C-A-R-E-ing about Veterans Day

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Recent picture of “yours truly”–a very patriotic person.

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Fall folly ??

This is a very –l–o–n–g– blog message; please be patient with me.

It took several days to complete the project.

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construction

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area

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relished &

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enjoyed !!

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Day one: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.

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“Yours truly” wants to plant a winter garden. However, there are several things I need to accomplish before I put seeds in the soil. Over the months, the soil “settled” in my Garden Tower, and one ring considerably short of soil. Before adding soil, the compost tube needed to be emptied. Ideally, the compost would fall into the drawer at the bottom (after compost “tea” was saved, and screen removed between tube and drawer). The compost tube is (was) packed solid so I removed “rings” (one at a time) and fished out compost. I continued to tamp the compost hoping it would fall into the drawer. No success. Then, in full sunshine, beastly hot so I was forced to abandon the project (until tomorrow morning).

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The worms will (hopefully) be cool and comfortable until I finish the project and return them to the compost tube.

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Day two: Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.

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Day three: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

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Day four: Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016.

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Day five: Monday, Sept. 19, 2016.

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“Too soon old, too late smart.” I forgot to soak the lettuce seeds overnight. I could not locate Kale seeds (I “thought” I had a package). Other than a trip into Livingston, not much accomplished today. Purchased bulk Kale seeds at the farm store, and zip-ties at Walmart. (My compost tube is crooked so some longer ties required.) Several “impulse purchases” at Walmart: Organic additives for plants. They were drastically reduced because the Garden Shop is fast becoming a Christmas shop.

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Day six: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016.

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“The early bird catches the worm” can be reworded “The early gardener feeds the worm(s).” A lesson I learned from cleaning the compost tube: Chunky stuff doesn’t get eaten by the worms. Now I cut everything into smaller pieces and discard the solid core.

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Regrettably, the rain only lasted about ten minutes. It just made the air hot and extremely humid.

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Day eight: Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016.

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Lessons I’ve learned & comments

Digging the compacted compost out of the tube alerted me to the fact that “bulky” stuff had accumulated. (The worms did not eat it.) Honestly, I don’t make a habit of “bulky” stuff but I found the core of cabbage, end of celery, etc. Now I chop the garbage into smaller pieces. (I’m so blessed because the CARE kitchen gives me veggie scraps.) ~~ Strangely, there was soggy-wet pieces of cardboard that had not deteriorated. Believe me, I have been very selective about the cardboard I deposit in the tube!! I only use plain cardboard, and I cut it into approximate one-inch squares. I’m careful about the shredded paper, too. ~~ I’m just commenting on my observations. ~~ From the pictures, you will note that I found lots of worms. That was the first time in my life I sorted worms from compost and deposited them back in the tube (lol). I’m not complaining; setting up, and maintaining, the Garden Tower has been a very interesting experience.

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While working to clean the compost tube, perhaps I should have disassembled more rings?! The compost tube is crooked!! I used a rake handle to put leverage against the tube and gently tried to ease it upright. That helped, but the tube is still off-center. I added zip-ties mid-section and three at the top.

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This summer has been disagreeably hot and humid. I honestly put a lot of work into my veggie garden (and flower garden) but the weather was cruel. Everyone I know (with veggie garden) was discouraged. I’m not giving up; I’ll try a winter garden. I will erect a green house around my Garden Tower.

Examples of non-producing veggies

Maybe the plants will revive, and produce, when the weather cools?! I continue to nurture tomato, pepper and cucumber plants. ~~ Patio Pickers were a disappointment.

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Kale

September 22nd question: “Where are my Kale seeds??” While preparing the several other blog messages published today, I found this earlier non-published message.

(This written with blog about dandelions–and purchase of dandelion seeds.) While searching seeds, I stumbled on various varieties of kale–and ordered. It will be a late Summer, early Fall planting but I can “be prepared.”

Ordered kale seeds on March 12, 2016.

 

10 Vegetables More Cold-Hardy than Kale

Ten Vegetables More Cold-Hardy than Kale

Regarding green and red peppers

Regarding peppers.