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wheaton laboratories

ant love

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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posted 9 years ago

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Anybody still want quince? I have a 'siberian' Kuganskaya 'sweet' quince that is taking over my yard. You can train it into trees but it wants to sucker and bush, and prefers to fruit at the top of those waist to chest high suckers/runners/aaaugh (takes over yard). I'm going to be digging on it soon. It is sweet enough to eat straight. Has texture of pear, and tastes like a flat mealy apple. It got a bad infestation of tent caterpillars a few years ago and I did have to spray it to get rid of them. Rumored to be hardy to zone 4a (-25f). I can dig some, prune them down and box and ship them priority mail. I looked, if I bare root them and ship with water gel root packing I do not need phytosanitary certificate to send to Montana. They are currently doing well in hot and drought (yes I water it) and at 4200 ft altitude, so they would do well there. Please let me know (would ship in late August to early September sometime and warn you so someone could catch the mail so they don't sit) Original tree came from One Green World (PNW).

Jerry McIntire

pioneer

Posts: 249

Location: Temperate hardwood forest (NW Michigan) - zone 5b, 38" precip/yr

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Still looking for bar oil and a McLeod Jesse?

Praying my way through the day

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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Jerry McIntire wrote:Still looking for bar oil and a McLeod Jesse?

Thank you Jerry, bar oil is always useful since we go through a lot of it. An anonymous done just sent us two McCleods so we are set on those. Check out my signature below my posts, I try to keep my ant love wish list updated there with the things I need. Thanks again for all the love!

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www.oneheartfire.org to follow my personal permaculture adventures.
Now accepting Gappers for the Permaculture Bike Park project.

My Ant Love wish list:

Biodegradable Bar Oil for my chainsaw. I'm gonna need a lot of this for milling lumber with my chainsaw mill.

Darn Tough Socks that come with an unconditional lifetime warrantee! I go through socks like goats through a fence, these are supposed to last a lifetime or they send you a new pair! Size 12/XL please

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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posted 9 years ago

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And Deb, I for one love quince. If you send some I'll put them in the ground.

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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Jesse Grimes wrote:And Deb, I for one love quince. If you send some I'll put them in the ground.

How many? I'll make sure to save some for you then.

From little bitty, I'd say two years to them trying to make fruit and by five, you should have lots and they'll make more of themselves too...

evan l pierce

pollinator

Posts: 753

Location: ephemeral space

588

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posted 9 years ago

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Deb, quince seeds are totally on my wish list. And maybe seeds are lighter/cheaper/easier to send even than bare root? Either way, if you send me some quince, like Jesse says, I'll put them in the ground! Thanks!

Speaking of my wish list, at the moment it's nothing but seeds! Here's the list, as of July 21, 2016:

wishes: seeds: quince, pawpaw, autumn olive, goumi, blue bean, persimmons, sumachs, jostaberry, hazel, bamboo, yellowhorn, goji, lavender, sage, dyer's greenweed, mock orange, broom, false indigo, bush clover, silver buffalo berry, wintergreen, marsh mallow, asparagus, turkish rocket, pig nut, hog peanut, groundnut, good king henry, hostas, plantain, lemon balm, solomon's seal, stinging nettle, horseradish, chinese artichokes, ginseng, wood vetch, hardy kiwi, akebia, magnolia, wisteria, sassafras

I've been doing a lot of earthworks and soil-building in the year or so that I've been here so far, and I'm hoping to do a ton of perennial planting and heavy mulching this fall. If you happen to know of any other useful plants that might survive in dry cold montana, seeds of those would be appreciated as well. My aim is to push the limits of maximal bio-diversity on an acre-and-a-half lot, and any help towards this end would be amazing. Thanks!

Evan the Ant c/o Paul Wheaton
2120 S Reserve St. #351
Missoula, MT
59801

https://evanarchitective.wordpress.com

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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posted 9 years ago

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Evan, when I get through digging next month, see what will survive, and box, I'll send the quince care-of-the-ants and let y'all sort it out. I need to reclaim my yard, so hopefully there will be enough to go around. Seed may not go true but I can say this tree/bush/taking over the world green thing, is doing well at 6b with altitude and neglect; it's rated to 4a, so should do at your location.

Mock orange, I can send some trees too. I have them like weeds.

Fred Tyler

gardener

Posts: 661

Location: Wheaton Labs, MT and Tularosa, NM

552

posted 9 years ago

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Just got in two gallons of bar oil addressed to Gappers and Ants. If there was a note, it fell out of the beat up box from amazon. So, thanks to the anonymous donor that sent us this! I'll give it to the Ants for use with the Ant Love chainsaw!

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Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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The Ant Village is eternally grateful for the tools donated to the Ant Tool Shed this past year and a half. I only just got here, but can already see how instrumental ant love has been. Being able to use the chainsaw rather than a bow saw to take down a post or beam saves a heck of a lot of time! Thank you Ant Lovers! Sending you virtual hugs!

We have the six over-wintering ants lined up and there are 4 houses to finish. Stating the obvious of course, but moving materials can be the slowest part of the process. A few more timber carriers would really speed things up and save our backs, too! Three new gappers have made themselves at home in the ant village and the extra hands moving things around has been a huge help this month! Timber carriers and a couple more drawknives would go a long way towards our winter preparations.

Ant tool shed wishes:
3 Timber carriers
2 Draw knifes

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Kerry Rodgers

gardener

Posts: 230

Location: North Texas, Dallas area suburbs, US zone 8

129

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Hi Janet,
I ordered one of each, shipping to "Ants". Have fun, and thanks for the posts!

Kerry Rodgers

gardener

Posts: 230

Location: North Texas, Dallas area suburbs, US zone 8

129

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Do ants like Pie? I mean the kind you can get via the forums?

When Paul asked people to buy pie to increase Building Season cashflow, I thought I'd put most of it on Antposts. But the Antposts are going the way of the Entwives. Probably because it is Building Season.

I know Paul envisions a whole Pie economy, and I think I get how that applies to us Computer Chair-types. But maybe Ant Village has a more specific way to stack functions with Pie?

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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We have gotten a string of ant love packages over the last few weeks, we have all been very busy getting our structures ready for winter, and so have neglected to post pictures here. On behalf of all the ants I apologize for our tardiness, and say thank you to everyone who has shown us love and support.

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Casie Becker

gardener

Posts: 2371

Location: Just northwest of Austin, TX

557

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This might sound like an odd question, but no one every mentions using wheelbarrows or garden carts, that I see. It was one of the most useful tools for me when we moved into this house. Do ya'll already sufficient, that you're happy with?

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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Some of us have our own wheelbarrow, but I am sure the rest of the ants would love having more around. I have been eyeing one of those four wheeled garden wagons or those two wheeled rickshaw type carts, with the large bicycle type wheels. It would certainly be nice to move things around without having to lift the load as with the wheelbarrow.

Casie Becker

gardener

Posts: 2371

Location: Just northwest of Austin, TX

557

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This one? http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Product-Variation?pid=36-500VS&dwvar_36-500VS_Color=Red

The end panel slides out. They say it's for dumping, but I think it would also make hauling larger items easier. I'm pretty sure the whole thing can be repaired a piece at a time as it wears out rather than ever needing replacing. Everything I've ever bought from them has been top quality.

I was too tired to be much help when I was out there last week, but also spent less than I budgeted for the whole trip. Spending it here would feel like making a complete and satisfying using of my travel budget.

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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That's exactly what I was thinking of.

Casie Becker

gardener

Posts: 2371

Location: Just northwest of Austin, TX

557

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Okay, it's incoming within 4-9 business days.

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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Thank you so much Cassie! I'm certain that cart will be put to much use right away.

