• Dang it!

    From cshenk@21:1/5 to All on Mon Apr 22 15:46:25 2024
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in the green house.
    All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more seedling space.
    That will take awhile as it's got a lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are fine still and
    there's 6 trays still inside.

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Snag@21:1/5 to cshenk on Mon Apr 22 13:03:42 2024
    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in the green house.
    All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more seedling space.
    That will take awhile as it's got a lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are fine still and
    there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !
    --
    Snag
    "They may take our lives but
    they'll never take our freedom."
    William Wallace

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Snag on Tue Apr 23 16:57:12 2024
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in the green house.
    All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more seedling space.
    That will take awhile as it's got a lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are fine still and
    there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog out.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to cshenk on Tue Apr 23 13:44:30 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in the
    green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a lot
    of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have to
    get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the
    frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd transplanted
    into their hanging baskets. They really looked done-for,
    but I brought them in and they recovered, thank goodness.

    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Ralph Mowery@21:1/5 to All on Tue Apr 23 16:56:40 2024
    In article <S-adnf1FfLr1dbr7nZ2dnZfqnPudnZ2d@giganews.com>, cshenk@virginia-beach.net says...


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog out.



    I had 12 tomato plants set out and over the county here was spotted
    frost. I just hope it missed mine. Middle of NC.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From songbird@21:1/5 to cshenk on Wed Apr 24 01:16:54 2024
    cshenk wrote:
    ...
    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog out.

    there's a hard frost in the forecast for tomorrow night
    so i'm glad i don't have anything out there that i'm
    worried about being damaged.

    Mom noticed the lilac bush is probably not going to
    flower again this season, but we'll see how it goes -
    sometimes nature figures it out anyways. if it doesn't
    this will be the third season in a row that it didn't
    do very well.


    songbird

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Wed Apr 24 21:26:32 2024
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in the
    green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a lot
    of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have to
    get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the
    frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd transplanted
    into their hanging baskets. They really looked done-for,
    but I brought them in and they recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce was seeded but not germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still in packets and
    some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Snag@21:1/5 to cshenk on Wed Apr 24 17:30:14 2024
    On 4/24/2024 4:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in the
    green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a lot
    of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have to
    get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the
    frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd transplanted
    into their hanging baskets. They really looked done-for,
    but I brought them in and they recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce was seeded but not germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still in packets and
    some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.


    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping and has soil to
    give away ...I need some fill for a shop expansion project , and it
    looks like I'll be getting a load to supplement my garden topsoil . For
    free , but I'll make sure he (the neighbor) gets compensated for at
    least his fuel for hauling it to me .
    --
    Snag
    "They may take our lives but
    they'll never take our freedom."
    William Wallace

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to Snag on Thu Apr 25 10:06:05 2024
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/24/2024 4:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in
    the green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a
    lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have
    to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing
    the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd
    transplanted into their hanging baskets. They really
    looked done-for, but I brought them in and they
    recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a
    little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce was
    seeded but not
    germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still
    in packets and some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.


    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping and
    has soil to
    give away ...I need some fill for a shop expansion project
    , and it looks like I'll be getting a load to supplement
    my garden topsoil . For free , but I'll make sure he (the
    neighbor) gets compensated for at least his fuel for
    hauling it to me .

    Good deal! I wish I could find such a deal for my low-lying
    section of backyard.

    Nice that you're remembering to "tip" for the delivery.
    A lot of people wouldn't think to do that these days.

    Nyssa, who lives in a swamp and suffers the muddy
    consequences every spring

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to cshenk on Thu Apr 25 10:04:12 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in
    the green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a
    lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have
    to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the
    frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd
    transplanted into their hanging baskets. They really
    looked done-for, but I brought them in and they
    recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a
    little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce was
    seeded but not
    germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still in
    packets and some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.

    I'm going to have to make another run probably next week.

    Since I had my deck re-done, I'll need to buy some pot
    stands (wheeled for the bigger pots) to keep the pots
    off the decking. I priced them when I was at Lowe's and
    they are *expensive*! Yikes! But I figure spending a couple
    of hundred for the stands is better than paying a couple
    of thousand to have the deck re-done again in a few years.

