Gardening/Maintenance Thread

[NTP66]

Pretty cool, though it almost looks as if it has abscesses all over its abdomen.

[robbiestoupe]

Harvested green beans, garlic and cucumbers today. Makes all the effort of the garden worth it

[Kane]

I'm hoping my cherry tomatoes start coming in soon. The damned plants are 5' tall.

[robbiestoupe]

Tomatoes seem to be slow growing this year. Last year I harvested close to 70 pounds. Cut back this year because processing that many tomatoes is a near full-time job.

I planted corn this year and the tips of some are 9-10 feet tall.

[mac5155]

The field corn in my side yard is easily 10 feet tall right now. Farmer really had a good year this year. And he probably won't harvest for another month.

[Kane]

Update; I've got three cherry tomatoes growing. Hoping more will follow.

[robbiestoupe]

Update just down the road from Kane: harvested about 2 lbs worth of potatoes yesterday. While it doesn't sound like much, these were the extra spuds I threw over the fence into an informal compost pile when I ran out of room in the garden. I picked them a bit early as "new" potatoes for the extra creamy texture.

Also saw a few orange-turning-red Juliet tomatoes that were volunteers from last year. Not the best year for tomatoes, but we'll get a few.

On the unfortunate side, I realized the garden huckleberries I grew are toxic if eaten raw. Should have read that before I sampled a couple - heck, before I planted the demons. Luckily I spit the vile, mind-flaying fruit out as it was bitter af. The fruit is edible if cooked, but where's the fun in that?

In about 4 weeks, I'll find out if the hops I used from the garden are any good for making beer. They smell amazing, so expecting good results.

[NTP66]

A Georgia peach truck was at a nursery in our area today, so we bought a box (1/2 bushel). There are enough peaches to last a year, given that half are probably going to be sliced and frozen.

[willeyeam]

That just reminded me of my great grandma's peaches she used to can. So good

[NTP66]

The peaches are now ripe and holy ****, totally worth the money I paid for them. We'll be making peach crisp later this week, along with a peach cobbler next weekend. I'll probably make peach iced tea tomorrow.

[LITT]

smoked peach cobbler ftw

[NTP66]

That's up next on Saturday. We made peach crisp last night and it was outstanding.

[Kane]

I've got some really high above the ground tree roots in my yard that make cutting the grass with my riding mower dicey. Can you cut tree roots out like that without harming the trees?

[blackjack68]

I've got some really high above the ground tree roots in my yard that make cutting the grass with my riding mower dicey. Can you cut tree roots out like that without harming the trees?

Not usually if they are larger roots closer to the tree but..."If it turns out to be part of a large root, ask your arborist before pruning or cutting. ... Generally, you can safely prune roots that are 3-5 times the diameter away from your tree. So, if your tree has a diameter of 3 feet, only cut tree roots 9-15 feet away from the tree."

Even then, the tree will likely need extra watering for a couple years.

[Kane]

Hm, that might be close. I'll have to do some measuring this weekend.

[NTP66]

Anyone have any experience with the SureCan gas container? The spout on my old 5g Blitz cracked, so I need a replacement.

One year later, and probably 8-9 actual uses, the nozzle leaks like a sieve at the joint where it meets the container. I'm within 2 weeks of the warranty expiration, so we'll see how that goes. It sucks, too, because this has been a terrific alternative to a traditional can up until today.

[mac5155]

If there's a rural king near you, go grab one of the "U jugs" they sell there. They are the best 5 gallon jugs. They say "not approved for fuel" but f that, they work just fine.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Dorian has passed. thankfully the only damage to my newly purchased home is the tree in the front got uprooted



is this guy savable? I'm out of town and don't plan on getting back until Sunday...is that too long for it?

[Kane]

Looks like firewood to me.

[NTP66]

One year later, and probably 8-9 actual uses, the nozzle leaks like a sieve at the joint where it meets the container. I'm within 2 weeks of the warranty expiration, so we'll see how that goes. It sucks, too, because this has been a terrific alternative to a traditional can up until today.

I submitted a warranty claim, and the only thing they asked for was the date stamp on the old gas can. Never asked for a receipt or anything. Got the replacement a week later, so hopefully this one lasts longer.

[tjand72]

Parents' neighbors put a self-propelled push mower out for the garbage man. Cleaned the carb, now it runs like a champ. It couldn't be more than a couple of years old.

[mac5155]

Make sure you use a fuel stabilizer in it. The ethanol fuel has likely caused the issue.

[Ad@m]

I quit mixing regular gas with fuel stabilizer. I buy ethanol free gas from Rutters and use it for my riding mower, ATV, generator, chainsaw, weed eater and leaf blower.

[mac5155]

Yeah, I really wish ethanol free fuel was more widely available around me.

[NTP66]

Yeah, I really wish ethanol free fuel was more widely available around me.

It is - go to any Home Depot or Lowes and you can buy ethanol free gas in tin containers in the lawn and garden section, though it's pricey.

I've mentioned this in the past, but I will never, ever use fuel stabilizer in any of my equipment ever again. The dye they add crystallizes and will gunk up every single part of your carb - ask me how I know. I switched to tin gas at the big box stores and haven't looked back.