Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 24 - March 30, 2024

[Meemur]

My back isn't in good shape, SB. I'm also NOT trying to live off my garden but to supplement other foods. For example, I generally put away potatoes, winter squash, onions, and turnips in the basement, and corn, green beans, etc., in the freezer during the fall. If it's a bad year, I buy from others, blanch and freeze them.

(and herbs, garlic . . . the herbs and tomatoes grow well, even in drought years!)

Once it's a little warmer, I grow salad makings in containers along the driveway. Those are easy to plant and tend. When it's too hot for lettuce to grow, I have salads from cukes and tomatoes with a little yogurt and chives on top. Yum! And good for my eating plan.

Last fall I wasn't able to do a bulk buy of meat because I was still paying for my cataract surgery. This fall, a bulk buy is already in the budget. That with the harvest, along with dried beans and rice are the basis of my pantry. I add soups (canned and homemade), canned tuna, and other things I find on sale.

But everything I can get from the garden helps, plus it's physical activity, so I save by not having to pay for a gym membership, which is not going to happen with all of the trails around here . . . another reason I picked this location: plenty of nature for walking, relaxing, and just enjoying!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

No you can't live off of it but they are nice to have, except for the peppers, neither DH nor eat peppers. DH may grow a few squash and zucchini, but mostly it will be tomatoes and green onions, and hopefully some garlic.

Oh yes! Nice to have, and they will make just about any meal taste better. In years past, when we still had a huge garden, we grew just about everything, including sweet corn. We were lots younger then. A neighbor helped with his tractor and stuff. Cary just kept it tilled with a small tiller at that time. All organic fertilizer from neighbor's goat farm hauled in by him by the wagon loads and spread each Spring. I don't know of a single person in our community, except one, who has any semblance of a garden much less a tractor that is used for gardening.

 

[Meemur]

Other ideas:

Square foot gardening

SFG Tips and Blogs - Square Foot Gardening

squarefootgardening.org

Container gardening

Simple, Easy-to-Maintain Container Gardens Seniors Will Love

Gardening is a wonderful way for older people to stay active and has many positive effects on both physical and mental health. Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting a senior-friendly container garden.

www.brightwaterseniorliving.com

 

[Meemur]

The key is coming up with techniques and structures that require less work, especially bending, which is also why I hauled a ton of mulch out to the community garden: the right mulch means few to no weeds, so less work.

Even if I were ill, I'd try to at least plant the containers along the drive. I can sit in a chair to weed those, and the fresh tomatoes and cukes do save me some money. Those salads and tea are frequently lunch on 90 degree days.

The money I save in the summer can go toward the bulk meat buy in the fall.

Lastly, I love being outside! I don't like 90-degree days, but I can usually work in some gardening in the early morning or late evening, even if it's just sitting in a chair and watering.

 

[kyrsyan]

The key is coming up with techniques and structures that require less work, especially bending, which is also why I hauled a ton of mulch out to the community garden: the right mulch means few to no weeds, so less work.

Even if I were ill, I'd try to at least plant the containers along the drive. I can sit in a chair to weed those, and the fresh tomatoes and cukes do save me some money. Those salads and tea are frequently lunch on 90 degree days.

The money I save in the summer can go toward the bulk meat buy in the fall.

Lastly, I love being outside! I don't like 90-degree days, but I can usually work in some gardening in the early morning or late evening, even if it's just sitting in a chair and watering.

This is why I'm replacing my current garden beds. The new ones are 19" tall. Tall enough that I can put some self watering features in. And that I can sit on a bucket seat to work when my back can't take anymore. At the very least, I don't have to bend over completely.

For us, I am slowly shifting things so that the gardens can eventually provide a large share of our fresh veg and fruit, as well as herbs. And do so in a way that is low maintenance long term, fingers crossed. Because the body doesn't get younger.

