1702. TheDiva - Feb. 1, 1999 - 8:05 AM PT
Bubb
You're starting seeds already? Indoors, you mean? Is that hard to do?
1703. Ronski - Feb. 1, 1999 - 8:52 AM PT
bubaette,
Is it possible the soil is too rich for the peas, causing lots of vegetative growth at the expense of flowers?
God, I love fresh peas. Sweet peas, too.
1704. bubbaette - Feb. 1, 1999 - 9:39 AM PT
Diva
Nope, not hard at all. I use two 4 ft florescent lights, plant the seeds for tomatos and pepper indoors at this time of year to give them a head start. I'll transplant them once before moving them outdoors, usually in Mid April. That gives me tomats and peppers earlier than I could have them if I sewed seeds directly in the ground.
1705. bubbaette - Feb. 1, 1999 - 9:41 AM PT
Ronski
Could be. The soil is pretty acid, so I've been liming my compost fairly heavily. My mom suspects that a large black walnut tree in a neighbor's yard is stunting them, but the foliage looks great.
1706. TheDiva - Feb. 1, 1999 - 9:44 AM PT
Bubb
Hmmmmm....should I try that? Would it work if I put them on the windowsills? We get really good southern/western exposure, with direct sunlight for a most of the day.
1707. bubbaette - Feb. 1, 1999 - 9:48 AM PT
You can try starting sets on the windowsills. I keep the florescent lights just a few inches from the top of the foliage on my sets, but a friend has started some in a sunny window. I might wait a little while in that case, because her sets were pretty leggy when she let them go too long.
1708. arkymalarky - Feb. 1, 1999 - 10:11 AM PT
Bubba's right. I've started mine in the windowsill a couple of years ago, but had to hold them too long and they did get spindly. I had great and prolific cherry tomatoes, though. I'm probably going to try it the end of this month and put them out over spring break, third week of March.
1709. TheDiva - Feb. 1, 1999 - 10:20 AM PT
Thanks, ladies.
Okay, so start them in a couple of weeks and put them in the ground when? I think I'm in Zone 6 or 7.
1710. Ronski - Feb. 1, 1999 - 11:00 AM PT
Leggy peas might be difficult to transplant outdoors successfully, but as you all may know, leggy tomatoes are no problem. You just lay them down on their sides, with just the top growth sticking out of the soil; the long stems will set roots and anchor the plant especially well.
1711. glendajean - Feb. 1, 1999 - 11:27 AM PT
Bubbaette,
Supposedly the leaves from Black Walnut trees are toxic to many plants. It's one of those items that "they" say to keep out of the compost pile.
I wish I could see your camelias. They sound lovely. There are already a few cherry trees blooming in DC. I'm getting my Spring planting itch, and it's still months away.
1712. PsychProf - Feb. 1, 1999 - 11:34 AM PT
A "blooming" tuliptree in the wooded area behind my house reminds me that the 10 degree weather will not last forever. Even the Mallards looked cold this morning. The path where I run was deserted, as human hibernation seems to be in order. Too much winter left for my liking...the sun at my back has yet to warm my spirit.
1713. bubbaette - Feb. 1, 1999 - 12:06 PM PT
I plant peas straight in the ground -- they're an early crop and stand the cold pretty well.
Diva
Here in the hinterlands, about 100 miles to your south, I count on Mid April for the last frost. Urban areas are typically warmer than rural, so mid-April should be good for you. I'd start the maters in early to Mid March.
1714. TheDiva - Feb. 1, 1999 - 12:13 PM PT
Thanks, Auntie Bubb, I'm gonna try that. Then we can have termater salad when y'all come for a visit.
1715. RyckNelson - Feb. 2, 1999 - 5:28 AM PT
OPEN request, survey.
Scenario:
You've purchased your house and the next step is to make choices of everything that goes on the outside and the inside finished look.
Put yourself in a number of backgrounds, inexperienced, 2nd - 3rd home, many homes, and very experienced.
Question:
No matter what your experience level making the choices in the "scenario", will you believe it is fair to request your choices be selected at a builders selection center? (This center has the standards your builder puts into the purchase agreement. The center is staffed with professionals who know the products and how much this process means to you); (You are being told, or sold, by the staff that this center is a useful tool for selections).
