Surviving Minnesota!

[KlopKlop]

I had a masonry contractor over this morning to discuss foundations and fitting my existing foundation for a modular home.... i am starting to think we might be better stick building.

 

[jerryse]

New question . Blackberries anyone have really nice wild ones ? I have seen a couple of small roadside patches . I want to start a patch . Root cuttings start easily .

 

[ejb3810]

Holm, the cow that goes roan in the fall/winter must have some Shorthorn in it's background?
Klop, with your woodworking skills you can build your own house in your spare time.

 

[KlopKlop]

Holm, the cow that goes roan in the fall/winter must have some Shorthorn in it's background?
Klop, with your woodworking skills you can build your own house in your spare time.

The advantage of a stick built house is that I could hire out the majority of the work and do the rest on my own, such as plumbing, flooring, the kitchen, etc

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I had a masonry contractor over this morning to discuss foundations and fitting my existing foundation for a modular home.... i am starting to think we might be better stick building.

We looked at modular before we did stick build. There wasn't much difference in price at the time for what you were getting. Honestly. EJB makes a valid point with your knack for tools and such...you could be the main contractor and just sub out the stuff you don't or can't do alone.

New question . Blackberries anyone have really nice wild ones ? I have seen a couple of small roadside patches . I want to start a patch . Root cuttings start easily .

Jerry. I have a nice but small patch of wild blackberries on the property and then driving down my road. But probably not enough to give away just yet. Actually canes of Blackberries are quite prolific up here and if you drive out on HWY 5 towards Hackensack there are some minimum maintenance roads (2100 and Stonebridge) with canes everywhere.

If you plan to be up quite a bit now and you have a dog in the yard the bears shouldn't bother too much. They seem to know when you're home and when you're not. If we take our RV & dog out for say like 5 days or so....that's when we usually get those powerful visitors. Bears follow their nose. Anywhere there's easy food.

 

[duluthralphie]

Ralphie, I don't know if Baileys sells retail down there, but I think so. I would anticipate they might be a source of pear trees? I have a friend that has several apple trees with a variety of grafts which of course produce various apple varieties. My friend has a friend who is a retired teacher who does the grafting.
There are many factors which enter into the cold hardiness issue, with one of substantial influence being exposure to wind during the winter. Another issue is surviving vs thriving.
I have attempted to successfully grow sour cherries with North Star and Bali varieties, and none have lived long term.
We will have a White Christmas after all, and although the snow looks nice and is good protection for the plants these temperatures are not that good. Shouldn't complain I guess, as it could just as well be minus 10 as 10 above?

Where is Baileys? I have no idea how to graft, I know the principles, but not the practical ability. I am actually trying to figure out where to plant some pears around here that would get good sun and not be in the winter wind.

The temps have been great, We have gotten through a month of winter without really having any. It could be 30 below instead of 18 above, so you are right on that!

 

[duluthralphie]

New question . Blackberries anyone have really nice wild ones ? I have seen a couple of small roadside patches . I want to start a patch . Root cuttings start easily .

I have some wild ones here. They grow on an old fence line, the birds seem to get them before me. Maybe I should dig some and move them up here. The berries are nice, but few, I think they could be sod and root bound too, They have been there since I was a kid.

 

[duluthralphie]

Holm, the cow that goes roan in the fall/winter must have some Shorthorn in it's background?
Klop, with your woodworking skills you can build your own house in your spare time.

X2 and have a better home!

 

[duluthralphie]

The advantage of a stick built house is that I could hire out the majority of the work and do the rest on my own, such as plumbing, flooring, the kitchen, etc

You would hire out the framing? With your skills do it all!

 

[jerryse]

We looked at modular before we did stick build. There wasn't much difference in price at the time for what you were getting. Honestly. EJB makes a valid point with your knack for tools and such...you could be the main contractor and just sub out the stuff you don't or can't do alone.

Jerry. I have a nice but small patch of wild blackberries on the property and then driving down my road. But probably not enough to give away just yet. Actually canes of Blackberries are quite prolific up here and if you drive out on HWY 5 towards Hackensack there are some minimum maintenance roads (2100 and Stonebridge) with canes everywhere.

If you plan to be up quite a bit now and you have a dog in the yard the bears shouldn't bother too much. They seem to know when you're home and when you're not. If we take our RV & dog out for say like 5 days or so....that's when we usually get those powerful visitors. Bears follow their nose. Anywhere there's easy food.

There are some short canes there where you turn towards Kego plus I spotted some tall canes before that . I plan to get root cuttings from those 2 patches . No idea on fruit but I have seen fruit on the short ones . I will keep those you mentioned in mind . Thanks