I'm getting marking paint. I've already determined that the set along the road will be long ways. That means that while people might be able to access what is in those beds, they will have to climb over or go the long way around to reach the other beds. They will be spaced to have 2' circular raised beds made out of steel drums between them. Those outer beds will have a lot of the things that people don't tend to thing of as food.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Our raised bed gardening is what we still do. We have just taken down a lot of them over the years. We went with raised bed gardening, once we lost the ability to do the large garden. They were all big producers. Last year, Cary did use the big TroyBilt to make a small garden along with the raised beds. He said after the garden was finished that he just couldn't do it anymore. I'm not going to push him, either. We can still grow tomatoes, peppers, squash, garlic, and maybe cucumbers in the beds we have left. We do plan to grow at least some tomatoes this year. I like canning tomatoes. He works the raised beds with one of those little tillers. It works great in raised beds. He tills in cow manure and raked leaves used for mulch over the winter each spring, before we plant.

The garlic, chives, and walking onions are already going wild, but too early for the rest to be planted. That happens around the first of May.

Also, with Lupus, I'm highly sensitive to sunlight. What I need to do outside has to be done very early in the morning, so I'm limited on how much outdoor activity I can do during the day.

 

[kyrsyan]

Our raised bed gardening is what we still do. We have just taken down a lot of them over the years. We went with raised bed gardening, once we lost the ability to do the large garden. They were all big producers. Last year, Cary did use the big TroyBilt to make a small garden along with the raised beds. He said after the garden was finished that he just couldn't do it anymore. I'm not going to push him, either. We can still grow tomatoes, peppers, squash, garlic, and maybe cucumbers in the beds we have left. We do plan to grow at least some tomatoes this year. I like canning tomatoes. He works the raised beds with one of those little tillers. It works great in raised beds. He tills in cow manure and raked leaves used for mulch over the winter each spring, before we plant.

The garlic, chives, and walking onions are already going wild, but too early for the rest to be planted. That happens around the first of May.

I need to get my walking onions in bigger planters. At least for now. Their permanent home(s) will be a couple of those 2' circular raised beds.

If I can pull this off, I will actually almost double my planting space. Fingers crossed.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I need to get my walking onions in bigger planters. At least for now. Their permanent home(s) will be a couple of those 2' circular raised beds.

If I can pull this off, I will actually almost double my planting space. Fingers crossed.

My onion bed is getting full, so I'm planning to move some clumps, once the raised beds are ready for planting. I have 2 large tractor tire rims that I'm moving some of the clumps to. I usually use those for herbs, but not this year. I'm just going to grow my favorite herbs in with the tomatoes and squash. I have so many dried and stored already that I don't need many this year. Basil and oregano are my favorites. I grew peppermint one year, and it almost took over the place!

 

[kyrsyan]

My onion bed is getting full, so I'm planning to move some clumps, once the raised beds are ready for planting. I have 2 large tractor tire rims that I'm moving some of the clumps to. I usually use those for herbs, but not this year. I'm just going to grow my favorite herbs in with the tomatoes and squash. I have so many dried and stored already that I don't need many this year. Basil and oregano are my favorites. I grew peppermint one year, and it almost took over the place!

I have an oregano in the back that provides plenty each year. And spearmint and rosemary in the front. I'll be adding more herbs over time. Garlic was this year's big surprise for me. I put together all I could find and had learned and it exploded this year. I pulled the frost cover (squirrel protection) a couple of days ago and I found nice thick stalk, tall plants, with scapes already showing on a chunk of them. Oh, and there's horse radish in a pot. That will get a barrel half - with the bottom still in it because that stuff will invade.

Asparagus is surprising me. Again, another that I wasn't having any luck with. This year it appears that most of them have decided that they would indeed like to live. And the primrose lilac seems to have truly woken up this year. I can't wait to see that truly grow. And the at least some of the elderberry plants have decided that they are going to make it. And the witch hazel has woken up.

But I think the tea olive may be toast. It's trying. Unfortunately, it's also right in son's trample path nowadays. Wasn't when I put it in but life changes.

One step at a time. I have to keep reminding myself that each year I get more done.

