In other news, I learned a lot about #EcoMaine's new programs while watching their presentation to our town's select board. One of the newly elected board members (a neighbor of mine), suggested the town look into helping to provide composters for the residents to help cut down on #FoodWaste (and which makes way more sense in a rural area, where people have the acreage to compost stuff, rather than have #GarbageToGarden services, which involved plastic bags and transporting food waste). Of course, I had to send the board member information about discounted composters for municipalities. Anyhow, I'll be posting about some of what I learned from EcoMaine's presentation on #SolarPunkSunday!
#gardeninghacks
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Gardening tips to keep in mind...
"Like other flowering plants, a potato plant produce blooms in order to reproduce. If pollinated, potato blossoms will grow small green fruits that resemble underripe cherry tomatoes. Each potato berry contains around 300 seeds that can technically be planted and used to grow more potato plants.
"However, these green potato berries contain solanine, which is very toxic even in small amounts, and they should not be eaten. And most potatoes are grown from seed potatoes, a potato that has been grown to be replanted to produce a potato crop."
Replied in thread
@MaQuest You know, I think I *might* be able to adapt an old wooden clothes rack (that has seen better days) into a unit like that!
One more note about growing #RainbowChard -- it's way easier than growing spinach or beets, and by growing it with onions or garlic in the longer containers, I keep the pests at bay!
Fortsettelse av samtale
Larger chunks (which will go into the working pile), and fine soil (which I'll use for container plants and soil amendment in my gardens). The bits that land in the garden tray go back into the composted pile.
Fortsettelse av samtale
One composter is the "working" composter, while the other one contains composted soil. The composted soil sometimes has little bits of stuff in it. Using two sieves, I separate the big bits from the finer soil. The larger chunks go into the working pile, while the sifted ones are what I use for container plants and / or to amend the garden soil. Here are the two sieves, and also is what the combined soil looks like...
[Thread] #Composting with Doomsday!
Some folks wonder why I use two composters. There's a good reason for that...
TBH, I had a few bags of Coast of Maine organic commercial potting soil from last year (trying to wean myself off of peat-based soils), so, rather than waste it, I mixed it with composted soil from my 50 gallon composter (which I ran through a couple of mesh sieves). For seed starting, I sterilized some of the old potting soil, and that seemed to work fine. I hope next year, I will have switch to using coconut coir based seed starter and potting soils (which I'll DIY). I never have enough compost for everything I need (probably because I've cut way down on food waste to begin with, and I don't touch the leaves except in a few spots during late spring cleanup. But I do produce a decent amount for gardening and soil amendment).
Making #Compost from Yard Waste [and food scraps]
"Compost is one of the most valuable resources for enhancing your landscape, and it is virtually free. The leaves you rake, the grass you mow, and the branches you trim are some of the ingredients you can use to make compost. Finished compost is dark and has a pleasant smell. It is produced when organic matter — such as garden, lawn, and kitchen waste — is broken down by bacteria and fungi.
Use compost throughout your landscape: dig it into gardens and flower beds, add it to the soil when renovating your lawn, or put it through a sieve and use it in potting soil."
Learn more:
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-703/426-703.html
www.pubs.ext.vt.eduMaking Compost from Yard Waste
More from the #UniversityOfGeorgiaCooperativeExtension - Home Garden #GreenBeans!
"Green beans are one of the most popular vegetables for the #HomeGarden. Fortunately, they are easy to grow as well. Green beans are a warm season crop that can be planted as soon as the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Green beans grow best when air temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F. Soil temperatures should be at least 55°F for good seed germination. Air temperatures above 85°F can cause flowers to drop and slow production.
Types of Beans
Green beans come in three different types based on their growing characteristics. Bush beans are compact varieties that grow in a bush form and need no external support. They are great for raised beds and gardens limited in space.
Pole beans are similar to bush beans but grow in a vining manner and require some type of cage or trellis system for support. Pole beans can reach heights of 6 feet or more, so the support system should be strong and high enough to accommodate them. An advantage of pole beans is that they are easier to harvest; you don?t have to bend over completely to pick them like you do bush beans.
Half-runner beans are a cross between pole beans and bush beans. Half-runners can be grown without support but they spread out more than bush beans and need plenty of room to grow.
Planting
Green beans grow best in a well-prepared and organically amended soil. They should receive six to eight hours or more of sunlight every day for optimum growth. Green beans can be directly seeded in the garden and do not need to be started as transplants. Soaking seeds overnight in warm water will help speed up the germination process after they are planted in the soil. Most green beans do best when planted about 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart in the rows with 3 feet between the rows. After planting, be sure to firm the seed bed with your hand, garden tool or cultipacker. This will help ensure good soil contact and better germination.
