Annie Collins

M.K. Dorje Sr. wrote:I might add that you might try  consulting with your local extension agent or fruit tree nursery person about the best varieties for your area. You want trees (and rootstocks) that are low chill, bear lots of delicious fruit, can take the heat, pollinate themselves (or each other)  and resist local diseases.

Yes! Local extensions offices are a wonderful resource (in most counties, anyway). The one where we live even sells many types of fruit trees in the spring, and at a very good price, too!

Nirmal Vidura wrote: For the fruit trees, consider spacing them at least 15-20 feet apart to allow for growth and airflow.

I was just going to say the same thing about spacing. I almost planted mine too close to one another. It's hard to remember to give them so much space when they are still such young, small little stick-looking cuties.

I don't eat eggs, but they are a large part of what I feed to my dog in her homemade food. After hearing the above, all I can say is that I am so glad that one of my neighbors who lives around the corner, started selling their eggs about 3 weeks ago.  In zone 7b. I guess the chickens are laying plenty in this zone? I am confused about it all. We had some snow that is actually hanging around longer than I thought it would, but they are still selling eggs. The people don't wash them, and judging by the bits of debris on the various eggs, they look very fresh. In what zone do the chicken ladies start slowing their laying way down in winter?

I've been learning about hypochlorous acid solution. It sounds like a very effective solution for all kinds of viruses, including avian flu and covid, among many others. It is used in hospitals as a very effective disinfectant as well. It is very easily made at home once one has the right equipment, which is an initial investment of between about $50 and $100, depending on the size container one opts for. After that, it is simply a matter of mixing non-city water, non-ionized salt , and vinegar into the equipment and mixing a few minutes. One is also able to test strength of it by getting testing strips for pH as well as levels of chlorine.

Here is a link to a youtube video showing a bit more about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUAS2FrAojw

And here is a science experiment done with it on avian influenza:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4363024/

There are many more such experiments and information on the internet about it as well.

I read that some people are also taking it internally as a preventative.
And it seems mammal bodies make hypochlorous acid naturally  as a defence mechanism against infectious organisms.

I find it all sounds rather promising!

Like you, I also did not manage to plant fruit trees that I purchased at the beginning of this year -- February, to be exact.  When autumn came along and it started getting quite nippy, my plan to winter them over was that I would "tuck them in" by placing them all close together and then putting blankets around each individual pot, then around the whole group (there are about 25 of them), then to put them under an overhand to protect them a bit and also put a tarp around 3 sides. But when the very cold winds started whipping along, that idea made me rather uneasy. So I brought them all into the basement, where they all currently sit. I don't know if they will make it, but I intend to water them periodically and otherwise hope for the best. I have one fig tree in a pot that I've been waiting to plant for 3 years already, just waiting to finally get to a property where I would be at for quite a while. That tree made it very well each year. However, I always waited for it to lose all its leaves before putting it in the basement. I  was not able to do that with all the other fruit trees I have now; a lot of them still had their leaves when I brought them down. So, as I said, I really don't know if they will make it. But that is all I was able to do for them, along with continuously sending them love and appreciation, of course. We'll see how they show themselves come spring and I put them back outside. I'll be very curious to hear how yours fares.

Wow, it looks amazing! And I love the arched door! Good thing you had the dragon family help inspect everything along the way. I quite enjoyed their company in the pictures, too! Please thank them, along with yourselves! Not only has this thread been educational, but quite entertaining as well. It certainly caused lots of smiles in between the oohs and ahhs of the build!

Kaarina Kreus wrote:Annie, she drew a lot. Here's a link.

https://www.korttientalo.fi/27-martta-wendelin

Thank you, Kaarina, I appreciate it!

Kaarina Kreus wrote:No, it is by late Martta Wendelin. My talent at drawing resembles a toddler's 😄

Thank you. Do you know what it is called?

Kaarina Kreus wrote:We think we need a lot of light fixtures. But actually you can enjoy the evening meal in candlelight, have a glass of wine and a chat by the light of fire. Read a book with a little reading lamp. Enjoy the garden in the dusk or moonlight. Might even see the stars!

Kaarina, I love the painting with this post, the one with the walkway in the moonlight! Did you paint it?

LOL, you can just disregard my last post; I see you found the thread! I got the name mixed up as far as first name and last name, but no matter, you found him. :-)