This year I was watching a YouTube and saw an idea I want to try for the garden beds close to the house. They used a manual lawn edger to push the landscape cloth down 6" into the ground to help create a firm edge. I'm really leaning towards doing that. I didn't put the cloth down when I did those beds 2 years ago and now weeds are making their way through the layers of cardboard. So it'll be: rake it all out. Put down new layers of cardboard, put down the cloth, then put the mulch back with more added. These are the permanent beds so if I need to add plants I can just cut/burn a hole in the cloth.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I have an oregano in the back that provides plenty each year. And spearmint and rosemary in the front. I'll be adding more herbs over time. Garlic was this year's big surprise for me. I put together all I could find and had learned and it exploded this year. I pulled the frost cover (squirrel protection) a couple of days ago and I found nice thick stalk, tall plants, with scapes already showing on a chunk of them. Oh, and there's horse radish in a pot. That will get a barrel half - with the bottom still in it because that stuff will invade.

Asparagus is surprising me. Again, another that I wasn't having any luck with. This year it appears that most of them have decided that they would indeed like to live. And the primrose lilac seems to have truly woken up this year. I can't wait to see that truly grow. And the at least some of the elderberry plants have decided that they are going to make it. And the witch hazel has woken up.

But I think the tea olive may be toast. It's trying. Unfortunately, it's also right in son's trample path nowadays. Wasn't when I put it in but life changes.

One step at a time. I have to keep reminding myself that each year I get more done.

This year I was watching a YouTube and saw an idea I want to try for the garden beds close to the house. They used a manual lawn edger to push the landscape cloth down 6" into the ground to help create a firm edge. I'm really leaning towards doing that. I didn't put the cloth down when I did those beds 2 years ago and now weeds are making their way through the layers of cardboard. So it'll be: rake it all out. Put down new layers of cardboard, put down the cloth, then put the mulch back with more added. These are the permanent beds so if I need to add plants I can just cut/burn a hole in the cloth.

I've never grown any of the more exotic herbs. Mostly, just what I use in everyday cooking. My garlic comes back every year without having to replant. I dig it as I need it year around but try to keep enough dug over the winter that I don't have to go out when it's cold. Basil and oregano do very well here. I use those a lot.

When we laid out our design for all of our raised beds, Cary wanted enough space in between them so that he could just mow between them. That worked for us.

 

[kyrsyan]

I'm putting 3' between the beds as the pathways. That's enough for the wheelbarrow or garden cart. But I don't want to mow between them because that also means weedeating the sides. But we'll see. Life makes its own decisions sometimes.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm putting 3' between the beds as the pathways. That's enough for the wheelbarrow or garden cart. But I don't want to mow between them because that also means weedeating the sides. But we'll see. Life makes its own decisions sometimes.

Yeah, he does have to weed eat all along the sides. He just enjoys doing yard work, though. We don't have all those raised beds like we did in years past.

 

[Meemur]

Mowing strips are your friends!

 

[kyrsyan]

Yeah, he does have to weed eat all along the sides. He just enjoys doing yard work, though. We don't have all those raised beds like we did in years past.

I have an electric weedeater now. It is infinitely easier to handle than the old gas powered ones. And the battery lasts just about as long as my spine. My spine would last longer but no one has come up with shoulder straps for them yet.

 

[kyrsyan]

Mowing strips are your friends!

View attachment 467685

Eventually. That's the tail end of the projects.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I have an electric weedeater now. It is infinitely easier to handle than the old gas powered ones. And the battery lasts just about as long as my spine. My spine would last longer but no one has come up with shoulder straps for them yet.

Cary uses a heavy duty weed eater with a strap. Its gasoline powered. I'm so short, the thing is longer than I am. Perfect for him.

 

[connie]

We have raised flower beds in back but the trees and shrubs are so big it's very shady. I hope my lemon balm survived. We lost our fig a couple of winters ago. It was huge and and I love figs.
We can grow okra and bell peppers and tomatoes. Squash if we don't get squash bugs. We are desert so hot and dry here. Garden strip in front but I put okra near street and other things nearer house. Some years we just have flowers. My husband does the yard work but it's more tiring every year for him.

