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Re: Initial stuff Isaac Send a noteboard - 06/04/2013 12:36:10 AM

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View original postIt is still too cold to put seeds in the ground where I am, but I have planning my garden since January.


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View original postFrost date is early May round here, but I've got a cold frame greenhouse out back and a number of raised beds I've translucent tarps and pipes I can toss over to get them warmer sooner and lets me keep things going longer. Starting seeds in the house is always a bit tricky though, window ledges are prime real estate to my cats and they also tend to gnaw or dig on plants and soil in the house.


View original postLast frost for us is mid-late May. I usually get started plants from the local farmer's market, but I want to try different varieties of tomatoes. The ones that are available here a tasty for hot house tomatoes, but I want ones that taste like the ones grandpa used to grow. The ones I've tried haven't done well. Even the grafted ones were pitiful. I chalk it up to user error.

I've always had embarrassing yields compared to my uncle with tomatoes, he lives in the same zone as me too, but I still grow more than I need. I've been doing more square-foot gardening raise bed stuff in recent years and that's helped but not as much as advertised, though it is God Awful easier to weed, the soil is so friable compared to the local stuff. My grandfather replication issue is rhubarb, it just never seems to come out the way I remember.


View original postI would love to start a lot of stuff inside, but I'm on batteries off the grid, and I'm looking for a super efficient full-spectrum lighting system. I'm glad that it seems the "long dark" is over, and the PV arrays are generating more power these days, I still don't want anything that uses more than 50 watts. Maybe I could do artificial lighting just to extend daylight hours? I don't know. I still have research to do. I should have paid more attention to the horticulturists at my old job. I am sending my soil away to be tested as well.

Definitely LED lighting then, I've been converting the house to it for a while now and I love the bright-whiteness of them, but you can get them all red, red-blue, tailored for photosynthesis. You won't get much heat off them though, normally a big plus for efficiency but if you're like me and keep the house cooler you might need to do a grow tent over them and a pan of hot water, if you're non-electric stove or water heater. I'm not really sure, in artificial lighting context, if it's better to use them to extend lighting hours or simply ratchet up brightness, if you're using red/blue only light you can get away with that and if you can run it during your own peak solar hours it's probably better. You could probably also do a parabolic light stand, if you haven't already it's pretty easy to muck one up. Either the classic half-cylinder with the fluorescent tube in it or even a dish or cocked half cylinder bouncing sunlight down.


View original postI would love to do a cold frame outside, I have some old single-paned windows that could easily be utilized. As far as creatures gnawing plants, I would have to lock down any greenhouse so the chickens can't get at it. This time of year they are crazy for anything that hints at being green.

My only pest issues are deer and japanese beetles, and while my cats hang out in the greenhouse a lot I've never even run into one of the racoons in there and it's right next to one of the favorite hangouts, my goldfish pond, so I've never ratcheted up security besides in regards to wind. I originally just nailed some boards together as a doorway and hung a pair of plastic sheets but after I replaced the main cover with a translucent tarp I did the same for the door, I just have it bungied in place when not wandering in and out and hung up like a shower curtain.

Never raised chickens, though I've flock of turkey that wanders by for a week or so about once a year, always wanted to try permaculture though and chickens seem to be the popular animal add in. Supposed to be a good compost additive but I always worry about the temperature inside my heaps not being hot enough.


View original postMy fruit trees (zone 4 and 5a peaches, cherries, pears, and plums) and strawberry (v: Sparkle) plants should be arriving mid April. It'll be several years before I get enough to preserve, but it's exciting. If I get to my in-laws early enough, there's a woman who specializes in old-timey tomato varieties. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I'm thinking about keeping bees too, but one step at a time.

Zone 6-ish, Erie lakeshore east stretch, odd-weather lake effect stuff. I should break down and grow grapes, it's the main agricultural product of my township but I've been doing strawberries and rhubarb and waiting with patient rage for my blueberries to finally grow or my dwarf apricot, though at least the blueberries most recent disappointing growth spurt I can partially blame on my new giant six-toed mutant cat Flax, I'd made the soil sandier and he seemed to think it made a good catbox.

I gather blue mason bees are in vogue for straight pollinators right now, supposed to be real easy to keep, better adapted for cold, etc. Never tried bees before, get a fair few of them around anyway.