    Meanwhile, the temperatures are still going down into
    the 40s at night, so I'm still stuck with a lot of plants
    indoors under the plant light taking up room that should
    be used by new seed starts. :/

    The wind is another worry. Gusting up to 35mph doesn't
    bode well for new transplants or hardening off seedlings.
    Even if temperatures rise, that wind is going to delay
    matters even longer.

    IIRC, the last frost date for VB is 23 March. For here,
    it's 7 April. Either way, these late frosts we've both
    been getting are really outliers that are probably setting
    a few records. I just want it all to normalize so I can
    get stuff growing outside!

    A gardener's/farmer's life is not easy.

    Nyssa, who at least has blueberry plants that are
    doing okay in this weird weather (fingers crossed)

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Snag@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Thu Apr 25 09:43:39 2024
    On 4/25/2024 9:06 AM, Nyssa wrote:
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/24/2024 4:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in
    the green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a
    lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have
    to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing
    the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd
    transplanted into their hanging baskets. They really
    looked done-for, but I brought them in and they
    recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a
    little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce was
    seeded but not
    germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still
    in packets and some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.


    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping and
    has soil to
    give away ...I need some fill for a shop expansion project
    , and it looks like I'll be getting a load to supplement
    my garden topsoil . For free , but I'll make sure he (the
    neighbor) gets compensated for at least his fuel for
    hauling it to me .

    Good deal! I wish I could find such a deal for my low-lying
    section of backyard.

    Nice that you're remembering to "tip" for the delivery.
    A lot of people wouldn't think to do that these days.

    Nyssa, who lives in a swamp and suffers the muddy
    consequences every spring


    We have formed a pretty tight group of people here in The Holler .
    Every one of us brings a different talent to the group and we all help
    each other when there is a need or opportunity . I'm the metalworking
    Mr. Fixit , Ken is our small engine guy , Tim helps out with his backhoe
    , and so on . And we all have gardens and share seedlings - I always
    plant more than I intend to use so I have some to share . Several of us
    have hens , so there's never a shortage of eggs . Or fertilizer !
    --
    Snag
    "They may take our lives but
    they'll never take our freedom."
    William Wallace

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Snag on Thu Apr 25 14:51:30 2024
    Snag wrote:

    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping and has soil to
    give away ...I need some fill for a shop expansion project , and it
    looks like I'll be getting a load to supplement my garden topsoil .
    For free , but I'll make sure he (the neighbor) gets compensated for
    at least his fuel for hauling it to me .

    Good deal!

    I keep getting offers for seedlings I don't want in exchange for my
    food plants. I've told her privately, no. Wt've exchanged before and
    she always turns my 'must pickup' into I have to go there. Frankly
    Virginia Beach is probably a LOT bigger than most here realize. She's
    a 1.5hr round trip. There are others who are 2.5hr round trip. No
    thanks!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Thu Apr 25 15:25:16 2024
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.

    I'm going to have to make another run probably next week.

    Since I had my deck re-done, I'll need to buy some pot
    stands (wheeled for the bigger pots) to keep the pots
    off the decking. I priced them when I was at Lowe's and
    they are expensive! Yikes! But I figure spending a couple
    of hundred for the stands is better than paying a couple
    of thousand to have the deck re-done again in a few years.

    Are you handy with wood? They are simple to make. Castor locking
    wheels.

    Depending on size needed, these may do.

    https://www.amazon.com/Taiyin-Lockable-Rolling-Outdoor-Planter/dp/B0C7TF7GLD/

    Lots of others for low cost in different sizes.

    Also, if handy with basic tools-

    https://www.chatfieldcourt.com/the-easiest-diy-rolling-plant-stand/

    Nothing says you have to use a square. 6 wheels and rectangle may work
    better for your needs. 1 sheet 3/4in thick PT plywood (4ft x 8ft).
    Cut off top 2ft leaving a 6ft x4ft section. Cut the 6ft x 4ft secion
    inti 3 16ib 6ft sections. Apply 4 wheels to the 4 corners the 2 at
    center sides. Seal then paint the wood with exterior paint (top and
    bottom for longevity). The remaing wood could be 4 more rolling
    planters as 12in x 2ft or whatever you want.

