What did you do in the garden today?

[TJAnonymous]

I guess I'm into a pallet phase. Years ago I built some pallet compost bins that I still use today. But, back then, it was really hard to find pallets for free. Now, with our new Harbor Freight, they put out lots of free pallets for the taking. So, I am into building more things with all the wood I am reclaiming.

Your pallet garden beds are much bigger than what I am going to build. Anytime you have a long length raised bed, you get bowing out unless you add cross supports when you build the bed. I'll be tearing down the pallets and rebuilding 4X4 pallet garden beds. Small enough not to bow out, big enough to make it worthwhile. If it starts to fall apart in 4-5 years, I'll either just patch it up or rebuild it at that time. I'm OK with not paying $$$ for a cedar garden bed that might last 15 years, or more.

Dear Wife wants me to build pallet planters for the yard so she can have more flowers around the house. We are looking at a number of designs on YouTube. Although I would consider myself a fairly competent carpenter, I prefer the simple designs that are easy to build, looks like a strong design for years of use, and can be easily repaired if needed.

Long term, I'm thinking about a pallet shed build. I have built real sheds and garages before, but, I think it might be fun to attempt to build a free pallet shed just for the experience.

I feel your passion on the pallet wood. My DH and I built this triple planter with free pallet wood. I absolutely love it and want to build more but DH called a carpentry moratorium until it isn't triple digits outside....

After being loaded with plants -

Breaking apart pallets became incredibly tiresome. Then we figured out it goes MUCH faster when you use a circular saw. Since our slats were all around 15-16" long, this measured out almost perfectly using the circular saw and simply cutting them off the pallet supports

 

[Swiss]

So far, @Elyrian1 and @karenerwin have pm'ed me their address for some Egyptian Walking Onion sets.

They aren't quite ready, but getting there. Is anyone else interested?

Holy smokes! It's basically August, and not early July! I sent you a PM.

 

[WIchickMama]

Breaking apart pallets became incredibly tiresome. Then we figured out it goes MUCH faster when you use a circular saw. Since our slats were all around 15-16" long, this measured out almost perfectly using the circular saw and simply cutting them off the pallet supports

This is what we ended up doing do when building out coop and run

 

[igorsMistress]

Ugh, it is NASTY outside! Currently 102 and super muggy. There are some big thunderstorms brewing around, if we get the outflow winds that’ll help cool us off. And if the clouds block the sun, even better!

 

[TJAnonymous]

Ugh, it is NASTY outside! Currently 102 and super muggy. There are some big thunderstorms brewing around, if we get the outflow winds that’ll help cool us off. And if the clouds block the sun, even better!

We will go back to hot and miserable triple digit weather on Monday. Its currently 72 degrees. I'm not looking forward to it...

 

[Sally PB]

I've been very hit and miss when it comes to onions. I'm just worried I will mess it up since they aren't just bulbs you plant and forget about them (other than watering) until it's time to harvest...

I planted mine about 3 years ago, and they are VERY low maintenance. Weeding, watering. Now my bed is so jammed full, there isn't much room for weeds to grow.

I guess the part I'm worried about is splitting them properly and not killing the plant in the process

They tend to splay apart, so digging up half the clump is pretty easy. I put the blade of the shovel in the middle, or where there's a space, give it a good stomp, wedge the bunch apart, and pull out the chunk I want. I haven't killed a clump yet.

I've been meaning to ask you, do the greens turn brown like regular onions? Mine are but it's either they're supposed to or I just haven't watered them enough (which is probably true either way, they don't have a soaker hose on them so they get a bit neglected).

Since it's been so hot this summer, the greens have turned brown. The stalk that has the topset on it is stull green, but it will turn brown and dry out. Last winter, deer munched on the greens, and they grew back just fine.

Ive never done onions but my ewo’s are doing great. My only thing is, i dont know how to use them for eating. I also dont know how to share them.

EWOs aren't round like bulbing onions. Here's a picture.

Cut off the roots, and cut off the stem just above the swelling of the bulb. Save the stem for making broth, if you do that, because it's tough and doesn't seem to soften much with cooking. Peel off the brown skin, and then you have a (small) onion to use however you want to. I sliced them for salads, used them in sauces, added them to omelets, frittatas, and fried potatoes.

 

[igorsMistress]

We will go back to hot and miserable triple digit weather on Monday. Its currently 72 degrees. I'm not looking forward to it...

We usually say, “it’s only 102.” Add the muggy and we stay inside.

 

[muddy75]

We will go back to hot and miserable triple digit weather on Monday. Its currently 72 degrees. I'm not looking forward to it...

It’s cooler here atm too due to the rain/storms that came through. Supposed to warm back up next week to low 90’s but still a lot of clouds

 

[Sally PB]

I have one of those wicking towels that you get wet and wrap around your neck. I tuck the ends down inside the front of my shirt. Man, does that help! Between that and sweating, I'm soaked anyway. Evaporation is my friend!

That's the only way I'm getting any weeding done. And does the garden need it. I'm working my way through the worst areas. I need to clean out the asparagus so that I can put my compost around the plants and not just feed the weeds!

And make more compost out of the weeds I'm pulling. Serve the dang things right!

 

[muddy75]

I haven’t gotten any real garden stuff accomplished in two weeks now due to illness making its rounds hopefully we can do a bit of catching up tomorrow