Diane Neusch

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since Jan 21, 2017
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South Central Oklahoma, North Central Texas
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Recent posts by Diane Neusch

For the first, check out peppervine (Nekemias arborea). The second might be trumpet vine. Both are Texas natives.
Here is a photo my peppervine:
3 years ago
I thought the wet spring and resulting growth of browsing plants would keep the deer satisfied... After having my garden fenced at a normal height for over 5 years, the deer discovered my sweet potato patch. No sweet potatoes this year. They also liked my bunching onions and nibbled the okra.

I can report that the motion sensor sprinklers are not a deterrent. Nor are flashing red lights designed to look like predator eyes...

Luckily, I have a more protected garden area to use for deer edibles next year and will put tomatoes in that area.

Many years ago I read Groundwork: A Gardener's Ecology by Roger Swain. He said (something like): the old saying plant one for the critters and one for the gardener is laughable because the critters don't stop at one.

Thanks for the information. I will show it to my husband who is a deer fan.

4 years ago
I have had success with desert willow and perennial flowers like salvia and lantana. I have to discipline myself to avoid staking entire lantanas stem by stem as they die to the ground here each year anyway... I do have to use the native variety as the "improved" ones die completely each winter.

I use 5 gallon nursery pots for staking as we have dry winters, and they need occasional watering which is easier if they are all in one place. Also, I can decide their final location later.

I had no success with deciduous holly or mulberry bushes, but I may give it another shot.
5 years ago
I haven't kept up with your process, but would like to opt out of the audio. I find that when I want to remember and reference back to a book, paper works best for me.

Or maybe I made that selection when I donated?
Hello,

I'm trying to start a garden in an area formerly used as a cow pasture that is planted with bermuda.  

Would this method work on clay soil currently planted with bermuda? Should I put a layer of cardboard under the bales?
Or in the case of bermuda, would it be better to till then cover with black plastic for a few months?

Thanks!
5 years ago
Thanks to all of you for the information. I was inspired to plant an orchard on our land in Oklahoma.

To get the planting holes ready, I dug pits about 3' x 3' x 3'. Okay, maybe I recruited my husband to help some with this part...I filled the pits with wood scavenged from the property and covered it with the dug soil. (This was before I learned the importance of keeping the soil in the original layers.)

Then, I planted the trees beside the covered mounds. This was in early 2017. After 2 years, the peach trees are 8-10' tall. They started at 3-4'.  It seems impossible to me when I compare to the growth rate of my mom's trees planted in better soil. I did water the first 2 years and she probably didn't.

I tried to attach a picture, but the internet here is spotty...
5 years ago