Larry, what flopped about tomatoes in feed tubs? They work great for me. I followed Dawn’s container advice from way back. Whatever downed tree pieces I could find, and a mix of moisture control potting mix, compost ( mushroom in my case), Black Kow, and granulated fertilizer. Stake them with rebar or t-posts. You do have to watch their water and use liquid fertilizer a couple times a month. A couple pepper plants work in one tub. Bunches of Bush beans, pole beans with something to climb. Bush squash varieties. I get my best cucumber harvests out of plants grown in 5 gallon buckets from Lowes, Tractor Supply, Atwood’s, etc. Drill holes in the bottom, fill like above, and give them a tomato cage to climb. 5 gallons would be great for Madges herbs. Chives might be a good one for her, they’re perennial and can be divided to make more plants, will give a subtle onion flavor to anything. If I was closer I’d bring you a division of mine. You can’t kill chives lol. Parsley is easy to start from seed, too.

Sorting seeds. Trying to figure out what I have (everything) and want (everything else).

I‘m having trouble finding purple datura seeds and pole green beans other than blue lake and Kentucky wonder. Fortex and Seychelles are my favorites.

I really do need parsley and cilantro seeds. I did use the last of them in the fall.

Off to the tomato thread.

Hey Everyone. If you aren't opposed to youtube, here is a Roots and Refuge from today. She is talking about planting onions.. She ordered Dixondale for the first time...and she's planting some of them today. She is in Arkansas.

It's a good video. She talks about why she doesn't push her beliefs (political and religious) on her channel and I like the way she talks about God.

They are moving soon. If you want a farm with established gardens, a remodeled house, 2 greenhouses, a high tunnel and barn....be ready to bid.

Rebecca, I think neglect was my biggest problem. I have never grown container plants. All my life I have enjoyed working with tools, hand tools, power tool, tillers,and tractors. There are not a lot of tools used in container gardening, I am just going to have to do things differently.

Larry, I think it will be worth it to keep growing things. Put them close to the house to make it easier.

I've been watching a lot of youtube since I started working from home, & I like Roots & Refuge for the most part. I can't imagine all that work & then to start over.

Rebecca, I have some purple datura I got in a swap. I won't use them, so they're yours if you want them. I can't grow anything that's dangerous for animals but I can't bring myself to toss them either.

Oh, and Nancy I haven't forgotten to send your seeds out, I've just been a slug. I'll gather them all up & drop in the mail *soon*.

HJ, not sure if my post went through but you know I'm always willing to take extra containers off your hands.

Tomorrow's a holiday for me, so I'm planning to spend at least part of it outside playing in the dirt. I've got a few wintersown containers done, plus a shelf inside. I'm sure I'll be kicking myself for starting so early, but I think with it being in the garage the cooler temps may keep things under control.

Sorry, Jen. I didn't go back and read all the posts carefully. I just watched that R and R video and she was talking about onions and I noticed that onions were a topic....so quickly posted that here. BUT, I did start on the garden organizing and already have a large bag for you. maybe I can drop them off tomorrow afternoon?

Sure. I'll be around all day as far as I know.

I know, Jen! All of that work and then to start over....but I do like how she talks about leaving it better for the next inhabitants. And it's sweet that she is "letting" Jeremiah have his dream of building a house.

They've talked about having a teaching farm...so maybe they need more space for that. And they are young---mid 30's.

I'm about to head out to the shop for more clean-up. It looks worse before it looks better, right?

HU made progress yesterday too, but he can tell y'all about it.

Good of you to think of posting it here, Moni. That made me think! I have decided not to can tomatoes, and so would like to get rid of the extra special Weston tomato sauce machine recommended by Dawn (and Amy and others) AND the Presto dehydrator (not an expensive brand . . .. app. $40 new, I think). They both take up a lot of room, and since buying my handy toaster oven, don't need a dehydrator now. The Weston also has the expensive salsa attachments.

In general, I am going to be intent on downsizing the contents of this place in the next year. I have so many books, fabrics, art supplies, and junk.

You all have inspired me now. I went out for a walk-around just because Tiny wanted company out there (It is endearing, and I feel horrible for not spending more time out there with him--but I don't have a warm furry coat like he does.). And counted 10 20-gallon containers--six on the deck and the others out and about. I decided rather than trying to make the deck look pretty with flowers in the containers, I'll plant mostly greens in them--because some of those greens are awfully pretty.

And I just ordered one more batch of asparagus and a 3-pack of Ouchita thornless blackberry bushes for Lincoln--from Stark Bros. Maybe I should order the blackberries for us, too. Next month. lol Asparagus crowns are not cheap!

