Maine

[lazy gardener]

@^%#^$&^$#&#&$*&^%* Cold weather!

 

[buckabucka]

@^%#^$&^$#&#&$*&^%* Cold weather!

Funny, I was just thinking the same thing...., beating my frozen fingers into submission and trying to think of the reasons I live here. I don't like crowded areas, it is peaceful here, the people are nice and I do like snow. Maybe this bitter cold is going to kill off some strange global warming pests. Perhaps the Japanese beetles will start marching south.

We get a break in 5 days.

 

[MEMama3]

I wanted to try hot rocks to keep the waterers from freezing. Unfortunately, under 18" of snow it's hard to find rocks :-(

 

[buckabucka]

Maybe you can buy some fire bricks?

 

[striperon]

On the subject of garden mulch, I've read that uncomposted mulch will actually use soil nitrogen in its decomposition. The suggestion was to make sure there is adequate plant nitrogen when using uncomposted mulch such as fresh wood chips or grass clippings by adding manure or fertilizer. Is this incorrect?

 

[buckabucka]

On the subject of garden mulch, I've read that uncomposted mulch will actually use soil nitrogen in its decomposition.  The suggestion was to make sure there is adequate plant nitrogen when using uncomposted mulch such as fresh wood chips or grass clippings by adding manure or fertilizer.  Is this incorrect?

I've heard this before about wood chips. It may be true for grass clippings too, but I've never noticed any ill symptoms in the plants. I'd have to read up on this, unless someone else can chime in with some information.

 

[Widget]

Well today has been fun.

First starting the day at 0 degrees sucks. De-icing was fine. All frost so actually very easy. Got home to find shredded cardboard all over the living room and two 24 packs of Pepsi cans scattered everywhere. Lost 8 cans in the massacre plus had to clean up the mess. Looks like Bennett will be a crate trained dog. I do know Serina, the Pitty,joined in on the fun so I can not blame Bennett 100 %.

Went to water the birds and other outdoor critters. The front door did not want to latch so I grabbed the handle and pulled hard. So hard that the handle snapped off and I went backwards fast off the porch and almost landed on a goose. I did laugh since I am sure if anyone had been watching the whole thing was hilarious. I had to tramp through the snow to the cellar door to get back in the house. Now I need to get a new latch for the front door. Fortunately it has a deadbolt so the door will close securely.

Then had to unclog the kitchen sink by opening the hard to get to trap underneath making a big mess in the process. Thank goodness for shop vacs.

Finally, I hope, the moronic background check company that the company I am being rehired at uses sent an email today saying they can not verify that I work at the airport. They want me to send pay stubs and W2s for the past four years.

. What? They did a check on me last February for the same company and verified then that I worked at the airport. Nothing has changed since then. I should be in their system and therefore should not have to give them anything for information. I sent an email back saying that and a few other choice words. Perhaps not in my best interest but I hate hate hate incompetence.

 

[lazy gardener]

Striperon, technically correct re: wood chips and other high nitrogen sources. I would not till wood chips directly into the soil. But wood chips as a component of chicken litter, in my mind are a perfect blend of high carbon and high nitrogen. With the exception of grass clippings, all of the mulch materials I use are high carbon. I am not a soil scientist, oh how I wish I were! But, here's my take from years of experimenting, working with deep mulch, and spending hours watching and observing the interaction of plants with various gardening techniques: A mulch, whether it is high carbon or not so much, sits on top of the soil where there is an abundance of oxygen. The soil microbes (as well as the larger creatures that assist with nutrient break down) thrive at the soil/mulch interface, and usually the moisture content is ideal. So, in my garden this spring, I will definitely be using my special wood chip/chicken poo blend as a mulch. I also intend to do a modified very small chicken litter hugelkulture experiment. If you really want a mind bender re: high carbon sources robbing the nitrogen from growing crops, do some research on this topic. If nothing else, it will convince you that just because someone says something should be done a certain way, don't make it so. When I hear that something must be done a certain way, my mouth automatically says, "but why?!" Further evidence to refute the whole nitrogen robbing issue: Why is the soil life so very abundant under a log, a pile of wet newspaper, or a good layer of cardboard? (All of which are high carbon "nitrogen robbers".) And why is the hugelkulture concept so popular, and apparently working so well? Food for thought, and I can't wait to get into the soil and start working out some answers.

Bucka, your experience with wood chips not proving detrimental to gardens reflects my experience.

 

[MEMama3]

Does anyone know if TSC or PFU sell quail during their chick days? I want to get a trio of bobs and five coturnix. Everyone that ships does only mass quantities. Also, when to swaps pick up again (I know, hard to imagine when it's 3° outside today). On that note, my husband called to inform me that our town is colder than the top of Mt. Washington today. That doesn't happen often.

 

[NorthChicken]

Hello fellow Mainers!! I am up here in Caribou, ME next to the Canadian border. We are supposed to get some cold temps tomorrow night, nearing -35 below zero (that is without windchill). I do not have an insulated coop, but it is very draft free and dry, and I do have the run covered in clear tarp. I really don't want to run a heat lamp, I don't have electricity in the coop, but could run an extension cord if I need to. There are 6 chickens to the coop, which is about 4x6, and 5 feet tall. Should I just let them cuddle or should I break down and put a heat lamp on them tomorrow night? I have a 250 watt red light, but am so petrified of fires, as I have about 6 inches of shavings and hay on the coop floor. They have not had any heat at all since winter hit, and the coldest we've seen so far is about -25 below, which they all seemed to fair well through (although I'm sure they weren't too thrilled with the temps!!) I'm ready for summer!!