ALSO,
If you perceive the selection, MIGHT not be as large as a source 'you' have discovered, will that create dissonance? (The staff have explained the products chosen are hand picked for breadth and depth of choice. However, your "building" isn't as large as some others nor your racks perceived to be extensive. Yet you've 250 styles of carpet with 15-20 colors each, seven different hardwood manufacturers displayed, four different laminate mfctrs dis., three different vinyl mfctrs. dis. and 500+ styles of ceramic surface choices from 18 diff. mfctrs. All of this comes together with the help of someone who has helped thousands of customers, successfully chose and then has arranged the installation to completion); (Again, you have been told all of the above).
(Last, you can go anywhere, and the staff will be happy to meet with you in any showroom you deem necessary). However, that seems a bit wrong, doesn't it?
1716. Jonesatlaw - Feb. 2, 1999 - 1:43 PM PT
Glendajean is right about Black Walnuts- they use a chemical defense against competition that is especially toxic to tomatoes for example. They actually infiltrate the soil surrounding them with the toxin, from their roots.(the name of which I can't remember) and so one should probably not place this soil in any compost or new beds unless you're sure that what you'll put there can take the chemical defense.
1717. bubbaette - Feb. 2, 1999 - 1:54 PM PT
Jones
Hmmmmmm. The tree is closer to my tomats than it was to my peas, but my tomats grew like wildfire. Must not be the black walnut tree.
1718. elliot803 - Feb. 2, 1999 - 2:51 PM PT
Mmmmm.....peas. I love 'em, even canned ones. In British grocery stores, you can--or at least you used to be able to--buy them fresh, in the pod, but I don't think I've ever seen fresh peas in the produce section of an American store.
I wonder if I could get them to grow in the Arizona desert?
1719. Jonesatlaw - Feb. 2, 1999 - 2:53 PM PT
Ryck- I'm not sure I understand, do you mean would I object to all purchases for house materials be through one vendor? Probably not for the first house, or if the house is for rental etc.
If I'm buying the dream house after the PowerBall comes in, I would want no restrictions on vendors, unless one vendor could gurantee me whatever I found wherever else- Magazines, friends houses etc, could be obtained in qualities to spec through that vendor.
Now if you want to sell me on the idea of one source, I would likely go along without fuss if the builder told me- "whatever these guys have, I know they'll be up to spec, on time, right color, at the price quoted etc. I can't make the same promises for vendors I don't know as well or work with as much." I'd go for the certainty and the advice of the builder.
OTOH, if I missunderstood, in the words of Emily Latella- Nevermind...
1720. chloel - Feb. 2, 1999 - 4:53 PM PT
You aren't supposed to pasture horses under black walnuts, either, though I think Ive seen it done. (I bet that helps all of us a lot...)
About peas: you could try leafless peas, although I think they look creepy, or an inoculant, if you can find a pea-specific one. I've never had pea trouble until hot weather & enation.
1721. trouserpIlot - Feb. 2, 1999 - 10:21 PM PT
I suppose I could find some more placenta recipes if anyone's interested.
1722. darkviolet - Feb. 2, 1999 - 10:44 PM PT
Drink, Hold, or Fold, By Fareed Zakaria
Some recommended USNW(WA) wines:
Wine Spectator Scores
++++++++
1995
Chateau Reserve Ice Wine
Columbia Valley
Chateau Ste. Michelle
$30.00
Score: 95
Region: Washington
06/15/97
Sweet and silky. A sensational mouthful of pear, honey, apricot and vanilla flavors that swirl and linger through the exceedingly long finish. Seductive now, but could gain yet more depth by 2002 or so.
(1150 cases produced)
++++++++
1994
Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
Leonetti
$45.00
Score: 94
Region: Washington
Cellar Selection
06/15/97
A deep-pile, plush carpet of a Cabernet, from Washington, this is smooth and velvety, with layer upon layer of juicy blackberry, prune, plum, spice and vanilla flavors that linger beautifully and get richer with each sip. Tempting now, but likely best from 2002 or so.
(2500 cases produced)
++++++++
1723. darkviolet - Feb. 2, 1999 - 10:47 PM PT
++++++++
1995
Chardonnay
Columbia Valley
Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard
Chateau Ste. Michelle
$28.00
Score: 92
Region: Washington
Highly Recommended
09/15/97
Big, ripe, rich and concentrated, yet balanced for elegance. Shows floral and pepper notes around a core of creamy pineapple and pear flavors and lingers enticingly and harmoniously on the open-textured finish, echoing hazelnut and tropical fruit. Delicious now, best from 1998.
(2500 cases produced)
++++++++
1994
Merlot
Columbia Valley Reserve
Chateau Ste. Michelle
$42.00
Score: 92
Region: Washington
09/15/97
A lovely mouthful of ripe, rich blueberry, plum and spice flavors, supple and generous through the fruit-centered finish. Echoes its flavors beautifully, and feels like it can grow through 2000 to 2002.
