The Rose of Sharon would definitely work. Mom is going to look at some stuff and see if there is anything else she likes. Next I just need to find a good shrub for the side of the house, maybe a nice evergreen, something I can turn into a continuous 2ft wide by 5ft high wall. I think a trip to Armstrong and the Despot are in my future.
Going to start on the trellises Friday (gotta mow tomorrow - I hate that rain makes things grow). Going to have to sacrifice my wood for my outfeed table, though. Have to get it done as my little seeds are starting to poke their little heads out. After only 5 days, I now have plants in all cells of both cucumbers (slicing and pickling), Beafsteaks, Cherry toms, and okra. I guess it means after the trellis is done I am going to have to start preparing that area.
Sunflowers have broken the surface as well. Have my new worker (kid from next door) coming over on Saturday to clear all the bricks and concrete “rocks” from the front of the house and get rid of the edging blocks. Going to also get some cedar pickets to built edging in the front of the house, before I till it. Hate to have whatever is growing in the front yard to grow into the planter area. Will hope to have pics to post in the next few days.
The sunflowers are about 4 inches tall, in their little pots and, if the rain will ever stop, the area will be tilled and they will be put in place in the next week. Have decided on either Common Sage (Spice type) or Ice Plants with a light purple flower. Have to call Lowe’s and see if they have it, or can get it, as it is on their site. Will probably end up with the sage.
Also looking for a local place for the Rose of Sharon Hibiscus. Looks like it is going to be purple in the front and blue on the side.
On the back, just got some needed bucks, for taking a flu test (gotta love clinical trials). Negative on the flu (well the ones they were testing the test of) and got $60 to boot.
So, being that I only had enough wood for one section of trellis (well, how I am designing it anyway) I can now get the rest of the wood and hopefully will get them done over the weekend, that is if I get clear a little more space in the garage. Will post pics when they are all done. Will be at least a few days before they are set in place, though. Have to still prep the area, whenever the rain stops.
All of the seeds I put into flats have come up, except for most of my peppers. Hopefully there are some in the seeds that left for me. If not, I will have to order some more. At least my Italian Pepperoncinis came up, just no bell, jalapenos and tabasco (which is odd as the tabasco are the newest of the lot).
Had a new brainstorm, after looking at some videos. Have an old piece of gutter (pretty long actually) that I am going to set up as a self water system (probably for the weed). Have an old 20 (or so) gallon trash can that I am going to use as a tank and just picked up a float switch (set of two actually - ALWAYS have an extra). Probably use some $0.50 Walmart bags and some 3" Net cups (for the wicking). Has anyone ever set one of these up?
So, it turned out to be a bad weekend for me, visitor wise. I looked through the seeds though only pepper I saw was a scorpion pepper. It’s early to plant peppers though. You have plenty of time to find some jalapeno seeds. Want to try for later this week or Saturday?
Thanks, but I want Bell type rather than chilli. Not a big fan except for relleno, and that is a pain in the ass to make. I would rather have the Jalapeno for some heat and taste. Have Cayenne up and new Tabasco ordered. Will probably pick up some Jalapeno locally, as well as Bell. Need the later for the “trinity”.
Did you grow any greens or brassicas last year? If so, how did you keep them cool? We aren’t as hot as you, but I have a tough time in the high summer.
Was going to either prep the small bed, out front, for the sunflowers, or put together the trellises, but the last few days have been so bleak, I seem to have the “blah’s”. Just don’t feel like doing anything but sit around and watch old shows. Guess I will do the trellises tomorrow, as it is supposed to rain, AND I actually cleared out some room in the garage, to work. Maybe even put together the new grill. Gonna be a good “Que” season this year, better if I can get/build a new smoker. Would love to put together a small house, but I think the neighbors would revolt (actually had a visit from the “man” when I first got back here because one of the idiots… I mean neighbors, thought I was burning stuff. God I miss TX. Would be a sign of the Apocalypse if you didn’t see a bunch of smoke.
@Meesh
Maybe next weekend. May be gone for about two weeks, after, so we’ll see. Send me your info.
So, I finally started building the trellises (I know, I have been threatening for a week now). I swear to god, the folks that select wood at The Despot must be cross-eyed. I could make a hobby horse or a rocking chair out of the 16 I bought. If there was a straight edge on any of them it would be a miracle. They were all straight when I bought them, though (well, one or two had a slight bow to them, but workable). They were supposed to be “Kiln Dried” too, so I guess they just “showed it to the kiln” or let them dry NEXT to it. Any way, Got all the cuts made and started to put the top pieces together. Broke out my new countersink bits, only to find out that they won’t drill even close to 3in and for some reason my drill won’t put the screws in, so I have to get a #8 bit and drill the holes deeper. Needless to say, I stopped. Will pick it back up tomorrow. Received the netting (well as much as I THINK I will need), so can set them up as soon as they are ready (and I didn’t short on the netting… and I finish prepping the area… AHHHHHHH).