Oh, Jen! I was wondering about the peppers. Thank you! And it also made ME remember that I have to get Midnight seeds off to Lisa, as well as the guajillo pepper seeds to HJ as soon as they get here. I got mine from Remy at Sample Seeds. I see they are very difficult to find online, except from companies I usually don't like to patronize. So will focus on getting lots of seeds this next year.

AND, uh-oh. . . . ornamental peppers. I might be in trouble. They might have to be my plant of the year this year. I just spent some time on Sandia Seeds........................ I want em all! lol

Okay, everyone. Have a great MLK day and a great week.

Just remember, the ornamental peppers are edible too (or I think they are?) :)

Larry, Ron got a call about the vaccine, too. I believe heart patients are getting priority. He turned it down too, because he always gets sick after a vaccine like flu and he didn't think I could take care of him. Eyeroll. He's the one who goes out. I have registered. No appointments are available.

My baby is 31 today. How the hell did he get that old?

I wrote this as a FB post today:

This was prediction for Mar/Apr/May.

https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead03/off03_temp.gif

The weather channel also predicts warmer than average weather.

https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2020-12-16-winter-early-spring-temperature-outlook-january-february-march

This doesn't mean we won't have freezes. But my thoughts are they would be manageable. I'm floundering a bit. Dawn used to analyze the weather, watch her local conditions and her gut feelings. I would do what she did 2 or 3 weeks later (she lived much further south). To have warmer weather in spring makes me fear for a hot summer.

https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/t05.2c.gif

I am thinking about starting things earlier than I usually would. Putting them out earlier and making preparation to cover if necessary.

I think I got my guajillo pepper seeds at Sand Hill Preservation. But, I spent a lot of money at Sample Seed Shop, so that's possible too. Eileen had some really pretty ornamental peppers last time I visited.

Ron's gone out to get plastic tubs for winter sowing.

Yep, but they will serve as strictly ornamental. Last year I had an out-of-control habanero that could have served my entire country with all the heat they desired, as well as two prolific jalapenos and 3 prolific chili peppers. ONE bell pepper plant, and an Ashe County pimento.

AND, there IS one ornamental (at least) that has sweet peppers--I grew Pretty n Pink for two years--it's a very pretty ornamental/sweet pepper.

I'm finding that I want to add more and more hot pepper to things...I think it *could* be an after effect of Covid, I can still taste, but apparently my tolerance to very hot peppers has grown by leaps and bounds this year? I made a pot of traditional chicken and dumplings yesterday, except I added extra rosemary and hot pepper flakes. I loved it.

I had my helper over today to set up a cold frame.

I got the pictures backwards. The opening in the back is a hinged window that I expect to keep open most of the time. We hope to put the plastic on tomorrow.

I had a fellow come down from Ft. Smith and pick a bunch of turnips to take to his sister and friend. He told me that they were the best turnips they had eaten, they are the best I have eaten also. The deer must be eating them also, because the patch is just torn up with deer tracks, my neighbor said that he saw 7 in the patch yesterday eve.

Absolutely awesome. Thanks so much for sharing, Rick! Maybe you could travel across the state and teach us how do to the same at Lincoln!

Well, actually, the pictures show a clear path forward. I'll relay to John at Lincoln. Thank you.

Nancy, that is very smart of you to clear out what you're not going to use. It's so freeing.

We did a lot of that today (While HU was building the hoop house).

We cleared out so much stuff. Some went to a dumpster, some to donation.

It's almost done. I have a cart of stuff to go through still....but that shouldn't take long. Tom has a few boxes. He struggles more with sorting through stuff. Honestly, I do most of it. Really, all of it except the things that are specifically his. He did well, though. And, when I make the "call", he's good about driving it to where it needs to go (donation/dump).

He and Ethan got the outdoor Christmas lights down and stored.

It was a productive day for sure.

Next Tuesday will be my "reset" day, I think. Normally I've done that by now....but just haven't had a chance for several reason. I truly miss having Monday off. It was so beneficial (Sunday is a work day for me). I need to be alone to do this.

The hens did well today. They gave us a small basket of eggs to collect.

Larry, is the hoop on hinges or only the window? Interesting! Thanks for sharing the pics.

I'm so tired. So very tired. Good day of hard work.

HJ stopped by today to drop off some containers & told me about the greenhouse. Looks good! I've always wanted either a greenhouse or potting shed (or both lol) & I've told Cliff once we move I'm getting one.

