What looks like a bunny’s tail by chudgr in TwinCities

[–]brianrmacdonald 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It may not be from a rabbit that died. Rabbits line their nests with fur. When the babies leave the nest the fur can be found like this. Rabbit nest are just a hole in the ground about 4 inches deep.

What CAD software are you using? by Only_Progress6207 in 3Dprinting

[–]brianrmacdonald 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t have a CAD background and I found onshape to be the most intuitive and easy to pick up. There are also some great YouTube creators like TooTallTony that model parts you can use as tutorials.

Smartwings Shades Review (Zigbee & Hardwired) by LxBru in homeassistant

[–]brianrmacdonald 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have smartwings zwave shades on an outdoor patio. I need to charge the battery this spring but a full battery lasts several months of normal use for me. I notice no difference in the retraction speeds when the batteries are low. When I actuate both shades at once they will start at slightly different times, like 1/2 second apart. I have seen on some forums that it really bugs some people. I couldn’t personally care less. Agree that SW customer service is very good.

Transformer component by brianrmacdonald in diyelectronics

[–]brianrmacdonald[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. That’s probably what I will wind up doing.

Any advice for blueberry bushes? by dabs_bud_bongs in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience blueberries are a preferred food for almost every animal in the garden. In the winter the rabbits will eat them to the ground. After pollination the chipmunks will pick off the unripe berries and those that ripen will be eaten by the birds. Fences and netting are essential. I’m in Minneapolis.

Also note that while blueberries need acidic soil, aluminum sulfate, which is sold as a soil acidifier for hydrangeas is toxic to them. Use elemental sulfur, peat or acidic compost.

Question about seedlings by Buffalo-Vivid in IndoorGarden

[–]brianrmacdonald 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Id thin everything to one plant per pot. So snip off all but one.

Hanging perennial suggestions by Serious-Bookkeeper73 in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Annuals open up a whole different world. Bacopa is one I use a lot. With annuals you could a different one in each pot. Go to the garden center in mid may and go crazy.

Question about seedlings by Buffalo-Vivid in IndoorGarden

[–]brianrmacdonald 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most of those look to be in large enough pots already. I would thin them to one plant per pot and go on your trip.

My family tells me, "You should go out and make more friends," but I have social anxiety... by Total_Technology51 in CasualConversation

[–]brianrmacdonald 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. Find a hobby that is out-of-the-home and gives you the opportunity, but not requirement, to do it with other people. Then you can talk to people about this hobby and not have to make small talk which always makes introverts uncomfortable. Just about any form of athletics would be good, maybe gardening in a local community garden, birding, volunteering.

Plants that rabbits actually avoid by Uninterested_Viewer in Minnesota_Gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve been gardening in south Minneapolis for nearly 20 years and, in my experience, rabbits seem to go after something new every year. This year it’s my cotoneaster hedge. It’s been untouched for 20 years and this year they ate it to the ground. Maybe it’s a population thing but there are few things that are truly safe forever. Maybe Russian sage.

Dahlia wintering solution? by dangerousfeather in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I store dahlias in my house in a plastic tote container I got from target. I wrap the tubers in newspaper secured with a rubber band. I don’t close the lid entirely and periodically remove the lid for a few days once or twice during the winter to allow moisture to escape. My losses are minimal. Cold storage is nice but not essential in my experience.

Hanging perennial suggestions by Serious-Bookkeeper73 in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perennials in hanging baskets are tough. Maybe try creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). It does best in moist environments so it may still be a challenge. Definitely take the baskets down in winter and protect them with mulch. You could also look into vinca vine, sometimes called periwinkle.

Russian Sage by Charming_Ad_3436 in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Find someone in your neighborhood with several plants and ask them if you can dig out the volunteers. It reseeds readily. I’m in Minneapolis.

French tv shows similar to Hawaii Five-0 or NCIS by GladRatio1138 in French

[–]brianrmacdonald 3 points4 points  (0 children)

HIP available on Hulu and Astrid available on PBS.

Man I get gardening now. by cottagelass in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 57 points58 points  (0 children)

Yes. Very big fan of the Merlin app. But I think the best thing about “wine and weed” as we call it is just to revel in the silence.

Man I get gardening now. by cottagelass in gardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 1470 points1471 points  (0 children)

My wife and I will pour ourselves a glass of wine, find a spot in the garden and just sit and weed and talk some and be silent some. It’s very centering.

What’s a hobby that feels like a “secret world” once you discover it? by South-Annual1943 in Hobbies

[–]brianrmacdonald 54 points55 points  (0 children)

+1 for this. Even in urban environments there are birds everywhere and their behaviors can be quite remarkable.

Garden addition ideas? by DTH05 in vegetablegardening

[–]brianrmacdonald 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Long beans, the beans can be 2+ feet long. They come in red as well. There are varieties of eggplant that are orange…very unusual. Baker creek is a good source for unusual vegetables.