The Year WIthout A Summer

It has been sold here, too. I did get mmy first cherry tomato yesterday. Just 1 and it's growing in an Earthbox next to the house.

I may have to invest in some kind of greenhouse to grow tomatoes and peppers in if this kind of weather keeps up next year. I planted ten double pink Knockout roses this morning. I got them online from Home Depot. They were marked down to ten something per twinpack. They didn't send twinpacks though. They sent ten separate rose bushes. They looked very healthy and I was pleased with the price. We'll see how they do. I planted a row of them across the front of my perennial bed. I'll have to buy ten more rose cones for winter.

Brenda

I have a bunch of peppers and tomatoes growing in the greenhouse this year-they are looking great!! bigger n better than the ones in the garden!
I HATE THIS COLD WEATHER!!!! wish i could have went to vegas and warmed up!!!
i thought about turning the heat on this morning!

Anyone have a repellent for groundhogs? I have one living under my front porch and he was in my flower beds yesterday. I almost stepped on him 2 different times in two different beds. Today Crystal, the college girl who is helping me in the garden, was weeding a different bed and I heard a shriek. She surprised him (and he surprised her) and he went scurrying away. Crystal thought he was cute. I said if he bit her, I'm sure she would change her mind.

Groundhogs

They are a member of the squirrel family. They’re rodents who not only dig, but can swim, and even climb trees. Most of the time groundhogs are a harmless animal. Groundhogs will usually mind their own business—unless there’s a garden nearby. Gardeners beware: groundhogs are notorious garden feeders, with a taste legumes, root vegetables, and I guess they’re partial to alfalfa. Chances are you’re looking up how to get rid of groundhogs because it’s close to September or October and they’re raiding your garden in an attempt to fatten up for the their big winter sleep. If you’re a gardener, I can understand your dismay.

To get rid of groundhogs from your garden, fencing is perhaps the most humane form of pest control. This is probably not the most reliable strategy for those trigger-happy individuals who want their groundhogs gone now. Fencing should be used primarily to keep groundhogs out of specific places, like your lovely garden. 1”-3” chicken wire or wire mesh fencing should be sufficient, so long as it’s buried at least 12”-18” below the surface and about 2’ above the surface. Remember, you’re dealing with a creature that can dig, so the more fencing you lay below the earth, the better.

The use of groundhog repellents as a way to get rid of groundhogs is questionable but a non-lethal tactic worth trying. I say “questionable” because a majority of the groundhog repellents on the market have almost no scientific evidence or research behind them to back up their claims—most of it is anecdotal or testimonial evidence. I guess if you’re the trusting type, and you really don’t want to kill or relocate your groundhogs, you might want to try a groundhog repellent and let us know how it works. Shake-Away by Critter-Repellent.com, and Critter Ridder by Havahart® are just two of the groundhog repellent products that we’re aware of.

Using live traps to get rid of groundhogs without harming them is perhaps your best form of direct groundhog control. Trapping groundhogs isn’t easy—I won’t kid you here—unless you know where their high traffic areas are. It’s been suggested that if you do borrow or purchase a cage trap, you should set it out in such a way that the trap door won’t shut for 2-3 days, to allow the groundhog to get used to the idea of a free meal in a metal cage. Once they’ve built up a routine around feeding out of the cage, set the trap door to close normally. Cover the trap with a cloth sheet and transport the animal to another shady, wooded area far enough from your home that you won’t risk it’s return. Give the animal time to leave the trap under its own power once you’ve found an appropriate spot.

Fumigation is the most efficient and effortless way to get rid of groundhogs. Fumigation, as I mentioned in our article on rodents, is the most common and effective means of groundhog control. Fumigation is usually done with either gas cartridges that produce carbon monoxide or with aluminum phosphide pellets. Groundhog fumigation should be done in the spring (late April, early May) before the young leave the nest, and is most effective when moist soil is used to cover the burrows, sealing the gases in and leaving no means of escape for the groundhogs. This tactic should not be used for groundhog dens that are found beneath houses or other residential structures, and you should contact your local conservation officer beforehand to ensure you’re not breaking any laws.

You can use lethal traps to get rid of groundhogs, but shooting is the preferred method of lethal groundhog control. Of course, if you live in an urban area trapping and shooting might be illegal. You should check with your local conservation officer or law enforcement center to make certain you’re not breaking any laws by busting out the old varmint gun. Trapping, on the other hand, is considered less dangerous than the use of firearms, but steps need to be taken to ensure that children, pets, and other animals are not snared instead. You probably shouldn’t put a steel leghold trap down in your yard if you live next to a daycare center—unless you’re one of those people.

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-groundhogs.htm

12 guage double barrel shotgun worked for me!!!!

49 degrees here the other morning. Wow felt good for sleeping though. ronna

Cold weather coming in on Friday....get out the fleece!

Groundhog=Ground Chuck, very good I hear. LOL I wouldn't eat it.

