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Old 17-02-2011, 10:14 PM posted to rec.gardens.edible
Nad R Nad R is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jan 2011
Posts: 410
Default Awesome weather today.

"DogDiesel" wrote:
How about that weather.



The drug patrol helicopter circled my house again at about 100 feet .About
2 PM. And woke me up. They keep waking me up . As I work shifts. I gave
them the finger last summer. They were so close they gave me the finger back
and I could easily see their facial features and the finger. They came
back for some more look see about a half hour later. They beelined it for my
place from about a mile away. and hovered about 100 feet looking around. .
It **** me off because its a blatant disregard for safety. They have to have
enough altitude to land without hitting anything . If they lose power. And
there's nothing here but houses. I know the FARs pretty well. I think they
have a 1000 feet minimum over homes. I got some pictures this time. They
saw me takin pictures and went around the other side of the house. They
come about 4 times a year to my house to wake me up. Been going on for over
three years. Typical government employees with nothing to do.

I'm going to make a DVD of these guys and turn it in to the FAA. And
probably nothing will come of it.

Saying that. After being woken up again. I found its real nice out.
I took the opportunity to rake up my main garden, with my new rake. And get
all the big stuff out of the straw. and I filled up my compost bin. And I
pulled them damn weeds that overrun my house patch. I wish I knew what they
were. There's some onions out there still alive. My dead celery. Has some
bugs working it over. That plot wouldn't grow last year. Except the
lettuce was the bomb. From the weeds blocking the sun. And killed
everything. So I cleaned up pretty good.

I wish I could do something else. But its supposed to get cold again.

I reread Ruth Stouts No work garden book again last night. She was an
organic gardener. About 80 when the book were written in the 1971. The
premise of her books is using hay about 6 inches thick as year round cover.
And planting seeds and vegetables in the ground by moving hay aside. Then
there's no weeds. As the hay breaks down she just adds more. Her garden
was actually big. about 60 by 80 feet. And she documented the soil test
over 15 years of using nothing but hay. And she says she gardens from her
couch. And gets some vegetables all winter. By keeping them covered. A No
till method. She had quite a few agriculture scientist about her place
regularly. And she was a writer in organic farming and gardening for 15
years. Between 1953 and 1971.
Her writing style is interesting and funny. Clearly she is a
independent cantankerous old woman . Its just a good read.
I got one of her follow-up books and found out morning glories wont die
under hay. Which was my main problem.
Last year I kinda did what she said. Hay everywhere and I added a weed
fabric. And it kept the weeds down.

I'm not sure what direction to go this year except not redo last years
mistakes. Which were.

I planted too early. And all the root crops rotted.
I didn't keep track of harvest times. And I left things in too long. And
the corn got crinkly and mushy, The lettuce bolted. And some of the
eggplants were getting rot spots in the middle. But I had been eating it all
along until then.
I didn't keep up with the weeds at the house plot. But it was an
afterthought anyways.

Id like to get lettuce and / or a greens mix all through the hot summer.
So I thinking of putting a greens mix in a raised bed . And keep cutting it
as needed and adding seeds every week or two. And putting lettuce where
last years was. Maybe three heads a week But getting some low bolt high
high heat lettuce for the summer.

That's about it for today.

Diesel.


It is a February thaw here. Forty five degrees melting three feet of snow.
It is a mud pit here. I am bored out of my retired mind, I read allot,
watch tv, play with the computer, I worked out out with the bowflex and
rode a stationary bike for an hour, feed the animals, watered the plants,
longing for spring so I can get out and work in the garden with out triple
layer of clothing.

The coast guard helicopters fly over high above and no problems here with
little noise. Checking on the ice fisherman in hopes of nothing going on
with the melting ice on the great lakes. People appreciate the coast guard
here and the helicopters are a welcome site.

Inspired by another poster here on peat moss, I received my new garden book
on creating concrete garden ornamentals. I wonder if I can make my own
pathways and ornaments cheaply. So goody more to read. Make some raisin
bread. Wash the dog. Perhaps I will work on my taxes for enjoyment.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Concr...ref=pd_sim_b_2


--
Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan)