What did you do in the garden today?

[cavemanrich]

Any advice on weed prevention? We have had a lot of rain and because of it I have not been able to pull weeds. We're all organic so we cant use pesticides. I laid down some landscaping fabric to take out the weeds between the rows. I tried laying down newspaper to make it so we only had to pull around the plants but it didnt work. The newspaper ended up getting swept away by the wind and didnt stick to the ground even after wetting it. I just know im doing something wrong. We plan to use mulch next year but we dont have any this year to use. We have too many trees for us to say its worth buying mulch when we can make our own.

I use grass clippings around my plants. I put down a layer about 4 inches thick. It dries out and does not decompose, such as would if it was placed in a pile. I also use grass clippings in chicken run.
You mentioned you are all organic, and do not want to get mulch this year. Understandable with all the trees you have available. I purchase bags of mulch for around my trees to keep the weeds at bay. I just get the natural, and not the dyed RED type. I try to keep low on chemical additives if possible. I do fertilize grass, but do not use any pesticides, or herbicides, like WEED AND FEED.
My chickens and Grandchildren need to play on my lawns.

Thanks! Since it looks like we have to wait for any trees, we figure we will do some research on the sources, and options they offer to make a decision. We like the many options available through Stark (type and variety of tree sizes) and overall, they seem to have very good reviews.

Here is one in your NEIGHBORHOOD,,, (Ohio)

Here is a kwik link.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/buckeye55
They are one of my SAVED SELLERS in my Ebay.

On a side note. I have many PLUM TREES on my grounds. Many started from pits that fell to the ground. I really enjoy the blooms in Spring. I eat the plums if successfully ripen. Squirrels seem to beat me to much of the harvest.
My mom used to get many peach trees started with pits she threw into garden after eating the fruit. She then would give away the seedlings to whoever desired some.

I remember as a kid, not 150 years ago. Our tomatoes had flavor! They were ugly as sin, but GOOD! I try to stick with heirloom or seed saver/vault seeds.

Mom, when she gardened, used to save her own seeds . Often times she would get a ripe tomato from the store. If it was DELICIOUS, she would save those seeds as well. She did not have a BREED OF PEDIGREE TOMATOES,,,,,,, but her tomatoes always tasted DELICIOUS.,,,, That was the only thing important to her.
Bees and other insect, did the hybridization naturally.
Then for the following year,,, she chose seeds only from her choice tomatoes. That is probably close to the process Botanist do, but under more controlled circumstances.

 

[Acre4Me]

Here is one in your NEIGHBORHOOD,,, (Ohio)

Looks great! Looks like this person is near to the hatchery (Eagle Nest) where we have sourced several of our birds! Lots of choices for plants and trees!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

We use straw in our run but now im thinking we should use it in the garden as well! My father always used grass clippings on his garden. We dont collect them at all. We need an attachment for our mower otherwise we'd have to rake it up. We have so many leaves from all our trees we just mulch everything. How long do wood shavings need to compost before they are considered mulch? We just put the shavings in the garden last year before letting them decompose...big mistake. It cut down on the weeds...but it stunted our plants. My tomatoes ended up having some kind of fungus and only produced a few tomatoes. We're still learning how to do this right

 

[Acre4Me]

How long do wood shavings need to compost before they are considered mulch?

You should wait until they look like dark brown compost - then they won't stunt your plants! But really, they should look a lot more like dirt than wood to be put on the garden (even if not completely turned to dirt).

 

[Searsmom]

I’m not sure what’s going on but I have a few different plants looking pale in the leaves too. I’m going to try feeding them. I’m thinking the rain washed out nutrients or their root balls are in too much water. I’m still working on my drainage and it only effects a few plants (strange) I haven’t seen eggs or insects no lacing or curl of leaves I’m kinda stumped. We’ve had so much rain too

I dunno either, was having to water cause it was bone dry for 3 weeks straight, now rain for 2 weeks straight, poor plants don't know whether they're coming or going. Planted second crop of beans in the same pot as the first and they're fine. Pruned the heck out of the tomatoes in between rain showers. Was a mess, now they can breathe, cut all those sad leaves off while I was at it.

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

I yelled at the chickies for eating my watermelon plants...

 

[Acre4Me]

They're climbing!! Yeah! @Wee Farmer Sarah - Look!

 

[Acre4Me]

hmmm... what is happening to my squash plants? is there something (like a bug) in the leaves or is this a sign of deficiency or a sign of too much water?

 

[Acre4Me]

While I was finishing the evening chores, the 6 week old chicks got the run of the whole chicken run because the adults were already in bed (and I locked them in). Of course, the littles had to try out the water in the big pan, and hang out like the cool kids on the deck.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

hmmm... what is happening to my squash plants? is there something (like a bug) in the leaves or is this a sign of deficiency or a sign of too much water?
View attachment 1808593 View attachment 1808594

Looks like a possible fungus. It does look like something is chewing on them though. Have you tried BT? My broccoli used to get infested every year. We'd get one harvest then BAM! Broccoli eaten by worms. Started BT this year and now no worms! They eat it and they die right away. Its certified organic and safe to use up until 1 week before harvest. I just spritz them every saturday.