What did you do in the garden today?

[jerryse]

How do you get them to not be too spindly? I've tried placing the grow light just above the soil and barely moving it up as they grow but they seem to grow like crazy and get spindly.

I start mine early April . Too long ahead just gets them leggy and root bound . It can be a struggle . Potting up to larger pots and planting deep helps . I have found they catch up fast . Getting them out in real sun helps . If you want one or two real early pot into large pot of 3 to 5 gallon . Inside and outside until safe to plant out . I only do about 24 plants . You can take cuttings to increase numbers if you are short on some variety . I put mine in a garden wagon when it is warm enough to spend the day outside . Easy to wheel into garage or house at night .

 

[pennyJo1960]

think I may just buy the started

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners. I usually start mine from seed and purchase plants if something goes wrong. When you are starting indoors it is good for the little seedlings to have a small fan or something to circulate the air to better mimic outdoor conditions. I start my seeds in March so they have some size before planting in April. I'm glad your DH had a nice retirement party @TropicalBabies. For my retirement party I opted for a ride on "Codzilla" the speedboat in Boston Harbor with my co-workers. Then we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. It was a blast, we all got wet and had our pictures taken together. I buried poor Suzy Q underneath the compost pile yesterday. When I started digging I was pretty astonished to find the dirt under the pile was not frozen at all. I was only able to dig down about 12 inches because there were so many rocks. But at least the ground was warm. I covered her up with ashes from the pellet stove to help with the aromas then piled old and new compost material on top (and dirt of course). The weather here was pretty nice yesterday so I put the painting on hold and spent time with the chickens for about two hours outside. The ice is finally gone and they really had a good time munching on grass and whatever else they found. I heard on the news about the terrible storms in Louisiana and Missouri overnight. Hope you all are OK. It's warm, in the lower 60's right now but the winds are really wicked and spitting rain showers. Winter starts it's comeback tomorrow morning. Oh well, it is January. Take care and have a great day everyone.

 

[jerryse]

Thinking of growing green beans in a unused chicken run this year . Already fertile and fenced . Darn rabbits have gotten them last 2 years . Inspite of my best efforts to fence .

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Thinking of growing green beans in a unused chicken run this year . Already fertile and fenced . Darn rabbits have gotten them last 2 years . Inspite of my best efforts to fence .

I have more issues with the neighborhood ground hog. Regular chicken wire doesn’t work for them. I would recommend hardware cloth for the bunnies. Don’t forget, they like to dig a few tunnels themselves.

 

[jerryse]

I have more issues with the neighborhood ground hog. Regular chicken wire doesn’t work for them. I would recommend hardware cloth for the bunnies. Don’t forget, they like to dig a few tunnels themselves.

The runs have corrugated tin turned sideways . So 2 feet or so tall then chicken wire . Railroad ties around the outside on ground to prevent digging in . Has worked well against predators . Yes I have one area I can not plant because of groundhogs . They are too far away from the main garden . Have not found it yet . Plus I crontrol them as needed .

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I won’t have harm or kill the GH. I do flood the tunnels that pop up in my garden to encourage him/her to move elsewhere. I’ve not had any noticeable bunny damage.

 

[WthrLady]

I have more issues with the neighborhood ground hog. Regular chicken wire doesn’t work for them. I would recommend hardware cloth for the bunnies. Don’t forget, they like to dig a few tunnels themselves.

If you know where the ground hog den is, chew a few large squares or balls of sugar loaded kids bubblegum, make one big ball, and drop it in the hole.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

If you know where the ground hog den is, chew a few large squares or balls of sugar loaded kids bubblegum, make one big ball, and drop it in the hole.

I think I’m good. There’s a lot of other places for him/her to forage in around the neighborhood.

 

[jerryse]

I seldom have to deal with ground hogs . They mostly live on a creek bank about 1/8 mile away . But that spot closest to the edge of my property the find if planted . I admit to liking them . As they dig dens that rabbits use in severe winter weather . I have hunted rabbits all my life but mostly done due to age . Been out 3 times this year and not killed any .