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Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 16, April 20, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012 | JustaDumbBlonde

Posted on 04/20/2012 10:06:22 AM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde

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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.

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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.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: garden; gardening
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To: bgill
Must get off my butt!

I think that phrase is now my middle name :-(

41 posted on 04/20/2012 1:53:36 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Totally Rad. Uber cool.

I gardened last year at the mini-farm.. mostly green beans and kale

Would have been more but the rabbits ate all my kole crops.

The remaining kale over wintered like a champ...had fresh greens all winter.

My main crop was rocks.

I sifted about a ton of earth last year and barely made a dent.

Yesterday, I had a single axle dump truck full of compost and top soil delivered.

Spent hours leveling it by hand..

It’s a wonder that I can move at all today.

I plan on expanding the garden as I have compostable product to make my own this year.


42 posted on 04/20/2012 2:01:10 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (We kneel to no prince but the Prince of Peace)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Totally Rad. Uber cool.

I gardened last year at the mini-farm.. mostly green beans and kale

Would have been more but the rabbits ate all my kole crops.

The remaining kale over wintered like a champ...had fresh greens all winter.

My main crop was rocks.

I sifted about a ton of earth last year and barely made a dent.

Yesterday, I had a single axle dump truck full of compost and top soil delivered.

Spent hours leveling it by hand..

It’s a wonder that I can move at all today.

I plan on expanding the garden as I have compostable product to make my own this year.


43 posted on 04/20/2012 2:02:07 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (We kneel to no prince but the Prince of Peace)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Prayers lifted


44 posted on 04/20/2012 2:03:51 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (We kneel to no prince but the Prince of Peace)
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To: Ellendra
Have you thought about acquiring a small four wheel drive vehicle to climb the hill for you? A Subaru wagon or small PU?

I had a discussion a few weeks ago with a former horticulture teacher from a local college that advised if planting in clay to dig out your garden area six or eight in deep, then take an auger and drill as deep as possible and as many as possible holes and fill the holes with small rock for good drainage. Then fill the bed in with good soil. Idea is to get drainage, rather than planting a garden is a clay bowl. I am just a novice myself, repeating what I have been told. YMMV

45 posted on 04/20/2012 2:05:01 PM PDT by rightly_dividing (Newt 2012)
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To: Ellendra

Now that is what is known as a SCORE!!!!!!!

So sorry to hear about you neck issues and the problems with the insurance company, but it seems that you have a peach for a chiropractor!


46 posted on 04/20/2012 2:06:06 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Ellendra

Barter, what a terrific solution.


47 posted on 04/20/2012 2:08:24 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (We kneel to no prince but the Prince of Peace)
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To: Red_Devil 232

(And anyone else with raised bed experience.)

I’ve never really done this before and need help. We just redid the “bed” around our boat buoy and didn’t sink the timbers, instead going for a raised type.

Here is my question - It is 7’ x 7’ and 1 foot deep — how much soil do I need to fill it????


48 posted on 04/20/2012 2:16:20 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Red_Devil 232

(And anyone else with raised bed experience.)

I’ve never really done this before and need help. We just redid the “bed” around our boat buoy and didn’t sink the timbers, instead going for a raised type.

Here is my question - It is 7’ x 7’ and 1 foot deep — how much soil do I need to fill it????


49 posted on 04/20/2012 2:17:49 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Gabz

49 Cubit feet.


50 posted on 04/20/2012 2:21:11 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: rightly_dividing
Have you thought about acquiring a small four wheel drive vehicle to climb the hill for you? A Subaru wagon or small PU?

I have thought about it, but even those couldn't get up the 12' near-vertical drop-off where the uphill side of my land meets the road. If I were to buy the land next door it would be possible, the slope mellows out a little there, but it would still be nerve-wrecking. After I get my house built, I'm thinking pack animals. Maybe a nice mule.

The difficulties in the land are part of the reason I could afford it, so I hope I don't sound like I'm complaining. I love this place! It just takes some stubborness and ingenuity sometimes to get things done.
51 posted on 04/20/2012 2:31:22 PM PDT by Ellendra ("It's astounding how often people mistake their own stupidity for a lack of fairness." --Thunt)
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To: Ellendra

The obvious, to me, is that you need to mix that manure with compost or straw and some soil so that it will age/cure properly. Just my thought.


52 posted on 04/20/2012 2:32:50 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

OK - that was easier than I thought - now to figure out how taht is going to relate to bobcat scoop fuls - but as I told the gal at the supply place - I’ll discuss it with her in the morning because she was speaking greek to me!


53 posted on 04/20/2012 2:32:50 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Thank you - I definitely have to talk to them in person. I just looked at the bags I used for behind the house and they are 1 cubic ft each. At $2.50 a bag, that will become cost prohibitive, hopefully their bulk is cheaper!


54 posted on 04/20/2012 2:39:08 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Gabz

It is 7’ x 7’ and 1 foot deep

49 cubic feet or

1.8 cubic yards


55 posted on 04/20/2012 2:40:47 PM PDT by Petruchio (I Think . . . Therefor I FReep.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Prayers up for Mark.


56 posted on 04/20/2012 2:42:14 PM PDT by tillacum
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To: Gabz

It is quite possible that they know how many cubit feet their loader scoop holds. I would if it was my business.


57 posted on 04/20/2012 2:46:12 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Petruchio; Red_Devil 232

Thank you both. I will be heading over there in the morning.


58 posted on 04/20/2012 2:54:25 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: Gabz

Allowing for settling, and I know this from filling a raised bed last year, I would get 2 cubic yards.


59 posted on 04/20/2012 3:09:36 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies ... plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

one of local farmer friends told us where he piles excess dirt on the farm and we are welcome to it at any time. Depending on the price of all this topsoil I may go half and half.

I’m still planning to go and talk to them at the supply place in the morning (after I finish setting up the church hall for Sunday’s pancake supper) and talk with them. but because my husband has service calls tomorrow - 2 hours and 2 states away - it can’t be done tomorrow. So because of the storms that are coming in Sat night and hanging around all day Sun - I have to put it off another couple of days........grrrrrrrrrrr


60 posted on 04/20/2012 3:36:20 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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