***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[bfrancis]

PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA POULTRY SWAP "2012" OFFICIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT"

WHEN: Saturday, May 5th 2012, start time 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Looking at the Calendar....we will have Army duties that weekend....DRAT! So will have to miss it....but will still buy t-shirts when they become available. Looks like it will be fun day!

 

[NanaKat]

Rains last night filled the gauge to 1 " but most importantly, we got some run-off to the ponds and the terraces are full.

The rains will let me dig out the volunteer asparagus plants that I've been watching for the past year from the flower beds. Birds love the seeds on those plants and scatter seeds everywhere. Going to have to start pulling the female plants to cut down on the seed scatter. Male plants make better spears anyway.
Oh and those who are planting new asparagus beds: Don't harvest spears the first year and during the second year...only take spears that are bigger than the thickness of a pencil. The smaller spears give life to the plants. I like to dig a trench, set the plant and then as the plant grows, back fill the trench....making the root crown about 6 - 8 inches deep.

Carl...are you going to set the timbers for your raised bed today? When we put in our bigger bed, we set the end and two sides and then carted in the dirt to back fill it and then set in the last end. Made it a lot easier to move the dirt around. Do you think Stephanie would like a few asparagus plants? If she does, I'll save her the volunteer plants from the flowerbeds...will be a mix of male and female plants.

 

[Oceanseve]

Ocean,
I was not familiar with the term pervasive where plants are concerned and could not easily find and answer to that, could you explain your meaning was so I might be ablt answer

lol I was at least close on the proper term The ladies handled it. Mint is invasive.

Told you guys, brown thumb, gardening is a dream for me, hope it turns into a reality not a nightmare this year

DH got the van stuck

I asked him to empty it so I could pick up the tiller from my grandfather today while I was out working. He came inside fed up and told me I'd have to take the gas guzzler. I did manage to go out and get it unstuck, but she's tempermental to begin with so I'm letting her cool off for a while. DH told me I need to go get a pair of overalls... didn't think I had that much mud on me

 

[Cjarvis]

Carl...are you going to set the timbers for your raised bed today? When we put in our bigger bed, we set the end and two sides and then carted in the dirt to back fill it and then set in the last end. Made it a lot easier to move the dirt around. Do you think Stephanie would like a few asparagus plants?

I am thinking I will make them the width of two small square bales, and leave on end open using the straw as the barrier on the one end. That will let me enter the beds easily year after year. that way we can till, turn, remove or add as needed much easier. The Straw would make good compost for the next year. Just my thouights at this time, or a removable end haven't really decided yet.
She said yes to the asparagus so if you have some to spare we would be very interested.

 

[Cjarvis]

If the weather lets up I will try to set a few timbers today, the ground will be easier to work but the ground here is soft anyway.
If it does not let up I will get the brooder building organized better for what I want to do with it.

 

[NanaKat]

I am thinking I will make them the width of two small square bales, and leave on end open using the straw as the barrier on the one end. That will let me enter the beds easily year after year. that way we can till, turn, remove or add as needed much easier. The Straw would make good compost for the next year. Just my thouights at this time, or a removable end haven't really decided yet.
She said yes to the asparagus so if you have some to spare we would be very interested.

Straw bales would work great...wheat straw holds up well and makes great mulch and compost.

Will pot up those asparagus then when I dig them. I will bring them when I come pick up the little Spangled chicks later this week..

 

[Cjarvis]

Straw bales would work great...wheat straw holds up well and makes great mulch and compost.

Will pot up those asparagus then when I dig them. I will bring them when I come pick up the little Spangled chicks later this week..

That was my thought on the straw, I could easily use oat or wheat and even prairie grass in a pinch, after agiung for a year and begining to decompose should make for good winter cover and turning in to keep the soil rich and loose.

I will only be able to get a few beds done before we have to put things in the gound but will have a good start and be able to finish through the summer. May have to plant some stuff in other areas to keep that space open to build teh beds but thats ok too. The melons and canatlope will likely be a bit further back anyway since we have two small natural springs that did not even dry up last year that would make for a good location for teh melons and not have to water them. Corn I need to get in teh ground soon to get an early harvest and will stagger plantings every week until april 15 then one final planting in august for fall harvest.

 

[mefordz]

I got it. Iove it! I have a serious nerd crush on Sheldon.

how did ya'll know my name was sheldon?

i dont advertise that, but i appreciate the sentiment.

 

[Cjarvis]

how did ya'll know my name was sheldon?

i dont advertise that, but i appreciate the sentiment.

We all love you "Sheldon" but some of us just love you like a brother.. good to see you post today, missed the chats.

 

[NanaKat]

That was my thought on the straw, I could easily use oat or wheat and even prairie grass in a pinch, after agiung for a year and begining to decompose should make for good winter cover and turning in to keep the soil rich and loose.

I will only be able to get a few beds done before we have to put things in the gound but will have a good start and be able to finish through the summer. May have to plant some stuff in other areas to keep that space open to build teh beds but thats ok too. The melons and canatlope will likely be a bit further back anyway since we have two small natural springs that did not even dry up last year that would make for a good location for teh melons and not have to water them. Corn I need to get in teh ground soon to get an early harvest and will stagger plantings every week until april 15 then one final planting in august for fall harvest.

Asparagus will need a permanent location...a well-treated bed will last a good 30 - 40 years in the same location.
I'm going to have a few extra brocolli and flat-dutch cabbage plants...want any of those?