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Post by denise15601 on Apr 21, 2015 23:02:08 GMT
Unfortunately I have two 100 year old pine trees above the one end of my 30 x 15 foot garden.
I left my weed cover on my garden over the winter with the intention of being able to roll up the cover and enclose the fallen pine needles. But the weed cover, which is supposed to last 5 years, deteriorated after a few months....last summer.
Thus I now have tons of pine needles on my soil. I have been hoeing and even sweeping with a broom, and got 3 wheelbarrow loads of needles.
Today I tried to use a leaf blower, but the ground is too wet, so that was useless.
My SIL wants to till my garden this week! I am in PA and we should not plant until after Mother's day.
Did my best with the hated pine needles, texted my handyman that I need a load of top soil. Then I will put down lime to help counteract the pine needles.
As soon as all of that is done, I need to put down new weed cover....I bought Scott's brand this year, more expensive so maybe it will last.
This shall be chapter one of my gardening woes.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2015 0:42:56 GMT
Our garden is still under water - at least where we had the garden the last few years. It didn't do well at all last year - too wet. Were building raised beds & moving it to a different location this year - Everyone needs a garden in their front yard! I guess it doesn't really matter because there is only 1 neighbor. Whatever I have to do to get real tomatoes. I really missed them last year. We already got topsoil (huge pile also in the front yard) and a load of logs for next years heat (also in the front yard) Somebody needs to get busy!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 22, 2015 1:19:56 GMT
I would love to have a raised garden, but don't have the $$ to pay someone to help me with it.
Half of my garden is coated with pine needles, and the other half only has about 4 inches of soil over a huge rock ledge.
But I keep trying....
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Shirley U Geste
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Apr 22, 2015 2:49:28 GMT
Pine needles are the devil when it comes to gardens.
I have several trees in my yard too, and it's a constant battle to keep the needles out. I love the shade from the trees, but the needles and then the sound of the cones falling on the metal gazebo roof and sounding like bombs at night just drives me nuts.
But isn't it a good feeling to get the garden started for the season? Knowing that the cold weather will soon be gone is a great feeling.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2015 16:50:26 GMT
I can't wait to plant our garden. I usually wait until Memorial Day weekend to plant. We put fruit trees in the ground this year. Apples, peaches, plums, and pears. We also bought a variety of berries and grapes to plant.
It's been so chilly here the past week. Our asparagus hadn't popped up yet. I'm hoping with the warmer temps next week, we'll have some fresh asparagus. This spring has been so cold so far!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 25, 2015 20:14:30 GMT
My handyman is here now putting down topsoil. I can only squeeze out $100 for the job, so that is 1 1/2 tons of soil which is a little over an inch worth. But better than nothing.
He raked in the lime and will pound the 6' metal stakes in better.
It snowed again this morning!!!!!!!!!
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Shirley U Geste
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Apr 25, 2015 23:46:23 GMT
Snow again? I feel for you, that is ridiculous. Mother nature is just playing games now.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 0:08:13 GMT
Glad you are getting things together, Denise
I couldn't believe I woke up to snow! It did get nice in the afternoon though.
We won some money on a club lottery ticket so we paid the property taxes, bought wood for next winter & topsoil & wood for our raised beds. We bought a big freezer for ourselves for Christmas So, if the bottom falls out on Ebay, we should be okay as long as we can pay for electricity.
I can't wait to get the garden going!!!
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Shirley U Geste
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Apr 26, 2015 0:10:18 GMT
What are you going to grow kid?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 1:03:09 GMT
We always do tomatoes. My husband grows all kinds of hot peppers. We do kale, cabbage, broccoli & sprouts. I want to grow green beans this year - haven't for a few years. Also want to try something new but not sure what. I have a little herb garden on the screened porch & hubby has mushroom logs (we have those popping out now)
I plan to try some container gardening this year too
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 26, 2015 2:07:10 GMT
I grow about 20 things, and LOVE sugar snap peas but they really draw the Japanese beetles.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 2:11:37 GMT
We used to grow the snow peas early in the season at our old house but haven't tried them at this location. I HATE Japanese beetles - I think I was scared by them when I was a kid.