    Meanwhile, the temperatures are still going down into
    the 40s at night, so I'm still stuck with a lot of plants
    indoors under the plant light taking up room that should
    be used by new seed starts. :/

    The wind is another worry. Gusting up to 35mph doesn't
    bode well for new transplants or hardening off seedlings.
    Even if temperatures rise, that wind is going to delay
    matters even longer.

    IIRC, the last frost date for VB is 23 March. For here,
    it's 7 April. Either way, these late frosts we've both
    been getting are really outliers that are probably setting
    a few records. I just want it all to normalize so I can
    get stuff growing outside!

    A gardener's/farmer's life is not easy.

    It will happen though!

    Nyssa, who at least has blueberry plants that are
    doing okay in this weird weather (fingers crossed)

    Apples and Cherries doing well!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Ralph Mowery on Thu Apr 25 15:39:58 2024
    Ralph Mowery wrote:

    In article <S-adnf1FfLr1dbr7nZ2dnZfqnPudnZ2d@giganews.com>, cshenk@virginia-beach.net says...


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing the frost on
    our cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last night.
    Sprang up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog out.



    I had 12 tomato plants set out and over the county here was spotted
    frost. I just hope it missed mine. Middle of NC.

    Good luck! Mine made it. We are right on the atlantic so warmer than
    central NC.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to songbird on Thu Apr 25 15:47:00 2024
    songbird wrote:

    cshenk wrote:
    ...
    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last night.
    Sprang up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog out.

    there's a hard frost in the forecast for tomorrow night
    so i'm glad i don't have anything out there that i'm
    worried about being damaged.

    Mom noticed the lilac bush is probably not going to
    flower again this season, but we'll see how it goes -
    sometimes nature figures it out anyways. if it doesn't
    this will be the third season in a row that it didn't
    do very well.


    songbird

    Awe. Had awesome luck with one of those some years ago but a hard
    winter finally got it.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Snag on Thu Apr 25 15:28:06 2024
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/25/2024 9:06 AM, Nyssa wrote:
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/24/2024 4:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in
    the green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a
    lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll have
    to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing
    the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the dog
    out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd
    transplanted into their hanging baskets. They really
    looked done-for, but I brought them in and they
    recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a
    little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce was
    seeded but not
    germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still
    in packets and some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.


    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping and
    has soil to
    give away ...I need some fill for a shop expansion project
    , and it looks like I'll be getting a load to supplement
    my garden topsoil . For free , but I'll make sure he (the
    neighbor) gets compensated for at least his fuel for
    hauling it to me .

    Good deal! I wish I could find such a deal for my low-lying
    section of backyard.

    Nice that you're remembering to "tip" for the delivery.
    A lot of people wouldn't think to do that these days.

    Nyssa, who lives in a swamp and suffers the muddy
    consequences every spring


    We have formed a pretty tight group of people here in The Holler .
    Every one of us brings a different talent to the group and we all
    help each other when there is a need or opportunity . I'm the
    metalworking Mr. Fixit , Ken is our small engine guy , Tim helps out
    with his backhoe , and so on . And we all have gardens and share
    seedlings - I always plant more than I intend to use so I have some
    to share . Several of us have hens , so there's never a shortage of
    eggs . Or fertilizer !

    Nice!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to cshenk on Thu Apr 25 15:16:45 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping and has
    soil to give away ...I need some fill for a shop
    expansion project , and it looks like I'll be getting a
    load to supplement my garden topsoil . For free , but
    I'll make sure he (the neighbor) gets compensated for at
    least his fuel for hauling it to me .

    Good deal!

    I keep getting offers for seedlings I don't want in
    exchange for my
    food plants. I've told her privately, no. Wt've
    exchanged before and
    she always turns my 'must pickup' into I have to go there.
    Frankly
    Virginia Beach is probably a LOT bigger than most here
    realize. She's
    a 1.5hr round trip. There are others who are 2.5hr round
    trip. No thanks!

    Yes, VB is the largest city population-wise in the state
    and 2nd in land area (Chesapeake is #1).

    VB used to be tiny...only a few blocks wide and the
    distance down Atlantic Avenue where the hotels were.

