Ducks ALIVE in 2025!

[ducks4you]

Today I will be giving DH some older seeds to scatter in the south of the garage bed, since open soil is available for any and all seeds, and we'll see what takes.
So, apparently this is ANOTHER bad year for tomatoes. I am told that the ones I transplanted survived, but are not fruiting. I expect better soon, since we have been having waves of Really good rain.
I see on the porch the peppers that I transplanted just to hold, in my whiskey barrel planter, the same one that I put a drainage hole into the plastic liner early this Spring, are setting fruit. They will have to wait, but in 2 weeks I think I will be able to use the 40 gallon horse waterer, now full of water and degrading compost and fertilize them for the rest of the summer with compost tea and keep them going in a small space like they feed plants hydroponically.
I will also be planting beans for another Fall harvest.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Ducks compost tea from compost is an outstanding idea… if used half strength I use it to water my potted plants every time. A great way to keep potted plants growing happy and healthy.

Sending healing blessing for that new shiny knee to you and you have a great attitude you’ll be dancing in the fields in no time… God bless peanut a life savor after knee surgery…

 

[ducks4you]

Sending healing blessing for that new shiny knee to you and you have a great attitude you’ll be dancing in the fields in no time… God bless peanut a life savor after knee surgery…

Thanks SO MUCH!! I am feeling the love!

 

[ducks4you]

Ducks compost tea from compost is an outstanding idea… if used half strength I use it to water my potted plants every time. A great way to keep potted plants growing happy and healthy.

Sending healing blessing for that new shiny knee to you and you have a great attitude you’ll be dancing in the fields in no time… God bless peanut a life savor after knee surgery…

@Shades-of-Oregon , I inadvertently made compost tea in 2024 bc I left some straw out in a bucket. Although in 2026 I should be able to do a lot more and, yes, I could make manure tea, I noticed that in 2024 and this year, the compost tea really doesn't stink. I am don't concerned about mosquitoes, but if you make it at home and Are concerned about growing mosquitoes, you can buy those doughnuts that dissolve in the water and kill the larvae.
DD's are interested in attracting dragonflies. Usually in August at dusk I see both dragonflies and barn swallows racing around the sky above my property eating mosquitoes, and they would like to replicate it on a smaller scale, bc they have a corner lot, slighter larger than 1/4 acre.
I was thinking that they might want to purchase a whiskey barrel planter with no drainage a create a small "water feature." I know that drangonflies eat mosquito larvae.
I have been hunting for what I have--they cannot use mine bc I burned a 1/2 hole in the liner for drainage--any ideas where to find a ~25 inch diameter, more or less wooden whiskey barrel planter with a plastic liner that doesn't cost and arm and a leg?
Also, I would like to know where and what aquatic plants they should buy.
They have the funds to buy/set this up soon, but could wait until 2026.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

You can line your whisky barrel with a roll of pond liner easy fix and secured with pond caulk, leak proof.

Or ..
Try a small pond supply or farm supply store. Black plastic containers carried at several different locations. They you can line your whisky barrel with pond liner a think heavy rubbery material. It’s uv and carry several different shapes sizes from small -large for a pond size of your choice. Many big Box stores carry them too. Not pricy. Check online for containers for your needs for a reasonable price just google used goods.. Heck I have a couple extra not using . Not unusual to build your own using a roll of pond liner cinder blocks a bit of labor and you’ll have an exquisite home crafted small pond. Or building repurpose centers that collect and store used building materials for just about any purpose. Antique stores are full of options…The options are just as limitless as one’s imagination.

Aquatic plants are quite popular this time of year. Local pond companies, online or big box stores and nursery stores carry a variety of choices. I have several water plants that cover the top of the water and hardy waterlilies to iris…whatever fits your fancy

 

[ducks4you]

I was going to suggest starting with a whiskey barrel planter this year, and then considering putting in a small pond. A previous owner of their house was a rock hound and there are probably 30 large rocks that could be placed around it. I was thinking maybe some aquatic plants, maybe some fish with a netting to keep any neighborhood outside cats from "fishing."

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

I was going to suggest starting with a whiskey barrel planter this year, and then considering putting in a small pond. A previous owner of their house was a rock hound and there are probably 30 large rocks that could be placed around it. I was thinking maybe some aquatic plants, maybe some fish with a netting to keep any neighborhood outside cats from "fishing."

Sounds like a great project. There is also a clacker made of bamboo and water hit the post attached then the bottom bamboo pops back up once the water had filled the bottom post.
The noise from the clacker also helps keep raccoons and birds from snacking at the pond.

Some ponds have deep covey holes where fish can hide from predators. Also pond plants that cover the surface help camouflaged fish. What kind of fish are you thinking about?