Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[wyoDreamer]

Hops are another vine that wants to take over the world. Their leaves and tendrils are "sicky" and break off easily. I was always pulling hops off the english setter when he comes inside in the evening. Once I got to work and found a piece of hops plant stuck in my long hair...
Took care of that one last weekend. We pulled up a maple seedling that was growing with the hops and it looks like the hops went with the maple tree.

 

[jvls1942]

I wish I had your problems. I want hops but don't have the time to mess with them.
I think I have a plan for taming the wild grape tanglement. I will let you know when/if the plan works.
I want to transplant an elderberry bush from up the road in the ditch. I am thinking of jerking it out with the tractor loader and dividing the roots. Think that will work ? I will do it this fall well after the berries are picked.
It is supposed to rain this morning. Any amount will be welcomed.
.......jiminwisc........

 

[jvls1942]

I gave up on trying to tame the grapes.
I think I will dig the roots out this fall and just transplant them. well, at least two of them.
we had a couple of strong thunder storms last week. We suffered no damage except a few apple got knocked off the tree.
Our resident little doe likes that. three days ago she brought some help along .
three spotted fawns. they show up every day outside out kitchen window at dusk.
So far they haven't bothered any of the raised beds.
I sprinkle fish emulsion on the raised beds. I don't think the deer like the smell.
did I mention I pulled 47 garlic ? Had some really nice ones. also had some mediocre ones. I will save the biggest ones for seed. I am getting a plot ready for them ...
......jiminwisc.........

 

[bruceha2000]

I'm glad your garden is doing well!

 

[jvls1942]

I'm glad your garden is doing well!

me too. It really is not much of a garden. just a small raised bed of beets and one of beans.
Our doe and her three fawns are still here. They were bedded down behind the garage near the big blackberry patch
When Dave went back there this morning , they got up and left.
Still getting plenty of rain. I have not watered for a couple of weeks.
Tomatoes are coming along fine. We can't keep up eating them. Might have to make some salsa.
......jiminwisc........

 

[cavemanrich]

You will need to stock up on bales of hay to feed those cuties over winter. I just ran across some fresh bales of alfalfa, and clover for $8 per bale. DD will deliver to me a few for my chicken coop bedding.

 

[bruceha2000]

$8/bale for bedding?
I guess they might eat some of it?

 

[cavemanrich]

$8/bale for bedding?
I guess they might eat some of it?

I have always used hay as bedding. I don't need much,, since I only keep a few pet chickens. Currently 6 hens. The hay is eatable, so I guess they may nibble on pieces they can break off.
In the very beginning of my chicken journey, (20 years + ago) I tried straw. I did not like as much as hay. Savings was only about $2 per bale where I purchased it. VS hay price.
Coop smells nice and fresh with new or added hay as a bonus. The cleanout,, since I don't have a compost pile, goes directly in piles under my ornamental trees/bushes.
Long long ago... I did try to have a compost pile. We are city-slickers with small back yards. DW has a sense of smell equal or superior to the finest dogs around. Sniff sniff sniff,,,,,,,,, and the verdict was. If that $#!+ is not gone soon,,,, you will be

 

[bruceha2000]

You can't find anything cheaper than alfalfa hay? I'm paying $4.50 for second cut regular grass hay. First cut is cheaper by the bale but my 2 alpacas as super picky so the price per pound eaten is WAY better with second cut.

 

[cavemanrich]

Maybe in farm country the prices are lower,,,,, but we here in Chicago Metro are City Slickers ... The prices reflected are retail prices per bale, not large quantities. Am sure that the peeps that maintain horse stables purchase large quantities and pay less per bale than $8.
I have never seen straw at less than $6 per bale around here. It has no significant nutritional value,,, only bedding.
With everything going up in price,,, even the straw for Halloween will probably be pricey this year.
In years past,, I have picked up straw bales that peeps would set curbside. (after Halloween decor was removed).. I only use it to cover my flower beds for winter because it was usually quite wet at that point.