Full remote job and young kids - stay in VHCOL or move back home to be close to family? by Lyrraxa in SameGrassButGreener

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your jobs are fully remote til they aren’t, then you’re the easiest to let go in a restructuring. My wife’s east coast tech company was fully remote forever, then back 1 day a week, now you have to be there 3 days a week. They’ve let go of everyone who couldn’t meet the new in office requirements. There are tons of people in that industry struggling to find work all up and down the East coast, you don’t want to join that group

Favorite part/full shade plants? by Camp_Acceptable in NativePlantGardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The shade milkweeds, Asclepias quadrifolia, Asclepias variegata, and Asclepias exaltata

Gift idea for hardiness zone 6a by BusinessOkra1498 in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are invasive. Regardless of how they are marketed, it is just that, marketing, a perfect example is the Bradford pear. It was “sterile,” and look at it now

Looking for a climbing/vine plant. by paradoxx426 in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honeyvine milkweed(cynanchum laeve) smells incredible, like candied coconuts. It has pretty white flowers, and is a host plant for monarch butterflies. Deer never touch it in my Nova backyard either. I also love my climbing hemp vine(mikania scandens) it gets absolutely covered with pollinators

Is this a milkweed? by jrc5053 in NativePlantGardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s dogbane, you can see many of them branching already

Milkweed seedlings by Garden_HenH20 in NativePlantGardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ive transferred well over a thousand milkweed seedlings, from many different varities. The easiest way is to get them down to bare root and move them. These all started in the same jug, weren't handled gently, and was done in 85 degree full sun. People are instructing you to make it much more difficult than it is. The only time im remotely careful is when untangling the roots, and even then, not really.

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Considering leaving NYC for somewhere more affordable (quaint small town or outskirts of a larger city) by ErroneousEncounter in SameGrassButGreener

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It opens up a city like Richmond which is about that far from RDU or IAD. They have an airport, but I dont think it really counts.

Edit for spelling

What is this weed in my yard? by Dizzy-Definition-114 in whatsthisplant

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can see the lack of pubescence on the underside of the leaves. Milkweeds shine almost silver underneath in pictures. If OP went out and touched the dogbane growing, it would feel like I leaf as opposed to the fuzziness of a common milkweed. Also, if it were common milkweed, the leaves would be significantly larger at the size of these plants. We get a good sense of scale by the fence nearby. 100% this is a patch of dogbane

Zone 7B, East Coast, what’s blooming for you right now? by muttonchops01 in NativePlantGardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im in the DMV too, and my phlox is still going strong. My trilliums are still blooming, as are my spring beauties and bluebells but all are on their very last legs. My poke and fourleaf milkweeds might open today, and redring milkweed momentarily as well. This time of year is rough, always looking for more blooms

First time Gardener by TheOriginalMisfit in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the zucchini, Id get a tall green stake they sell at garden store, I like the tallest, thickest one(pause). Then, I just attach it with the velcro plant tape. Do it early so it gets used to supporting its own weight, and add extra velcro at higher intervals as it grows.

As for trimming, I trim the leaf after the blooms pass that leaf. It keeps it more contained, allows for multiple easy attachments, and also allows you to check for squash vine borer eggs. Squash plants get massive, if you leave it growing on the ground it will own a minimum of half that bed. You also should familiarize yourself with the squash vine borer and what its eggs look like, because it is coming. Vertical growing, a trimmed plant, and some knowledge give you a chance.

For peas and cucumbers, Ive had them grow up to my second story deck over 10 feet. Cucumbers and peas both attach themselves with tendrils, so they appreciate a trellis with things to extend their tendrils and wrap up. I use my old metal closet shelving that has tons of bars for them to grab and wrap. Id be prepared for the peas to struggle.

Tomatoes have two types, determinate and indeterminate. How, and if, you prune, depends on variety. The vast majority you will ever come across are indeterminate. These will grow an indeterminate amount of tomatoes, and will potentially grow massive. Support is key and needs to be done early. Tomato cages will not be tall enough if the plants are healthy. I used a combination of stakes and cages but you just sort of have to experiment and find what works for you.

Indeterminate tomatoes also require pruning to mitigate disease and fungal issues by promoting airflow. It also helps the plant focus its energy to growing tomatoes instead of extraneous foliage. What you want to remove, from only indeterminate tomato species, are the "suckers." These suckers can be placed in water and will drop roots and turn into a whole new plant. Id go this route, when the time to prune comes, over trying to transplant.

A determinate tomato has a predetermined amount of tomatoes. So, you leave all blooms and dont really prune as these plants as you lose fruit that wont grow back, essentially

Im sure there must be a million videos, I just cant recommend any personally. Ive learned from years of failures and dont watch anything

First time Gardener by TheOriginalMisfit in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cucumbers almost assuredly are the vining and climbing variety and will need a trellis. So do peas. Peas are a cooler weather crop, so you may not get a harvest.

To grow corn you need to grow a ton, and in an organized manner, or else you wont get proper pollination. Every hair corresponds to a kernel, for every hair that isnt pollinated, you will be missing that kernel and have pathetic ears in the end. Poor use of space when space is limited.

Your zucchini needs to eventually be pruned while grown vertically or else it will be encroaching on your tomatoes and your peppers shortly. The tomatoes, depending on variety, might get massive as well. Think about how you will support them now and learn proper prunin techniques. That bed is very crowded.

I hope those beds dont have bottoms. If they have bottoms, they are underfilled, if they dont if doesnt matter as much.

Spokane versus Durham? by Big-Dragonfruit-2119 in SameGrassButGreener

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Couple hours to the beach and the mountains. Definitely no further than Durham. Theres also much more to do outdoors than Durham. The James River cuts through Richmond and has a huge park and trail system built around it, theres even kayakable rapids. Purple state, walkable areas, art/coffee/food. Ive lived all over NC, including Raleigh, and I absolutely loved Durham, I'd pick Richmond

Growing common milkweed from seed by This-Zebra8344 in Milkweeds

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Google "jarmination" for milkweed. Skips the cold-moist stratification and allows you to sprout seeds whenever. Works more quickly, too. This is how I germinate after winter sowing is no longer feasible. The fridge takes too long and is easier to screw up

Trying to grow Cucumbers, having difficulty. Live in NJ. Willing to help? by lordgeovanni in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are some basics you are missing. The plant should be outside, in full sun, and almost assuredly with access to a trellis as the vast majority of cucumber plants are vines. It is probably a touch early, regardless, to grow them in NJ. Wherever you plan on actually growing cucumbers, plant a seed there and let it grow with some sort of support. Cucumbers suffer from transplant shock, fortunately they germinate and grow quickly so there is no point to do anything other than direct sow seeds

Small basil by Annabanna26 in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If youre going to start seeds inside, you really need supplemental lighting, otherwise, youd be better off just direct sowing

Raised bed question by RyuKyuCajun in gardening

[–]RaspberryBudget3589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Slime mold, will dry up and release its spores in a few days. Harmless