Garden questions

[wildhorseluvr]

I love totes for gardening but I’m quite sure they won’t go over any better with DD than the stock tanks. In fact, she might consider them even worse. I’ll have to do my research and see if there’s anything that would work for me that she’d be ok with. She’s also talking about a container, big enough for me to grow a few things for the occasional salad. That doesn’t work for me, don’t care to spend my time mowing an acre and then have to buy high priced wilted veggies from south of the border. 

[woolybear]

wildhorseluvr, I just thought of something....are you or are you not kicking in money towards the purchase of the house? If so, would that not give you some input as to how you want to do something? If you are helping with the purchase you might want to give DD a gentle reminder that she is not the boss of you. If she is buying the house and your name is not going to be on it, then you will have to go with what she says. If it were me and my mom wanted to use a stock tank for gardening because it made her life a bit easier and happier then I would accept that no complaint.

[wildhorseluvr]

Are 1x12s sturdy enough for raised beds over the long term? Or do you need 2” boards? DH built a couple beds for me using the 1” boards many years ago and I seem to recall they did not hold up well. Cedar boards with the angle brackets seem practical for me and might get DD’s approval. They’d probably have to be at least 30” high to work for me, don’t think 24” would be tall enough. I’m thinking beds approx 3’-4’ x 8’. Start with 2 beds and see how much work I can handle.  

[wildhorseluvr]

woolybear, originally I was going to buy the house and have her live with me, then we thought we’d just go halves. After my recent heart attacks, she was advised not to have my name on the house or other assets because if I kick the bucket and had large medical bills, joint assets could be seized or have liens attached. So she decided she’d buy the house and pay for improvements while I handle taxes, insurance, and some living expenses. She honestly is trying to consider my wishes and make compromises. However, I’m a farm girl and used to being frugal while she’s used to a bit richer lifestyle. So what seems perfectly acceptable to me often makes her wrinkle her nose. 😆 (She’s still struggling with the idea of a deep pantry or long term food storage.) We’ve been discussing remodeling the house and she’s definitely taking my needs into consideration and liking some of my ideas. It’s just going to take time to work through everything. She’s talking $100k remodels while I’m trying to save money on groceries, LOL. If all else fails, I could buy a little place of my own but sharing a place is more beneficial for both of us. 

For this year’s garden, I might even use a bunch of those Costco half barrels I already have, which she hopefully won’t object to. Then over the winter we could maybe work out a garden plan that will suit both of us. I’d even consider putting a solid fence around the garden area so she and the neighbors wouldn’t even have to look at it. Although I notice the neighbors seem to have gardens.

[Billy G]

In my experience what lumber you use doesn't matter, size-wise or species......nature eats wood. Some it just chews on for a bit longer. Even if you were to line the insides with plastic you'd only buy yourself a couple more years at best. 

[laurazone5]

I cannot recommend YouTube enough.

Epic Gardening
Epic Homesteader

Those are two of my favorites: 1. because of his youthful energy, and 2. he gives me 'jump points' to do deeper research for project that fit my space, zone, and needs. Heck, ideas I would not have thought of myself!!

Type "container gardening" into the search bar, make sure you have a pot of coffee and an afternoon to burn; you will LOVE it.

www.247garden.com/247p-fp-20.html

[wildhorseluvr]

Billy G, that’s good to know, might save me some money. 👍🏻

[wildhorseluvr]

laurazone5, there you are! Hadn’t seen you post for a few days and was starting to wonder if you were ok.

Thanks for the YT recommendations.  You’ve been an inspiration to me…every time I think of gardening, I think of what you’ve accomplished in your yard. Mine will never look like that but I know how much can be done in a little space. Which has just given me another thought about how to approach DD with this. Might be trying some stealth gardening. 😁 Trying to accomplish that might keep my wheels turning with new projects for a few years. 

[laurazone5]

wildhorseluvr, It has been a wild ride this year so far.
Bella, my 15.5 year old JRT joined her sister in heaven Feb 10th 2022.
That day, was the first time I walked into an empty house, since Jan 2nd, 1989.
I am lost, trying to find my way.

Work was getting better, then the GM came back from sick leave, and it's worse than it was before, and I didn't think that was imaginable.

Tuesday of last week, I slipped at work, caught myself, but twisted my back. SO having to work, I compensated and now I have really jacked up my lower back.

Seems like a whole lotta kickin' an old gal when she's down, lol.

I could keep on whining and list a whole litany of extra bs, but no one wants to hear it and I don't want to type it!!

I like the growbags because they are all the same color, and it doesn't look like I raided a trash can to find pots!!
NOW hear me loud and clear.......I am 100% for saving stuff from the dump, and I do it on the regular, but I don't have anyone fussing at me!!! This might be a 'nice neat' way to keep everyone happy!!

[Txsteader]

solargeek, what brand of tote are you using? I tried using some Sterilite totes (grey) from Walmart several years ago and they didn't last 2 years.

[solargeek]

Apr 4, 2022 16:07:06 GMT Txsteader said:

solargeek, what brand of tote are you using? I tried using some Sterilite totes (grey) from Walmart several years ago and they didn't last 2 years.

Rubbermaid. I agree the Sterilite and the store brands do not last.