You're right and referring to my garden as a weed bed. Before this last rain period, I pulled 3 heaping wheel barrow full of weed out of the garden. Looks pretty good now. Hot (high 90s) and dry weather all week. I'll be spraying weed killer between the rows and along the paths.
What's Growing in the Garden
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Yukon Gold is a tough variety to try and grow. I did for a couple of years, but just too much scab and other disease problems.
They like a sandy soil and a lower pH (5.5 and below). Besides scab, they have numerous disease problems which can cause early die back. Commercial growers don't really like growing them, but do because of the premium they can get.
Besides Kennebec (longer season storage potato), Norland are an easy variety to grow, and another favorite is Superior. It's an early season round white that yields well, but isn't the best for long term storage. Only problem with Superior is I haven't found anyone who will carry seed, and it's expensive for even a pound or two mail order.
Pontiac is a red skinned variety that is longer season (late summer to fall harvest), relatively easy to grow, good yields, and stores OK.
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If you get clippings from a lawn care, make sure you know the history of herbicide use on that lawn. Some herbicides, even 2,4-D can be present in clippings and can wreak havoc on a garden.
Grass clippings work well for mulch though, I use them every year on much of my garden. Of course all of it comes from my lawn which has never had a herbicide nor any fertilizer applied.
One of the best things you can do for a garden. Holds moisture, prevents disease, prevents weed growth and helps with soil tilth and organic matter.
I tried Yukon gold many years ago and they were a big disappointment. Now I plant red norlands and kennebec, except this year I ran out of seed on the last row. I wanted to finish the row and my wife was going to town so I asked her to pick up another couple pounds of Kennebec. The farm store was out of them so she got Yukon gold, they are looking good hopefully they do better than last time.
I've heard of people using geese to weed strawberry beds, apparently they love grass and weeds but don't care for strawberry plants. I also been told that they will eat Colorado potato Beatles and leave the plants alone.
Most anything except the beetles will leave the potatoes alone. The leaves are poison.
Deer seem to enjoy them as much as tomato plants, also poison
. They do sometimes die of lead poisoning.
The only thing I've never seen our deer touch is the lavender and Oregon grape (full of stickers). Everything else I've seen them rip into. Sometimes I think it's the fawns who are still learning what's good and what isn't, but they still destroy the plant while they're at it.Deer seem to enjoy them as much as tomato plants, also poison
Worked in the garden a little today before it got too hot. My Kennebecs are starting to wilt so I might be digging them up next week. Maybe I misunderstood, but isn't it too early for them to dry up? I thought they weren't to dry up until late Summer. We had 2 inches of rain prior to yesterday's 90+ heat. So I don't think they need water.
I'm working on planting my sweet potatoes in large large pots. Probably too late in the season, but they were given to me by a neighbor, so I don't want to waste them.
Squash are taking to the trellis, but the bugs are back. Lost one of my plants. I hit them with another round of spray.
And the bees were gone the day after I found them. I don't guess they'll be back?? I want to finish removing the tree.
I'm working on planting my sweet potatoes in large large pots. Probably too late in the season, but they were given to me by a neighbor, so I don't want to waste them.
Squash are taking to the trellis, but the bugs are back. Lost one of my plants. I hit them with another round of spray.
And the bees were gone the day after I found them. I don't guess they'll be back?? I want to finish removing the tree.
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Woke up to find my feeder had been vandalized. I had the feeder hanging on the shepherds hook but the racoon climb the trellis and knock it down. Chewed right into it this time. They come right up on my porch if I forget to bring the cat food in at night.Deer seem to enjoy them as much as tomato plants, also poison
Time to set a trap for them after dark and apply some lead when they show up.
As far as flowering plants, deer don’t seem to like Crepe Myrtle trees, nor Lantana.
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Don't dig the Kennebec just yet, there won't be anything under them. Even though they have lots of moisture, sometimes plants just can't take up enough water fast enough in extreme heat. To survive, they temporarily wilt. They will return to normal when conditions improve.
Thanks, if I go back out later today (I over did it this morning in the heat) I water them. If not, then in the morning.
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If the ground is wet, they may not need it. But, they should look better first thing in the morning. They will recover over night.
Many years ago, some research was done at Univ of Wisconsin looking at watering in high heat to prevent heat related physiological disorders in potato. The potatoes had enough soil moisture, but seeing if a light watering would provide enough cooling effect to prevent problems. After several years of tests, the conclusion was supplemental watering during heat spells did nothing as long as adequate soil moisture was present.
Many years ago, some research was done at Univ of Wisconsin looking at watering in high heat to prevent heat related physiological disorders in potato. The potatoes had enough soil moisture, but seeing if a light watering would provide enough cooling effect to prevent problems. After several years of tests, the conclusion was supplemental watering during heat spells did nothing as long as adequate soil moisture was present.
I pity you fellers. Your deer are desperadoes! I still haven't tried sweet potatoes... But I know what will happen. And my backdrop is the neighbors house and the interstate so I can't follow through! Therefore. I haven't planted sweet potatoes.Deer seem to enjoy them as much as tomato plants, also poison
Deer love sweet tater vines.
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In IL, they are protected as a fur bearing animal. Set trapping and hunting season with no limits. A nusiance permit is required to trap for relocation out of season.
Having said that, I have never heard of anyone in rural areas getting into trouble for eliminating coons. Probably not something that DNR is concerned with, nor bothers to spend any time on, unless of course, they get a complaint.
I would imagine anyone faced with a complaint against them would immediately reply that the coon was acting erratically around pets and humans and rabies was suspected.....
Having said that, I have never heard of anyone in rural areas getting into trouble for eliminating coons. Probably not something that DNR is concerned with, nor bothers to spend any time on, unless of course, they get a complaint.
I would imagine anyone faced with a complaint against them would immediately reply that the coon was acting erratically around pets and humans and rabies was suspected.....
Gramps had same except it used 1" pipe. He was water Witcher. Dug over 20' with his.