    Then they "merged" with Princess Anne County and took
    over. :(

    The tax rates went way up and the service level went
    way down...and continued from there.

    Nyssa, who was raised in Princess Anne County, *not*
    VB

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to Snag on Thu Apr 25 15:22:10 2024
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/25/2024 9:06 AM, Nyssa wrote:
    Snag wrote:

    On 4/24/2024 4:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Snag wrote:

    On 4/22/2024 10:46 AM, cshenk wrote:
    Late coldsnap got me. Lost 4 trays of seedlings in
    the green house. All my red bell peppers.

    I will have to redesign the sunroom better for more
    seedling space. That will take awhile as it's got a
    lot of junk to clear out.

    I've still got time to get herbs started. I'll
    have to get starter
    plants now. Ah well, The delicata and zucchini are
    fine still and there's 6 trays still inside.


    I brought mine in last night ... and after seeing
    the frost on our
    cars this morning I'm glad I did !

    Too much to bring in. Ah well, tomatos weathered
    last
    night. Sprang
    up suddenly. It was 31f when Don got up to let the
    dog out.

    I almost lost half of my vinca plants that I'd
    transplanted into their hanging baskets. They really
    looked done-for, but I brought them in and they
    recovered, thank goodness.

    I was able to save 2 seedling trays and 1 patial with a
    little bit in
    there. It's the red peppers that hurt. The lettuce
    was seeded but not
    germinated yet so there's hope yet. I have herbs still
    in packets and some odds-n-ends still in seed packets.


    OTOH the lettuce plants I had put outside in their big
    pots did just fine. I'll be adding more to another pot
    later today.

    That's good!

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.


    My neighbor has a friend who did some landscaping
    and has soil to
    give away ...I need some fill for a shop expansion
    project , and it looks like I'll be getting a load to
    supplement my garden topsoil . For free , but I'll make
    sure he (the neighbor) gets compensated for at least his
    fuel for hauling it to me .

    Good deal! I wish I could find such a deal for my
    low-lying section of backyard.

    Nice that you're remembering to "tip" for the delivery.
    A lot of people wouldn't think to do that these days.

    Nyssa, who lives in a swamp and suffers the muddy
    consequences every spring


    We have formed a pretty tight group of people here in
    The Holler .
    Every one of us brings a different talent to the group and
    we all help each other when there is a need or opportunity
    . I'm the metalworking Mr. Fixit , Ken is our small engine
    guy , Tim helps out with his backhoe , and so on . And we
    all have gardens and share seedlings - I always plant more
    than I intend to use so I have some to share . Several of
    us have hens , so there's never a shortage of eggs . Or
    fertilizer !

    That's a very good support group! I wish I had something
    like that here.

    As it is, I'm the one who shares seedlings and helps
    answer gardening questions.

    I am also the Designated Baker and share breads and
    cupcakes, etc.

    I do have one neighbor who helped me pull my riding
    mower out of the mud my first mow of the season. I
    couldn't budge the thing by myself.

    I guess I'm building up brownie points, but with
    few people able/willing to let me cash them in when
    I need help in return.

    Nyssa, who wishes there were some people around with
    talents other than hers to call on...besides the ones
    you have to pay for

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to cshenk on Thu Apr 25 15:27:01 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    Nyssa, who when on a gardening supply run this morning
    and snagged two huge pots for tomatoes and replacement
    seeds for other starts that didn't start on the first
    try

    I have yet to make my run.

    I'm going to have to make another run probably next week.

    Since I had my deck re-done, I'll need to buy some pot
    stands (wheeled for the bigger pots) to keep the pots
    off the decking. I priced them when I was at Lowe's and
    they are expensive! Yikes! But I figure spending a couple
    of hundred for the stands is better than paying a couple
    of thousand to have the deck re-done again in a few
    years.

    Are you handy with wood? They are simple to make. Castor
    locking wheels.

    Depending on size needed, these may do.

    https://www.amazon.com/Taiyin-Lockable-Rolling-Outdoor-
    Planter/dp/B0C7TF7GLD/

    Lots of others for low cost in different sizes.

