What did you do in the garden today?

[Sueby]

With all the mouse talk I thought I'd show you my husbands insane idea to keep the mice from destroying the vehicles...

1/4 in hardware cloth, apron burried under stone with a hot wire run across the top. We haven't had a single mouse inside the DMZ (De Moused Zone as my husband calls it, lol) since this was set up. Before that he'd catch multiple a day. Next year my car will be in with the RV & the truck.

We're just trying to come up with a good way to make a gate, right now it's a bit complicated to get anything in & out, but we don't use either vehicle in the winter so all good.

Warm out there today. Not a thing happening in the garden though. I need to go thru seeds & see if I need to order anything soon.

 

[akroberts1085]

I order from Sandhill Preservation, Iowa. Read up on sweet potatoes there for lots of info. They sell a couple hundred varieties across traditional orange, white, and purple. You’ll want to know how long your season is as well. I only will buy early (maybe early-mid) season ones bc our season too short for anything else. Space: some vine a ton, some are “bushy” with slight vining. We use black plastic to heat soil up replanting, and keep it on for the season. Sweet potatoes like it HOT and also consistently moist to almost wet (especially the first month can’t hardly over water them).

I know we ordered Topaz and Copper Jewel and Willowleaf. I ordered a fourth variety but can’t remember without looking (new to us variety).

We started with ordering collections. Then specific ones and collections. This year we decided to plant only a few orange varieties in 2025.

Thank you for the info. I'm trying to find a way of incorporating new vegetables for everyone. I also found out that the leaves are edible.

 

[akroberts1085]

With all the mouse talk I thought I'd show you my husbands insane idea to keep the mice from destroying the vehicles...

1/4 in hardware cloth, apron burried under stone with a hot wire run across the top. We haven't had a single mouse inside the DMZ (De Moused Zone as my husband calls it, lol) since this was set up. Before that he'd catch multiple a day. Next year my car will be in with the RV & the truck.

We're just trying to come up with a good way to make a gate, right now it's a bit complicated to get anything in & out, but we don't use either vehicle in the winter so all good.

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Warm out there today. Not a thing happening in the garden though. I need to go thru seeds & see if I need to order anything soon.

That seems like a good idea to keep those destructive buggers at bay.

 

[WthrLady]

HUH. interesting, they can climb 1/4 inch cloth, just not get through it. And at the top can jump over the hot wire.
BUT they are opportunists, and if they can't see a reason from that distance to go in there, they won't.

 

[SkyAJK]

This morning I inspected the soaked lawn, so soaked in water due to many days of rain. My mangoes tastes blanch and many are rotting due to this excessive and prolong rain. So muddy, that was all I did in my garden this morning. I pray for the sun to come out & the rain to stops.

 

[Sueby]

HUH. interesting, they can climb 1/4 inch cloth, just not get through it. And at the top can jump over the hot wire.
BUT they are opportunists, and if they can't see a reason from that distance to go in there, they won't.

I should put the camera out there & see if we see anything happening. I assume they are climbing the HC (the ground) & trying to climb over the hot wire & are getting zapped. I'm not sure they're smart enough to jump over it & not touch the hot wire, but maybe you're right. I wonder if the trail cam would pick up mice...

There is PB in bucket traps inside the fence, outside the RV so I would think they'd want at that.

 

[Sally PB]

Read up on sweet potatoes there for lots of info.

I got my sweet potatoes in VERY late, and was surprised I actually got some! I didn't cure them, as that was a really pain to do last year. I roasted some, and they were tasty. Not sweet, but very tasty.

I also found out that the leaves are edible.

I tried a leaf, picked and popped in my mouth in the garden. It had a fuzzy texture and stuck to my tongue, so I was not a fan. I think they might be much better sauteed...? Has anyone tried that?

 

[LaurenRitz]

I tried a leaf, picked and popped in my mouth in the garden. It had a fuzzy texture and stuck to my tongue, so I was not a fan. I think they might be much better sauteed...? Has anyone tried that?

Depends really on the variety, but they're all edible. A friend of mine eats them cooked and raw. Cooked like spinach, in quiche, salads, lots of ways. Maybe consider washing the leaf first and see if the texture improves?

 

[jerryse]

Been having problems getting packages through USPS. One was expected Saturday. Hazelwood MO sent it to Chicago IL, Chicago sent it to ST. Louis MO. Departed ST. Louis and arrived ST. Louis 3 times. No new scans since Sunday. Just EnRoute. A small package. Today a package was out for delivery and never came. Now it says available for pickup. It rode in the carrier's car all day and went back to the office. 2# package. Maybe it would not fit and did not want to bring it to the house.

 

[Sally PB]

Maybe consider washing the leaf first and see if the texture improves?

If I grow them next year, I will definitely try the leaves again. I think I'll try younger leaves, wash them (instead of just brushing them off on my shirt), and sauté them or put them in a salad.