 

[Peachy]

I hope my lemon balm survived.

I hope my lemon balm died! It has gotten way out of hand!! I dug a bunch of it last year and a lot of oregeno to give away. They are like a weed in my herb garden. Lesson learned. Don't even get me started on that "one" comfrey plant someone gave me.

I hope your lemon balm survived. Mine--not so much.

 

[moldy]

Love me some lemon balm and comfrey. It's the horehound that has taken over!

 

[Digger]

It's been a busy week here. Monday we went to the bigger town near us. We needed to go to the big Walmart. Since we were there, I got 2 pair of jeans to work in. I haven't bought a new gown in years so I picked up 2 of those also.

We bought extra poultry feed and pet food. The turkeys are over 2 weeks old and growing like weeds. My chicks are a month old and will be going to the grow out pen soon.

Tuesday we were to Ft. Smith. Hubby wanted to get some more reloading supplies. We can't get much in our area, but there are some good shops around Ft Smith. He found what he had been looking for. I bought some tarps at A to Z in Alma. One rang up at just over half the marked price. I went back and got another of that size. I picked up a couple of other little things there too, but tarps was what I was mainly after.

While in Ft Smith, we went to the new Marshall's Museum. It was ok. I enjoyed Judge Parkers courthouse better. But the Marshall Museum does have lots of benches scattered around so hubby could sit for a bit when he needed to rest his leg. They had some neat special effects that we both enjoyed. We had lunch at a Mexican Grill that a friend recommended. It was really good, reasonably priced, and not overly salty. We will be going there again when hubby has to go to his Urologist.

Wednesday we got the grandkids. By the time they left, I was exhausted. I slept till 8 the next morning. Then I felt hung over from sleeping in.

Yesterday we just worked here at home. I still have 2 blueberries to plant that we got on our way home Tuesday. I did get my blackberries tied up. I have a few strawberries blooming that I planted earlier. Today we need to fertilize the berries and fruit trees. I sprayed all the fruit trees except the apples and cherry. The latter are still in bloom. Potatoes are coming up. Onions are growing good.

We have just over a week till the eclipse. NASA is going to be in Russellville for it. They are expecting lots of tourists. 300 couples have signed up for the eclipse group wedding. We plan to stay home. A lot of businesses are closed that day. I will be glad when it's over. We will watch it, but no way would we go anywhere off the farm unless it was an emergency.

Have a blessed Easter weekend everyone.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Question.....How do ya'll use lemon balm? I see it in our local greenhouse every year, but have never tried it, since I don't know what it's used for. Basil, oregano, parsley, dill, wintergreen, and peppermint are the only herbs I've grown. I still have lots of those seed. I stopped growing herbs, and they all died out, so I would have to start over.

Cary picked up the lawn tractor from the shop, yesterday. He got the yard mowed, so today, he'll be weed eating and spraying brush killer along our property fence line. The property that joins ours on 3 sides is unkept. 80 acres of brush and hard wood forest, with honeysuckle and wisteria growing all over the place. Cary has to keep the fence line sprayed, or it would take over our whole property. I'll be moving 3 large planters that I plan to grow banana peppers in this year. They would do better, once they're moved to a different location. Where I had them last year were in my way of other things, such as cucumbers. The cucumbers kept trying to take over the planters. Cary doesn't know it yet that I have gardening plans whether he does or not. Growing things in large planters doesn't take much time or effort, even if he doesn't want to grow anything, except tomatoes, in the raised beds. I want squash and peppers, too, at least.

74 degrees and sunny, today.

 

[school marm]

Question.....How do ya'll use lemon balm? I see it in our local greenhouse every year, but have never tried it, since I don't know what it's used for. Basil, oregano, parsley, dill, wintergreen, and peppermint are the only herbs I've grown. I still have lots of those seed. I stopped growing herbs, and they all died out, so I would have to start over.

