The 2020 Garden, Landscape, and Other Stuff Thread...

[taldesta]

Hummingbird # 2 has arrived at the feeder ... couldn't catch the gender, they were too fast!

Tree planting update: 50 to go

 

[Feca10ne]

Finished expanding my garden beds last week, time to plant the beans! Chihuahua says HI!

 

[taldesta]

Now that's a lot of labour and materials ... impressive I can imagine the beans climbing the lattice. Surrounding yourself with edible greenery. What will be growing in the terraced raised gardens? No leaves on deciduous trees yet, like here.

Hi back to Chihuahua too ...

 

[22-rimfire]

Finished expanding my garden beds last week, time to plant the beans! Chihuahua says HI!

Was wondering how you fastened your corners of your raised beds? Nails? Screws? With the fence, you have been doing a lot of yard work. Major actually.

Yesterday I yanked one of my tomato plants in a container. The leaves were getting yellow and I thought I would just hasten the slow death thing. Replaced it.

 

[Feca10ne]

Now that's a lot of labour and materials ... impressive I can imagine the beans climbing the lattice. Surrounding yourself with edible greenery. What will be growing in the terraced raised gardens? No leaves on deciduous trees yet, like here.

Hi back to Chihuahua too ...

Thank you! I think most of the work was in going to buy the lumber. Ive got them all topped off with soil and planted now. The raised gardens will have a motley assortment of goodies in them, Ill be sure to take pictures as everything develops! It was bountiful last year, hoping for a good turnout this year as well. The trees seem to have turned green over night and are now green as can be. Feeling more like summer!

Was wondering how you fastened your corners of your raised beds? Nails? Screws? With the fence, you have been doing a lot of yard work. Major actually.

Yesterday I yanked one of my tomato plants in a container. The leaves were getting yellow and I thought I would just hasten the slow death thing. Replaced it.

I fastened the corners with rust proof 3.5 inch lumber screws. If you look closely in the pictures you can probably pick out the supports that strengthen the middle so that the weight of the soil won't bow the walls outward. The 4x4 post are dug 2 feet deep into the ground and then screwed to the middle supports as well.
The terraced beds in the back are done with 10 inch lag bolts because they are actual beams. They were left from an old shed and I decided to recycle them.

My fence is only a few years old but it broke in one spot during the 2018 November earthquake. We had fissure cracks running through the whole back yard...also had sand and liquefaction come up through the cracks.
I made Christmas tree ornaments to remember the event (I make a new ornament every year. Family tradition)
They changed the official Richter scale measurement to a 7.1 after I made the ornaments..(murphy's law) haha

 

[Feca10ne]

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

My wife cut our internet service/T.V. line the other day digging a hole for a blueberry bush
Probably could have been worse..but still really bad when your working from home.

 

[taldesta]

 

[taldesta]

I took a squirrel day yesterday ... time away from the long handled shovel to deal with, well, a squirrel in the house

By now those familiar get that I enjoy squirrels' antics ... their cuteness. Ah, I've got two new little ones - and they are so photogenic. Not at all like their mom, the terrorist.

Don't like them snacking on maple buds but I am definitely not feeding their dependence on sunflower seeds. Go wild but go.





I've been leaving the door open for my old dog, Desta. She's deaf and must be able to see me, but she likes to rest indoors. I came into the kitchen and saw the baby squirrel on the windowsill ... tried to guide it to the open door but not ... opened the back door and guided it toward that one but the squirrel scrambled high over the mantle and ducked behind the pantry.

So I waited and waited still as a mouse. At one point I did have to block the very friendly chipmunk from coming inside as well. Finally the baby came stealth across the kitchen floor to Desta who just watched with interest. When I moved to shoo the squirrel again toward the open door, it ran up the stairs to the sleeping loft. I was at this point planning to sleep downstairs on my lazyboy

I climbed the stairs to find the baby on the windowsill at the far end of the loft ... it disappeared into hiding. I opened that window and removed the screen ... then waited still as a mouse again.

Ha ... it appeared on the windowsill and as soon as it was more outside than in I managed to close the window with the baby squirrel hanging onto the wooden frame. Don't worry, he made it to safety.

Losses - glass smashed out of one framed picture and one favourite pottery ... both knocked off the hearth by one desperate
(but very cute) baby squirrel. THE END

Added ... doors remain closed

 

[LEGION 12]

Corns coming along going to have to thin them out soon .

 

[grybsh7]

Thunderstorms this morning but it has cleared and is a beautiful day. The begonias are starting to bloom and my elephant ears are finally making a start. I've had the sago palm for 21years (pain in the behind to move in and out of the garage every spring and fall). The wife and I love sitting out on the patio watching the squirrels and song birds feed.

