Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 28 ~ June 3, 2023

[SouthernBreeze]

We're getting ready to go out and water the gardens. Once our rain spigot got turned off, it's starting to get dry here. We're watering every other day. Cary will hook the hose to the main rainwater tank, today. We been using out of the rain barrels, til now. There's a slight chance of an afternoon thunder boomer this afternoon. High of 90 with a heat index of 98 for us, today and partly cloudy. It's getting really humid, too. Cary may turn on the A/C this afternoon.

I also have 2 large loads of laundry to wash and hang on the clothesline. Floors to sweep and mop. With all the restocked fresh produce from yesterday, I'm making Taco Salad for our supper, tonight. YUM!

eta. I picked 2 large green bell peppers from the garden!

 

[nomifyle]

I don't know how often DH waters the gardens, mainly because I don't pay attention to it. Our temps are about the same as yours are Sherree. I've got the central air set on 81, so it comes on from time to time. In the mud room we turn the window unit on about mid morning and then off in the early evening. The she shed and walk in closet windows units run 24/7. The ac in the pantry room i on a thermostate so it goes on and off too. I'm not looking forward to the next electric bill, but it is what it is.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don't know how often DH waters the gardens, mainly because I don't pay attention to it. Our temps are about the same as yours are Sherree. I've got the central air set on 81, so it comes on from time to time. In the mud room we turn the window unit on about mid morning and then off in the early evening. The she shed and walk in closet windows units run 24/7. The ac in the pantry room i on a thermostate so it goes on and off too. I'm not looking forward to the next electric bill, but it is what it is.

We do fine with just a floor fan with the windows open, until it starts getting humid. It's the humidity that gets me, not so much the heat only. I hope the high humidity today brings us one of those thunder boomers this afternoon. It's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow.

Our electric bill goes up, too, in the summer, around $120/month. In winter our electric bill only runs around $60/month.

 

[briches]

I just got back from the grocery store and will start making it a point again to get 10 extra items for my pantry (in addition to what I have gone in for). I did this beforehand with concentrating on five items at a time. It’s amazing how fast it can add up. I stopped probably in November (ish).

I decided to “splurge“ a little for hubby and I and got a nice bottle of wine and fixings for a nice chartruisre (have no idea how to spell it!) board for us for later this evening or tomorrow.
Today is the first day we have seen the sun on a week.

While running to the grocery store, I filled up on gas and stopped at the thrift store on the way home. I had something to drop off and everything is 50% off! I found several items from “my list”. A set of queen sheets, a new queen mattress protector (new), two large tablecloths, a wine bag cooler, a new roasting pan (had been on my list for awhile), and a large platter. All of that was $12.18! I’m thrilled!

Slow and steady ….

 

[nomifyle]

I haven't been a cucumber eater in years but I decided to try some of the mini cucumbers. I took two out of the package and lightly peeled them and sliced them fairly thin, to that I added some grape tomatoes cut in half and some sliced and chopped up red onion and topped it off with 4% cottage cheese and a little pink salt and a few shakes of balsamic vinegar. It was delicious, I called it brunch. DH had bacon and eggs.

We got our water bill today, it went from $22 a month to $60. My main issue with it is they gave us no heads up about it. The water system has a FB page but stopped any comments recently, probably because people were venting about issues they were having. As far as I'm concerned the FB page is now worthless.

Still have nothing piled up in the kitchen that needs to be washed.

 

[aviax2]

We could use rain as well, it’s getting very dry. DH watered the potatoes yesterday afternoon, my herb pots on the back porch look okay but I’ll give them a good watering today. My houseplants on the front porch and most of the ones in the house have taken care of, just a few more to do.

I’ve changed out the filter for the a/c and as I only have one more filter left I’ll add those to my stock up list, we don’t usually let them get that low but I change them more than often than DH so that’s probably why. I’m in the process of cleaning the coffee maker (I’m behind on that). I’ve stripped the bed, washed sheets, now I need to get back in there and dust, etc. and remake the bed. I just cleaned and stored the bathroom potty that I bought and we used with all three grandkids now that the girl child can use a regular toilet, although I don’t think she’s going to be happy about it LOL! It seems odd to be able to get more done on Friday since little granddaughter isn’t here.

We‘ve been using our a/c for probably over a month already, between that and not having the outdoor wood burner heating our water since we don’t need heat, we have already seen our electric bill going up. I do all I can think of to keep the heat down in the house so the unit doesn’t have to work so hard, it’s getting older and every year I’m on pins and needles if this is going to the year it’s going to give up the ghost. Our electric bills are always so much higher in the summer even with all the precautions I take to keep it down. We use our ceiling fan in the bedroom at night and last night it was time to pull out the tower fan for the summer. I HATE to be hot especially trying to sleep.

