Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[CapricornFarm]

Little trick with deer. Fishing line. I read about it I think on Mother Earth News or one of those magazines. We were having deer come in and nibble on our new fruit trees when we first planted them. A conservation officer warned us that we were in for a challenge and what they recommended people do is put in double fencing, at least 8 foot high and 4 feet apart. When we got done LOAO and he left we went to work finding an alternative to a break the bank fencing project. What we did was put T posts around the orchard and buy about 4 spools of the highest tension clear fishing line we could find. We put the line up like a fence, five strands high around the entire orchard and then we set back and waited.

The theory is that the deer cannot see the clear fishing line in the dark. They walk into it, feel resistance or get their heads hung up in it and panic thinking that something really wicked has a hold of them and they run for their lives immediately crossing the area off their buffet list.

It took maybe three nights before we found our first broken line about the level of a deer's head. We repaired the fence maybe a total of three times before we no longer had broken lines. We also no longer had a deer problem around our orchard. Last season we lost no fruit to deer although we did loose peaches to a thieving raccoon. So I do recommend the fish line fence idea to everyone. Even the conservation dept officer was impressed when we later talked to him.

@CapricornFarm. I tried the lidocaine aspercream tonight. My experiment was to try it on my right foot and leave the left untreated. Let's just say I need to let our 'friend' know how much her advice was appreciated because yes, I do believe it is helping my poor painful feet.

And yes, I would very much like to hear how to grow an bravado vine also!

What is a bravado vine?
Yes my knees feel much better right now but my feet hurt from walking all day! I need to put some on those feet!

 

[chickmom3941]

Little trick with deer. Fishing line. I read about it I think on Mother Earth News or one of those magazines. We were having deer come in and nibble on our new fruit trees when we first planted them. A conservation officer warned us that we were in for a challenge and what they recommended people do is put in double fencing, at least 8 foot high and 4 feet apart. When we got done LOAO and he left we went to work finding an alternative to a break the bank fencing project. What we did was put T posts around the orchard and buy about 4 spools of the highest tension clear fishing line we could find. We put the line up like a fence, five strands high around the entire orchard and then we set back and waited.

The theory is that the deer cannot see the clear fishing line in the dark. They walk into it, feel resistance or get their heads hung up in it and panic thinking that something really wicked has a hold of them and they run for their lives immediately crossing the area off their buffet list.

It took maybe three nights before we found our first broken line about the level of a deer's head. We repaired the fence maybe a total of three times before we no longer had broken lines. We also no longer had a deer problem around our orchard. Last season we lost no fruit to deer although we did loose peaches to a thieving raccoon. So I do recommend the fish line fence idea to everyone. Even the conservation dept officer was impressed when we later talked to him.

@CapricornFarm. I tried the lidocaine aspercream tonight. My experiment was to try it on my right foot and leave the left untreated. Let's just say I need to let our 'friend' know how much her advice was appreciated because yes, I do believe it is helping my poor painful feet.

And yes, I would very much like to hear how to grow an bravado vine also!

Thanks for the fishing line idea, we'll have to try putting some around the fruit trees next year. I just hope Hubs remembers it's there when out mowing with the riding lawn mower. I wonder what would happen if he hit the line going full speed? Might not be good!

I missed a few pages on here, but if there's something that would relieve my foot pain (as well as other pains), that would be worth finding out about. I don't like taking meds, so take as few as possible. I usually just suffer through my screaming feet. If there's some kind of cream that would help, that's really good news! Wonder if it would help my knees with osteoarthritis?

 

[N F C]

I wondering if anyone was growing avacodo trees from the pits and pineapple tops inside as houseplants?

We grew pineapple plants from the tops but that was when we lived in FL and had them outside all year.

It's about time, NFC! Waiting for one of those engraved invitations girl?

Yes!

Sounds like hard work! I had a friend recommend Aspercreme with Lidocaine for my sore knees. I fell hard on both of them about a month ago and they are hurting. Tonight i tried the Aspercreme and it feels amazing!

Aspercreme is my 'go to' for soreness. DH uses that or sometimes the Blue Emu stuff.

 

[rjohns39]

Military background?

Yes. I spent a good portion of my life maintaining fighter aircraft.

I wondering if anyone was growing avacodo trees from the pits and pineapple tops inside as houseplants?

@R2elk has succeeded with pineapple.

My wife and I are loving this thread..thanks for the idea, the start and all the contributions!

We have enough on our plate without raising our own rabbits, but we enjoy rabbit 2-3 times a month. There are two thawing in the sink now for rabbit stew tomorrow. I have found rabbit occasionally at the local farmer's markets. Local 4-H groups may have a contact as well as http://rabbitbreeders.us/meat-rabbit-breeders

We have found a local meat rabbit breeder who buthcers and sells her rabbits and meat chickens. Picking up 6 rabbits Saturday

If you don't like the taste of rabbit, you might want to try one of our recipes...the added pork mellows out the rabbit:

1 Rabbit
1 Small pork roast
6 Medium potatoes cubed
2 Large Onions-Chopped
3 Slices bacon cooked & chopped

Cook rabbit with salt and pepper until it falls off the bones-remove bones-add pork cubes and onions, bacon and water and cook until pork is tender-add potatoes and simmer until desired thickness. Season to taste and add enough water to desired consistency. Serve with fresh baked biscuits.

