What did you do in the garden today?

[gtaus]

I have the t post driver. Looks like you took a picture of mine. It's identical.
I saw your post pulling setup in another post of yours a while back. It would be easier, but the shovel worked just fine so I'm not going to get one.

I used the shovel method for many years. But as I got older, I did not want to chance throwing out my back. In part of my life, I am an RN and have treated lots of guys with bad backs. Lots of pain associated with back pain and doctors don't like to give out pain meds like they did years ago. Best to protect my back.

Back in the day ..., Grandpa double wrapped a log chain around the bottom of posts, any kind. The chain went up over an old steel wheel and was connected to the John Deere B. That yanked the posts right up out of the ground when the tractor moved forward.

I only wish I had a tractor...

I did put my earplugs in before I used the t-post driver... That thing makes some noise!

I almost always put on my 3M Worktunes Bluetooth headphones when I work outside. I connect it to my smartphone and listen to some recorded radio programs, audiobooks, or music. I really like them. My ears do not get fatigued after sitting on the lawn mower for a couple of hours, for example. But I also wear them even when I don't need hearing protection just because I like listening to stuff while I work.

 

[gtaus]

I bought tomato plants from Walmart @2.00 a piece. Better boys such a disappointment! One fungus filled other just now setting on blossoms! I cut fungus one and replanting tub with beets for fall. Started some Abe Lincoln plants from seeds and they look good now it was so cold here in spring all are slow.

I started my cherry tomato plants inside for the first time this year. I let them grow for about 8 weeks before I transplanted them outside after our last average frost date. My tomatoes have never been better.

Next year I plan on starting more plants and a number of different varieties. Roma is a favorite of mine, but I did not start them inside this year. I just bought them at Menards and transplanted them. They are doing OK, but not nearly as well as my cherry tomato seed starts.

I know some people try to plant their tomato plants early, but you then risk a freezing cold night which will kill your plants, or stunt their growth. My average last frost date is the end of May, so we typically plant everything on Memorial weekend.

 

[WthrLady]

I found an easy way to take out t-posts. I bought myself a good farm jack...

View attachment 3597378

Then bought an attachment specifically made to pull out t-posts...

View attachment 3597380

The Farm Jack with t-post puller attachment takes most of the work out of pulling up t-posts. I'm at an age where I was willing to spend some money on the equipment and save my back. Pulling out t-posts, even with a lever like you described, can still be hard work. I'm for less hard work at my age.

Speaking of saving work, I highly recommend using a t-post hammer to pound the t-posts into the ground....

View attachment 3597386

I bought my t-post hammer about 30 years ago and it's still like new. Much easier to use this t-post hammer than to use a sledgehammer, for example.

Yep and yep.
Gotta have a post pounds (several sizes) and a good jack. I also have the attachment for the tractor bucket for the truly stubborn ones.

 

[WthrLady]

I used the shovel method for many years. But as I got older, I did not want to chance throwing out my back. In part of my life, I am an RN and have treated lots of guys with bad backs. Lots of pain associated with back pain and doctors don't like to give out pain meds like they did years ago. Best to protect my back.




I only wish I had a tractor...




I almost always put on my 3M Worktunes Bluetooth headphones when I work outside. I connect it to my smartphone and listen to some recorded radio programs, audiobooks, or music. I really like them. My ears do not get fatigued after sitting on the lawn mower for a couple of hours, for example. But I also wear them even when I don't need hearing protection just because I like listening to stuff while I work.

View attachment 3597430

love my worktunes. I DID notice that the ones that are bluetooth enabled are not as loud as the radio only ones, AND the radio ones the past two years are hit or miss with working out of the box. Took me two pairs this year to get pair #3 that actually worked clear and loud enough to drown out the tractor.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I’ve seen the T post pullers but I just wiggle mine around for awhile and pull them out. More cost effective. I discovered the T post driver 6 years ago. It works really well and you get a good upper body workout with it. Almost 72 and my back is still good. My knees are another story. Lol!

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Thanks! And it worked, sort of. The chickens were able to grab hold of a few bean leaves, but not enough to hurt the plants. So I'm satisfied it's working good enough! Oh but they are contemplating how to get more

View attachment 3597071



I tried fermenting zucchini sticks last summer to make pickles. It didn't work out. I attempted natural fermentation, using just salt water that I mixed to what I read was the correct concentration of salt/water.

I'm going to try again this year, too, hopefully with better results. I guess beans can be pickled, can't they? I guess you can, I havent done green beans

I guess you'll be my go-to guru for pickling when I have questions! And that's a lot of pickling you have going on there. What's in the crock??? Right now nothing, I made smaller batches this time in jars.

 

[WthrLady]

I started my cherry tomato plants inside for the first time this year. I let them grow for about 8 weeks before I transplanted them outside after our last average frost date. My tomatoes have never been better.

Next year I plan on starting more plants and a number of different varieties. Roma is a favorite of mine, but I did not start them inside this year. I just bought them at Menards and transplanted them. They are doing OK, but not nearly as well as my cherry tomato seed starts.

I know some people try to plant their tomato plants early, but you then risk a freezing cold night which will kill your plants, or stunt their growth. My average last frost date is the end of May, so we typically plant everything on Memorial weekend.

Here too.

 

[WthrLady]

I’ve seen the T post pullers but I just wiggle mine around for awhile and pull them out. More cost effective. I discovered the T post driver 6 years ago. It works really well and you get a good upper body workout with it. Almost 72 and my back is still good. My knees are another story. Lol!

Our T-posts go down 3-4 feet, so the wiggle-jiggle swear method doesn't work.

 

[Smokerbill]

That's why they call them stink bugs. LOL

Back when I was working in the check printing industry there was a type of rubber roller conditioner that smelled almost identical to those stink bugs. Just a fun fact to know and tell. LOL

 

[Burnt Brass Homestead]

Peaches! And more peaches!

We spent yesterday evening making supports to go under the branches of our peach tree. The peaches are so heavy, that without the supports the branches are breaking in two.

So we used 2x4s from an old project to support the trees limbs.

If you are experiencing a similar issue, I created a video to show how easy it is to remedy.

DIY Fruit Tree Branch Support