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HoneyDog Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:23,842 Points:3,086,895 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2005 5:07:37 AM Ignore HoneyDog Report Abuse Well, the season is upon us to work in the yards again. Next week I have off work, and I'm planning on pulling off the nasty mulch from the front gardens, and moving some more landscaping rock off others. If time permits, mixing in some nice black dirt and peat into the very heavy clay soil. Other projects for the year, time permitting, getting rid of the landscaping rock all around the fenceline in the back yard, and ripping out the arborvatae along the back fence that are beyond salvage. I've also started from seed several types of flowers. I can't believe how well they've grown when I just started them last Sunday. So what are your plans for your yards/gardens?

HoneyDog

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Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Apr 15, 2005 5:07:37 AM

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Well, the season is upon us to work in the yards again.

Next week I have off work, and I'm planning on pulling off the nasty mulch from the front gardens, and moving some more landscaping rock off others. If time permits, mixing in some nice black dirt and peat into the very heavy clay soil.

Other projects for the year, time permitting, getting rid of the landscaping rock all around the fenceline in the back yard, and ripping out the arborvatae along the back fence that are beyond salvage.

I've also started from seed several types of flowers. I can't believe how well they've grown when I just started them last Sunday.

So what are your plans for your yards/gardens?

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dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: May 19, 2013 10:38:12 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Considering how hard it was coming down I would have thought it was more today.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: May 19, 2013 8:14:45 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse Uff Da!!! 1.25" of rain on Saturday and 1.75" on Sunday. The street out front was dry by 8:00pm.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 10:51:06 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Jorgie, Thanks for the update. Didn't know that Eichtens went there. Their wild rice gouda is good. :)
rjgimp Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,891 Points:1,048,735 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 2:18:31 PM Ignore rjgimp Report Abuse 4819244, a ph of 7.8 is not that outrageous. Do you have a neighbor who has a pine tree? Try spreading some pine needles around. They are acidic and will lower ph. You could also spread some compost as that generally is very neutral (7.0) so would tend to lower your ph. How did you get that number? Did you use a test kit from the hardware store or did you send a soil sample somewhere?
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 8:29:49 AM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse Roseville Farmers Market opened yesterday. We just got some Eichten's cheese and some bread.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 10:19:49 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse 4819244, Here's a link to the U of MN garden site. Soil PH. Just a note, if you decide to use aluminum sulfate make sure you grab the right stuff from the shelf as there is also amonium sulfate which is something entirely different. The quick (TEMPORARY) fix would be a Miracid type water soluble fertilizer. You can go name brand or go with a store brand/generic. [Edited by: dirt girl at 5/7/2013 11:21:04 PM EST]
4819244 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:22,095 Points:4,207,320 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 5:05:17 PM Ignore 4819244 Report Abuse I have a soi; ph pf 7.8. How should I lower it? how did the ph get so high is it my water from the city?
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2013 10:27:44 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Jorgie, I had heard that you have to plant banana seed at least 4 months before the last frost so you can get a good first crop by late April. ;) Sorry to hear about the finger. Can't wait until the farmers market opens on this side of the river. Woe, I thought about starting to do that. It looks like it will be Memorial Day before it's safe to plant some annuals with the way the weather is going. rjgmip, I'm not familiar with that show. It does sorta look like you though. ;)
Woe Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:15,656 Points:2,740,950 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2013 4:49:19 PM Ignore Woe Report Abuse I had today off for a car repair, and decided to start whipping the ole garden into shape.
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2013 4:40:56 PM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse Jorgie, are you serious?? That's horrible. If it's true, I wish you the best of luck and outcomes. Is it diabetes?
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2013 3:49:56 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse Bad news, I lose part of my right middle finger tomorrow. Good news the Roseville Farmers Market opens on the 7th. The Minneapolis market started earlier,I guess they planted their banana seed early. :>) [Edited by: Jorgie at 4/29/2013 4:53:05 PM EST]
rjgimp Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,891 Points:1,048,735 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 4:10:15 AM Ignore rjgimp Report Abuse LOL! Thanks dirtgirl. It's Gerald from Sid the Science Kid.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 25, 2013 10:27:28 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Soon. :) Like the self portrait on the avatar rjgimp. ;)
rjgimp Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,891 Points:1,048,735 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Apr 25, 2013 1:35:23 PM Ignore rjgimp Report Abuse 70's on the horizon. We might be able to get out there soon...
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2013 9:45:31 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Seems like we've been waiting forever for the snow to melt. ;)
CGrover Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:32,551 Points:3,165,705 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2013 12:05:14 PM Ignore CGrover Report Abuse Thanks dg. I am still waiting for all the snow to melt before I think of doing something... Got my grow light installed and hanging from the ceiling. 12 hours at least a day now.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 21, 2013 8:57:55 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Maybe by mothers day. Remember, if you're putting crabgrass preventer down that will be a little later this year.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 21, 2013 8:50:19 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse They were going to do my sod in early May. :>)
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2013 11:58:28 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Almost 50 today. :) melty melty. :)
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2013 3:55:44 AM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse Just 10º?
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2013 3:50:08 AM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse CGrover, Let's hope it stays in the 50's. I did hear Belinda mention that we're about 10 degrees below normal. goldieolds, At this rate, tulips will still be going strong around Memorial Day. Hopefully the growing season won't be that much shorter.
