Dumb Garden Question

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Shredded leaves make great compost; mixed with a little cut grass, even better. (I have the DR leave sucker/shredder pull-behind thing so can make huge piles of both--worth every penny) but you do have to compost them before putting them on your garden. Just make a big pile with a dent in the middle to collect water in the fall. If you want to be fancy, turn the pile once. It's good exercise. By late spring beautiful compost, as in "where did the leaves go, this is just dirt."

The rare black walnut on our property is easy to avoid. Maybe you're luckier.

Agh, I see danno1 already basically said this, but I'll leave it just to second him.

 

[goeduck]

I will have to remember this when I brush hog under my black walnut.

 

[Egon]

A neighbor did that with grapes to make a cave for his kid to play in. 4 corner posts and an extra one for a doorway. 6x6 concrete wire for a roof.

We have a grape vine covered archway and last year there were a few overhead beans on the deck.
j

 

[goeduck]

We have a grape vine covered archway and last year there were a few overhead beans on the deck.

Very nice.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We visited Amana Village in Iowa a few years back; I recall they had a micro brewery there, "Millstream Brewery" that had an outdoor seating arrangement, with a beautiful archway. We couldn't identify the vines; finally found out that it was covered with hops. Have often thought It would be nice to have something similar.

 

[RSKY]

There is a nursery in Paducah Kentucky that has a patio about 25' x 25' with trellises for the legs and lattice for the roof and it is completely covered with some sort of vine. Lady said it took several years of training to get it established. I wanted one like that but ended up putting up a metal carport. Much faster.

RSKY

 

[fishheadbob]

Walnut trees are allopathic -- they emit chemicals into the soil that discourage competition. Golden rod is another example. Thus they pretty much eliminate the success of any garden crops in their area.

Actually the word is allelopathic, allopathic is something else but who's splitting hairs except me. (I planted a grove of black walnuts 45 years ago and have a huge shade walnut in my yard.) I don't use walnut leaves in my compost, maybe I could but why risk it. I use a compost mix of chopped leaves, grass clippings, well rotted horse manure, and heavy clay soil which the composting process breaks down nicely. I don't bother to cover it as it's pretty big but it steams in the winter while the birds sit on it to ward off the chill. I feel compost improves the soil quite a bit but it doesn't a real high level of nutrients unless you do get a load of chicken poop in the mix.

 

[robbyr]

Anyone tried that epsom salt thing where ya spray a mix of it diluted in water on your plants? Supposed to make them pretty color and help growth. I briefly tried it last year. Think it killed my snap beans.

 

[bcjmmac]

epson salts are good for tomatoes, peppers, not sure what else. They are said to improve flavour by providing micronutrients that might be missing in your soil. I add a sprinkle when planting & work it in the soil. Add a teaspoon per plant when they start to set fruit. Some sites call for a tablespoon per week.
Other stuff to add - boron for most root vegetables (beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips) - helps prevent stunted growth & hard cores. I simply sprinkle some borax laundry additive (washing soda) on the beds when getting them ready.