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So does plastic block UV light? Because the hoop house tomatoes are delicious, although they do get direct sun from the east and west. In Madison, not too far from here, they grow tomatoes all winter. It seems like that would not be practical in Maine, but their business is expanding. The...

I grew 5 kinds of melon this year, and two were very successful. The most prolific was "Dove", almost white flesh and very sweet. I did get a one cantaloupe and one or two delicious green-fleshed melon. Those are my preference, and apparently a strong preference of the rats around here...

Nice bike! Is the fear of riding about falling, or traffic (or both)? My friend who rides invites me to join her sometimes, but I stopped going on winding roads with no shoulder, - too scary for me. There are some rail trails around here, where they've pulled up the old tracks and I really...

This is the eastern-most point in the U.S., but it was a sunset, not a sunrise. Taken 2 weeks ago while enjoying vacation. They have taken the old coast guard station at Quoddy Head and turned the 4 bedroom station house into lodging for rent. Cool place with great views!

If I run down the road, I often grab a can on the way home. I like to think I'm getting paid for running (rather low pay) or perhaps all the nickels will eventually pay for a pair of running shoes. Sometimes I feel a little awkward running by a neighbor with an empty beer, but usually no one...

I hate when it is too hot to move around, unless I am by a body of water. It is going to be in the 80's today, but is only 60 degrees right now. Perfect time to head out.

Thanks for the porch complements. DH gets all the credit, as he is our builder. He didn't pour the slab though, -those guys were here pouring our basement. We wanted colored concrete, they wanted $1500 (just for the color). While they were smoothing out the slab, DH sprinkled concrete dyes on...

I love our new screened porch. It has some unfinished parts, but I enjoy meals and entertaining out there, as well as reading in the hammock! In the top photo we need siding, and there is junk that needs to go down in the basement piled around, but at least it is bug-free.

Thanks for the quick replies! Your posts led to our reading about the box elder bug, which in turn led to photos of "similar species". I think what we have is milkweed bugs (oncopeltus fasciatus). It is also relatively harmless. Why the list of "53 beetles in Maine" does not include milkweed...

This beetle has been showing up mostly around fruit. I first found it clustered around high bush blueberries that had bent low, with berries touching the ground. Since then, I've seen it on the raspberries and around the strawberries as well. If it is a destructive pest, I'd like to control...

We are forecast to have 4 days of showery weather with high temperatures in the 60's and 70's. It has been so dry that I am thrilled to have a break from watering. It will also be a good time to do some work outside, even if I get wet. Weather has been picture perfect (80's and sunny) for a...

Glad they figured this out quickly and you are starting to feel better. Kudos to you for losing weight and starting to move around more. It sounds like you are being cautious and are going to feel better than ever.

I look for varieties that do well in the north (and taste good). I need to learn about saving seed, since I basically know nothing about it. Can I save seed from my Cherokee Purple tomato if it is grown right next to a whole bunch of other varieties? I do save some of my seed from dry...

Someday I would like to try growing corn for cornmeal here. I tried once, but started too late with a long-season variety. I usually don't experienced problems with crows, but raccoons will eat every ear.

It is early here. We were eating greens and spinach, but they are bolting now. Picked some garlic scares yesterday. The strangest thing I ate was a full size eggplant. The plants in the hoop house are always ahead of the game, but it will be awhile before tomatoes and more eggplant are...

Just added mine.

Oh, bummer. I hope your plants survive. We've had peppers and tomatoes get some serious spring frost (not this year) and grow new leaves afterwards. I think the squash and cukes are more tender. Good luck with the weather!

Thanks for the vinegar tip. I'll need it when summer arrives. Right now though, DH is threatening to build a fire. It's been in the 60s, but now it's clouding up, with 40s overnight and high of 59 tomorrow. It is going to warm up and become sunny at the end of next week, but these...

We had 90's last weekend, 60's now. Our main spring feature is lack of rain. I've been watering the dusty garden everyday, but the lawn is starting to get brownish patches. They are promising an inch of rain tomorrow, so relief is in sight. I still have some direct seeding to do, and a whole...

I used shade cloth attached to a wire fence to separate two flocks, each with their own rooster. Out of sight, out of mind...