#cardboard weed barrier

[nerdyqueerandjewish]

Planted some of the cone flower / Rudbeckia I received from my garden friend on Wednesday and wanted to share my process! I’m not an expert but this is my quick-and-dirty method for converting lawn to garden when I don’t have a bunch of time to prep the site.

1) watered the planting area and threw down some cardboard, wet on both sides overlap as needed - weeds will pop through the gaps!

2) cut an X (or sometimes * shape) in each spot where I wanted to plant. For each X, I would pull back the cardboard, dig a hole, insert plant, and cover with dirt. Flatten the cardboard (either folded over or flat, just depended on how big the bunch of plants were) and water.

3) Optional, but I like to dig a very small trench at the edge of the cardboard to keep mulch somewhat contained

4) re-soak cardboard if needed, add layer of mulch on top, and water mulch. I’ve recently started using gardening straw because I don’t want to risk jumping worms with wood chip mulch, and I’ve liked it so far (I haven’t had luck getting arborist chips). It lighter to transport and easy to spread around. It might grow some weeds, but the trade off is worth it to me. I’m thinking they should be easy to pull since they are on top of the cardboard barrier.

And that’s it! Excited to see how it fills in next year and for it to be future shade my chickens in the afternoon. Since the grass underneath hasn’t been killed, weeds will want to pop up through the holes I’ve cut in the cardboard, so i plan to keep an eye on that!

#gardening #native plant gardening #kill your lawn

[davidstortebeker]

Mulching for a Drought-resistant Garden

Temperatures are breaking new records and rains are much needed. In times like these our gardens tend to suffer as well, particularly if we can’t afford to use up all our precious water on them. But there are a number of simple ways to make the garden more tolerant to droughts. The easiest and most effective technique is mulching.

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Keeping the Water from Evaporating

Mulch can be considered anything that you use to cover the ground with, whether it’s woodchips, cardboard, compost, straw, weeds, wooden boards, leaves, even rocks, or a combination thereof. While each type of mulch comes with its own set of pros and cons, one thing they all do, is give the water in the soil another barrier before it evaporates into the air. That is the first and foremost function of mulching the ground. And the effect can be felt immediately: just stick your finger into the ground that’s been covered by a rock: it is going to feel a bit damp, compared to uncovered soil. And this is just the first one of a wide range of benefits.

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The Sponge Effect

While rocks are great at shading the ground, and trapping moisture in the slightly cooler air between them, they don’t actually soak up the water. Organic material, on the other hand, that is anything from straw and leaves to cardboard, can serve as a veritable sponge, keeping the water inside and among its pieces. Though it can still evaporate from there, it happens at a much slower rate than out of the naked ground. During cooler nights and the early morning hours, it can even soak down into the soil, at a rate it can absorb it without being overwhelmed. However, the best thing about organic mulch is that while it decomposes it mixes into the soil, making itself like a sponge for optimal water retention.

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A Place to Live a Rich Life

Talking about decomposing, I can’t get around mentioning the incredible diversity of microbes that make up a healthy soil. As you would expect, if you create a moist and protected environment for them, they are going to come from far and near to help decompose your organic mulch, mix it into the ground, and create a rich soil ecosystem. Best of all, you don’t need to do a thing after you’ve established a nice mulched garden bed. Though if you water it on occasion, you will see it thrive even more.

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Nutrients Anyone?

If you really want to do everything you can to create a rich soil life, add something nutritious to your soil: some ripe compost, or cow manure. Don’t leave these nitrogen rich materials exposed to the sun either, but make sure it is covered with other layers, such as straw or leaves. This is where a combination of different types of mulch comes in handy, which mulch enthusiasts refer to as “sheet mulching” or more descriptively as “lasagna gardening”.

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Living Mulch: Covercrops

What if you the mulch you use to cover your soil with is not made up of dead and decomposing things, but of living and thriving plants? Sure, they use up their own share of water, but what the offer in return makes up for that loss in many ways. First of all, the shade they provide for the ground, and the habitat the create for all kinds of organisms, outweighs that of the best sheet mulched bed. But then we haven’t even talked about their roots, which hold the soil together, along with the moisture trapped inside it, especially if they have fibrous root structures. Since plants also put a lot of effort into reaching water wherever it’s available, they will also pump it from deeper underground into the surface area, along with nutrients. Plants with long taproots are especially good at this. For this reason, it’s good to use mixed covercrops with fibrous roots and taproots.

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Just the Tip of the Iceberg

So many benefits to mulching! And originally all we wanted to do was to make the garden a bit more resistant to drought! But this is literally just the beginning. There are so many amazing new levels you can take to mulching, such as Hügelkultur. So it’s safe to say, once you discover the wonderful benefits of mulching, you’ll be likely to take it as far as you can.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

#gardening #drought #mulching #water retention #organic #sustainable #soil #permaculture #ecosystem

[rorytelling]

I got tired of trying and failing to dig up the grass without taking huge chunks of dirt with it. So I decided to go for a cardboard weed barrier instead and this area will be the diy planter section.

Which means I'm at the stage of gardening where I can actually start getting flowers!!

#gardening

[vegru-raisedbed]

Ten Reasons why you should get a raised bed garden.

