Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[CapricornFarm]

Can you plant the fruit trees now Cap?

Well right now it is like 20 F, so the soil is frozen. But if it warms up enough i will plant them for sure. I put them between the garden shed and the house because it blocks the prevailing winds and will be a bit warmer.

 

[chickmom3941]

I there! I've been lurking and reading on and off since I am planning a big veggie garden in the spring. (we just moved to a new place, so starting from scratch.) I've enjoyed your photos and ideas, and Im curious about the grass clippings on the garden- I always feared grass clippings would turn into grass, like they would magically plant themselves... I guess that has all been in my imagination? Does that not happen?
I've been living in southern California and Vancouver, BC, the past 20 years, so all my gardening experience is flowers and plants in a small space, for beauty and interest. Now we are in southern Ontario, ill have unlimited space, but will only grow food and herbs. Gonna be quite a change! Anyways, hope its ok I join in late to the party- but just in time for Nys'!!!

Welcome to the thread! And good luck in advance on your new garden next spring.

 

[henless]

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure this is a pic of the wheelbarrow Hubs got me for Christmas. He probably won't assemble it till spring, though, unless he's planning to haul snow around the yard - lol. I can't wait for spring!

View attachment 1222211

I started to get a dually barrow similar to that one, but we got to measuring it and decided it would be too wide to fit through the coop doors. I went with the metal one from Ace Hardware and I just love it!

We used it today to bring some firewood up to the porch. My 8 yr old granddaughter wanted to help haul the wood. We filled the dually barrow full of wood and she got between the handles like a cart pony and pulled it to the porch with no problems. She said her Pappy needs to buy her one next year for her birthday since she can use it without it turning over.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

 

[CapricornFarm]

View attachment 1223676

No need to lurk Connie, come on in ! Happy New Year

 

[hereorthere]

The worms break down my organic matter and they feed my plants. Take care of your worms and they take care of you.

True!!

Anyone with advice on how to get rid of moles?? Seems like a whole family moved into my upper orchard & lower garden recently and have been eating practically all my earthworms- l noticed a significant drop in the garden this past summer. Saw their tracks around our newly planted fig trees - like Grand Central Station....enough to scare me into buying and planted over 200 daffodil bulbs around the fruit trees. As well as a fortress of garlic around the new plum and apples trees that my hubs planted in November. Started seeing their tracks heading up towards the chicken area.....hoping my hens and roo will dispose of one or two, but highly doubt it as they seem to co-exist peacefully with the garter snakes.

 

[CapricornFarm]

True!!

Anyone with advice on how to get rid of moles?? Seems like a whole family moved into my upper orchard & lower garden recently and have been eating practically all my earthworms- l noticed a significant drop in the garden this past summer. Saw their tracks around our newly planted fig trees - like Grand Central Station....enough to scare me into buying and planted over 200 daffodil bulbs around the fruit trees. As well as a fortress of garlic around the new plum and apples trees that my hubs planted in November. Started seeing their tracks heading up towards the chicken area.....hoping my hens and roo will dispose of one or two, but highly doubt it as they seem to co-exist peacefully with the garter snakes.

Hello and welcome!
I have seen tunnels here or there on the property but once the Shepherd starts digging seems like they clear out. If i were you i would investigate mole traps. Ultrasonic repellents don't do anything but drain your pockets imo. Let us know what happens. Love daffodils!

 

[Cryss]

Daffodils? Garlic? These repel moles? Tell me more!

 

[lazy gardener]

Are they moles, or voles? I can catch voles with snap traps. I caught 5 voles with a single chocolate chip/peanut butter. First Bubba, then Peggy Sue, then Johnny, then Linda Lou, then.... Voles aren't the brightest crayon in the box. Every time I caught one, I'd toss the body into the bushes, then re-set the trap in exactly the same spot, right in front of an active hole. There'd be an other cousin or uncle in the trap the next morning.

Garlic and daffodils are supposed to repel voles, and I'm guessing they do the same with mice. I have them planted around all of my fruit trees.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

My Collie is doing more damage to our yard than the "Blind Tunnel Rats". He is destroying the lawn in pursuit of his obsession. I burred some poison peanuts yesterday along their route in hopes off having a lawn to mow this spring. Placed milk crates over the spots so Chomper (aka lawn destroyer) can't dig em up.