(1500 cases produced)
++++++++
1724. MizPhys - Feb. 3, 1999 - 6:28 AM PT
A recipe in honor of Bubbaette's birthday:
Chewy Brownie Cookies
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 T water
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
12 oz chocolate chips (2 cups)
Heat oven to 375 F. Combine shortening, sugar, water, and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs. Add flour, cocoa, soda, and salt. Add chips. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 in. apart.Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes. Cool 3 minutes on sheet. Remove to cool on foil-covered counter.
1725. Judithathome - Feb. 4, 1999 - 4:04 PM PT
Anyone know anything about cooking....emu? My husband brought home a wide selection: ground emu, filet of emu, emu cutlets, and emu sausage. All I know is it looks reallllly red...very dark red and I guess, very lean. Got any suggestions? I need some advice quickly because dinner is in about an hour.
1726. marjoribanks - Feb. 4, 1999 - 4:11 PM PT
Make a nice pasta with some of the sausage. I'd add lots of chopped garlic, basil, olive oil and capers, maybe black and green olives and ( again maybe) sun-dried tomatoes. Make sure the pasta is properly al-dente.
1727. Judithathome - Feb. 4, 1999 - 4:32 PM PT
The sausage is like a big chunk of ground beef, not links, but I guess I could saute it w/peppers.
We're trying the filet tonight and I have it in a marinade...will let you know how it turns out!
I'm avoiding excessive carbos but think I'll make the pasta dish for my husband.
1728. chloel - Feb. 4, 1999 - 5:26 PM PT
If you have an emu connection, try to get one of the eggshells; they're beautiful - huge & dark blue-green.
1729. darkviolet - Feb. 4, 1999 - 10:07 PM PT
Re: Message #1722
These four wines are "fine wines," by any definition,
aren't they?
1730. Ronski - Feb. 5, 1999 - 12:52 PM PT
I believe the retardant manufactured by the black walnut is primarily in the shells; sunflowers use the same technique, which is why sunflower shells should not be used in mulch, either.
1731. bubbaette - Feb. 5, 1999 - 1:21 PM PT
Ronski
Dang, I didn't know that! I've put my bird feeders right over a little bulb bed and have been tossing the seeds on the ground as well for ground feeding birds and squirrels. They are also covering the ground under the azalea under my bird feeder. I guess I should rake them up?
1732. Ronski - Feb. 5, 1999 - 1:54 PM PT
bubbaette,
Yes, that would be a good idea. The azalea probably won't suffer too much, maybe just get slowed down. But some of the bulbs, especially small ones, would likely have trouble. My neighbor at the old house thought the proximity of my feeder nuked some of his bulbs, and he was probably right.
1733. chloel - Feb. 5, 1999 - 5:22 PM PT
Well phooey, what's a useful thing to do with sunflower shells, then?
1734. jexster - Feb. 5, 1999 - 5:23 PM PT
I can't find mine and so need a recipie for Pastitso, a Greek dish like moussaka but with macaroni. Lots of cheese, bechamel sauce with cinammon, some garlic, ground meat, nutmeg, wine reduction etc.
Help?
1735. BonJour - Feb. 5, 1999 - 10:00 PM PT
Jex: If you don't get an answer by Sunday morning, I'll try to help. We have Greek friends that we see at church and I'll ask them if they have a recipe for Pastitso.
1736. marjoribanks - Feb. 5, 1999 - 10:05 PM PT
Well, a new restaurant needs to be placed on the official "approved by marjoribanks" list.
Le Bateau Ivre is a surprisingly charming and boisterous French bistro in Manhattan, on 51st St. The menu is limited, but the wine list and excellent staff make up for it.
1737. marjoribanks - Feb. 5, 1999 - 10:08 PM PT
BTW, the four wines reviewed by Fareed Zakaria (what the hell is he doing as wine critic anyway) may well be "fine wines" but I can't see paying 40$ + for a red wine from Washington State(!) when you can get superlative bottles from Chile and France for half the price.
1738. CalGal - Feb. 5, 1999 - 10:21 PM PT
Hey, Jex.
I checked all my cookbooks for a recipe and when I couldn't find one, made two decisions: 1) I needed a good Greek cookbook and 2) I was damned if I was going to end the evening without knowing how to make that damn dish.
Here's one recipe,
and another
and still another.
Do a search on Alta Vista if you want a complete list. Obviously, if someone hands on a cherished recipe, go with that one.
