Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Garden Thread - October, 2024
October 1, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 10/01/2024 6:10:14 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a 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.

If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.

This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies; october
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 501-510 next last
To: Paul R.

We are fortunate to have a house on a tall hill in the woods, we just pitch any carcasses over the side. The coyotes take care of them pretty quickly.


161 posted on 10/08/2024 8:50:19 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 159 | View Replies]

To: Paul R.

A valiant effort to get rid of your squirrels. I would keep at it, where you have one, you have 50.


162 posted on 10/08/2024 8:52:05 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 160 | View Replies]

To: Pollard

When you take a break, watch all of the Jesse Stone movies! ;)


163 posted on 10/08/2024 9:57:50 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: Paul R.

Re: Headlamp. We go through a local guy for all of our hunting needs. Wishbone Hound Supply. When we were dating, Beau bought me my OWN headlamp for shining ‘coons, LOL!

Now THAT is romantic! He also bought me a wood-splitting maul, 1/2 a hog and grew me ‘Moon & Stars’ watermelons and Popcorn. Also gave me a 8# organic roasting chicken!

But it was the gift of 7-year aged CHEDDAR that sealed the deal. ;)


164 posted on 10/08/2024 10:03:34 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

“...we just pitch any carcasses over the side. The coyotes take care of them pretty quickly.”

Beau has a spot at the edge of one of the production fields where he dumps carcasses, usually of raccoon after skinning.

His little stash brings in Eagles, which is nice. You can see the spot (but not the icky stuff!) from an east window in the family room.

Circle of Life and all that. :)


165 posted on 10/08/2024 10:09:25 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 161 | View Replies]

To: FRiends
Thought you might enjoy seeing 'the puppies' now that they're off into the world with their new owners.

Their fur-ever names are now 'Anna' and 'Daisy'. They are practicing 'treeing' on a young barn cat.

Here is Daisy and her fur-ever boy, Ridge. He was the one that SO CAREFULLY counted out his hard-earned sweet corn money to pay Beau for the puppy.

For reference, when the puppies were first born:


166 posted on 10/08/2024 10:20:00 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 165 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

One week from today is moving day. I think I can tough it out physically, although I am worn out after this weekend hauling file cabinets & contents .... I thought rugs were bad, but I think filing cabinets are my new least favorite thing to move.

Ordered the wrong wifi setup - new company only requires a router while old needs a modem & router, which is what I ordered. I have re-ordered & should get it Thursday. The incorrect one will be taken to UPS for a return as soon as the road construction crews leave for the day here at the old homestead. We currently have a long ditch across the driveway where a new culvert pipe is being installed. If I never hear another large equipment ‘backup beeper’ again, it will be too soon.

Mentally, a certain person is now freaking out in the final days & driving me to distraction.


167 posted on 10/08/2024 11:02:45 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Got a sister that was gaga over Tom Selleck. Will check it out. Story line sounds a little similar to Longmire. Yankee version but I’m from MA.

Also want to check out the John Wick stuff that people rave about.

Made the final connection on irrigation so I can control from Shed/Tunnel PC. Ran it for 30 minutes. Running the micro-sprinklers so I could water a couple of trays and humidity in the tunnel is so not an issue right now.

As I watched, I had a thought. Haven’t bothered hooking up the rain gauge because it doesn’t rain in the tunnel — or does it? Think I’m going to put the rain gauge in the tunnel for a little while and see how long the micro-sprinklers take to make 1” of artificial rainfall.

Do you recall what you said was eating my leaves a while back? (cuz I don’t)

Same thing has decimated the Tatsoi, Chijisimai. Hasn’t touched the bok choy for the most part. Leaf lettuce is fine.

Not going to address it right now but want to make a note in my garden journal.


168 posted on 10/08/2024 12:06:12 PM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies]

.


169 posted on 10/08/2024 2:27:15 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: Qiviut

“Mentally, a certain person is now freaking out in the final days & driving me to distraction.”

I was kind of counting on that. ;)

Prayers up for you, my FRiend. Been through this myself moving my Dad two times in three years!


170 posted on 10/08/2024 5:10:08 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 167 | View Replies]

To: Pollard

I think we were talking Flea Beetles way back then. But, don’t quote me on that! :)


171 posted on 10/08/2024 5:12:10 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I had to visit my ‘therapist’ this evening ... the furry one (Collie) next door. She has a good effect on my BP & she helps get me out of the “grumps”.

So my brother says “Are you REALLY moving next week?” Well, I expect 2 big trucks, 5 people who can lift heavy things & a very long day next Tuesday, so I think that qualifies as REALLY moving. No idea what he’s thinking.