1.    Longer growing season:  A well-prepared raised bed allows the soil to drain better than in an in-ground garden.

2.    No tilling is better for the soil: Maintain raised beds simply by adding materials on top. No more tilling up the soil to add fertilizers and amendments. 

3.    Raised beds look more pleasant: A raised bed clearly demarcates the pathways from the garden space.  

4.    Raised beds keep out critters: The tall sides of a raised garden box are obstacles that impede their speed and give us time to stop them before they can reach our plants. It is also easier to put covers or shades over raised garden beds. 

5.    Save your backbone: When the ground is flat, the back and knees take lots of strain during weeding and gardening. An elevated bed can save you from debilitating back and joint pain. Even the young should consider the damage to the back that organic farming can do through hand weeding. Invest in raised garden beds; invest in your health.

6.    Less weeds and crab grass:  Raised bed garden growers can cover their beds with mulch, cardboard, or black plastic spring time to kill all the plants that grew up in the winter. When it’s time to start planting, simply rake off the dead weeds. 

7.    Raised beds can be temporary: Having raised bed gardens will allow tenants to indulge in gardening. If the landlord says no to gardening, try using VEGRU’s modular raised bed solutions to create a box. The box is simply set on the ground, cardboard is placed over the grass inside, and the box is filled with soil. When the lease ends, take out the box  and  spread out the soil. And it is one flat piece of land again.

8.    Raise the property value: A raised garden bed is an asset enhancing investment. A neat, tidy and properly built raised garden bed can enhance property values and be a feature instead of an eyesore. 

9.    Avoid contaminated soil: Vegetables absorb heavy metals from contaminated soils and this can cause a real threat to our health. VEGRU raised beds provide the unique opportunity to bring in new soil that hasn’t been subjected to whatever toxicity that may be present on site. Toxicity can also be greatly diluted by adding compost.

10.   Great for beginners: VEGRU raised garden beds remove many barriers  for beginners and enhance probability of success in every rookie’s attempt. Add soil, compost, seeds, water, and the vegetables will grow.

#gardening #gardenblr #garden #greenhouse #home & lifestyle #flowers #houseplants #raised garden #plantblr #cottagecore #usa #america #grow your own food

[tinyshe]

Garden Report & Frugal Living 24.04.23

Over the weekend there was a bit of tidying up in the front. I keep trying to remove this butterfly bush that some previous gardener (not) had planted. It has established itself with a root system that is under the house so I just keep whacking away at it every couple of years. The sword ferns are a malace and a health hazard -- lovely to look at but the hairy debris and sporres in billowy clouds are something I just seasonally get in the mood to eradicate. Unfortunately, that mood coincides with its spore dispersment. There was grasses to remove/behead and a few new members of plant society settled in: lady's mantle, latana, salvia and another plant for the pollinators that I can't recall ... but it seemed like a good idea what-ever-its-name-is. Yesterday was moving day for some alpine strawberries to the understory of the elderberries. Some body is packing down the soil there. I suspect the neigbor's cat is as that is the perfect reflecting place -- close to home but still gives simba a sense of the wild. After the berries, we placed down a good layer of carboard as that after beheading all the buttercups (in a search and rescue mission for the strawberries), their roots were anchored firmly in the soil that dried hard. Its amazing what a couple of days of sunshine can do! From lovely friable to rock hard soil. Buttercups are tencious so I'm hoping the cardboard will act as a barrier that kills plants below but yet be compostable by the end of the season. We loaded commercial soil on top and plopped in a couple of varieties of cherry toms and a couple of sweet peppers (armenian/ banana). Later today I will go back and place little hot hats on them (veg) that we are fashioning out of plastic jugs (that's your frugal tip for today).

The purple asperagras is coming off. One was a goodly size around and several others nearby had jumped up and bolted. I accidentally nicked it off when clearing weeds. I think this is year 4? 5? but still won't harvest. There isn't enough except for one person. My hope is to let it go and thereby giving it more strength. Aspargras beds can last quite a long time once established well but it takes time. I am late in feeding but will give them a good mound of worm compost from the bin. Its time to harvest the leeks -- some for soup and some for the dehydrator. It takes about two years to get nice sized leeks so about the time the scapes are happening. Have you ever eaten scapes?

The hens are settling into a routine of egg production which is always welcomed. Me thinks though that they have unionized -- no outside time = no eggs. They complain loudly if I pass them by to go water in the lean-to. Nothing like being chided and shamed by a chicken-child for being a non indulgant mother ('But mummy doesn't feel well babies...', 'tuff shite' comes back the retort 'let. us. out. now ... or eeeeeeellssssse!' with a couple of good raps on the wire screening for emphases and good measure).

The roses are starting to bloom. Some things are a month early. Some things are a month late or even "on time" but creates a mis shape in my mind as to how the garden usually unfolds but this is their seasons and their times by their inner workings, not some man-made contrivance of time. It will all work out lovely in the end -- I just have to stop beiing fussy / control freak and sit back and enjoy it grow.

I hope you all are able to get out in the lovely Spring weather and enjoy the beauty and the growing things. 'Hope springs eternal' is easiest in the warm embrace of the scented breezes of the season of Spring -- go out and get some :) its free for the taking.