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2013 1:34:11 PM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse If this keeps up, our tomatoes and other produce will come out pre-frozen for use next winter.
CGrover Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:32,551 Points:3,165,705 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2013 12:03:59 PM Ignore CGrover Report Abuse I keep seeing a bunch of 50s for the long term forecast on the Channel 11 nighttime news..
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2013 6:11:06 AM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse Jorgie, really? We might actually get a bit of spring before April is gone? That is good news! :)
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2013 10:57:02 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Jorgie, That bright light is the sunlight hitting the snow. lol
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2013 7:57:41 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse There is a bright light ahead, the last week in April is forecast to be in the 60's.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2013 1:59:29 AM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse That's great that you have that many pepper plants. :) I heard the flooding might be for the SE corner of the state.
CGrover Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:32,551 Points:3,165,705 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2013 11:32:24 AM Ignore CGrover Report Abuse All but 3 of my seeds have sprouted. So I think that leaves me with 22 pepper plants for now. I heard something mentioned about flooding last night with the additional rain and snow starting tomorrow. They mentioned downpours.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 6:57:43 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Let's hope a little of both. I went past Ft. Snelling when I went to the Airport post office today. The river is just about at normal level from all the rain run off.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 5:31:24 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse With this slow thaw it''s a good possibility, goldiolds.
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 3:54:58 PM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse Do you think most of this late snow will be sinking into the ground and not running off?
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 8:58:20 AM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse My rain gauge said 1 1/4" when I took it in yesterday morning. According to the PP we are up over 2 inches so far this year.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2013 9:29:02 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Jorgie, I think the rule of thumb is to uncover your roses just like you covered them...in stages. Kind of a neat idea for those who don't need a paper bill. I noticed that the river by Fort Snelling has come up a little with all this moisture. Don't think that we'll be having any flooding in the Cities this year.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2013 2:42:37 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse As much as I don't like the additional snow, it's some good moisture.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2013 5:37:57 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse Neat idea, I happen to use AT&T for my cell phone and got a notice that if you go paperless with your bill they will plant a tree on your behalf.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2013 2:12:07 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse Gee, I'm sure glad I took your advise and didn't take the leaves off my roses, DG. :>)
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2013 9:55:43 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Jorgie, The ground isn't thawed that deep. But maybe it just seeped in a little. Seems like a waste of water this early in the season.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2013 3:37:53 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse I had to wear my boots out to the garage today because of all the water. By noon it was all gone which surprised me. I didn't think it would go down that fast.
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2013 2:08:38 AM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse Cub has Burpee seeds on sale for 40% off.
rjgimp Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,891 Points:1,048,735 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2013 1:22:20 AM Ignore rjgimp Report Abuse LOL Jorgie!!! Was he using hot water in an effort to thaw out the frozen tundra?
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2013 6:02:47 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse My neighbor is out of town and her sister and brother-in-law have been there taking care of the dog. This afternoon he was out in back with a hose watering the garden. ?????????????????????????
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 10:25:29 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Looks like even the weather couldn't decide if it was winter or spring today.
CGrover Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:32,551 Points:3,165,705 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 8:59:22 PM Ignore CGrover Report Abuse goldie, yep, in a pot, or some little container, that will go into the dirt when it is ready. dg, I think it is all gone. It looked nice for the evening, but glad to see it gone this am.
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,233 Points:1,311,115 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 1:43:38 AM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse CG, you must mean planted in a pot, right?
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 11:42:12 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Jorgie, I suspect that market will become busier as there will be no more free parking downtown. :( Unfortunately, some of that white stuff looks like it was sticking. ::sigh::
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 6:27:25 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse Philo, due to our age we don't do as much gardening. Instead we go to the Farmer's Market in Roseville on Tuesday mornings. All the goods have to come from within 50 miles at the St Paul markets.
Philo_Gray All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:560 Points:100,515 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 4:01:17 PM Ignore Philo_Gray Report Abuse Wish I had a garden again. I would grow lots of tomatoes, peepers, onions, and more. No flowering baskets or annuals like my X wanted. I did all the work and she did all the smelling.
Jorgie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,963 Points:2,920,520 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 3:42:33 PM Ignore Jorgie Report Abuse All the snow is off the roses,:>) Oops, it's snowing now. :>(
CGrover Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:32,551 Points:3,165,705 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 2:13:38 PM Ignore CGrover Report Abuse Finally got the jalepeno seeds and planted them Wed. Out of the 20 early pepper seeds, only 3 do not have any activity yet!! Grow light is going up this weekend.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 11:11:52 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse YIPEE!