General Discussions - Chapter 22

not been north of I-90 ,but that looks like a wonderful area to spend a few weeks just driving, hiking. are you on the plains , or up in the mts ? went west down snoqualmie one winter in deep snow .it was at night, the lights were on at the ski slopes.plows had snow piled up in the middle and on the sides.trucks were nudging each other coming up to help with traction.very quiet except for trucks asking for nudge once in awhile.hugh snowflakes. we were in a bobtail mobile home toter with chains.one of the most profound,spiritual moments i've ever experienced . i don't want to see it in the summer in daylight,don't want to mar my memory. sally

Fishing trip sounds great Jeanette. If ya can't do any thing else, go fishing.
Guess I timed that planting just right. Instead of pulling more weeds, I planted tomatoes in the bales, as well as a bunch of peppers. Then last night we got another 6 tenths of rain and the sun will not be out at all today. The tomatoes were laying down in the afternoon, but they are standing tall now .
I don't think I will go fishing for a while yet. Have to be ready to get in the garden any time I can. I may try putting down more paper later on today. Don't really want to wallow in the mud that much yet.
It is a nice 73degrees but if the sun were shinning it would be so sultry I know we would have to turn on the air just to breath.

Yes, Sally, you paint a good picture. I can see it clearly. But, it is beautiful in the summer too. We are up in the very northeast corner of the state but I lived in Seattle area for 30 some years. Now we live in the mountains. Actually a valley between mountains with a river running north and south along the valley. The river is one of only two in the country that actually flows north. It does seem strange at first.

It would be a wonderful time to go fishing Russ, before it gets too hot. Once it heats up it's not fun sitting out in the heat. However, we normally get out early and home before noon so it isn't too bad.

Jeanette

Well Jeanette, Today would not have been a good day, for fishing.
They gave us tornado warnings again, untill 3:00 am. I wouldn't even get near enough any of the rivers here. They are all running bank full.
Some places out of there banks. There are several places where the highway is closed due to flooding.
We had planed on going to Dennison for a cousin of Barb's, funeral.
That is one of the towns that has flooding in the low lying parts of town including the highway through town and to get to the cemetery you have to cross the river. So we have canceled that trip.
Just heard that a tornado touched down 45 miles south of here, 4 dead at a boy scout camp. Not good!
There is another one now just south of Dennison. looks like it is going to hit one of those towns that are fairly close together.
Well I best power down as lightning getting close.
Russ

Russ: let's keep them tornados away! I always thought I wanted to experience a hurricane until Fran came through NC in 1996. I definitely don't want to experience a tornado and I hope you don't either.

Been having to water my garden around 10:30 pm each night this week since I'm on my afternoon/evening shift. Skeeters just about eat me alive while I'm out there. It's very hot and hardly any wind. Hopefully a thunder boomer will come by soon and dampen things off.

Jeanette: crazy weather everywhere.

Russ, we heard about the boy scout camp, what a shame. Just awful. They didn't say if the dead were councilors or boys. They did say there were 25 injured. So sad. I sure hope they don't get any closer to you guys.

We had the thunder and lightening storms tonight. I have a little blind dog that is just petrified during those storms. Poor thing just runs around banging into things. She is so strong Bob can't hold onto her for long. The storm came on so fast that he didn't have time to give her a tranq. And if you don't give it to her before she gets all excited they don't work. Anyway, the storm is gone, she is asleep for the next 24 hours, or about that.

You guys be careful and take care.

Jeanette

Well were still on the map.
Yes they were all boys 13 and 14 year old's. The boys that died were in the shelter house. The councillors pickup was thrown into the chimney which made it fall down. The falling chimney all rock. I guess is what killed the boys. Some of the boys, after it was over went to the camp or park keepers house to call for help only to find the house was also destroyed and the boys found them and pulled them from the rubble. The rest of the boys and one leader were administering aid to the injured. I haven't heard all the facts yet. but with 90% of the camp destroyed they were very lucky that there were only 4 deaths.