#catholic gardener #garden #gardening #urban homestead #permaculture #creating seed bed #vegetable garden #vegetable gardening #frugal living #garden report #hens #spring #pollinator garden #pollinators

[kyleaichele]

Tips for Designing a Low-Maintenance Landscape by Kyle Aichele

Kyle Aichele

Tips for Designing a Low-Maintenance Landscape by Kyle Aichele

Creating a low-maintenance landscape can save time, money, and effort in the long run while still providing a beautiful outdoor space. Whether you're a busy professional or simply prefer to spend more time enjoying your yard than maintaining it, strategic design choices can significantly reduce the amount of work required to keep your landscape looking its best. By implementing the following tips by experts like Kyle Aichele, you can create a low-maintenance landscape that requires minimal upkeep while still adding value and beauty to your property.

Choose the Right Plants

Selecting the right plants is essential for designing a low-maintenance landscape. Opt for native species that are well-adapted to your climate and soil conditions, as they will require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. Additionally, choose plants that are known for their durability and resistance to disease. Succulents, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant perennials are excellent choices for low-maintenance landscaping.

When designing your plant layout, consider the mature size of each species and their growth habits. Planting in clusters or drifts rather than individual specimens can help reduce maintenance by minimizing the need for pruning and weeding. Grouping plants with similar water and sunlight requirements together can also simplify irrigation and ensure that each plant receives the care it needs without excess effort.

Incorporate Hardscaping Elements

Integrating hardscaping elements such as pathways, patios, and retaining walls can reduce the amount of lawn and planting beds in your landscape, minimizing the need for mowing, edging, and weeding. Choose durable materials such as stone, brick, or concrete that require minimal maintenance and can withstand the elements. Consider using permeable paving options for pathways and driveways to reduce water runoff and promote infiltration, reducing the need for irrigation and drainage maintenance.

In addition to their practical benefits, hardscaping elements can also add visual interest and structure to your landscape design. Incorporate curves and geometric patterns to create focal points and define outdoor living spaces. By strategically placing hardscaping features with the help of experts like Kyle Aichele, you can create areas for relaxation, entertainment, and recreation that require little to no maintenance, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your outdoor oasis.

Mulch and Weed Control

Applying a layer of mulch to your planting beds is an effective way to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health in your landscape. Organic mulches such as wood chips, bark, or compost provide additional benefits by gradually decomposing and adding nutrients to the soil. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennial plants, taking care to keep it away from the base of woody stems to prevent rot and disease.

Regularly inspect your landscape for weeds and remove them promptly to prevent them from competing with your plants for water and nutrients. Consider using landscape fabric or cardboard as a weed barrier beneath mulch to further reduce weed growth. Alternatively, you can use herbicides sparingly and strategically to target persistent weeds while minimizing the impact on beneficial plants and wildlife.

Efficient Irrigation Systems

Installing an efficient irrigation system is crucial for maintaining a low-maintenance landscape while ensuring that your plants receive adequate water. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the root zone of plants, minimizing evaporation and runoff. Use a timer or smart irrigation controller to automate watering schedules based on weather conditions and plant needs, reducing water waste and the need for manual adjustments.

Additionally, incorporate rainwater harvesting systems such as rain barrels or cisterns to capture and store rainwater for use in irrigation. By utilizing natural water sources and implementing water-efficient irrigation practices with the help of experts like Kyle Aichele, you can reduce water consumption and lower your utility bills while maintaining a healthy and thriving landscape.

Minimal Lawn Areas

Reducing the size of your lawn or replacing it with alternative ground covers can significantly decrease the amount of time and resources required for maintenance. Consider replacing traditional turfgrass with low-maintenance alternatives such as clover, ornamental grasses, or native ground covers that require less mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Alternatively, create functional outdoor living areas or garden beds in place of lawn areas to maximize usability and minimize maintenance.

When maintaining lawn areas, raise your lawnmower blade to a higher setting to promote deeper root growth and reduce the frequency of mowing. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to decompose and return nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer. By minimizing lawn areas and implementing proper maintenance techniques with the help of experts like Kyle Aichele, you can create a more sustainable and low-maintenance landscape.

Regular Maintenance and Monitoring

Although the goal of designing a low-maintenance landscape is to minimize the need for ongoing upkeep, regular maintenance and monitoring are still necessary to ensure the health and longevity of your outdoor space. Schedule regular inspections to check for signs of pest infestations, disease, or irrigation problems, and address any issues promptly to prevent them from spreading or causing damage.

Prune trees and shrubs as needed to maintain their shape and remove dead or diseased branches. Clean debris from gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems to prevent water buildup and potential damage to your landscape. By staying proactive and addressing maintenance tasks promptly, you can prevent small issues from escalating into larger problems and minimize the overall workload required to keep your landscape looking its best.   

Designing a low-maintenance landscape requires careful planning and consideration of factors such as plant selection, hardscaping, and weed control. By choosing the right plants, incorporating hardscaping elements, and implementing mulch and weed control strategies with the help of experts like Kyle Aichele, you can create a beautiful outdoor space that requires minimal upkeep. With these tips in mind, you can spend less time maintaining your landscape and more time enjoying it with friends and family.