Cary picked up the lawn tractor from the shop, yesterday. He got the yard mowed, so today, he'll be weed eating and spraying brush killer along our property fence line. The property that joins ours on 3 sides is unkept. 80 acres of brush and hard wood forest, with honeysuckle and wisteria growing all over the place. Cary has to keep the fence line sprayed, or it would take over our whole property. I'll be moving 3 large planters that I plan to grow banana peppers in this year. They would do better, once they're moved to a different location. Where I had them last year were in my way of other things, such as cucumbers. The cucumbers kept trying to take over the planters. Cary doesn't know it yet that I have gardening plans whether he does or not. Growing things in large planters doesn't take much time or effort, even if he doesn't want to grow anything, except tomatoes, in the raised beds. I want squash and peppers, too, at least.

74 degrees and sunny, today.

Wow, honeysuckle. I'm jealous. It's in the list of the top 50 herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Medicinal Uses of Lemon Balm
Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health practitioner. This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible. No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician. Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care. A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

As another member of the mint family, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is not quite so well-known as its relatives. Essential oil users might more readily recognize the other name it goes by--Melissa. And if you recognize the name, you might also remember that it is pretty expensive stuff. Fortunately, most of the therapeutic effects that one can derive from Melissa essential oil can also be obtained by using lemon balm tea or tincture.
As a member of the mint family, lemon balm grows and spreads very easily. Its leaves can be harvested two or three times each summer without adversely affecting the plant at all. In terms of the most potent medicinal benefit, the leaves should be picked and dried just before the plant starts to flower, usually in August or September.
Historically, lemon balm has been used to treat a myriad of conditions:

• anxiety and insomnia
• gastric ulcers, intestinal cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome
• neuropathy
• hypertension, heart palpitations, and arrhythmias
• type-2 diabetes
• heal wounds and cold sores
• influenza
• hyperthyroidism and Grave's disease
• tension headaches
• vertigo
• chickenpox, shingles, and herpes, especially the rashes associated with these illnesses
• enterovirus-71

INFUSIONS: For all the above conditions, an infusion may be prepared using two teaspoons of fresh leaves or one teaspoon dried leaves per cup of boiling water. Let steep for five minutes, remove the leaves, and sweeten with honey, if desired.
TINCTURES: The above conditions may also be treated with a tincture. Prepare your tincture in one of the following ways:

• Fresh herb. 1:2 ratio of fresh herb to 50% alcohol. Let macerate four weeks.
• Dried herb. 1:5 ratio of dried herb to 50% alcohol. Let macerate four weeks.
• Take 1/2-1 teaspoon tincture in one cup of warm water up to four times per day.

A tincture for topical use that is especially effective against skin blisters, including those due to herpes simplex 1 and 2, shingles, chickenpox, and enterovirus-71, is prepared a little differently. The ratios are the same as far as the amount of herb to use, i.e., 1:2 for fresh and 1:5 for dried. However, the liquid should be 25% alcohol, 30% glycerin, and 45% water. The tincture may be applied as often as desired.
SYRUP: Lemon balm is an excellent herb for children, especially when they have upset stomachs or insomnia. And it tastes good, too! It doesn't take long to prepare and will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

• 1 cup freshly picked lemon balm
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract, optional

Put lemon zest and water in saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add lemon balm leaves and cover pot. Let steep 30 minutes, or until water darkens in color. Strain herbs and discard. Heat lemon balm-infused water and honey and stir to combine. Add lemon extract, if desired. Pour into a canning jar, label, and store in the refrigerator for up to three months.
For insomnia and upset stomachs, children may have one teaspoon up to four times per day. Adults may take one tablespoon, up to four times per day. Never administer to children under the age of twelve months.
Contraindications: Do not use in people with hypothyroidism. Consult physician if nursing or pregnant.