1739. darkviolet - Feb. 5, 1999 - 10:55 PM PT
marjoribanks -
Re: Message #1737
Well, the price includes an income redistribution element. WA is kind of mildly socialist in the Scandinavian style, as you might expect. We are trying to pay the people who produce and harvest the fruit well enough.
The fruit is beautiful. Try some of the wine, if you get a chance.
1740. darkviolet - Feb. 6, 1999 - 1:02 AM PT
Gateses give $3.3 billion to family foundations
1741. SharonSchroeder - Feb. 6, 1999 - 10:50 AM PT
Pastitsio
2 qts water
2 tsp salt
1/2 lb elbow macaroni
2 Tbl butter
2 medium onions, chopped
1 lb ground chuck
2 cans (8 oz size) tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 Tbl butter
3 Tbl flour
2 1/4 cups milk
3 eggs
Dash salt, pepper & nutmeg
In a large saucepot bring water and salt to boil over high heat. Add macaroni all at once, stirring to prevent pasta from sticking. Cook until tender but still slightly firm to the teeth. Drain.
Heat 2Tbl butter in skillet; add onion and saute slowly until it begins to turn a golden brown. Add meat (break up lumps with back of a wooden spoon) sauteing until it has lost its red color.
Add Tomato sauce, 1 tsp salt, the garlic and 1 tsp cinnamon. Simmer 20 mins. Meanwhile grease a 13x9x2 baking dish; add half of macaroni. Top with meat sauce, spreading it evenly over macaroni. Add remaning macaroni.
Preheat oven to 350. In medium saucepan melt remaining butter and stir in flour. Remove from heat; slowly stir in milk. Beat with a wire whisk until smooth; simmer about 5 mins until thickened. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
In medium size bowl beat eggs slightly. Slowly add half of hot cream sauce, beating constantly. Return mixture to remaining sauce in pan, and beat till smooth. Season to taste with salt, pepper & nutmeg.
Sprinkle top of macaroni with remaining ciinamon and pour sauce over all. Tap pan hard on counter so that sauce goes to bottom. Bake 40 mins or until custard is firm. Let stand at room temp for 10 min before serving.
Makes 6-8 servings.
1742. jexster - Feb. 7, 1999 - 8:38 AM PT
THANK U SHARON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1743. darkviolet - Feb. 7, 1999 - 11:15 AM PT
I love to clean my house sometimes. It's a relaxing activity, and no one else would come close to the level of cleanliness I can achieve. I'm talking about clean.
1744. Judithathome - Feb. 7, 1999 - 1:31 PM PT
darkviolet:
Well, I guess I *relaxed* today because between postings to the Fray, I've cleaned house on a medium scale. I have a scale of house cleaning: when house guests are due, that's DefCon One, all out warfare. I'm talking polishing baseboards and going around the electrical outlets with a q-tip; this is eat off the floor of the laundry room time...ultimate in clean.
Medium clean is slightly less than DefConOne...it's for when you're having guests over for the evening and they happen to be clean nuts but not clean freaks...that is, you can walk around barefoot on the floors but maybe not eat off them.
Clean is when the best guests are here...US! We are very comfortable and don't mind a slight patina of dust for character; we like everything clean but not hermetically so.
My friends always compliment me on how clean my house is but I sometimes think they feel I'm a little obsessed. Hey, I can live with that...this place has to last me til we're wheeled out to the cemetary and damn if it won't be clean on the day they do!
1745. arkymalarky - Feb. 7, 1999 - 1:50 PM PT
Does anybody have any tips wrt housecleaning that save them time, energy, miracle cleaning solutions, etc? We were slobs in our old house. You could spend all day cleaning and it still looked dirty, plus we didn't have room for anything; but in our house now I've tried to maintain it, but when other things distract me I let it go more than I should. I'm ready for spring break to do a real cleaning.
BTW, I like an old toothbrush for small areas. I'll have to try Q-tips.
1746. Judithathome - Feb. 7, 1999 - 2:34 PM PT
arky:
I have a few suggestions but they will have to wait til tomorrow because we are going out to eat and to see friends this evening... oh, darn...have to tape the X Files & the Practice! I'll catch up to you tomorrow...I AM the clean machine...ha!
1747. jexster - Feb. 7, 1999 - 3:02 PM PT
and THANKS CAL GAL. I also found 1 on Gourmet. I will be the Pastitio King of Hayes Valley.