At some point I will add rabbit and quail to the game, but both invite unwanted visitors from the state.

I’m feeling that every day.
We have many brave deer here. Small yard fence to keep the dogs in isn’t doing anything to keep the deer out. We’ve purposely planted things they don’t like but when I move garden here the fence will go higher.

This spring I'll be putting up a fishing line fence around my pear and peach trees. My deer are pretty good about staying out of the main garden, but they like the fruit trees way too much. This year I didn't get a single pear. And I've surrendered to the raccoons. I won't be growing anymore melons. They take up too much space and I don't get to eat them, because the raccoons like them a day or so before they're ripe.

 

[microchick]

What is a bravado vine?
Yes my knees feel much better right now but my feet hurt from walking all day! I need to put some on those feet!

Blasted spellcheck! It's supposed to be avocado.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes. I spent a good portion of my life maintaining fighter aircraft.

Thank you for your service to our country. Without such service we wouldn't enjoy the freedoms we have.

@R2elk has succeeded with pineapple.

At some point I will add rabbit and quail to the game, but both invite unwanted visitors from the state.

This spring I'll be putting up a fishing line fence around my pear and peach trees. My deer are pretty good about staying out of the main garden, but they like the fruit trees way too much. This year I didn't get a single pear. And I've surrendered to the raccoons. I won't be growing anymore melons. They take up too much space and I don't get to eat them, because the raccoons like them a day or so before they're ripe.

So far I've not had damage to most of my orchard. Only deer damage has been to Elderberries, they prune the tips very hard. No fruit! I was successful with yellow watermelon this year, though they were small. First melon success. Coons have left corn alone since I got a dog. I pile the dog poo at garden edges. I also wonder if they avoid my garden/orchard b/c of the BTE mulch.

Blasted spellcheck! It's supposed to be avocado.

 

[R2elk]

I wondering if anyone was growing avacodo trees from the pits and pineapple tops inside as houseplants?

I planted this one in a big storage tote. At one time I also had a watermelon growing in the same container with it. I would move it outside once the danger of frost was past and keep it in my living room the rest of the year. It was delicious. The plant eventually got so big that I could no longer see past it to watch TV. I gave it to a couple who were going to take it to Alabama with them.

@sfgwife grows them regularly.

 

[N F C]

I planted this one in a big storage tote. At one time I also had a watermelon growing in the same container with it. I would move it outside once the danger of frost was past and keep it in my living room the rest of the year. It was delicious. The plant eventually got so big that I could no longer see past it to watch TV. I gave it to a couple who were going to take it to Alabama with them.

@sfgwife grows them regularly.

Awesome looking pineapple Bob!

 

[lazy gardener]

My wife and I are loving this thread..thanks for the idea, the start and all the contributions!

Thanks Cap, for this thread. It very well may be the most active thread on BYC now.

We don't have any kind of trees, fruit or otherwise around here. It's usually January before the stores start getting them in.

Just FYI. You usually get better quality and better growth, and choices by buying mail order bare root from a good company than buying potted from a local nursery.

they are hurting. Tonight i tried the Aspercreme and it feels amazing!

We also went from bush beans to pole and runners so we wouldn't have to stoop to pick them. Trellising the tomatoes, squash, cukes and brambles on the arches is wonderful.

My all time fave bean is Fortex. They grow 10 - 12" long while remaining tender, stringless, and the beans do not grow big in them. Even better, they are OP.

My wife started a great deck rail herb garden on our back porch a few years ago that requires no bending at all.

I grow lettuce radish and basil on the deck. No insect damage, and it's always handy for a quick salad or sandwich fixings.

Wife’s pain management doctor has a sign in his office. “I will not prescribe more pain killers just because it’s winter.”

I like your wife's doc!

Deer are a problem here so moving the fencing will be necessary as well. All this before I can no longer get it done. It’s on the list.

That is why I am pushing to get stuff done now... before the bod can no longer function.

Biofreeze is the bomb...

I did not realize it was available OTC now. That's great stuff.

We have many brave deer here. Small yard fence to keep the dogs in isn’t doing anything to keep the deer out.

When dealing with deer, keep in mind that while they will jump a fence, they will not do so if there is risk of getting tangled. So, putting some horizontal material inside or outside the fence can deter them. Also... electric works well if properly spaced for all but aerial pests. And perhaps the tiny little ones.

 

[Junochick]

I am going to see if I can find biofreeze in my town, might have to order on the Internet. I have been growing pineapples and avacodos inside no fruit yet. I have had mango pits grow outside I tried to bring it inside but it's not doing to well. Every fresh fruit I eat I try to grow pits and seeds. I grew really good cantaloupe,apples,peaches,raspberries,tomatoes and squashes. I used cement blocks to raise my garden. I added potting ,top soil. I use chain link fence for the vines and made little slings to hang the fruit. I think it looked good having fruit hanging on the fence. I am almost ready for spring, not a fan of the cold weather. My grapes ended up having seeds so goat and chickens loved them.