Plants never cease to amaze
rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
9 months ago
last modified: 9 months ago
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peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
9 months agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a) thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario CanadaRelated Discussions
It never ceases to amaze me
Comments (16)I compost using uncontained piles in an area that is about 15' square. When I turn the piles by moving them to the next spot some of the finer pieces are left behind - it seems like a small amount but it adds up and after being walked on a bit (because it is now in the new pathway) it seems to be the surface of the ground and is not disturbed even when I turn the finishing piles with a shovel. I estimate that there is around 2" of compacted compost over the entire area - which would be just a bit less material than my entire last finished pile (about 1 1/2 yards.) I would bet that if you put your composters on concrete or plastic you would not "lose" as much material - but I would also bet you would have to baby them more to get the same rate of decomposition. I have an earth machine that has been sitting empty for 10+ years after I got frustrated with it (I should try it again for mostly kitchen waste). Until I started making larger piles I wasn't very successful at getting any amount of compost. I have found that a starting pile that is 4' wide at the base x 5' tall x as long as I can get it works well for me (I'm sure I got that idea from someone here). The material is stored in smaller piles that are stashed around the property until I get to them (it doesn't seem like that part would work for you but cut down piles are still an improvement for me). I can put blackberry canes and pencil-thin brush that are cut into 3 foot pieces into the larger piles and they go away, in smaller piles they were a big problem and it is easier for me to keep the moisture level and C/N in the right range. Best of luck to you!...See MoreMike ID please
Comments (29)The first group of photos shows Hoya meliflua but the other plant is of another group entirly. Hoya excavata is a member of the Ambylostemma section which includes Hoya meliflua, diversifolia, excavata and kerrii. Hoya excavata has more paddle shaped leaves vs the strap shaped leaves of meliflua and it's blooms look like Hoya diversifolia's. I am not sure of the second plants ID but it might be easier to tell once it grows larger. Right now it is hard to tell the growth habit and from the size of mature stem vs the new growth I don't even want to guess. If you know what plants were in the order I will have a much better chance but otherwise only flowers will tell the ID. Mike...See MoreThe tomato plants seem to know.......
Comments (0)Hi folks, Still no rain here but at least the 100+++ degree temps are gone for now. My tomato plants are almost exclusively grown in SWC's and or large 18 gallon containers. For the past several weeks the blossoms have formed, opened and then promptly dropped off. The heat was the culprit. This evening I was spraying hot pepper wax (squirrels!!!) and just noticed that each and every tomato plant is loaded with blooms. The tomato plants seem to know that starting today our temps will top out at about 90-92 degrees and drop down to high 60's at night. Seems the plants have gone into bloom just in time for the proper temps. I've been gardening for lots and lots of years and plants never cease to amaze me. They just seem to know......... Cheers, DL...See MorePeople never cease to amaze (??) me!
Comments (3)I was once travelling on an interstate, in a majory NE city (the kind of highway that has exits with gas stations, fast food places, 7-11's every couple of miles.) And what did we see? A woman had climbed up the berm along the highway (the better for motorists to see her????) and was squatting, with her back toward traffic, for all passing to see what she was doing. It was rush hour, btw. You just have to wonder what kind of emergency one would have that they couldn't hold off for another minute? and what mindset would make someone choose such an exposed way to handle things. I've thought, myself, if I were ever hit with a terrible, uncontrollable 'emergency', I'd open both side car doors, and that would provide a sliver of privacy. Fortunately--or maybe I just plan better than these folks--it's never come to that--LOL! I really can't imagine how someone could think they could do that to your property. Just unbelievable, itsn't it?...See Morerouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
9 months agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
9 months agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
18 days ago
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Jeb zone 5