#kyle aichele santa rosa beach fl

[northshoretreeservices]

8 Types of Garden Mulch and Their Benefits

According to expert tree loppers Sydney, mulch is a layer of material applied to the soil surface around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your garden. It acts as a protective barrier, shielding the soil from the harsh elements and creating a microclimate that promotes plant growth.

Mulch is a versatile and essential tool for gardeners, offering a multitude of benefits that enhance the health and aesthetics of your landscaping. Whether you're an experienced horticulturist or a novice gardener, understanding the different types of mulch and their unique advantages can help you make informed choices for your garden beds, flowerbeds, and landscaping areas.

There are two main categories of mulch: organic and inorganic. Each type has its own unique characteristics and benefits, making them suitable for different applications. 

Organic

Organic mulches are derived from natural materials that decompose over time, gradually releasing nutrients into the soil and improving its overall health. These mulches are preferred for their ability to enrich the soil, promote soil life, and suppress weeds.

Wood Chips: Wood chips are a popular choice for mulching around trees, shrubs, and garden beds. They provide a thick layer of insulation, helping to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Wood chips also break down slowly, providing long-lasting weed suppression.

Straw: Straw is a lightweight and biodegradable mulch often used around vegetable gardens and fruit trees. It conserves soil moisture, prevents soil erosion, and keeps fruits off the ground, reducing rot and disease. Straw decomposes relatively quickly, adding organic matter to the soil as it breaks down.

Grass Clippings: Grass clippings, when dried and applied as mulch, offer a sustainable and cost-effective option for gardens and lawns. They decompose quickly, adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil. However, fresh grass clippings can mat down and attract pests, so it's essential to allow them to dry before using them as mulch.

Shredded Leaves: Shredded leaves provide a lightweight and insulating mulch that is rich in organic matter. They decompose more slowly than grass clippings, offering long-lasting weed suppression and moisture retention. Shredded leaves are particularly beneficial for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and azaleas.

Newspaper or Cardboard: Newspaper and cardboard can be used as a temporary mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. They break down quickly, adding organic matter to the soil as they decompose. However, it's important to use untreated paper products to avoid introducing chemicals into the soil.

Inorganic Mulches

Inorganic mulches, on the other hand, are non-biodegradable materials that do not decompose. They offer long-lasting weed suppression and decorative appeal, but they do not provide the same soil-enriching benefits as organic mulches.

Rock or Gravel: Rock or gravel mulch is a popular choice for walkways, patios, and areas with high foot traffic. It provides a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance while effectively suppressing weeds. However, rock mulch does not retain moisture or improve soil structure.

Landscape Fabric: Landscape fabric is a synthetic material that is laid down under mulch to suppress weeds. It is particularly effective in areas with persistent weed problems. However, landscape fabric can trap moisture and prevent water penetration, so it's important to use it in conjunction with a permeable mulch.

Cocoa Shells: Cocoa shells are a unique and attractive mulch option that provides a distinctive chocolate aroma. They are lightweight, easy to spread, and effective at suppressing weeds. Cocoa shells also contain nutrients beneficial for plants.

Choosing the Right Mulch

The best mulch for your landscaping needs will depend on several factors, including the type of plants you are growing, your soil conditions, and your personal preferences. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

Plant Type: Different plants have different mulch requirements. For example, acid-loving plants may prefer shredded leaves or pine bark mulch, while vegetable gardens benefit from straw or grass clippings.

Soil Conditions: If your soil is heavy and clay-like, choose a mulch that allows for good drainage, such as wood chips or bark nuggets. For sandy soils, consider a mulch that retains moisture, such as straw or compost.

Aesthetic Appeal: Mulch can also enhance the visual appeal of your landscaping. Choose a mulch colour and texture that complements your plants and hardscaping elements.

Mulch is an essential part of any healthy garden. By choosing the right mulch and applying it correctly, you can help your plants thrive.

#treelopperssydney

[blue-opossum]

Neighbor Nancy and Cactus Alley

         Neighbor Nancy and Cactus Alley

        Thursday morning, 23 November 2023

        The natural virtual amnesia of dreaming (to prevent associations with real life) resulted in an extraordinarily erroneous narrative. My dream self has no recall of my waking-life self or status.

        I live in the Loomis Street house (unseen since 1994) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. My dream takes place in the backyard in daylight. Even so, I have no other associations with the address. I do not recall that Marilyn (half-sister on my mother's side) lived here with her husband. I do not recollect anyone else having been here.

         "My neighbors" to the south are supposedly Karen and Kenny's parents, but I only ever see the supposed mother. In reality, Karen and Kenny lived in Florida, not Wisconsin. She also resembles Nancy Pelosi (who looks nothing like Karen and Kenny's mother).

        Cactuses grow along the opposite side of the alley, presumably through it (which makes no sense because people drove into their backyards from the alley, so each side would have to be open). The grass is also high. I sense that the rubbish is to be collected tomorrow. People have their trash in small containers instead of bins. I wonder if the garbage collectors will take all of it.