Jennifer, both window and hoop on hinges. This is a project that I had my helper working on last year. He is doing pretty well, he is not very interested in school. I was not interested in school either, but a person has to make a living. I am trying to encourage him, he is a great kid and a hard worker. I would like for him to take a greater interest in school, if not, pick a skill to learn. I am trying to expose him to as many things and tools as I can, plus, I love being with the young man.

I had planned to make a hardware cloth bottom for the cold frame, but, my helper called needing work, and I can almost always find something for him to do, if he lets me know in time, if the weather permits, and if I fell well enough to be out helping him.

I better get on the b-ball with my green house. Y’all are ahead of me for sure.

i am in west Texas today I am headed home

love seeing my grandson So much.

Back home I have two gardens to get ready.

I have drastically changed plans since I only have the help of an 8 year old. My garden at my daughters shrunk. I am going to do the same size as I have now With my 100’ fence. because of the lateral lines I would have to haul the soil dump Load way to far. I can’t do it.

at the place I live I can get a truck right up next to the beds AND I have piles of lumber to frame the beds so I don’t lose soil.

might even be able to get help if I need it. My daughter and son in law are so busy. They can’t get their own projects done let alone mine.

i am excited to get home and get started.

am hoping you made it home safely Kim.

Cold frame looks good, too, Larry. We're going to have a helper for the garden next week, and I'm excited about it--friend of ours. Time to get going. I also just finished a to-do list for Lincoln, along with some must-have items, like cattle panels for trellises and tomato cages, raised bed soil, and a wish list. We'll have help there, too.

And since I just discovered SO many native flower seeds I'd forgotten I had, I think I'll quick start a few WS tubs.

I missed you having Covid 19, Danny. Were you very sick? I add a pinch of cayenne more often than not to my savory dishes. Not enough for them to be hot, but enough for a pleasant warm aftertaste.

YES a "warm" winter so far, relatively speaking. I was astonished to see daffodils up about 2 inches. Yarrow, rose campion, verbena bonariensis are coming to life. . . Parsley, oxalis (green and purple), many herbs. . .

Later!

Therese sold/swapped her pressure cooker. I deleted that post.

I have a road trip to Weatherford on Friday planned now.... :)

COVID vaccine shot, first option I found for an appointment... and I snagged it.

Moni

Jen, I’d love to have those datura seeds.

Ok, I threatened and here is a cheery collage of african violets living at my house, hope no one minds being flower spammed a bit :0 I promise not to bash you all over the head with my violets again this year.

Several are miniatures which usually means less abundant flowers...there just isn't space for too many around the tiny plants.

Danny, beautiful!

Pretty! My former boss used to have violets in her office & would give the babies away when she propagated them. I have 3 & have played around with cuttings some. Usually in the winter to give me something gardening to do.

Yep, I grew up with my grandmother having 5 or 6 (don't remember for sure) violets in the kitchen window. I never could do anything with them...ever. Till I moved here. My problem was lack of light and too cool a temperature in the house. As I am on maximum air pressure from my bi-pap, I have to keep it about 70F in the house or my face freezes..the violets love that temperature (though they'd probably love 76 more). Things we learn...as we get older (lol).

Yes, they ARE beautiful. I am frankly thrilled that I can't be tempted, lol, as our "log cabin" is way dark. Drives me crazy.

I got a chuckle. I said I was astonished seeing the daffodils up. Saw last year's journal. I was astonished at the same time last year that the daffodils were up!

I hope your adjusted plans work out well for you, Kim. Now I MUST go decide on stuff to plant.

Danny those are beautiful. My sister has over 100 and I told Her once that if she passed before me I was composting them lol. She is in a very serious club so I imagine they would come get them.

Tomatillos...you need2, correct? Do they have to be the same variety or can you have different ones?

Yes, 2 at least. They can be different varieties. . . but don't save the seeds for successive years.

Actually my lone tomatillo last year, set fruit pretty well. I can't say that any of my mexican neighbors didn't have tomatillo somewhere though.

Nancy, nancy, nancy...you KNOW I'm gonna save seed, if only just to "see what I get". Might get an interesting cross...or I might get something even my turtle won't eat.

Jen I save almost all my seeds. Probably explains why I have 100’s of packages

it’s okay with me as long as I get something to eat.

i am still working on my seed inventory. I think today is the day I will finish

I had a lone tomatillo 2 or 3 years ago, it produces very well. I planted it before I had read that you needed two of them, but I could have had something close enough to cross with in the pasture. I do see something growing wild around the place that produces a fruit in a sack like the tomatillo does. I did not save seeds from it, not planted any plants since then.

If I dont get to feeling better there wont be a lot of gardening done here this year. Getting old is not as much fun as I had hoped it would be, but it sure happens fast.

