Richard Rollinson

retired photo lab supervisor, forester, gardener, amateur botanist. I give away vegetables. (except sweetcorn, I never share sweetcorn)
FeederWatch participant
using iNaturalist as richroll
located in Connecticut, NE US
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone borderline 6b - 7a
All photos are my own unless otherwise stated.
Richard Rollinson (npub1fqf…ajkk)">https://justmytoots.com/Richard Rollinson (npub1fqf…ajkk)

#gardening: [#zone6b](https://toot.wales/tags/zone6b )
#nature:
#horticulture:
#botany:

Public Key

npub1fqffvcwwv7veypsychyx0n39jxklzs462nr7a7a7j5v2nj6yn29stwajkk

NIP-05 Address

richrollgardener_at_toot.wales@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsysy5kv88x0xvjqczvtjr8ecjert03g2a9f3lwlwlf2x9fedzf4zcpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dshpnghj

Publishing to

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nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1fqffvcwwv7veypsychyx0n39jxklzs462nr7a7a7j5v2nj6yn29stwajkk

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Last Notes

2026-04-19 21:32:10 UTC

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🤣 BeetBear's got a special deal for you!
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/433/500/375/801/122/original/f4d0b33310b05406.jpg

2026-04-19 15:08:07 UTC

Our Trilliums have returned. They're hard to photograph because they're deep under the base of a large Azalea. They've been happily living here for years and we are happy to see them each spring.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/431/959/159/329/155/original/2ea209a7367ac2e1.jpg
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2026-04-18 20:06:40 UTC

The Peonies are really starting to shoot up and fill out now, so I got the support hoops put in place before they get too big.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#BloomScrolling
#NewEngland
#zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/427/475/104/072/003/original/60cd5a9fbe66e7d0.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/427/475/096/454/258/original/4fd702fa912cf62f.jpg

2026-04-18 19:53:26 UTC

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Sorry, can't be of much help with this one. I grow bush-style squashes and have never had to prune anything on them. I also never do any sort of pruning on my tomato plants, They are all indeterminate types and I just let them grow any way they want.

2026-04-18 14:52:53 UTC

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I love the sound of the Red-Winged Blackbird going twill-a-ree overhead. One of my top 10 sounds of summer.❤️

2026-04-17 20:15:30 UTC

The River Birch (Betula nigra) that shades the front of the property is flowering. The tree is monoecious; separate male & female flowers are on the same plants & this one is quite prolific. Clouds of pollen will soon be engulfing everything & later on, this tree will be dropping MILLIONS of seeds. I've lost track of how many I've propagated & given away over the years. The Gold Finches love to snack on these seeds.
#Gardening
#allotment
#Botany
#BloomScrolling
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/421/807/955/049/760/original/c62ed91996c7a26c.jpg

2026-04-17 09:03:10 UTC

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This was the result caused by overwatering making the original growing tip wither away. My negligence. This was all indoors under the grow lights.
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/419/229/333/002/158/original/c81e06634c8d6182.jpg

2026-04-16 20:43:19 UTC

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Yes, I hope to do that. Just have to keep track of which is which very carefully...

2026-04-16 20:07:19 UTC

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Here's a look at the crippled ones from earlier. I potted most of them on just in case, but the growth on them is not normal...
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/416/172/211/155/518/original/559331d1f23c3019.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/416/172/216/859/213/original/8e6b3ccb9f5fbe01.jpg

2026-04-16 20:02:35 UTC

The replacement eggplant (aubergine) seedlings are looking pretty good after two weeks. No sign of any withering on the tips and the leaves seem to be forming ok. These are on the greenhouse bench in natural light and have not been overwatered.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/416/143/562/245/322/original/e62b248da51120db.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/416/143/624/135/726/original/69d3fca8a80538ed.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/416/143/640/747/532/original/35ee5f4fd97ef32a.jpg

2026-04-16 19:42:16 UTC

🎵 I'll be with you in apple blossom time...🎵 My thanks to The Andrews Sisters
A view of my grandaddy Baldwin apple tree on a warm spring afternoon. Now if we could just get this damned wind to let up for a while...
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
#apples
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/416/049/187/190/916/original/14a55fb454f72f33.mp4

2026-04-15 15:16:42 UTC

I may have overdone the seeding for this year's Verbena bonariensis. Going to be quite the challenge to thin out this lot. I can never get the hang of this. I only really need about 2 dozen plants. 😀
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/409/360/141/135/977/original/6e2a1e0c4193628c.jpg

2026-04-14 15:11:27 UTC

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Yep! Just hope we don't overshoot on the temperature like we did last year.