There were several tornados last night as the storm cell moved across the state. Thankfully none right here.

Didn't you say you had a cave or something you could go into? How close is it? Close enough that you could make it in a hurry? What do you do, stay up all night watching? I would.

Jeanette

We have only used the cave once before, to take shelter. and the twister lifted back up before it got here. Not much room in there with the pressure tank for our water system and all. In fact at that time, there was an old pump jack in there too. We took t chairs down with us. When the all clear report came , It was raining so hard I thought fish could swim around your ears. But we made a run for the house. Laughing all the while about how wet we were getting. We had had enough of the cramped quarters, so we didn't care about getting wet. The cave is about 15' from the house.

We did stay up till the biggest threat was over. Right around 12:30 am.
We then very tired went to bed, and hoped that if it got bad again, we would have time to dash into the closet. The really bad cells had passed already.

Do you have a weather radio? I watched a commercial on TV for them and another for the alert. The alert wasn't that expensive but the weather radio was. I guess it's all relevant. Not expensive if it saves your life.

So awful. The pictures on TV were terrible.

Jeanette

We do have an old weather radio but I don't like it as it starts its warnings at over 200 miles away. Many times those storms don't even exist for our area.
We really should have a better one.
Today is a beautiful day, very calm and sunny. It has started out in the fifties and will probably get into the eightys.

Russ and the rest of you in tornado path, I hope your weather has turned for the better now. As jeanette mentioned we had more unuual weather, last Tuesday snow down to below 2000 feet, but of course gone in a couple of days. I'm at 1450 feet so only cold here no snow. My tomatoes are looking really good this year, all are in bloom and some have tomatoes. I don't buy tomates at the grocery , I haven't heard if the powers that be have figured out where the bad tomatoes came from yet or not.

Our weather is good now and supposed to be for rest of week.

Donna

Its very sad what happened to the boy scouts. We hear about the Iowa tornados on the news here as well. Tornados are very rare and small here, what happens where you live Russ, sounds terrifying. I hope you are keeping safe!

Lena

Lena ; This year the weather has really been unusual. Stayed cold so long and then the really warm air meets the cold, then nasty things happen. The rains are even a month late.
Really, I do feel fairly safe, especially with all the new radar warning systems in place. They can be rather precise on telling us almost to a dot on the map where the path of a storm will pass.
We don't usually get this many tornadoes. But this last storm, there were seven different tornadoes sighted within this state, in one night.
Iowa is (approxamently) 400 miles x 300 miles. Now I only said approxamently I know that isn't exact. but you get an Idea of the area covered.
There a quite a few things that can effect the path of a tornado. But not 100% steep hilly ground, rivers, things that can make a big temperature change, will sometimes directly determine the path. I probably feel safer than I should in these hills but they do offer some protection.
Russ

Maybe that is why we don't have those things here. Too many mountains??? We have thunder and lightening storms but that is about it. We did have the lightening hit a big tree nearby and it shattered it. Had big chunks of that tree hundreds of feet away.

We had a nice day going but it is clouding up. Figures.

Jeanette

Jeanette; Your bales are ready, aren't they???
I think I would put some of them in, and stand back. They might just shoot right up and up.
Mine are starting to really get with the program. I know I will need to put some posts up and wire so I can start tying them up. I finished weeding between three rows and putting down paper while I was pulling. I don't usually let them get that bad. I try to put the paper down as soon as I can sometimes even before any seeds sprout. But this year with all the rain and practicly doubling the size of the garden, I really got behind.
Oh well the pulled weeds are holding the paper in place. That will give me time to get the grass gathered up to put down between the rows.
I think this year, after most everything is in full maturity, I will put some nitrogen between the rows on all the grass and weeds. that should give that a head start on decomposing. What would you think on that idea???

