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Post by binnylou on Oct 22, 2021 11:54:18 GMT -5
With talk of colder overnight temperatures, celery harvest was finished. About half the celery leaves went in to the dehydrator…that produced a half quart+ of celery leaves. That’s more than enough, especially since I have leaves and powder left from last year. Next year, if I plant celery, I think 6 plants might be enough. Any dahlia flowers still in good condition were brought inside for a last bouquet. Golly, they produce beautiful flowers. I think about the work of digging, storing, planting, staking…thinking about giving them up. But they give me so much joy. But, in the meantime, I’ll trim back the growth and let them cure in the ground for a week or so. Then dig and figure how to store them. And I might order some new ones We still have four ugly areas in our lawn where major trees have been removed. Final attempt at growing grass included wetting the area, spreading chopped straw over the area. I’ll put down some grass seed today…we have several days of rain predicted…if the rain doesn’t arrive, I have a garden hose. If this final attempt doesn’t produce a stand of grass next spring I’m going to resort to purchasing sod. Some days, a gal knows when it’s time to take the easy way out. The front lawn is all orange and gold from fallen Maple leaves. It’s so pretty, I hate to see hubby start the mulching/gathering process. But, it will be food for the garden worms, bulk for the compost pile, and good mulch under the straw. Makes the mice happy.
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Post by Wheelgarden on Oct 22, 2021 13:48:47 GMT -5
the onslaught of persimmons gianna, I'm jealous! We have Virginia persimmons, that, while very good, are small and the harvests are unpredictable. A ripe persimmon is one of my favorite flavors.
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Post by datgirl on Oct 22, 2021 15:13:16 GMT -5
Had an eye doctor appointment this morning. I needed a refill on my contact lenses. Came home and helped hubby with getting some old furniture that has been in the basement for years. Then since I was in a getting rid of things mood, I tackled my desk. Piles of old papers. Went to paperless on a lot of this stuff. With that done, I went out to the garden and pulled the last tomato plant,the last of the peppers that were small but I picked them anyway. Brought some of the plants from the deck into the basement window. Supposed to frost tonight. All in all, It was a productive day.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Oct 22, 2021 17:11:42 GMT -5
After shopping briefly today, I went out and pulled some more things up out of the garden - a few pepper plants, and all 18 of the okra plants. They had almost stopped producing, and I just wanted to get rid of them from my front flowerbed - not really decorative, like earlier in the season! Still two vines in the back have squash on them - the rest I pulled. And all of the basil, plus some unknown greens that had bolted - the reason I don't usually buy green mixes. These were from a free seed pack, which I promptly threw away! I harvested a dozen or so tomatoes, mostly cherries, and about 15 or so peppers.
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Post by binnylou on Oct 22, 2021 19:53:43 GMT -5
Heat is turned on, temporarily anyway. I came in from outside with a chill that I can’t shake. I’m too old to be cold.
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Post by desertwoman on Oct 22, 2021 23:12:23 GMT -5
I've never been young enough to be cold. I really really really don't like it. binnylou,
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Post by emmsmommy on Oct 23, 2021 3:13:25 GMT -5
binnylou, I was tempted to turn the heat on last night but opted for a second blanket instead. It's sometimes hard living with two hot-natured people.
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Post by Mumsey on Oct 23, 2021 5:46:52 GMT -5
Going to Dad's later this morning. Sweet potatoes to dig, they have already dug 1/2 row. Pears to pick. Wood to cut and get to the wood room. It will be a busy day ahead of the gloomy cold and rain forecast for tomorrow.
This week I will commence our own yard cleaning. Lots out there even though the garden is done and gone.
