used in the treatment of human scabies, as a sun screen, and as a bactericide applied directly to the skin or incorporated into soap. Thiram is used as a rubber accelerator and vulcanizer and as a bacteriostat for edible oils and fats. It is also used as a rodent repellent, wood preservative, and may be used in the blending of lubricant oils. Registered for use in EU countries[115]. Registered for use in the U.S.”
Human
“Since the acute toxicity of thiram is relatively low as is with most dithiocarbamates, acute intoxication in humans is unlikely to occur unless large amounts are ingested. Thiram can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, through the skin and by inhalation of dust and fine spray mist. Inhalation can irritate the nose and throat causing coughing and wheezing. High exposure can lead to headache, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Contact with thiram can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Thiram has been given a toxicity rating of 4 and the probably lethal dose for humans is 50–500 mg kg−1. Alcohol, regardless of the route of exposure to thiram, can increase thiram toxicity and contributes to most systemic poisonings.”
So I walk into work today and the guy behind me walking in is a gardener so I asked him if he planted any seeds yet. He said yeah but they’re 2-3” and the owner has 6” plants sitting in his office.
Walked by and they’re 6” tomato plants. I have no idea why he has them in his office.
Meanwhile I haven’t even sown any maters yet. Was planning for this weekend. I gotta step up my game.
Thiram is a fungicide. In trials this seed variety may have more easily succumbed to ‘Damping Off’ which happens when soil is kept too wet while the seeds are germinating.
I worked for Jung’s for 10+ years - they own ‘Totally Tomatoes.’ I’m SO SORRY that no one was able to answer your question in person! :(
The ‘do not eat’ on the package is ‘Lawyer Driven.’ You’d be amazed at what some people put in their mouths...and then sue about it later! ;)
That fungicide is NOTHING to worry about. It’s a microscopic dose and won’t show up in the fruit (peppers) once it’s grown out.
Also - seed houses (Jung’s included!) buy seed from all over the world. It may just be that that variety of pepper is grown out for seed in a tropical setting and they use the Thiram for shipping purposes as it’s exceedingly ‘damp’ where the seeds are grown and processed, which would also effect germination.
Hope that eases your fears! I would imagine if it’s still bothering you, you could just soak them overnight to get the Thiram off, then plant the seeds as you normally would.
My ‘educated guess’ is at post #273. :)
“Alcohol, regardless of the route of exposure to thiram, can increase thiram toxicity and contributes to most systemic poisonings.”
Danggit! It’s Friday Night and I’m allowed my ONE Dirty Martini. No seed starting for me, tonight. ;)
P.S. Peppers are up. Tomatoes are still sleeping. I had to move everything IN from the greenhouse as temps have plummeted prior to our ‘Snowmaggedon’ which ended up being TWO INCHES. You don’t even have to shovel THAT! You can walk around safely in your Manolo Blahnik heels in two inches of snow and never get your feet wet. ;)
However - places within mere miles of us got 6-8-10” of the stuff! Very hit and miss - I’m glad they closed the schools today out here in Der Hinterlands. Safety First!
I’m going to be looking at the weather forecast a few times a day from here out. Good Friday is a paid holiday and the following week is my vacation. NWS has 7 day forecast. As of now, Good Fri, 70 and sunny.
Wunderground has 10 day forecast and has Sat the same but Sun/Mon as rain. Technically they go out two weeks with their calendar forecast which says decent for Tues - Fri and rain Sat.
54 and windy today so I’ll get some digging done. Hopefully set frame 7 of 7 tomorrow in the mid 60s with 30 mph gusts.
And get a few peppers and maters sown.
Next year I’ll beat that co-worker and the owner. I’ll get some cold tolerant Russian variety and be bringing tomatoes to work when they’re sticking plants in the ground. Bwaa haa haa.
Gotta love those substances that have industrial uses, (Thiram is used as a rubber accelerator and vulcanizer, wood preservative), while at the same time, they say it’s not really harmful to humans.
None of the critters will have anything to do with it but don’t worry, it’s fine. They’re just dumb animals that run on instinct. You are a smart animal and should not use instinct. Just do what we say and buy our stuff.
We had a great week in the garden.
Mr. mm and I got the three raised beds rebuilt and between them laid down cardboard (from a nice supply provided by my son’s kitchen remodel project) and covered with wood chips.
It looks GREAT.
Got the culvert pipe set out for the potatoes to go in later.
I started more seeds. The lettuce and onions, columbine and rosemary are doing well. Waiting for the peas to show but since they are now buried in snow, that’s going to have to wait.
I’m thrilled because I an far ahead in spring clean up this year of where I am other years. And all the cardboard and wood chips will help keep the weeds down, which will cut out 90% of the work.
I’m considering pressure canning the remainder of my potatoes. They’re just beginning to show signs of starting to sprout and I don’t want to lose them.
Crazy mountain life. I’m in the Ozarks, mini mountains or hill country. I haven’t had to take the long way out yet but Spring rains haven’t hit yet either. I’ve got two creeks to cross that become raging rivers and are impassable in heavy rain events.
There are low places that have warning signs and permanent measuring sticks to tell you how deep the water is. They’re four foot tall and sometimes disappear under water. The school bus drivers need talent and smarts around here.
No worries. You’ll be crazy mountain people in no time.
Thanks for the reminder on Wunderground! I forgot about that site. For some reason my computer thinks she’s in Arizona, so I am constantly adjusting that when I go to weather sites.
Our ‘Snowmaggedon’ turned out to be a blip on the radar screen. 2” TOPS, but other areas did got the 6-10” they were predicting. My Robins are happy and so am I. :)
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