@briches You got some great deals!

 

[anna43]

Well, the "chance of showers" this week have not happened. Dry as a bone in that the soil is powder.

I'm very discouraged and disappointed as I was hoping and praying the drought was over plus the dang rabbits have no mercy. They ate the one cantaloupe that came up and one sweet potato where the cage either fell over or they knocked it over. I replanted the sweet potato plus one that didn't survive being transplanted. I'm going to do some digging in the rows/hills of seeds I planted to see if the seed is still there dormant or if I should try to replant. I can replant cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, summer squash and zucchini and still get a crop IF IT RAINS. Melons however might not make it before frost but maybe I'll replant them and hope for the best. I haven't planted beets or any of my flower seeds but will if there is a chance of rain. No replanting until and unless there is a better chance of rain. Nearby communities have had rain one this week got 4" and had flooded streets and a couple weeks ago another got 14" in three hours and the whole town flooded. We could handle the 4" but no one can handle 14" in that short of period.

My potatoes are blooming and aren't looking too bad despite the lack of rain. I need to put a deep mulch on them soon. My energy levels and my back do not allow me to do more than a couple hours a day, so everything takes forever. I need to ask for help to get the fence up to keep the rabbits out.

 

[ReneeT]

The temp hit 93 today, but the humidity was only 20% so I was able to get by with just the ceiling fan on in whichever room I was in. We have porches on the south and west sides of the house - and the west porch has a grape arbor that shades it even more, so that helps to keep the main floor cooler, and the east side is well shaded by a pair of 70 plus year old walnut trees. I keep trying to convince Hubby to use one of those thin silver emergency blankets behind the curtains on the west double window upstairs but he thinks it would make the house look like a meth lab - given that we are at the end of a dead end road, and the windows aren't visible from said road, I don't know who he thinks would be looking

Green tomatoes are coming on, but none even close to being big enough to slice and fry yet. Hoping that the cherry tomatoes start setting on more as well. I saw one small bell pepper on the pepper plants, but I planted late so they'll be coming on soon unless the heat causes the blossoms to drop. I forgot to plant the zucchini (put the salvaged rhubarb where I'd planned to plants the zucchini) so will have to remedy that tomorrow; and will try to get the sweet corn in tomorrow or Sunday. No rain in the forecast for the next week, so tomorrow I'll be spending some time dragging out the rest of the garden hoses and preparing to water everything.

Well, I need to take care of some correspondence since I want to put it in the mail tomorrow, so I'd better get off the computer and get it taken care of.

Take care all; hope you all have a good weekend!

 

[prudentwatcher]

I did get the jam made today-5 pints sitting on the counter and the freezer somewhat cleaned out of frozen berries. I also put up 5 jars of stew meat with potatoes. So, a productive day for me!

 

[anna43]

We had a rain shower around 8 p.m. I think I could have counted the drops it was so light. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[Digger]

We need rain badly. I planted a rose Bush yesterday and it was powder dry even at the bottom of the hole I dug. The gardens need rain. I will have to start watering soon if we don't get any. Not a lot of my seeds have come up in the new garden. It is just too dry.

We are going to the farmers market this morning if hubby can get around. He is still hurting from doing hay. He wants to find some good Italian sausage to put on the pizzas we make. I want some fresh cabbage. Ours is just starting to head. I need to make canned coleslaw. It's so handy to have on hand and we really like it.

I added a gallon of vinegar to the pantry since there seems to be a shortage. There was some on the shelf, but it certainly wasn't full.

I started some tomato clones from the suckers I broke off. Now if they will just get to growing roots. I do have some tomatoes in the flower bed by the porch. I am going to let them grow. They are easier to keep watered than the ones in the garden. But keeping the chickens out is a different problem.

We got the big hay field done. Customers picked up most out of the field. I put 27 bales in the barn. It looks like really good hay. One customer has already said that they want 100 more bales. We will be cutting some more this week if we don't have good rain chances.

 

[kyrsyan]

We got soaking rain yesterday evening. It makes a difference, even though I water regularly.

This morning I get to run a tire to Sam's Club to see if it is the source of the problems that popped up on Tuesday. That's going to make for a long morning unfortunately. But I decided that since I'm already going to be stuck there, I'll shop in person today.

Extra prayers for the problem being simple, and quickly located and fixed without lots of expense, would be appreciated. And for son to behave while someone new is staying with him. Well... not new to our lives or to him, but new to staying with him alone. It isn't something I normally would have asked but life is not cooperating for it to happen any other way.

