What did you do in the garden today?

[Acre4Me]

So…..sweet potato slips arrived!!! Yay!!! They are unboxed and now sitting in cool water for about an hour or so before I take them out. The whole bunch was damp when arrived (but not gross so they must not have ever gotten too hot en route) but one bunch was drying out more than the others. Plus, they grew some roots over the 2 days of travel, so I gently teased them apart, so the water will help them deal with the transplanting better)

There are still 2 varieties that need to ship to me, and they should ship out today/tomorrow.

But, here’s the kicker: I probably have 50% more than I ordered…lol, I probably have enough space saved…and it’s all in full sun. I’ll be swimming in sweets if all goes well with planting and growing! But, first time with sweet potatoes!

 

[Chicks in VA]

I use aviary netting... see link...
coopsnmore.com/products/50x50-anti-bird-netting-poultry-aviary-net?_pos=2&_sid=f0c5c3011&_ss=r
...on the 3 outdoor runs that didn't already have chicken wire covering them. I have a hawks nest every year just above my largest outdoor run and SO FAR haven't lost a bird to a hawk, maybe because some neighbors free range and I don't. I also tie the aviary netting with flag tape so any aerial predators know it's there to avoid it.

i cant cover my 20 acers
but i will keep that in mind for my bantams because they are to small to free range

 

[TJAnonymous]

Try this one:

Meh, this isn't the one I originally watched, but it's the basic idea. He doesn't discuss pruning the bottom leaves tho.

This article does a better job of addressing the pruning, at least the pic does: https://www.bountifulgardener.com/how-to-stake-zucchini/

THANK YOU! The article says you can do a mature plant but its harder. I may try just to see.... I started with 5 plants. One died so I have 4 left. They've been doing pretty well so far but the one on the end (the entire plant) is noticeably lighter in color than the ones next to it. It's more a pale green instead of a dark hunter green like the others....so maybe I'll experiment with that one.

Ok, I have a little bit of rant. Mostly annoyed with myself.... I've been trying relentlessly to keep eggs collected so none of my wannabe broodies can start sitting in earnest. Well, naturally, life tends to get in the way around here...and I wasn't able to collect for over a week. I took a 5 gallon bucket out today and, much to the offended squawking onslaught I received in response from no less than 5-6 broodies, managed to fill the bucket. I candled all of them as a precaution. I came up with AT LEAST a dozen eggs that are too far developed for me to ethically not return them to the nesting box. Damn. And I have probably 3 DOZEN more than at somewhere in the first week of development. I am opting NOT to return these back to the girls. Gotta figure out what to do with them. I'm also a bit worried about selling any eggs to people (or even giving them away) since you can't always tell through some of the darker shells. If they are developed, it would just be a small blood spot or so but still off-putting to some people.

So despite all my best efforts to NOT let this happen....it happened. I need a better system. Or to cull every last bird that shows any interest in being broody..... That's just more birds I'll either have to sell or cull later this summer.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

How did I not know about this thread?!?!?

Though my answer to the original question, "what did I do in the garden today?" Well not much because it feels like 110F outside today.

 

[igorsMistress]

Aaaaand no such luck. I have 1 last cabinet that needs to be replaced yet again, 1 was good. This company has to be going out of business soon, this is 8 cabinets out of 11 they have replaced - 5 replaced for a 2nd making, 3 replaced for a 3rd try & 1 will now be on it's 4th make!

Thankfully it's an upper so I can get the counter people out. I hope that goes smoother.

Well let’s hope the counter people are better than the cabinet people. That’s just ridiculous.

 

[igorsMistress]

So I just got a raise, not to replace my raise at my annual review next month, in addition to. And asked if I’m interested in being a lead. I dunno, I’ll have to think about that.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I did eat our first watermelon of the year from our garden today though!

And I picked this Tan Cheese Pumpkin.

 

[TJAnonymous]

How did I not know about this thread?!?!?

Though my answer to the original question, "what did I do in the garden today?" Well not much because it feels like 110F outside today.

Hi Cluck! Good seeing you join in....

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Hi Cluck! Good seeing you join in.... View attachment 3160550

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good to see you here @CluckNDoodle
I seem to have came through the creeping crud and walked through .. Headed to he garden pictures later