2026-04-14 15:08:48 UTC

OK, back to work. Since it's nearly apple-blossom time AND a nice day, we got busy and seeded up the "Pot-O-Carrots" for the season. It's a large planter, about 19 inches in diameter and 15 inches deep, holding about 12 gallons (43 liters) of potting mix. We use pelleted seed and plant in concentric circles with about ½ inch spacing. Pictures are an attempt to show what we do and what the scale is.
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#carrots
#Spring
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/403/639/752/347/136/original/d508a67e39196cee.jpg
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https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/403/640/146/782/489/original/bd2c79cab3098dc7.jpg

2026-04-14 14:50:57 UTC

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Won't you be my neighbor? It's 75F / 24C degrees this morning with a clear, blue sky. BeetBear is luxuriating on the "lawn" with our friends, the dandelions and violets. Also to be seen are the peonies and lillies. Back to work later, but for now... BLISS!
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
#Spring
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/403/585/440/911/603/original/5593fc9a249e3540.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/403/585/463/864/144/original/cf496ea8be51bb24.jpg

2026-04-13 20:48:57 UTC

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It's the luck of the draw. Some years they are just thready whips. This year mostly chunky. Got lucky, I think.

2026-04-13 20:07:41 UTC

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This is what the planting looked like when we finished. Managed about ¾ of one of our 40-foot (12meter) rows.
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/399/185/936/934/190/original/e9a051ad43209b81.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/399/185/954/247/676/original/9066b689187d644d.jpg

2026-04-13 20:02:19 UTC

Hurray! The mailman just delivered our onion plants (Ailsa Craig) so BeetBear and I got busy & planted them out. I didn't buy any extras this year due to costs, but we still managed 140 plants in the ground with about 18 spares in pots in the greenhouse. Picture shows how a board is used to mark the plant spacing. Board is 4 in. (10cm) wide and the black lines are 6 in. (15cm). Now if it will just stay warm & rain a little bit.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#BeetBear
#Zone6b
#Onions
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/399/115/497/773/453/original/9e2d251dd98855a2.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/399/115/523/498/799/original/941a3adc91eca4d1.jpg
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https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/399/115/596/833/688/original/d2f675de52b8567d.jpg

2026-04-11 19:39:03 UTC

RE: https://toot.wales/@richrollgardener/112271322252473153
Here we are again! Almost to the day from this post 2 years ago. The Lilly beetles are back. Time to start picking bugs.
#gardening
#allotment
#zone6b
#NewEngland
#note1x30…20r0

2026-04-10 14:46:05 UTC

@npub1rgf…7ecj put me on to this a while back and it got my attention. The idea is to provide "Hoverfly Lagoons" to help support those Hoverfly species that have aquatic larvae. I did a little checking and one of our most common species HERE, the Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) DOES have aquatic larvae so I followed this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFprOsoHowE&t=72s
and made a couple to try. Will be watching for mosquitoes too. We'll see...
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#Pollinators
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/380/884/275/992/964/original/fcba2e108deb88d5.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/380/884/292/888/524/original/b2198a5d29ba2ebb.jpg

2026-04-09 20:53:29 UTC

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BeetBear inspected the lettuce planting, as well. When we were done, the whole row got covered with fleece to protect from (you name it) cold, wind, critters, the neighbor's drones, etc.
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/376/703/189/849/815/original/28b37a4c6c022224.jpg
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2026-04-09 20:44:58 UTC

A couple of warmish days and bright sun have warmed things up considerably. Soil temp is good, 10-day forecast looks "acceptable" and I have been notified that my onion plants have shipped. BeetBear and I prepped a small section of the garden today and got the lettuce (3 types), beets (Boro), and cabbage (2 types of mini pointed) set out. We have officially started gardening! Now if it wasn't always so damned windy...
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/376/641/108/806/253/original/783b64a16081b0fb.jpg
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2026-04-09 12:18:36 UTC

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I am in zone 6b and I wait for the lilacs to bloom in my area before planting out tomatoes, which is usually mid-May. BUT 10-day forecast also has to show no temps below 50F coming. I plant in the ground in open garden.

