Mary, Mary, quite contrary

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Open Thread image.jpg

With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row!

Who is Mary?... probably Mary Tutor or Mary Queen of Scots.
Screenshot 2022-03-13 at 08-57-11 Mary Mary Quite Contrary.png
Screenshot 2022-03-13 at 08-57-55 Mary Mary Quite Contrary.png

Who really knows the truth when chasing Mother Goose down a rabbit hole.

Whatever...it is time to think gardens. What is going on in yours?

We managed to dodge the teens Sunday morning but did dip to 23. We had a few cabbage plants, some parsley, mustard greens and chard going. We covered all of them as well as most of our blueberries which were in full bloom. We came through relatively unscathed. I'm pretty sure we'll have at least one more freeze.

To my mind the first step to planning gardens or farms is water flow...how will the water flow during a heavy rain? Here's a farm scale project using swales. Our property has terraces from the new deal shaping much of our water flow.

Geoff Lawton takes us on an early morning walk through a new series of water features at Zaytuna Farm (39 min)

Managing the way water flows through the garden or homestead is key and should be a major aspect of your design. I hope Magi's swale has done as well as Geoff's.

Of course most don't need to manage large systems, perhaps just a yard. Well, Jim is the most amazing front yard market gardener I've ever seen.

Jim Kovaleski’s Regenerative Micro-Farm held up just fine throughout the cold-snaps here in FL. Very little damage occurred in the gardens; Jim shows us what’s currently growing on and what’s getting planted!

22 min

Of course Jim is growing to sell. As a home producers aiming at self sufficiency, our work load is much, much less intense.

Charles Dowding is also a market gardener from the UK who is a proponent of no dig gardening. Like Jim's operation, lots of compost is essential. Charles makes his. Jim gets his from his local city.

How to start a no dig bed and compost differences.
I take you though the early stages of mulching/smothering weeds, so that they die in darkness while leaving soil in great condition for growing..
The how and why of no dig.
You see examples of composts you can use, which serve to feed soil life and get plants off to a great start, even while weeds die underneath and out of sight.

How to Start a No Dig Bed and Compost Differences 22 min

Here's a 20 minute tour of his garden on March 7 of this year

We're mulch gardeners. Like everything there's good and bad with every system. One of the big upsides is no plowing, plus beds are ready for planting at anytime. Yesterday I planted broccoli plant and onion starts that we began with seeds in January. We like to use heating pads under our flats of starts to stimulate germination and early growth...especially winter starts.

I learned this technique from Ruth Stout... (23 min)

So wishing you the best of the spring garden season! Any and all comments welcome below.

We are still looking for a Tuesday OT creator. PM JtC, QMS, or me if you have an interest. We're all willing to help you get started.

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Comments

Thanks for hosting today's OT!
Gardening sounds like a pleasure
we still have (at least) another month of rollercoasters
weather wise

enjoy your day!

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Lookout's picture

@QMS

hope you have a good one!

We're planting summer crops in flats this week trying to stay ahead of the game.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

For now, I am content tending to the indoor garden and herbs blooming in the kitchen window.

In view of the world situation, it may be a good idea for me to plant things I can eat, rather than my usual flowers, when I set up the balcony for summer.

This article from the NY Times caught my attention today:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/14/us/russia-ukraine-weapons-decoy.html

Russia has yet another weapon we cannot counter or stop. The hypersonic long range low flying missiles I've been talking about were confirmed similarly by the Pentagon. Pepe Escobar has been talking about Iskander missiles and Kaliber missiles and if we did not know what they were, we are about to find out.

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9 users have voted.

NYCVG

Lookout's picture

@NYCVG

you can produce a fair amount of food in containers on a patio, deck, or balcony. I hope people do. Home gardens produced 40% of our food during WWII. It is time to consider that approach again. To my mind the easiest, fastest and best crop to start with is lettuce. Most people like salads and you can add good protein (fish, meat, eggs, cheese) to them too.

AS to the US Russian conflict (which is happening in Ukraine), my thought is TPTB will prolong it as much as they can...lots more MIC profit, and with all the canceling of media the people here will be better controlled.

