What have you done for garden prep so far?

The DE used in pool filters has larger particle sizes and is much more dangerous to breath because of it. The pesticide grade DE is what is called "amorphous silica" while the pool filter grade is "crystalline silica." The pesticide grade does contain trace amounts of crystalline silica, however.

Besides, pesticide grade DE is cheap enough at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Safer-B...ea-Ant-Crawling-Insect-Killer-51703/206857782

Brent S said:

I added twenty more bags of composted manure to the garden rows today. Was a little short so went and got six more, but ran out of steam so they are still in the back of the Jeep. Was hoping to plant peas but will try to finish tomorrow. Had a productive weekend though and got caught up on housework and worked on multiple projects. I might actually get to move into the master bedroom before I die of old age!

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Don't make the mistake I did last year. I added too much nitrogen. The plants were talk tall and green, but didn't produce fruit.

robinjopo said:

Don't make the mistake I did last year. I added too much nitrogen. The plants were talk tall and green, but didn't produce fruit.

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Yeah, gardening is a balance. Unfortunately it dosent come with a rule book that fits every changing situation. There is a lot of trial and error going on and it changes each year. I like manure because it enriches the soil but is realitively benign. The one thing I have learned is that if your soil is really good then the plants are more resistant to other issues.

I used chicken, but it wasn't aged. Live and learn

robinjopo said:

I used chicken, but it wasn't aged. Live and learn

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You can take fresh chicken manure and mix it in a barrel of water to dilute it. Stinks like hell but is a rich nitrogen cocktail that plants really like.

DrHenley said:

The DE used in pool filters has larger particle sizes and is much more dangerous to breath because of it. The pesticide grade DE is what is called "amorphous silica" while the pool filter grade is "crystalline silica." The pesticide grade does contain trace amounts of crystalline silica, however.

Besides, pesticide grade DE is cheap enough at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Safer-B...ea-Ant-Crawling-Insect-Killer-51703/206857782

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That's what I have read. Must get food grad DE.

Brent S said:

You can take fresh chicken manure and mix it in a barrel of water to dilute it. Stinks like hell but is a rich nitrogen cocktail that plants really like.

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I soak banana peels for potassium water.

robinjopo said:

That's what I have read. Must get food grad DE.

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I did not know there was a difference, you can learn a lot from around here!

robinjopo said:

I soak banana peels for potassium water.

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What plants in particular use potassium?

Crumbled egg shells are good for tomatoes. There ought to be one reference book for home Gardner’s to use with all this stuff in it.

Got the first tilling finished today . Supposed to storm all day tomorrow.

Just canned 10 quarts of krAut. Husband is stopping for more cabbage so I can make 10 or so more.

I share with my brother.

Make that 21 quarts of kraut. Husband brought home more cabbage.

My back hurts from standing on tile for hours.

I have a fenced in lot that I skipped the last couple of mowings last year so it was full of dead grass . I mowed it recently but forgot where my row of blueberrie bushes were . I clipped them off at the ground . Maybe they will come back bigger and better than ever but maybe not .

So far this week I have been able to plant 15 1/2 of my raised beds! I am finally feeling like I am getting things accomplished out there. Small freezer went out so I transferred as much as I could into the bigger freezer. The only thing that wouldn't fit was 80 lbs of lard. The small freezer is acting like a refrigerator, so I just left them there and I am continuously processing them by grinding and throwing into my big electric roaster pan 10 lbs at a time. I am almost halfway done.

I had big plans for this week's because son is on Spring Break, but it rained yesterday and it was rather chilly today. Tomorrow is supposed to be really nice.

Samsung is coming to fix my refrigerator for the 10th time tomorrow. They said they would ask for a replacement. We shall see.

We're getting closer to gardening season. Down to only 3 feet of snow in the garden area.

Psalm7 said:

I have a fenced in lot that I skipped the last couple of mowings last year so it was full of dead grass . I mowed it recently but forgot where my row of blueberrie bushes were . I clipped them off at the ground . Maybe they will come back bigger and better than ever but maybe not .

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Yikes! I know pruning stimulates growth but an not so sure of pruning to the ground...

Brent S said:

The greenhouse is starting to sprout! I had a few things left from the winter crop, but replanted most of it. I almost finished tilling the main garden, but it was still too wet and I was just mixing leaves in the mud. Some of the potatoes are beginning to sprout! It's also good to see the peach trees blooming. There the pink, and I have about ten plums that are blooming white. Spring is definately my favorite season. It's just good to see a new cycle of life starting again.View attachment 4208View attachment 4209 View attachment 4210View attachment 4211

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Love it.

It looks like I've lost about half of my strawberry plants. I'm going to replace them, but they probably won't produce this season.