martin doucet

Thanks Dillon, and hi from N-B. I really like the idea from that article, and it shows the apple will root readily, at least with his method. I can foresee much experimenting in my near future.

Can anyone suggest a good starting place to learn about rootstocks and grafting fruit trees? I have a lot of questions and I don't mind doing my own research, but the stuff I'm finding online is vague and repetitive.

At 15-30$ a pop for trees and shrubs being the norm, I'm looking for any way to stretch my budget.

I'm interested in learning what makes good hardy rootstock for my zone (5). Especially any wild varieties that could be used. For example, I've read that I can graft cherries to pin cherry (prunus pensilvanica) or choke cherry (prunus virginiana), of which there are plenty on my property, however, there is not much information online about the resulting tree. I will give this a try, but was wondering if anyone knows more on the subject.

Also, there is a very hardy wild apple. Can I root some cuttings from this hardy tree and then graft on another variety, or does the rootstock need to be grown from seed?

If wild rootstock isn't an acceptable resource, what other options are there?

Thanks to anyone who might point me in the right direction

Thanks for the response Walter. That all sounds like very good advice. The pigs will have to wait until next year, but your suggestions will be helpful when the time does come. I think you're right, I'm probably over thinking this, but I do like to have a solid plan before starting things.

I wonder if USDA zones are the same as the zones in Canada, all I know is I'm in zone 5.

Good lord. There's still three feet if snow on the garden, and I intend to grow corn, so it better not be too late.

I don't mean to hijack, but Ross, have you done the birch syrup? I've heard the ratio is like 100/1 and it tastes like molasses. I like molasses, but 100/1 seems like a lot of work.

Ross Raven wrote:Hey, Martin. You guys got it worse than us.

Still better than PEI ROFL. They just kept getting hammered for a couple months there. Some friends of ours had a video of themselves tunneling out the bedroom window to get out and when she panned the camera, all you could see of the neighborhood was rooves.

But I had to go shovel a 5 foot snowbank once so the neighbor could open his door, and I had about 12-13 foot banks all around my house all winter. That must be what saved me on firewood.

That is terrible about Mrs Hunziker, seems she can't catch a break, with her husband, the surgery and now this. I did have to laugh however, when I read that the garage had flooded because the sump pump stopped working, then they show a picture of the garage with water half way up the door. But I've been flooded out once, not fun.

I would also recommend the braintan method. The hide comes out really soft,and its not nearly as disgusting as it sounds. Not sure if it was mentioned above, but smoking the hide makes it "waterproof" as in you won't have to keep stretching as it dries after washing, it will dry soft. An unsmoked hide will need re-streching if you want it to be soft again after getting it wet.

I remember seeing online somewhere how tanned rabbit hides can be cut into 1 inch strips, just keep going around in a spiral until the hide is one long strip. The strips are then twisted to make a fuzzy string, and woven into a blanket that has soft fur on both sides. How's that for decadent?

I've heard deer contain steaks. Jes saying

Woodchucks are cool little critters, but not in the garden. Killing it might fix the problem, but then another one might move right in. Trapping and relocating to me is worse because you are likely to place it in another's territory, causing fights, and he just ends up wandering around without the safety of his burrow. Wandering groundhogs usually wind up dead around here from predators or being hit by a car. Growing food for him MIGHT keep him out of your food. Worth a try. If that doesn't work, there are several companies like Winchester, Federal and Remington that make products that would discourage any woodchucks from taking up residency.

Its been a long winter here in N-B, that's for sure. Oddly enough, I still have the same amount of firewood left over as in previous years. Hopefully this warm spell sticks around for good and we can get to living again.

I have thought about what I would do if winter just decided to stick around for good. I'm thinking I would head for the tropics. This is home and I can't imagine leaving, but if I have to relocate, you can bet I'll never shovel snow again. Ever.

Sorry, I don't have seeds, but I too want to plant a sugar maple grove in the near future. In the meantime I've been tapping any old maple I can with excellent results. Even what I was told was a "Manitoba maple" by a neighbor, who also informed me I was wasting my time.

My brother and I designed and built a rocket stove evaporator that is showing some very promising results. It gets rediculously hot. I'll have to post some pics or videos after more testing.