tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post4344836320728808699..comments2023-08-26T08:35:59.375-04:00Comments on Incoming BYTES: A Heap of Garden UpdatesRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-50209251215976370842012-09-16T21:50:21.325-04:002012-09-16T21:50:21.325-04:00Hi Mandy, we've missed YOU too, being off in A...Hi Mandy, we've missed YOU too, being off in Australia! Thank you for your kind comments! The Asian lilies are so beautiful aren't they? I really like the Calla lilies too-this pink one is unusual for us! I'm glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for commenting! ":) ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-72400971247629880132012-09-16T21:47:44.288-04:002012-09-16T21:47:44.288-04:00Hi Sue, I apparently missed this comment~ I'm ...Hi Sue, I apparently missed this comment~ I'm glad to hear your gardening is going along just fine! OUR peas did not do well at all this year, it was FAR too hot. Mother Nature seems to give us a few great veggies one year, and different ones the following year. See my latest post for spaghetti squash and pumpkins--unbelievable! Have a wonderful day! ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-12163087421181013472012-09-16T18:28:16.916-04:002012-09-16T18:28:16.916-04:00Looks like I missed a great post and heaps of fun ...Looks like I missed a great post and heaps of fun replies too. Love it. ***** There's 5 stars for this post, Raymond. Love the Asian lilies. They are very pretty, aren't they? and the Calla lilies too. mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02387928144381653423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-79528267507228731902012-08-03T10:02:48.328-04:002012-08-03T10:02:48.328-04:00I have been doing my own gardening Gree Updates Ra...I have been doing my own gardening Gree Updates Raymond,and getting to grips in the allotment lately while its been dry enough to venture out! ;-) and my Peas are doing nicely this year.. .. All swings and round-a-bouts with Mother Nature's guiding hands..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-17300708366903263062012-08-01T17:28:52.171-04:002012-08-01T17:28:52.171-04:00Hi Sue, no apologizing required...have no fear abo...Hi Sue, no apologizing required...have no fear about catching up, all paths lead to Incoming Bytes...sooner or later, that is....":)<br />...yes, the garden is doing well...and if something isn't doing very well, something else invariably IS. This year our peas are doing nothing--but the beans and potatoes are better than ever! Nice to see you back, wherever your path took you! Thanks for commenting! ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-88571044055803778862012-08-01T16:53:44.341-04:002012-08-01T16:53:44.341-04:00WOW! Raymond, what can I say... Great garden with ...WOW! Raymond, what can I say... Great garden with lots and lots of goodies.. all coming along nicely... Yes and despite the weather Mother nature seems to throw her Magic into the Mix and always brings us a surprise or two along the way.. Ive never really been disapointed yet.. because if one thing fails something else thrives.. all adding to the balance which is Natures way.. <br />Thank you for sharing, and Im on catch up sorry Ive not been around for a while. <br />SueDreamwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03163786163908666994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-57220134788391879242012-07-28T22:16:49.901-04:002012-07-28T22:16:49.901-04:00Hi, Christyb, yes, they ARE huge scapes, they are...Hi, Christyb, yes, they ARE huge scapes, they are from a larger variety of garlic. There are rabbits around here--lots of them too. They don't seem to bother our garden at all for some reason. The sweet corn is coming along fine! "Christyb smiles thinking about sweet corn" ":) Thank you for commenting! ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-50241973576967673642012-07-28T15:06:50.250-04:002012-07-28T15:06:50.250-04:00Great incoming Raymond! I like the garlic scapes -...Great incoming Raymond! I like the garlic scapes - my, they are large. Do you ever have rabbits around there? I know my parents in their garden do get them eating their flowers... Neat to see what you are growing, and the sweet corn will taste wonderful I'm sure!Christy Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11038079735340440318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-46252568821700013462012-07-28T14:25:11.768-04:002012-07-28T14:25:11.768-04:00hi Red--deer ARE a problem in some places, even ar...hi Red--deer ARE a problem in some places, even around here. Living on a sand dune shouldn't be much of a problem if you have access to organic matter to build up soil. What you need is a lot of hay/grass clippings/sawdust/straw/composted manure/peat moss, all or any, which will give your garden sand some tilth and ability to hold moisture for growing. <br />Then build a deer fence....