2026-04-08 20:13:35 UTC

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Have blocked "Tim" for the same reason. Very creepy.

2026-04-08 08:58:46 UTC

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Same activity here.

2026-04-07 21:44:35 UTC

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I only grow them because the neighbors seem to like them.

2026-04-07 21:34:35 UTC

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I actually prefer picking the fruit while it's still rather small. Those who cook with it say it's better small. The only trouble I have is they attract flea beetles that I have to knock off every once-in-a-while with a blast from a garden hose. Otherwise, just mulch and keep watered.

2026-04-07 21:29:36 UTC

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I agree. I don't think the first batch will ever produce much, but we'll find out. Overwatering is my best guess as to what happened. It was on the top shelf of the grow light setup & I'm not tall enough to look in there properly. New batch is down where I can see it and will go out to the greenhouse much sooner than the first batch dd. I've had trouble with eggplant before. Let them get pot-bound one year & had almost no produce from them. Good thing I don't really like eggplant!

2026-04-07 20:53:37 UTC

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YES! I don't plant mine out in the garden until almost June, so there's still time. They like the heat, anyway.

2026-04-07 20:44:08 UTC

Last week, I commented on how the eggplant seedlings looked like they had a problem and were dying back. At that point I replanted another batch of seeds. Seven days later I can report that the new plantings have begun to germinate AND there is new growth coming on the damaged seedlings in the greenhouse. Now we've got a race going on and a chance to do some side-by-side comparisons as the season goes on. It's early days yet.
#gardening
#allotment
#zone6b
#NewEngland
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/365/331/052/789/346/original/7aaf5a20cf56b38e.jpg
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2026-04-07 01:14:58 UTC

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This time of year I check soil temps to decide when to put in the transplants of stuff that was started from seed back at the beginning of March. Things like cabbage, lettuce, beets, onions. The direct seeding stuff like carrots, beans, corn will come much later. It will be nearly June before the warm weather stuff goes in (cukes, squash, okra)

2026-04-07 00:45:46 UTC

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Yes, the cabbage, lettuce, and beets will be going in the ground the next day it isn't raining and I don't have to run errands. I have row covers with fleece to use. My onion plants will be arriving in the next few days and that will force my hand anyway...Picture is from last year first week of April showing fleece covered first planting. In 2024 it was 31st of March.
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/360/634/951/733/211/original/7049b8f45ba7cb1b.jpg

2026-04-06 14:23:01 UTC

Soil temperature status:
March 28th -- 42F / 5.5C
March 31st -- 48F / 8.9C
April 3rd -- 46F / 7.7C
April 6th -- 43F/ 6.1C
No progress. Spring is still dawdling. Not even any dandelions yet. 😧
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/358/196/695/763/117/original/88a8cb9cc67c8174.jpg

2026-04-03 15:24:19 UTC

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Yes, not my favorite job. Digging's not so bad, but the pulling and screening to recover the soil is work. I used to just pile it up, but it will keep growing and gets worse. Better to break it all up while I'm motivated.

2026-04-03 14:46:55 UTC

Last soil temp I took was 3 days ago & we have not progressed one bit. Still stuck at 46F / 7.7C. The apple trees are being cautious and are waiting at the "green tip" stage before committing. Between showers we've cut back the encroaching sod on the neighbor's side and now have half a ton of sod to deal with. Only so many "bare spots" need filling in. Most of it will be screened to recover the soil. (When it's dry and warm enough) Where is spring?
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/341/235/701/453/606/original/4ea546f836043d31.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/341/235/716/031/607/original/da9291e527fb01e3.jpg
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https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/341/235/858/526/717/original/f4718e768d1f4b75.jpg

2026-04-02 13:30:46 UTC

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The current pH of the potting mix they are in is 6.5. I am leaning toward inadvertent overwatering as a possible cause. I bottom water everything in the seed-starting room and these were on the top shelf and hard to see properly so I think the soil was over-saturated.