Russ: did you mean add nitrogen to help the mulch turn to compost directly in the garden? I do that too, using blood and bone. I have read in a number of place that blood and bone meal acts like a compost "activator" providing nitrogen, and a number of important bacteria. I always sprinkle it on the ground before adding my thick mulch layers between plants. Sometimes even another layer ontop of the mulch watered in. If the mulch you are adding is mainly brown carbon based material, the decomposition process will actually rob nitrogen from the soil to make up for the C-N imbalance, unless you supplement with N. So yes, I think adding nitrogen between your rows could be an idea. Preferably an organic worm-friendly type like blood meal or manure.
My winter veg seedlings got a feed of fish emulsion this morning. I cant seem to stop looking after them, even though I proably wont get to harvest them. I think I will put a second garlic crop down, but in pots. Has anyone planted garlic in pots before?

Lena

Lena; My hat is off to you. I was thinking it sounded good.
OK the mulch between the rows of corn( so far) is news paper, the weeds I was pulling then some coarse saw dust, from a stump grinder.
I will check at a feed store. I think for the amount of blood and bone meal I would be looking at would be way too expensive at a garden center. My rows are 65 feet long, Whoops I forgot to convert that to meters. There are 9 rows of sweet corn. So far the corn was the dirtiest, or had the most weeds. and especially the first two rows that were planted a couple weeks ahead of the rest. The other rows will be easier as those I will be able to run a tiller down between the rows. Then do the paper and mulch.
I have lots and lots of good big night crawlers. I don't want to mess with their life. They are more or less the heart of my fertile soil. They eat everything I give them, and then you know what they do then. LOL They Poop.
I got my straw bales planted finally. I guess the cold weather must have prevented the nitrogen from working and they were too hot untill just the other day. So I have a lot of tomatoes in dirt, that are probably ahead of those in the bales. But if they perform any thing like last year, they will bear more than the rest. That is if I hurry and get the cattle panels up. so I can tie them up. I only have a few that are a hybrid. The majority are from the seed I saved from last year (Heirlooms).
Most are blooming. Even those that I planted just the other day. They were fairly lanky, so I put them as deep as I could in the bales and filled up the gap with potting soil.

Gardening does get in your sole don't it. I hate giving up on the garden in the fall too. By that time though I'm ready for a break.
Thanks again.
Russ

I'm not sure I am following you guys, but it sounds like you are composting between your rows of vegetables??? Aren't you compacting it by walking on it? Russ you said something about using your tiller on it. Won't that ruin your worm tunnels?

No, Russ, I didn't get any new bales this year. It was just so darned cold and we had snow so late that I didn't bother. I planted all of my tomatoes in the soil but then put the peppers in last years bales, and the sweet potatoes in the raised bed I had flowers in last year. So, I am not going to be a happy camper come time that the tomatoes are ripening (if they do) and they are down where I have to sit in a chair to tend to them. All of these are under the hoophouse.

Jeanette

Jeanette, If they are under the hoop house, why isn't it warmer there. MY tomatoes, except for one in a bale, are all out in open garden area and have been there since May 4 and doing exceptionally well for such a cold spring. It was 42 degrees here this morning, but the sun is shining so will warm up fast, was 80 degrees for a few minutes yesterday. Here is a picture of my tomato row with clover in path.

Donna

Donna; Something I didn't think of before, would it work to put another cage, like the ones you have, on top of another, and tie it in place. I'm thinking of the indeterminate tomatoes?
The clover in the path sounds great, That is adding nitrogen, while you are raising tomatoes LOL

Jeanette; I was thinking of running the tiller where I hadn't mulched yet. and only running the tiller very shallow. just enough to destroy what grass and weeds that are trying to start. Then I would put down news paper and grass clippings, to keep it clean.
It does get a worm sometimes but staying shallow don't get that many. Some that are cut will grow a new tail end. Those that don't, I guess will have to go toward soil nutrition.