Links to related posts:
DIY Lemon Extract

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Wow, honeysuckle. I'm jealous. It's in the list of the top 50 herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Medicinal Uses of Lemon Balm
Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health practitioner. This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible. No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician. Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care. A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

As another member of the mint family, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is not quite so well-known as its relatives. Essential oil users might more readily recognize the other name it goes by--Melissa. And if you recognize the name, you might also remember that it is pretty expensive stuff. Fortunately, most of the therapeutic effects that one can derive from Melissa essential oil can also be obtained by using lemon balm tea or tincture.
As a member of the mint family, lemon balm grows and spreads very easily. Its leaves can be harvested two or three times each summer without adversely affecting the plant at all. In terms of the most potent medicinal benefit, the leaves should be picked and dried just before the plant starts to flower, usually in August or September.
Historically, lemon balm has been used to treat a myriad of conditions:

• anxiety and insomnia
• gastric ulcers, intestinal cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome
• neuropathy
• hypertension, heart palpitations, and arrhythmias
• type-2 diabetes
• heal wounds and cold sores
• influenza
• hyperthyroidism and Grave's disease
• tension headaches
• vertigo
• chickenpox, shingles, and herpes, especially the rashes associated with these illnesses
• enterovirus-71

INFUSIONS: For all the above conditions, an infusion may be prepared using two teaspoons of fresh leaves or one teaspoon dried leaves per cup of boiling water. Let steep for five minutes, remove the leaves, and sweeten with honey, if desired.
TINCTURES: The above conditions may also be treated with a tincture. Prepare your tincture in one of the following ways:

• Fresh herb. 1:2 ratio of fresh herb to 50% alcohol. Let macerate four weeks.
• Dried herb. 1:5 ratio of dried herb to 50% alcohol. Let macerate four weeks.
• Take 1/2-1 teaspoon tincture in one cup of warm water up to four times per day.

A tincture for topical use that is especially effective against skin blisters, including those due to herpes simplex 1 and 2, shingles, chickenpox, and enterovirus-71, is prepared a little differently. The ratios are the same as far as the amount of herb to use, i.e., 1:2 for fresh and 1:5 for dried. However, the liquid should be 25% alcohol, 30% glycerin, and 45% water. The tincture may be applied as often as desired.
SYRUP: Lemon balm is an excellent herb for children, especially when they have upset stomachs or insomnia. And it tastes good, too! It doesn't take long to prepare and will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

• 1 cup freshly picked lemon balm
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract, optional

Put lemon zest and water in saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add lemon balm leaves and cover pot. Let steep 30 minutes, or until water darkens in color. Strain herbs and discard. Heat lemon balm-infused water and honey and stir to combine. Add lemon extract, if desired. Pour into a canning jar, label, and store in the refrigerator for up to three months.
For insomnia and upset stomachs, children may have one teaspoon up to four times per day. Adults may take one tablespoon, up to four times per day. Never administer to children under the age of twelve months.
Contraindications: Do not use in people with hypothyroidism. Consult physician if nursing or pregnant.

Links to related posts:
DIY Lemon Extract

So many uses! I had no idea. That is one I will add to my herb list. Does it do well in a pot or planter to keep it from taking over everything?

 

[nomifyle]

The only herb that I had success with one year was lemon grass, it was supposed to deter misquetos. But I let it die off because I have a black thumb. I can sit and watch a plant die.

Our raised beds are ICB totes cut in half. DH got a bunch that did not have the cages for free. He built a platform with sides to contain them. They have worked well, the first ones he made were low to the ground and did not work for me. a couple of years or so ago I bought some bunching onions and they have grown like crazy. The first year DH cut them back and brought the tops in the house for me to process. I did a lot, but it was just too much for me so the chickens got a lot. When he built the planter boxes on the front porch we trans planted some and they have done well even in the cold weather. I still have not cut anymore. And now they are going to seed. I plan on giving my friend Morgan some. They have a garden, a big garden.

 

[nomifyle]

I probably have some lemon balm seeds in my seed stash in the freezer.

 

[connie]

I use dried lemon balm for tea. Its in the mint family. That's probably why it's so invasive.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I use dried lemon balm for tea. Its in the mint family. That's probably why it's so invasive.

