What have you done today in the Garden?

Not esoteric at all--as usual a very clear and coherent explanation. Thank you!
Our soil is calcium rich naturally (I don't know why, but every time it is tested it comes back on the high end of the desired calcium level, and not just our soil, but most of the farmers around here, too). We do add magnesium for the vegetable gardens and to start out new perennials.
Interesting that manure weakens the calcium's efficacy, and vice versa. I've been using manure (steer and chicken) for years. I just hope we are still so calcium rich that I haven't harmed our soil's fertility!
I love learning new things, even after a bit over 40 years of gardening!

 

Let me make one more comment here, Marling--As I understand the situation, it is when organic fertilizer applied to the soil at the same time as chalk out of a bag (both being foreign to the soil's status quo ,is when this diminishing effect principle comes into play). It is because both are being broken down from their "raw" state, as it were.

Of course if the soil is by nature somewhat chalky then it isn't a question of ADDING chalk which will be broken down...the existing chalk has already been broken down and is a soil constituent. So, in my mind this breaking down process will be less...but still present though. Where chalk and organic and humusy elements are together the chalk will damage the humus to one degree or another...but typically not ruin it.

It is an interesting situation. The fact that you are getting crops every year means to me that there is some sort of balance in your soil and therefore nothing to worry about. When you add things to your soil each year it will only make it richer in my view.

 

Sjoerd, that is comforting. We do get crops each year (except last fall when we were treading water!). I'll keep having the soil tested every other year and if I see that there is a change for the worse, I'll start changing my compost/manure applications.
Thank you for your help--it is very much appreciated! You explain things so well.

 

Ahhhhhh, Jane you are so kind.

 

We cleaned a greenhouse today... another one coming up tomorrow.. then my high tunnels... whoo wheee! lots of work cleaning up a season later than normal. Hopefully this coming season doesn't get away from me like the last one did. The injector froze and broke... oops and then the new frost hydrant wasn't turned off and froze and cracked spraying water everywhere for several days... unbeknownst to us. another oops!

 

Nothing in the garden, as it is covered in snow... but, I did check the order for my seeds and they are on their way!
I made some changes in my orders this year. Each year I only use heirloom seeds and plants, and that has not changed. I did change from Straight Eight cucumbers to Munchers, from Corno Di Toro peppers to Chocolate Bell peppers, from bush beans to pole beans, et cetera. I've made a lot of variety changes but I have also bought some flower seeds to start indoors and plant around my garden beds to attract beneficial insects. This being the third year of my gardening, I took the extra time to try to find the best plants for my area. I went with native Butterfly Milkweed, Echinacea and Forget-Me-Nots. I might also plant some annual herbs in the garden as companion plants, such as basil, dill, cilantro and parsley. We'll see how much room I have.

 

Dug-up some of the wood chip paths and replaced the composted old chips with fresh, new ones. They always look so nice the first couple of weeks.

 

S, What do you do with the old chips? can you recycle them onto one of your plots and use them as "compost".

 

Hiya C--I spread the composted path chips around the base of bushes or top off beds. What is left over, I just add to the compost bin and will spread that on other plots or in the veggie garden, later on in the spring.

Yesterday I worked on the paths some more. Arggh--I can fee it this morning.

 

I can believe you feel it this morning... everything that is Spring work is a bit painful from all of our non existent winter activities... unless you are shoveling snow.... My back is feeling that this morning. I shoveled 3 times this week and this morning was 5 degrees ... whoo wheee! is that cold. My legs are still cold to the touch. each time is for about an hour and a half. the pay is great but the work is COLD! I think that will be about it for outside work today it is too cold for anything else. I need to get busy and clean the house. company is coming.

 

No work done in the lottie today.....it was a day to do the taxes. Blaaaagh!
It was cold here too, Carolyn--- 3.3° C...with a very stiff wind. I believe that it is freezing at the moment. I just went out to get the paper tonight and am still shuddering.

 

Oh, I would take that 3.3 c today.. real easy. What is 5f plus a stiff wind? like -10f? whoo whee! Taxes? you too! they all want their money, huh?

 

Ach...I do not mind paying taxes at all. I mean government couldn't function without it. Aside from that it finances the various social programs that are in place to serve as a safety net in our society.
What I am not keen on though, is the gathering of documents and all to figure them. It leaves me with a headache, in a manner of speaking.

 

I planted my Larkspur, Impatien, and Cherry Tomato seeds today indoors. Next month I plan to take them outside. I can't wait to get started on planted my Moon Flowers and Morning Glories next month indoors then later take outdoors. When it gets hot I will start planting Green beans.

 

Eileen, I wish I could explain the baffle my companion made for the bird feeder he made.
The feeder is made from a square, plastic pipe, maybe 2 feet long?. I'm not sure if it's a drain pipe, about 4 inches square.
He cut maybe one inch round holes on each side, inserted short plastic piping into each hole. He inserted
perches below each feeding hole. The feeder sits atop a steel pole and has a perch on top. About 3/4 up the steel pole he placed an aluminum cone. Try as the squirrel may, he cannot get to the feeder. He sits, looking up, musing, "If I try this, maybe I can get to it. NAH." and returns to eating the seeds dropped to the concrete below. We amuse ourselves at the squirrel's expense. I will try posting a photo.