Then, I finally get my “Kill-a-Watt” clone and test the “150W” CFL bulbs I bought. I was lucky if they were 40W. My 105W are great at about 96-96, so I should have just gotten more of those. Amazon is definitely getting a return request.
Not yet though was looking into doing it for this summer and shared the raingutter grow system facebook page as there are lots of resources and info there in all types of climates…still need to finish putting together the Alaska Grow Bucket system. Of course, modified for my grow space - just gotta find some time to do it
Well, I felt like crap yesterday, so I did nothing but take a shitload of my tincture and sleep all day. It was a shame as it was a pretty nice day. I figured that since it wasn’t going to start to rain until later in the day, today, I would get up early (well sort of) and do some stuff before it starts. Still have to do the bed for the trellises and the small strip for the sunflowers and sage, and finish the trellises themselves. So I got up at 8 this morning (I know, surprised even myself) had a bite to eat, and went right back to bed. Of course it was nice out, seems to happens every time I have the “Blahs”.
I did actually get my ass out of bed and worked on the trellises. Got one of the tops done and half of the other (just have to screw in the (3) inner supports. Then bolt together the legs and braces and fit and drill them to the tops. Though I do have to run to the Despot and get another 2x4 and eight bolt/washer/nut setups. I was going to screw the braces at the bottom, but realized that it would be easier bolting them and would have an easier time connecting it all together. Y’all will see what I mean when it is done. Will post pics.
Had to reseed my sunflowers. The first ones got too leggy and died off (don’t worry @Meesh, there will still be plenty for you). Also glad to report that most of the peppers finally came up, though still no jalapenos or bells. Did get in my new tabasco seeds, so I will start them later, once I start getting stuff in the ground. They are just for sauce, so not something I need to rush getting going. Squash’s are going haywire so need to get them in soon. Hope to finish trellises tomorrow and prep on Tuesday. Will post pics of everything after that.
On a indoor weed grow note, Put in a return for the shitty bulbs and already got a refund. I highly recommend getting stuff “Fulfilled by Amazon” if you are going to order on there. Ship back was nothing. Didn’t even have to pack it up. Took the two bulbs to the UPS Store and they pack it all up and ship it out. Got the refund as soon as I got home.
Projects are great for a case of the blahs… Unfortunately, the blahs can make the motivation part tough, but once you get started, you get a nice sense of accomplishment.
Indeed. Went back and put the legs together and marked them to be drilled and attached to the tops (well, temporarily as they will be easier to move to the back as separate parts). I was fortunate to have my two little helpers to lend a hand (kids next door). Made the work a lot faster. Still only worked less than an hour (sucks having a back as bad as mine). Tomorrow is another day and hopefully I can get an early start. Want to have everything ready to put in plants by Friday.
Today, in between coughing up a lung (no don’t have the Covid, just a cold) I mowed the back lawn (shit grew up with all the rain) and since I pulled all the barrier for the veggie plot, it grew into it. Marked up where I need to till and will hopefully do that first thing in the morning. Still have to finish drilling the holes to attach the legs to the top of the trellises, but I will try to do that tomorrow as well. Hopefully I will have my helpers tomorrow, but we will see. Had to turn them away today as, even though it’s not the “Big One” I still didn’t want to get them sick.
Also got the sunflowers in the ground and spread some of the sage seeds. Little piece of advise, don’t just leave a paper envelope of seeds sitting around when the wind is blowing. It has a tendency to blow away, sending the remaining seeds spreading where you do not want them. Will just have to “rearrange” some of the seedlings when they come up.
Tilled the plot for the trellises. Also started putting together the border for it, and would have it finished if my damned drills didn’t suck. I knew I should have gotten the 18v (or actually I think it’s 20v) at HF. The 12v just runs down after about 10 minutes. The B&D I have is no better (though that is probably because the battery is about 15 years old). Can’t wait for my new batteries to get here. Really only have to finish one of the three and a short piece because of the weirdness of the patio. Will get back to in before dark today. The trellises are on hold as my helpers didn’t come over today so probably will get done tomorrow (there is no way I am going to do them myself).
Okay, here is the BIG QUESTION. Got 4 bags of shit for this area (16ft x 6ft) and I really do not want to do any more tilling (yes, I know it wouldn’t be that hard, but I am a lazy bastard). So, is it okay to just top the area with the shit? Suggestions!
left for me. If not, I will have to order some more. At least my Italian Pepperoncinis came up, just no bell, jalapenos and tabasco (which is odd as the tabasco are the newest of the lot).
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