I would be using it for tea as well. I would love to try it, since I see that it could be beneficial to us for several things. I just have to find some seed, or maybe pick up a couple of plants from our local greenhouse where we get our tomato and pepper plants. I have several empty large planter boxes that I can fill with soil to plant herbs in. I've already got the gardening soil and cow manure to fill with. We have always kept large bags of gardening soil and cow manure in storage in Cary's workshop. Never know when it will be needed. Always replacing what we use.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Cary got everything sprayed, today. He was given out by the time he was finished that he just decided to wait until tomorrow to do the weed whacking. Supposed to be sunny and 80 degrees tomorrow. While he is doing that, I'll drag more empty planter boxes out of the mini barn and get them ready for planting. Cary will help haul all the soil and manure for those. Bags are too big for me to pick up. He'll use the garden wagon. I'm going to set them all around the lower deck which is ground level.

He also didn't want me trying to move the planter boxes just yet that we used last year. He wants to wait, until he gets around to tilling up the raised beds. Right now, they are sitting in each corner of one long bed. The bed I grew cucumbers in last year. They will have to be moved when he tills, so they can wait til then. I did help him cut some small low hanging limbs off a few trees that are hanging over our fence line from the other property.

I'm going to just throw a chicken casserole in the oven along with cornbread for supper, tonight. Still eating on those cupcakes for dessert. There are 3 left.

 

[school marm]

So many uses! I had no idea. That is one I will add to my herb list. Does it do well in a pot or planter to keep it from taking over everything?

I would guess so, but I have no experience with that. I just grow my herbs in the ground with everything else. I've never had my mint family herbs spread as invasively here as they did in Missouri. Well, except catnip--that's one promiscuous beast here.

 

[nomifyle]

The day started out sunny but now its hazy and getting too warm for me.

Gotta work on laundry today, I kinda let it pile up. Lots to do in the bedroom and my walk in closet (which is actually a room).

I still have some commodities that need to get put away, they are on the table and I want it cleaned off for Easter dinner.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've been doing some cleaning and rearranging in the pantry room this morning. Lots of empty spaces on the shelves that are now ready to be restocked. Right now, our plans are to do that Thursday. What I can't afford to get Thursday, I will finish getting on the second trip of the month. Those two trips will get me back to where we were.

Yard work this afternoon, once Cary gets up from his nap. I'll need his help. He'll be weed eating, too. 80 degrees and sunny. I'll be working in the shade for the most part.

I've also got a meatloaf already mixed up and, in the loaf pan, in the fridge, to go straight in the oven for tonight's supper. A jar of my home canned purple hull peas (my last jar), homemade mac&cheese, and cornbread will round out the meal, along with fresh dug green onions.

 

[kyrsyan]

Wiped. I need to do shopping but I also need to not upset or exhaust son. So I hired an old acquaintance to come sit with son while I did the errands runs across two towns. He still knows and loves her, and she needs some extra cash, so it worked out. He gave the biggest smile when he saw her. And gave her bye bye kisses.

3 1/2 hours later I was home. About a half hour after that, most of it is put away. Son was slightly upset but much better after he saw that I was okay and got lunch.

Tomorrow we go get my brother and then meet family for Easter lunch. That was the compromise so that I wasn't doing 6+ hours of driving. Instead I'm doing 4 or so hours. Except I know that I'll have grabbed my brother either way we did it. So 6+ would have been more like 8+.

New fiberglass handle shovels. Two type of manual edgers. The steel 5 gallon drums we needed. Lots and lots of groceries. Angle grinder and batteries.

Dinner tonight is Lawlers BBQ. Tomorrow will likely be pork chops or stir-fry. But I'm thinking stir-fry will be Monday with some of the shredded BBQ.

When I get energy today, it's time to go measure and mark so I know where to place the new garden beds. And how many beds I'll need. Tomorrow will honestly be a wash. The driving and family time will burn the energy I have. I love my family but family events tend to be tiring.

