Hügelkultur Raised Beds

[akroberts1085]

I'm wondering if anyone might know of a way to color wood naturally without chemicals or paint. I know that you can color eggs and cloth using herbs and onion skins but how do I make it water resistant. If anyone has any ideas let me know please. I'm always open to ideas.

 

[Land of Lincoln]

I’m trying a little experiment just to see if one fabric does better than another for germination. I am far from a scientist and setting up a proper lab worthy experiment so take this for what it’s worth.

On Tuesday morning (2.18.25) I puts some Purple Coneflower seeds on a piece of denim and put it in a zip lock baggie and I put some on a piece of paper towel and placed it in a plastic container.

Both starting methods are fully enclosed, the denim in a zip lock bag and the container has a tight fitting lid. It’s similar to a small container you’d get that holds sauce or dressing. Both methods are placed on the same heat mat and after just 2 days, here are my findings thus far:

The red circles are the seeds that have a root starting to grow out of them. I didn’t count out the number of seeds on either piece of material so the numbers could be skewed a little bit but thus far it looks to be a 5:1 ratio - denim-paper towel.

I find it a little interesting and surprising actually. I thought the paper towel would have more germination. It’s only been 2 days so we shall see the ratios after a few more days.

These seeds were not cold stratified, they went from seed packet to the heat mat.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

I'm wondering if anyone might know of a way to color wood naturally without chemicals or paint. I know that you can color eggs and cloth using herbs and onion skins but how do I make it water resistant. If anyone has any ideas let me know please. I'm always open to ideas.

Dip it in wax after you dye it?

I should ask first - how much wood are we talking? Something more like a plant label or an entire deck?

 

[akroberts1085]

I went out and finished filling up the stairstep bed then I planted broccoli Brussels sprouts and peas. I also planted some squash I just put them deeper than usual. In the small bed I put radishes.

 

[akroberts1085]

That's the small bed. I didn't plant all of the seeds in one area but my girls decided that I didn't plant them right so they had to fix it for me

 

[Land of Lincoln]

I’ve never grown kohlrabi before and don’t know if I’ve ever eaten it. I sure hear and see a lot of people growing it though. Is it similar to a turnip?

 

[akroberts1085]

I’ve never grown kohlrabi before and don’t know if I’ve ever eaten it. I sure hear and see a lot of people growing it though. Is it similar to a turnip?

This is my first time growing kohlrabi so I honestly don't know what it tastes like. I read somewhere on here that it can be eaten raw or cooked but it tastes better raw. I think.

 

[DuckLady]

I got all my seeds a few weeks ago. I'll be starting them toward the end of next month as we don't plant here til the end of May after frost danger is about over. I really miss the long growing season of San Diego county where I grew up.

I'm expanding from the tomatoes, onions and cukes of last year to include radishes, carrots, garlic (already planted), beans, peas and watermelon developed for northern Idaho, which is about where I am except in eastern Washington. I am looking forward to seeing if they will be a success.

 

[NanaK]

I'm wondering if anyone might know of a way to color wood naturally without chemicals or paint. I know that you can color eggs and cloth using herbs and onion skins but how do I make it water resistant. If anyone has any ideas let me know please. I'm always open to ideas.

See if any of this will help.
https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2021/01/natural-finishes.html

 

[Land of Lincoln]

Day 4 update of the germination test:

Fairly even I’d say without counting them. I did notice a few on the paper towel have leaves formed already, none on the denim. I’ll be potting a bunch of these up this weekend.

Fairly good results I’d say without putting them through a cold stratification period. Never have grown these before from seed or otherwise, so it’ll be exciting to see them evolve. From my understanding, they won’t bloom until the second year, first year they put their energy into root growth.

Guess I’d better make a pallet bed to put these babies in.