Knotweed Compost

I built 3 raised beds on a slope that I hated mowing about thirteen years ago. They were just semi-leveled in on a slick hill. I just built the framework in the early spring and filled them up with yard debris. The main component was Japanese Knotweed. I cut down the stalks ran over the plants with a mulching mower, bagged the green stuff and threw all of the mashed, beat up stalks in the bottom of the frames. I didn't do much else other than add  grass clippings and mulched leaves. I planted the boxes the next spring and they have been going strong ever since.
I am going to have to replace the framing before the next growing season, but it has been a productive and low maintenance project. The only thing that has ever been added to these boxes over the years has been a few bags of garden soil to keep then fairly level. I always add a thick layer of mulched grass and leaves in the fall. It winters well and I just turn it all under in the spring with a garden fork. Very simple and very easy. This photo was taken on August 1, 2015 and as you can see; all is well. I did build another box to the right of these. It turned out to be too shady and is now full of volunteer Joe-pye weed and butterflies.

Yes, noxious weeds can be turned into a useful commodity. Japanese Knotweed does make some good dirt.

(c)2015 High Virginia Outdoors All Rights Reserved

No Worries

Garlic (c) 2013 HVI

I planted my garlic on Columbus Day; just as I always do. When planted on this date, it is usually all up by Thanksgiving. Not this year. I walked out and looked at it on Thanksgiving Day. The first 20 feet or so was up; every single one. The next 10 feet or so (I'm not a measurer or straight line gardener) was barren, clear to the end. There was a single garlic plant emerged at the very end.

The first thing that popped in my mind was that I will have to buy garlic from someone in 2014. Then I began trying to figure out what happened. Logically, one would assume that I had planted a bad garlic clove. But, what about the one that came up on the end. It didn't make sense that there was one good clove out of the whole head. I had more garlic that could have been planted but decided that Thanksgiving was just too late. Oh well, I'll plant some first thing in March and hope it does well.

I walked out in the garden on January 14th and it is all up now. The row is complete. I don't know what happened, but all is well.

(c) 2014 High Virginia Outdoors All Rights Reserved

Wilted Squash ?

Squash Vine Borer (c) High Virginia Images

Three things are usually to blame when our once proudly standing squash plant begin to droop, sag and just get plain yucky looking. Bacterial Wilt which is spread by squash bugs, cucumber beetles and a host of other crawling critters is very common in our area. Powdery Mildew is the white patches and splotches you see. It doesn't seem to kill the plant, unless it gets real bad. It just makes things unsightly. I think most of mine that ends up in the garden comes from some upwind phlox plants.

The one thing that kills my plants is the Squash Vine Borer (Melittia cucurbitae) this strange looking moth lays eggs in the stems of young squash plants. The plump cream colored caterpillar then feeds inside the hollow squash stems, sometimes quickly killing the plant. My white patty pan squash seem to be the favorite for these moths. You have to admit, though that the moth is kind of cool looking.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

What's In Your Corn?

Corn Earworm Moth (c) High Virginia Images

We all expect the nasties when we pull back the shuck from our homegrown corn. Ugly caterpillars of several species can be found. The most common is the Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea), this caterpillar feeds upon corn, tomato, tobacco and cotton plants. The only good thing that could possibly be said of this pest; is that it turns into a moth that isn't too bad looking.

At Least I Have Some Garlic

I pulled my garlic on Tuesday; yes pulled. Never in my life have I ever been able to pull up my garlic; without damage. The ground is just dry powder. A few years ago, we had some rain and then it got hot and dry at harvest time. I had to beat a crowbar into the ground and pry up each bulb. This year, I didn't even have to pull very hard for it to come up. It is probably the nicest crop that I've had here; though. Glad to have it!

One More Row

ONE MORE ROW:
Dedicate a single row of your gardening efforts this summer to help improve the quality of life for West Virginia’s homeless, disabled, financially struggling, and honored senior citizens. Just One More Row can make a big difference.
The current recession, with the skyrocketing cost of food and fuel, has made it increasingly difficult for many members of our West Virginia community to meet their needs. You can help by participating in the One More Row food drive. But, the time to do so is NOW.
We are seeking farmers and hobby gardeners from all across the state to make one simple pledge. Help alleviate hunger in West Virginia.
When you plant your garden this Spring, please commit to planting just one more row of vegetables, fruit, or herbs. Then, donate that share of the harvest to others who are in need.


One More Row