Sarv48 I have had the fleece out many times this summer... Ronna

I took my hooded sweatshirt off for about 5 minutes. LOL

gosh and I thought it has been just right !!!! maybe its my old age ;0)
Gloria

Kinda all most right. We are going camping in a few weeks hope its cooler for that. Mid 70's.

I hope it stays semi cooler 70s 80s for a few more weeks I'm trying to get the yard ready for my sons and new daughter in laws wedding reception on Aug. 9th I wish I was rich I'd get me a gardener to come and help me ;0( or win the lotto then I could quit work and do it my self ;0)
Gloria

i'm with you Ronna................70's is hot enough for me!!
I"m attaching a picture of my oldest (3 yrs) grandchild, Tyler, with me. He's experiencing "crazy string" for the first time.

building a snowman here tomorrow!

Sweatshirts in the morning is just right with me. You know I am loving it. I know Dori is hating it.

One of the reasons I like it is that we can go out in the woods in the morning and work a little while without dying. Also we got kayaks this year. We have been having a ball floating down the river. 75' and a breeze is just perfect to relax and let the river take you on a cruise.

One day it was in the 80's when we went. I got roasted, toasted and drained out. UGH.

This message was edited Jul 17, 2009 7:21 AM

What a beautiful morning it is here...supposed to be cold and windy, but it is sunny and still. Just finished a garden walk and things are looking great! (just weeded yesterday and that sure makes a difference) We're heading out to one more greenhouse...I'm looking for more small, yellow marigolds...usually hate the darn things, but this year they are beautiful and I want more!!

It's kind of raining here but I got the yard mowed any ways it felt good nice and cool instead of sweating and burning eyes;0) hope it keeps up all night !!!!
Gloria

Birdie very cute photos!!! He looks like he is having a blast with the silly string!!! Ronna

Ronna,he was!!!LETS do coffee soon. Maybe "Sarv" would like to join us!!

Birdie,

Tyler is adorable! I must pick up a can of that string for when my 3 year old granddaughter comes to visit. Looks like great fun!

Brenda

DO IT Brenda!! the most fun, and super cheap!! have a great day.

This is nutz,
Went for a cycle ride this morn and had to put on a thinsulate face mask when I took the freeway back. I use to take a ride to cool off in July.

What is going on with this summer. It is too cold to jetski or take the sailboat out.
This is fall not summer. I suppose it will snow next month eh? Might as well grab one of my autos and head up 22 towards the bridge and see some fall colors...
Crazy...

lol yes im am hating this weather!
I sure hope august warms up!!

what kind of autos you have-i love cars even more than flowers!!!
chevy girl here
this is MY baby-one of 5 camaros!

hay Dori hows the NEW one comming along???
Gloria

i had her up to 110 so far......she got some ballz!! posi too!!!

I had a hunch your LEAD FOOT would see how fast it would go!!!!;0)
Gloria

it should do 140 but i havent checked that yet :)

GOOD LORD !!!be careful girl I like having you around :0)
Gloria

Birdie you know I would love too!!! Ronna

ok Ronna, hows your schedule?

I am not off until the 30th now... Ronna

Well it's been almost 2 months since my last post. The okra just withered away, and the maters and peppers are JUST NOW blossoming! Never had a year like this!

My garden is doing "okay" I had a few green beans for dinner tonight thought I better get some be for the baby bunnies got them all little buggers this is the second batch this year !!!!!!
Gloria

Well anyone had any rain? We had a very small amount today. Sure could have rained all day for all I care! But am greatful for what we got. My water bill is going to be really up there for the month of July.... Other good news for August my son is leaving Iraq!!! He should be home for our daughters wedding in September! I can not wait to see him. I really have been emontional about all of this! All I want to do is give him a great big hug. ;) He always says I know mom.. He only has about ten to twelve days left. I just wish I could be in Georgia when the plane lands. Ronna

OOOHHHH I love fresh green beans. Have had a few that I got from a lady I work with. Yummy.

I've harvested a bunch of green beans. I put a few gallons of them in the freezer and we've been eating them every day along with the zuchinni and yellow squash and onions. We have green tomatoes but none ripe yet. The peppers are coming on good and we've had a couple to eat and a couple cukes too.

We got a good rain this afternoon and it's still spitting here and there out there. I had just finished mowing when the sky opened up. I'm glad for any rain we get. Keeps me from having to water.

Ronna, I'm so glad your son is coming home and he'll be here for the wedding. That is just wonderful news. You'll have to share pics.

Brenda

OH dont worry I will! You all will be sick of seeing them! LOL. Ronna

Oh Ronna Happy day I know how you feel I think I cryed every day my son was in Panama then he was in Desert Storm !!!! he used to call on a field phone and I could hear the scuds blowing up I'm so glad that you both are almost dune with it I'm still praying for a safe happy return give him time to ajust to being home and safe even if he says hes fine Brent has been home 16 years and hes doing great he has a great job and a wonderful family but he still has night meares thank God he has a wonderful wife who undrestands ;0)
Gloria