Sean Pratt

Lab Ant

Posts: 63

Location: Rensselaer New York

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I dont say much on the forums. Infact I just figured out how to work them on my phone. But I want to thank all of you for your support. I picked my plot of land in april and started the building process. I realy cant count how many timew I have needed a tool and found out there was one in the ant tool shed. For me your guy's generocity has realy made this possible.

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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Yard harvest has happened so the quince are getting propagated. I will hopefully be able to send a boxful before bad weather for fall planting or at worst, wait until spring and have to overwinter them in the house. They can join some of the others (my sickly looking but rebounding figs and all those good buddies). When do you start seeing frost there at the Lab?

Jocelyn Campbell

steward

Posts: 6601

Location: Everett, WA (Western Washington State / Cascadia / Pacific NW)

2197

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Deb Rebel wrote:When do you start seeing frost there at the Lab?

I think the first frost is often September. Maybe we'll track these things a bit in our wheaton labs weather thread but don't quote me on that!

QuickBooks set up and Bookkeeping for Small Businesses and Farms - jocelyncampbell.com

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

Deb Rebel wrote:When do you start seeing frost there at the Lab?

I think the first frost is often September. Maybe we'll track these things a bit in our wheaton labs weather thread but don't quote me on that!

Okay, unless the digging of the suckers goes well I will have nothing sturdy enough to go in the ground that soon. When is your last real frosts over with in spring (okay you may have to cover them a few times, type spring weather)?

Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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Kerry Rodgers wrote:Hi Janet,
I ordered one of each, shipping to "Ants". Have fun, and thanks for the posts!

Thank you Kerry! That is so generous of you! A big help in our efforts for sure!

Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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Kerry Rodgers wrote:Do ants like Pie? I mean the kind you can get via the forums?

When Paul asked people to buy pie to increase Building Season cashflow, I thought I'd put most of it on Antposts. But the Antposts are going the way of the Entwives. Probably because it is Building Season.

I know Paul envisions a whole Pie economy, and I think I get how that applies to us Computer Chair-types. But maybe Ant Village has a more specific way to stack functions with Pie?

Kerry, I can't speak for the other ants. Personally, I have enough pie from apple conversion to get the permies.com site preferences that I like. One day I may get to use my pie for discounts at the permies-supporting stores, but that probably won't be until spring.

Posting to permies from our plot while we are working has become more possible with tweaks to the mobile site. Some of us don't have good reception on our plot, but make a point to post when signal is available. I expect you'll see more posts and pics pretty soon.

Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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Casie Becker wrote:Okay, it's incoming within 4-9 business days.

Thanks for the cart Casie! It will certainly get a lot of use!

Jocelyn Campbell

steward

Posts: 6601

Location: Everett, WA (Western Washington State / Cascadia / Pacific NW)

2197

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Deb Rebel wrote:
Okay, unless the digging of the suckers goes well I will have nothing sturdy enough to go in the ground that soon. When is your last real frosts over with in spring (okay you may have to cover them a few times, type spring weather)?

Good question again! Though I probably should have clarified that the last frost date is likely mid-September AND that plants higher up on the hugelkultur berms are untouched by frost for weeks after that. We had a sunflower about 6 feet up that lasted far into October, if memory serves.

From the weather thread:

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:
last frost date used to be early June, though 50/50% chance it's mid-May now
first fall frost date mid-September

QuickBooks set up and Bookkeeping for Small Businesses and Farms - jocelyncampbell.com

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

Deb Rebel wrote:
Okay, unless the digging of the suckers goes well I will have nothing sturdy enough to go in the ground that soon. When is your last real frosts over with in spring (okay you may have to cover them a few times, type spring weather)?

Good question again! Though I probably should have clarified that the last frost date is likely mid-September AND that plants higher up on the hugelkultur berms are untouched by frost for weeks after that. We had a sunflower about 6 feet up that lasted far into October, if memory serves.

From the weather thread:

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:
last frost date used to be early June, though 50/50% chance it's mid-May now
first fall frost date mid-September

Okay, here by Mid-May we start to heat up so that will be my shipping window. Jessie gets first grab and Evan gets second, and if there are any left the others at the site are welcome.

