spiceoflife's Blog
spiceoflife's Blog
Apr 8, 2008 | 5:15 PM PST
Tags: compost , Pomegranates , olive , black magic
FINALLY! The planets have aligned and I found myself with both the time and warm enough weather to get outside and DO something in the yard. I managed to turn my compost piles, adding in quite a bit of stuff that had been stacking up on the deck, waiting for an opportunity to add to the mix!
I pruned my grape vines(3). I think I finally have a plan for them beyond "let them ramble unchecked and grow tendrils into the shingles". one will grow to the left of the front door under the picture window. One will grow right. And one will grow around the corner of the house, trained down the railing on the steps to the deck. Let's see if the vines understood that, too.
One thorn in the back of my mind, however is that I saw a GROUNDHOG while I was out there. He visited me once last spring and took out about a half dozen of my pole beans. But from what I've heard about these great white garden sharks I think I got off easy. I'm thinking he's going to be a bigger problem this year, given that he's apparently only mildly intimidated by me as it is. When he saw me he seemed to take his time moseying away. And I'm not sure, but I think he flipped me the bird when I turned around. I'm going to start lifting weights and stop shaving to show him I'm not a dude to mess with.
Update on plants (roll Taps). The olives and the pomegranates died - all of them. I don't know why. Maybe I overwatered, watered too much with the water from the frog's aquarium, left the grow light on too long, didn't transplant them in time (I think it was this actually), didn't water them enough, let them get too hot near the air register, etc. Anyway, I have more seeds. I managed to save two of the longan berry plants (I think, the jury is still out .)
My Black Magic elephant ear has spider mites. I'm hoping I can keep him just long enough to get him outside and then I know he'll be fine.
Hope springs eternal!
Props to my new friends stereoman and brown thumb! Loved the emails, pictures and blogs!
Here's something to noodle on, why is getting dirty fun, but staying dirty is gross. Weird.
See you all in bed, garden bed that is. ;-)
Robert
7 Member Comments
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Apr 8, 2008 | 5:49 PM PST
I don't know if you are married, if you are, you know why you can't stay dirty. I'll say no more, I don't want to get my beads read. I am married. 51 years on May 4. You have a great day and happy gardening. Bill Mitchell |
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Apr 8, 2008 | 5:50 PM PST
So sorry to hear about your olives and pomegranates, Robert. Have you seen BrownThumb's pom tree? Worthy of jealousy. A sure fire way to save your elephant ear is to cut off the stem, right down to the bulb. Just cut it off. Then wash the bulb thoroughly and let it dry. Then re-sprout it just like you would an avocado - with two thirds of the bulb submerged and the growth end sticking up. Change the water frequently. Two months to go before it's time to put it in the ground. |
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Apr 8, 2008 | 6:24 PM PST
Great blog! The groundhog bit cracked me up! I really hope you convince him to go away though, I know they can be a real nuisance. Hope you get some of your extra pom and olive seeds to make it.AG |
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Apr 8, 2008 | 6:39 PM PST
Your blog is a hoot, I read your profile about tropicals-have you heard of Raintree Nursery (http://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/producttype.cfm?prod ucttype=PAW?)they have great plants and carry Pawpaws. I also love Plantdelights.com and Brian's Botanicals on Ebay for hardy tropicals. My late husband had a similar aversion to a mole problem one season, he was possessed and tried EVERYTHING-it was comical, thankfully his intelligence beat the mole's.~Andrea |
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Apr 8, 2008 | 6:52 PM PST
QUOTE: why is getting dirty fun, but staying dirty is gross. Love this thought. I think you just don't think about how dirty you feel until you are good and tired and remember you do have to enter the house again. It is at this point that you (or someone you live with) realizes that clean is also a good thing. Can you trap groundhogs where you live? It might be just as happy in another place other than eating up your garden. Linda B |
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Apr 8, 2008 | 8:35 PM PST
I had Rambo groundhog at my house one year. Despite the rumor of them being timid animals, he set up camp in my yard with my rottweiler and 2 German Shepherds living there!!! He drove those poor dogs nuts! We tried several things to get rid of him too. I'm trying to remember what worked. I think it may have been ammonia soaked rags buried along his burrows. This was after he had already dug to China! Good luck kicking him out, I don't think not shaving and lifting weights will intimidate this little guy..... |
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Apr 9, 2008 | 9:05 PM PST
Just looked at your pictures...loved those giant sunflowers!! |
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