My helper called yesterday and wanted more work, so I had him mow and catch dead grass that I will use for mulch.

I'm trying not to look to close at Danny's violets, or I will be shopping again.

I've been sick all week. I don't think there's been a fever, but coughing and stopped up head. Of course I had to cancel a doctor's appointment.

Tomatillos are in the same family as ground cherries. I don't know if they can pollinate each other, they taste nothing alike.

Your cold frame looks fantastic Larry!

We went out to eat for my son's birthday. There was Risotto under the salmon. (And acorn squash). OMG, I guess I never had Risotto before and I loved it. The salmon was pretty good, with arugula pesto on it.

That sounds SO good, Amy!

I'm so sorry you've been sick. Third Jan. in a row? Ron's not sick yet?

Isn't that an interesting concept! Ground cherry/tomatillo cross.

I thought I had a post a while ago. . . but don't see it. Bet it's on the other computer.

Well, it's been an interesting week. Thursday I went to do my dreaded visitation of my father (issues..lots of issues), and found his house shuttered (he would never do that..he's too interested in viewing what everyone else is doing) and no answer.

I finally got up the courage to call his wife, they have never lived together (though only about a mile apart). She informed me that she had been waiting for me to call, because she didn't have my number (bogus, she's called me before...plus on Dad's landline speed dial). So she says he's in the hospital and has been for nearly two weeks.

Ok, so I complete some errands briefly in my old home town (45-50 minutes away from home), then stop by the hospital about 3 miles from my house. Their visiting hours were apparently very strict (3-6 pm), so I had to come back later, as it was only about noon.

I find out that my father had fallen from bed, couldn't get up, and was lying in a pool of vomit. Oh btw, he's 96. Apparently he had an internal abscess near his gallbladder, which had a staph infection. After draining and clearing that, apparently some other (unidentified) bacterial infection set in. So he's in rehab, and will require constant care as he can't walk apparently now.

So...it's time to either find a live-in caretaker, which looks out of the question, or nursing home. I spent four hours straight on the phone yesterday, and I hate, absolutely hate, talking on the phone. With a lot more to come, I'm afraid.

And while there is no great love lost between us, I hate to think I'll probably not be able to visit him in a nursing home (Covid) and unless things change rapidly, he'll probably pass away in the home isolated. He's a bitter and mean old man, whose wife can't even live with him (can't blame her...I tried at my mother's bequest after she died, and it broke me), but that still seems cruel.

And that's what's been on my mind.

Danny, I'm sorry to hear that. Cliff has similar feelings towards his mom, so I understand how family relationships can be complicated.

Danny, I am SO sorry you are going through this! At 96, how much on the ball is he? My mother died just after she turned 97, and she really had no interest in talking with anyone the entire year or more before she died. For sure, be gentle on YOURSELF.

Well Friday, when I went to see him, he seemed especially lucid (more than usual lately), yesterday I wasn't sure how much I was saying he understood. So..I'm not sure? He couldn't get his hearing aids in last night (first thing when I get to hospital nurse basically commands me to get hearing aid batteries...staff is rude). The nurse then said, he hadn't had any issues with putting them in the rest of his time here, she said that's a bad sign.

Danny, I am sorry. I went through some major pain in my family, and I doubt it will ever be over while we are alive. The good thing is, that I got to care for mom the final 5 years of her life. I did however have to put her in a nursing home for a year and 5 months, but able to be with her almost every day. To look after mom was one of the greatest blessing I have ever had. Mom and I never really had a cross work, for some reason mom believed I was larger than life, and I felt the same way about her. My dad died when I was 13

Ahh, the good ole times. Were they ever? Larry, my Dad and I had a relationship like you had with your mother, I think. Not as good with my mother. She had a lot of issues left over from her own past life. And life with my 3 siblings was less than perfect. One brother and I were best friends. We weren't close to the other brother and sister. I'm not sure what sister's issues were/are with me. It used to make me sad, but c'est la vie. The first 20 yrs of our adults lives, I tried to hard to find out why. . . and tried to make whatever "it" was right. We sort of reconnected for the next 20, but now we're back to the first part, apparently.

Who has time for that kind of nonsense! None of us should have. Too many flowers to plant.

This is probably going to be a very difficult time for you. Do you have any other siblings? Are his wife and he still married? If so, then it will fall to her to deal with all the paperwork and Medicaid and so forth, I presume? If not, this no doubt WILL be a bad time for you. (It was a nightmare for me dealing with Mom's nursing home and transition to Medicaid from 1100 miles away.)

