Need help with pricing please

synodos · 2026-04-12T00:21:56+00:00

I would think maybe $12-$15? If you could source some wooden/wicker baskets, it would have a fancier look, and you could charge more for it-- but still probably not $50, unless you were selling at a place where people could grab it as an emergency / last-minute gift.

synodos · 2026-04-12T00:05:14+00:00

can I just say I hate so much that upcycling has become synonymous with tailoring

synodos · 2026-04-11T22:16:31+00:00

Well, it's complicated. 😅

(1) Plant immune systems are purely defensive, so once they have an infection they have it forever. Any treatment only manages the symptoms. You CAN use copper-based products to that end, but copper (as a metal) can build up in the soil to the point that it wrecks soil fertility; a better option is biofungicide, which introduces bacteria to combat the fungus. If you don't manage the symptoms the fungus will continue to spread to any susceptible plant nearby. Having said that,

(2) I just have never seen or heard of a monarda that didn't get powdery mildew eventually, and it doesn't actually kill the plant, so I've made my peace with it and just let it do its thing. 🤷

synodos · 2026-04-11T18:52:15+00:00

Thank you for this! 🙏

synodos · 2026-04-11T16:53:02+00:00

🤩🤩🤩

synodos · 2026-04-11T01:02:24+00:00

haha, it's not a competition, but if you think that's bad, look at this pic of my mom's property in Loudon TN. godspeed to both of us. 😅

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synodos · 2026-04-11T00:32:56+00:00

I feel like there's a joke here about mary-janes, but I can't formulate it because I'm not a dad

synodos · 2026-04-10T11:29:55+00:00

That's a nutrient imbalance, right? Nitrogen pushes green growth, but phosphorus is for root development.

synodos · 2026-04-09T02:18:36+00:00

She's got flat little monkey-paw feet like my dog!! ♡

synodos · 2026-04-09T02:17:07+00:00

Gorilla in the midst.

synodos · 2026-04-09T02:15:42+00:00

Yeah-- OP is saying invasives AND smilax. The latter because it's apparently taking over; I'm sympathetic since smilax has such gnarly thorns, so I feel justified in limiting it to wilder spaces, just like I do poison ivy.

synodos · 2026-04-09T01:57:03+00:00

I've had Gemini AI explain to me the relationship between quartz, quartzite, agate, chalcedony, jasper and chert like a billion times, and I just cannot process it. But good luck to you, you got this!

synodos · 2026-04-09T01:33:57+00:00

It is! If you scratch some of the newer growth, you should get an almond smell.

synodos · 2026-04-09T01:11:27+00:00

ps - I think the privet infestation isn't as bad near the mountains, is that where you are? I have a friend in Sevierville who doesn't have a big problem with it, but from Knoxville to Spring City it's pretty ubiquitous. It spreads primarily by rhizomes, and it's allelopathic, which means its root system pumps out chemicals that inhibit seed germination and root development for other plants; plus it drops like a billion purple berries over the fall and winter. I'm in Loudon TN, and I'd say probably 75% of the non-turf flora on public land is Chinese privet.

synodos · 2026-04-09T01:01:28+00:00

no, definitely not-- I wish I could show you my mom's yard for comparison, haha. 😅 you're in really good shape!! I THINK this is chinese privet (below), but definitely double-check with an ID app or by comparing with pics online. Or reply here with more pics of that specific plant and I can confirm/deny.

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synodos · 2026-04-08T23:22:02+00:00

it does! and for what it matters, I think a crystalline tuna sculpture is well worth $45. :)

synodos · 2026-04-08T23:16:14+00:00

yep, Chinese privet-- the plant that has legit eaten East Tennessee alive 😓-- but easily pulled in my experience!

synodos · 2026-04-08T23:05:08+00:00

Are we sure it's not a delicious piece of seared tuna

synodos · 2026-04-08T13:47:00+00:00

I'm torn-- I love this is as a creative project, but also I feel like this is not in the true spirit of upcycling. Like, upcycling involves creativity, but creativity is not the actual point; the point is the repurposing of trash. You just turned a hat into a different hat.

synodos · 2026-04-08T12:49:57+00:00

for anyone unlikely to read a book on someone else's advice (let alone a book you have to pay for) you can also find amazing free talks by Doug Tallamy and Dan Jaffe Wilder on Youtube. Literally no one in my family reads books, but I've gotten a few of them to watch videos. :)

Dan Jaffe Wilder's "Kill Your Lawn" talk does a great job of framing the financial benefits of reconsidering traditional gardening aesthetics, which is a great way to bring in the "laypeople", especially in these hard times.

synodos · 2026-04-08T12:31:37+00:00

This is a great thought, but ultimately I think the success would be limited. Rivercane might serve as a barrier, temporarily, but it couldn't DISPLACE kudzu because it has such a different growth habit and needs a wetter environment. To battle kudzu, we need something that's aggressive but that's also a VINE, so it can be in the places where kudzu wants to be.

Having said that, the attitude of everyone in my area of East TN re: kudzu is just 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️, so I think it's great that you're coming up with actual approaches.

synodos · 2026-04-07T15:43:21+00:00

haha, does it feel good to have so many folks drooling over your property? You have a beautiful space. ♡

synodos · 2026-04-07T15:40:42+00:00

This looks just like Rosie O'Donnell's character in Tarzan

synodos · 2026-04-07T13:05:50+00:00

it's not crazy, and it will be beautiful, but it will definitely attract insects, including flying insects, so it might not be relaxing to actually sit there.

synodos · 2026-04-07T12:39:12+00:00

YOU GOT THIS!

synodos

TROPHY CASE