What did you do in the garden today?

[Eagle343]

Weeded the sweet potatoes ( Will try the plastic pipe) bug netting has been a double protection (Bugs/ Wompas cats) as they both love to eat them every chance they can. Built and painted two more medium deeps for the bees. Now I am trying to figure out if I can/should get into growing Lotus root?

 

[TJAnonymous]

Storms are blowing through right now... Temps dropped 40 degrees. Down to 68 right now... I'm concerned though because I have at least 2 chickens who didn't come back to the coop right before the storm hit so they've been locked out. With all the lightning going nuts, I can't risk running out there to let them in. They can always go to the barn but I don't know if they are smart enough to do that....

 

[cooingdove]

I finally weeded my whole flower garden and hand weeded the green and dry beans. Also started the formidable task of trying to put up the blueberry net.

 

[Sally PB]

My mom was an organic gardener from the 1960s, and so I was recruited as a bug-picker by the time I was 7 years old. I'll do that, for now. And my flock loves what I pick!

Good for her, and good for you and your chickens. We're close to Japanese Beetle season here. Free chickie snack.

Q on planting beans after garlic.

So, most resources say do not plant beans after harvesting garlic. But, this is my only option right now. The resources mostly indicate certain “illnesses” that can be a problem. But, anyone with first hand knowledge? I just want to plant green beans and carrots. The carrots are fine with or after garlic -great companions. But, what about the green beans?

I'm going to plant some beans in what was my garlic bed.

 

[Sally PB]

We got half an inch of rain!

 

[cooingdove]

Good for her, and good for you and your chickens. We're close to Japanese Beetle season here. Free chickie snack.

I love feeding those gross beetle to the chickens, they love em and the rose bushes dont get eaten alive

 

[TJAnonymous]

Got a quick break in the rain so I ran out to the pasture to corral the FOUR chickens that were still out. Even though it was still thundering (and lightning, much to my anxious concern...), they STILL didn't want to go back inside. Two were soaked to the bone. The other 2 had taken shelter in the barn. After much clapping and flapping my arms, they begrudgingly went back in their pen.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I love feeding those gross beetle to the chickens, they love em and the rose bushes dont get eaten alive

The JBs ignore my roses, believe it or not. Instead they are BRUTAL on my Catawba grapes. Don't really bother the Concords though... Bizarre.

 

[fuzzi]

I picked 3-4 dozen Army worms yesterday, and again today, though probably not quite as many. I fed the worms to the flock and was pleased at how gently they took them from my fingers. The Littles (younger Dominique pullets) are losing their fear of me but are still not comfortable taking treats from my hands. However, the Sussex were gobbling worms as fast as I could offer them!

The "Littles"

I found one large tomato branch covered with worms. I pruned it and placed it in the run...the chickens went spaz! I suspect that they found every single worm on it. None of them ate the tomato leaves, smart birds!

The worms were all over the heirloom indeterminate tomato plants, not a one on the plum tomatoes though they're right next to each other. Interesting.

And I pruned and tied my Summer squash to their stakes again. Lots of baby squash all over the plants, but have only harvested one fruit so far.

 

[Sammster]

We're getting a nice, much-needed soaking. The plants are happy.
Unfortunately, it's supposed to also rain over the next couple of days. I'm supposed to be getting a new awning that I've waited months for - so that's likely to be pushed back.