1748. darkviolet - Feb. 7, 1999 - 7:04 PM PT
Judithathome -
The q-tips part of your DefCon One program has me beat! I do love the feeling of relaxing in a feshly cleaned house, though, and I think my friends and family actually appreciate my hyper-clean habits. I like to do most of the routine maintanence of my housekeeping myself, touching and organizing my posessions, restoring my own order.
1749. Slackjaw - Feb. 8, 1999 - 1:46 AM PT
I guess this is the right thread...
can vegans eat honey? I have daily contact with only one, whom I do not trust.
1750. MizPhys - Feb. 8, 1999 - 4:52 AM PT
"can vegans eat honey?"
I'm sure they can if they wish to. As to whether it's prohibited by veganism , I always thought it was more an individual choice than a doctrine.
1751. MizPhys - Feb. 8, 1999 - 5:02 AM PT
No offense, but I think that anyone who cleans electrical outlets with a Q-tip has too much time on their hands. My best cleaning advice is to use the vacuum cleaner for dusting (with the small brush attachment). It *removes* the dust, whereas a dry cloth kind of scatters it. For breakables and things that you can't vacuum, use a slightly damp dust cloth so that you collect the dust rather than just sending it airborne.
1752. bubbaette - Feb. 8, 1999 - 5:51 AM PT
Bubbaette's tip for quick housecleaning:
get rid of those damned knick knacks.
1753. Adrianne - Feb. 8, 1999 - 5:57 AM PT
Ad's tip: Hire a cleaning service.
1754. TheDiva - Feb. 8, 1999 - 6:04 AM PT
Diva's tip:
Draw the blinds, and light candles. Makes the house look great, and it ain't unflattering to the guests, neither.
1755. bubbaette - Feb. 8, 1999 - 7:05 AM PT
Another tip:
Waterproof furniture, tile walls, a pressure washer and a drain in the middle of the floor.
1756. Judithathome - Feb. 8, 1999 - 7:33 AM PT
Hey guys...I don't spend my days q-tipping the electrical outlets. I do have a lot of time on my hands, tho, because I don't have a *job* job. My business involves very little time on my part and the only work, as such, is two 4 hour shifts a month. (Antique Mall)
I realize people who are orderly run the risk of acquiring labels like obsessive/compulsive but as I said, I can live with that. I guess if I really were OCD, I'd be posting my remarks three times...(g)
1757. Ronski - Feb. 8, 1999 - 1:40 PM PT
bubbaette,
I hear they have restrooms like that in North Africa. Except that they don't clean them much.
1758. patsyrolph - Feb. 8, 1999 - 1:45 PM PT
Hey, Judithathome, the world needs OC's. Without them we would have no libraries, museums, art galleries and many other nifty things. BTW I am very pleased with the Jewels book. tidy flies, Patsy
1759. KurtMondaugen - Feb. 8, 1999 - 1:51 PM PT
Slackjaw:
The way I understand it, a truly militant vegan will not eat honey. Of course, I know several vegans who will occasionally allow animal products into their routine (through the egg in some wines, the gelatins in film stock, etc), and don't know too many extremists on that particular side of things, so I'm sure the rare dollop of honey wouldn't destroy their metabolism or digestive process or anything.
1760. Judithathome - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:04 PM PT
Kurt:
Why is there a ban on honey? Is it because it is processed by a source of protein (if insects qualify as such)?
1761. elliot803 - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:07 PM PT
Re: housecleaning....Does anyone know how well those air cleaner/filter machines work at removing dust? If they do a good job, I might consider investing in one just to cut down on dusting (which doesn't get done very often in my house and ideally would be done even less often). In the summer, my A/C kicks in pretty often just to keep the house at 80 degrees, and although the filter gets full of dust and crap in a pretty short time there still seems to be a lot of dust in my house.
1762. KurtMondaugen - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:13 PM PT
Judith:
Because true vegans utilize no animal products whatsoever, in their diet and otherwise.
1763. KurtMondaugen - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:15 PM PT
Of course, actually meeting a "true" vegan is a fairly rare thing...almost all the vegans I know lapse in one area or another.
1764. Judithathome - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:19 PM PT
eliot:
We have a microstatic air filter and still get dust. My son claims that no fliter can work well if the air ducts aren't cleaned regularly and even then, it is hard to control dust effectively if you open doors when entering and exiting a house. I don't know how to defeat dust...I use a lambs wool duster which attracts dust rather well. Maybe we should develop a lambs wool filter!
1765. Judithathome - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:23 PM PT
Make that Filter, not fliter.....arg!
And thank you Kurt, didn't mean to be rude.
It takes so long to post, I'm constantly one beat behind.
