What did you do in the garden today?

[TropicalBabies]

Good morning gardeners. Everybody seems quite busy now. Cardboard at the bottom of the raised bed will keep you totally weed free the first season. The next year you will get some weeds so I'm guessing this year I will be pulling weeds. I've not had much luck with landscape fabric. The weeds seem to bust through it quicker than the desired plants can grow. But perhaps the LF and mulch is more effective together. Your garden beds look amazing @BReeder! I can't wait to see them all grown in with green plants. I started with 5 raised beds, then added 3 more in the main vegetable garden area and then added two small round beds of herbs. The 4 x 16 foot raised bed I've been working on is the last addition. I've cut the boards and the lattice for the fence and remembered (finally) to charge the drill battery. So hopefully will have a picture of that tomorrow. I'm planning on an outing on Thursday. First stop, grocery store. Later, I really need to get some more compost. Since I haven't been out I don't know what is available at Walmart or the big box stores. We're still getting frost this week so I can't imagine there are a lot of plants for sale yet. I will be holding off for another week or two before planting my little seedlings outside. It's just been too cold this Spring. I'm a bit concerned since the temps in June are expected to be quite toasty. Speaking of toasty @AllenK RGV, have you tried shade cloth on your crops? The broccoli especially. It might keep it a little cooler. So here you go @BReeder! two pictures, sort of a before then after to give you an idea of the wonderful change you will be getting in your own garden beds. Have a great day everyone.
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Gorgeous!!!!

 

[igorsMistress]

I've been stuck indoors all day working in my office. It's a nice day, and I really wish I was outside enjoying it (or outside breaking my back moving dirt rather).

Sometimes those are the best days. I get so sick and tired of sitting in a chair!

 

[BReeder!]

I did some research and I am now pretty sure that the insects I thought were termites are actually small yellow ants. I found more in the garden and upon close inspection noticed they have a narrow waist and bent antennae. I did some googling and am nearly certain they are a species of yellow ant. This is far less of a problem than termites as yellow ants like to feed on honeydew from aphids and mealy bugs - they actually may be a blessing. I'm so relieved that it's not termites. There is still the problem of rotting wood in the old beds as I was taking them apart, but I have a feeling that the wood was just rotting and not being eaten away necessarily. That wood was repurposed fence posts that were very beat up anyway.

 

[igorsMistress]

I did some research and I am now pretty sure that the insects I thought were termites are actually small yellow ants. I found more in the garden and upon close inspection noticed they have a narrow waist and bent antennae. I did some googling and am nearly certain they are a species of yellow ant. This is far less of a problem than termites as yellow ants like to feed on honeydew from aphids and mealy bugs - they actually may be a blessing. I'm so relieved that it's not termites. There is still the problem of rotting wood in the old beds as I was taking them apart, but I have a feeling that the wood was just rotting and not being eaten away necessarily. That wood was repurposed fence posts that were very beat up anyway.

That is good news! I understand your relief completely.

 

[TropicalBabies]

@BReeder! to chime in on your garden fabric question....
I have used the weed block, garden fabric and cardboard on top and under planter boxes at one time or another in the last 30 years or so and I like the cardboard best for veggie gardens. I agree with (i think) Wee farmer and/or Acre 4 me... who posted that the fabric will last about a year or two. Then there is cost and hassle. Cardboard is way more awesome or even old news papers IMO to place on top or underneath for weed and moisture. With mulching on top... pretty garden sexy.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Look what came in the mail today.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Aloha garden gang!
Fantastic posting again- So fun to catch up.
Yesterday we borrowed our friends truck and picked up a ton on alfalfa and distributed. Then went back for another half ton to transfer to our trailer and transport across island to our friends place. I make sure my phone is charged because it is always an adventure to visit her circus and yesterday did not disappoint. As almost always, i'll let the photos say the words i am not so good at.

We purchased the black mare for her about 1.5 years back. Because she is a good friend and had just lost a brood mare she was sad about. So this little one was extra special for us to see. Tickles to the toes for sure.

My back is great as it was just DH and I but my hands are a little beat. That is what I get for not wearing gloves
K. back out to play with the deck again.... Have a great day all!!!!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Baby horse pictures, so adorable. Love the turkeys too!

 

[Peaches Lee]

@TropicalBabies Love your photos, looks beautiful. Currently where I live we are experiencing snow squalls! Sure doesn't look like Spring here, nor even close to planting season!


Also, the first foal--amazing markings! I see some Zebra markings on the legs, I bet the DNA color panel would be very interesting!

 

[WthrLady]

I've spent the whole day out in the 70 degree sunshine. It's been wonderful. HOT due to low humidity, but NICE. The day lilies are in the ground. GUESS WHAT?! the peonies that I hit last year with the tractor? They were up 8 inches in the lawn ! I dug the whole round up and put them in the new stone bed. Now I wonder which one's they were, the dark pink doubles or the ballerina two tone pink doubles.

THe winter walls in the barn are out.

The caps are on the irrigation lines and the new orchard watered.

The alpacas got hosed off and the grass seed watered too.

I put tarps over the coop compost piles to keep the treated hens out of the mite factory.

I'm thinking pizza for supper.