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Post by tbird on May 6, 2015 8:29:14 GMT -5
wow OM, very interesting!
Those worms! I wonder how far they go in my back yard? Not inclined to dig however.
Interesting on the roots though.. I have a real problem with bindweed, would hate to think my worms, erstwhile allies!, are helping it!
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on May 6, 2015 9:14:54 GMT -5
This is a fascinating thread about water and different practices in different parts of the country. I had no idea that drainage tiles were necessary or that the networks were so extensive. Nor was I aware that earthworms burrow so deep into the earth. I assume they "go deep" during winter and live below the frost line. This lends new information on how they can enhance the soil even during the winter. I'm definitely going to add more coffee grounds this year, and as deeply as I can to provide winter forage for them.
Oliver, it might not have been too much trouble but I'll tell you I almost got a backache just thinking about it when I saw the photo of you in the ditch! That's a LOT of digging, even with the help of a backhoe! :(
I assume also that they're so deep because of frost lines?
And, yes, that's great looking soil! I'll bet there's hardly any clay at all in it?
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Post by brownrexx on May 6, 2015 9:29:23 GMT -5
Spring, one reason I put my garden to bed in the Fall with a thick layer of straw on top is to keep the soil warmer longer to keep the earthworms closer to the surface and working until it gets really cold.
When I pull the straw back for planting in the Spring there are lots and lots of worms even though I till under all of my organic material in the Fall. It's surprising how many there are this Spring! |
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on May 6, 2015 9:40:53 GMT -5
Rexx, you are queen of Earthworm Culture! Seriously, you are very methodical in your approach. When I first began gardening, I used straw as a mulch, then the code enforcement folks decided it "attracted rodents". Goodbye straw; I had to till under all the bales I had laid out. Since then, I haven't purchased straw, but I really would like to have it. What I'll have to do is think up other ways to keep the worms busy until winter - maybe with a cover crop to stave off the cold and just leave it overwinter. I did once try grounds from flavored coffee ( sort of a Martha Stewart earthworm tactic ) but I don't know if it really made any difference. Maybe worms like plain decaf as well as Hazelnut Decaf.  |
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Post by oliverman on May 6, 2015 9:51:27 GMT -5
There were some earthworms rather deep in the ground when I was working. Most were close to the surface though.
The depth of the drainage tiles varies, due to changes in altitude. They must slope downhill continuously, so they are deeper when passing through a slight ridge in the terrain. The shallowest ones are 2 feet deep. Anything shallower and they will be crushed by equipment traffic.
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Post by desertwoman on May 6, 2015 11:28:31 GMT -5
SR- can you use shredded leaves without riling the code enforcers?
I lay a thick layer of shredded leaves on my garden in the fall, which works well too.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on May 6, 2015 12:10:53 GMT -5
DW, I think I was once cited for having leaves in a pile as well, but code enforcement objects to so many things I've forgotten. I do recall their objecting to wood chips. I am trying a leaf mulch this year, so we'll see.
On a separate issue, sometimes this community can be hilarious. There was a ballot proposal to allow sale of liquor in restaurants. Even though I don't drink, I think it does allow businesses to be more competitive in attracting patrons. At one of the community meetings a citizen was railing against all the potential repercussions - traffic, drunks performing improper acts on the streets, on and on. Sure, this does happen, but no one would consider banning sports because people behave improperly. You'd think we were back in the Prohibition Days. I'm waiting for the powers that be to mandate that we all wear long dresses and bonnets when we go outside to garden.
Thanks for the suggestion.
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Post by brownrexx on May 7, 2015 8:06:03 GMT -5
Rexx, Seriously, you are very methodical in your approach. It's true. I am that way with everything and sometimes I can't even stand myself! Just yesterday hubby told me that he has never seen anyone take so much time to plant a tomato plant. I pull the straw back, then dig the hole to just the right depth, remove rocks and then use my garden claw to loosen the dirt around the edges of the hole. Then I pull the bottom leaves off the plant and put it gently into the hole and cover it with soil and then put the straw back and put the tomato cage in place. He was laughing because he grew up on a small farm and he rode along on the tomato planter which was pulled along by his Dad on the tractor. The planter poked a hole, shot in a squirt of water and hubby plopped in the seedling while the tractor kept moving along the row. The planter pushed soil up against the plant as it moved away. He told me yesterday that "tomato plants are not as delicate as you think!" The variety of tomato that his Dad planted was Rutgers so I planted 2 seedlings of Rutgers for him this year. I wonder if he will remember the taste from when he was a kid? |
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Post by octave on May 7, 2015 8:23:23 GMT -5
It takes me just as long as you BR. I completely understand your approach. I am not as methodical, but in some things I am a perfectionist and things are either done to my standards or not done at all. Planting tomatoes is one of those things. I do not let anybody help me as well. But once the tomatoes look established, I no longer fuss over them. Actually I almost neglect them, except for watering if necessary. You can call that "Gardening by the Mood".  |
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Post by desertwoman on May 7, 2015 9:04:05 GMT -5
Isn't that the way we're suppose to plant our seedlings?  |
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Post by lilolpeapicker on May 7, 2015 10:14:14 GMT -5
The plants are our babies after all. Aside from the seed itself we created the conditions for it to grow and become life. We can't help but be doting parents!  |
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Post by brownrexx on May 7, 2015 13:22:33 GMT -5
I was thinking about this yesterday. I planned on what to plant in January, wrote up my gardening diagram in February and then planted my tomato seeds in March. I nurtured them through April and part of May and fussed over hardening them off a little at a time.
That's about 5 months to get them to this point! Finally they are in the ground and now I will wait for tomatoes. I did start 2 plants earlier than the rest and I planted them last week and one has a flower!
Now I am headed out to plant the peppers. |
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