2026-04-01 22:27:38 UTC

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I will check that and let you know. Thanks.

2026-04-01 21:51:41 UTC

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That is my hope, too. Replacements planted anyway...

2026-04-01 21:50:21 UTC

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Yes, fan was running. Perhaps it dried them out too much.

2026-04-01 21:34:07 UTC

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No, not frosted. Never left the plant room in basement until just before I took the picture. However, I DO think it's temperature related, either too warm under the lamps or perhaps not warm enough. I've had temperamental eggplant before. I'm going to let them grow on (if they will) and see what happens. Replacement seeds are already planted. Gardening by trowel and error...

2026-04-01 19:49:59 UTC

Yesterday, I brought the rest of the seedlings up to the greenhouse so I could shut down all the heat/light in plant room & save $$. Got my first good look at the eggplant (Aubergine) seedlings and I think I've probably lost most of them. After 3 weeks they have no true leaves showing and the growing tip on many of them looks withered. Not sure what happened but I'm starting another batch right now just in case these really don't make it. Some ok?
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/331/134/256/752/691/original/0ff6c0358f9bc947.jpg
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2026-04-01 15:07:01 UTC

A couple of warm days now and I'm seeing some signs of hope that the growing season will be here soon. My ancient rhubarb is stretching out and the neighbor's Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is in full flower. (I will have a runny nose for the next few weeks, but ok)
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/330/033/459/777/562/original/f3debdb0dd4a3a18.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/330/033/461/936/402/original/1cdb8bdc377b0aeb.jpg

2026-03-31 17:26:34 UTC

Well, the soil temp has slipped backward by 2 degrees overnight but at least the daffodils and hyacinths have decided to show up at last. @npub1rgf…7ecj
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/324/926/507/450/015/original/9f4d492fbf33fe8e.jpg
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2026-03-31 14:58:14 UTC

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Here is a very poor video of a Red-Shouldered Hawk policing the bird feeding area. If you look at the concrete block structure in the center of the image you will see he is sitting on top of the sloping roof.
#Birds
#ProjectFeederWatch
#NewEngland
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/324/359/782/499/120/original/41867a72f6771074.mp4

2026-03-31 14:51:13 UTC

Here's the Project Feeder Watch data for week number 22 for this season. We had 21 species and 83 individuals this week. Numbers are dropping as the birds spread out to start families. Weather's improving but the Juncos are still around but we're missing the Carolina Wren and the Northern Mockingbird. Robins are coming to get crumbs off the ground under the suet feeders. Chipmunks are chipping and the Hawk is still looming.
#ProjectFeederWatch
#Birds
#NewEngland
#Gardening
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/324/322/130/069/160/original/41345522aa8ac912.png

2026-03-30 20:27:39 UTC

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Yes, the wind is not our friend.

2026-03-30 20:03:32 UTC

Finally! A decent day outside with some more coming (although rainy) Got the cabbage, lettuce and snapdragons out of the greenhouse and in to the fresh air. Now we just need the soil to warm up a little more (I'm shooting for 50F / 10C or above) it's currently stuck at 48F / 8.8C. With some bench space cleared I could start potting-on more stuff. Today it was the Jalapeño plants (Everman).
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/319/836/547/030/751/original/7441eeebbe68f182.jpg
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2026-03-30 12:33:40 UTC

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Claxton sounds about right...

2026-03-30 09:24:50 UTC

#BeetBear suggests that you all stop what you are doing and check out the doings of this guy. We are big fans.
https://horacethealresfordbear.com/2025/04/29/a-visit-to-llanerchaeron-estate-history-and-fun/
#HoraceThe AlresfordBear
#BearsofMastodon
#RescuedBears

2026-03-29 14:58:48 UTC

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They taste vaguely of mild disappointment. No sweetness. 😃

2026-03-29 14:41:20 UTC

It's hard to see, but if you zoom in on the center of this image you can see something interesting. This exemplifies the kind of spring we're having. In this River Birch, the high winds have snapped some branches and with all the moisture in the ground the heavily running sap is dripping profusely from the break. HOWEVER, it's so cold that it's all freezing and forming icicles which the wind then breaks off to fall on passers-by. Words fail me...
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/312/953/423/872/640/original/26b7fc8a10075123.jpg

2026-03-29 12:07:15 UTC

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Thanks. I think we made it, but it's going to cost...

