tunafish

@PowderBeard Welcome (or soon to be) to the area! It's a bit further south than where you're at, but Highland Lake on the Westbrook/Windham/Falmouth line is a goldmine for small and largemouth. The only motor boats on there are from waterfront properties. The only public boat launch is on the south side of the pond, but even then it's blocked so you have to carry in your non-motorized vessel. I'm out there in my canoe a bunch in the summer as it's the closest freshwater spot to me, be happy to take you out when you're settled in.

Sounds like you have a lot going on, amazing. And I'm right there with you on the quoted part. I don't mean to dump on others either. I think there's a misconception out there that having a functional/sustainable yard is way more work than maintaining a lawn. It's really not, especially for properties <1 acre. The amount of time and money sunk into lawn care is equitable to creating what we're aiming for, and you actually get something (food) out of it.

it's not for everyone, for sure. The whole concept requires planning, and initial work to create the gardens. It's cheap(er) because you're using materials you have on hand (compost, cardboard), and once the gardens are going it's little maintenance. The lasagna method is super effective at moisture retention, which helps, and we're selective about what we plant and where to minimize maintenance an maximize plant health. We have four 55 gallon rain barrels, and for areas that require more frequent watering we're attaching either drip lines or just attach a hose, open the spigot, and let them gravity feed (they're up on risers).

I know you're joking but that actually is the long term goal. Maybe not 100% of the lawn but hopefully 75% of it. Each year we reduce the size of the lawn via lasagna gardening and woodchip (free from the city) paths. After a winter to "cook down", the space is ready to plant flowers, food, trees - whatever. Way less maintenance than a lawn and actually produces food for us and the bees.

I think I'm going to give this a shot. No Mow May. Grass up here isn't at mowing length yet, anyways, and dandelions and creeping Charlie are just starting to bloom. https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may/ Side benefit: It'll drive the monochrome-striving, always-fertilizing, over-watering neighbors nuts too.

your kids eat worms, too? I thought mine might be the only ones...

I ended up treating in the spring and fall, but essentially two different areas of the lawn. I didn't have chickens at the time, but I'm with you...I don't think I would have treated anywhere near their run (we don't let them free range in the actual yard, anyways, but still...) The optimal time is definitely in the late summer. I did do one spring application and it seemed to stop the damage area. I have an area on the far edge of my property I'm watching right now, the only area I've never treated. I'd like to hit it before they hatch and lay more in the areas I've already treated, so I'm waiting for the right conditions. I need the soil temp to be above 44F and for it to be a nice cloudy wet day (like today). Might get the temp high enough next week, we'll see.

Nematodes, my man. Haven't found a grub since treating 2 years ago. They will be more effective and environmentally safe than any chemical.

Right on time for me, 3/31 was the first observed peeper this year. For 3 of the last 5 years, peepers have first sang on March 31, with 4/5/20 & 3/24/21 being the other two years.

There's been rumors of war and wars that have beenThe meaning of life has been lost with the windAnd there's some people thinkin' that the end is close by'Stead of learnin' to live, they are learnin' to dieLet me die in my footsteps before I go down under the ground go out and live, ya weenies.

just bought $1000 worth of TP let's do this baby

As depicted, the goods don't make it to MBY. Outliers at this point, but curious regardless.

LBSW for us up here. OUCH.

Appreciate it. Worth watching up this way for sure.

not creepy at all

what are the synoptic features that pushed the Euro south?

Gonna have a hard time meeting some of these snow map totals that fail to take that strong late Feb sun angle into consideration, ya know? Take 'em down, it's nape season now!

That's why I only ask my kids to phone in reports for "Trace" measurements and depth readings of "0". Gotta keep expectations low as long as possible.

That place must print money. I thought Bissell did, this place is Bissell on steroids. Saw several people loading out handtrucks with 6 or 7 cases a whack. And that was 8PM on a "quiet" Friday nighr.

I bet. I'll pop in for a quick pint grab a mixed case and call it good. Appreciate the tips!

Yeah I'm in Charlton. Must've misread the options.

Thanks guys. I like both but this time of year I'm winding down my stout inventory, not adding to it. I might pick up a 2pack of stout, but they're pretty steep. Mostly shooting for IPAs today. I see they have a drive through option. My mom lives 2 miles away but I've never stopped in, at least since Monson.

Hey @Damage In TollandWhat's good at Treehouse these days? I'm in the 'hood.

We've been doing that and so far so good, thankfully. We've got a much smaller flock, and we don't give them much of a chance to be tempted to try a bite of a freshly laid egg as someone in the family is checking every hour or two.

ha. I like the idea of a fire, but my kids would be happier with a burial for sure. Fire is just convenient, no freezer space required.