trudy's Blog

My Day
Feb 3, 2008 | 2:58 PM PST
Tags: red oinions , shallots , grape vines , hibiscus , magnolia trees , suckers , obiedient , roses , compost , brocolli , manure , seeds , asparagus , lantana

Well I did get some things on my list done today.  The red onion seedlings, shallots, asparagus (went with the in ground method this time) all planted.  Cut back some of the roses, esp. the one at the front porch.  And one bed of lantana, an my grape vines, hibiscus an some of the lavender obiedient plant stems that had gotten bit an cut the suckers off the 2 magnolia trees I had cut down last year,  they were in a really bad spot.   I am noticing a lot less tree roots where I have some raised beds at by cutting them down. 

Got 6 trays filled with some potting soil, now to go thru some seeds an decide what to start seeding out.  Added compost to the existing asparagus container beds that didn't get it in the fall.   One thing I did notice when I was loosing the soil where the red onion sets were being planted was how rich the soil is looking.  Back in the fall I had planted brocolli an cauliflower there an had added composted manure an it has finally paid off, I hope.  So far its not looking so sandy, but nice rich soil.  

I hauled the cuttings to the woods an burned the other pile while looking around for a place to experiment with the Strawbale Garden method.  I think I'll put it either on the side of the house an use a somewhat level area near the garden to grow some corn.  I don't ever have much luck with corn, but I keep trying.  Thank goodness I have a BIL that farms in case I fail at it once again I can get some from him.  Will try an get the red onion bulb babies planted tomorrow if I'm not to tired after work.  Now to call it a day!

Got another load of Manure
May 27, 2007 | 7:58 AM PST
Tags: manure , composted , roses , fall flush , mulch , water , rain , Thai Green Eggplant , squash , Amillia , beefsteak , fruit , pinestraw , peppers

I brought home another load of composted manure from the fair grounds, I wanted at least one more load before fall.  Man is that some good stuff!!   Seeing how in July I will need to reapply it around my roses for their fall flush.  This time it wasn't so wet, so unloading was much easier.  The load I got earlier sure has made a difference in my plants,  they were in bad need.  Just couldn't tell it til I added it.   I'm thinking about putting some down as a mulch in one bed just as an experiment to see what ill happen.  

 I'm having to water everyday now,  but its now where I can alternate the beds.  That may not last long if we don't get some much needed rain.  I got another large container planted of comfrey.  Still have a half a tray to go.  I was wanting to plant the last 2 Thai Green Eggplant plants in the last container I have seeing how from what I've read it won't bear fruit til the 2nd year.  Just need to get another container.

 I picked my 3rd mator yesterday.  A nice Amillia beefsteak.  All my mator plants are loaded with fruit.  I have decided not to stake the ones in the flower beds.  I've read where staking really isn't needed an sometimes you get more fruit by letting them sprawl.  Will be interesting,  The fruit will have pinestraw to keep them directly off the soil.  I got out this morning an did some roundup, just spot spraying.  Its been windy here the last few days an today was the first chance I had with little wind.  Still need to do the garden pathways, but there not to bad yet.   I did pick 2 of the patty pan type squash and a few banana peppers.  Not enough squash to do much with yet, hopefully they will hold up long enough for more to get ready for a mess.   Don't really know how to fix them yet, first time with these.  So any recipes you want to share, please do.

 I had planned on copy an pasting my Bloom Calendar to here, but this site won't let me.  So I guess if you want to see what plants I have you'll just have to visit my photo album.  Although it's nowhere near complete, u can see some of what I have growing here on the Lane. 

One of my baby chicks died yesterday, couldn't really tell why.  But it did.  I've been letting the older chickens out about every other day,  may be will go to daily now that the dog has gone to Florida.  One of the campers wanted her, so it all worked out good.