And then hopefully the rest of the weekend is peaceful and calm with life moving back to positive ways.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We got that small chance afternoon thunder boomer late yesterday afternoon! It refilled all our rain barrels, tubs, and the big water tank! Gardens won't need watering for a couple of days now. Since the humidity was so high, yesterday, it was like a green house, after the rain finished. We had to turn on the AC for a while to cool the house down, before going to bed.

I'm doing more laundry, today, and hanging them out, plus doing some house cleaning. Tomorrow, our group gets together here. I like the house to be all clean and tidy when we have guests. I'm OCD about my house being clean and tidy, so it never gets in a big mess to start with, but I do a bit of extra cleaning when I know guests are coming.

Even though, our gardens were late going in, it all looks great. Green beans have started running up the trellises. Baby tomatoes everywhere, first squash is blooming as are the cucumbers. Both types of peppers are loaded. Watermelons are doing good, and after the rain, the late squash and cukes may be up, today.

High temp for today is 94 with heat index of 100. Sunny skies with no rain in the forecast today. Tomorrow's high of 95 with heat index of 103 and no rain.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I forgot to mention. We have a 100 year old oak tree just off and to the side of our front porch about 20 ft. I'm always afraid that a tornado or strong storm will blow it onto our house. It leafed out so lush and green this spring like it does every year. Then, something went wrong. It's already losing its leaves as if its Fall, already. The ground is covered in leaves. Cary is afraid that it's dying. This tree helps with covering our house with a canopy which really helps during the hot summer months to keep our house cool. He plans to call a local company that comes out and cuts and trims trees. I really hate to see this huge old tree go. Think of all the firewood Cary will get out of it, though, unless the wood isn't any good.

Is there any other reason why this tree should have its leaves turning yellow and falling? Anything we can do to help it out? Right now, the tree is still lush and green, but the leaves are falling from the very top of the tree.

 

[ReneeT]

Taking a break to hydrate after taking the hoe to the weeds under the cattle panel trellis in the back garden, around the tomato cages (determinate tomatoes) and fence (indeterminate tomatoes) in the front garden; then tilling the rest of the front garden. I'm going back out here in a bit to till the back garden. I want to get it done before it gets any hotter - the temp is supposed to get up to 91* today; and the humidity is currently in the low 40's. I'm also going to plant two rows of zinnias, two rows of bush green beans instead of my usual pole beans (which I will regret when I have to bend over to pick them ), one 4x4 raised bed of yellow beets that I hope the heat doesn't stop them from germinating, and a raised bed or two of sugar baby watermelons. I can irritate the racoons by putting electric fence poles with chicken wire on them around the beds.

 

[moldy]

It'd raining here, so I can't get much done outside. Too muddy to weed and too humid to paint. I think I am going to go thru some memorabilia and weed out some for the kids.

 

[John Deere Girl]

Wow, it's hot out! Just got in from giving our livestock fresh, cold water, and I got distracted by weeds in one strawberry bed. Anything outside can now wait until this evening.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Wow, it's hot out! Just got in from giving our livestock fresh, cold water, and I got distracted by weeds in one strawberry bed. Anything outside can now wait until this evening.

I hear you. Our heat index already has us at 103 right now.

 

[kyrsyan]

I forgot to mention. We have a 100 year old oak tree just off and to the side of our front porch about 20 ft. I'm always afraid that a tornado or strong storm will blow it onto our house. It leafed out so lush and green this spring like it does every year. Then, something went wrong. It's already losing its leaves as if its Fall, already. The ground is covered in leaves. Cary is afraid that it's dying. This tree helps with covering our house with a canopy which really helps during the hot summer months to keep our house cool. He plans to call a local company that comes out and cuts and trims trees. I really hate to see this huge old tree go. Think of all the firewood Cary will get out of it, though, unless the wood isn't any good.

Is there any other reason why this tree should have its leaves turning yellow and falling? Anything we can do to help it out? Right now, the tree is still lush and green, but the leaves are falling from the very top of the tree.

I would see if someone from the local extension service can look at it. If they have a tree/forestry person they may be willing to take a look.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I would see if someone from the local extension service can look at it. If they have a tree/forestry person they may be willing to take a look.

The professional company that Cary plans to call will come out and assess the tree and its condition, before they do anything to it.

We've already had one of these huge oak trees fall. It fell away from the house and covered our whole front yard when it did. What a mess that was. Cary got a lot of good firewood out of it, but some of the tree wasn't any good. It never shed its leaves like this one is doing. A bit of wind the night before is what brought it down. It fell the next day.