Jimmy talked a bit about it in this clip...12 min
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbAz2nskhII&t=15s]
YouTube has released a new series of restrictions on user content, revealing that any perceived “misinformation” about the war in Ukraine or even content that “trivializes” the seriousness of the conflict or its impact will be barred from the platform. For all intents and purposes, the online video network is giving itself space to censor any content that diverges from the official US/NATO position on the war.

All the best! We're getting rain here soon. We took a hit in our freeze, but we'll grow out of it I think.

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8 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@NYCVG Haven't had a garden for awhile due to health issues. But this year will try some veggies that can either be pickled or stored for a long time. I never realized the pickling can be so easy. Should get started soon. Think I may try upside down tomato plant. Youtube has bunches of videos on it using different techniques.

Read about the Russian missiles with diversion technology. Article was on yahoo.com
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-deploys-mystery-munition-ukraine-11471...

The article seemed to say that by deploying the decoy, US can figure out counter measures. Yah sure. How long will it take to get a contract, design test, etc. Matt Stoller had an interesting article on how monopolies are destroying what he called the military industrial base.

The Pentagon Turns on Wall Street The defense industrial base is collapsing. Blame monopolies and Wall Street, writes the DOD.

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Lookout's picture

@MrWebster

He has limited space and it works for him. Another buddy grows his in straw bales on his driveway. Everyone can grow at least a bit of their own food.

My other big push is to encourage people to meet and connect with their local producers.
I was amazed to find many producers in my area who I didn't know about. Two good sites...
https://www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/
http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html

When shelves are empty you'll be glad you did.

Good luck with your growing project!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

ggersh's picture

for our first ever "Survival Garden". Yes, the times they are a changing.

Meanwhile tweeter has fully gone batshit dumb

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Lookout's picture

@ggersh

What I found interesting and perhaps suspicious is as soon as Ed revealed the suppression by MSDNCIA of the Bernie campaign, he suddenly and unexpectedly died.

The US seems totally rudderless doing nothing but feeding the MIC. As I mentioned up thread suppressing all alternative voices to control the narrative. You've got to dig to learn what is really happening. One thing that is obvious is the new realignment of Russia, China, plus most of Asia, Africa and S America. Vs an incompetent US and EU (aukus) alliance.

Let me know if I can help with your new garden!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

ggersh's picture

@Lookout of the century, but it's definitely in the ballpark!

Just looking at headlines even at "rightwing" Zerohedge frightens
the shit outta me, hence the "Survival Garden"

Although the price of Crude Oil has plummeted over $30, the price of
gas still keeps making all time highs. I just saw $4.89 p/gal

US Producer Prices Soar At Double-Digits For First Time
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Nearly 40% of the February increase in prices for final demand goods can be attributed to the index for gasoline, which rose 14.8 percent.
TUE MAR 15, AT 7:37 AM
195

Thanks LO, I will do!

This green thumb's up is appropo

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7 users have voted.

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

ggersh's picture

going down is fucking scary.

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2022/03/links-ides-of-march-2022.html

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5 users have voted.

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Is this really happening so soon? IDK. Financial experts, please step up to the plate.

______________________________________________________________-

Same Topic. From ZeroHedge:

"China buys more than 25% of the oil that Saudi Arabia exports, and if priced in yuan, those sales would boost the standing of China’s currency, and set the Chinese currency on a path to becoming a global petroyuan reserve currency.

As even the WSJ admits, a shift to a (petro)yuan system, "would be a profound shift for Saudi Arabia to price even some of its roughly 6.2 million barrels of day of crude exports in anything other than dollars" as the majority of global oil sales—around 80%—are done in dollars, and the Saudis have traded oil exclusively in dollars since 1974, in a deal with the Nixon administration that included security guarantees for the kingdom. It appears that the Saudis no longer care much about US "security guarantees" and instead are switching their allegiance to China."

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NYCVG

Lookout's picture

@NYCVG @NYCVG

as ggersh states above we're in a helluva financial mess. CB had a clip about Canada's transition to a digital currency...talk about control.

The poor foolish EU will really pay the price for sucking up to the US instead of playing a winning hand with Russia, their neighbor and fellow European.

We're sure livin' in interesting times!

EDIT to add:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-te4nwj9Z4&t=2s]

I don't know how Kim can stand to work with those two others...must pay her well. So after she finishes her radar turn it off.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

To save you from clicking on the tweet here are the releases.

