Gardening 2023

[Eutycus]

Recent remodeling in my house has left me with alot of older plywood and wood scraps. Would treated lumber be alright for raised beds? Whatever it is that they treat lumber with would eventually be absorbed by the plants wouldn't it? Forgive my asking a simple question but I've never planted in anything but directly into the soil.

 

[TDM]

Recent remodeling in my house has left me with alot of older plywood and wood scraps. Would treated lumber be alright for raised beds? Whatever it is that they treat lumber with would eventually be absorbed by the plants wouldn't it? Forgive my asking a simple question but I've never planted in anything but directly into the soil.

New treated lumber isn't near as "treated" as the older stuff. But I'd advise against using any of it for raised beds, the chemicals will leech into the soil. I've found cedar fence planks to work well. They used to cheap, probably not now. But they hold up well, mine are going on 9 years now. But I did rip some treated 2x4s for the corner braces.

 

[oldwood]

Last Summer , wife and I were sick from May 'til October , after covid jabs. Still recovering , and disgusted thinking about the extra work of doing a garden. Kinda don't know what ta do ? One thing I do know , no more covid or other jabs for me. Dunno , might put in 10 big style eating tomato's , and four zucchini plants. Loves da zuc's dredged in egg water , and dragged in Italian seasoned bread crumbs , and pan fried. Yum!

 

[johnraleksa]

Recent remodeling in my house has left me with alot of older plywood and wood scraps. Would treated lumber be alright for raised beds? Whatever it is that they treat lumber with would eventually be absorbed by the plants wouldn't it? Forgive my asking a simple question but I've never planted in anything but directly into the soil.

I've wonder the same, but it on there to protect the wood. So it not like it will lose it fast . I've got a couple beds made of it, not too worried now. Haven't heard or read anything that says not to use it yet.

 

[Eutycus]

I've wonder the same, but it on there to protect the wood. So it not like it will lose it fast . I've got a couple beds made of it, not too worried now. Haven't heard or read anything that says not to use it yet.

If and when I go the raised bed route , it'll be for next year. As of now it's just a "maybe."

 

[Eutycus]

I make a tea from cow manure and water. Would dropping in a few pellets of a fertilzer (a dozen? ) like Osmocote make the tea too "hot"? I try to use chemical fertilizers very sparingly as I consider myself "semi-organic".I'm more the manure, egg shell, sulphur, Epsom salt, etc kind of gardener.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

Recent remodeling in my house has left me with alot of older plywood and wood scraps. Would treated lumber be alright for raised beds? Whatever it is that they treat lumber with would eventually be absorbed by the plants wouldn't it? Forgive my asking a simple question but I've never planted in anything but directly into the soil.

If it’s relatively new it’s considered safe. The formulations changed in 2004, if it’s older than that, I wouldn’t do it.

 

[Eutycus]

If it’s relatively new it’s considered safe. The formulations changed in 2004, if it’s older than that, I wouldn’t do it.

I use so little the bottle is over half full. But it is "newer" than 2004.

 

[Eutycus]

Normally I'd be almost finished putting tomatoes in the ground. But due to a bad back and some painting, I'm a little behind schedule.I started some from Heirloom seeds back in January and got 3 of them transplanted today.Todays variety is Large Red Cherry.I'll see if I can get 3 Old Germans in tomorrow.

 

[TDM]

It’s cool/cold here again now. Probably have a freeze in the next few days. Im going to wait to plant till after Easter. But I will disc up my corn patch this week.

 

[gidaddy]

I make a tea from cow manure and water. Would dropping in a few pellets of a fertilzer (a dozen? ) like Osmocote make the tea too "hot"? I try to use chemical fertilizers very sparingly as I consider myself "semi-organic".I'm more the manure, egg shell, sulphur, Epsom salt, etc kind of gardener.

Tea from cow manure sweet or unsweetened

 

[Eutycus]

Tea from cow manure sweet or unsweetened

I don't know? I can't get anyone to try it.

 

[TDM]

I don't know? I can't get anyone to try it.

Just don’t tell them what it is.

 

[Eutycus]

Just don’t tell them what it is.

I think they are leery of the smell?

 

[Eutycus]

A few days ago we all thought spring was here , then a blast of cold artic air arrived in the form of a blustery norther. Temperatures dropped but it stayed above freezing.And I imagine it dropped the ground temperature back down too. But the wind, so I held off transplanting my little tomatos. I've seen what "wind burn" can do to young tender plants and don't need any set backs.I want these to mature fast, before the "summer heat" sets in.Imagination maybe? What has been y'alls experience, does the wind (and cold ground) slow plants down?

 

[TDM]

A few days ago we all thought spring was here , then a blast of cold artic air arrived in the form of a blustery norther. Temperatures dropped but it stayed above freezing.And I imagine it dropped the ground temperature back down too. But the wind, so I held off transplanting my little tomatos. I've seen what "wind burn" can do to young tender plants and don't need any set backs.I want these to mature fast, before the "summer heat" sets in.Imagination maybe? What has been y'alls experience, can the wind (and cold ground) slow plants down?

In my experience it’s the soil temperature I worry most about. Wind burn is definitely a problem, but when I’ve planted early in cold soil the plants just won’t grow and are stunted. It’s going to be freezing or below for the next 3 nights, 25 tomorrow night, so I’m glad I held off. Not sure how badly this will affect all the trees and plants already leafed out, including my fig tree, blackberry bushes, and muscadine vines. Fingers crossed.

 

[gidaddy]

A few days ago we all thought spring was here , then a blast of cold artic air arrived in the form of a blustery norther. Temperatures dropped but it stayed above freezing.And I imagine it dropped the ground temperature back down too. But the wind, so I held off transplanting my little tomatos. I've seen what "wind burn" can do to young tender plants and don't need any set backs.I want these to mature fast, before the "summer heat" sets in.Imagination maybe? What has been y'alls experience, can the wind (and cold ground) slow plants down?

Have you tried using milk jugs for a little hot house? Plus protection from the wind

 

[TDM]

Have you tried using milk jugs for a little hot house? Plus protection from the wind

Those work well.

 

[TDM]

Related to gardening, I do not recall ever having such a prolonged false Spring as this year. Everything sprouting and growing weeks ahead of normal. Now the cold is back with a vengeance and I’m really seeing the negative affects with my honeybees. They would normally still be in winter mode, but it got so hot for so long that the pollen and nectar started flowing and they went into high gear. I keep three 5 gallon buckets full of water outside my shop and they ring the top edges like a herd of cows drinking it up. Always try to keep the buckets topped off to minimize them slipping in and drowning, bees do not swim. Anyway, they need the water when it’s hot and when they’re processing pollen and nectar. But now that it’s cold they’re still coming for water and I have to make regular patrols to rescue the chilled bees from the water. There were over a dozen drowned bees this morning when I went out to check and while I was there several more fell in but I got them out with my finger tip. And no they don’t try and sting. They’re very happy to be rescued! And it’s only going to get colder the next several days with at least one hard freeze.

 

[alcessapiens]

My dog Abby is spoiled and sleeps inside every night all year. So while she’s sleeping the games are on outside.

Got a cat like that. Useless for all purposes except being ornamental. RWS model48/52 .22 with foam suppression takes care of the squirrels the owls don’t get.