Spotted 10 wild turkeys in the old riding ring this evening ... one is a “smoke” or gray turkey. The monster buck was out along the fence line eating acorns about the same time - didn’t see him in person, but my brother had a picture. I will miss the wildlife, but we have some at the new house, deer in particular (no bucks spotted yet). I think I saw a coyote in the field across the road - I have certainly heard numerous coyotes ‘singing’ when the emergency siren goes off in town for the volunteer firemen.


172 posted on 10/08/2024 6:20:08 PM PDT by Qiviut (The mountains are calling & I must go ..... John Muir )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 170 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin
What timing. I had just gone to my profile to click the link to The Garden Threads. Then you posted and flea beetles sounded right. I went ahead anyway and chose the May thread - Bingo.


173 posted on 10/08/2024 6:27:18 PM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 171 | View Replies]

To: Pollard

Morning all it’s been 8 days on my ankle healing, going crazy with all I need to do outside. (crybaby)


174 posted on 10/09/2024 5:51:14 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: Pollard

HA! See? I’m not totally useless, LOL!


175 posted on 10/09/2024 6:14:33 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope

I’ll make you feel better - arthritis is striking both of my thumb joints these days.

Probably too much canning, LOL! Sadly, this is something I’ll need to deal with. Both Dad & Grandpa had problems with that exact spot as they got older.

So, along with their big ears, curly hair and feisty attitudes, I’ve now inherited arthritis!

Yay! Go, Team! ;)

Anyone else got complaints, today? Post them here, LOL!


176 posted on 10/09/2024 6:26:13 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 174 | View Replies]

To: Pete from Shawnee Mission
Pete! Re: Our conversation about our driveway last week. Here's some of it, looking East from the house. At the top of the hill, by the red shed, it's another 1/2 mile to the road, but the County maintains that portion of it, thank goodness!

All of the Evergreens you see were planted by Beau close to 40 years ago as windbreak. This field has alfalfa and feed corn. They might get one more cutting (4th this season!) off of the alfalfa if we stay dry.

177 posted on 10/09/2024 6:34:53 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I notice you mentioned it being the right time for them to be active where I live. That was May and the damage pattern here in Fall looks the exact same but whatever it is, is attacking different varieties. In May, it was the bok choy and now it’s the tatsoi/chijimisai - greens.

I’m terrible. I’ve just been walking by them while working on things and not crouching down to try and see tiny bugs. They seem to have chilled but that may be because the temps have chilled.

I’m gonna have to start looking closer at them and do it in the morning, afternoon and again at night with a flashlight. Backside of leaves is important to check. Supposed to warm back up for a couple of days later this week so I’ll start checking today and continue through end of week.

Looks like Cabbage Aphids are a thing and diamondback moth which are small. We’ve had a lot of small moths up by and in the house. Like you, UVM says flea beetles are a Spring pest.

I’ve never gotten into pest ID and management. If something gets eaten, it gets eaten. Exception would be tomato hornworms. Time to start learning the nitty gritty of pests and diseases. They can be more intense in a tunnel.


178 posted on 10/09/2024 7:56:14 AM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 175 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin
SOLVED

And now I feel really lazy and dumb. Took me all of 10 seconds to find a couple of these on the underside of leaves.

The cross-striped cabbageworm (Evergestis rimosalis) is a medium-sized caterpillar with four pairs of abdominal prolegs. They have distinct black and white stripes across their back and a yellow stripe that travels down either side of their body (figure 14). Adult moths lay eggs in masses with 3 to 25 eggs in each mass.6 When the eggs hatch, the host plant can be quickly skeletonized (figure 15). Caterpillars show a preference for feeding on tender leaves, especially at the growing point, but may also bore into developing cabbage heads. They grow to about 0.75 inches before dropping to the soil to pupate just below the surface.

Skeletonized describes the Tatsoi/Chijisimai.

Bit too late for companions but thyme, dill, oregano, lavender, onions, garlic, and marigolds can deter them. Spraying with Bt is an organic spray option. Nasturtium can be a trap crop. Repeated hand picking is what I'll do with just a few plants. I imagine they'll keep working their way down the bed to the bok choy. Everything out there aside from a few lettuce plants are brassica.

179 posted on 10/09/2024 8:45:13 AM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 175 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

If you are taking any calcium supplements I would consider stopping. They only feed your arthritis. Doc told me a woman my age only needs to drink a half glass of milk a day, other calcium will come from veggies or cheese. I stopped 2 years ago and my arthritis has gotten better. Just my opinion.


180 posted on 10/09/2024 8:53:21 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 501-510 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson