Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 22 to March 28, 2026

[nomifyle]

I saw my oncologist today, just for a check up and a scrip (that I don't actually need) just want to keep a good supply (I am a prepper after all). I did not get the pet scan he had wanted but he wasn't really upset just wanted me to agree to get one. I agreed to get one the end of May (last one was in November). I really like this man, he's as honest with me as he can be. I even wore one of my spring/summer blouses that has three quarter sleeves over a tank top. It was comfortable weather wise.

I'm feeling better, but still have my days and nights mixed up. Here is midnight and I feel like doing a few things in the house. There is a small book case in the living room and I've been wanting to move it behind my chair. I may at least pull it out.

Insteaad of washing my compression stockings, socks and wool socks I've been piling them up and just buying more (oh the horror), its so easy to order from amazon. The compression stockings and socks have to be hung up to dry, the wool socks can be dried on low. My issue has basically been where to hang them up. I've gathered most of them up and they are in the washer, not to figure out where to hang them up. I'll figure it out.

I tried to drive today and almost killed us, my heavy foot got too heavy and the nuropathy made it worse. I thought DH was going to have a heart attack.

Anyway, that's how I'm doing.

 

[Wildwood]

I saw my oncologist today, just for a check up and a scrip (that I don't actually need) just want to keep a good supply (I am a prepper after all). I did not get the pet scan he had wanted but he wasn't really upset just wanted me to agree to get one. I agreed to get one the end of May (last one was in November). I really like this man, he's as honest with me as he can be. I even wore one of my spring/summer blouses that has three quarter sleeves over a tank top. It was comfortable weather wise.

I'm feeling better, but still have my days and nights mixed up. Here is midnight and I feel like doing a few things in the house. There is a small book case in the living room and I've been wanting to move it behind my chair. I may at least pull it out.

Insteaad of washing my compression stockings, socks and wool socks I've been piling them up and just buying more (oh the horror), its so easy to order from amazon. The compression stockings and socks have to be hung up to dry, the wool socks can be dried on low. My issue has basically been where to hang them up. I've gathered most of them up and they are in the washer, not to figure out where to hang them up. I'll figure it out.

I tried to drive today and almost killed us, my heavy foot got too heavy and the nuropathy made it worse. I thought DH was going to have a heart attack.

Anyway, that's how I'm doing.

For small things like that, I use clothespins to attach them to a wire hanger and hang somewhere around the shower. I bet they dry quick. So glad you are feeling better.

I'm bad to get my days and nights mixed up too. I'm a night owl to begin with and have always said I should have had a job working the night shift. If it weren't for DH, I'd stay up all night and sleep all day.

 

[Wildwood]

I got a small portion of the garden broke yesterday. I moved some mullein plants so I can till another area. I want to plant my cabbage today and maybe some potatoes. My bedding plants are doing good in the little green house. It's still a month before they can go in the ground.

Our friend came up and took the wheels off the semi trailer that we are going to use for storage. I am glad that's done. We have to fix the end where the freezer unit used to be and build shelves.

I bought 2 more tin cat mouse traps. I saw a mouse in the turkey pen. I figure there are some in the hen house too. We keep one under our house all the time. We never had mice under the house in over 30 years until this last year. And the mice seem plentiful outside. My one cat is not doing his job or maybe he is out numbered.

Just One Bite has been the best thing we've ever tried. It is pricey because you have to buy such a large amount at one time but it's already gotten us through a couple years and I figure we've got another year's worth...that's covering the house and DH's shop. The only issue with it is it's a blood thinner and if you have animals that might eat the dead mice, you probably shouldn't use it.

 

[Digger]

We do use Just One Bite. It's good stuff. We keep it under the house and in all the out building. I don't know why the mouse population has increased so much. I guess it's just a natural cycle.

I got up early today. We have an early appointment tomorrow and I want to be able to get to sleep a little earlier tonight.

I am going to work in the garden some more today. I will plant a few potatoes and my 6 cabbage plants. I am behind on both, but maybe they will make.

I have to unload some feed into the feed bins. My back is doing really good. I don't have to sleep on the couch anymore. I ran the tiller with no I'll effects. Sleeping in the bed bothers it a little. My leg will bother me just a little when I first get up, but then it fine in a few minutes of stirring around.

Have a blessed day everyone

 

[ginnie6]

There's no chance of anything like a mouse making it into the house with our cat Luna around. She's a voracious hunter! I have to be careful when walking outside because of all the little presents she leaves around. Birds, squirrels, mice, rats, voles, you name it if its in her yard she takes it out! No other cats are allowed around when she's out either lol. They have to come at night when she's inside. That is so funny because when she was about 6 months old and started going out she got whooped up on bad her first time out. You'd think that would make her want to stay in.....nope! Made her want to be the baddest cat around and she has become that lol.

I quilted all day yesterday. Got one quilt finished and was thinking about calling ds' friend (my bonus son) and asking when he was coming by when he walked in! That young man was so thrilled, he wrapped up in that quilt right away, and said he couldn't wait to take it home and show his momma what I'd made for him. Then I got a big hug. That joy is why I will never do quilts for pay. They need to be from the heart for me.
Then I made supper and worked on the guild quilt a little bit but I think I have some arthritis starting in my right wrist and it started hurting so I called it a night and went to bed.

Today I'm planning on a walk at the greenway and then I need to take youngest ds to the airport. He's heading off to Sweden again for 10 days this time and I don't mind telling y'all I'm gonna be a nervous nellie the whole time he's gone with everything going on.
It seems both of my boys are completely whooped according to dh. Oldest ds is dating a girl and dh says he's head over heels. We haven't met her yet, he keeps things to himself. She has a kid, but that's just another grand baby for me if he's serious lol.

 

[nomifyle]

For small things like that, I use clothespins to attach them to a wire hanger and hang somewhere around the shower. I bet they dry quick. So glad you are feeling better.

I'm bad to get my days and nights mixed up too. I'm a night owl to begin with and have always said I should have had a job working the night shift. If it weren't for DH, I'd stay up all night and sleep all day.

While the hanger and clothes pins are a good idea, I have at least and more than 10 pairs of compression stockings which doesn't make this practicle for me. This has been going on for months.

There are days and days that I've not been able to mostly anything for rather months and months, so it has built up. I am able to do something for 5 minutes or so and then I'm so tired I have to sit down, often not getting back to what I was doing.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I had an anxiety attack early this morning around 3am. It's the first one at night in quite a while. My head was about to burst when it woke me up, and I still have the headache this morning. BP is normal. Cary has suggested I take a break from all the news for a while. I think it's for the best, too. I'll still be around, but will mostly just visit this thread throughout the day.

 

[ginnie6]

I had an anxiety attack early this morning around 3am. It's the first one at night in quite a while. My head was about to burst when it woke me up, and I still have the headache this morning. BP is normal. Cary has suggested I take a break from all the news for a while. I think it's for the best, too. I'll still be around, but will mostly just visit this thread throughout the day.

The news can surely give you a panic attack. I just have to quite reading those threads some days. Try to get outside some if its nice today. That always helps me focus on what's important. I mean that stuff is important BUT there's nothing our worrying about it is going to accomplish and we all read the book right and know the final outcome. Remembering that helps me

 

[Meemur]

Anna, that's a great box! I could make a lot of different meals from that. Some of the ones I've seen around here aren't nearly as good.

Judy, be careful! You're in my prayers. I wish you had someone else to help drive.

As for me, I'm back doing stuff for my paying job and just worn out. Not much longer to go!
My main problem: several of the little darlings are using AI and not editing the output. I've given up trying to determine which passages are AI and which are just bad writing, but any sentences that look like they were written by a non-English speaker or a sixth grader have to be revised, no matter where they came from.

One example: Ron rebooted patient the computer.
Should be: Patiently, Ron rebooted the computer. (or a similar sentence)

Wishing everyone a good day!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

The news can surely give you a panic attack. I just have to quite reading those threads some days. Try to get outside some if its nice today. That always helps me focus on what's important. I mean that stuff is important BUT there's nothing our worrying about it is going to accomplish and we all read the book right and know the final outcome. Remembering that helps me

I've been making apple turnovers this morning. My headache has subsided a bit, after taking some Tylenol. I have a Script for nerve med's (Vistaril 25mg), and I'm taking those, today. That's one of the medications I stay stocked up on. I can take up to 4/day if needed. This attack was pretty bad. It's so good to have a DH who knows what's going on, and is a big help when these things happen.

The guy who is cutting firewood for us is here. He and Cary are unloading his trailer right now. Another cord. Only one more cord to go, and we'll be back where we started. 10 cords under roof. If Cary feels up to stacking it later this afternoon, I'm going to help him. I might not be able to do much, but I can keep him company. I'll also get my walk in, too.

Chicken and chops on the grill, tonight.

I also wanted to add that I'm staying away from the war thread and any other doom and gloom news that's out there. I can't handle anymore of that right now.

 

[Wildwood]

I've learned to stay away from the anxiety producing stuff or just take it in small doses but I'm not nearly as prone to anxiety as I use to be.

I've got 25 flats of seeds started with three more flats all ready except for dropping the seeds in. I ended up ordering from three different seed companies about a week ago for things I was missing after getting most of it started. My Baker Creek order got here yesterday. My MIGardener order doesn't show it shipping until April 7. His two dollar seed packets are worth the wait I suppose but that is pushing it a little IMHO. If it's not in stock, I'd rather know up front so I can use an alternate source. I also have an order with Hoss and it should be here any day. I did end up using some older seeds in a few of my trays (2023, 2024) and my germination rates shows it, but they weren't that old. I'm getting poor germination rates with my brand new seeds too. The seeds I saved myself are near 100%. That tells me that many of the smaller, privately owned companies are shipping older seeds...other folks I know are having the same issue. The few packets I've bought at WM and TSupply haven't had any germination issues.

I'm starting way too many tomato plants but I may try to sell some if family doesn't need them. I did an experiment last year, with all new seeds on several different tomatoes I'd been wanting to try. The garden got so messed up that the experiment didn't pan out so I decided to repeat it this year since those seeds are just a year old. Next year, I'll probably go back to my Cherokee Purple, Amish Paste and Triple Crops as my main tomatoes but I just wanted to try something new after years of just mainly growing the ones I mentioned. I'm also doing some hybrids too. A couple I did last year showed some promise so we'll see.

I've been stuck in my ways on starting my seeds, especially the tomatoes. I've been starting them in red solo cups for years and with great success. I'd fill the cup up about a third of the way and add dirt as the tomato grew. By the time it was up to the top and the plant was a foot and half tall, I had a very healthy start with a big root ball. Back then near 100% germination made that a good option. Now, with germination rates much lower, even with brand new seeds, it's not such a good plan. I think I'm going to do it the traditional way next year and do the plugs. That way I'm not wasting so much good soil on a seed that doesn't germinate. I always replace the seed but by then, the soil isn't quite as good and may have even developed some issues. My pepper and okra germination rates are horrible this year, even with new seeds. I replaced my pepper seeds last night with seeds I saved myself last year when I was processing the peppers for the freezer so we will see. I did that with my micro mini tomatoes and went from spotty germination to near 100% with the seed I'd saved. I will be saving more seeds this year for sure...will just have to take a chance on cross pollination. It's easier to prevent when you are just growing a few kinds.

 

[Digger]

I keep my garden seed in the freezer. I have kept tomatoe seed that were 14 years old that grew. They were a yellow pear tomatoes that my grandmother Callie always grew. I have way too many seed in the freezer, but I am trying not to add too much more. I remember eating them at her house in the early 70s. My parents started growing them too.

 

[Wildwood]

I keep my garden seed in the freezer. I have kept tomatoe seed that were 14 years old that grew. They were a yellow pear tomatoes that my grandmother Callie always grew. I have way too many seed in the freezer, but I am trying not to add too much more. I remember eating them at her house in the early 70s. My parents started growing them too.

I need to do the same. I have in the past and I need to make room for them again. I'm going to save everything this year. How neat that you have those tomato seeds.

Cross pollination isn't nearly as worrisome as it use to be since we have so few pollinators. I've never had my tomatoes not be true but I do grow them in groups of three of the same kind with a space between groups. I do two kinds of cucumbers but they are not usually anywhere near each other. Of course, I've always saved all my bean and pea seeds and I could easily do just one pepper. I do a bell and a Marconi now, both for their large size. I wouldn't care if they did cross pollinate...if they even could. The taste is the same to my unsophisticated taste buds lol. I'm considering doing double the purple hull peas this year and skipping the beans. I don't think we could ever have too many jars of purple hulls.

 

[anna43]

I didn't get my day started until nearly noon because I was up until 2:30. I got my 8 hours of sleep which took up the morning. I was doing better but I absolutely hate going to bed early then waking up at 3:00 unable to go back to sleep. I'm hoping to get into a better sleep cycle before garden time.

All I've accomplished today is washing 4 days dishes and wiping off all surfaces. I scrubbed the kitchen on Monday so today just wiped the wet in front of the sink with a towel and called it good.

I have Bible study at 4:00. The guy leading it comes after work ... last week in uniform which I understand his boss does not like ... I won't tell!

I pay attention to enough news to keep awareness, but not enough details to keep me anxious. I am paying more attention to keeping my preps current. I guess maybe being old helps me not be so anxious ... I vaguely recall the end of WWII, not the actual news but the excitement of family without understanding what it was all about until later. I recall my dad crying when one of his best friends left for Korea and, of course, my friends and relatives during Vietnam. I'm still angry each time I remember watching protestors spitting on soldiers returning from Vietnam. The guy that does my mowing was one of those soldiers and still has bitterness about that and I don't blame him a bit. My nephew and his wife during the Gulf war. As the Bible says there will always be wars and rumors of wars which again helps curb my anxiousness. Bottom line, my concern is for our military, government leaders hopefully having wisdom to make wise decisions and family who will live with whatever comes in the next years. I probably won't be around to see much of it because I'm old.

Beautiful out 76º/feels like 85º ... my kind of weather!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[summerthyme]

I keep my garden seed in the freezer. I have kept tomatoe seed that were 14 years old that grew. They were a yellow pear tomatoes that my grandmother Callie always grew. I have way too many seed in the freezer, but I am trying not to add too much more. I remember eating them at her house in the early 70s. My parents started growing them too.

Yep...I now have all fresh (less than 2 years old) seed in the freezer. I used to only keep sweetcorn and onion seed frozen...both of those rarely last more than 2 years at room temp. Last year, I planted sweetcorn seed from 2011...got a great crop, and it looked like nearly 100% germination. The kicker is...it cost me $6 a pound!

It's currently close to $30 a pound, in bulk! I wish I'd stashed more!

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Have any of you had a panic attack that grips you in unexplained, uncontrollable, and overwhelming fear that is unshakable? Where your heart is pounding out of your chest and you can't breathe? I go into uncontrollable shakes all over, too. That's the kind of panic/anxiety attacks I have. They are worse when they happen at night. I take the Vistaril when one starts, but have to take Valium if the Vistaril doesn't stop the attack. It's not a matter of just being anxious over something.

Cary and I stacked some of the firewood this afternoon, and I went for my walk. It's been a beautiful 81 degree day and partly cloudy. 86 for our high, tomorrow. I'm finished grilling, so will need to wash and clean the dishes and kitchen after we eat.

 

[Wildwood]

Yep...I now have all fresh (less than 2 years old) seed in the freezer. I used to only keep sweetcorn and onion seed frozen...both of those rarely last more than 2 years at room temp. Last year, I planted sweetcorn seed from 2011...got a great crop, and it looked like nearly 100% germination. The kicker is...it cost me $6 a pound!

It's currently close to $30 a pound, in bulk! I wish I'd stashed more!

Summerthyme

Did you keep enough for a seed crop this year? Enquiring minds want to know lol.

With the cost and condition of seeds, I'll be back in seed saving mode from now on. I got lazy. I use to save every kind of seed I could and I still wouldn't mind buying fresh seeds every year but they've all gone up so much and the quality has gone down. Even the increased price is ok for someone whose garden is as small as mine but time is important and I don't have time to keep trying to germinate enough crappy seed to get a crop. I always do extra but at this point, I've got just enough and that won't work either because something always has to be replaced so I do backups. This is two years in a row a fair bit of my newer bought seeds have had germination issues. Admittedly, I knew some of my tomato seeds were a few years old but I've always had good luck with stuff from the previous year.

To add insult to injury, it's so darned hot out there today, my poor little seedlings are sweating lol.

 

[summerthyme]

Did you keep enough for a seed crop this year? Enquiring minds want to know lol.

With the cost and condition of seeds, I'll be back in seed saving mode from now on. I got lazy. I use to save every kind of seed I could and I still wouldn't mind buying fresh seeds every year but they've all gone up so much and the quality has gone down. Even the increased price is ok for someone whose garden is as small as mine but time is important and I don't have time to keep trying to germinate enough crappy seed to get a crop. I always do extra but at this point, I've got just enough and that won't work either because something always has to be replaced so I do backups. This is two years in a row a fair but of my newer bought seeds have had germination issues. Admittedly, I knew some of my tomato seeds were a few years old but I've always had good luck with stuff from the previous year.

To add insult to injury, it's so darned hot out there today, my poor little seedlings are sweating lol.

Sadly, no...I've never found an open pollinated sweetcorn variety worth growing. Of course, that's certainly influenced by having grown "sugar extender" hybrids for decades. OP "sweet" corn is "sweet" for about three days, before it starts going by. Plus, it turns starchy after picking within a few hours.

The SE hybrids holds sweetness and tenderness for up to 2 weeks on the stalk, and once picked, stays edible in the fridge for 3-4 days. We're definitely spoiled!

If it gets to the point where hybrid seed is just too expensive, I'll try growing Golden Bantam again...using succession planting once a week, and planning on using most of it to freeze at peak quality.

Summerthyme

 

[Wildwood]

Have any of you had a panic attack that grips you in unexplained, uncontrollable, and overwhelming fear that is unshakable? Where your heart is pounding out of your chest and you can't breathe? I go into uncontrollable shakes all over, too. That's the kind of panic/anxiety attacks I have. They are worse when they happen at night. I take the Vistaril when one starts, but have to take Valium if the Vistaril doesn't stop the attack. It's not a matter of just being anxious over something.

Cary and I stacked some of the firewood this afternoon, and I went for my walk. It's been a beautiful 81 degree day and partly cloudy. 86 for our high, tomorrow. I'm finished grilling, so will need to wash and clean the dishes and kitchen after we eat.

YES! Mine concerned driving. It's hilly here and curvy. I was taking my father to the doc in Van Buren and had to drive over the Arkansas river. The particular crossing that started the whole thing is narrower than most on the river so goes straight up as soon as the bridge starts. I had crossed that bridge many times and never liked it but had no problems until that one day I almost passed out as we approached the crest of the bridge. How I kept my father from knowing, I'll never know. He would have never understood such an impractical issue. I had to drive to the interstate coming home and managed somehow to get across on that flatter bridge but that was my last time ever driving over the Arkansas river.

Things went downhill after that and next I couldn't do very steep inclines on the highway. My palms would sweat and my heart would pound and once again, I'd feel like I was going to pass out...which I've never done. To get to the city my usual route, I'd have to get off on a dirt road, out of my way, to bypass a steep highway incline...I mentioned I'm in Arkansas, in the mountains. They were everywhere. Absolutely nothing helped but time, years and years of time. I still can't drive over the Arkansas river and that is very inconvenient for where I live but at least, I can now drive through the mountains and I can ride over the bridges without having a panic attack but will never be able to drive over them...they are all very steep. Funny thing is the Mississippi River bridges in Memphis don't bother me at all but that one going into Helena/West Helena, no way.

At the worst of it, if we went north on the interstate, into the Ozark hills, I'd have to lay down on the seat while DH drove, with my palms sweating and feeling sheer terror. Nobody understands but DH. He's seen me in action lol. At least now I can ride anywhere without having a panic attack and I can drive over hills and little bridges but not the big arching bridges.

 

[hd5574]

Except for very tiny seed..we have started just sprouting our seed in wet paper towels..instead of just putting beans, peas, squash, cukes, and such in pots or just in the ground we sprout and get good sized roots and then carefully plant...get near 100% plants growing..much better results than just putting them in the ground.

 

[feralferret]

Sitting in the hospital. Just finished my first meal of the day. I made it through the cardiac ablation procedure just fine. Thanks for all of the prayers. I should be able to go home tomorrow.

 

[Meemur]

Prayers are ongoing, FF. I hope you can leave tomorrow, too! It's hard getting enough sleep in hospitals.

 

[summerthyme]

Except for very tiny seed..we have started just sprouting our seed in wet paper towels..instead of just putting beans, peas, squash, cukes, and such in pots or just in the ground we sprout and get good sized roots and then carefully plant...get near 100% plants growing..much better results than just putting them in the ground.

This saves a ton of seeds when planting vines! You plant ONE sprouted (hence, proven viable) seed in each space/hill, rather than five! Plus, in the Spring, when soils are still chilly, it can gain you 7-10 days growing time... invaluable in short season areas.
I pre-sprouted 300 pumpkin and winter squash seeds last Spring... it worked really well.

Summerthyme

 

[feralferret]

Meemur, You got that right!

 

[moldy]

Went to teach my 3 hour class today and surprise...! It was 6 hours! I don't mind - it would have been a lot of material to cover in 3, so it worked out find. But it wore me out. I had to come home and take a nap. I got so sleepy driving home.
I'm having a lot of neck spasms and my shoulders and neck feel really tight. I think I will reach out to a massage therapist tomorrow and see if I can get scheduled for one.

 

[moldy]

@FF - glad to hear your ablation went well.

 

[anna43]

Got to Bible study and it was canceled so we sat and visited and prayed for a couple people who are not doing well.

The dishes I had drying all over the kitchen are all put away so decks are clear to make a mess again tomorrow. Dishes like dusting NEVER END.

Glad to hear FF that your ablation went well. My sister's wellbeing improved a lot after hers.

 

[Wildwood]

Except for very tiny seed..we have started just sprouting our seed in wet paper towels..instead of just putting beans, peas, squash, cukes, and such in pots or just in the ground we sprout and get good sized roots and then carefully plant...get near 100% plants growing..much better results than just putting them in the ground.

I may have to start doing that. I do get pretty good germination rates direct sewing the things you mentioned. It's the tomatoes, peppers, flowers and okra that are driving me crazy.

I will definitely have to do something different next year. What I don't understand is what has changed with bought seeds that is making them have lower sprouting percentages. I have some thoughts and it isn't woo woo kind of stuff. We are being sold on the idea of more and more complicated sprouting medium. I'm beginning to think less is more.

When I started back gardening, I had a stack of about fifteen or more bags of Miracle Grow moisture control potting soil that DH found practically free and drug home. It sat stacked behind DH's shop for around a decade getting all the chemical things washed out of it and growing all kinds of good microbes. When I started back gardening, it was my seed starting medium and OMG it was wonderful. It was when it ran out after a few years that my troubles started. Of course we tried a few new bags of it and the plants were horrible and stunted, just plain weird. My son advised us to get Jiffy and we had great germination rates but I like to grow my plants big and so I had to amend the Jiffy eventually plus it was pricey for how many starts I grow every year. In the future, I'm going to try something different...I'm starting with plugs and up potting, a thing I swore to never do but I can see the wisdom in it now. I'd have a few trays for the first few weeks so they would be much less trouble. I could use grow lights...not feasible for all the trays I have now. I could keep them in until all threat of frost is gone instead of packing them in and out every single day.

Maybe I'm adding too much good stuff to my seed starting mixes. Maybe I do need to germinate in a paper towel or some simple peat moss in the small seed starting plugs. I don't like uppotting but if that's what it takes, it would be simpler than the hit and miss I've experienced the last few years.

You can teach an old dogs new tricks...it just takes a while because they are hard headed and set in their ways lol.

 

[hd5574]

I may have to start doing that. I do get pretty good germination rates direct sewing the things you mentioned. It's the tomatoes, peppers, flowers and okra that are driving me crazy.

I will definitely have to do something different next year. What I don't understand is what has changed with bought seeds that is making them have lower sprouting percentages. I have some thoughts and it isn't woo woo kind of stuff. We are being sold on the idea of more and more complicated sprouting medium. I'm beginning to think less is more.

When I started back gardening, I had a stack of about fifteen or more bags of Miracle Grow moisture control potting soil that DH found practically free and drug home. It sat stacked behind DH's shop for around a decade getting all the chemical things washed out of it and growing all kinds of good microbes. When I started back gardening, it was my seed starting medium and OMG it was wonderful. It was when it ran out after a few years that my troubles started. Of course we tried a few new bags of it and the plants were horrible and stunted, just plain weird. My son advised us to get Jiffy and we had great germination rates but I like to grow my plants big and so I had to amend the Jiffy eventually plus it was pricey for how many starts I grow every year. In the future, I'm going to try something different...I'm starting with plugs and up potting, a thing I swore to never do but I can see the wisdom in it now. I'd have a few trays for the first few weeks so they would be much less trouble. I could use grow lights...not feasible for all the trays I have now. I could keep them in until all threat of frost is gone instead of packing them in and out every single day.

Maybe I'm adding too much good stuff to my seed starting mixes. Maybe I do need to germinate in a paper towel or some simple peat moss in the small seed starting plugs. I don't like uppotting but if that's what it takes, it would be simpler than the hit and miss I've experienced the last few years.

You can teach an old dogs new tricks...it just takes a while because they are hard headed and set in their ways lol.

I few years ago...I was hunting for seiva butterbean seed.....I couldn't find... it the old hardware had it bulk but had gone out of business...I saw a jar of mixed beans on my counter had been there for years...as going to throw them in soup...but never did...maybe dozen years on the counter...I looked and there were a number of seiva in it..ancient...I didn't think they would grow..but nothing fails like a try..I put them in a bowl in a wet paper towel...and made sure they stayed damp..they swelled and all sprouted...let them grow some really good roots...took the bowl out to the garden...pulled the soil back in a row and gently covered them and kept them moist...didn't have any to eat that year..but was able to get enough to plant the next year..now we have lots of seed saved...I will start freezing some...I think I will also stick some in a jar on the counter..it worked before..
After that we started doing all the larger seeds that way..I put up to 50 in a bowl at a time...but each one we plant..is a known good seed..so not a lot of fussing..or replanting or spaces..
I just use a bottle of water with a sprayer...good really wet to beginning with ..soaked with a standing water...then after they swell just keep them moist...we do have well water..
Paper towels are super cheap..and almost all germinate...but we do our save seed..and have started limiting varieties...so our seed stays pure..

We planted a 15 foot row with blue lake pole beans..we planted on both sides of the wire fence..we ate green beans, gave them away ..and I canned 40 pints from a total of 30 feet...we use fish fertilizer to fertilize...stopped using the chemical stuff..our yield went nuts..we also throw everything in a compost pile..and that back in..
We do the same with butterbeans..25 foot rows planted on both sides..we plant close.. about 200 seed in the 2 rows about 50 seed each side of the rows..less water..less fertilizer...bigger yield in less space..

 

[ginnie6]

Some GOOD gardening ideas here thanks!! I'm going to get some seeds today so may give this a try.

Took youngest Ds to the airport yesterday, he's off to Sweden again to see his gf, I'm glad she'll be back here in June!. So far he's made it to London and is on a layover for a few hours. I cautioned him about London having a LOT of muslims now and he said he was NOT leaving the airport. If it was oldest ds no way would he miss the chance to sight see lol. So I'm thankful he's not venturing out. He'll be gone 10 days. I think he's serious about this girl which brings a whole new set of "issues." But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. He asked me if I would throw a big 4th of July party as she's never been to one and would like to. She's Brazilian, and he's making plans to introduce her to dd in Massachusetts and possibly him go to Brazil to meet her parents.
Oldest ds is dating a girl that apparently he's head over heels with too, haven't met her yet. And I thought it was tough watching my girls marry and leave.....

Had small group last night and my young friend who had the tumor last year is limping again. Something going on in the same leg. She's due for another scan in a couple weeks so they'll check it then as long as it's not inflamed and hot they said. There are also apparently a couple spots in her lungs they found at her last xray so instead of just doing the scan they'll do xray and scan this time. She has (understandably) a little bit of what I call "doctoritis" right now. Any little thing, like the eczema she's always had requires a dr visit. She's probably had 10 different visits already this year and has quite a few more already scheduled in April. At this point I'm concerned about her keeping her job due to so much time off for them. She's even gone and done Adhd testing.....because someone told her she should look into that. She doesn't have it but is still convinced she needs a pill for it.

I've got grocery shopping to do today and I need to start getting the pool cleaned up. As much as I love having it...its a LOT of work! Especially since we had such a cold snap this year I had hoses freeze that never have before so I need to replace all of them I think.

 

[WanderLore]

Good morning everybody. I'm just reading and catching up. I had to be up at 5:30 yesterday and leave at 6:30 to take my dog in to get neutered. What a zoo there.
I just bummed around in town for the day I even got to go to an AA meeting. Went to two thrift stores geesh prices are awful.
Just got a corn dog and a small salad at Walmart for bucks it was a good lunch.
I paid $4.19 a gallon for regular.

Judy I'm glad to hear you're getting around at least a little bit. Scot six pair of those compression socks from Amazon that my sister got in. He would wear one pair for a few weeks then I'd make him change him. You don't have to wash them all at the same time wash a couple pair and hang them up they don't take too long to dry, just throw them over something. Is Morgan still around haven't read anything about them?

I'll do some gardening this year. Not a tremendous amount since it's just me and my son and we have so much storage already.
Our old house cat passed. He was almost 12.

Scout did well with procedure and is good this morning, though I will keep a watch on him.

I've had plus traumatic stress disorder anxiety disorder for years. I don't take anything for it but I rarely ever have an episode anymore.
I still have some PTSD in the middle of night sometimes even during the day because with my husband's passing.

If you and your loved ones are healthy and safe, that's what counts.

Why would I get stressed over the news? We've all been at this prepping thing for many years so we've seen this stuff come and go over and over again.
Do what you can that's all you can do.

We're going to meet Sunday at a mutual location to do the small paperwork for the firearms for my grandson and my son and we're going to go to China buffet for his birthday.
For an inherited firearm, even a family transfer of that it's pretty simple. It's only if you're selling to a third party that it gets a little more complicated. So we're going to meet at a gun store even though this isn't necessary going to do it anyway and get the two firearms registered and their names. We got them lock boxes for the guns and ammo and my son already has one for the pistol.

My son here going to find a ladder and fixed all the siding that it blown off and the gutter on my little cabin.
We have six bags of coal left I'm not buying anymore. Same with the hay. Our temperatures are looking wonderful.
I do like to can beets and have some fresh produce. I keep my seeds and sealed buckets out the barn it's plenty cold out there during the winter. But often times I will just get the four for a dollar or two for a dollar seed packets. Maybe a flat of things that take a long time to start like peppers.
They don't give tags anymore when you get the rabies shot I guess they email you the paperwork. Which you have to print out. And I have to do some other stuff at the library so just go take care of that today. It was nice too get out and away from all the chores yesterday.
Just having coffee and rambling

 

[WanderLore]

Ferfal: so thrilled the procedure worked!!! I always heard great things about it. I wish I could have gotten it in time for Scot.

My sister quilted me a king size quilt! It is all Scots old work clothes and stuff. I haven't looked at it yet. She saved every button and everything and all the scraps and put them in a big pillow that is on my bed. I will look at the big quilt today couldn't face it yet. I can't believe the tremendous amount of work that went into it but she loved him too and it was her way too honor him since she couldn't be here for the service.

 

[WanderLore]

Lord. Please forgive the typos! Talk to text.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sweating palms and passing out comes with my panic attacks, too. It scares Cary to death each time I have one if I pass out. It doesn't happen all the time, though. I had an attack while at his parent's house , before we were married. I had gone to the bathroom and locked the door. I had just learned that my mom had breast cancer over the phone. I had the attack while in there and passed out. Cary had to break the door in in order to get to me. My attacks started when I was in high school. I spent 2 weeks in the Methodist hospital in Memphis trying to find out what was causing them. Many tests later, and it all comes down to my nerves. I've always been a very nervous/anxious person. The severe headaches were diagnosed as nervous migraines.

Today is going to be another beautiful day. 86 for our high with sunny skies. I don't think we are going to stack firewood, today. Doing the unloading and stacking it, yesterday, has made Cary's shoulder really painful. He needs to rest it, today. I'm slathering it with Arnica Gel.

I have a new book, so I'll be reading it, today.

 

[Meemur]

I'm sorry about all that, SB! I don't have panic attacks, but I certainly have other physical problems.

WW, I've been meaning to remind you (and everyone) of a funny book that is available in the library and probably for free somewhere.

It's hilarious!
The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden
by William Alexander | Mar 2, 2007

I just got a text and have to get going . . . things are fine here, just busy!

 

[patriotgal]

Moving slow today. Seems like we spend every day tackling another big chore. 2 years of this has us both worn out. I do have to freshen up the property that's for sale. That won't take long. We really need to pick up limbs and cut up an entire dead tree that fell by the barn but I just don't have it in me today.