This one really scares me. It will fall on the house, without God guiding it down away from the house. If this one is cut down, we still have 3 just like it that provide a canopy for the house. They would all fall away from the house, though. In a tornado, there is no telling where they might end up.

 

[kyrsyan]

Was sitting at Sam's Club. The tire we took off is just fine. No issues. But one of the other tires had a nail and a slice. Slice looks deliberate but the nail was too close to the sidewall. So that tire has to be replaced. Thank heavens for the new job.

So going to carefully drive the van home. And now I am thoroughly reminded why I don't go shopping in stores on weekends if I can help it. It's noisy!!!!

And a new to me sensation. The tire guy was hitting on me. He's 20 years younger than me! And trying to get my number. Seems like a good person but that's okay.

Tired and finally home. Now to get groceries put away.

 

[anna43]

I have a tree shedding leaves which I know is sick. Last year a large section of the trunk separated from the tree and had huge fungi growing where it separated. Lots of dead on one side did not leaf out this spring but the rest did. Wood at the base on side away from me is pithy and rotten. Problem is the tree is on my hoarder neighbor's property and I have no way of getting in touch with her. I called a tree guy to see if he would cut off everything overhanging my lot, but he refused unless I had a survey showing exact lot lines. So called about survey which was quoted it would be $2,000 and is not going to happen! I know where the lines are but a lot of good that's doing me. Went to city hall to ask and was told they would do nothing since on private property and although they know her address, they would not forward a note from me. Lastly, I called my insurance agent and told him the above and he got a telephone # for her online which turned out not to be her's. I'm guessing that when (not if, it is going to come down) it falls there is at least 90% chance it will hit my house and 100% chance it will fall on the garden. Best case scenario is the main trunk falls between house and garden which would still do major damage to both but less catastrophic for house. Guess the "best" case would be for it to fall neighbor's direction!! It would potentially miss her house and take out her shed although some branches might hit her house. It's so frustrating knowing what's going to happen, knowing there is a solution to prevent it and being totally unable to do a darn thing to stop it.

I hadn't thought about the Extension Service so will give them a call Monday. I've also thought about calling a fly-by-night tree guy who likely wouldn't care about lot lines to do the trimming. In actuality, I could probably have the whole tree taken down and cleared away and she'd never notice or would assume it's on my property. Come to think of it, she is sure the tree is on my property because my late dh mowed on her side of it and planted a hedge of forsythia in line with it on her property. Too bad I'm such an honest law-abiding citizen. If I can get a tree expert to give me a written statement that the tree is dying and needs to come down, I might take the chance of taking it down myself since if she decided to sue me, I'd have proof that I did her a favor by paying to have it taken down. It likely will cost close to the $2,000 a survey would cost, but a survey will not do me any good when I can't contact her or know if she could/would pay if I did. Even though insurance will pay for any damages, I'd just prefer to avoid that problem altogether.

The tree in front of my house is also dropping leaves but not to the same extent. I have to wonder if the long-term drought we're in could be affecting the trees. A tree between my other neighbor and me is dead at the top and I've noticed quite a few like that around town. Of course, the walnut tree which I don't like although it provides nice shade, seems healthy as can be. Could be because it's a much older tree than any of the others and so likely has a stronger root system.

 

[nomifyle]

We have a gigantic oak tree in our yard and could fall on the house. For the longest time it looked dead, and it was covered in vines. Dh cut away all the vines and it is thriving. This thing is huge. I'm not sure if DH and linked hands around it that we could get all around it and we don't have short arms.

If it falls one way it would take the power line down but the power company said its cheaper to put the line back up than to take the tree down.

I'm not really worried about it anymore since Dh and the goats took the vines down.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Even though insurance will pay for any damages, I'd just prefer to avoid that problem altogether.

Our insurance company won't pay a dime on damages if a tree falls on your house if the tree is dead or dying, and the tree is on your property. We do need to get this taken care of soon. Our house is small, and this tree would take out the whole house.

 

[anna43]

Our insurance company won't pay a dime on damages if a tree falls on your house if the tree is dead or dying. We do need to get this taken care of soon. Our house is small, and this tree would take out the whole house.

Insurance won't pay if it's my tree on my property and I failed to remove it. This tree is on the neighbor's property, and I've done everything I can think of to deal with the problem. My insurance agent agrees with this. I'd rather deal with the tree before it falls but have been hamstrung in trying to do so.

That is also why I'm going to be talking to my other neighbor about the tree where the top is dead. That tree is on his side of the lot line but close enough that he might claim its ON the lot line. It's a smaller tree so not too worried about it although it could potentially hit either one of our houses the damage would not be catastrophic. It more likely would take out the power/cable/telephone lines and into the street.