-
Posts
4,671 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by dcarch
-
-
SLUG IT OUT!
Don't you hate it? You spend so much money and energy in planting your garden, then just when you are ready to harvest, come these slimy thieves to ruin everything for you.
There are many popular "surefire" tricks on the internet to get rid of slugs. I have tried them all. None of them really work very well.
After a lot of research, I decided to give the electric barrier a try for my strawberry patch.
This method is very easy and inexpensive to implement. It has the potential of being 100% effective, 100% nontoxic long lasting and maintenance free.
For the electric tape, I used self-adhesive copper tape (for stained glass work) and a 12v (old) battery for power. I expect one charge will last more than a season since it really is not powering anything.
Two months later, so far so good. Have not lost one single strawberry yet.
dcarch
-
7
-
1
-
-
-
I also had to give the peonies a bit of structural support this morning, as I noticed they had started flopping over in the night.
HC
Here is a little tip. Staking can be expensive and unsightly.
You can get nice looking 36" long (yes, they do have 36" long) bamboo BBQ skewers cheaper. Check out Amazon, 100 skewer pack for less than $15.00.
dcarch
-
1
-
-
A "point and shoot" rechargable LED (or something) light box would be ideal. Are these a thing? And if they are a thing, are they worth buying?
Be careful with LED lights.
Many LED lights flicker (strobe) which interferes with digital image sensor of your digital camera. They do sell special LED lights for photography.
By the way, there is no such thing as "white" LEDs. The white is actually generated by a chemical on the LED.
dcarch
-
2. I got a tripod. Why did I wait so long? Again, this goes hand-in-hand with using the manual functions on the DSLR. And I can change settings on the same shot and see the differences and how I like some settings better for certain shots. And the overhead shots have improved 100%.
Using the tripod:
1. It allows you to shoot at very low light level by setting the exposure long.
2. Try to use the self-timer for the sharpest image. Even on a tripod, the clicking by hand can introduce shaking.
dcarch
-
2
-
-
How do you guys deal with biting insects? flies, mosquito, ticks, etc?
dcarch
-
Crystallization can purify a compound or material.
For instance to get ultra pure semiconductor material in chip making, a method known as zone refining is used.
dcarch
-
-
A suggestion for you guys with a large garden:
I don't have a huge garden, just big enough to be a pain to go from one end to the other, especially if I have to carry a lot of tools and garden supplies.
So I got myself an electric mobility scooter and modified it for gardening use. So fast, even going up hill.
Completely silent, and instant start. A good time saver, no sweat.
dcarch
-
9
-
-
-
Other than for aesthetic reasons, I have not found most weeds to be that detrimental to garden productivity.
This year's weeds are next years tomatoes. More compost, weeds improve soil.
dcarch
-
3
-
-
-
Does it connect to the internet as well?
LOL!
A Vitamix is way over priced.
A router is a 4x to 5x more complicated machine than a Vitamix, yet a router is about 1/3 the price. Both Vitamix and a router use about the same motor.
dcarch
-
Call me crazy.
Not wanting to pay for a Vitamix, I simply hacked my woodworking router into a variable, reversible high power mixer.
dcarch
-
2
-
-
I am not the only one - a shop blow torch.
I am the only one (probably) - My shop 10" table saw with a carbide blade to cut large bones, really works.
dcarch
-
-
One of the excitement from your garden in early spring is to find things you can harvest for dinner, I don't have morel mushrooms in our area, but I have asparagus, ramps and hosta.
Yes, hosta. Many of you have hosta in your garden, not realizing that in some countries, hosta is a vegetable.
dcarch
Hosta and SV blade steaks
-
19
-
-
I've been in the garden since 8:45 this morning. It's now 1:30. Like @kayb I am one tired, sore person.
Go take a bath. You are filthy and stinky. I can smell you all the way here in NY.
I just came in the house to change for some dry underwear, for the fourth time. Looking at the weather report, I need to get the work done as much as I can today.
A couple more hours of digging, then call pizza. A long bath and many cold beers for me.
dcarch
-
3
-
-
young okra leaves are edible.
dcarch
-
-
1
-
12
-
-
-
With rigid foiled insulation board, it is rigid enough to be structural. If you get 4' x 8' sheets (also come in 4' x 10'), 6 sheets will give you a 4' w x 4' D x 8' H reflective chamber. Using hot glue gun, you can create different interior setups.
I am concerned about health safety with fiberglass.
dcarch
-
Impressive setup!
Did you start the strawberries from seeds? Good job!
A suggestion for your next setup.
Get rigid aluminum foiled insulation board. (4' x 8" x 1/2") for the chamber. Construction is easy. Cut with a knife, and use packing tape to make the box. Very strong. Comes with reflective surface. Handling fiberglass is tricky and ichy.
dcarch
-
1
-
-
Like Martin says - until it dies out. Keep in mind there is a preheat time which may be as much as an hour.
Or, here I used a small blower, ready to cook in a few seconds.
A hair dryer will work well also.
dcarch
Gardening: (2016– )
in Food Traditions & Culture
Posted
It there a need to prevent slime buildup?
dcarch