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Shirley U Geste
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Apr 26, 2015 2:42:53 GMT
Wow you gals go all out with all kinds of stuff.
I just can't handle that much garden. Some containers of tomatoes and herbs and then the wildflower critter garden is all I can do.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 12:04:43 GMT
I bought these cute seed pods this year - cherry tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, and basil They were $1 each but I usually start with plants, so this will be cheaper. I've never tried the zucchini or spinach before. It will all need to be done in pots. ETA I've already started the catnip seeds but they're outside, so I don't know what the last few nights have done. I hadn't seen any sprouts, so if they haven't germinated yet, they should be OK.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 26, 2015 12:41:46 GMT
hmmmm. never saw those....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 13:17:48 GMT
They might be new this year. I saw them at Big Lots but didn't get them, and then picked them up at Target, discounted from about $1.50 ea I think.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 15:45:12 GMT
Those look interesting for the container garden. I forgot I also grow lettuce & zucchini. Hubby wants to try spinach this year. Now I'm getting excited.
I'm not really a fanatic but our goal is to be as self-sufficient as possible. I'm technically retired but still do Ebay. Hubby is a self employed painter so work is varied. He injured his knee last fall & it seems to get worse when he's on it especially up & down ladders & doing baseboards. I like to feel like we could survive for a while if we had to - Not getting any younger!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 26, 2015 16:25:34 GMT
kid-did you ever try mesclun?? It is a mix of different colors of lettuce and greens...the kind that you get in a salad at fancy restaurants.
I buy those seeds instead of plain lettuce now. Very tasty
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 17:03:24 GMT
I would probably like that. I'll have to look for it. I'm really itchin for a trip to the garden center now!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 26, 2015 18:10:43 GMT
WM has those seeds....they just came out about 4 years ago.
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Apr 26, 2015 18:21:43 GMT
I saw those cups at Lowes and they looked interesting. But since I was just doing tomatoes and a few herbs I just bought plants. Fashion, I hope you didn't get more then 1 zucchini, one plant is all you need to feed a family of 20 plus the neighbors.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 26, 2015 21:42:50 GMT
Zucchini usually don't grow for me....I am so jealous of those who have success.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 21:47:12 GMT
We haven't had much luck with zucchini the last couple years either. We get so much from others that I'm not even going to try again this year. I think I still have some in the freezer from last year. I have a good zucchini soup recipe but, since I stopped eating sugar I haven't been baking zucchini bread to use it up.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 23:48:32 GMT
I saw those cups at Lowes and they looked interesting. But since I was just doing tomatoes and a few herbs I just bought plants. Fashion, I hope you didn't get more then 1 zucchini, one plant is all you need to feed a family of 20 plus the neighbors. I just got one of each. I would have gotten two basils, but they only had one. I will add zucchini to pasta, minestrone soup, etc. and have a good recipe for a cornbread casserole thing with zucchini and/or yellow squash in it. I hope being in a pot it won't be too overwhelming. I'll need a tomato cage or something for it to climb on I guess.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 27, 2015 2:44:06 GMT
I never make zucchini bread since I would eat the whole thing at once. It is great roasted or sauteed, baked, etc.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2015 2:52:48 GMT
We usually slice it lengthwise & grill it - alone or with other veggies. Serve with a balsamic reduction
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2015 11:12:45 GMT
I never make zucchini bread since I would eat the whole thing at once. It is great roasted or sauteed, baked, etc. Oh, are you not supposed to do that?
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 27, 2015 12:25:13 GMT
Oh sure, one can make the wonderful bread if one is normal. But there is only me and I am totally unable to eat a little at a time.
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Apr 27, 2015 13:38:30 GMT
But it's vegetable, so it's healthy. So eating it is good for you, even the whole loaf.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 27, 2015 13:50:49 GMT
Now if I could find a good recipe that doesn't take flour or sugar, that would work....
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