I mean obviously someone does this or we wouldn't have the hybrids, but anyone got stories? I mean if I like the flavor of a certain sweet pepper but would prefer it with a little heat, would I graft a sweet pepper plant to, say, a poblano root ball? Or how do people do it...
If not for the pollination issue, I'd never grow more than one plant for what I normally need. But if they're as plentiful as I expect, I'll need to find more uses than pico/salsa.
I'm sure I'm not the only one so since we're getting to the point where even people heading north have fruiting plants, what are some of the other things you grow tomatillos for?
I moved into this place a few years ago with a garden space that had been unused for several years. The first year I barely had time to clear some of the space enough to grow a few things. The 2nd year I added a load of free compost/mulch from the city landfill while also adding a few bags of composted manure. I've added some, maybe not a lot of fertilizer and more mulch and manure since, but I'm realizing that, while some things have done well, most of my garden simply hasn't produced like it should.
So, what am I not doing that I should to ensure I'm not wasting my time and money? Well, not wasted, but certainly not having the success I've had in other spaces. For one, my battle with thistles takes far too much of my time, but what else? Plant a cover crop this fall and add a significant amount of good soil in the spring? Find a good amount of aged manure? How do people test their soil to see what nutrients are missing?
So I don't do a lot of grilling and the only time I'd actually tried smoking anything was just indirect heat in an old charcoal grill......but recently decided maybe I'd try my hand at both smoking and making sausage. The sausage part turned out OK (or rather I know where I could do better) but I went cheap with the smoker- a simple vertical charcoal one.
Now maybe the lid thermometer was way off, as I've read many are, but it was still taking long than I expected for both the sausage to get done as well as the remaining pork belly I decided to smoke as well. At first I realized I was choking the fire by closing the lid vent, but even after that it just seemed to take too long.....while also not really tasting smoked (I had foil pouches of pellets on the coals).
Tips, tricks, reality checks?
New to this, in fact have never tried before. Looking to try a batch of bison/pork sausage and bought pork belly to add in- about 3 1/2 lbs.
So I guess first, if I'm thinking about a half pound of belly to 1 lb each of bison and sausage, does that sound about right? And secondly, would it be logical to grind the whole belly and portion into about half pound bags to freeze? Or better to leave unused whole until I need it.
So my parents are gone, my sisters are gone- all viewed themselves as Christians. But I have 4 brothers and only 1 identifies as Christian. It's not that the other 3 are atheists, they just did what so many have done- grew up in a Christian household, simply haven't gone to church much or at all as adults. None are against it or question why the 2 of us are Christians.
The older we all get (60s-70s) the more it bothers me. They're all good people, not like they live anti-Christian lives otherwise. But it's not a conversation that goes very far, either.
So I found some bison stew meat in my freezer I wasn't aware was still there and I've thought about making sausages. I am absolutely new to doing this and just ordered a grinder/stuffer.
If you were doing this, would a 50/50 blend of bison and pork be the way to go? Higher on the bison end despite the lack of fat? I've also thought about just using ground italian sausage and adding more seasonings. Opinions? I'd likely smoke them.
I'm not averse to getting a decent offset, but I also simply don't do this all that often (and of course probably would with a better setup). I've also looked at possibly an combo fuel setup, but they're probably more than I feel like spending. Yeah, I'm torn, because I'm not totally out on an electric vertical smoker.
I'm a single guy who doesn't entertain often, and has a small propane grill. I'm just not looking at spending all that much but don't want to be disappointed either.
I'm not talking about just cheering when someone hits, I'm talking about yelling whatever phrase.
I've always wondered why, after virtually every shot by someone on the course, there's always at least that one guy yelling 'Get in the hole' or sometimes weird things like earlier today when someone yelled what sounded like 'Mashed potatoes' after a Tom Kim drive.
I mean, is there a point I'm missing?
Odd question to some, I'm sure, but just wondering. I have an odd eye problem that makes reading for any length of time difficult, but I also have I don't know I guess a bit of ADHD. So while I would love to listen to more audiobooks, since I can do that while doing other things I find myself too often letting entire chapters go by and realizing I wasn't really paying attention.
When I listen while working, that's especially true- it doesn't distract me from my work, it just becomes noise in my head. If I'm just sitting at home, I find my mind wandering or I simply fall asleep. Seemingly, the only time I find it easy to actually pay attention is while I'm on a walk or on a drive.
Is this a common problem or what's your experience?
I simply don't listen to enough to even keep up with purchases I've made. I have books I haven't listened to and unused credits. Can I just pause until I catch up or what? I don't want to lose any and that I'm aware I can't download them in a format I could use separately.
I'm fine, I guess, with my medicare supplement, but currently I'm on COBRA from my previous employer for dental and have no vision insurance. Being diabetic, medicare covers most of an eye exam but that's it. I thought I had found the perfect dental a couple years ago, through my prior medicare supplement company but their dental coverage screwed me bad (which is why they're my prior company).
I can do the google searches and see what's out there, but I feel like I'm missing good deals/better options. I just joined AARP so don't know if that helps here or not. Thoughts?