        Nancy walks near the alley behind her house. She looks at a square recess in the weeds and high grass and reacts as if there is supposed to be a box there.

        There is a cardboard box near the corner of “my” shed that I think I should put out, but Nancy pulls me back and warns me that someone is performing questionable dancing several houses to the north. I am not annoyed by her antics. As she talks, I notice her mouth is distorted, like pieces of cactus integrating with her tongue and lips. I consider her to be eating cactus pads.

        This outcome does not have the essence of the typical proto-consciousness characterization or personified precursory (preparatory) consciousness (which is also a vivification factor while this outcome lessens dream state vividness). Even so, "she" did monitor and even "warn" me about the vestibular and kinesthetic dynamics (of variations in REM atonia) with the "adult dancer" narrative. "Around the corner" is a rare attribute, only more regular in early childhood dreams, so this was an unusual throwback, with pseudo-protoconsciousness at this point also reminding me of a teacher I had in kindergarten (in La Crosse). The rows of cactus and Nancy's "cactus mouth" should be considered a virtual barrier to the liminal stage for purposes of shortening my sleep cycle at this point.

#dream journal #meaning of dreams #dreaming #my dreams

[topdealpestcontrolnearme]

The Best Methods For Pest Control

There are many options for pest control, including baits and fogging devices. You should be able to determine which ones are right for your needs and follow the labels carefully. Insecticides are not for everyone and may harm other insects or even birds. Choose a pesticide that is suitable for the pest you are trying to get rid of, and follow the directions on the label to the letter. Always read the safety warnings and follow label instructions, and only use a fogger when absolutely necessary. Another option is to work with the Pest Control Wake Forest professionals who will eradicate your pest problem and restore a healthy home that you deserve.

Monitoring is essential for successful pest control, as it helps you determine the best strategy for achieving your goal. During monitoring, you should consider the environment, biology, and tolerance of the pests. You should also determine the most effective pest control tactics and the most appropriate timing. Once you've determined which methods are effective, you can begin pest-control treatment. Listed below are some of the most common pest control strategies. Keep reading to find out what method works best for you.

Rodents are mammals in the order Rodentia. They are known for their constant growth of teeth. Their diets typically consist of grains, fruits, and seeds, but some are omnivorous. While most rodents are harmless, they can damage crops and cars, and can transmit diseases. If left untreated, these pests can lead to serious medical issues, including asthma attacks, skin infections, and other allergies. They can also cause fires.

Cultural methods are another option. These techniques work by changing the pest's environment. By eliminating food and shelter sources, they help reduce the pest population. Cultural methods have helped to control yellow-fever mosquito, which breeds in swamps, while reducing small pools of water, and eliminating debris and garbage around the house. For pests in the house, the best way to prevent them is to remove debris and weeds that offer hiding places.

It is important to understand how these pests work. Some pests are continuous, while others are sporadic and occur only occasionally. These are called "action thresholds" and require special training to use. For example, the presence of rodents in a food processing facility can force the company to take action, while roaches and flies in homes may not be as noticeable, but they can be dangerous. For these reasons, services from  the Pest Control Wake Forest experts  are worth considering.

Among the most common pests, beetles, and ants are two of the most problematic. These insects feed on wooden structures, and are dangerous to human health. As well as causing discomfort, pest control techniques have helped protect forests and farmland. Furthermore, pest control has contributed to the control of a number of health-threatening diseases. But there are more than just pests. You can also deal with the effects of other types of wildlife.

Physical controls are important, too. Using sticky barriers, floating row covers, and heat killing can keep pests from reaching their hosts. Plant collars are another good way to prevent cutworms from attacking your plants. And, if you can't get rid of these pests without a chemical solution, you can always use a variety of traps. You can try using red sphere traps to catch rodents and vertebrate pests. For example, you can use a cardboard band to trap codling moth larvae that eat fruit. Other traps may include fluorescent lights to attract flying insects. You can also use fans above doors to keep flying insects from entering.  Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_pest_control

[backyardsurfer]

21 Types of Backyard Weeds (and How to Get Rid of Them)

Weeds are pesky plants that can quickly take over a yard if not dealt with. There are many different types of weeds, and they can be difficult to identify. But don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 21 of the most common types of backyard weeds, and how to get rid of them. Read also, - Using Cardboard As A Weed Barrier in Your Backyard Garden: 6 Step Guide Read the full article

#backyardhowto #backyardrenovation #gardening #verticalgarden #weeds

[the-re-farmer]

Before the heat hits?

Before the heat hits?

