What's everybody doing today?

[Peanut]

@Neb Are those an imported variety of figs? Don't ask my variety. Figs have been growing at this spot more than 100 years.

This is what figs should look like after 4 years. I pruned mine with a chainsaw. They made figs the summer afterwards. The first pic is the spring after pruning. The second pic I took 15 minutes ago…

I drove an hour this morning to get a rapid covid test at a “Doc in a Box”. It was required before my cataract surgery this coming Tuesday. My test was negative despite the fact I almost never wear a mask.

A cousin passed away last night at home. It was expected. I saw his yard was full of cars late yesterday. I knew they were his kids and grandkids… He had 7 kids and all of them live within 5 miles. Its good he passed in his own bed at home with family there.

 

[Neb]

@Neb Are those an imported variety of figs? Don't ask my variety. Figs have been growing at this spot more than 100 years.

This is what figs should look like after 4 years. I pruned mine with a chainsaw. They made figs the summer afterwards. The first pic is the spring after pruning. The second pic I took 15 minutes ago…

I drove an hour this morning to get a rapid covid test at a “Doc in a Box”. It was required before my cataract surgery this coming Tuesday. My test was negative despite the fact I almost never wear a mask.

A cousin passed away last night at home. It was expected. I saw his yard was full of cars late yesterday. I knew they were his kids and grandkids… He had 7 kids and all of them live within 5 miles. Its good he passed in his own bed at home with family there.

View attachment 53066View attachment 53067

My fig tree dies back to ground level every winter.

The Princess declares it dead every spring and then it proves her wrong.

I have plans to move it to a greenhouse that I plan to add to the back of the house... someday.

Ben

 

[Peanut]

My fig tree dies back to ground level every winter.
The Princess declares it dead every spring and then it proves her wrong.
I have plans to move it to a greenhouse that I plan to add to the back of the house... someday.

Ben

I'm in zone 8 (I think). Growing figs here are a no brainer. Still once every 15 to 20 years there will be a cold snap that will kill figs back to ground level. It takes 3 or 4 days with high temps around 20 for that to happen. Normally we have 1 sometimes 2 days all winter when the day time temp in just below freezing. Figs survive mild winters with no problems.

I just took a quick look at the growing charts. PA is at the extreme northern range, best to grow them in a greenhouse.

 

[Bacpacker]

Our fig dies back every year too. We have a Brown Turkey Fig. Plant looks good thru the summer, but not much production and late ripening typically. I took some cuttings last week to root thru the winter and plant in a more sunny location next spring

 

[Bacpacker]

When I got finished at tire store, took wifes car home and got my truck and took off to Rural King and picked up 2 5 gallon fuel cans that have the fast dump hose and vent. Some folks use them for race cars. Also got 4 boxes of .308 and 1 box of #4 12 ga shells. And got a new shovel with a fiberglass handle and lifetime warranty. Then on to Harbor Freight, had a flourescant light that was bad, swapped it and got 3 more new ones. Also got a 7 watt solar panel and a 100 watt controller.

 

[MoBookworm1957]

Didn't go to Wal*Mart as of yet.
Will go tomorrow.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Today, I finished mowing the lawn to get a mix of brown and green to use in my garden, got 8 bags full. I dug up 3 raised beds sifted the soil to remove any weeds, roots, or acorns the squirrels added. I added sifted soil back until it was about 9 inches below the top of the bed, then I added an inch of the yard mix, and then added about 6 inches of sifted soil, which I compacted with a board, I kept adding soil until the box was level full. Then I put black plastic over the top to limit any unwanted growth. I sifted the soil from some of my planting containers to top off the raised beds and placed the extra into a 55 gallon trash can, about 6 inches of soil, 1 inch of the yard mix, and repeat until full. Right now I have about 75 gallons of the stuff and I will use it in the spring to top off my beds and as a base in my planting containers. I have one more raised bed that I am half done digging out, it has a lot of woody brown roots, so I am digging it down about 2 feet to make sure that there is none of that left in the bed. I have 2 bags of the yard mix left and 5 growing containers that still need to be emptied, I'm debating on if I want to re-fill the last raised bed or leave it empty till spring. If I finish digging it out and dig it down a little extra there will be nothing for those brown roots to grow into, but it will mean that I will have to fill another 55 gallon can with soil.

The wife says that they didn't go through all this trouble when they gardened in Ohio, but she tells of spending the spring and summer weeding. I'm not sure what the best way is, but I don't usually get to have much time in the garden in the summer.... which is why I am always trying find ways to automate it enought to make it a plant and harvest proposition.