I have a new PC arriving today. It will replace my laptop as my work computer. The contract I am working now ends on Apr 15. Not sure if it is worth setting new machine up for current contract or if I will make the switch after. Next contract starts on 16th. Changing over now would free my laptop so I could get taxes done more easily. I am just not in the mood for software transfer issues and the major company I am contracted to has yet to master handling tech details. The rest of the program is amazing. Hoping I can just transfer it all but you never know with software. I could simply reinstall it but their system creates specific passwords I would rather not recreate.

Visited nursing home yesterday. Took MIL outside for a visit. Beautiful day. The new admin continues to make good changes. The place is now odor free, fresh paint, worn out furnishings are gone. Activities are available to all residents, not just select halls. They are preparing to add shade to the memory unit outdoor area. They are also incubating chicks for the chicken coop that's being added, along with a small gardening area. Would think that mom would love the chicks and the garden but you never know anymore with her dementia.

Still trying to convince DH he can plan his day without me. I have been just going along then spending half the night doing the things I need/want to do but I am getting tired of that. Getting back to work will help.

Will probably do most of my gardening at the Amish farm. Just don't have the time or energy to manage it myself.

 

[Wildwood]

I'm sorry about all that, SB! I don't have panic attacks, but I certainly have other physical problems.

WW, I've been meaning to remind you (and everyone) of a funny book that is available in the library and probably for free somewhere.

It's hilarious!
The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden
by William Alexander | Mar 2, 2007

I just got a text and have to get going . . . things are fine here, just busy!

I need it lol. I may be a little obsessive and the good thing is I realize this about myself. My poor, long suffering DH just goes along with all of it because I enable him to be just as obsessive about dirt bike riding so it's a win/win. I really know he's up to something when he brings up the idea of "working on the garden". That's when he's about to spend some money on the dirt bikes. He goes so far as to claim they are a prep item lol.

 

[Wildwood]

Moving slow today. Seems like we spend every day tackling another big chore. 2 years of this has us both worn out. I do have to freshen up the property that's for sale. That won't take long. We really need to pick up limbs and cut up an entire dead tree that fell by the barn but I just don't have it in me today.

I have a new PC arriving today. It will replace my laptop as my work computer. The contract I am working now ends on Apr 15. Not sure if it is worth setting new machine up for current contract or if I will make the switch after. Next contract starts on 16th. Changing over now would free my laptop so I could get taxes done more easily. I am just not in the mood for software transfer issues and the major company I am contracted to has yet to master handling tech details. The rest of the program is amazing. Hoping I can just transfer it all but you never know with software. I could simply reinstall it but their system creates specific passwords I would rather not recreate.

Visited nursing home yesterday. Took MIL outside for a visit. Beautiful day. The new admin continues to make good changes. The place is now odor free, fresh paint, worn out furnishings are gone. Activities are available to all residents, not just select halls. They are preparing to add shade to the memory unit outdoor area. They are also incubating chicks for the chicken coop that's being added, along with a small gardening area. Would think that mom would love the chicks and the garden but you never know anymore with her dementia.

Still trying to convince DH he can plan his day without me. I have been just going along then spending half the night doing the things I need/want to do but I am getting tired of that. Getting back to work will help.

Will probably do most of my gardening at the Amish farm. Just don't have the time or energy to manage it myself.

As hard as you work, you should give yourself a break this year. Back when we were doing the Junk Ranch shows, I had to. We made a good part of our income with those shows and there was no time leading up to that spring/summer show to work on a garden. I'd start a small late garden after it was over but it only amounted to tomatoes and squash most of the time. Then the barn burned with all DH's woodworking equipment and it was over. That's when I got obsessed with the garden. There's no way I could work like you do and still do a big garden. For what it's worth, I'd give anything to still have the opportunity to work...gardens can wait.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're going to pass on gardening this year, except for tomatoes. I need to can some, and we almost live off of BLT's sandwiches fresh out of the garden during the summer. I can tolerate store bought tomatoes when fresh isn't available, but I can hardly wait for fresh out of the garden tomatoes each year.

Since our cold weather seems to be gone, I went ahead and changed out my wardrobe for Spring and Summer. I'll get Cary's changed out another day. It's a big job changing out my closet. I have a weakness for pretty clothes and shoes, so there is a lot of clothes to deal with. I threw some tops away that I no longer wanted. They were looking pretty worn. There weren't good enough to take to the thrift store.

Taking a lunch break right now. After Cary's nap, we'll go for our walk.

 

[Digger]

We made it back from Little Rock. Hubby's back injection went well. It's to early to tell how much good it did. Right now it's still numb from the lidocaine. We stopped for brunch in Russellville then came on home. Hubby doesn't like having to be the passenger but he survived the ride.

I am going to putter around and try not to take a nap. Hubby needs a nap though.