Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[sharron]

A wicking bed is a soil bed held over a reservoir of water.

Mine is made of a blue plastic 50gal barrel, which has been cut in half. The half barrel has been half filled with empty glass bottles, beer bottles mostly. Over this I put some garden cloth, then a layer of chicken wire, then more garden cloth, draping up over the top of the barrels edge. Into this I put my potting soil. Down the side of the cloth containing the soil I have a small length of alcathene pipe to add water, and at the level of the bottom of the soil a couple of overflow/drainage holes were drilled through. I'll take a picture tomorrow.

The beer bottles are laid down and fill with water while helping hold the soil up above the water level. Lots of different things can be used.

The theory is that the plants will suck up as much water as they need from the reservoir below and require less frequent watering.

thank you for explaining, that sounds really interesting, looking forward to the pictures
just came in from the greenhouse, yesterday had one garter snake, today there's three, the one is getting used to me and doesn't leave , the two dropped down to the ground to hide

 

[R2elk]

Campfire Rose is another of the Canada Series roses. It starts out yellow and turns pink and then red. I suspect that it is more of a time thing since it does continue to change color overnight.
Campfire Rose

 

[N F C]

Campfire Rose is another of the Canada Series roses. It starts out yellow and turns pink and then red. I suspect that it is more of a time thing since it does continue to change color overnight.
Campfire Rose

Cool looking roses!

 

[henless]

Different jars will change the number that fit properly. But you're on the right track, put them in like you would a water bath canner. Big difference is you only need a few inches of water in the canner as you're going to be leveraging steam, not water for heat. And I always add a little white vinegar to the water which helps keep the jars cleaner.

just a couple of key points: make sure you let the steam vent for 10 minutes after the column starts, adjust your fire/heat after you're up to pressure, and let the pressure cooker cool to zero pressure before taking off the weight and opening up. Lastly, stick to reliable tested recipes, until you're much more comfortable with the canner. I can give you some sources if you like...

Thanks for the help rj. Any links will be greatly appreciated. I have last years Ball Canning book, and I also have the Amish Canning cookbook.

This is what I have in the wb today. Bread & butter pickles. I'll be taking them out in a few. I hope they taste good. The vinegar was a real stinker while cooking.

 

[rjohns39]

Well stick to the ball blue book.... but use this site as well.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Thought I'd share some pix.
My plum tree that I had to cancel due to Black Knot Fungus. Took me a while to get it removed, but next pix is what is growing there now. One of the sprouts.
View attachment 1429094 The sapling in the middle is the one that is growing below. I clipped/cut all the other sprouts. Then I moved the circle and mulched with wood chips. I prefer natural undyed chips. They will turn darker with time as rain affects it.
View attachment 1429096
My Knockout roses are doing well. There was quite a bit of winter dieback, so I trimmed of all the dead branches. Fertilized after this pix taken. I cover ground with grass clippings to retain ground moisture, as well as make a nicer appearance.
View attachment 1429097

This I have no IDEA if it is a weed or flower. Started growing in this flower bed and is not something I planted. Looks good and does not act like a weed, (does not try to take over) so it may stay.
View attachment 1429098

I see 2 Yucca plants that will flower. Had these growing for about 30 years. Neighbor gave me these when I complemented him on how nice of a plant it is.
View attachment 1429099

My assorted Hostas. I have 1 or 2 more varieties around the grounds.
View attachment 1429100 View attachment 1429101 View attachment 1429102

My Black Eye Susans are quite lush. Have been getting much rain .
View attachment 1429103

This is my Nasturtium potted. I thing we fed too much Miracle Grow fertilizer, (non burning) and the green foliage is overwhelming. I hope that it will get some flower blooms.
View attachment 1429104 We have been getting lots of rain lately, and everything is growing without needing to be hose watered.

The yellow flowered plant looks like 4 o'clock plant.

 

[CapricornFarm]

The only Yucca I know of is a desert plant, that is why I was surprised it would flourish and flower in an area that gets right cold in the winter.

We had it in TN, tried to dig it up, it wouldn't die!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I'm not an old folk, but can I squeeze myself in here?
I've a physical disability which has me feeling like, and hobbling around like, a little old lady, so I'm taking notes on how to make gardening less physically strenuous.

Welcome! I have seen you on my building thread i believe.

 

[lillithlix]

Welcome! I have seen you on my building thread i believe.

Yup, that would be me.

 

[bruceha2000]

stalker!!