2026-03-29 12:06:26 UTC

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It's now 8AM and the sun has finally cleared the cloud cover. Outside temp is now 27F / -3C and climbing. Inside greenhouse never got below 40F / 4.5C and is now over 60F / 15C so I think we're going to be ok. Can't wait to see my electric bill this month...

2026-03-29 09:38:06 UTC

It's 5:30AM and the temp is down to 22F / -6C and dropping. It's still 90 minutes to sunrise and prediction was for temp to go no lower than 28F. I REALLY hope my little greenhouse heater can keep the tomatoes from freezing. We'll know when it gets light out...😬
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b

2026-03-28 21:22:35 UTC

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He says ~50F/10C and we're good to go for onions, cabbage, etc.

2026-03-28 19:52:51 UTC

Finished potting-on the tomatoes and everything in green house is ok. Just need the weather to cooperate so I can get the cabbage and lettuce outside to make room to pot on the peppers and eggplant. We're making some progress. The rhubard is starting to wake up and the soil temp. has now reached 42F. Small steps, but in the right direction.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/308/465/690/235/390/original/e2d6dd853fae384f.jpg
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2026-03-28 13:14:54 UTC

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I had to rely heavily on my heated (battery powered) gloves this year. Luckily my pruning is all done.

2026-03-28 12:57:57 UTC

Had 28F/-2C again this morning with frozen water (I'm never going to refer to it as ice ever again) in rain barrels. Will check on plants in greenhouse soon. Heater was on in there all night so we should be good. BeetBear is looking at the long-range forecast & has good news (it's warming up) & bad news (it's going to rain for a week). BeetBear's question is: "What do April Showers bring?" He suggests:"Muddy Feet" Anyone else have ideas?
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
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2026-03-27 00:46:21 UTC

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How wonderful! That's a sound from my childhood that I have not heard around here for at least 20 years. I miss hearing them. Silent Spring indeed.

2026-03-27 00:01:27 UTC

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Thanks. Soon, we hope. Even the daffs are saying "nope, not yet."
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2026-03-26 15:27:29 UTC

BeetBear says we must soldier on in spite of the missing spring and get the tomatoes potted on. We use 110 mm square plastic pots that we have had for more years than I can remember and we got the first dozen done this morning after the other chores were done. Only 4 dozen more to go...😀
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#Tomatoes
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2026-03-26 08:58:56 UTC

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Same here. Been blocking.

2026-03-25 19:43:17 UTC

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I haven't used that, but I do cover things with regular garden fleece if I have to. There is a small electric heater in there that can just about keep most of the stuff above freezing at night as long as the temp doesn't drop too much below freezing outside overnight. Very costly to run too much....

2026-03-25 12:50:06 UTC

I now assume that I started the tomato plants too early & am forced to move them to the greenhouse & get them potted on. The spring weather has still not arrived (it was 27F/-2.8C this morning with heavy frost. My ability to keep the greenhouse warm enough at night will be sorely tested if spring does not arrive soon. Peppers & eggplant are still happy to continue under the lights for a while yet I've got to go wake up #BeetBear for some help.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
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2026-03-24 11:23:12 UTC

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Here's what the plantings looked like last September. There are 8 plants in each planter. If you pinch the tops out as they grow, you get a bushier plant.
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2026-03-24 09:15:11 UTC

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These will go into about 8 window-box sized planters to fill an area near a driveway. Lots more will just fill in gaps everywhere else around the flowerbeds.

2026-03-23 21:38:23 UTC

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Yep. We're going to flip right to too hot again this year. No spring at all...