1766. KurtMondaugen - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:38 PM PT
Judith:
Oh, no, not rude at all. And, yes, the Fray tech people are displaying their customary ineptitude in an extremely annoying fashion today.
1767. elliot803 - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:45 PM PT
Judith:
Yes, I thought about having my ducts cleaned but I've heard that can make a house even dustier. Part of the problem is where I live--Arizona is just naturally very dusty. My dusting rags consist of old T-shirts that probably aren't very effective, anyway, so maybe I should get one of those lamb's wool jobs.
1768. bubbaette - Feb. 8, 1999 - 2:57 PM PT
Eliot
I use both a lambswool thingie for things that are hard to reach and t-shirt rags for other dusting. As Ms. Phys suggests, dampening the t-shirt just slightly helps to keep the dust on the rag.
1769. Judithathome - Feb. 8, 1999 - 3:02 PM PT
elliot:
I think you'd be wise to try one. I've tried many different methods including the t-shirts and find the lambs wool to be superior.
As you are fighting the Arizona dust, keep in mind it might be worse. In Japan, I had to battle mildew constantly. We lived on a bluff overlooking the South China sea and mildew was a living organism...it could cover something overnight!
Do you use a humidifier in your home? I once lived in an extremely dry climate and had to use a humidifier all the time. I seem to recall the dust wasn't as bad during that time....
1770. elliot803 - Feb. 8, 1999 - 3:11 PM PT
Judith,
No, no humidifier. The only thing that makes the heat here tolerable is that it's usually pretty dry. Anyway, coming from damp old England, where mildew, rust and so on are everywhere, I do appreciate not having to deal with all that.
1771. arkymalarky - Feb. 8, 1999 - 3:37 PM PT
Humidity is a real problem in Arkansas and the mildew can get really bad, especially on the outside of the house.
1772. Slackjaw - Feb. 8, 1999 - 4:19 PM PT
MizPhys, Kurt:
Thanks--as I suspected, Kurt.
"I'm sure they can if they wish to." Let me guess...school teacher?
"I always thought it was more an individual choice than a doctrine." Well, I have known several militant vegans who took every opportunity to show their true colors and looked down on weekend vegans. I realize there isn't a handbook, but there does appear to be a coherent accepted rule.
1773. DanDillon - Feb. 9, 1999 - 4:49 AM PT
Ronski Message #1757,
Yes, it's true. Though there's no waterproof furniture--no furniture at all. have you been?
1774. MizPhys - Feb. 9, 1999 - 5:10 AM PT
Slackjaw
I am indeed a teacher of high school physics.
1775. Ronski - Feb. 9, 1999 - 10:36 AM PT
Dan,
No. It's one of the things that keep me away.
I don't even like to go camping.
(I love being outdoors, like skiing the top of a mountain in the middle of winter, but I like coming indoors for creature comforts, including modern western plumbing.)
1776. RyckNelson - Feb. 11, 1999 - 4:35 AM PT
Has anyone tried to dig out five feet deep from a 24x13 crawl space? Back when my house had an addition, in the forties I think, the foundation was blocks and mortar on the footings. SO, I have to consider how to redo footings, add block, dig out the earth, and anything else.
I could try back filling a knee wall of concrete. Like creating a form and pumping in concrete to fill it? That seems ok, or should I consider digging around the foundation of the addition, use jacks to hold up the existing and dig down to put in new footings and add block. Hmmm,,, ideas are needed. Maybe I should just scrap the idea, but I'm loosing that much more basement and I could finish it into the lower level rec room I've always wanted. I would do most of it. So, it's got to be sensitive to my situation, which is to say I want to do it cheaply.
1777. Ronski - Feb. 11, 1999 - 6:06 AM PT
Ryack,
Are you sure you want to do this yourself? If something goes wrong, there's no one to sue.
1778. Mrtoner - Feb. 11, 1999 - 6:06 AM PT
Attention gardening experts...could you provide some advice?
We have a vegetable garden that hasn't been planted for two seasons. It's a mess--wall-to-wall weeds, stalks, etc. Clearing it by cutting/raking would be almost more work than I could do, and certainly a lot more work than I WANT to do.
How effective is it to burn off old growth like this and just plow it under? Would that be a reasonably efficient way of avoiding prolific returns of the present growth in the form of weeds?
I can't use heavy-duty herbicides 'cause this garden is too close to our pond. What's my best move?