Well, I tried. I headed outside earlier than usual, to try and get some work done before things got too hot. My goal of the day was to take the weed trimmer to where the berry bushes are. Tomorrow, I’m getting another load of cardboard and plan to lay it down around them as a weed barrier. This is how it looked when I started. I shoved the stick into the ground as a post to mark the end one of…

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#Clean Up #crab apple trees #food forest #food trees #Highbush Cranberry #postaday #preparations #Sea Buckthorn #silver buffalo berry #weed trimming

[lessofruthless]

My 1st time trying this cardboard weed barrier! I’m anxious to see if it will work or not… I have no reason to believe it wouldn’t work! I’ll post updates as we move forward! Stay happy & humble! #Cardboard #organicgardening #chemicalfree #veggies #cleanfood #gardener #gardening #life #mylife #gardeninglife #lifestyle #plants #zen #plantlife #plantsofinstagram #gardenofinstagram #therapy #gardentherapy #gardenlove #gardenlover (at Indiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CepnQkdOazM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#cardboard #organicgardening #chemicalfree #veggies #cleanfood #gardener #gardening #life #mylife #gardeninglife #lifestyle #plants #zen #plantlife #plantsofinstagram #gardenofinstagram #therapy #gardentherapy #gardenlove #gardenlover

[dianehoffmaster]

How much time did you spend weeding this weekend? Do you love doing it? It is serious my least favorite part of gardening! And at 50, I’m getting way too old and achy to be bent over pulling up weeds for hours. So I am slowly but surely laying cardboard everywhere I can to act as a weed barrier. If you want some tips on using cardboard for weed control, check out the link in my profile for the full blog post. #weeding #gardeningtipsforbeginners #backyardgarden https://www.instagram.com/p/Cecn63jM5VH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#weeding #gardeningtipsforbeginners #backyardgarden

[systlin]

is there any good way to stop/slow plants from growing if growth barriers don't work and you don't want to use weed killer?

There is! And it’s called “A layer of newspaper or cardboard, topped with a real thick layer of straw or wood chips or whatever organic mulch you can get your hands on”

#Anonymous

[tinyshe]

Garden Report 20.05.29

I am hard pressed to find nary a caterpillar. I think the wasp(s) came to the rescue in the nick of time! That is so amazing (for which I am also grateful).

The alpine strawberries are coming off. I ate the first Tay of the season today.

Worked more in the old chicken yard. Cut up the Christmas tree. It was still green up to about two weeks ago but with a series of storms and blow overs, it was given up as a lost cause and left laying on its side. Using the limbs about the ancient red rhodie since they appreciate an acid soil. So many tree limbs to take down. I think the ancient dogwood may have gotten choked out by the Lady Banks rose and the haw. Still have the urge to have the chicks on the other side of the house but the coop is not moveable to that part of the garden. Matter of fact, I don’t think we can even budge it!

Was able to source some cardboard from the farm stand outside the city where I donate the flats. When the farmers don’t take back their boxes, they pile up and are given away willingly. Will lay down more as barrier and cover with wheat straw and other cuttings from pruning. Mulching/ compost in pathways.

I purchased a hose extender/ water wand. I wanted just a basic one but all they had was these fancy multi stream ones. But it does have a brake which I appreciate. I still may be too short to get water up into the toms because the opening may not be large enough in the jug.  They aren’t wilting so they must have enough for now. Maybe a funnel in each jug OR drip irrigation!

Worked on taking down the winter veg seed crop. Maddeningly slow process as trying to detangle. High humidity and high pollen count did not help the venture. Most of the Asian greens (brassicas/mustards), red Russian kale, and radish looked fairly mature seed pods. Strip the leaves and any immature limbs/pods off the plant, insert seed heads into paper bags, clothes peg lightly to plant, leaving root out and exposed, hopefully able to have the seeds finish maturing without mold setting in. The Swiss chard, beet root and Lacinato/ English/Italian kale are not ready to flower so I left those.  The red cabbage was pulled and thoroughly danced upon to insure all those fat, juicy aphids would compost well. Pulled the water starved strawberries from the bed so I can put in nursery paks to send off to the sale. Most of the flats I seeded are starting to come up. I have them sitting on the back walk so will need to drape some tulle over them to keep pest out. But then will the dog think its something to walk and lay on? Having the summer house done would be nice.

The Asian pear has fruit this year; mainly on a couple of branches. I will let it do its own thinning if it wants.

The roses are all in full bloom except for the two I moved late in the season. One might make a come back.  I am hoping the other will too and not die back completely. The wild rose is doing very well so am hoping for a great harvest of hips. I still have rose cuttings that have rooted in pots that need to get in the ground.

My tea camellias are in transit but unfortunately have suffered a mishandle. They were to arrive today and I was ready to go pick them up. Now maybe, just maybe, Monday but I can’t reach them until Wednesday! The fun part is that the company stops shipping Friday (today). Let’s hope they survive as there will be no more until next Spring and I am not going to keep playing this game. Just like I refuse to pay extortion prices for Autumn raspberries. This whole panicdemic is getting ridiculous.

I am contemplating making a tiny glass house / large cloche for the lemon tree. It is inundated with blossoms and the scent is fabulous! So do I make the cloche big enough for me to crawl in there too as to enjoy the beautiful scent (aromatherapy) ?! Maybe just maybe, get that damn summer house up and going then move the tree into barrel then there... yeah, that’s the ticket!  *big eye roll* Sometimes I get distracted with the here and now vs the future with limited time. SOME times?! Yes, some times.

