Nostr notes by Linda Ballinger

Okay, the second bed will have to wait for its mulch. But I did ...

2026-10-24T18:00:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…0a27
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Okay, the second bed will have to wait for its mulch. But I did manage to re-plant the rhubarb I dug out from beside the raised bed this morning. Not where I wanted to plant it, because I wasn’t strong enough to dig there. But hopefully it manages to live where I was able to put it. #gardening

Having a very “why did I choose a house whose yard is all ...

2026-10-24T16:09:55Z

Having a very “why did I choose a house whose yard is all hill?” day. Only one raised bed in the back is mulched for the winter and I am ded.

Cover crop is covering. #gardening ...

2026-10-17T16:33:49Z

Cover crop is covering. #gardening

The crimson clover cover crop is sprouting nicely, but I decided ...

2026-10-06T20:25:41Z

The crimson clover cover crop is sprouting nicely, but I decided to broadcast more seeds to cover the bare spots. #gardening

My commitment to a wildlife friendly yard is being tested today. ...

2026-09-30T21:32:02Z

My commitment to a wildlife friendly yard is being tested today. Something is now getting right next to the house to eat hostas. I don’t care that much about the hostas, but this does not bode well for my raised vegetable beds. And something did already get into one of the tall raised beds and took out all the beets. I’m going to have to come up with some solutions before next spring. 🙁 #gardening

Trying a cover crop for the first time for one of my raised beds. ...

2026-09-30T18:23:09Z

Trying a cover crop for the first time for one of my raised beds. It’s crimson clover, and went in the bed I won’t need until it’s time to plant warm weather crops. Otherwise I’d just be covering it with deep mulch and/or cardboard, so I’d rather feed the soil and pollinators instead.🤞 #gardening

#gardening Bat-Signal Does anyone know what this white stuff is, ...

2026-09-04T14:22:09Z

#gardening Bat-Signal Does anyone know what this white stuff is, and whether I should worry about it? For reference, central Pennsylvania and a raised bed.

But the poor owl looks so embarrassed.

2026-08-17T00:05:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…7s8p
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But the poor owl looks so embarrassed.

I have yet to get a picture of the monarch butterflies that have ...

2026-08-14T15:07:34Z

I have yet to get a picture of the monarch butterflies that have been visiting, so have a sliver spotted skipper. #gardening

Among the many things I will never understand, the most ...

2026-08-07T16:56:29Z

Among the many things I will never understand, the most annoyingly mysterious (right now) is the difference between SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams. No matter which one I check to find a thing, it will inevitably be in one of the others. If I can find it at all.

On a happier #gardening note, this butterfly weed (Asclepias ...

2026-08-06T13:19:06Z

On a happier #gardening note, this butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) volunteered in the area I cleared of invasive saplings back in the spring.

Welp, my deer-free days are definitely over. The past 4+ years I ...

2026-08-06T13:15:17Z

Welp, my deer-free days are definitely over. The past 4+ years I had no sign of them, based on all the un-eaten hostas. I thought the carrot greens in my raised bed looked nibbled on a couple days ago, but no other signs there for now. #gardening

Harvested the last of the cucumbers and carrots, and all of the ...

2026-08-01T19:57:56Z

Harvested the last of the cucumbers and carrots, and all of the rutabagas and potatoes. The potato harvest was kind of meh this year. Maybe because I was late in hilling them up. This is only my second try with them, so who knows. #gardening

Finally got carrots to work for me! #gardening ...

2026-07-22T00:47:44Z

Finally got carrots to work for me! #gardening

My first attempt at growing cucumbers is going well. It’s ...

2026-07-14T00:30:09Z

My first attempt at growing cucumbers is going well. It’s living up to the cucumber reputation of “nothing, nothing, nothing, hey! where did you come from?!” #gardening

I have once again failed to grow beets. The turnips, however, did ...

2026-06-15T22:11:46Z

I have once again failed to grow beets. The turnips, however, did well again. They were both in the same raised bed, so I guess I’ll just try a different variety of beets, maybe even as a fall crop. #gardening

Catbirds sure are fearless. Especially when you’ve unearthed ...

2026-06-06T11:53:14Z

Catbirds sure are fearless. Especially when you’ve unearthed tasty treats with your weeding. #gardening

I've made the difficult decision to pull out the shelling pea ...

