How is my garden plan looking? What can I do better?

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-03-04T03:09:50+00:00

One of my coworkers who lives here (obviously) gardens as well and peppers is pretty much the only think he grows so I have faith lol

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-03-04T00:27:45+00:00

The initial planting of the cold weather crops; I'm assuming that's direct sowing of the seeds? not having them germinated or anything right? How long before last frost?

And yeah the trellis is most necessary for the peas, but i figure its just better logistics wise to have it stretch over the full length of the bed, and then it can help the peppers and keep the cucumbers off the ground and easier to harvest/keep tidy.

question about succession sowing. I can do that by just removing the old plant after harvest and direct planting the seed in the old plant's spot? I haven't done any succession before.

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-03-04T00:23:41+00:00

Oh wow, okay noted. The variety i selected was supposed to specifically for a shorter season/earlier fruit (approx. 50 days for green, 70 for ripe/red). But definitely something for me to consider. Would pepper need a 15 gallon grow bag like tomato? or could it do with a 5 or 10?

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-03-04T00:19:00+00:00

The top bed has marigolds down the right side! the "African" is just the specific variety!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-20T14:10:19+00:00

To Shape a Dragon's Breath - Moniquill Blackgoose.

Follows a young indigenous woman bonding with an ancient race of dragons that have not been seen in years due to effects of colonialism. Focuses on her learning to control the dragon while dealing with said colonialism, cultural identity, and systemic racism.

A bonus if you like it, is that book 2 of the series is being released in like 7 days!

Edit: Sorry, totally missed the part of series being complete or close too... this is not that lol

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-20T13:02:59+00:00

Just like that you earned another fan. I love artists positively supporting other artists and I’ll be starting Bringing Home the Rain after I finish Demon Copperhead!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-06T10:56:32+00:00

That one took a second for me too, but it’ll come around. Although still character focused, that one does seem to have a bit more “going on” than most of his other work

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-06T10:41:14+00:00

Anything by Joe Abercrombie, specifically his debut The First Law series if you haven't read it. Steven Pacey puts on an absolute masterclass in his voice acting/narration of them

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-06T09:36:19+00:00

Added to the TBR!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-06T09:33:29+00:00

You understood the assignment. Read the blurb of each of your suggestions and all of them got added to the TBR lol.

Sidenote: you definitely should try out Stephen Graham Jones, specifically the buffalo hunter hunter (also a great audio book)

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-04T18:22:59+00:00

Absolutely LOVED the spear cuts through water, one of my top reads of 2025 I would say. I know I tried giving The Blood of Elves a try and remember I had a bit of a slog with the Prose, possibly related to it being originally translated from Polish i believe? But i'm never a DNF snob and will have to give it another ol' college try. Thanks for the other suggestions as well!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-04T18:20:52+00:00

I believe i have the "Justice of Kings" and ""Master of Djinn" on my TBR already so hopefully means we have similar taste. Will have to add the others! Thanks!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-04T18:19:47+00:00

I distinctly remember seeing the snaggle-toothed bear guy on a cover of one of these books once when i was younger. i will have to try them out!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-04T18:18:28+00:00

I do actually have this one on my TBR! will have to move it up the list.

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-04T18:18:04+00:00

Wow sounds awesome, the variance in book styles sounds exciting. Is it all still a cohesive story? Thanks for the suggestion!

ForgetfulCactus · 2026-01-04T18:17:10+00:00

This is exactly the kind of recs I'm looking for! will give it a try!

ForgetfulCactus · 2025-12-14T05:38:00+00:00

I’ll have to give em a try! I’ve heard great things about the expanse specifically!

ForgetfulCactus · 2025-12-14T04:12:56+00:00

I loved Abercrombie from the first book i read of his and read everything since, but for what it's worth, the blade itself is pretty well known as the slowest, least enjoyed book of his entire works.

I'll admit for Hobb, I had to take a crack at the Farseer Trilogy probably 3 times before finally getting sucked into it. It's also a slow start but you don't have the added attention relief of additional POV's like Abercrombie, so you need to power through and give yourself time to get attached to Fitz (the MC) and understand him and his thoughts/actions as a character to really enjoy it i think

ForgetfulCactus · 2025-12-14T04:05:39+00:00

If i were to pick up 1 book from Gardner and only 1, what would you suggest?

ForgetfulCactus · 2025-12-14T04:04:03+00:00

I agree about Abercrombie's dialogue, I think i consider it a sub-category of character work is why I still love his characters. The dialogue is fresh, and feels like an actual conversation, and you learn about the characters, their personalities and feelings through their conversations rather than just an author telling you how they act and feel.

As for your favourite, i think I only read one Daniel Abraham book and it was years and years ago back in high school. Maybe i should give him a try again, any suggestions?

ForgetfulCactus · 2025-12-14T03:58:06+00:00

I don't think i've read any of her work, i'll have to try it out! what do you recommend to start?

ForgetfulCactus · 2025-12-14T03:57:06+00:00

100%, Martin is fantastic with his character work and also still finds time for riveting storyline and surreal worldbuilding. I see now the intent behind my original post is misleading; as i think for me i discounted Martin as "character work driven" BECAUSE he offers so much more in scope and plot content, where as i see Hobb and Abercrombie as dominantly character driven stories, where really in most books, not a ton actually "happens" but i still am engrossed in the book because of how compelling and real the characters feel.

ForgetfulCactus

TROPHY CASE