1779. Ronski - Feb. 11, 1999 - 6:14 AM PT
Burning sounds risky to me, and may add more ash to the soil than you would like (a little is fine, in fact, beneficial). You really should do the work and remove the weeds. But if that is overwhelming, how about cutting the big stalks and just plowing under the remaining weeds? You have to turn the soil over anyway, and mulch and cultivate when you put in your garden plants to control weed seed germination. If you turn the soil over twice, you would hamper regrowth of the 2-year-old weeds. Any way you look at it, gardening is work, which is I think why a lot of people don't bother, or pay someone to do it for them. I, for one, like the work, as long as I have the time.
1780. Mrtoner - Feb. 11, 1999 - 7:46 AM PT
Ronski...1779...
'Appreciate your advice, and will follow it. I'll rake out the worst of the debris (the stalks already have been chopped down), and leave the rest for the tiller.
Gardening IS work. I have the worst of all possible worlds, 'cause it's my wife, not me, who loves the gardening--but she leaves the heavy-lifting parts to me.
...Not that I don't need the exercise.
1781. Jonesatlaw - Feb. 11, 1999 - 1:31 PM PT
Mrtoner- Once you've mowed/plowed your patch, try covering the whole thing in black plastic mulch for awhile. Remove it as needed when you plant, and mulch with something organic and easily decomposed.
Or, I have heard when you turn up an area like yours, it is a good idea to let the weeds sprout and turn it again prior to giving them a chance to re-seed. Good luck.
1782. Ronski - Feb. 11, 1999 - 1:40 PM PT
Jones,
Also good ideas.
1783. glendajean - Feb. 11, 1999 - 2:16 PM PT
I'ved used plastic for large areas in preparing beds. Depending on the temperatures and the length of time, the heat can help bake the soil and kill seeds. Obviously this works better in warm climates or in the middle of summer.
Another possibility is using Roundup. I don't like to use pesticides. I've talked to Master Gardners who say that Roundup dissolves fast. It kills everything.
Whatever you do, once you clear the bed and plant, you have to be extra diligent in keeping weeds cultivated. One good year of not letting weeds take deep root pays off down the road. A good mulch will help control weeds, too. Give up by Fall and it's like it was before you started.
I agree about the value of the work. Take that aspect out of it, and you might as well buy plastic plants. They don't take much water and the bugs will ignore them.
Good luck!
1784. Mrtoner - Feb. 11, 1999 - 2:40 PM PT
Just an acknowledgement and thanks for the additional advisories furnished re the Great Weed Removal project. I will print out all and show them to the Boss, and then follow her advice.
1785. spooky - Feb. 12, 1999 - 8:56 PM PT
The "Great Weed Removal project"?! Wow, I guess Rogers was right when he claimed that the Fray was out to get him...
So a few minutes ago, I was sitting around the house, petting the cat, when a loud bang-thud of something heavy hitting something hard rang out. Could've been from the basement or the deck. I turned on the outside lights and, looking out the window, spotted the back screen door lying horizontal on the deck. It just fell off. The hinges are still attached to the door frame, though, each with a chunk of wood still screwed to it.
1786. thoughtful - Feb. 13, 1999 - 8:33 AM PT
Ryck, the first question is, what's holding up the house now? My grandfather had a small cottage set on the side of a hill. The house was supported by pillars and was filled in underneath with the local material which, fortunately was sandy. He spent several years digging underneath and supporting the pillars and building temporary walls along the way. The integrity of the house was never really in question as it was supported by the same pillars all along. He ended up with a one-car garage area and enough space for a workshop. Don't quite remember how he actually finished it, and they were only using in the summer any way.
Now Dad and my other grandfather dug a cellar out from underneath the house. This was in CT which is renowned for its rocks. As they were digging, they came across a huge boulder -- I'm talking at least 4' around. It's under the house and there's no way to get it out, so what do you do? You dig a bigger hole next to it and roll it in. That's what they did,but they figured wrong by about 3". To this day, there's a smooth cement floor in the basement under the house, except for this one spot where a rock sticks up through.
1787. Judithathome - Feb. 13, 1999 - 8:47 AM PT
thoughtful:
They should just claim it was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright!
1788. bubbaette - Feb. 13, 1999 - 9:14 AM PT
My tomato seedlings are sprouting. Two dozen each Supersteak and Roma.
1789. thoughtful - Feb. 13, 1999 - 12:00 PM PT
I was in Nashville this week and couldn't believe the weather. I left NY and it was freezing and arrived in Nashville it was 70. Next a.m. I woke up it was snowing in Nashville and returned to NY where it was almost 60. Go figure.