But I have to wonder, am I just making extra work for myself?

Oh, while I am at it, the tomato I transplanted into a 5 gallon bucket has lots of new leaf buds and a few flowers... The bell pepper is showing some signs of new life too. The transplanted indoor Hot peppers are doing very nicely with about a dozen small peppers showing now....

The hydroponic lettuce is now about 2 1/2 inches tall, I have a half dozen new plants that will be ready to be moved into baskets soon.

My neighbor is making planters from old pallets, I have one that I plan to give him, I also have about half a bundle of 2 1/4" wide unfinished oak flooring, I need to get rid of it so, when I put the pallet next to his driveway, I will just stack the oak on the pallet....

 

[Bacpacker]

Urban I only have 2 beds and this was my first year with them. But so far the time spent in the beds is much less than what I spend in weeding the in ground garden. And for the space used my plants were much more productive, and healthier too.

 

[Meerkat]

Our fig dies back every year too. We have a Brown Turkey Fig. Plant looks good thru the summer, but not much production and late ripening typically. I took some cuttings last week to root thru the winter and plant in a more sunny location next spring

Ours are Brown Turkey too. We had a good harvest this year. We are sone to only one tree now.

 

[Neb]

Today, I finished mowing the lawn to get a mix of brown and green to use in my garden, got 8 bags full. I dug up 3 raised beds sifted the soil to remove any weeds, roots, or acorns the squirrels added. I added sifted soil back until it was about 9 inches below the top of the bed, then I added an inch of the yard mix, and then added about 6 inches of sifted soil, which I compacted with a board, I kept adding soil until the box was level full. Then I put black plastic over the top to limit any unwanted growth. I sifted the soil from some of my planting containers to top off the raised beds and placed the extra into a 55 gallon trash can, about 6 inches of soil, 1 inch of the yard mix, and repeat until full. Right now I have about 75 gallons of the stuff and I will use it in the spring to top off my beds and as a base in my planting containers. I have one more raised bed that I am half done digging out, it has a lot of woody brown roots, so I am digging it down about 2 feet to make sure that there is none of that left in the bed. I have 2 bags of the yard mix left and 5 growing containers that still need to be emptied, I'm debating on if I want to re-fill the last raised bed or leave it empty till spring. If I finish digging it out and dig it down a little extra there will be nothing for those brown roots to grow into, but it will mean that I will have to fill another 55 gallon can with soil.

The wife says that they didn't go through all this trouble when they gardened in Ohio, but she tells of spending the spring and summer weeding. I'm not sure what the best way is, but I don't usually get to have much time in the garden in the summer.... which is why I am always trying find ways to automate it enought to make it a plant and harvest proposition.

But I have to wonder, am I just making extra work for myself?

Oh, while I am at it, the tomato I transplanted into a 5 gallon bucket has lots of new leaf buds and a few flowers... The bell pepper is showing some signs of new life too. The transplanted indoor Hot peppers are doing very nicely with about a dozen small peppers showing now....

The hydroponic lettuce is now about 2 1/2 inches tall, I have a half dozen new plants that will be ready to be moved into baskets soon.

My neighbor is making planters from old pallets, I have one that I plan to give him, I also have about half a bundle of 2 1/4" wide unfinished oak flooring, I need to get rid of it so, when I put the pallet next to his driveway, I will just stack the oak on the pallet....

Thanks u
@UrbanHunter.

Our goals are aligned but not our time lines. Your reports are valuable. I cherish them

Ben

 

[Neb]

Ours are Brown Turkey too. We had a good harvest this year. We are sone to only one tree now.

Wish I could remember the variety


How do I know the fruits are rioe?

Ben

 

[Grimm]

You were assigned? When people ask what they can bring, I ask them what their preference is?

I normally bring half the groceries (just us and my folks) and help cook everything. Same with Christmas dinner.

 

[Meerkat]

Wish I could remember the variety


How do I know the fruits are rioe?

Ben

Wish I could remember the variety


How do I know the fruits are rioe?

Ben

This photo you put up are ripe or a least close to it. usally purple all over but some like them a little firm so the darker in color and softer the fruit the sweeter the fruit.

 

[Grimm]

Ran to the grocery store yesterday and got some more food for our everyday pantry and some for long term storage. Focused the rest of the day to Roo's history lesson. She was being stubborn so we had oral q&a about the Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation.