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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[quote=Casie Becker]This one? http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Product-Variation?pid=36-500VS&dwvar_36-500VS_Color=Red

The end panel slides out. They say it's for dumping, but I think it would also make hauling larger items easier. I'm pretty sure the whole thing can be repaired a piece at a time as it wears out rather than ever needing replacing. Everything I've ever bought from them has been top quality.

I was too tired to be much help when I was out there last week, but also spent less than I budgeted for the whole trip. Spending it here would feel like making a complete and satisfying using of my travel budget. [/quote]

We received the boxes a couple days ago and I put the cart together this morning. This is one well built cart! The brackets are all quality aluminum or thick welded steel, and it holds up to 500 lbs! Thank you so much Casie, having this cart will make many things easier.

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Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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Kerry Rodgers sent two draw knives for the ant tool shed and boy are they a joy to use! They are very high quality and will last for many more home builds. All of the drawknives around the ant village happen to be straight and for me the curved ones makes it easier to get into the pink layer, drawing in from one side of the log to the other. I am especially grateful and this new tool sped up my peeling on my last couple of beams! Thank you Kerry!

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Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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Tom Rutlege blessed the ants again, this time with much needed timber screws! Thanks Tom!

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Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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We Ants have been blessed with rain and tools this week!

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Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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Someone must have heard me talking in my videos about the 250 yard walk to the solar cart to charge my phone. An anonymous donor sent me a nifty little solar usb charger. It works great! Thank you very much!

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Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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Kerry Rodgers wrote:Hi Janet,
I ordered one of each, shipping to "Ants". Have fun, and thanks for the posts!

Thank you for the timber carriers, Kerry! They came in handy moving logs to my plot a couple days ago. If we had a 5th person on hand we'd have a picture of us using them. They are incredibly well made and will last a lifetime to be sure.

Two more were anonymously donated and we are grateful! We are making progress thanks to all the ant love!

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Su Ba

pollinator

Posts: 2181

Location: Big Island, Hawaii (2300' elevation, 60" avg. annual rainfall, temp range 55-80 degrees F)

1105

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Aloha Ants! Watch for a box from Amazon that is suppose to be delivered mid-week. Just something to help everyone get a warm nights' sleep this coming winter.

The background on this.......the local community here donated several old quilts for shipping to Montana, but when we looked into shipping, we discovered it was far cheaper to order brand new comforters and have them shipped direct. So the plan changed to converting the old quilts into dog sleeping pads (donating them to the local dog rescue) and sending new conforters to the Ants. We're all happy with this decision on this end. Hope ya'll will be happy on yours.

It's never too late to start! I retired to homestead on the slopes of Mauna Loa, an active volcano. I relate snippets of my endeavor on my blog : www.kaufarmer.blogspot.com

Janet Branson

Posts: 192

Location: Missoula, MT

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How incredibly generous and sweet, Su Ba! Thank you! We look forward to snuggling up with them!

Jesse Grimes

Lab Ant

Posts: 274

Location: Orange County, CA

159

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I just love the whole quilt story. Thank you so much for everything, Su!

Deb Rebel

gardener

Posts: 1813

Location: Zone 6b

220

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I did my order/beg/plead to Joseph Lofthouse, and sent him extra silver dimes, a preaddressed bubble mailer and a book of stamps. He's chewing through my order and says he gives the Ants some goodies every year, so I'm just helping out with that. Dunno what he'll be sending but I 'paid' for some donations to y'all to help out. I really like his seeds, they really grow well. He mentioned he is probably going to be mailing this week. May you have many good meals from what he sends.

Fred Tyler

gardener

Posts: 661

Location: Wheaton Labs, MT and Tularosa, NM

552

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Thanks Deb Rebel and Joseph Lofthouse for sending this amazing variety of seeds! These landrace seeds will add some much needed diversity to the stuff growing in Ant Village this year.

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