Amy's gone through it the past couple years, also. And I'm like you, HATE dealing over the phone. Feel free to rant any time. Other than that, just know there are a lot of who will be wishing you well.

Danny, I'm so sorry. I haven't had to deal with this yet....and fortunately (so far) Mom and I get along very well. My Dad died at 53. Mom is 74 now.

BUT, I can (sort of) imagine how painful all of this must be for you. And complicated. You're a good son to continue to try to care for him even through all the pain and hurt. Prayers!

Around here, I can't seem to get it together. And I can't seem to say no. Next week. Next week is my new year. Fingers crossed.

I'm cleaning today. I really, really wish I wasn't one of those annoying people who have to have my physical environment a certain way for me to feel relaxed and creative and settled.

HU worked on the GH on Thursday. It's pretty solid. He's doing a great job, but I'll let him tell about it it more when he's ready. I held the hammer a few times. LOL

Larry, I think you mentioned something on one of the threads wondering how we all grow everything that we grow...and how you don't have space for it all. I think the deal is that a lot of us only grow a small amount of a particular thing. While you go all in and grow a lot of each thing. That is HU's way too. I'm trying to do a combination this year. I want a LOT of some things--things for canning. Even tomatoes of a particular type. All of this is our survivalist garden.

Then, I want to grow one or two of a few other things in the kitchen garden. Certain tomatoes and peppers that I don't need a lot of. The exception is onions. I think they do better in raised beds, so they'll go in the kitchen garden.

I'd better stop sitting and get back at it. Alone time at home is a rare and treasured thing, so I need to take advantage of it.

Nope, wife made it clear yesterday that it's all mine. She's pretty much walking away (though probably not when it comes to fighting over any leftover fundage). I have no siblings, no children, no nothing. In fact, I have only one very ill uncle and two aunts (one in Washington) remaining.

Danny, I found with my mother, and am thinking with my father that they are lucid when hydrated. Mom would go to the hospital barely able to speak and an IV would make her lucid. Of course, earlier in the day they're more likely to be ok. Getting either mom or dad to drink was/is nearly impossible. Mom also got UTIs that would do the same thing. I'm guessing any infection is a problem at that age. My dad turns 94 next week and my sister thinks he needs assisted living. Lock down has done him in. He was much better when he could go have dinner with his friends. I am sorry you have to deal with this. I am surprised you can visit at all. My sister took my dad to the ER a couple of weeks ago (Bartlesville). They had no ER beds and no hospital rooms that didn't have a Covid patient in them. I did read that Tulsa hospitals were doing slightly better this week. My dad's retirement center is supposed to get vaccines soon. Nursing homes will get them first, so you may be able to visit.

looking out the window just now I think some of the brassica in the farthest bed has doubled in size! Wonder if it's the broccoli? I feel better today, but not enough to walk that far.

looking forward to more pics of HU and the green house.

Could be more complicated than simply walking away, but would have no real idea. Each state is different when it comes to such things (which is why it was difficult for me, living in OK and dealing with WY statutes). Best of luck to you, though. It took me four long grueling months. Nasty nasty time. I do hope and pray it will go easier for you. IF he's still lucid enough, you might try to get details about bank accounts, any income, medical, estate stuff. By the time I had to deal with trying to get Mom on Medicaid, she couldn't help me with anything. But when I first transferred her to the nursing home, I did get put on her checking accounts--not as Power of Attorney, but as a co-owner. Power of Attorney is only good if the person is alive.

It is nearly a PTSD thing for me.

Larry, you have lots more room than I have! You have actual fields! I have about 600' sq in the veggie beds, and another app. 1000' sq of flower/herb beds that for the most part are too shady for many veggies, though I do plunk tomatoes, peppers in, and certainly could do that with greens--which is a plan for this year. Also will put the greens in the large containers all around. And SO since I'm going to dispense with flowers, for the most part, in those containers, I'm going to grow the magnificent ipomoea albas again this year along the sunny part of the deck railing. (Moonflower vines). The saucer-sized blooms are so beautifully fragrant in the evening!

Nancy, I do have access to a lot of room, but that is not always a blessing. My native soil needs to be amended. But amending soil is a lot of work. I never have all the mulch and compost I want. I also dont have access to water in the wildlife garden. Dont get me wrong, I like having 4 or 5 acres I can grow plants in (more if I want it). One of the things I like best is that If I want to plant something, I just till up another spot. I always have room to add something, but I dont have the strength. It is a lot of work to keep up a lot of beds, especially when you try to gather all your own compost and mulch, plus haul water.

I have close to 2000 sq. ft' of garden at the house. I can grow all that we need in that much space where I have good soil, water and electricity for the electric fence.