Today I took my boy (10 year old flame point siamese), Sebastian, to get his vaccines. He goes for his final booster set in 4 weeks when I take Bailey for her first set. The goal is to have all the cats with at least their rabies shots by Jan. I got two bags of our preferred litter and some treats for them. I have 2 boxes of a clay based litter we didn't like in the garage as emergency backup but I want to stock up on the items we actually use. I might get 2 more bags when I take Lilli for her vaccines in 2 weeks. Or I'll get food for all the pets (dogs and cats).

I also took advantage of a kids clothing sale to stock up on jeans for the girls. I got 10 pairs of jeans for $6 each brand new. That is better than I can get at the local thrift stores. Most of Juju's are hand-me-downs from Roo but I did get some new clothing for her as well.

Ordered some dry goods online too. I am debating using my small rainy day fund to buy more preps before Jan 20th.

 

[Grimm]

My dad told me I was fixing the turkey.
Mom always fixed the turkey when she was alive.
She's been gone little over year now.
Dad doesn't know how to fix a turkey.
I don't know how to fix a turkey.
Youngest sister and youngest niece are vegetarian.

My mom follows the directions on the box for the Reynolds turkey cooking bags. She has since I was a kid. When she passes I'll take over doing it the same way until my dad goes. Then K will be in charge of deep frying the turkey. We already have the fryer set up.

I cooked a small turkey the other month the same way I cook whole chickens (roasted in cast iron skillet herb rubbed and drizzled with duck fat).

 

[ClemKadiddlehopper]

Have been house shopping this past month. Today I looked at a decommissioned country elementary school. It has potential. The shop has basketball hoops and there is a back stop/baseball diamond in the cow pasture. It is built like a brick
house. 600 amp electrical, out door boiler, all the rooms are labeled and the boot rooms are to die for. I kind of like the magnetic blackboards as well as the floor to ceiling cork board walls.

 

[Weedygarden]

I normally bring half the groceries (just us and my folks) and help cook everything. Same with Christmas dinner.

It depends on what is going on. It is easier for us to make most of Thanksgiving food, and have others bring desserts or a side. Last year Brussel sprouts and some appetizers showed up with guests. Daughter has some favorite dishes such as sweet potato souffle, corn bread stuffing, cranberries with persimmons. We usually have around a dozen, and there are regulars and some stragglers. I did a Thanksgiving dinner in North Dakota that was all stragglers, people who had no one else and no where to go, and I had around 15 people. I also let people know that if there is someone with no where to go, to tell them to come have dinner with us.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Thanks u
@UrbanHunter.

Our goals are aligned but not our time lines. Your reports are valuable. I cherish them

Ben

Thanks @Neb, with all the craziness right now I am trying to get my household money burn rate down, and get my preps up. Specifically I would like to get my food stores and gardening supplies in shape to cover a 2 year SHTF type of event. I would like to be able to be eating more off the garden/hydroponics and do less shopping before anyone notices that things are not bounding back....

I am now placing my seeds in ammo cans and storing them in the man-cave fridge, got a gross of decant bags to keep them dry.... as I inventory my seeds I keep finding things that I would like to try.... How did your seed capture attempts work out? I saw other posts talking about Baker seeds, so I looked them up and ordered a catalogue….. might get a few things from them, looked on their site and noticed a lot of things are sold out….

Being very Urban makes it hard to do much, but I am trying to stay ahead of the curve.

The neighbors across the street have successfully raised corn in their west facing flower beds around the walkway to their front door, it’s funny you don’t notice it and then poof you see them walking through a maze to get in the front door.

I keep thinking about raising rabbits or something that requires a small amount of space and doesn’t make a lot of noise….

Then again if I start traveling for work again, everything I do needs to be able to withstand several weeks of not being attended…..

 

[hashbrown]

Jake and I have spent the weekend burning our place off.

 

[snappy1]

Good morning! I went to a 15 mile yard sale in Louisiana, yesterday. Best thing I found was a cast iron chicken fryer for $15, nicely seasoned. Got a few other items, but not much. Did lots of walking and had lunch at a Mexican restaurant.

Today, I will do my video shortly, then Church.
After that, I will try to coax kitty into the borrowed live trap and take her out to our friend's house. Then Lady's group tonight. I may have to cook something, but have no idea what right now.

