What did you do in the garden today?

[Jenbirdee]

dumped ashes into the new compost heap

 

[Smokerbill]

I looked over the fence at mine today.

 

[chickengr]

It's going to be 65 today. Two days ago it felt like -8.
It can be warmer and skip snow all winter for all I care, but this pinging back and forth is a nasty mind game.

that's what I hated when I lived in zone 7b.

 

[chickengr]

some fiends will come to butcher a few birds. will pick fresh lettuce for lunch.

 

[jerryse]

Temps to plummet on Tuesday. A stomach bug or flu has been going around and I had it. Only lasts 2-3 days.

 

[jerryse]

Hard to find ingredients for our Holiday fruit cookies. Candied cherries I had to order online. Fruitcake is getting hard to find. I like fruitcake. Have not seen the round tins in years. I did find one pound loaf.

 

[Sueby]

Hard to find ingredients for our Holiday fruit cookies. Candied cherries I had to order online. Fruitcake is getting hard to find. I like fruitcake. Have not seen the round tins in years. I did find one pound loaf.

I don't eat fruitcake, but my Mom does - I bought her one from here last year & she loved it. Expensive tho! She used to make her own & it was such a looong process. She spent months & months basting that thing. https://www.grandmasbakeshoppe.com/collections/fruitcakes

I'm headed out to see if my lettuce/spinach tower made it thru the bad cold the other night, I don't think it did. I'll be sad. Check on the carrots too.

& block off the nests from that one stupid bird that keeps sleeping in them. The ground is snowy & icy, I can't keep going in & out blocking & unblocking the nest box. But I can walk out there with a .22 & end the madness. (kidding, mostly)

 

[cj2024]

My solution there was a rusty nail in the bucket. No plants ever showed signs of iron deficiency. A penny, a dime, a rusted nail, a tiny bit of wood ash, a hint of epsom salt because I haven't figured out non-chemical sulfur yet, and something for nitrogen.

Copilot:
If you place pond or fish water in a separate container to grow lettuce, it can still provide the necessary nutrients for the plants. However, you'll need to ensure that the water remains oxygenated and free from harmful bacteria or algae. Here are some tips:

1. Aeration: Use an air pump or aerator to keep the water oxygenated.
2. Filtration: Consider using a filter to remove any debris or harmful substances.
3. Water Changes: Regularly change a portion of the water to maintain nutrient levels and water quality.
4. Monitor pH Levels: Keep an eye on the pH levels to ensure they remain within the optimal range for lettuce growth (around 6.0-7.0).

By maintaining these conditions, you can successfully grow lettuce using pond or fish water in a separate container.
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

 

[cj2024]

I sprayed Captain Jack's neem oil on my tomato plants and the next morning I saw a cutter insect, not sure of its name, but it's the one that cuts a ring around young tips. Anyway, I shot it with neem oil and the next day I found another one. They are easy to find since they are on the soft tips. The neem oil doesn't keep them away from my plants, I have to check them daily. I think I should switch to soap or Seven insecticide to kill them, so I don't affect the pollination of flowers.

 

[WthrLady]

72 yesterday and heading for 68 today, high of 33 tomorrow, and snow flurries Tuesday afternoon.
Heading out to put some clays out of their misery.
Onions and celery are in the freeze dryer.
I built a 'can' heater for the chicken run to maybe take the edge off the brutal cold that comes with January.
It was a sunny 40 degrees yesterday morning and the air coming out of the heater was 110.
I'm waiting on a small solar electronics fan (just to barely get the air moving out of the heater) and a coupling for the insulated pipe that goes from the heater to the run.
That should be here Tuesday night.