 

[Meemur]

60 degrees and full sun here! I've been puttering in the garage and garden. If the warmth keeps up, potatoes might get planted next weekend.

I also took a very short bike ride this morning. My legs are not happy with me, but it was really nice to ride along the trail.

 

[aviax2]

I got my 6 month medical checkup out of the way yesterday and my dental last week. I absolutely, positively despise having to go for any kind of appointments and I’m just getting worse about it as I get older! Bloodwork came back better than I thought it would but definitely room for improvement. I’m behind on getting my eyes checked, our eye Dr. retired and I’ll have to find a new one and it stresses me out so much.

Fibro has me so exhausted and brain fogged, at least the pain hasn’t been too bad for the most part and that’s something to be happy about.

I‘ve been working in the kitchen on and off between having to sit down and rest a lot. Still had some things from Wednesday shopping that needed putting away, ran the dishwasher and cleaned countertops. I’ve made the deviled eggs and fried apples for tomorrow, I’ll put the smoked picnic in the oven before bed in a slow/low oven. DD2 is making/bringing mashed potatoes, I think DD1 is doing something with fresh pineapple (probably grilling it) so all I should have to do is rolls and asparagus tomorrow. Now that I’ve rested a bit, I need to head back in there and start supper, grilled chicken (I’ll get it ready and DH can grill it) and fettuccine Alfredo (sauce from a jar) because that’s all I feel up to.

 

[nomifyle]

The sun never did come back out and I don't think it got up to 80.

I've been slowly working on the laundry. My energy level is low. I did walk out to the saw mill a couple of times. Something broke that lifts the log onto the saw mill platform and he's been working on it for several hours.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Cary and I, both, got all of our outside chores done. I still lack one planter to be filled for planting, and one blooming shrub that I need to cut back. That will wait, until Monday.

I hope my back doesn't let me know that it doesn't like yard work in the morning. It's wanting to tighten up and spasm with me a bit. I know I'll get so stiff tonight, and it might not be fun in the morning.

Supper was so good. We both ate too much. No dessert, though.

No plans for tomorrow, except to get rested up for next week. Monday is our only day without having to go into Big Town. Doctor's appts. and testing done every day, except Thursday, but that is our all out shopping day.

 

[kyrsyan]

Well it turns out I'm getting the angle grinder before the circular saw. And the larger batteries went on discount so I grabbed a couple of those for the Sawzall and angle grinder. Dad warned me that those tools would burn through battery power. But so did experience.

Lowe's didn't have my online order ready. It appears that the order disappeared into the ether. So I ended up inside. So the two new shovels and a couple of other garden tools came home, along with the marking paint. And a discount can of Thompson wood stain for the garden storage "deck".

One more mouse down. This was one of the smarter ones. I think that leaves just one.

I didn't get out to mark the garden. I have been cleaning house and doing laundry.

 

[patriotgal]

Monday I was at dentist office at 9 am to get crown put back on. Came home and made meatloaf and mashed taters. Once we finished eating, DH says "let's run away."

It was supposed to rain and be cold for couple days. We had coupons for couple free nights and meals so I put the leftovers in the fridge and we ran.

We found a hole in the wall eatery that had $5 home cooked plate meals. Couldn't buy the ingredients for that!

After 2 nights away we were about to come home when I realized we had one more free night coupon. Called and it was good so we checked in. We keep a backpack in the rig with a change of shirts, socks and undies so I raided it for fresh clothes.

We came home Thursday night. Friday am I went to town and paid bills and got groceries. I sat in the grocery parking lot and made a couple calls.

We needed a couple pieces of siding to finish the rental rehab. We thought we had some but it turned out to be too short. It had been 25 years. I prayed so hard. My second call to a local building center got results. They had a match. Praise God!

Today we replaced the siding pieces. Then we started the move to the other property. I am only moving what we will absolutely need but it is still a job. We will now work on this property.

We are both beat tonite. But one big project is done. If things go haywire on the 8th, we are good.