 

[Amish Heart]

Finishing the second half of the painting of the milkhouse. Our neighbor guy was over last evening, because he heard some metal flapping. It's a piece of roof waaayyyy up top of our old barn. He said he'd get up there and fix it in a few weeks, bring some roof ropes home from work. So then I asked and got an explanation of roof ropes and how the Amish work up so high on roofs. I'm not fond of heights. Also asked him if he could finish off the underside of the roof in the milkhouse, where the turkey vulture got in. So he's going to do that. He'll be needing to borrow grandson a few Saturdays to help with some two man jobs at his place, and grandson will learn how to do some things, and then he can help him maybe find some paid work this summer. And they lost alot of their meat chickens that they ordered and were counting on to eat, and we have a bunch of very large breed roosters that will be ready in a few months for the chop block. And I need a better door put on one room of the milkhouse. I love good neighbors.

 

[hiwall]

Windy and rainy yesterday all day. Got 6/10" of rain and had wind gusts to 53 mph. Windy overnight and this morning our weather station was lying on the ground. Doesn't look damaged so I will see what happened and put it back up today. Still windy outside.
Made a big pot of chili this morning and put it in our larger crock pot to simmer all day.
Supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow.

 

[MoBookworm1957]

I'm up, dressed, sipping on coffee, working on baby Reign's Christmas blanket.
While Strawberry was being walked, loaded the big air fryer into car.
Dishes are done too.
Getting ready for Wal*Mart.
Getting ready to head that way.
Bummer.

 

[Grimm]

Have been house shopping this past month. Today I looked at a decommissioned country elementary school. It has potential. The shop has basketball hoops and there is a back stop/baseball diamond in the cow pasture. It is built like a brick
house. 600 amp electrical, out door boiler, all the rooms are labeled and the boot rooms are to die for. I kind of like the magnetic blackboards as well as the floor to ceiling cork board walls.

Can I have the info on that one? I have always wanted to convert an old church or school in to a home.

 

[Grimm]

It depends on what is going on. It is easier for us to make most of Thanksgiving food, and have others bring desserts or a side. Last year Brussel sprouts and some appetizers showed up with guests. Daughter has some favorite dishes such as sweet potato souffle, corn bread stuffing, cranberries with persimmons. We usually have around a dozen, and there are regulars and some stragglers. I did a Thanksgiving dinner in North Dakota that was all stragglers, people who had no one else and no where to go, and I had around 15 people. I also let people know that if there is someone with no where to go, to tell them to come have dinner with us.

It is just the 6 of us at my folks house. Before we had the kids my folks would invite the stragglers as well. Mostly the downtrodden from church or my dad's church anger management group. He no longer runs the anger group and they now want family holidays for the kids.

 

[Patchouli]

Can I have the info on that one? I have always wanted to convert an old church or school in to a home.

Me too. I babysat in one with a friend as a teen. Now can you guess what month and what was on the property? Yes, October and a graveyard. Anyway the house could have been remodeled a lot better. I saw one online in Indiana and one in Virginia in the past year, on the market.

 

[MoBookworm1957]

Produce has been bought.
Turkey is now residing in the freezer.
Christmas shopping for the grand daughters is done.
Just have to wrap their toys, and matching pj's.
Resting, sipping un sweet tea working Reign's Christmas blanket.
Strawberry is sitting with her back to me again.
Outside barking, wouldn't calm down, so I threw a dish pan of water on her.
Then brought her inside, toweled her off.
Now I'm getting the silent treatment.
I think I shall watch TV, crochet on this blanket, look at the back of my eyeballs.
Later gator.

 

[Weedygarden]

Me too. I babysat in one with a friend as a teen. Now can you guess what month and what was on the property? Yes, October and a graveyard. Anyway the house could have been remodeled a lot better. I saw one online in Indiana and one in Virginia in the past year, on the market.

I know of a couple churches that have been converted in my area. One was small and turned into a single dweller home. It had been the pottery studio of a woman I know. Another church is large and has been converted to a few condos.

 

[Meerkat]

Produce has been bought.
Turkey is now residing in the freezer.
Christmas shopping for the grand daughters is done.
Just have to wrap their toys, and matching pj's.
Resting, sipping un sweet tea working Reign's Christmas blanket.
Strawberry is sitting with her back to me again.
Outside barking, wouldn't calm down, so I threw a dish pan of water on her.
Then brought her inside, toweled her off.
Now I'm getting the silent treatment.
I think I shall watch TV, crochet on this blanket, look at the back of my eyeballs.
Later gator.

LOL, been there too .Since Florida doesn't have a real eock in the whole state I threw potatoes at mine,but they are large dogs who like to bark at the moon,now they are medeum sixe old dogs so not much barking unless its for a good reason.Being wx ball player I had a good aarm and aim so it worked.

 

[Amish Heart]

Millkhouse is finally painted. Inside and out. I'm glad to be done with that project. Now, on to the next one.