 

[Feca10ne]

Having a horrible time with wasps this year. Anyone have any tricks?
I've hung up two of those yellow sticky traps and they seem to be catching a few, I may try the brown paper bag trick and see if it works..

 

[grybsh7]

The wasp spray that shoots 12ft.

 

[22-rimfire]

I took a squirrel day yesterday ... time away from the long handled shovel to deal with, well, a squirrel in the house

By now those familiar get that I enjoy squirrels' antics ... their cuteness. Ah, I've got two new little ones - and they are so photogenic. Not at all like their mom, the terrorist.

Don't like them snacking on maple buds but I am definitely not feeding their dependence on sunflower seeds. Go wild but go.

View attachment 1344351

I've been leaving the door open for my old dog, Desta. She's deaf and must be able to see me, but she likes to rest indoors. I came into the kitchen and saw the baby squirrel on the windowsill ... tried to guide it to the open door but not ... opened the back door and guided it toward that one but the squirrel scrambled high over the mantle and ducked behind the pantry.

So I waited and waited still as a mouse. At one point I did have to block the very friendly chipmunk from coming inside as well. Finally the baby came stealth across the kitchen floor to Desta who just watched with interest. When I moved to shoo the squirrel again toward the open door, it ran up the stairs to the sleeping loft. I was at this point planning to sleep downstairs on my lazyboy

I climbed the stairs to find the baby on the windowsill at the far end of the loft ... it disappeared into hiding. I opened that window and removed the screen ... then waited still as a mouse again.

Ha ... it appeared on the windowsill and as soon as it was more outside than in I managed to close the window with the baby squirrel hanging onto the wooden frame. Don't worry, he made it to safety.

Losses - glass smashed out of one framed picture and one favorite pottery ... both knocked off the hearth by one desperate
(but very cute) baby squirrel. THE END

Added ... doors remain closed

You had quite a day. That squirrel picture is most excellent! My wife wasn't feeling well and just left the window open about 6 inches to allow the cats to come and go...... unfortunately that could mean squirrels too.... Anyway, all was not lost. I was gone all day on one of my photo adventures.

Backing up in time, I got home and got the most of the problem kitties inside at about dark and went about my business for about an hour. Had a couple still outside, so I went out to check on them.... all the cats were back outside...... I didn't know about the window but they sure did!! Anyway, I was scratching my head and searching my mind... did I let them out? Nope. Discovered the open window at this point . Caught them again and of course they immediately ran upstairs and headed to the window.... caught the sneaks. Closed the window.

Fortunately, no birds or squirrels came into the house. There is a squirrel nest about 15 feet from that window.

Feca10ne Be careful with the wasps. The Paper wasps can be quite aggressive even if you just wander by.

LEGION 12 Looks good. My yellow squash are just coming up now. Took a long time to germinate. Really interested to see how the sweet corn does. I noticed you didn't plant it in your raised beds.

grybsh7 Things look real good. We have a Norfolk Pine that gets moved outside for the late Spring and Fall (until frost) and then it gets moved back inside the house. It's tall or around 7 feet tall now. Very hard to move around and it won't be long it won't fit inside the house since I don't have high ceilings.

Added: I have a Strappy plant (Australian) that I think I am going to move outdoors for the summer. My Sister's is going into bloom again and mine is just putting on new leaves indoors and no blooms. I think it just doesn't get enough light to go into bloom?? Going to give it a try on the front porch that is pretty much morning sun only. No fertilizer either until I see how it is going to do there. Really a nice large house plant if you like long thinnish leaves.

 

[taldesta]

Hot, hot temps here ... but it hasn't killed me - yet

Tomatoes of mixed varieties are planted in the wild veg garden. Red petunia plants along with new seedings - nasturtium, zinnias, cosmos, giant marigold, calendula, strawflower are all in dirt in their respective gardens/pots. Perennials are up and thriving - gaillardia, bleeding heart, peony, bee balm, hollyhock. Gladiola bulbs are about 8-10" high in the expanded new dig (not sure if some survived the winter or if all are this year's plantings). Tree planting continues but s l o w l y in this heat.

Two squirrel babies expanded to four ... then the fifth turned up, far and away the runt.



And he is feisty as heck, even challenging his charming mom, aka 'the terrorist' over food. Now, I wouldn't challenge this gal.

Meet mom.



Of course, she cleaned his clock when he charged her. The next time he charged her, I caught a brief clip of her holding him down squealing until he said 'uncle' - then they both simply resumed eating. This little one also buries seeds all over the place. I wish he would eat more of them and put some meat on those skinny bones.





I set the bird food down for a moment to get my camera and caught this moment



My garden is just hopping!

I fear the maple tree will be lost - will miss the shade and the creatures that love it too.

