2018 Gardening, Landscaping, and Plants

22-rimfire said:
State College.... Spring Creek and trout fishing! Yeah! That whole Centre County area is great for trout fishing due to the limestone streams. Still have family in the area.
Click to expand...

I had the privilege of fishing Spruce Creek with a very skilled fly fisherman with special access (the land is all privately-owned around it). It's best known for being one of Jimmy Carter's favorite creeks to fish. In fact, my friend got to meet him and gifted some handmade flies!

I wouldn't mind settling down in State College. I love town. Next time you go back, you'll have to try Happy Valley Brewery.
 
I have fished portions of Spruce Creek in the past. It is mostly a members only kind of place. State College PA is a nice place. Lots of big brown trout! Spring Creek has it's share of big ones as well, but it's becoming over fished.
 
The Little J is a great stream until the kayakers come cruising over the water you're hoping to fish. I have fished portions. My brothers hit it regularly. Not really a regular option for me. Are you a TU guy?
 
22-rimfire said:
The Little J is a great stream until the kayakers come cruising over the water you're hoping to fish. I have fished portions. My brothers hit it regularly. Not really a regular option for me. Are you a TU guy?
Click to expand...

Don't want to derail this awesome thread any more. Feel free to email me. It's my username @ gmail.com
 
Just out of curiosity, has anyone seen/used the mason jar test to help look at soil quality? If you're clueless as to what I'm talking about, look here.

I've always gardened in Western PA, where our soils tend to be VERY high in clay. It was a huge hassle when trying to garden, as drainage was a major problem. To help alleviate the problem, I had to do raised beds.

This year I will be assisting an elderly man who has been kind enough to allow me to stay with him and his wife. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but it's amazing to see the different in soil texture/quality in the Philadelphia/NJ area. It's sooooooooooo sandy (again, go figure). I just dug up some dirt and shook the mason jar for a good 5 minutes. I'm really curious just HOW much sand there will be.
 
IMG_6266.JPG

Here are my raised beds.
I have Tomatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Pablanos, Cantaloupe, and Watermelon planted. I'll put up more pics tomorrow.
 
bmilla35 said:
Just out of curiosity, has anyone seen/used the mason jar test to help look at soil quality? If you're clueless as to what I'm talking about, look here.

I've always gardened in Western PA, where our soils tend to be VERY high in clay. It was a huge hassle when trying to garden, as drainage was a major problem. To help alleviate the problem, I had to do raised beds.

This year I will be assisting an elderly man who has been kind enough to allow me to stay with him and his wife. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but it's amazing to see the different in soil texture/quality in the Philadelphia/NJ area. It's sooooooooooo sandy (again, go figure). I just dug up some dirt and shook the mason jar for a good 5 minutes. I'm really curious just HOW much sand there will be.
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on how large a garden you have. But blending in sand, mulch, and other organics including horse manure really increases the permeability. I grew up in Central PA and our problem was pretty much rocks, but the soil zone was deep. Bedrock was a shale (50 - 100 feet thick) with limestone below that. We raised cattle and spread the manure over the garden (large one) yearly. Growing up we also had a coal furnace and we spread the ashes as well. Potatoes liked the looser soils. The coal furnace was eventually replaced with oil.

I have not done the mason jar "test". I have raised beds in my small garden. Like I said, it's a matter of size. I also spread lime yearly (same granular stuff you spread on the lawn) to raise the pH a little towards "7". Really don't know if it helps or not, but that is what I do.
 
22-rimfire said:
I guess it depends on how large a garden you have. But blending in sand, mulch, and other organics including horse manure really increases the permeability. I grew up in Central PA and our problem was pretty much rocks, but the soil zone was deep. Bedrock was a shale (50 - 100 feet thick) with limestone below that. We raised cattle and spread the manure over the garden (large one) yearly. Growing up we also had a coal furnace and we spread the ashes as well. Potatoes liked the looser soils. The coal furnace was eventually replaced with oil.

I have not done the mason jar "test". I have raised beds in my small garden. Like I said, it's a matter of size. I also spread lime yearly (same granular stuff you spread on the lawn) to raise the pH a little towards "7". Really don't know if it helps or not, but that is what I do.
Click to expand...