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Post by emmsmommy on Oct 23, 2021 9:17:01 GMT -5
Looks like we're going to get through October without a killing frost which is unusual, but kicking myself for not planting more cool season crops though in my heart I know I couldn't handle any more. Will pick peppers to take to mom tomorrow along with some volunteer lettuce that's growing in the paths. Red noodle beans will probably make their way into a stir fry next week. Did the grocery shopping yesterday after picking up kiddo and am pretty well stocked for a cooking spree. We have a large sale in a town 30 minutes away that we rarely visit and I'm tagging along to go to Walmart there. It's pretty rural but I know I can buy pure vanilla extract in a larger size there and their fabric selection is twice what the one in town is. Hmmm... I guess you really live in the sticks when going to Walmart is an adventure! I may visit the bulk foods store there as well but really wasn't impressed on my last visit.
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Post by gianna on Oct 23, 2021 9:44:08 GMT -5
Yesterday and today have been 'get ready for rain' days. Prepared some of the rain barrels yesterday. And moved some plants in pots to where they'll get rain. Today will be making sure the downspouts are set up so the water goes into various garden beds. Also removing some 'old' water in the small pond (old in-ground spa) to let rain refill it. Remove cover from two fallow beds so soil can get wet... Fill the green can. Lots to do.
It's currently 59*F, with 72 predicted. Not yet 8am. The sun is out. If the the breeze lessens it should be a lovely day before the 'atmospheric river' is expected to arrive later tomorrow. Prediction for here is still for just over an inch, and that's been holding steady for a couple days. Hope it happens.
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Post by binnylou on Oct 23, 2021 10:13:43 GMT -5
gianna, funny that you are in the “rain gathering” mode while us folks in the Midwest are draining hoses so they don’t freeze. Just yesterday, I opened the spigot on the rain barrel and let it drain empty.
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Post by breezygardener on Oct 23, 2021 16:54:47 GMT -5
This morning we were out the door at 4:45 a.m. for our 2-hour trek up to Maryland to pick up our new rescue puppy, who was transported here by a rescue group working out of Alabama. Everything went smoothly, & except for one little excitement "accident" in the car (thank goodness I had the foresight to put a waterproof mattress cover down!), she slept stretched out on the back seat next to me all the way home without a whimper. And the "so far, so good" has continued. She spent the entire day chewing on toys, snoozing, & watching tv next to my husband on the sofa, & has (so far) been 100% about doing her business outside. She's definitely a blank slate in many areas though. Has zero ideas re: walking on a leash, has never seen stairs before, & she "just" a little while ago figured out that the big front door & threshold weren't dangerous (she was fostered in a house with a doggie door). But she's cute as a button, & berserkly affectionate. I think I'm covered head to toe in dog saliva - lol! Haven't had a chance yet to upload photos, but here's one that the foster folks down in Alabama sent me. She's 4 months old & is supposedly a Weimaraner/Labrador mix. Mostly blue-grey, but has an interesting light frosting of golden hairs mixed in that make her glow in certain light. How could anyone be so heartless as to send this cutie to a pound/kill shelter??? People amaze me.
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Post by binnylou on Oct 23, 2021 18:42:05 GMT -5
She’s adorable…and appears to love the camera.
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Post by gardendmpls on Oct 23, 2021 19:50:55 GMT -5
emmsmommy, "what does your daughter do with the chocolate mint? I still have some left and time to harvest it." Uses in food and tea. I hear tell that several of my kids use it for mojitos.
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Post by gardendmpls on Oct 23, 2021 20:22:31 GMT -5
kicking myself for not planting more cool season crops though in my heart I know I couldn't handle any more. Don't kick too hard. The only cool season crops I have this year (cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) were planted in the spring. I did plant some peas in August and was surprised a few survived. Gave the handful of snow peas I saw to my daughter. Until I get services for my brother I don't have a lot of time in the garden. Fortunately most is harvested. Except for a large crop of red pole limas drying on the vine and peppers,only getting dribs and drabs of cukes, beans and the rest. Winter squash is in, summer squach just a few, cucumbers almost dead and beans and okra leaves drying up. Still have the fall stuff and chard. A couple of tomato plants in one bed and cherry tomatoes in another. We can only do what we can and let go of what we can't.
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