What is this thread all about?
Just a place for general discussion. A place to unload whats on your mind and talk about anything - personal, health, help needed, achievements, daily highs and daily lows, theories, predictions and what have you.
Does not need to be Q related.
Link to Yesterday's General Chat in case anyone had unfinished business there ;)
We moved into our new house over 3 years ago and I'm just now getting into doing some landscaping. There was a "garden" in our backyard marked off with gray rocks and it was too symmetrical with its plants. I can appreciate symmetry, but nature doesn't work that way and like it a bit more abstract. I plan on turning that area into a portion of our food garden next year and to attract bees. I moved all the gray rocks, some the size of boulders! (hahaha...not really) and have pulled up the paper with all the pine needles on top. (I hate pine needles.) It's full sun, so what would be best to plant there? Corn? Tomatoes?
Surprisingly, I'm not super sore after all of that work. I enjoy doing it and the satisfaction of doing it myself is even greater.
We bought a house with a pretty nice above ground pool last year. We used the pool about 3 times last year. This year, I spent a ridiculous amount of time and money getting it ready for use, and warm enough water, and we've used it about 3 times this year :) The water is too cold already, so I'm now pumping the water out to water our severely dry lawn and plants. Next year I'm turning it into a deer-proof garden :)
Be careful with the pool water. Don't water your plants with it unless the chlorine has completely left the water and the water starts turning a little green. Then it will be ok.
I made the mistake of using my clean, chlorinated pool water to water some flowers in pots near the pool rather than drag the hose to water them. The pool water immediately caused them to look wilted and pale, like they'd been given poison! How dumb of me!
I waited about a week from the last time any chlorination was done, and it seemed to be ok. What all the other chemicals I had to add this summer might do to the plants is another thing :) (so far, no sign of plant harm to what I watered all ready)
That is a great idea! We had one of those a couple years ago and it there was a lot of upkeep! No to mention all the leaves and flipping acorns in it and underneath.
I built a PVC frame to hold up a tarp to keep the leaves off in the fall last year. I bought a special pool tarp, but without the frame, it sagged, creating a leaf and rain catcher :) Despite my efforts, the rain STILL collected enough to make it sag, and eventually the PVC bent and even broke. I also filled gallon water bottles with salty water (half filled) to float on the surface and protect the pool from the water freezing (I didn't want to pay for another 5,000 gallons of city water). That worked, but all things considered, just not even close to worth keeping it as a pool. I'm looking forward to a real garden next year!
I was trimming trees day before yesterday and now I can barely move😂. Corn is great for full sun. I’d put it toward the back unless you plan on using the future shade for tender plants.
Okra.
I did that this year with my small plot. I need to have a better plot. We got a tiller to use to break up the ground a bit.
Unless you really can't do without corn fresh from the stalk, I would pass on that. Too much space used for the harvest you get from corn. Climbing veggies are hi production if you enjoy squash, zucchini, cucumber, melons, beans, etc and you can use vertical space. Otherwise, one pumpkin plant can swallow your whole garden bed for very little return. Lastly, decide on your plants now and amend your soil right now. (Some plants really prefer acidic or basic, others dont care) and see if you need to create a couple of zones for whatever you wish to grow.. You may be able to put those pine needles to good use by turning them under (into the soil) to break down during winter and improve soil. The wrong soil ph (acidic or alkaline) will keep a plant roots from being able to uptake properly. My garden is tomato heavy because I love to eat tomatoes every day and Theyre too expensive for what you get in the stores or at markets. I only occasionally eat watermelon, so I will buy that at the rare time I want it. Be selective.
Thank you! We tried corn this year for the first time, just to do it. It worked, but once they produce, that's it. We don't have a set up to grow enough to really save.
Thinking ahead for food that can be stored well for winter - beans, potatoes, corn?
If I lived where I could grow food all season I would def plant tomatoes, as I’ll eat them until my mouth is blistering!
Plant tomato and then a marigold. No bugs
I've got quite a few tomatoes from this summer to use in sauces and bell peppers. We still have them both growing. I do have broccoli, spincah and carrot seeds. I plan on doing them when I can.
Hmmm, so maybe a flower bed that you can use for medicinal purposes and tea - like echinacea and camomile?
We may try something like that. I'm ready for a new challenge.