Fertilization
Green beans are legumes and don?t require a lot of fertilizer. Green beans prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of approximately 6.5. Soil test for a more accurate recommendation of lime and fertilizer needs. In the absence of a soil test, add 5 pounds of 5-10-15 fertilizer per 100 feet of row. Fertilizer should be applied at planting time and again after small beans begin to appear. Additional fertilizer can be applied throughout the growing season to keep beans producing until the summer heat takes its toll.
Watering
Irrigate beans immediately after planting. Keep the seed bed moist, but not soggy, for the first week until germination occurs. Reduce watering to once every three days after the first week. Water as needed after beans become established, usually about twice a week.
Harvesting
Green beans should be ready for harvest 45 to 60 days after planting, depending on the variety. Harvest beans while they are still immature and not fully developed. This will produce a bean that is tastier and tenderer. To encourage the plant to maintain production, continue to harvest beans as they become ready. Beans should be stored in a cool, dry location and kept fresh for several days, or they can be canned for long-term storage.
Problems
Although green beans are easy to grow, there are a few problems that can occur. Insect problems include leaf beetles, aphids and spider mites. Disease issues include #anthracnose, rust, powdery mildew and grey mold. Most of these problems can be prevented or controlled by using sound cultural practices and planting resistant varieties. Occasionally an insecticide or fungicide may be needed to control insects and disease problems."
Source:
https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1006
#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening
#GardeningHacks #GardenPests
#VegetableGardens #GrowYourOwnFood #GrowYourOwn #FoodSecurity
extension.uga.eduHome Garden Green BeansGreen beans are one of the most popular vegetables for the home garden. Fortunately, they are easy to grow as well. This short publication provides basic information on growing green beans in the home vegetable garden.
So, I re-planted the garlic in the vegetable garden bed, and noticed that the remaining squash plant had a couple of garlic starts around it that I had missed. Interesting. I just put up some thorny barriers (old rose canes are the best, but I only had a couple of those -- the rest were blackberry and raspberry canes), so hopefully those measures (along with a light spray of neem) will keep the pests away. Keeping my remaining squash plants indoors until I see what happens in the garden...
So, I was remembering that the chipmunks left my garden alone when I had garlic planted in it. Time to move some garlic back into the garden bed (I removed it earlier this year). I also have used cayenne pepper spray on older plants, and will try the neem oil spray (in addition to the thorny fence).
7 Things That Repel Chipmunks [How To Keep Them Away]
Written by Susan
"Chipmunks can be a bane in your yard, regardless of how cute they look, as they are ground squirrels. For example, suppose chipmunks have started tearing up your flowerbeds and digging holes in your yard to burrow, and you’re unsure how to keep them away. If So, keep reading as we’ll share some things that repel chipmunks. "
Squirrel Enthusiast · 7 Things That Repel Chipmunks [How To Keep Them Away]Chipmunks can be a bane in your yard, regardless of how cute they look, as they are ground squirrels. For example, suppose chipmunks have started tearing
@afg While I've enjoyed your gardening tips, I do NOT tolerate accounts that promote #Transphobia and #Genocide against #Palestinians. See ya!
#Gardening #GardeningHacks #ZionistsSuck #BibiIsAWarCriminal #TransphobesSuck
So, I grow a lot of plants in pots. I haven't had issues with squirrels (yet), but this is a cool hack to use if I do!
The Simple #Gardening Swap That Can Stop #Squirrels From Destroying #PottedPlants
by Kim W.S.
Wed, May 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT
"It can be fun to watch squirrels dig in the dirt with their fluffy tails in the air. But when they get their paws in your garden soil, it's not so cute anymore. The small holes that squirrels create, typically in search of food or a place to bury food, can be troublesome, especially for your potted plants. Squirrels can displace enough soil to cause damage, not to mention make a mess. Of all the tricks that people resort to keep squirrels out of garden pots, one is both effective and attractive: adding a layer of rocks on top of the soil.
"Many squirrel prevention tactics involve physical barriers of some kind, such as chicken wire, bird netting, or a cage. Squirrels are avid climbers, jumpers, and diggers, so sometimes it takes Fort Knox-level protection to prevent them from finding their way into your containers. But while these solutions might be effective, they're almost as unsightly as squirrel holes, and they can make it harder to enjoy your container garden. By contrast, using rocks as a barrier has aesthetic appeal and leaves the rest of the plants visible and accessible. To use this technique, just add a few inches of river rocks, poultry grit, or fine pea gravel to the top of the soil instead of mulch. You might think squirrels would dig through the rocks as well, but luckily, they much prefer dirt."
Read more:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/simple-gardening-swap-stop-squirrels-100000088.html
Yahoo Life · The Simple Gardening Swap That Can Stop Squirrels From Destroying Potted Plants
Gardeners urged to place plastic forks around their plants https://www.allforgardening.com/1294570/gardeners-urged-to-place-plastic-forks-around-their-plants/ #CayennePepper #CoffeeGrounds #Crops #flowers #garden #gardener #gardening #GardeningHacks #GardeningTips #nature #plants #PlasticForks