Donna , we may have to get Kent to fly a crate of maters to Jeanette

Donna, I just got the hoophouse up a couple of weeks ago and got the tomatoes in then. They are all blooming and one or two litlte green balls. They really do look good, but, yes, it is a little warmer in the hh, but not much.

Even tho it was down to 36 the other night all of the plants look good. Oh, btw Donna, we only enclosed one end of the hh. Gotta let the bees in. So it isn't that much warmer in there but it will keep the frost off if we get any. Boy, am I a downer. huh.

Jeanette

Russ: Those are some long rows, it sounds like you have a big garden! Bloodmeal is expensive here too, I pay about $12 for an 8kg bag. I need to get some more, but am trying not to spend more money on my garden at the moment. What do you think you will use?
The old strawbales are providing fantastic mulch for me. I was adding blood and bone underneath it untill it ran out.

I have never tried to grow corn before, but I think id like to try next summer if circumstance allows it. Any hints?

And what is a nightcrawler? Is that a worm? I havent heard that before... I thought you meant a hedgehog at first. They crawl at night. My SO is a night crawler too, last night he crawled in at 3am after being out in town with his friends. I just pretended to be asleep, I couldnt be bothered telling him off. Maybe hes a hungover night crawler today, haha.

Today I gathered lots of fejoas from a friends tree and spent ages scooping them out for jam. Now that Im done scooping, Im too tired and dont want to cook jam. Maybe ill do it later while cooking dinner. Im tired alot lately, just want to blob on the couch with my computer and books. I might even ask my nightcrawler too cook tonight. If Im lucky he will be too scared to say no.

Lena

Lena; Yes a night crawler is a fairly large Earth worm, their tail end is some what flattened. I have never really checked as to what a Latin name is for them. Most nights, They come to the surface to meet with another. If it has been raining really hard they will come all the way out of their holes. I like them as bait for cat fishing, as one will more than fill the hook. I have picked up a few that would stretch out to about a foot long. That would be a big one.
Does any one around there raise Sweet Corn? I like most all of it but am really fond of a bicolor called peaches and cream.
I guess I was really wondering what the availability was like.
I plant in rows about 2 feet apart and 1 to 2 kernels every 4 to 5 inches apart. For dryer areas I would think you may want to go like 5 to 6 inches apart. But then if like me you use a mulch that will hold moisture, I would think you would be OK then.

I haven't heard of a Fejoa either. But I can look it up.

I put in quite a day today. Mowed my yard and the church yard too.
Was so stiff I barely crawled off the mower. Also pulled more weeds, and put down more grass between the rows. Trimmed a couple cedar trees that I could no longer mow under. Now I can zip right under them.
I will have to think on it a while as to what I will use. If I can get enough grass clippings, I probably won't use anything yet. I may be better off using the Saw dust along the neighbors fence as well as along the edge of the last row of corn to keep the grass from growing into the garden from the edges.
I don't really have the money to buy that much blood meal. I'm trying to stay retired. LOL
With the price of gas I couldn't afford to drive to and from work with what most places want to pay for an older worker.
Russ

Boy, you and Lena Russ, you are both working your butts off and one is retired and the other is pregnant. Makes ME feel like a blob Lena. I hope you made that nightcrawler feel ashamed of himself for being out drinking all night.

Did he fix dinner? What's he going to be doing at 2 o'clock in the morning walking the floor feeding that little baby and drinking with the boys? He'll probably have baby nightcrawler out at the pubs with him. LOL

Teachin' him/her young.

Russ, have you ever grown Mira corn? It was new out 2 years ago I think. Just for decoration with my sunflowers I grew some in buckets and would you believe I got 3 ears off each stalk? It was really good. Fairly short fat yellow ears. Very sweet.

But I cheated with the corn just like I do with the tomatoes. I pollinated them myself. LOL I have to make sure that they all fill out. What about Okra you guys? I started some plants and then by mistake, I gave them all away. I just might try a couple now. It's getting late tho.

Speaking of which, it is getting late, think I will hit the sack.