2026-03-23 19:26:32 UTC

Spent some time this afternoon transplanting some of the Snap Dragon seedlings. These old hands are not very good with this fiddly stuff anymore. Also, if the Wintersmith doesn't hurry up and leave we're going to have a serious shortage of bench space in the greenhouse. Tiffany Aching where are you?
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#GNU
#TerryPratchett
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2026-03-23 14:58:42 UTC

Here's my Project Feeder Watch counts for week number 21 of this season. We had 21 species and 103 individuals. The Carolina Wren was missing this week, but a Goldfinch finally showed up. Also, I'm surprised there are still so many Juncos around. This prolonged cold spring is holding them, I guess. I heard some Hawks around, but no sightings. Chipmunks provide comic relief.
#ProjectFeederWatch
#Birds
#NewEngland
#Gardening
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2026-03-23 14:48:32 UTC

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👍

2026-03-22 21:42:41 UTC

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Once they're big enough, they get potted on and moved to natural sunlight. They're only under the lights for 2 or 3 weeks. Never known it to be a problem. Also there's a fan blowing on them to "give them a wiggle"
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/116/275/000/385/776/990/original/58387403c1953fb1.mp4

2026-03-22 21:25:53 UTC

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The only peppers in these images are in the far background of the shot with the orange cells containing the tiny aubergines. The beetroot with the red stems have what looks like partially closed leaves, but that is just their nature. All lights here are on 24 hrs/day. Hope this helps..😃

2026-03-22 21:20:36 UTC

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Yes, I fear I may be a little ahead of myself here. Have to hold things back a while, if I can...

2026-03-22 20:38:30 UTC

Some views of other stuff in the grow room waiting to be brought up to the greenhouse at the right time. There are also peppers, jalapeños, parsley, more lettuce, verbena, snapdragons, etc....
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
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2026-03-22 20:31:17 UTC

BeetBear reminded me that a year ago today I had to be hauled away in an ambulance because my gall bladder had burst. My daughter stepped in and kept the garden stuff going for a week or so until I recovered. ANYWAY... We started bringing stuff up into the greenhouse to make room for more stuff in the grow room. First up is the cabbage and lettuce, which is looking pretty good. Tomorrow we'll make some decisions on what comes up next.
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
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2026-03-21 14:35:49 UTC

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You will be famous!

2026-03-21 12:21:26 UTC

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"Job's a good'un!" Well done! I have no love for grey squirrels at feeders.

2026-03-20 20:52:10 UTC

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😬

2026-03-20 14:34:06 UTC

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Nothing special. Just use as support posts. The adjacent row will be 2x2 wooden stakes. 😃

2026-03-20 00:49:29 UTC

We send greetings to all of our gardening friends, both north and south, on the equinox. For us it means more sunlight and warmer days ahead. BeetBear is taking the time to clean off his sign on our tool shed door. Two years ago he was posing with his violets and dandelions in the orchard, but this year we're a long way from that yet - it's been way too cold.
#BeetBear
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
#Equinox
#gardeningau
#gardeningNZ
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2026-03-19 19:59:18 UTC

Grey skies all day, but it just popped above freezing enough for me to get the pipes for the tomato cages relocated about 15 feet further up the garden. I take pains to be fairly precise with this as all the other plantings are based on measurements taken from this row, both uphill and downhill. I know this is pretty boring, but it's a start.
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#SpringEquinox
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2026-03-19 14:31:24 UTC

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😂 👍

2026-03-19 14:14:33 UTC

The calendar says "spring eqinox tomorrow, it's safe to set up the water barrels now."
Me this morning going to get water for the birds....
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#SpringEquinox
#Zone6b
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2026-03-18 20:13:06 UTC

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Hope all will be ok. This is why I'm always uneasy about high winds. Big winds cost big money... Can you keep the wood for fuel?

2026-03-18 20:03:31 UTC

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Well done! I can't get started yet. We stayed below freezing all day but I did make a start on relocating the tomato support pipes. Still some frost in the ground. We'll catch up soon (I hope)

2026-03-17 13:12:48 UTC

After a rainy and warm day yesterday 55F (13C) with moderate winds from the South, followed by a rainy and blustery night where the wind howled and we had a gust of 60mph (96kph). It is now sunny and cold (35F/2C) with winds from the North. No damage, but I'll be playing pick-up-sticks for a while and we seem to have acquired someone's plastic downspout. Rights of salvage, I reckon... 😃
#Gardening
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
#Allotment
#Spring
#Wind

2026-03-17 13:04:24 UTC

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Thanks. All ok. Just a lot of sticks to pick up.

2026-03-17 09:19:20 UTC

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We had a 60mph wind gust at 1:30 AM and the house shook all night. I dread what I might find when the sun comes up... Hope all is ok there. Our power never went out, so that's a win anyway.