I won't have any issues with permeability with all the sand here. I'm going to try and get about 10 yards of manure to help add some organic material and retain moisture. It's quite the opposite problem on the other side of the state (and what I'm used to). Still, I would rather have too much sand than too much clay.
 
Around here, mushroom compost (mostly horse manure) is available in bulk and I usually buy a yard or so. I prefer horse manure to cow, but it all depends on what you have available. 10 yds... you must have a really big garden space. That is like a regular sized hwy truck load that you see hauling gravel and so forth.
 
22-rimfire said:
Around here, mushroom compost (mostly horse manure) is available in bulk and I usually buy a yard or so. I prefer horse manure to cow, but it all depends on what you have available. 10 yds... you must have a really big garden space. That is like a regular sized hwy truck load that you see hauling gravel and so forth.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a big garden! I will try and get out to measure it today if I remember (and can find the measuring tape).

I have always used mushroom compost for the sole purpose of it being more readily available. Actually, some kind of sphagnum moss or the like may be more suited for what I'm looking for (water retention) if I can find a place that delivers and it's cost-effective. The garden produced great veggies last summer with minimal fertilizer, I just hated watering it so often!!

Pics will be up soon of the now completely settled mason jar experiment. Anyone with kids (and mason jars) should definitely do it! It's a great visual of the components of soil, and great way of getting them involved.
 
Here ya go! I didn't measure yet, but as you can clearly see in the picture, it's probably >50% sand. No bueno...I guess some top soil wouldn't hurt, either?

uO0icOb.jpg
 
So, it's more than 50% sand.... Sand as you know is pretty neutral as far as growing things and as you found out, you need to water a lot. Definitely introduce (mix) a bunch of organics.
 
22-rimfire said:
So, it's more than 50% sand.... Sand as you know is pretty neutral as far as growing things and as you found out, you need to water a lot. Definitely introduce (mix) a bunch of organics.
Click to expand...

It could definitely be worse. That's why I need so much manure or sphagnum moss..I went out to measure the garden, and, like a food, had a measuring tape that only goes up to 10 feet. If I had to guess, I'd say it's about 20 feet by 30 feet? I would like to cover the entire garden by at least 2-3 inches.

Considering just sand, silt, and clay, my calculations have it at 57-39-4.
 
You might want to add a bunch of fine bark mulch along with the manure. Sphagnum is always good as well as peat moss. Just doesn't spread too far. Maybe a bunch of rotted last year's leaves...
 
Furry, round eared ... but not as cute and cuddly as it looks - there's a lot of fang and claw in the attitude of a fisher. Not a critter I want the pups to meet in a dark alley! Honestly, not one I want to meet in a competition over my freshly caught fish on the shore of a lake either.

DSCF9390 FISHER ARRIVES 650 MED.jpg

When I left my last property in the fall, I had to leave behind three composters that I kept in handy spots. For here I picked up a large, enclosed one mainly for kitchen waste. The District reimbursed me for 2/3 the cost as part of their landfill diversion programme. I have not had access to the browns (leaves etc.) over winter and so the temptation of the composter this spring is understandable. When well maintained with layers of organics, in my experience there is usually little attraction for the wild things. For the other garden waste, I am asking around for pallets to make some rough, open ones.

Sussing out the place

DSCF9402 FISHER STANDS 650 MED.jpg

Pulling at the base barrier, biting and scratching to get at the compost. The container is about 36" high. Luckily it is frozen into the ground and there was no reward to encourage this little snacker to return.

DSCF9403 FISHER TALL 650 MED.jpg

A leap onto the top was not successful ... too slick for a foothold.

DSCF9405 FISHER LEAPS 650 MED.jpg

DSCF9406 FISHER TILLER GROUND 650 MED.jpg

The base barrier is in place to discourage Daisy of course. Had I not seen this visitor myself, she would have had the blame. This once, Daisy is innocent. :thumbsup:
 
3fifty7 said:
View attachment 874531

Here are my raised beds.
I have Tomatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Pablanos, Cantaloupe, and Watermelon planted. I'll put up more pics tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Solid and nice depth ... looks like they've experienced a harvest or two and are up for many, many more. They look great!.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top