TWO projects checked off the list.
At long-last the triple terrace is finished!
And the potting shed now has a sheet-metal roof!
These two projects have been hanging on for months as we chipped away at them a bit at a time.
Today, a land-mark day, they are both done. This is a real benefit to our little Just Plants nursery.
The potting shed got started over a year ago and we have been using it, even tho the water leaked all over us when it rained. Now, with the tin on the roof, we will stay dry this winter. We will still have to get some Cool Seal and mop that on the roofing, but for all practical purpuses the roof is done.
As we ship plants all over the USA, we have to shake most of the potting soil off the roots. This leaves us with wheel barrow loads of left-over potting mix every week. We have been dumping it into a reserve pile while we built the terraces. Now, with the terraces done, we will begin dumping all our left-over potting mix into the terraces.
The terraces will become the home for many of our 'mama' plants, stock plants we will use for propagation in the future. We frequently end up with a plant or two left from a sale and rather than try to advertise them again we plan to tuck them into the terrace. Soon, we will have lovely specimen plants to show our customers who drop in and want to know what 'it' will look like when it grows up.
This hillside where we built the terraces is full of weeds and trash plants. As we have fill dirt ready to use, we lay down a layer of cardboard, newspaper, or shreded paper and then dump the fill dirt on top. It is making weeding so simple I don't know why I haven't been doing this for years! It is called Lasagna Mulching and so much better than trying to kill out weeds any other way. Plus, the added mulch really cuts down on the water requirements.
I managed to keep going on all sorts of other chores and ran out of daylight before I got any photos taken today. I'll get them in the next day or two and post them on our website. www.justplantss.com
Have a great evening.
I hope you got as much accomplished over the Labor Day holiday as we did.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Senior citizens and the dating game
Where do Senior Citizens go to find a date? That question came up this week and I've been wracking my brain to think of an answer.
When I take into consideration that a generation or more of time has passed since I last dated, the whole world has changed in the meantime!
Going to church is one of the suggestions. Well, even when I was going to church on a regular basis, I was not into the social cliques there, so going back will not improve my outlook in any manner.
I've never been a party person, so the nightclub scene is out.
I like an occassional drink of wine, but don't appreciate the atmosphere of a bar. So, singles bars are probably a last resort. Plus, I don't tolerate cigarette smoke.
There are many cultural events I'd like to attend. I'm sure there would be neat folk to meet at such events. I have a problem. I don't like to go alone. Catch-22. How can I meet people to go out with if I don't have a date to get me there?
I love to camp and do so all alone. I've been told that camping is a good place to find others. Well, I'm alone and they are in family or couple groups. Where do the singles go camping?
Emotional support basis are not easy to build. I'd like to broaden mine.
Any suggestions?
When I take into consideration that a generation or more of time has passed since I last dated, the whole world has changed in the meantime!
Going to church is one of the suggestions. Well, even when I was going to church on a regular basis, I was not into the social cliques there, so going back will not improve my outlook in any manner.
I've never been a party person, so the nightclub scene is out.
I like an occassional drink of wine, but don't appreciate the atmosphere of a bar. So, singles bars are probably a last resort. Plus, I don't tolerate cigarette smoke.
There are many cultural events I'd like to attend. I'm sure there would be neat folk to meet at such events. I have a problem. I don't like to go alone. Catch-22. How can I meet people to go out with if I don't have a date to get me there?
I love to camp and do so all alone. I've been told that camping is a good place to find others. Well, I'm alone and they are in family or couple groups. Where do the singles go camping?
Emotional support basis are not easy to build. I'd like to broaden mine.
Any suggestions?
Who Cares?
Who cares for me?
I spend my life caring for others.
Now, in the later years of my life, there is no one to care for me.
How do I change this?
Be more social, I'm told. Well, I'm not social! I love my solitude!
But....I'm lonely.
My social circle is very limited.
Is that what is happening to you, too?
Where do you turn to find more friends and broaden your social connections?
Church, clubs, interest groups, dating services?
Well, some of that might work.
