What did you do in the garden today?

[WthrLady]

Did you know that TSC has dog wash stations? I believe I was told that they are free for customers to use, but don't quote me on that...

Only some do and they are not free, but they're not expensive and supply the soap, conditioner, towels, wash cloths, combs, blower, nail trimmers, and you can make a mess there instead of at home!

 

[TJAnonymous]

Only some do and they are not free, but they're not expensive and supply the soap, conditioner, towels, wash cloths, combs, blower, nail trimmers, and you can make a mess there instead of at home!

Sounds like a winner to me when you have a dog like our Husky-Great Pyrenees mix. She ALWAYS has a cloud of hair following her around that puts Pigpen to shame. We've been through 3 vacuum cleaners in the 5 years we've owned her... I literally MUST vacuum every single day or the dust bunnies she creates will plant their flag and declare victory in my house.

 

[Smokerbill]

I wash and wax my truck once every year or two. It's a tool. I don't polish my shovels either.

I finally thinned the daikon sprouts down to one per hill. Some of the bok choy plants in the same bed (protected with row cover) are getting munched on, probably slugs, maybe earwigs. Need to toss down some of my Sluggo slug and earwig pellets.

Harvested a handful of chives from the garden yesterday to add to the taco night toppings selection. Scissors are the way to go when chopping chives.

 

[Molpet]

I haven't washed the truck in a decade. It has lichens growing on the bedliner

 

[SkyAJK]

DIY Liquid Calcium Acetate (Eggshells) Natural Fertilizer

I know some people will process their eggshells with a vinegar solution to make a natural liquid fertilizer. It is supposed to be one of the best ways of breaking down that calcium carbonate bond and making it useable for the plants now. If something like that is interesting to you, I got this info on the process you can do at home.

**********************
Yes, that is true! When eggshells are combined with vinegar, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks down the calcium carbonate in the eggshells and releases calcium into the liquid as calcium acetate. Here's how it works:

1. Chemical Reaction:
   • Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
   • Vinegar is an acid, containing acetic acid (CH₃COOH).
   • When eggshells are soaked in vinegar, the acid reacts with the calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas (the bubbles you see), water, and soluble calcium acetate.
2. Steps to Extract Calcium:
   • Crush the eggshells to increase surface area.
   • Place them in a container and cover them with vinegar.
   • Let the mixture sit for 24-72 hours, stirring occasionally. You'll notice bubbling as the reaction occurs.
   • Once the bubbling stops, the reaction is complete, and the liquid will contain calcium acetate, which is bioavailable to plants.
3. Uses:
   • The calcium-rich liquid can be diluted with water and used as a natural fertilizer for plants, helping improve soil calcium levels and plant growth.

This method is a great way to repurpose eggshells into a nutrient source for gardening! If you'd like detailed instructions or tips for using the liquid fertilizer, let me know.

********************

I have read about this DIY process for eggshells into natural liquid fertilizer for a few years. I personally have never done it. If anyone has used this process to make liquid fertilizer, please let us know if it was worth the time and effort compared to just tossing crushed eggshells into the chicken run for the chickens to eat at will. Thanks.

Will the vinegar in the liquid bad for plant? It is sour ....

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Did you know that TSC has dog wash stations? I believe I was told that they are free for customers to use, but don't quote me on that...

The do and it is free including the soap and it has blow dryers. I don't have a dog (mine passed away this winter) but my friend has a large one and uses tractor supply quite often and loves it.

 

[Nym]

DIY Liquid Calcium Acetate (Eggshells) Natural Fertilizer

I know some people will process their eggshells with a vinegar solution to make a natural liquid fertilizer. It is supposed to be one of the best ways of breaking down that calcium carbonate bond and making it useable for the plants now. If something like that is interesting to you, I got this info on the process you can do at home.

**********************
Yes, that is true! When eggshells are combined with vinegar, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks down the calcium carbonate in the eggshells and releases calcium into the liquid as calcium acetate. Here's how it works:

1. Chemical Reaction:
   • Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
   • Vinegar is an acid, containing acetic acid (CH₃COOH).
   • When eggshells are soaked in vinegar, the acid reacts with the calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas (the bubbles you see), water, and soluble calcium acetate.
2. Steps to Extract Calcium:
   • Crush the eggshells to increase surface area.
   • Place them in a container and cover them with vinegar.
   • Let the mixture sit for 24-72 hours, stirring occasionally. You'll notice bubbling as the reaction occurs.
   • Once the bubbling stops, the reaction is complete, and the liquid will contain calcium acetate, which is bioavailable to plants.
3. Uses:
   • The calcium-rich liquid can be diluted with water and used as a natural fertilizer for plants, helping improve soil calcium levels and plant growth.

This method is a great way to repurpose eggshells into a nutrient source for gardening! If you'd like detailed instructions or tips for using the liquid fertilizer, let me know.

********************

I have read about this DIY process for eggshells into natural liquid fertilizer for a few years. I personally have never done it. If anyone has used this process to make liquid fertilizer, please let us know if it was worth the time and effort compared to just tossing crushed eggshells into the chicken run for the chickens to eat at will. Thanks.

Other ways to add calcium. And can too much be a bad thing?

Calcium is one of the secondary macronutrients in soil. While not required in the quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, calcium is crucial for plant growth and makes plants less susceptible to diseases and pests. But when it comes to calcium, more is not always better. Too much calcium in your garden soil can go hand in hand with a high pH, which means the soil is too alkaline. This affects the absorption of the macronutrients contained in other fertilizers.

9 methods of adding calcium

 

[WthrLady]

Sounds like a winner to me when you have a dog like our Husky-Great Pyrenees mix. She ALWAYS has a cloud of hair following her around that puts Pigpen to shame. We've been through 3 vacuum cleaners in the 5 years we've owned her... I literally MUST vacuum every single day or the dust bunnies she creates will plant their flag and declare victory in my house.

I TOTALLY agree.
Dust bunnies take root, sprout, and that's where puppies come from.

 

[WthrLady]

The do and it is free including the soap and it has blow dryers. I don't have a dog (mine passed away this winter) but my friend has a large one and uses tractor supply quite often and loves it.

Wow ours cost 10$, still worth it.

 

[Nym]

Only some do and they are not free, but they're not expensive and supply the soap, conditioner, towels, wash cloths, combs, blower, nail trimmers, and you can make a mess there instead of at home!

Our local Petstock has a station:
Get your buddy squeaky clean with our DIY Dog Wash
Easy access, safe doggy tie ups and an elevated tub makes bath time a little more comfortable for you and your buddy. It is recommended that all dogs (even those with short hair) receive a bath every four weeks, so lucky there’s no appointment necessary for our Dog Wash and it’s good clean family fun at only $10 per dog for 10 minutes.

Additionally, we provide you with shampoo, conditioner, flea wash and a hair dryer. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that!

My dogs splash around in the local salt water lake most of the year, and get a herbal shampoo-ing once a year under the backyard hose on a hot summer day.