2026-06-03T16:52:02Z

I've made the difficult decision to pull out the shelling pea plants. The extended cold this spring really stunted their growth. They aren't even a quarter as tall as they would normally be by now, much less being anywhere close to flowering. The snap peas might still make it, so I'll leave them in. #gardening

Trying out the plastic bag method of winter sowing. So far: ...

2026-01-18T18:14:20Z

Trying out the plastic bag method of winter sowing. So far: rudbeckia, echinacea, anise hyssop, sideoats, and nettles. 🤞 #gardening

Harris is new to me. What do you like best about them?

2026-01-08T20:07:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…appz
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Harris is new to me. What do you like best about them?

Hi #gardening folks, especially ones in or around zone 6: what ...

2026-01-02T18:02:34Z

Hi #gardening folks, especially ones in or around zone 6: what are your favorite snap beans to grow and eat? I’m open to bush or pole varieties, as long as they’re on the smaller side in growth habit.

I’ve started re-reading some of the earliest #gardening books I ...

2025-12-21T15:58:46Z

I’ve started re-reading some of the earliest #gardening books I acquired, and am enjoying how much more I’m getting out of them with a little context under my belt now.

Daikon radishes, my last harvest of 2025 #gardening ...

2025-11-15T14:08:39Z

Daikon radishes, my last harvest of 2025 #gardening

Per their latest announcement ...

2025-09-24T16:06:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…0vep
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Per their latest announcement (https://dp.la/about/a-new-home-for-americas-digital-heritage) the plan for the Free Library of Philadelphia becoming the home for the digital collection aggregation is no longer an option.

Well, crap. (DPLA-related subtoot)

2025-09-24T15:32:54Z

Well, crap.

(DPLA-related subtoot)

Harvesting and pruning tomatoes this morning. It’s so hard to ...

2025-08-30T14:26:01Z

Harvesting and pruning tomatoes this morning. It’s so hard to cut back vines with tiny green fruit, but they’ll never grow to maturity in time. And many more need the sun so they can. Meanwhile the zinnias make everything around them cheerful, especially the bees. #gardening

Well, at least a few things are going well. #gardening ...

2025-08-16T12:07:30Z

Well, at least a few things are going well. #gardening

I have also discovered Mastodon’s version of the Fail Whale. ...

2025-08-08T12:52:44Z

I have also discovered Mastodon’s version of the Fail Whale.

I mean, I do need a large amount right now, and all those plastic ...

2025-08-07T15:05:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…2q67
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I mean, I do need a large amount right now, and all those plastic bags of wood chips really add up, not to mention all those plastic bags. And I don't have to figure out how to get a smaller bulk purchase home. So I'm just going to assume it will be worth it. #gardening

Welp, I've just signed up for wood chips. They could arrive ...

2025-08-07T14:51:39Z

Welp, I've just signed up for wood chips. They could arrive any day, any time, in any amount, with no warning. But they're free! Fingers crossed this doesn't turn into a "be careful what you wish for" situation. #gardening

So far in #gardening this morning: tied winter squash to trellis ...

2025-07-26T12:35:14Z

So far in #gardening this morning: tied winter squash to trellis to start encouraging it to climb, mulched around bases of said squash, got maybe a third of the tomatoes pruned back, freed a clump of monarda from the bindweed and staked it while a bee happily visited each bloom. Break now, then another round before it gets too hot.

Nostr event nevent1qqs96zdn9ydpugduck7a6y7s43fcpnf8hgw6sw0mau8f0ycraagg2tszypaafyle2us0wnv390qjahxe03y3fq6049yzanycrc2sghezjep3yayvxe4

2025-07-22T00:14:28Z

Going to bed at 8:00 because (gestures vaguely) everything.

And here’s the trellis, just in time; these peas want to climb! ...

2025-05-23T13:13:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…evgv
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And here’s the trellis, just in time; these peas want to climb! #gardening

And they’re in! One CrimsonCrisp and one William’s Pride. ...

2025-05-22T18:57:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…4vf0
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And they’re in! One CrimsonCrisp and one William’s Pride.

My apple trees are getting planted! And a sturdy trellis for the ...

2025-05-22T16:44:38Z

My apple trees are getting planted! And a sturdy trellis for the peas! #gardening

Today I planted a whole bunch of seeds. Now I am lying on the ...