I posted a link to the article not realizing that's not allowed here, but as we know it's pride month. You may also know pro sports leagues often participate in the celebration of it, regardless of a player's personal beliefs.
Some SF Giants players added bible verses to their pride hats and received warnings from the league. Landon Roupp said, "There's no hate at all. It’s just what I stand for, and what I stand in. I believe in God."
Haven't settled on plans yet, but one consideration for the 4th of July timeframe is TRNP. I know there's the library opening, I assume there's still the Medora musical, and I'm seeing the more logical drone show (vs fireworks at Rushmore during a drought).
Anything else you can tell me?
I am no newbie to spending time out there, but most of the time I'm alone doing my own thing and often not hitting many restaurants. Now I'm going out there with a brother and just realizing, for example:
- I've actually spent little time in Custer, so have no idea what diner would be good for breakfasts, restaurants for dinner, bars to spend an evening.
- Also planning on a day in/around Wind Cave NP separate from anything Custer SP related (different day) and interested in specifics about places to go/stop there. I don't know if the cave is fully open, elevator fixed, etc. I haven't been in that or Jewel Cave in forever, but I'm also older and not needing anything very exhausting.
- While I've been to Hot Springs and the mammoth site, I'm unfamiliar with the Wild Horse Sanctuary. How worthwhile a stop is that and does it take a private tour to be worth it?
Later we'd head north- is construction completed on 385? I mean it's construction season, but the major redo is done? I tend to do south hills and north hills on separate trips, so it's been a few years since I saw Pactola.
Anything going on next week of particular interest?
So I bought a new place 3 years ago- previous owner really hadn't done much at all around the house and the veggie garden space appeared to be several years since last use. I'm now comfortable with the veggie space, better this year than ever, but not even close around the house.
I'm in cold country (4b) but only got a few things in the first year. Then I built a 3 season porch the second year and planted some perennials around it, only to have most of them not return last spring, apparently because the winter was too dry and there was an early heat wave. So, I planted more perennials, this time earlier in the season so they were better established and last fall even making the point of watering deep even after growth had stopped. Even simple things like juniper bushes appear dead now!
SO, before I spend the time and money on a THIRD round, I'm trying to figure out what I should do different- make a point of putting in plants rated to zone 3? Dig out my planting area and amend soil with something? What?
So if there's something to do I should already have, but it also involves family which is why I hadn't.
30 years ago I helped my brother launch his business. While it has become pretty successful since, in those early years the cost of startup, etc, meant quite a struggle. I wasn't paid well, but I never worried I wasn't going to be paid.
However, 4 of those years, to this day on my profile, show as 0 income because I know he was behind on taxes. I'm certain that's long ago been resolved, but my profile never changed. Those weren't high income years, but still all 4 would bump out years in my 35 year average.
Before I started taking benefits, I meant to just find a way to ask him, but 'hey, did you ever pay your back taxes' has seemed a disrespectful question to ask my older brother. Not saying it would make a major difference on my monthly check, but it would certainly make some.
Can I check into this without potentially risking problems for him? A minor increase in my check isn't remotely worth causing penalties for him. And IF I were to check into this, how would I go about doing it? I guess talking it a step further, would they actually recalculate and backpay prior benefits?
Zone 4b, as usual with seedlings growing in my house that are just begging to stretch their legs in the wide open spaces. I know I shouldn't expect to plant much before Memorial Day, but I'm traveling that week and would prefer things be planted and at least semi-settled before I take off.
For two weeks now it has appeared a window might be opening only for a change in the forecast to bring either high winds or overnight temps in the 30s or both. Today was looking good until the forecast changed to heavy thunderstorms with possible hail tomorrow. Monday looked OK if not too wet, but now suddenly there's actual frost advisory overnight Tuesday.
So now I'm at the point of deciding to get things in Wednesday/Thursday even tho I'm leaving for 6 days Sunday....or figuring out how to keep things watered indoors until I get back home on May 30.
*sigh*
/rant off and I know I'm not alone
Somehow over the years I have rarely grown radishes, or tried to somewhat casually (or even just as ground cover).
Why are you fans of these guys? Do you do more with them than snack on them or slice into salads? What types do you grow?
I have a little space I was going to use for something else, so just looking at possibly using some for radishes. Also, are there things they should or shouldn't be grown near?
Recently retired and looking to do some domestic traveling, primarily national park trips. But I've also always wanted to see New England in the fall. I'm in the midwest and thinking this trip would be best flying somewhere and renting a vehicle. I'm not remotely a city guy, so I don't need suggestions like fly into NYC and see the sites. I also don't have the knees to handle a lot of hiking, but certainly some. I just want to get enjoy what the area has to offer.
Where would you fly into/base out of? How many non-travel days would be adequate? What else should someone experience who's never been there and may never be again? I know there are places online suggesting ultimate trips, but I like to hear from people who've done it as well as locals who know the secret treasures.
EDIT: in case it matters- I have spent virtually zero time anywhere basically east of Illinois, I love forest drives/hikes/walks as well as mountains, but I'd also definitely like to experience the great seafood I'd find out there.