Garden starters

[gs_silva]

I started some lettuce seeds in a tray, and stuck it on the living room windowsill because there's still snow on the ground. While I was at it, I stuck some overgrown potato eyes in the other tray - I waited too long, however, and they're looking pretty ratty, so that might be a fail. No matter. Unfortunately, I only have the two trays until I'm able to get into the shed to grab more, so that was it for today. I may only have to wait a couple of days - we're expecting temperatures as high as 22°C this week.

(I know both F and C scales, but C is easier so I still use it by default even though I moved back into the US. But I'm not very good at converting between them. Anyway, there are conversion apps built right into our browsers; it's not easier for me to do it than for you to do it.)

I really want some spicebush to replace the forsythia with, but that's a whole project unto itself, and I already have more gardening plans than my body or my bank account can handle. First the buckthorn, because it's mixed with invasive bittersweet so that's a two-for-one. And that's where the spotted lanternflies are hanging out, so I can hopefully start eliminating them without insecticides.

I need to make a whole to-do list, and DW is a much better place to do that than FB. The only problem is photos. I'd like to transfer my gardening photo album to my to-do list, but that's just too much effort...

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I started some lettuce seeds in a tray, and stuck it on the living room windowsill because there's still snow on the ground. <<

Go you!

I have fruit sprouts in one tray indoors. I have 16 jug greenhouses in the parking lot. Today I set up an outdoor tray with more fruit sprouts, and covered that with a tub to make a greenhouse. I need to get more trays started indoors with the garden seeds, but I still have two poems to post and one to write, so that probably has to wait.

>>But I'm not very good at converting between them. <<

I just use an online converter.

>> I really want some spicebush to replace the forsythia with, but that's a whole project unto itself, and I already have more gardening plans than my body or my bank account can handle. <<

Spicebush sounds nice.

>> First the buckthorn, because it's mixed with invasive bittersweet so that's a two-for-one.<<

Agreed.

>> And that's where the spotted lanternflies are hanging out, so I can hopefully start eliminating them without insecticides.<<

O_O I've heard those critters are monstrous. There are non-insecticides listed here:
https://www.maplewoodnj.gov/government/public-health-social-services/insects/spotted-lanternfly

>>I need to make a whole to-do list, and DW is a much better place to do that than FB. <<

Good idea.

Re: Thoughts

[gs_silva]

Yeah, I have isopropynol and white vinegar ready to go... except I keep forgetting to buy spray bottles! I scavenged one but it got thrown out.

Some people have requested that I convert all C temperatures to F for them, so I was proactively telling them to do it themselves. :) I'm pleased but not the least bit surprised to learn that you already do. It's easy! I'm just not always going to do it (except the times I know the conversions off the top of my head).

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Yeah, I have isopropynol and white vinegar ready to go... except I keep forgetting to buy spray bottles! I scavenged one but it got thrown out.<<

Frustrating, but you still have some time. Biodegradable insect soap is worth a thought.

>>Some people have requested that I convert all C temperatures to F for them, so I was proactively telling them to do it themselves. <<

Well, good for you! People who aren't paying for the privilege don't get to make demands. That said, I'll take value-added steps for my regular supporters because they are worth it.

Re: Thoughts

[gs_silva]

Awww, I'm worth it! <3 <3

I love that you do that, even if I rarely take advantage of the links and extra info you post. You know what task load you can handle. I'm still working on knowing mine, but to be fair to myself, it changes a lot. My list of "someday, when I have the energy" tasks is several lifetimes long.

One benefit to having a 'job' that keeps me seated in front of the computer/sketchbook for most of the day is that it signals to people that I'm not available (but also not being a total slug, which is important for some reason, even though I actually am being a total slug, and so what if I am?) but there's also mental exertion to manage.

The first time I said, "I'm trying but it's hard to think through the pain," we both had an epiphany moment. When you're always thinking through the pain, it's harder to acknowledge that's what you're doing.

[moth2fic]

It's always a relief when people use C and I don't have to convert! What are spotted lantern flies and what do they do to make it necessary to get rid of them?

[gs_silva]

They're a recently arrived invasive species that love fruit trees. My region has a lot of commercial orchards, so the state government is pushing pretty hard for citizen efforts to control their population - which is really hard, because they reproduce very quickly! They're big, bigger than deerflies, and very pretty. They look like moths. But they act like flies. So hard to swat, and not very easy to kill with a regular flyswatter because of their size. They're thriving in my neighborhood - I saw probably about 50 of them in my garden last fall.

[moth2fic]

I googled them and can see the problem! We don't have any here yet but it's probably only a matter of time!

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I love that you do that, even if I rarely take advantage of the links and extra info you post. <<

It's a habit; I'm an information dispensary. I have made an effort to limit offerings to avoid overwhelm when replying to you, though.

>>When you're always thinking through the pain, it's harder to acknowledge that's what you're doing.<<

Yeah, pain eats up a ton of energy. :(