Increased the diameter of roost for the chicks. Their feet have gotten so big! Alcott has noticed too and has a thing about her toes. She does this funny walk then picks up a foot to examine it. Walk, look ... Minister of Funny Walks. They are doing well. I am starting to really worry about Rossetti.  She has taken to pecking me; every time she won’t stop after a couple of gentle ‘no’ and brush offs, I just pick her up and cuddle her until she stops screaming then return her back in the run. She just has such a bad attitude and too young for that! I want to stop her bad habits so I don’t have to re-home her. I had a chicken once that was a sneaky twit and finally got rid of her for the sake of the flock (she would pluck and peck other hen’s butts at night!) ... and you know, she settled right down at her new home surrounded by ducks and a goose! I guess she was a malcontent or a princess (or both) that just was unhappy in the pecking order. My other fear is that she could be a he. Friends don’t eat friends but I definitely can not have a rooster ‘in town’ and most just get too aggressive as they age so no one wants them for pets. But I’m not going too far down that path just yet and sticking with the fussy middle chick that’s not like the others, and trying some positive reinforcements to bad behaviour.

#catholic gardener #gardening #garden #permaculture #chicks #chickens #fruit #seed saving #chicken coop #cardboard weed barrier #mulch compost pathways #garden structures #transplants #roses #seeds #pest #wasp #aphids #caterpillars #urban homestead

[ginwhitlock]

Southbound  ch 1/ ch 2

After the Cullens leave her behind, Bella is left to pick up the pieces by herself. A year after her eighteenth birthday, a split second decision lands her in her truck, running far away from everything she has ever known. She decides to go south. What will she find in San Angelo, Texas?

One day I’m going to have to admit to my demise. The casket will be small and the rain will be pouring like it does everyday there. Charlie’s eyes will puff up like abandoned birthday party balloons in the desert heat-- and I will not be there to dry them. The church parking lot is gonna look like a high school reunion. A maze of junkers that never quite made it out of Forks, the high heels of my former friends swapped out for rain boots.

After a tearless goodbye from a pastor I never met and school acquaintances I never spoke to, the purple haze of my childhood bedroom will be packed into brown cardboard boxes. Like I didn’t live there at all. As if my mark on the world only existed in our-- my meadow.

I could feel the curl of dandelion weeds at my back pocket but refused to move an inch. His ochre eyes were spun as thick as honey as he laid beside my body. There was a gleam of something I couldn’t place in the part of his lips, but I returned the smile with my own. The press of cold flesh spread through my neck, down my spine, through my toes and into the mush under his shoes.

In the small blink of my lashes his form disappeared into the air.

The bed of wildflowers around me turned to ash before I could reach for him. All I could smell was nothing like the forest and everything like a bonfire left wild. The flames crawled towards me, my body refusing to budge in its wake. My head screamed to just MOVE.

My eyes opened to a blurry mass of nothing. Tears rolling down my cheeks, their path as uncertain as my whereabouts as I raised up on my elbows. They dried before I could wipe them away.

The pads of my fingers found the line of ancient stitching on the bench seat like a security blanket. My rapidly blinking eyes rolled around the cab in an untraceable pattern. The windows were clear and still, the leather beneath my backside warm to the touch. I could see my reflection in the silver lining the dashboard, the dark blanche underneath my eyelids clenched at my tired heart

There were no flowers. No meadow. No him.

Sitting up completely, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was carrying. The rushed exhale through my cracked lips brought my lungs to the dip of my ribs-- the familiar ache pulling the back of my skull taut.

Outside, the swell of Texas sun rises just beyond a gathering of trees. I can’t remember how I got here, the smell of asphalt long gone. Instead a dirt road lined my eyesight. It gave far too little clue to my immediate surroundings. Above me the sky was as clear as the south gets and the ground solid like beaten down gravel-- but no road signs. No mile markers.

I can’t even see behind the horizon.

The air in the cab became overcrowded with my fear, the push and pull of breath fogging up the chilled glass. I feel like a child left behind in a supermarket. Unreadable ques leading me farther and farther into the swamp of confusion.

My tires sat flat against the path, just beside it, as if I had just turned off to get some shut-eye. But why here? The middle of absolute nowhere? Had I learned nothing from the nomad with the hair like my forest fire?

My hand twisted the ignition before I could stray to the silver scar on my right wrist. It’s memory glinting in the corner of my mind.

All I can get out is the sputter of the motor, a failed attempt to rise the slumbering beast.

Another hard turn returns with the same groan.

I could feel the sweat start to slide down the expanse of my back in a winding trail. The salt water seeping into the flannel pushed up around my hips in a faux blanket. My palms slid around the wheel-- the leather close to splitting.

Me too, baby. Me too.

The door handle started to whisper to me. A stupid notion to leave the steel barrier hung onto the interior in flashing chrome.

I should've taken that damn cell phone Charlie tried to buy me last year. I could’ve at least called a tow. Maybe found out where in the hell I was-- but no. Who did I need to call back then? A boy who could pick out my heartbeat in a sea of a hundred exhausted teenagers? The press of my scent to his senses would’ve said everything I need to say anyway.

But now, no almost-not-quite-humans with super hearing as far as I could see.

The rusted-out Chevy felt more and more like a cage by the minute. A rushed push of the door frame threw my feet to the red dirt. A careful hand skimmed along the side of the truck as I followed the structure to the bed in a half-creep.