Jeanette

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This message was edited Jun 19, 2008 9:59 PM

Gosh, Kent, All the people you have helped with straw bale gardens, who either have disabilities or poor soil or whatever. Then sombody claims that is their garden??
I have shown some of my friends at the Barn a picture of your garden. but they knew it was yours. I am certain no one in my circle of friends here is a writer and only Gary showed any interest He tried to garden but he didn't put much time into it. In-spite of his neglect. He still had good cucumbers . His tomatoes suffered from his neglect. and he almost lost them all to several large tomato horn worms. He admits to me that he don't always take care of things like he should. Claims he don't have time. But we all know our priorities get the time they need.

Russ

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This message was edited Jun 19, 2008 9:59 PM

Kent, have you contacted the magazine and requested a copy of the offending publication?

Have you contacted a lawyer & asked whether this womans actions are liable to prosecution? Not that you WOULD, but could you if she insists on her present course of actions? You are a member of the law enforcement group and your honesty being questioned is important to your livelihood.

No one that you have helped in any of your lines of endeavor would believe her......either those of us who know you here or in your line of work ...so I hope you will rest easy on that point.

She, at the very least, owes you an apology printed here where she made the accusation to clear you of any wrong. Possibly Dave's could back you up.

I heartily second your "Good grief!" & add Outrageous!

Foggy

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This message was edited Jun 19, 2008 10:00 PM

I've been watching this thread for over a year and decided to put in some bales this year. I put in about 15. I planted 6 tomatos, 4 peppers, 4 squash, 2 pumpkins and some flowers. Thus far I have not been happy with the vigor of these as compared to the ones I put in the dirt. I have sprayed them with Miracle Grow 3 or 4 times and just yesterday scattered some 13 13 13 fertilizer on the bales. I must say the squash plants do look very healthy, the pumpkins are puny and somewhat yellow, the peppers seem to be a bit healthier and the tomatoes look OK but the stems are smaller than they should be and their color is not as dark as they should be. Any suggestions from anyone?
RED

RED,

I wonder if you are getting enough fertilizer to the roots. After all there are no nutrients in straw. If you just put the triple 13 on yesterday it will take a few days to get down to them. I would think that then you should see a difference. But, you will have to do this more often with the straw than the soil.

Jeanette

RED: when you say you have "sprayed" them with Miracle Gro, what do you mean?

I agree that it sounds like the plants haven't been fed enough.

What's your watering schedule like?

Hang in there.

I finally took a few pictures to illustrate the difference between my straw bales and my hay bales- the first one is my peas/beans, in hay bales (started from seed in the bales):


Suz

This is peas/beans, planted at the same time, in straw:

Suz

These are zinnias, planted last week (seedlings) in hay:

Suz

Zinnias, the same seedlings, planted at the same time in straw:

Suz

And this one's just a kind of nice shot of zucchini plants, cukes, lobelia, petunias and marigolds (in hay)- more than twice the size of the same plants in the straw bales.

It's possible that the vigor of the plants in the hay may be partly due to the fact that the plants are so much easier planted in the hay, and it's easy to get more soil in with the plants. Also, the hay seems to hold the moisture much better. It's certainly an interesting experiment, doing the garden half in each. Hope I get smarter by the end of the summer; I'd like to teach some folks locally this fall so they can get an early start on their bale gardens for next year!

Kent, you're such an inspiration- that woman is either very confused or very jealous, or both!
Consider it as such and take it as a compliment! You have such a generous outlook, I'm sure that's just what you're doing.

Namaste- Suzan

I have mixed up Miracle Grow in a sprayer and sprayed the plant plus sprayed quite a bit to the root area. I use about 3/4 gal on the 16 plants each time. As far as watering I have watered every day except 1 day when we got a toad strangler. I usually water in the late afternoon, about 6 or 7 pm. I took some pix with my phone yesterday and if I can get someone to show me how I will post some pix of the vegetables later today.
RED