-and you'll get two or three carrots --and maybe some other stuff too! Try the "heap process", it works well! Good luck with that, I'm not sure moving anywhere is the solution, our climate isn't exactly perfect either. It always looks greener on the other side of the country. ":) Thanks, Red, it really does look inviting, doesn't it...":).......~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-62405844845471675682012-07-28T10:05:32.810-04:002012-07-28T10:05:32.810-04:00Hi Wendy, welcome to Incoming Bytes! Nice to see y...Hi Wendy, welcome to Incoming Bytes! Nice to see you!<br /><br /> Isn't that strange about your Pimpernels? Yes, at that time, Pimpernels of mine showed no potato beetles, the Gold Rush potatoes had the all. Since that time it seems they have become equally attractive to the beetles, I'm not sure why.<br /><br /> I take them off daily, knocking them off and collecting them in plastic pail, and add water. I let it sit in the sun a couple of days. Why? <br /> I have been using a natural biological warfare approach, after that "potato beetle water" sits in the sun for a few days, I pour it along the potato rows and on the plants. It smells worse than terrible, but there is method to my madness. <br /> I did this experiment a few years ago with great success..the following couple of years there were virtually no potato beetles or larvae around at all. I think it has something to do with viruses or enzymes that are generated to dispose of the little carcases--and perhaps attack the live ones too! <br /> <br />How are your Superior and Russet-Burbank potatoes growing compared to the Pimpernel? I think our Pimpernels are outperforming the Gold Rush, Yukon Gold and Kennebec in growth. I guess only time will tell with the harvest.<br />Interesting idea re. using those insects for dye ! Has she tried the petal parts of Day Lilies yet? Onions? Tag Alder bark? <br />Thanks for visiting, Wendy, and do come again! Feel free to contact me for more information at rkmywest@gmail.com ~Rraymond alexander kukkeehttp://www.incomingbytes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-59516676408054764552012-07-28T09:43:48.989-04:002012-07-28T09:43:48.989-04:00haha...too funny, Conny. The scarecrow really does...haha...too funny, Conny. The scarecrow really does have a "face", my little grandsons drew it on there with black marker as a fun project......and yes, it does look totally weird because it is weird. <br /> It really is the equivalent of a....small stuffed pillow head, with an old Tee-shirt draped over a cross-stick for shoulders.<br /><br />I suspect it is successful because the white Tee-shirt flaps in the wind which looks somewhat like the raised long white tail of the white-tailed deer we have here--that is their warning signal for danger. <br />Also, we hang a few old Cd's on strings--they create a 'laser light show' in any breeze.<br />We do have apple trees, (17 ?) cherries, 3 pears, grapes, plums, honeyberries,(something like blueberries) white currants, red currants, black currants, and raspberries. Hm... I guess it's an orchard... ":) We are indeed blessed to be able to grow most of our own food. Thanks again for visiting, Conny! ":)raymond alexander kukkeehttp://www.incomingbytes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-34882315943367730102012-07-27T23:54:12.528-04:002012-07-27T23:54:12.528-04:00I have deer that eat off my porch and I live on a ...I have deer that eat off my porch and I live on a sand dune. If I cannot grow it inside, it has no shot here. My daughter is really proud of her ONE carrot she has managed to keep away from the gophers and deer :) Great garden, Ray. I am so ready to move to the part of the earth meant for growing things.<br />Red.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13452330985798080533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-76462706104522964122012-07-27T22:05:05.472-04:002012-07-27T22:05:05.472-04:00The scarecrow looks weird Raymond. It look like i...The scarecrow looks weird Raymond. It look like it has a face, with a baby bib and a baby hat. Is that right? <br />You're so fortunate that you live with so much land around you and are able to grow everything yourself. Do you have an orchard too?Connyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04948317390823096421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-2361227861857118272012-07-27T22:01:27.207-04:002012-07-27T22:01:27.207-04:00Hi Ray,
Nice heap!