Wow that is one heck of a civilian residence!

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey

has emerged, and Iran isn't going to take Israels aggression.

Thanks for the Tweets!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey

We may still be writhing but we're no longer king of the hill. The Russia China multipolar world just passed us by while joementia was taking a nap.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

enhydra lutris's picture

over the weekend; everything else like carrots we will direct sow. Our garden area and beds are pretty small anyway and I am on a weird diet until at least April, so we're unsure what to plant anyway. The pear tree is the only fruit not yet blooming, so that is a plus. I also hope to grow some pea shoots indoors in a while.

We keep having overnight drizzle, which is keeping the soil moist. It makes weeding esy if we could only find the time and energy. Ah well.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Lookout's picture

@enhydra lutris

which is great since I put in broccoli and onion starts last evening. Even managed to get out milky spore under the trees the jap beetles hit last year.

We've got carrot seed in but not yet sprouted.... as well as lettuce, beets, and such.

Have fun growing!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

of the war in the Ukraine. Capitalism sucks!

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It's amazing just how many people are now paragons of virtue because of their stand against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while they couldn't give two sh*t's about Obama drone bombing muslim weddings, hospitals, and schools for eight years, nor about the current famine in Afghanistan that we are guilty of causing.

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Lookout's picture

@gjohnsit

...conducted by the Obummer admin.

Hey America, there's a reason Hunter got a $50,000/month gig (along with Kerry's stepson) on an oil board in Ukraine. Jomentia even bragged about withholding US funds to Ukraine until they fire the prosecutor looking into his son's corruption in Ukraine. Evidently the citizens in our country are as brain dead as our president. just 1 min
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV-AS2USrH8]

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout
Kerry's stepson was not involved in the Burisma deal and ended his partnership with Hunter Biden as a result of that deal. His other partner, Devon Archer, stuck with Biden. Archer was sentenced last month to more than a year in prison for defrauding a Native American tribe. (Not sure how Hunter managed avoid getting in on that scam.)

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Lookout's picture

@Marie

Whatta surprise, my memory fails again. I was one trade behind...

According to internal State Department correspondence from 2014 released to the Examiner, Biden’s joining the board of Burisma Holdings caused tension within his inner circle due to his father, former Vice President Joe Biden, overseeing the White House’s policy on Ukraine at that time. Biden and Kerry’s stepson Christopher Heinz were at that time the co-owners of the private equity firm Rosemont Seneca Partners, where Heinz’ college roommate, Devon Archer, was a managing partner.

In 2014, Biden and Archer became members of the board of Burisma Holdings, which was being investigated in a probe of money laundering in the United Kingdom. He stepped down earlier this year, before his father announced his presidential campaign.

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/john-kerry-stepson-hunter-biden-ukrain...

Thanks for the correction.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout
repeat them as facts, and hold onto them until or unless corrected. Even when corrected, it's not so easy to erase/delete the earliest incorrect tidbits.

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during this conflict. /S

The MIC just sits back and gloats with regards to future profits rolling in.

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey

war machine.jpg

Now who exactly is the victim? Looks like everybody is.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Even making allowances for the state of American education, this individual's mode of expression is something.

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NYCVG

Today, I had to go to the grocery store on my way home. I got my groceries, put them in the car, then went back to the manager's window. "Guy, ask the boss if I can make a deal on those last 5 potted plants for sale. I can save you water and time." The guy asked, the mgr, who is a friend and client, waved, "go get them."
I got 3 bromeliads, one aloe vera, and a begonia. Some for the home, one for the office, at least one for a pal.
Meanwhile, tomorrow, the garden gets tilled. We will plant stuff this weekend. Pole beans, tomatoes, various peppers, corn, squash, and some sort of peas. I want some purple hull peas, and some pintos, but we shall see.
I hope you and yours are doing great, my friend.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Lookout's picture

@on the cusp

and good snag of the potted plants, too.

When you ask for a deal, the worst that can happen is they say 'no'. That's the trade day way. Bundling purchases usually gets the best deal.

My cabbage starts took a hit, so I'm going to buy some plants today to plant tomorrow. I like fall cabbage better but also try for a spring crop too. As spring comes on so do the cabbage loopers, and therefore the need for dipel.

All the best!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”