2025-04-17T19:57:36Z

Today I planted a whole bunch of seeds. Now I am lying on the floor and Stanley is “helping”. #gardening

My wee fig tree is potted, and my broad bean seedlings are giving ...

2025-04-09T16:34:07Z

My wee fig tree is potted, and my broad bean seedlings are giving the outdoors a try for the first time. It's still too cold at night to transplant them, but I hope it warms up enough soon; they're getting leggy! #gardening

High hopes! #gardening ...

2025-04-09T15:27:08Z

High hopes! #gardening

The crocuses I planted last fall live!!! #gardening ...

2025-03-20T17:54:29Z

The crocuses I planted last fall live!!! #gardening

A new #gardening adventure! ...

2025-03-13T14:57:35Z

A new #gardening adventure!

This morning I finished cleaning some #gardening tools, after ...

2025-02-17T16:18:55Z

This morning I finished cleaning some #gardening tools, after soaking them in vinegar all weekend to remove the rust (I know, I know, I'm trying to do better). It worked great, but my hands still smell of vinegar and scouring powder.

What to do with a weekend of snow and ice storms when the ...

2025-02-15T12:41:56Z

What to do with a weekend of snow and ice storms when the #gardening bug is biting hard? Revisit the book stash, plan, and dream.

I spent some time over lunch getting the small frozen waterfall ...

2025-01-29T17:32:25Z

I spent some time over lunch getting the small frozen waterfall going again now that we have a balmy few days in the high 30s and low 40s F. A few minutes later I was able to collect my reward ❤️🐦‍⬛

And, suddenly, I have a cunning plan… #gardening ...

2024-12-23T15:42:45Z

And, suddenly, I have a cunning plan… #gardening

I’ve finally succumbed to the next level of #gardening ...

2024-12-20T18:22:37Z

I’ve finally succumbed to the next level of #gardening obsession and ordered a seed starting kit and grow light.

Planted crocus bulbs rather haphazardly in a bed I finally had ...

2024-11-29T18:33:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…xrum
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Planted crocus bulbs rather haphazardly in a bed I finally had cleared of inherited shrubs and invasive volunteer trees🤞 #gardening

Unpacked some allium bulbs I bought I-don’t-know-when ago and ...

2024-11-29T16:24:47Z

Unpacked some allium bulbs I bought I-don’t-know-when ago and didn’t get into the ground. Given that they crumbled to dust, I’m guessing it’s too late now 😬 #gardening

My first seed catalog of 2025 has arrived 🌱🌻 💚 ...

2024-11-18T22:58:57Z

My first seed catalog of 2025 has arrived 🌱🌻 💚 #gardening

Nostr event nevent1qqsz2m4autt0acl3gkyf8mxr5gg5khvt4lmgxq6f7e55mlmwdfau7vgzypaafyle2us0wnv390qjahxe03y3fq6049yzanycrc2sghezjep3y8adzcx

2024-08-31T16:30:16Z

My left arm wants nothing to do with today. Still worth it 1000% 💉💉

Harvested almost 1.5 lbs tomatillos these last few days. After ...

2024-08-28T12:25:58Z

Harvested almost 1.5 lbs tomatillos these last few days. After some started dropping, I picked the ones with faded husks that were also loose. There are many more to come. #gardening

Sadly for the people I meet with, my cats are so over Zoom ...

2024-08-19T14:51:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…xeq4
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Sadly for the people I meet with, my cats are so over Zoom meetings.

Stanley has once again noticed that I have been ripping out ...

2024-08-17T17:32:22Z

Stanley has once again noticed that I have been ripping out catmint. #gardening

Nostr event nevent1qqsgsn7hympe0x0pg5pckf6f4fug2hxh3jujktr87fpk68zelaek0kqzypaafyle2us0wnv390qjahxe03y3fq6049yzanycrc2sghezjep3yhu5u9y

2024-08-02T16:20:39Z

bees

I’ve never seen a bee grooming itself before. Impressive ...

2024-08-02T16:20:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…r8dz
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I’ve never seen a bee grooming itself before. Impressive flexibility! #gardening

#introduction Just starting to get settled in, so the most ...

2022-11-18T17:42:43Z

#introduction Just starting to get settled in, so the most important things first. Meet my #cats Maggie and Stanley. They've been working on their first album for seven years, but they only sort of get along, so don't expect it soon. The title track will be Never Been Fed Blues.