Your Sophie's Choice toma...Hi Ray,<br /><br />Nice heap!<br /><br />Your Sophie's Choice tomato plant looks just like mine!<br /><br />Funnily enough, you mentioned to me that your Pimpernel potatoes weren't getting potato beetles while the other ones were (now, this was a couple of weeks ago, so things may have changed in your garden). Anyhoo, I have three varieties: Pimpernel, Superior and Russet Burbank, and the ONLY plants with potato bugs are the Pimpernels.<br /><br />I have a friend who raises sheep, and dyes the wool with natural dyes. She is experimenting this year to see if potato bug larvae can be used as a pigment source, similar to the cochineal insect of South America. I'll keep you posted. The fun never ends in these parts.<br /><br />~WendyWendy of BearHavenhttp://www.bearhaven.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-21471163506929555132012-07-27T21:51:19.725-04:002012-07-27T21:51:19.725-04:00Hi, Conny! This whole place is 160 acres but the a...Hi, Conny! This whole place is 160 acres but the area shown really is just gardens, the photos make them look big don't they....haha. Actually we do seldom buy produce except for greens in the winter-and we're working on that one. ":)<br />The "thing" at the end of the tomato patch is a simple garden scarecrow. Looks great in the fog doesn't it? ":) Thanks for commenting ":) ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-79150565751955446032012-07-27T21:29:51.345-04:002012-07-27T21:29:51.345-04:00This isn't just a garden, this is a FARM. My ...This isn't just a garden, this is a FARM. My goodness but it's huge. I bet you never buy any produce from a store. But tell me something Raymond, what is that "thing" in the tomato field?Connyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04948317390823096421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-83860980820876333022012-07-27T21:22:55.267-04:002012-07-27T21:22:55.267-04:00Hi Vk, thanks, I'm surprised the deer don'...Hi Vk, thanks, I'm surprised the deer don't mow it down too--it seems to have avoided tragedy somehow...Perhaps there is some subliminal reason I don't realize. I haven't had fencing on this garden for at least 5 or 6 years now..interesting isn't it? We must think more about this, I have heard about Findhorn, interesting --but I have no genuine knowledge of them as such. Perhaps Mother Nature blesses us-is it necessary to knowingly participate? <br />About getting lost in the tomato patch, it is a distinct possibility. I'll be careful...":) Thanks Vk! ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-79472926683884314362012-07-27T20:36:11.541-04:002012-07-27T20:36:11.541-04:00Hi Mike, thanks! I've never officially measure...Hi Mike, thanks! I've never officially measured them but the garden is probably close to 150 ft long x80' wide, and the spud patch is closer to 250' or longer. Width is about 50' wide. <br />We also have another, smaller potato patch that isolated for specific potato experiments. <br />psst...gardens always look better in photos...hahaha Thanks for admiring it! ":) ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-4784467292198128282012-07-27T17:50:07.012-04:002012-07-27T17:50:07.012-04:00RK...I am so impressed by your magnificent garden ...RK...I am so impressed by your magnificent garden and NO FENCING !!! I would have deer mowing everything down without my fence. I don't see how you do it. You must have an inside edge with the garden spirits. Do you converse with them? Have you ever read about Findhorn? They work with the garden spirits to weed, grow, move around. You name it they do it. I know that is your secret :) Have a great weekend and don't get lost in the tomato patch. Take your cell phone with you! Blessings....VKvisionkeeperhttp://oneworldrising.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-87232000444896654822012-07-27T17:00:35.342-04:002012-07-27T17:00:35.342-04:00Hi Raymond and what a absolutely beautiful garden....Hi Raymond and what a absolutely beautiful garden. I am officially jealous. Would you mind sharing how big that beautiful patch is?<br /><br />MikeMike Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07720649974012888045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-13948991732010275112012-07-27T12:22:15.963-04:002012-07-27T12:22:15.963-04:00haha, The feast shall be ready in about 4 weeks or...haha, The feast shall be ready in about 4 weeks or so...":) Thanks for visiting ! ~ RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-42267987171832785352012-07-27T11:42:10.912-04:002012-07-27T11:42:10.912-04:00My hubs would be quite jealous! I'm getting ...My hubs would be quite jealous! I'm getting hungry. . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-22247327232067448902012-07-27T09:10:18.028-04:002012-07-27T09:10:18.028-04:00Hi Julie! Thanks! I'm glad you like the pics!...Hi Julie! Thanks! I'm glad you like the pics! <br /> I'm totally with you on the concept of healthy plants being more pest resistant. Nature attacks the weak to dispose of them.<br /><br /> We have very few pests, and we're organic- no sprays or herbicides of any kind. No commercial fertilizer has ever been used on our gardens. <br /> The concept of heavily mulching everything seems to provide more than enough nutrients. The earthworms love it! Crops are rotated from bed to bed and we use intensive cross-planting with just enough spacing to allow for additional mulching at any time for weed control.<br /> The paths and walkways between the beds are very heavily mulched, when it is trampled and walked on enough-and broken down--it goes up on the beds. <br />After the garden season is over, new and additional mulch is applied. For planting, the interface 'rotten' layer is left on the beds. Minimum tillage is required for planting and mulch is added as the size and growth of the plants allows. <br />It seems the results of this method speak for themselves. <br />I think the only thing that could make this process better is access to a lot of natural composted manure. Can you imagine the potential growth with that addition too? ":) Thanks for commenting!Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-82867666768624258542012-07-26T22:50:04.068-04:002012-07-26T22:50:04.068-04:00Sir Raymond, What a beautiful garden and so huge!!...Sir Raymond, What a beautiful garden and so huge!! I am a true believer in that intensive gardening when you have a gold mine of nutrients underneath. Things seem to be healthy and more pest resistant. Thanks for sharing such joyful pictures! :-)<br /><br />JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-42677844568529128422012-07-26T22:04:48.014-04:002012-07-26T22:04:48.014-04:00Hi, Alexandra, welcome, that kind of stuck, didn&...Hi, Alexandra, welcome, that kind of stuck, didn't it? Too funny! The zeitgeist can indeed be found on the top of any heap if seeds are planted carefully on it...":))Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.com