2026, My year of Garden Narcissism

[ducks4you]

I am a pirate/renegade. It's very Hard to stay out of trouble.

 

[flowerbug]

I got clued into oats from a guy on Mid American Gardener. He said that spring plant grass seed doesn't do that well. It comes up and gets burned out during the summer. Spring planted oats come right up, stay looking good, are easily mowed and fill in nicely, AND will drop seeds for the next season.
@flowerbug
Oats will do nicely in Your neck of the woods, since most oats are grown in Canada and considered a cool season crop.

@digitS' and me (or at least that is what i was writing about ) are speaking of overwintering them which is different from planting and letting seeds fall in the fall and then having those seeds sprout in the next spring...

 

[ducks4you]

I have done both spring planting and overwintering. Oats are one of my favorite plants.

 

[ducks4you]

On the subject of tools, I had been researching/window shopping for files. I always hear about sharpening gardening tools, but I didn't know where to start. I found this nice set, good for a beginner, like me. DD said to sew a bag to keep them in. I found this one, that DH had gotten from his eye doctor when he had cataracts removed and lenses put in. There were 2 weeks of daily eye drops. Kept the bag. It has handles and a snap. I saved the product label and instructions. They are 6 inches long, which I think I can handle pretty well.

 

[ducks4you]

Steady rain off and on last night. The open bedroom window witnessed this last night, as I tried to sleep a solid 8 hours. Funny, I keep using the water from the dehumidifier in the basement to water new transplants and anything else close to the garage.
All 3 blueberry bushes got a Nice soaking from this. I should mention that I planted them on the NORTH side of my big garden, so height is not an issue.
The 2 plants that I bought from Lowe's a few weeks ago have substantial roots. I took their tags with me while shopping and I found a third, which I matched up as another pollinator of the Legacy and Top Hat Blueberries.
I used the list and bought a Blue Crop, which did Not have as many roots, But I planted it at the right time. I walk by them every day to feed ponies so I can an eye on them. It's also nice to have/keep a list that has hardiness and care instructions. I have them pinned to my cork board by the washer for future reference.

 

[ducks4you]

...more narcissism...
Swept the LR and DR and foyer carpet. I used my kitchen floor/small nap Bissell shampooer with Urine control And Nature's Miracle, dog formula, to attack where Tegan had had diarrhea a month ago AND where either Tegan OR Sasha had peed.
I am going on a small vacation with youngest DD this weekend, eldest DD is house/animal sitting, and the carpet just smells...wiffy.
Smells Great now!
I am going back before I go to bed to use the proper carpet shampooer on everything else.
Great day to do this, since the heat is off and doors/windows open to dry it.
Youngest DD won her DUI case! Mope on meth and cocaine blew through a yield sign, t-boned and flipped the victim's truck, some 2300 pounds heavier than mope's car, injured victim's dog--survived and rehomed--and injured all 3 of mope's passengers, fractures for back seat passengers, front seat passenger was in a coma and is still using a wheelchair.one.year.later.
Anyway, we are celebrating this weekend at a cabin in southern IL where both DD's have stayed. There is a hot tub, access to the pond and food for the turtles. We plan to visit a winery or two, maybe just stay and read.
I am bringing a copy of "Bleak House." It is actually full of good humor, despite some tragedy.

Bleak House (TV Mini Series 2005) ⭐ 8.3 | Crime, Drama

30m | TV-PG

www.imdb.com

 

[ducks4you]

Middle DD, perpetually growing her Own green thumb, sent me this link. This guy is an EBayer, and YouTuber.
This might not be Your style, but I am amazed at his efforts!

 

[ducks4you]

Middle DD also bought a raised bed pot, of sort, 4' x 8' x 2 1/2'. I gave her lumber and 5 grain bags full of used stall bedding. She added sticks and prunings and stuff that she and SIL had not yet burned. It needs to be topped off with soil, but she bought it to grow tomatoes and peppers. In zone 5, there is plenty of time for this. I will download and send more photos later.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Middle DD, perpetually growing her Own green thumb, sent me this link. This guy is an EBayer, and YouTuber.
This might not be Your style, but I am amazed at his efforts!

What an interesting technique to refurbish an out building. A ‘Artist’ at work’. What a beautiful outcome. Lot’s of ideas in that vid . Maybe… just maybe it will increase my incentive to repair an old shed that has seen better days.

 

[ducks4you]

never mind...there Were more on FB Messenger.