Why not? Give it a try. Step out of my box and adjust my sights on something further from home base.
Scary? You bet!
I've lived all these years in my little isolated world and now you expect me to venture out into the great black unknown?!!
Yes, I need more people in my emotional support group. I provide that benefit for others, now it is my turn.
Come join me!
I spend my life caring for others.
Now, in the later years of my life, there is no one to care for me.
How do I change this?
Be more social, I'm told. Well, I'm not social! I love my solitude!
But....I'm lonely.
My social circle is very limited.
Is that what is happening to you, too?
Where do you turn to find more friends and broaden your social connections?
Church, clubs, interest groups, dating services?
Well, some of that might work.
Why not? Give it a try. Step out of my box and adjust my sights on something further from home base.
Scary? You bet!
I've lived all these years in my little isolated world and now you expect me to venture out into the great black unknown?!!
Yes, I need more people in my emotional support group. I provide that benefit for others, now it is my turn.
Come join me!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Eat from your garden the year around
Eating out of the garden all year is my constant goal. Some years I manage at least 10 months. Some years the frost gets me and I only manage 9 months.
I live in the upper part of South Carolina. Technically in Zone 7b, but we do get some unusual weather here that is more like Zone 6 at times.
I plant 3 gardens every year.
My first garden goes into the ground from the middle of February to the end of March.
This is when I plant potatoes, peas, onions, greens, carrots, & beets.
My second garden is for the warmer season vegetables. I plant these from mid-April through May.
Beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, herbs, okra, peppers, squash, & tomatoes.
Then, when it seems that nothing will grow in the heat, I plant my 3rd garden in August. I have to pay attention to keeping things watered, but it is well worth the time and effort.
I put in second plantings of such things as beets, cabbage, carrots, greens of all kinds, onions, peas, and of course, radishes.
I love the results! My frig stays stocked. Nothing beats the flavor of fresh vegetables, right out of the garden.
I've posted a more complete planting list on our website. www.justplantssc.com
Enjoy.
I live in the upper part of South Carolina. Technically in Zone 7b, but we do get some unusual weather here that is more like Zone 6 at times.
I plant 3 gardens every year.
My first garden goes into the ground from the middle of February to the end of March.
This is when I plant potatoes, peas, onions, greens, carrots, & beets.
My second garden is for the warmer season vegetables. I plant these from mid-April through May.
Beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, herbs, okra, peppers, squash, & tomatoes.
Then, when it seems that nothing will grow in the heat, I plant my 3rd garden in August. I have to pay attention to keeping things watered, but it is well worth the time and effort.
I put in second plantings of such things as beets, cabbage, carrots, greens of all kinds, onions, peas, and of course, radishes.
I love the results! My frig stays stocked. Nothing beats the flavor of fresh vegetables, right out of the garden.
I've posted a more complete planting list on our website. www.justplantssc.com
Enjoy.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
When To Plant Evergreen Trees or Shurbs
Fall is the best time to plant Leyland Cypress and other evergreen trees and shrubs
Protect your new plants from heat and drought
Plant trees and shrubs in the fall to take advantage of good root-growing weather. Newly planted trees like cool weather. As long as the ground is not actually frozen, trees and shrubs are setting on new roots.
Here in South Carolina, (Zone 7) we experience a lot of open weather in the fall and winter. The ground seldom freezes for more than a few days and then, only down a few inches. This is ideal for new plantings to settle in and put out good root systems.
Leyland Cypress especially enjoy the benefits of fall or winter planting. The long months of cool weather gives them time to become established before hot weather hits. Add a good layer of mulch around your plants and give them even better survival chances next summer.
Protect your new plants from heat and drought
Plant trees and shrubs in the fall to take advantage of good root-growing weather. Newly planted trees like cool weather. As long as the ground is not actually frozen, trees and shrubs are setting on new roots.
Here in South Carolina, (Zone 7) we experience a lot of open weather in the fall and winter. The ground seldom freezes for more than a few days and then, only down a few inches. This is ideal for new plantings to settle in and put out good root systems.