My ears were hypersensitive to the billow of wind blowing through the tops of the oak trees. The motion reminded me of the run on Edwar-- the creature’s back through the forest. Normally unwatchable to my dull eyes, but on his back I could see the restlessness of the air, the ever moving flight of dragonflies and underground wonders. Well up until I had the urge to puke.

I couldn’t say the sight of the wavering treeline didn’t give me the same feeling.

My entire body jumped nearly out of my skin at the sound of metal slapping something solid. My back clenched, the hair on the back of my nape sent sky-high.

“Down girl, it’s alright, no need to get all bug-eyed on me now.” A man’s voice came from a few feet behind me. My mind raced with the decision to face him or not. To see the person who would finally take me out. Or to lay down and leave the world not knowing the monster’s face.

A rough hand on my shoulder stops my thoughts in their measly tracks.

“You know,” A deep breath let out just behind me bounced off the metal of the truck back into my ear, “I don’t know many people that stray over to these parts real often. You must not be from around here, miss.” His hand turned my body to face him, the packed dirt underneath my sneakers scuffing into the silent air. My body felt as though it was under a spell. A rabbit held under the jaws of a coyote.

His smile caught me off guard.

It was no show off teeth, carnivore-sharp grin. It was a gentle pull of lips. A soft rose blush underneath the skin. The rest of his face was shadowed by the brim of a worn leather cowboy hat, his eyes masked slightly by it. Dragging my eyes down, I could almost feel the cotton of his button-up. It looked lovingly washed, as if it was worn for decades and not weeks. His Wranglers were in the same predicament. A smudge of what looked like motor oil stained into the crease of his knee, a rip could be easily seen by his ankles. And on his feet-- matching cowboy boots. The spurs had the same metal of his belt buckle in a vintage way, I could almost see him buying them as a set in some small town in the middle of Mexico.

“Sweetheart I know I’m good lookin’ and all but I did ask you a question a lil’ while ago…” He trailed off, his mouth set in a teasing upturn.

My eyes went wide, the fear lifting off my shoulders oddly by his tone. “I… Yes. You could say I’m not from around here.” The sentence tumbled out with a small thought of protecting myself. Keeping myself alive was first-- even if the apparent cowboy held himself like warm butter, quirked and sweet.

His brow lifted.

“You’re as closed off as a heifer in the dry season ya know that?”

His hand left my shoulder and held themselves up in mock surrender before placing them on his belt. His hip made contact with the side of the truck while starring me up and down. His eyes dragged up my fingers to my shoulder up to my lips and nose. My chest constricted with self consciousness.

The man in front of me rivaled every human boy I’ve ever met-- well man I’ve ever met. His legs, drawn out with a long line of denim, his shoulders square and broad. He looked older than He was, if anything he reminded me of Jasper.

The wavy blond hair peeking out of his hat, curling around his laid back collar. The stone corners of his shaded jaw. The slightly tanned skin, made from working fields I didn’t need to see. Even the fullness of his lips reminded me of the veteran vampire.

When his eyes landed on my own I realized-- he was waiting for me to speak again.

With a deep breath through the nose I managed to start, “I’ve been traveling from Fo-- the Pacific Northwest for a couple months. I got into Texas not too long ago.” A simple nod from his covered head prompted me to keep going, not commenting on my change of location. “I was just north of Lubbock last night. I woke up in my truck not long ago, but I’m not too sure where I am to be honest.” A low breath left my throat when I finished.

His stature straightened and I could now see how truly tall he was. He towered over me by a foot, almost. His mouth opened in a toothy smile and my brain clicked.

“Oh my god is this your land? I’m so sorry I didn’t know this was private land, my truck won’t start and I--” My ramble was suddenly cut off by a guttural laugh.

“Missy! You act like imma gonna what? You think imma skin your hide for wonderin’ onto this piece of dirt? C’mon now. Lemme getchu you somethin’ before you fall over dead.”

His back turned to me almost too fast. His form started to trek across to the treeline, his boots leaving indiscernible footprints into the rocky ground. I started to run to catch up and then stopped myself. Why would I follow this man? Did I have no self preservation? I didn’t even know him, no beachy waves or shiny belt buckle would be worth maybe dying over!

“Are you comin’ or what missy? I need to call my brother about your truck, so we gotta go to the house. It’s not far I promise.”, he yelled from the treeline, somehow persuading me to inch forward, heel to toe, towards him. My brain lost in the end, my pace quickening until I was right on his tail.

His neck turned to look me dead in the face, the shadow from his hat casting over the both of us for a moment. It was the most serious look I had seen on him in our short time together. It was almost soldier-like.

“I never asked.”

My eyebrows pinched together. “Asked what?”

“Your name, darlin’.” His face broke, smiling in a childish way, making it look like the simplest thing in the word.

My thoughts of self preservation long gone, I responded, “...Bella.”

His smile widened.

“Peter. Peter Whitlock.”

#bella x jasper #jasper/bella #jasper x bella #southbound #writing #mine #twilight #thetwilightsaga #jasper hale #jasper whitlock #jasper cullen #peter whitlock #peter twilight #twilight fanfic #twilight fanfiction #fanfiction #my writing