2026-03-16 19:36:31 UTC

Just entered data for week num. 20 of this season's Project Feeder Watch. We had 23 species & 102 individuals this week. No sign of any hawk activity but there were LOTS of Grackles causing trouble for everyone .Juncos are decreasing - it's time for them to be moving on. A first for me was the sighting of an American Tree Sparrow feeding on the ground under a feeder.Now there's at least 3 chipmunks hauling away seed as fast as it's spilled.
#ProjectFeederWatch
#Birds
#NewEngland
#Gardening
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2026-03-15 09:29:48 UTC

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I use a fairly large (16 inch dia) pot and pelleted seed. About the time the apple trees blossom, I place the pellets on top of the potting mix in concentric circles starting from the outside working inwards, The pellets are spaced about ½ to ¾ inch apart and then covered lightly and kept moist. I never thin them. The pot is kept elevated on a bench and in a sunny spot all summer. Hope this helps.
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2026-03-14 14:59:09 UTC

"Let's get busy and prune the rose bushes" says BeetBear. It's on the sunny side of the house and out of the wind. They were out of control and overgrown so we gave them a good trim and will make them tidy as they leaf out later.
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Spring
#Zone6b
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2026-03-14 14:41:25 UTC

BeetBear and I went out this morning to see what could be done to get the season moving. First up he paid his respects to what he calls the "Bear Tulips" (crocus). They had a bad winter and are very sparse this year. We'll have to plant more this fall... He also checked on the rhubarb, which is just starting to emerge. Now we move on to business. More later
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Spring
#Zone6b
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2026-03-12 19:54:41 UTC

Well now.March has come full circle in the last 10 days. March 3rd. had 15F/-9C temp and ankle-deep snow everywhere. March 10th was 77F/25C & snow all gone with crocuses blooming.Today it's 37F/3C and starting to snow again. BeetBear is getting VERY impatient. Better news: We've had very good germination on the Everman Jalapeños & King Arthur green bell peppers. Everything coming along ok but will need greenhouse ready soon.
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Spring
#Zone6b
#BeetBear
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2026-03-12 19:34:26 UTC

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🤣

2026-03-12 13:57:20 UTC

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Those are the worst! Send out roots everywhere and keep sending up shoots for decades. Been battling them here for ages. Hope you win!

2026-03-12 12:24:52 UTC

Seedling update. Everything is coming up nicely and I now have the fan set up to "jostle" everything slightly to promote sturdier growth. It's a work-in-progress and video does not really do it justice. Still have more seeds to start and the greenhouse needs a good tidy before use, but more cold weather and snow is on the way so I still have plenty of time (I hope)
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Spring
#Zone6b
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2026-03-11 17:43:43 UTC

For a long time, BeetBear has wanted me to tell the story of how our families met so here it is, all crammed in to the ALT Text to get past my character limits here. I'm not a very good story teller, but I had a go at summarizing the important bits. Please excuse my very bad Welsh.
#BeetBear
#Gardening
#Allotment
#Cymru
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2026-03-10 19:51:24 UTC

Project Feeder Watch data for week number 19. We recorded 22 species & 129 individuals this week. A lot of summer birds are back. We had a TON of Grackles & Red-Winged Blackbirds show up on the same day that all the snow melted away. They devoured 3 blocks of suet in about 10 minutes. Juncos are still here but I expect they will be leaving soon.We also had a couple of Robins collecting fallen suet crumbs on the ground under the feeders.
#ProjectFeederWatch
#Birds
#NewEngland
#Gardening
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2026-03-10 15:13:35 UTC

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😂 YEP!

2026-03-10 14:59:13 UTC

This tiny crocus is smaller than my thumb, but it's always our 1st flower of spring. It's a naturalized plant of unknown origin, growing in a spot between our driveway and the line of Cedar trees along the property line. I have seen it flowering as early as Feb. 16 & this (Mar. 10th) is as late as it's been. As can be seen in the photo, my "lawn" is more of a meadow, full of cinquefoil, violets, dandelions, plantain, buttercups, etc.
#gardening
#NewEngland
#Spring
#Zone6b
#BloomScrolling
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