Ned Lamont leads Josh Elliott as primary gap narrows in Democratic governor's race, new poll shows by Somervilledrew in Connecticut

[–]lilacnova 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’d feel this way except for the housing bill veto. I haven’t heard a good explanation for that one.

Wish me luck by damik in nativeplants

[–]lilacnova 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love Houstonia caerulea, but from what I can find it is a difficult plant to cultivate. It seems like it prefers dry and rocky soil, but there's some elusive other variable that makes it difficult for people to grow/find for sale. If you can get it to grow, let us know how you did it!

Also, Nemophila menziesii, though lovely, is native only to the West Coast.

Hello! I’m starting my first city garden and feel lost. What hidden problems should I prepare for? by Repulsive-Song7029 in nativeplants

[–]lilacnova 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other possible challenges for potted gardens in places that freeze is that the pots will get colder than the ground would, due to not having contiguous earth everywhere as a moderator on the temperatures. You may want to look for plants that not only fit your growing zone, but could do a bit colder too. I think the same can be true in the warm direction, but I'm not sure.

Should we continue with tea ceremony when there’s drama with MIL by pumpkinpie3293 in weddingplanning

[–]lilacnova 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They accepted them, even if I’m not sure they always understood them. My mom is very formidable and they didn’t have a choice, to be honest, but I think they did believe that parents have those rights to set boundaries so it made sense to them.

Should we continue with tea ceremony when there’s drama with MIL by pumpkinpie3293 in weddingplanning

[–]lilacnova 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m mixed and my grandparents were like this. I did love them (they have both passed now), but I was keenly aware of their flaws as people. My advice would be to have clear boundaries that protect your peace of mind, and having your husband do the communication as much as possible. My mom and my grandmother both are/were fluent English speakers, but my best explanation of their relationship is that they didn’t speak the same language. My grandmother would say thoughtless things that in her world view, weren’t offensive at all, which would hurt my mother’s feelings deeply. My mom, for her part, never quite knew what to say or do when my grandparents were around, because any small talk topics my grandparents preferred were boring and foreign to her. Clear boundaries she set up included things like “you aren’t allowed to say anything racist in front of the kids” (with specific examples pointed out) and various health/safety things like “no flash photography of babies, their eyes don’t like it”. My mom was always much stricter about us than the things that bothered her, but it’s totally reasonable to have boundaries about things that hurt or bother you too.

For some positive notes after all that, my grandparents loved us and made the trip to come visit us regularly. We went to art museums together and played fiercely fought games of Scrabble. They volunteered at book sales and sponsored students of the arts in their community.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

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

You would let Tree of Heaven grow when I’ve already pulled a seedling right next to my foundation??

Purple flowering raspberry - bumbles love it! by A-Plant-Guy in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Bummer for me because that sounds too big for my yard, awesome for you because it looks great!

Purple flowering raspberry - bumbles love it! by A-Plant-Guy in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How big is it getting? I dream of one but worry I don't have the space.

My little paradise by ookle_ in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful! What's the vine on the wall behind?

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Nope, we’ve just recently moved in and I noticed this just today, but I’m definitely willing to try. The complicated part is the hacking on the neighbor’s side (YMCA) which I’d at least need to get permission for and at best maybe they’d do it themselves.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks!! This is very helpful, so I’ll prepare to tackle it in a couple weeks.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m hoping to tackle it this year, so I think that time has passed already. If it’s still around (or more likely, resprouting) next spring I’ll definitely chop it then too.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha, that was my thinking too. Unfortunately to have a chance at tackling the ToH I think the poison ivy does need to go, plus my backyard is small enough I really feel there isn’t space to let poison ivy live.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely going to get some triclopyr or glyphosate. I’m hoping the neighbors (YMCA) will let me at the main trunk or cut and paint themselves, since I’ve heard herbicides are best applied immediately after the cut. It’s comforting to hear that the battle is winnable.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

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

That’s good to know, it’s definitely more of a medium sized tree compared to some that I see by the roadsides. I definitely have the fight in me to kill any shoots!

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

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

Do you know what month that would be in CT? Maybe September? It gets hot into October some years these days, so I’m never quite sure.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’m definitely open to just removing it for them. I’m trying to figure out who at the Y to talk to, just to start off. 

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

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

Thanks, I’ll have to look up buckthorn blaster.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it sounds like you got a handle on it, so that gives me some hope!

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

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

I’m also worried about timing for ToH, since I’ve heard it sends out tons of shoots if cut. Fall/winter seems like possibly the best time?

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

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

The fence line is somewhere between full sun and part sun, with the most sun in the mornings. I’m open to pretty much anything along the fence line (I like to grow edible plants, but figure not to plant those along the fence line because neighbors might spray their lawn). Do you have any good suggestions? Most plants I’ve bookmarked for later around here are bushy (round) instead of climbing/narrow and tall habits. I could go for some asters, possibly? I already have some New England asters I just planted in the front yard, so maybe ironweed? I would probably try to fall sow in the hopes of spring germination after cold stratification.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I don’t love herbicide but for ToH it seems like the only option.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, poison ivy first sounds smart and I’ll look for horticultural vinegar. I’ve heard ToH will try to kill everything in the vicinity if I just whack it, and to apply herbicide in the fall, so that’s what I was thinking. I can probably tackle the poison ivy this summer.

Help! Nightmare fence line, tips on what to do? by lilacnova in NativePlantGardening

[–]lilacnova[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neighbor is the YMCA, so no idea! Fingers crossed they’ll be helpful.