dan bradley

Copper nails. Roofers still use them and I suppose you might find them at Home Depot or one of those places. Or try a roofing outfit. This is an old and effective way to kill a tree if you need to do that.  Drive a few into the trunk and the thing will slowly die.  

Harder to come by now, but if you can find old copper water lines, lay them around your garden perimeter.  Slugs will NOT cross copper as it kills them just as salt does.  This is assuming your garden is not HUGE.  Finding copper these days is tough, but once in a while I still find some in trash or on Craigslist.  

I look forward to hearing from you when you have time. I have found that disroot.org does not play well with Outlook or Hotmail if you use either, so try danbradley@gmx.com  Saves missed connection.  Thank you

Hello Dee,
                  Tried the purple message method and it went all sideways.  I am most interested in something such as you have put forth.  Long and full experience in construction and grew up on a farm so that is in the mix as well.   I have tried a couple of situations over recent years but found that both were more interested in spending gobs of money at Tractor Supply on things that were of little value to what they espoused.  Everyone has their own approach...

It seems that I am living in one of the noisiest places in the nation currently, and miss peace and quiet.  I would like to discuss this with you further if you are interested.  Since the purple things does not work, I may be reached at danbradley@disroot.org.  Hope to hear from you..

Anne Miller wrote:I know nothing of pine tar soap, I just use the soap dear hubby likes.

Irish spring is a brand name.

I found out by accident, if I lather up but dont wash the soap off, I get zero bug bits.

Not too permie thought works for me...

Whatever works for you is great.  I was very lucky to stop at a yard sale a couple of years ago and find a box with 22 bars of Packers Pine Tar soap in it along with other odd bits.  Woman running the sale was glad to see it go for five dollars.  I was thrilled to find it.  That stuff is now running from 6 to 9 dollars a bar, which reflects nothing but pure greed.  i may resort to trying to make my own at some point.

Onions also have some effect as does lemon grass.  The latter is used in Asia and seems to help. I have found that using pine tar soap seems to keep the beats at bay for a while.

Ice pack/cold pack for about 15 minutes, followed by heat for the same length of time helps a lot.  This is a nerve, probably rubbing on something it shouldn't and can be miserable.  I have had it for decades from blacksmithing, mining, and construction.  Naproxin-trade name Aleve is helpful, but not a miracle cure either.  No such thing that i can find.

I bought an inversion table long ago and that does a great service if you pay attention to what your body is telling you.  Try Craigslist as they usually have some on there for not much money.  Take notes or photos if you have to take it apart to haul home.  Failing that i sometimes resort of feet up on a chair seat while lying flat on the floor.  Trick is to lie still and not move around.  Good method if you are not at home.

Chiropractors may work, but that gets spendy every time you are in trouble.  

Good luck with your back.  Irish whiskey helps too, but then you are worthless...

I am surprised that no one has bothered to respond to this.  I guess the old stigma about North Dakota being a frozen wasteland still hangs on.  i had an uncle that lived west and a little north of Rolla, and he used to take a day or two and we would go fishing at the lakes in the Turtles.  Very overlooked area, which is no doubt fine with the local folks.

I grew up in a colder climate, although not as severe as yours, but having lived in the south I am looking for a more realistic place to settle regarding climate.  it is nothing if not miserably hot and humid in my area now.  Time to head out.

Your setup is interesting and i would like to learn more of what you have going on.  I carry a lifetime of practical work experience and would enjoy being able to put it to good use in your sort of community.

Do you heat that greenhouse, and if so, by what means?  

I have been looking at this site for a long time, and actually joined years ago, but life got in the road.  it happens.

I can be better reached at danbradley@disroot.org if you care to see what may come of this post.

Thank you.