 

[LEGION 12]

 

[taldesta]

LEGION 12 OK ... my curiosity has the better of me now and I am wondering ... did you go sodbuster on the grass to accommodate the corn planting? Or what is under that topsoil that is keeping the grass under control - if I may ask?

It's just a matter of time until you're playing with tractors and discs and harrows! Corn is looking very healthy indeed

 

[LEGION 12]

OK ... my curiosity has the better of me now and I am wondering ... did you go sodbuster on the grass to accommodate the corn planting? Or what is under that topsoil that is keeping the grass under control - if I may ask?

It's just a matter of time until you're playing with tractors and discs and harrows! Corn is looking very healthy indeed

That's were the swimming pool was last year killed all the grass , was either grass seed or corn . Went with corn if it doesn't work I will just plant grass .

 

[22-rimfire]

Hot, hot temps here ... but it hasn't killed me - yet

Tomatoes of mixed varieties are planted in the wild veg garden. Red petunia plants along with new seedings - nasturtium, zinnias, cosmos, giant marigold, calendula, strawflower are all in dirt in their respective gardens/pots. Perennials are up and thriving - gaillardia, bleeding heart, peony, bee balm, hollyhock. Gladiola bulbs are about 8-10" high in the expanded new dig (not sure if some survived the winter or if all are this year's plantings). Tree planting continues but s l o w l y in this heat.

Two squirrel babies expanded to four ... then the fifth turned up, far and away the runt.

View attachment 1348198

And he is feisty as heck, even challenging his charming mom, aka 'the terrorist' over food. Now, I wouldn't challenge this gal.

Meet mom.

View attachment 1348199

Of course, she cleaned his clock when he charged her. The next time he charged her, I caught a brief clip of her holding him down squealing until he said 'uncle' - then they both simply resumed eating. This little one also buries seeds all over the place. I wish he would eat more of them and put some meat on those skinny bones.

View attachment 1348223

View attachment 1348200

I set the bird food down for a moment to get my camera and caught this moment

View attachment 1348201

My garden is just hopping!

I fear the maple tree will be lost - will miss the shade and the creatures that love it too.

Some nice pictures of the squirrels. Is the Maple just not leafing out this spring?
One of the things that has always interested me is just how vibrant gardens are "up north". It's like they are catching up. I watch those Alaska shows and the things they seem to be able to grow and the vibrancy has amazed me. I realize they can't plant things like water melons and cantaloupes due to growing season length.

 

[annr]

Hot, hot temps here ... but it hasn't killed me - yet

Tomatoes of mixed varieties are planted in the wild veg garden. Red petunia plants along with new seedings - nasturtium, zinnias, cosmos, giant marigold, calendula, strawflower are all in dirt in their respective gardens/pots. Perennials are up and thriving - gaillardia, bleeding heart, peony, bee balm, hollyhock. Gladiola bulbs are about 8-10" high in the expanded new dig (not sure if some survived the winter or if all are this year's plantings). Tree planting continues but s l o w l y in this heat.

Two squirrel babies expanded to four ... then the fifth turned up, far and away the runt.

View attachment 1348198

And he is feisty as heck, even challenging his charming mom, aka 'the terrorist' over food. Now, I wouldn't challenge this gal.

Meet mom.

View attachment 1348199

Of course, she cleaned his clock when he charged her. The next time he charged her, I caught a brief clip of her holding him down squealing until he said 'uncle' - then they both simply resumed eating. This little one also buries seeds all over the place. I wish he would eat more of them and put some meat on those skinny bones.

View attachment 1348223

View attachment 1348200

I set the bird food down for a moment to get my camera and caught this moment

View attachment 1348201

My garden is just hopping!

I fear the maple tree will be lost - will miss the shade and the creatures that love it too.

Very nice. one question: where did you hide the snow?

 

[taldesta]

22-rimfire Squirrels - there's a perpetual soap opera ongoing in the garden, mostly a loud one ... but entertaining

I posted a pic of the maple with a sizable break in the outer bark. I thought it looked like a large sun scald but it must have something a lot more serious because the bark over most of the tree now looks very unhealthy, lifting and with damage. Leafing is less than half of normal and leaves are falling regularly. So, can't blame the hungry baby squirrels munching on the buds. Sad loss of shade. I will either consider a shade structure or another more suitable tree. In fact a maple this close to the house was an iffy choice. Also the slow growth of a tree just may not see me even living in this location. Lots to consider.

My understanding is that the long daylight hours in the far North can actually be great for growing, an incentive for establishing greenhouse operations even, that could produce locally at fair prices - food security. And, like here, when the white stuff melts, we want a blast of colour for the growing season.

I googled the strappy plant - nice looking foliage. Enjoy herding those kittens !!