    Also, if handy with basic tools-

    https://www.chatfieldcourt.com/the-easiest-diy-rolling-plant-stand/

    Nothing says you have to use a square. 6 wheels and
    rectangle may work
    better for your needs. 1 sheet 3/4in thick PT plywood
    (4ft x 8ft).
    Cut off top 2ft leaving a 6ft x4ft section. Cut the 6ft x
    4ft secion
    inti 3 16ib 6ft sections. Apply 4 wheels to the 4 corners
    the 2 at
    center sides. Seal then paint the wood with exterior
    paint (top and
    bottom for longevity). The remaing wood could be 4 more
    rolling planters as 12in x 2ft or whatever you want.

    Meanwhile, the temperatures are still going down into
    the 40s at night, so I'm still stuck with a lot of plants
    indoors under the plant light taking up room that should
    be used by new seed starts. :/

    The wind is another worry. Gusting up to 35mph doesn't
    bode well for new transplants or hardening off seedlings.
    Even if temperatures rise, that wind is going to delay
    matters even longer.

    IIRC, the last frost date for VB is 23 March. For here,
    it's 7 April. Either way, these late frosts we've both
    been getting are really outliers that are probably
    setting a few records. I just want it all to normalize so
    I can get stuff growing outside!

    A gardener's/farmer's life is not easy.

    It will happen though!

    Nyssa, who at least has blueberry plants that are
    doing okay in this weird weather (fingers crossed)

    Apples and Cherries doing well!


    I've got tools plus some scrap wood (including a dozen
    two foot outcuts from my decking) in the shed, but haven't
    had time to come up with ideas of how to use them yet.

    The planter stands I saw are heavy cast iron with casters
    that will be sturdy enough to last for years I would think.
    Pricey though.

    I'm juggling so many to-dos and projects right now, I've
    got to find some shortcuts for a few in order to catch up.
    This month-long delay in getting the gardening started
    is just adding to the drama.

    Nyssa, who will keep trying to think of ideas and looking
    for some ready-made solutions

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Fri Apr 26 17:34:24 2024
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:
    Depending on size needed, these may do. (on planters with wheels).



    https://www.amazon.com/Taiyin-Lockable-Rolling-Outdoor-
    Planter/dp/B0C7TF7GLD/

    I've got tools plus some scrap wood (including a dozen
    two foot outcuts from my decking) in the shed, but haven't
    had time to come up with ideas of how to use them yet.

    Well, that would work but take longer to build.

    The planter stands I saw are heavy cast iron with casters
    that will be sturdy enough to last for years I would think.
    Pricey though.

    Yes. Did you look around on Amazon? They have sturdy metal ones of
    14-16 inches for not too much.

    Nyssa, who will keep trying to think of ideas and looking
    for some ready-made solutions

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Fri Apr 26 17:18:39 2024
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Yes, VB is the largest city population-wise in the state
    and 2nd in land area (Chesapeake is #1).

    Yup, all the local ones 'encorperated' to county wide. Makes former
    suburbs subjuect to the main citie's taxes...


    VB used to be tiny...only a few blocks wide and the
    distance down Atlantic Avenue where the hotels were.

    You'd have go back before the civil war to find it that small though.


    Then they "merged" with Princess Anne County and took
    over. :(

    The tax rates went way up and the service level went
    way down...and continued from there.

    Yes, and a LOT of growth since then. I'd say south of the 'green line'
    is still sparse but that's about all. The rest is dense population and apartments or town houses with single family houses in areas.

    I forgot you were a fellow baker! I'm still doing almost all our
    breads.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to cshenk on Fri Apr 26 20:14:07 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Yes, VB is the largest city population-wise in the state
    and 2nd in land area (Chesapeake is #1).

    Yup, all the local ones 'encorperated' to county wide.
    Makes former suburbs subjuect to the main citie's taxes...


    VB used to be tiny...only a few blocks wide and the
    distance down Atlantic Avenue where the hotels were.

    You'd have go back before the civil war to find it that
    small though.

    Nope, VB was still tiny into the '50s and '60s. They
    were deeply in debt because their tax income was so
    seasonal and relatively high maintenance.

    That's why they gobbled up Princess Anne County. It
    expanded the tax base and allowed them to take on
    even more debt on the backs of the newly acquired
    "assets."

