An experimental procedure, effectiveness so far unknown. In some spots, sections of tall grass are swallowing the single strand of electric fence that has so far protected the veggie patch from deer. To keep a nicely unpleasant jolt running smoothly, … Read the rest
Meet the oil beetle! When I see new insects that I don’t immediately recognize, there’s an automatic, “Who goes there?!” challenge in my head. So many little critters can do so much veggie damage, one can’t help a “you’re either … Read the rest
Mixing a small batch of green onion seed, half fresh from this year, half from years ago and no longer viable. Why? The mix of dead and alive seed makes it easy to spread quickly, getting good coverage and not … Read the rest
Two lines of electric fence rope, one for deer, one for groundhogs, running through the so-very-healthy grass, perfectly illustrates the nature of the war on weeds. Maybe I should use less militaristic terms, but that’s what comes naturally—guess it’s my … Read the rest
These carrots started coming up a few days ago, uncovered! It’s not surprising given the cloudy, warm and fairly wet weather, perfect for getting carrot seed going, but it’s not usual. Carrots germination generally takes some work. Once up, though, … Read the rest
The Big Beef tomatoes on the left look so much bigger, healthier, greener, than the ones right, and they were planted a couple of weeks later. Both are in the same sized plug sheets. Both get the same time under … Read the rest
Beets, harvested last fall, stored for six months in a covered bin in a cool room, have been busy growing in the dark. This is a familiar early season sight, there are always leftover beets from last year. They’re still … Read the rest