Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[wyoDreamer]

We had raindrops raising dust all the time out in Wyoming, You could smell the rain coming because of the wet earth smell would replace the dry dusty smell - a good hard rainstorm would actually push a cloud of dust in front of it. lol

Teh wild grapes are starting to take over around here. I need to go out and do a serious grape removal project.
One of the previous owners planted an ornamental vine that grows up and covers everything that it can. We have always called it wild cucumber teh neighbor calls it something else, not sure what it is officially called. Very invasive. It is killing the trees that run along the road and nearly killed one of my shrubs. It is pretty when it blooms, but seriously a pain to control.

 

[wyoDreamer]

@jvls1942 nice to hear that your grapes are doing well.

 

[Molpet]

One of the previous owners planted an ornamental vine that grows up and covers everything that it can.

What does it look like?

Trumpet vines https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/trumpet-vine/growing-trumpet-vines.htm
Bittersweet and wild grapes take over everything.

 

[Molpet]

I remember one time it was dry here.
when it finally started to rain, the first
few drops actually raised dust.
today I finally got around to inspecting the new grape vines.
they were way beyond needing pruning. one of the vines was almost a double plant. two trunks and extra branches. I trimmed all of the excess off.
I didn't dig up the garlic yet. that will be done soon.

Yes I am behind on lots of yard work.
I did dig my garlic last month, zone 5. It's dried, I am sorting and trimming.

 

[jvls1942]

We had raindrops raising dust all the time out in Wyoming, You could smell the rain coming because of the wet earth smell would replace the dry dusty smell - a good hard rainstorm would actually push a cloud of dust in front of it. lol

Teh wild grapes are starting to take over around here. I need to go out and do a serious grape removal project.
One of the previous owners planted an ornamental vine that grows up and covers everything that it can. We have always called it wild cucumber teh neighbor calls it something else, not sure what it is officially called. Very invasive. It is killing the trees that run along the road and nearly killed one of my shrubs. It is pretty when it blooms, but seriously a pain to control.

I have seen those wild cucumbers down along the river bank. they get so thick you can't walk through them
if I had wild grapes, I probably would try to tame them.
my dad made wine from some when I was a kid. I remember it tasted very good. My dad knew how to do that sort of thing. He kind of dabbled in moonshine in his younger days..

 

[wyoDreamer]

I see I missed a tendril growing up onto my lilac bush, I'll get it removed before it makes seed. The wild cucumber is growing along the top of the fence and up the back of the cedar also.

 

[Sequel]

I see I missed a tendril growing up onto my lilac bush, I'll get it removed before it makes seed. The wild cucumber is growing along the top of the fence and up the back of the cedar also.View attachment 3221816

That is just crazy! I never heard of wild cucumber.

 

[equustears]

Once upon a time i was young. I could dig soil for hours, no problem. Double digging, mixing in sand and manure were easy. Rototillers could be wrestled and i could win. Now i am making raised beds and trying to do things the easy way. Hubby has health issues and so do i. But i love getting my hands dirty! Hoping to build a greenhouse, just got a book and am reading about how to do it. So i am sure i will discuss that as well. I plan to have benches i will build at a level convenient for me to tend plants. No planting on the ground inside.

I just turned 70 , it’s even hard for me to sit on the edge of my raised bed and twist and turn to plant and weed . That being said :
My first mistake was making the frame too wide, I can no longer reach the middle section and it’s a burden to try to keep it weeded.
Second mistake was not making the sides comfortably high
Third is I tried to fill the frame with dirt ! I’ve since read that I should have filled 2/3 of the bed with
Filler , sticks brush , even card board , straw, then last 1/3 with good garden soil. Makes a world of difference when turning it over next year and moisture in the soil all year.
Lastly - use a fence to create a hoop over the end of the bed for your climbing vegs. So much easier to pick zuchs and acorns and cukes, when they’re hanging from the fence hoop

 

[wyoDreamer]

It is not a cucumber at all, the seed pod just kinda looks like one. It grows crazy fast.
I looked it up, it is called Wild Cucumber Vine, lol. Here is a screen snip:

 

[jvls1942]

I think when those wild cukes go to seed, the end opens up and you are left with a hollow tube.?
I pulled some of my garlic . the ones I had in the tubs. they didn't do so well.
I just barely got my seed back. the cloves are small to average. Nice and white and firm, though.
I will pull the good ones from the raised bed. they do better on the ground than in tubs. live and learn.
maybe get some help and dig all the dirt out of the raised beds. then do it the right way. I see no harm in filling the bottom layer with rocks and sand. then trash and then compost. the trash will eventually compost. maybe cover the rocks and sand with landscape cloth .