Leyland Cypress especially enjoy the benefits of fall or winter planting. The long months of cool weather gives them time to become established before hot weather hits. Add a good layer of mulch around your plants and give them even better survival chances next summer.
Affordable landscapes
Do you need to landscape your yard, but are on a tight budget? Here is a way to do it for less. Buy smaller plants. No, I don’t mean that you should look for types of plants that grow small. I mean, look for plants in smaller containers.
Who says your landscape has to look fully grown when you plant it? Remember, that little starter plant is going to grow, too, and will fill your yard with beauty. Yes, it may take an extra year, but your pocket book will love you.
Explore plant stores and nurseries and find starter plants in small containers. Ask about ‘liners.’ A liner is a young plant that has been grown in a small container and is ready to ‘line’ out in rows. Large nurseries start thousands of plants in cell-flats and when these starts are well-rooted, line them out into the ground to grow larger before selling the bigger plants to you.
Naturally, the larger plant is going to cost the nursery more money and they pass that cost on to you. Short-cut the extra expense and buy liners for your landscape. They frequently survive better than larger plants and give you the same landscape satisfaction as larger plants if you are willing to wait that extra year. They make exactly the same growth in your yard as they would in the nursery field and you don’t have to pay the difference.
Who says your landscape has to look fully grown when you plant it? Remember, that little starter plant is going to grow, too, and will fill your yard with beauty. Yes, it may take an extra year, but your pocket book will love you.
Explore plant stores and nurseries and find starter plants in small containers. Ask about ‘liners.’ A liner is a young plant that has been grown in a small container and is ready to ‘line’ out in rows. Large nurseries start thousands of plants in cell-flats and when these starts are well-rooted, line them out into the ground to grow larger before selling the bigger plants to you.
Naturally, the larger plant is going to cost the nursery more money and they pass that cost on to you. Short-cut the extra expense and buy liners for your landscape. They frequently survive better than larger plants and give you the same landscape satisfaction as larger plants if you are willing to wait that extra year. They make exactly the same growth in your yard as they would in the nursery field and you don’t have to pay the difference.
More Compost Pointers
More compost pointers
Remember, you do have junk mail! Newspapers. Cardboard.
Use it!
Works wonders for long-term soil recovery. Keeps down weeds. Holds moisture.
Gets rid of land-fill.....and so many other good things.
Grass clippings do marvels. If you have any lawn to mow, get a grass-catcher for your mower.
All the leaves you rake in the fall are pure gold.
You may not have a large amount of any of the above, but pick a spot and start building one small area at a time.
Years ago, my hubby used to go out early in the morning, ahead of the trash pick-up truck, and gather up bags of grass clippings and leaves. We turned a garden that looked like cement into deep, fertile soil in 2 seasons.
Roam around the country side and spot old bales of hay rotting in the field. Ask. You might get a bargain. It does help to have a pickup or a utility trailer.
Check out the land-fill. Do they have a recycle center for yard waste. Some municipalities have free or inexpensive mulch.
Hair from the hair salon will compost nicely in your garden.
You name it, if it will eventually break down, use it in your composting projects.
Remember, you do have junk mail! Newspapers. Cardboard.
Use it!
Works wonders for long-term soil recovery. Keeps down weeds. Holds moisture.
Gets rid of land-fill.....and so many other good things.
Grass clippings do marvels. If you have any lawn to mow, get a grass-catcher for your mower.
All the leaves you rake in the fall are pure gold.
You may not have a large amount of any of the above, but pick a spot and start building one small area at a time.
Years ago, my hubby used to go out early in the morning, ahead of the trash pick-up truck, and gather up bags of grass clippings and leaves. We turned a garden that looked like cement into deep, fertile soil in 2 seasons.
Roam around the country side and spot old bales of hay rotting in the field. Ask. You might get a bargain. It does help to have a pickup or a utility trailer.
Check out the land-fill. Do they have a recycle center for yard waste. Some municipalities have free or inexpensive mulch.
Hair from the hair salon will compost nicely in your garden.
You name it, if it will eventually break down, use it in your composting projects.
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