    The county got twice a week garbage pickup before
    being gobbled. After gobbling it went to once a week
    while the taxes went crazy. We didn't even have a
    library back then; Norfolk sent us out a bookmobile,
    at least to the nearby areas.

    Admittedly, it would have been MUCH worse to have
    been gobbled by the city of Norfolk though. :/



    Then they "merged" with Princess Anne County and took
    over. :(

    The tax rates went way up and the service level went
    way down...and continued from there.

    Yes, and a LOT of growth since then. I'd say south of the
    'green line'
    is still sparse but that's about all. The rest is dense
    population and apartments or town houses with single
    family houses in areas.

    I forgot you were a fellow baker! I'm still doing almost
    all our breads.

    Yep, I've got a freezer crammed with sandwich bread
    and sandwich buns plus a few muffins. Gotta add some
    cookies or cupcakes before the hot weather finally
    gets here.

    Nyssa, who will be multi-tasking

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nyssa@21:1/5 to cshenk on Fri Apr 26 20:16:45 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:
    Depending on size needed, these may do. (on planters
    with wheels).



    https://www.amazon.com/Taiyin-Lockable-Rolling-Outdoor-
    Planter/dp/B0C7TF7GLD/

    I've got tools plus some scrap wood (including a dozen
    two foot outcuts from my decking) in the shed, but
    haven't had time to come up with ideas of how to use them
    yet.

    Well, that would work but take longer to build.

    The planter stands I saw are heavy cast iron with casters
    that will be sturdy enough to last for years I would
    think. Pricey though.

    Yes. Did you look around on Amazon? They have sturdy
    metal ones of 14-16 inches for not too much.

    Nyssa, who will keep trying to think of ideas and looking
    for some ready-made solutions

    I haven't had a chance to check there, but I'm very
    cautious of buying something like that without being
    able to eyeball it. I just got skunked on a recent
    ammy purchase, and I'm not in a hurry to get skunked
    again.

    Nyssa who rarely gets skunked on a purchase, but it
    does happen

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From songbird@21:1/5 to cshenk on Sat Apr 27 06:18:01 2024
    cshenk wrote:

    ...lilac bush...

    Awe. Had awesome luck with one of those some years ago but a hard
    winter finally got it.

    ours has survived quite a range of experiences but it
    could use some trimming now. i'm very allergic to the
    small of the flowers but also the sap so anything i do
    has to be done pretty carefully. it's almost 30yrs old.


    songbird

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Sat Apr 27 17:51:25 2024
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:
    You'd have go back before the civil war to find it that
    small though.

    Nope, VB was still tiny into the '50s and '60s. They
    were deeply in debt because their tax income was so
    seasonal and relatively high maintenance.

    Not as tiny as you thing but if you lived by the beac, you might have
    thought so. It still sprawls all over the place but the 50's was a big
    housing boom.


    I forgot you were a fellow baker! I'm still doing almost
    all our breads.

    Yep, I've got a freezer crammed with sandwich bread
    and sandwich buns plus a few muffins. Gotta add some
    cookies or cupcakes before the hot weather finally
    gets here.

    Nyssa, who will be multi-tasking

    Sounds good.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From cshenk@21:1/5 to Nyssa on Sat Apr 27 17:54:10 2024
    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:

    cshenk wrote:

    Nyssa wrote:
    Depending on size needed, these may do. (on planters
    with wheels).



    https://www.amazon.com/Taiyin-Lockable-Rolling-Outdoor-
    Planter/dp/B0C7TF7GLD/

    I've got tools plus some scrap wood (including a dozen
    two foot outcuts from my decking) in the shed, but
    haven't had time to come up with ideas of how to use them
    yet.

    Well, that would work but take longer to build.

    The planter stands I saw are heavy cast iron with casters
    that will be sturdy enough to last for years I would
    think. Pricey though.

    Yes. Did you look around on Amazon? They have sturdy
    metal ones of 14-16 inches for not too much.

    Nyssa, who will keep trying to think of ideas and looking
    for some ready-made solutions

    I haven't had a chance to check there, but I'm very
    cautious of buying something like that without being
    able to eyeball it. I just got skunked on a recent
    ammy purchase, and I'm not in a hurry to get skunked
    again.

    I stick to the free return stuff. It not as described, I send it back.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)