What did you do in the garden today?

[TJAnonymous]

We probably got 3-4 inches of rain this morning in a heavy thunderstorm about 6 AM. Filled up my pond... We didn't have much rain in May so this is definitely needed...

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners. Still taking it a bit easier. We've been getting a lot of good rain, so much so I did some side dressing with worm castings and epsom salts this morning. We're supposed to get more rain later today. I've got enough logs down to start putting mulch on the pathway. That will be slow going since all the mulch is wet and heavy. That's what Homer buckets are for. LOL! Other than the little bit of work I did on my garden walk this morning, I'll be mowing the front yard and the chicken yard with the riding mower this afternoon. I have some errands to run this morning. I've always direct sown my squash, summer and winter squash @littledog . They germinate fast and they get off to a good start in the soil that will be their home. I have my butternut squash under netting since they broke through the ground and I'll keep them covered until they start blooming. Hopefully the evil squash bugs and svb's will have gone away by then.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Anyone see that Azure Standard is coming out with their own line of canning jars?

 

[WthrLady]

I am at my wits end with our pasture. I have spent nearly $2000 over the past 2 years trying to improve the grass for the horses. Tonight I took a spin in the 4 wheeler and confirmed we have no grass. It's all scrub and weeds. My poor horses have lost so much weight from lack of good, consistent forage. It's only June and I have to hay already... (and finding hay is near impossible....).

I gotta figure out the best way forward. I think instead of spending another $600 on more grass seed, I'm going to focus on killing weeds and spraying fertilizer. Maybe that will encourage whatever grass does exist. I'm also going to pick up some timers and set up some sprinklers to water the pasture as far out as I can reach from the house. Just so frustrated....

Right there with you! And you have to be SO careful on what weed control you use and when around forage pasture

 

[WthrLady]

You probably are way ahead of me and I'm looking for straws to grasp at, but have you tested the soil in your pasture?
And you got me started on hay...in our area, so far it's a much better year for hay than last year, but have prices gone back to normal ? Of course not.

Large rounds of hay are now $250 here, alfalfa is $300 and UP (normally $75 and $125 respectively)

 

[WthrLady]

Garden is good this morning, so while the West side of the house is in shadow, I thought I'd clean the 16 feet of dryer vent. Easy quick pre-shower project.
EXCEPT that this year the vent hood finally snapped off.
Which means a trip to the city for a new hood before the swallows see a nesting opportunity.
I also need to wrestle off rusty stripped mounting screws on brick. I'm HOPING that vice grips will be enough.

 

[littledog]

I haven't tested the soil... It's pretty rocky with very little top soil because I'm on the side of a ridge.

What if you tried seeding with winter wheat in late summer/fall for a winter/spring fodder?
I planted it as a cover crop in my garden last fall, it grew so thick and green, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to weed, as the roots are very shallow - which gave me the idea that this might grow well in rocky areas with shallow topsoil, like your ridge.

Curious about whether it would be a healthy fodder for horses, here's what I found, from the USDA website:

Can horses graze on wheat?​

Jul 31, 2019 | Horses
Wheat is an excellent cool-season annual grass that can be used for winter grazing. It is not a typical horse pasture species, but as with other cereal grains such as rye, barley, and oats, these forage species can be planted on an annual basis to help extend the grazing period. As with all forage crops, a major requirement for effective use of grazing wheat for horses is proper management. Potential extended periods of grazing are in late fall, early winter, and early spring when the primary forage species are dormant. In return, this could result in a 12-month grazing program if pastures are managed intensively. Wheat and other cereal grains are more cold-weather tolerant and can therefore survive and grow in colder temperatures. They can be planted as a single stand or can be overseeded into an established pasture. Horses grazing cereal grains can be more prone to colic, laminitis, and founder, so it is important to limit their exposure, and the horse(s) must be monitored closely. In addition, if this species is planted as a single plot or pasture, horses should not be turned out when the soil is wet. If they are turned out when it is wet, there is high potential for them to tear up the pasture very easily because no sod is formed. So with proper management of both the crop and the horses, wheat can be an effective part of a grazing program for horses.

Doesn't solve your issues growing summer fodder, but it might be helpful since it grows in shallow soil.

 

[littledog]

Large rounds of hay are now $250 here, alfalfa is $300 and UP (normally $75 and $125 respectively)

How much does a large round weigh in your area? Here, a typical round of local grass costs $50-$65 and weighs about 750 lbs, so about $150/ton. Square bales of local grass typically weigh 45-55 lbs and cost $5-$12 each, depending on quality - so $300-$350/ton for horse quality. High-quality weed-free alfalfa from a commercial farmer, we're lucky to pay $400/ton, and premium Timothy can cost up to $600/ton.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Large rounds of hay are now $250 here, alfalfa is $300 and UP (normally $75 and $125 respectively)

I buy square bales for our horses & goats. Bermuda is $9/bale out of the field. Almost $20/bale from the feed store (if you can find it). 100 lb alfalfa bales are $35/bale. And I suspect the prices will only continue to climb over the summer with droughts everywhere.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Anyone see that Azure Standard is coming out with their own line of canning jars?

View attachment 3541411

Ooh I hope they're nice! I keep planning to order from azure standard and I never actually do it, lol. We've just had so much going on this year (very unpredictable stuff) that I worry I won't make it on the pick up date so I never end up ordering.