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein

King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
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Liberalism has officially failed - Poverty reaches 1960 levels - - 04/04/2013 12:33:15 AM 1111 Views
As has Conservatism. - 04/04/2013 12:37:23 AM 589 Views
I know it hurts.....but the truth about liberalism will set you free! - 04/04/2013 12:42:57 AM 674 Views
Have you ever tried to fish when really hungry? - 04/04/2013 06:32:17 AM 610 Views
HA! HA! In your dreams that's how liberalism works. How about..... - 04/04/2013 04:59:33 PM 562 Views
and lo, Jesus said unto the poor gathered to him: "begone freeloaders! the wealthy need more money" - 04/04/2013 06:43:32 PM 572 Views
Interestingly enough.... - 04/04/2013 09:20:06 PM 607 Views
Re: Interestingly enough.... - 04/04/2013 09:31:27 PM 609 Views
Well here is where theology gets fun.... - 04/04/2013 09:48:50 PM 666 Views
The entire post...as well as many of the sub-threads....prompts the question of: - 04/04/2013 09:39:16 PM 663 Views
it depends on what your definition of "succeed" is i guess.... - 04/04/2013 10:27:30 PM 713 Views
And that is certainly your opinion.... - 04/04/2013 10:54:08 PM 727 Views
Re: And that is certainly your opinion.... - 04/04/2013 11:57:34 PM 780 Views
Hmm good questions - 04/04/2013 10:29:45 PM 694 Views
you contradicted yourself - 04/04/2013 10:44:47 PM 619 Views
Re: you contradicted yourself - 04/04/2013 10:54:35 PM 689 Views
i think i understand where you're coming from.... - 05/04/2013 07:33:32 PM 655 Views
I see the problem - 04/04/2013 06:45:53 PM 614 Views
since you don't trust the gov't, what are you doing to help the poor survive? - 04/04/2013 12:58:49 AM 703 Views
A few serious answers, if you can handle them..... - 04/04/2013 04:15:32 AM 605 Views
Re: A few serious answers, if you can handle them..... - 04/04/2013 06:42:00 PM 727 Views
Perhaps its time to try a little fact checking. - 04/04/2013 03:34:44 AM 848 Views
I'm happy you agree with me, liberalism has failed and it's time for something different. - 04/04/2013 03:47:17 AM 586 Views
Oh the cleverness of you. - 04/04/2013 03:52:07 AM 739 Views
Wow, I'm shocked. Yes, let's stick with the failed status quo. Good plan! - 04/04/2013 04:17:32 AM 543 Views
Who said anything about the status quo? I just said I didn't agree with your solution. *NM* - 04/04/2013 04:19:37 AM 382 Views
Then time to step up, what's your idea? - 04/04/2013 04:22:58 AM 545 Views
As you might say, "What do you expect, a free ride?" - 04/04/2013 11:45:02 AM 735 Views
How typicaly conservative! And no. - 04/04/2013 02:05:00 PM 601 Views
Agreed and this is how we will finance such a move - 04/04/2013 04:01:46 AM 654 Views
I'm glad you agree! - 04/04/2013 04:21:25 AM 625 Views
No, in Europe, liberalism is generally successful - 04/04/2013 06:15:34 AM 593 Views
Liberalism & Conservatism 'officially fail' about ever other year I've noticed, still around though *NM* - 04/04/2013 09:02:42 AM 302 Views
Yes. I wonder if there will ever be an age of fiscally responsible/conservative liberals. - 05/04/2013 03:41:09 AM 651 Views
I guess it depends on how you define the terms - 05/04/2013 08:52:25 AM 798 Views
*nod* - 05/04/2013 01:30:47 PM 671 Views
Re: *nod* - 05/04/2013 03:12:17 PM 571 Views
Off topic: are you gardening yet? - 05/04/2013 02:25:06 PM 541 Views
Initial stuff - 05/04/2013 03:21:25 PM 501 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 05/04/2013 07:10:57 PM 576 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 05/04/2013 08:19:16 PM 619 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 05/04/2013 11:21:56 PM 621 Views
I didn't know they make LED grow lights! - 06/04/2013 12:18:25 AM 768 Views
It's a bit newer because of the price, that's been dropping - 06/04/2013 01:20:10 AM 643 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 05/04/2013 11:11:12 PM 722 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 05/04/2013 07:56:47 PM 629 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 06/04/2013 12:36:10 AM 771 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 06/04/2013 02:01:59 AM 667 Views
Re: Initial stuff - 06/04/2013 03:19:39 AM 513 Views
Yes, the logical step is to go for Nordic style socialism. - 04/04/2013 03:19:17 PM 641 Views
well that and a tiny homogenous population funded by large oil reserves - 04/04/2013 06:57:51 PM 609 Views
Eh, you're describing norway. - 04/04/2013 08:11:25 PM 566 Views
The Economist (of all people) was singing the praises of the Nordic countries recently. - 04/04/2013 08:49:36 PM 579 Views
Hey, guess what? - 04/04/2013 08:55:59 PM 567 Views
Awesome. - 04/04/2013 09:22:13 PM 472 Views
Oh my gosh! - 04/04/2013 09:27:17 PM 515 Views
Yes! - 04/04/2013 09:33:45 PM 551 Views
Yay! - 04/04/2013 09:37:40 PM 571 Views
We're Maryland, actually, as I recall. - 04/04/2013 10:15:49 PM 545 Views
Eh survival of the fittest - 04/04/2013 06:18:52 PM 652 Views
Excuse me? - 04/04/2013 08:42:24 PM 593 Views
Cry me a river - 04/04/2013 08:55:40 PM 624 Views
Funny. - 04/04/2013 09:18:15 PM 614 Views
Re: Funny. - 04/04/2013 10:19:35 PM 618 Views
good for you for making it but you are so full of bullshit - 04/04/2013 10:38:45 PM 645 Views
Re: good for you for making it but you are so full of bullshit - 04/04/2013 10:49:14 PM 612 Views
Wow. - 04/04/2013 11:27:06 PM 619 Views
Re: Wow. - 05/04/2013 12:18:08 AM 719 Views
congrats on being part of the problem.... *NM* - 05/04/2013 04:48:58 AM 327 Views
It's pointless to argue with those who don't understand the psychology of generational poverty. *NM* - 05/04/2013 03:43:40 AM 308 Views
Clearly. *NM* - 05/04/2013 07:32:21 PM 284 Views
Oh the "it's nobody's fault excuse" - 05/04/2013 08:56:51 PM 577 Views
Get back to me when you know wtf you're talking about. *NM* - 05/04/2013 09:03:08 PM 311 Views
I'm back *NM* - 06/04/2013 01:40:47 AM 285 Views
You're over-generalizing a bit - 06/04/2013 01:49:02 AM 691 Views

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