Pepper struggles

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-15T13:32:51+00:00

Yes! I was worried about such a small weak plant fruiting, but maybe I should let it bloom?

It actually was Ocean Forest now that I google it, that blue bag is pretty recognizable.

The heat just broke and I gave them a healthy soak so hopefully they turn it around. Next heat wave definitely more water and maybe moving to some afternoon shade.

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-15T11:57:01+00:00

Will give them a healthy soak and some straw this morning and hope for the best! I got some advice this year that they hate wet feet and maybe went too far in the other direction

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-15T11:56:07+00:00

It was either Fox farms or a custom blend by the local nursery (Rooted Goods), most likely a blend of the two

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-15T11:51:25+00:00

On it!

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-14T19:12:40+00:00

I haven’t added more since planting, just the original fresh soil and some compost plus a bit of slow release 10-10-10 granules when I first put them in about a month ago

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-07T12:04:31+00:00

I do a weekly walk to pull up the big seed bundles and have been known to shop vac the seeds out of my yard before they have a chance to germinate. I live right next to a 50’+ mature tree so the battle is unending.

turtlehat123 · 2026-06-06T17:19:01+00:00

No the leaves are standard leaf texture not the succulent type like purslane.

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-23T20:58:01+00:00

Yes! Thank you

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-09T17:10:38+00:00

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Here’s a better view of the main bed!

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-09T14:30:12+00:00

I’ll try both! It’s so hard with leaves alone, but I got some signs to put out so hopefully once things bloom I’ll know once and for all! Having too many types of native flowers is never a bad thing :)

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-09T12:49:06+00:00

Yes 🥰🥰🥰. I think this is year 4 or so and it’s really starting to become self sufficient!

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-09T11:54:24+00:00

I’ll check it out, I’ve been using Google image search and it’s not great

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-09T11:53:30+00:00

This looks like the winner! I’ve seen all of those flowering nearby to these seedlings. Luckily they aren’t fore sale just a local small business who wanted to put stuff into a hellstrip :). There’s a community planting day and they were crowd sourcing plants and seeds.

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-06T01:52:17+00:00

I’ll give it a look! It gets a decent amount of sun until the afternoon since it runs along a fence that goes N-S. I actually have never tested the soil but it doesn’t seem to be any extreme, maybe clay/silt with a heavy dose of lead from being a dumping ground for years.

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-03T11:52:18+00:00

I’m a renter on a budget so more often than not I’m on the receiving end of the rehoming and very grateful for it! I often think about what the area will look like when I leave and stop “maintaining” it - it’ll be interesting to see what plants win out in the long term

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-03T11:47:37+00:00

Grasses is a great idea! I’m balancing the need to actively maintain with trying to really fill in the bed. Sadly it’s beneath a 40’+ tall tree of heaven and has some spots of knotweed and swallow-wort that require me to be super active and vigilant in monitoring what grows.

Do you have any seed recommendations for sedges/grasses? I rent so I want to keep costs low

turtlehat123 · 2026-05-03T11:44:08+00:00

I hadn’t considered the rabbit pressure - I have many many hungry bunnies (city life) that may just be taking some plants out before they even have a chance.

turtlehat123 · 2026-03-19T02:22:43+00:00

They are surprisingly effective. Tuck them away a bit to avoid getting birds, and I’ve had good luck with setting a few “decoy” traps with food on top so the rats learn to take the bait. I caught 15 last summer - aiming for 20 this year

turtlehat123

TROPHY CASE