1790. chloel - Feb. 13, 1999 - 3:19 PM PT
Mrtoner
There is something called planter's paper, which is pretty much heavy butcher's paper with nothing toxic in it, that you can put over a tilled plot and just leave there. Water soaks through it, weeds mostly can't grow through it, and when you want to plant something you cut an X in it and plant in the hole. At the end of the season it's all soggy and you just till it in.
You can even get it in black, sometimes, to speed germination and make solanaceae happy.
1791. arkymalarky - Feb. 13, 1999 - 3:42 PM PT
Anyone ever done an herb garden? I'm wanting one outside my french doors at the dining room, but I'm afraid it's too shady. I wondered about trying them in pots on the porch, but don't know anything about sizes, etc.
1792. chloel - Feb. 13, 1999 - 4:13 PM PT
Most herbs do want lots of sun, but they also don't mind restricted roots, so pots work well. Small pots -> small plants. Rosemary and tarragon and sage have been sturdy for me - if you get hard freezes, they might want to be indoors or under blankets in the winter, but they survive frosts and light snow for me.
Mint survives nearly anything, needs less sun, comes in a dozen distinct flavors, and smells wonderful when you walk past it. Invasive, though.
1793. arkymalarky - Feb. 13, 1999 - 4:28 PM PT
Thanks, Chloel. I think I'll try the pots, since there's really no sunny place convenient to the kitchen/dining room.
1794. bubbaette - Feb. 13, 1999 - 9:10 PM PT
I've had pretty good luck growing herbs in pots. My tarragon is four years old now and stronger than ever. Basil, as an annual, I start indoors about this time of year and transplant it directly into the garden when I plant my tomatoes. There's something symbiotic about basil and tomatoes -- they grow well together. My parsley is also planted directly into the garden and seems to be doing fine through the winter. I think my sage will make it through again this year too.
I haven't had much luck at all with growing oregano. Although the plant itself grows like wildfire, it tastes more of mint than oregano. Every seed I've tried ends up like that. Any suggestions?
1795. bubbaette - Feb. 13, 1999 - 9:13 PM PT
The potted herbs I place on the four corners of my vegetable garden in five gallon pots. They act as bumpers to keep the watering hose from knocking down plants.
1796. imonlyis - Feb. 14, 1999 - 8:21 PM PT
arky--
since the mints are so invasive, you might try planting them in pots that you then plant in the sunny part of the garden. They are very forgiving, and it will save you the trouble of having them spread and finding yourself digging them out of the lawn and the flowers, and the vegetables...well, you get the picture!
For the record, my mom has a 3' tall basil plant growing (and blooming) on a south-facing windowsill in eastern Washington.
1797. arkymalarky - Feb. 14, 1999 - 8:48 PM PT
Thanks, Imonlyis. I didn't realize mints could be so pesky.
Jonquils are officially in!
1798. imonlyis - Feb. 14, 1999 - 10:01 PM PT
Mrtoner-
out here in the west, i heard tell of using newspaper as cover in a garden, with grass clippings on top of it as mulch. To try it, we took what used to be lawn and put in a garden, with just those between us and years of grass and weed growth. We added more clippings each time we cut the grass, and just the occasional weed sprouted, mainly where the paper flew up in the wind, or where clippings were insufficient. They were few and easy to handle, and the paper AND the clippings rotted to add organic material to the next year's garden. Even now, after being neglected last fall, the weeds aren't nearly what they could be. I also recommend Roundup for tough or large weeds, because it becomes completely inert when not on plant material.
1799. bubbaette - Feb. 17, 1999 - 7:01 AM PT
Arky
I saw daffodils and forsythia blooming this morning on the way to work -- earliest ever that I recall. I'm going to till my garden this weekend and plant peas and brocolli.
Muh darlin gave me two Don Juan climbing roses for Valentines day. Is it too early to plant them as we will continue to have frosts til April?
1800. glendajean - Feb. 17, 1999 - 9:19 AM PT
re: herb garden.
From what I've read and been told, oregano plants usually aren't true oregano. To put it another way, the name oregano covers a wide variety of plants, most of which the taste won't be what you are looking for in an herbal plant.
I always have beds of herbs in my garden because I like their texture and smell. It's a side benefit to have fresh rosemary or thyme or whatever for cooking. They do require lots of sun. They often don't require lush soil or lots of water. Sage, for example, will easily get a fungus if its roots are too wet, and it will shrivel up and die.
If you are looking to plant a rosemary plant in a colder climate, try the Arp variety, which is winter hardy for the DC area. If you're planting rosemary for a pot (where it will be protected in the winter), try a creeping variety.