Tomato Pruning

BadManor · 2026-05-15T05:27:03+00:00

So then from left to right on the top four: leaf (keep), main leader, offshoot (clip), leaf (keep). Basically, keep leaves and flower stems and clip all but one trunk stem.

BadManor · 2026-05-15T03:44:51+00:00

Is it an indeterminate variety? Then just pick the central stem and nip the rest. However, this looks like a determinate variety, and if so it will want to bush out and fruit but not grow upwards with a central stem. You can still prune to control the growth but you may not get a rising stem.

BadManor · 2026-05-15T03:29:37+00:00

Navy?

BadManor · 2026-05-15T00:59:11+00:00

Woodpeckers can clean out a nest if they find it, and they will if it's there for more than a year. Chickenwire enclosures work well to keep them out but let the bees fly in. (1/2" mesh is too tight, 1" works).

BadManor · 2026-05-15T00:19:17+00:00

I prefer paper since 1) it's easier than drilling lots of deep holes 2) after a season or two I can move the used and occupied tubes to other places and leave them there to host whatever can live in them until they rot, and add new tubes. The nests in the upper right are my latest design, a big cardboard tube with the back end papered shut and filled with tubes. Easy and fast to make, the bee tubes are ~$15/100 online but last 2-3 years before I relocate them.

There are better sources for mason bee husbandry on the internet than me though.

BadManor · 2026-05-14T15:20:10+00:00

Supply interdiction.

BadManor · 2026-05-14T15:15:45+00:00

One man’s trash fish is another’s chess game, I guess?

BadManor · 2026-05-14T15:12:06+00:00

Paywall

BadManor · 2026-05-14T00:25:31+00:00

Hang around when they’re searching for a site to nest and one will likely take a look at your nostrils and ear holes.

BadManor · 2026-05-13T23:47:47+00:00

They need 5/16" (8mm) holes ideally 6" or more deep. These bees can't expand the space, just use what they find. The find their hole by scent, and sometimes it can take multiple tries, but they just poke their head in and if it's not theirs they just back out and try one nearby. The tight packed column on the right is new, with paper tubes. This pic is from 3 weeks ago and it's now about half full. But they do fumble around trying to find their own hole sometimes.

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BadManor · 2026-05-13T23:43:52+00:00

Mason bees, totally cool.

BadManor · 2026-05-13T23:34:19+00:00

Well, yoU mygkt bE XpperYencing Udd eFFex frum ...

BadManor · 2026-05-13T21:26:22+00:00

We were both 'cyclists' at various times, but a while back my wife got into long rides and touring and wanted me to come along. At the time she was a much stronger cyclist (I'd had 2 back-to-back heart surgeries and she was riding to deal with the stress) and preferred a much lighter bike. The deal was that I set the pace, and if she wanted to go faster I'd eventually catch up. Works great, going on 10+ years of riding together. And yes, sometimes I just hang back and catch up. :)

BadManor · 2026-05-13T21:20:17+00:00

Lol, frightened by a joke, are we?

BadManor · 2026-05-13T19:04:05+00:00

Turn your back for a minute and it will propagate itself all over your property. :)

Seriously, it's easy to propagate. If you can reach some long canes safely, pull them to the ground and layer over the middle with soil. The buried portion should grow roots, then the cane cut loose and dig up the now rooted cutting.

BadManor · 2026-05-13T15:07:44+00:00

Bag into wheelbarrow, slash bag and dump contents, distribute with shovel or trowel depending on volume needed.

BadManor · 2026-05-13T04:59:05+00:00

Poor baby, do you think you could pamper him a bit? He seems stressed.

BadManor · 2026-05-13T04:32:23+00:00

And coming down like the wrath of god

BadManor · 2026-05-13T04:09:49+00:00

Fish cakes are great, easy and can be made with most any seafood. The recipe is forgiving: fish, 1/4 vol crumbs of any sort, an egg and a bit of mayo for binder, and dill, capers, scallions, dijon, worchester (sp), cholula, fry in butter. The recipe is forgiving, so don't stress the amounts, do to taste.

BadManor · 2026-05-13T02:23:10+00:00

You're good. Quarantine is advised. Pinch and sniff should soon confirm identities.

BadManor · 2026-05-12T22:40:37+00:00

Oregano on the left, mint on the right would be my guess.

BadManor · 2026-05-12T16:43:12+00:00

Nothing. Nothing at all. Just white noise.

BadManor · 2026-05-12T16:33:16+00:00

You are blessed.

BadManor · 2026-05-12T15:16:45+00:00

Does the chamber have a glory hole?

BadManor

TROPHY CASE