Ready for spring?

We seem to have an early spring around here this year. Squirrels started doing their runs on the roof an me digging up all the flower beds
 
IAK said:
We moved to a new house, so this year I have to:
1. Clear out brush, wild rose, snowberries out of proposed gardening area.
2. Cover entire area with several inches woodchips.
3. Assemble and fill 12 metal raised beds.
4. Setup drip irrigation for all areas.
5. Build tomato trellis frames.
6. Plant 8 in-ground trees (apricots, peaches, cherries, mulberry).

That of course does not include seed starting, fig cutting up pots and care, etc. As many perennials going in as possible this year.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. 1 step at a time. It will be done before you know it.
 
As mentioned @grasshopper I just started with Sunchokes this past fall in October ... and those sprouted right away... I have yet to actually eat/taste one

They grew a couple feet tall. Red Fuseau that I planted into the same pot, did not grow yet... i was thinking easy storage ... but Dwarf Sunray sprouted ...

I protected them from freezes and frosts and down to 28F or so... I just covered with a bucket and a blanket for light freezes. The leaves still froze over but they are really hardy.. and finally I brought the pot in before the deeper freeze

I had 3 new varieties come in yesterday and they look nice... I found the ones I mentioned... I decided to trial in pots since they are all 'Clumpers'... I want to see how well they perform and taste... I can plot them into the yard in the fall

Nora, SuperNova and Red Dwarf. I think regular varieties grow to 10 feet or more so you probably have one of these which are all said to top at around 6 or 7 feet.

I remember Dwarf Sunray to be oddly shaped more ginger like roots, and a good large size, not nobby looking

Nora im excited about due to the flavor being more like carrots with sweetness 🥕 the inside where one was cut had an orange color to it also... the review(s) ive read in plant forums are also really good

Potted these up today
20260219_132245.jpg
20260219_132402.jpg
20260219_132547.jpg
Whatever it takes to keep the squirrels out
20260219_144214.jpg

Also I put in a bed for radishes and beets... as i eat them ill plant more beets and kale starts ... and more radishes after that in the spaces left...

the rest of the seeds poked leaves up today maybe short a few beets...
20260217_181941.jpg
and this represents maybe 5% of my work in the garden this past week or so, lots of mess and rearranging... more compost work tomorrow and pruning and etcetera
 
Last edited:
DallasFigShop said:
As mentioned @grasshopper I just started with Sunchokes this past fall in October ... and those sprouted right away... I have yet to actually eat/taste one

They grew a couple feet tall. Red Fuseau that I planted into the same pot, did not grow yet... i was thinking easy storage ... but Dwarf Sunray sprouted ...

I protected them from freezes and frosts and down to 28F or so... I just covered with a bucket and a blanket for light freezes. The leaves still froze over but they are really hardy.. and finally I brought the pot in before the deeper freeze

I had 3 new varieties come in yesterday and they look nice... I found the ones I mentioned... I decided to trial in pots since they are all 'Clumpers'... I want to see how well they perform and taste... I can plot them into the yard in the fall

Nora, SuperNova and Red Dwarf. I think regular varieties grow to 10 feet or more so you probably have one of these which are all said to top at around 6 or 7 feet.

I remember Dwarf Sunray to be oddly shaped more ginger like roots, and a good large size, not nobby looking

Nora im excited about due to the flavor being more like carrots with sweetness 🥕 the inside where one was cut had an orange color to it also... the review(s) ive read in plant forums are also really good

Potted these up today
View attachment 19344
View attachment 19343
View attachment 19342
Whatever it takes to keep the squirrels out
View attachment 19341

Also I put in a bed for radishes and beets... as i eat them ill plant more beets and kale starts ... and more radishes after that in the spaces left...

the rest of the seeds poked leaves up today maybe short a few beets...
View attachment 19345
and this represents maybe 5% of my work in the garden this past week or so, lots of mess and rearranging... more compost work tomorrow and pruning and etcetera
Click to expand...
I left mine outside in single digits (4F) in both pots and in ground 2 years ago. I left most of mine in ground. I used to store them in extra potting mix and it is good for a few months. The ones in ground were probably under warmer temperature. Be sure to let us know how these grow during the season.

I start trapping squirrels a week ago. Not much success so far, they are still in wondering mode. I just trimmed the branches near the house to discourage them doing their roof run. 3 years ago, they chewed through some of the sidings. So it was replaced and they did it again 2 years ago. This time, we had metal plates ready for them.
 
I don't have any squirrels causing problems yet..... Heck... there's too much snow on the ground for them to bother... but just after dinner tonight... something I haven't seen in months... :mad:

coon.jpg

They're not usually a pain this time of year... it may be the only thing that makes winter even a bit tolerable here.... I imagine the winter has been so cold, that they're out looking for food... This one may be after my fig jam! It definitely doesn't look hungry for February...
 
TorontoJoe said:
They're not usually a pain this time of year... it may be the only thing that makes winter even a bit tolerable here.... I imagine the winter has been so cold, that they're out looking for food... This one may be after my fig jam! It definitely doesn't look hungry for February...
Click to expand...

I’m not familiar with Canadian laws. What are your options as far removal for these guys?
 
TorontoJoe said:
I don't have any squirrels causing problems yet..... Heck... there's too much snow on the ground for them to bother... but just after dinner tonight... something I haven't seen in months... :mad:

View attachment 19396

They're not usually a pain this time of year... it may be the only thing that makes winter even a bit tolerable here.... I imagine the winter has been so cold, that they're out looking for food... This one may be after my fig jam! It definitely doesn't look hungry for February...
Click to expand...
Maybe they are looking for a bit of warmth. I know the rats and the squirrels are. That was how they chewed through my car s EVAC hose. Car was warm after being used and so is the house.
 
IAK said:
I’m not familiar with Canadian laws. What are your options as far removal for these guys?
Click to expand...

It is legal to trap and relocate them here as long as they are not physically harmed. I do trap and move in the area of 40-45 every season. It can be tricky as they're extremely smart. If you do a search for "raccoon" posted by me you can see some of my trail cam video.
 
grasshopper said:
I know they dislike spicy or bitter.
Click to expand...

Spicy actually works very well for keeping squirrels away. The only challenge I found was that it washes away with each rain. I went to a discount shop and got a big bag of the cheapest hot chili flakes I could find. The flakes last a bit longer than the powder.

I have chicken wire over my garlic beds to keep the squirrels from digging up the cloves. When spring comes and the garlic emerges I have to remove the wire so I sprinkle on the chili just until the garlic is big and strong enough to hold its own.
 
Usually my spring starts first of March. Just placed an order for more Promix HP, vermiculite, and other supplies. I’m ready but I have a lot to do and a short time to get it done. Wish I could take this month off of work to get everything done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top