Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / September 2008

I just heard about this: Comcast is ending newsgroup support :(
http://www.comcast.net/newsgroups/
For those that use comcast newsgroups here on rec.gardens.
I believe they are many here. Use Web based support groups or pay extra

(Skip ahead to "The Question Is:" if you want to skip the survival
commentary and get to the gardening question.)
I was doing a little project about finding a way to grow uncontaminated
food after an all out nuclear war. Turns out areas hit by radioactive

Just thought I'd be wicked and wave my figs under Tim's nose innit!
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/temp/figgies_001.jpg (22KB)
and for those who are interested, the hunza sapling (stage right, and
disappearing upwards out of frame) with the Black Hamburg behind it, and

For years birds and squirrels would get to my figs before me.  This
year I was able to keep the birds and squirrels off with a net.  So
this year my fig are being eaten by ants and wasps.

Anybody try the new advertised miracle grass seed   " Patch Perfect "

I was was watching a cooking show this morning while pondering a seed
catalogue and they mentioned an Italian variety of tomato that they were
calling an ever lasting tomato.  It looked bigger than a cherry tomato but
smaller than a regular tomato and I was hoping some one might ...

I have a 30' tall cedar elm that, within the last week or so, has
dropped a substantial number of leaves, seed pods, and the short
lengths of stem they are attached to. These leaves are green, though
by the time I see them on the ground under the tree, they are kind of

I have a bay laurel in a pot in the kitchen window (killer frosts are
predicted this week and the winter her is severe) and, after a season of
vigorous growth, it needs cutting back and shaping.
What is the best time for pruning?

I don't remember exactly what lead me to this idea, but the
conversation was centered around the impending and inevitable
breackdown in society. The thought occurred to me, "What will happen
when the trucks stop coming?"

Where's the best place to buy compost worms? Bunnings etc?
What sort should I get?

Sure would like to have reports of how well the propane weed killers work.
They sure look simple.  Are they that good?  Do you get good "mileage" out
of a tank?
Also, how does the flame get lit?

I live in a very windy part of the country with a prevailing wind that
comes straight up the valley at the end of my garden and carries up
the garden until it hits my house.  The wind can be quite persistent
and is often quite strong.  Often it can be very blustery.

I had posted to the OGD that I hoped our Texas friends were doing OK after
hurricane Ike when I realized that secondary tornadoes were felt as far
north as Cincinatti Ohio. (I don't watch the news anymore, my bad)
Anyway, Tennis posted that he's OK in Columbus:

Just wanted to share a way kewl Web site that has full explanations
of dividing perennials according to root type.
Site has good videos to illustrate explanations.
http://tinyurl.com/4ay63p

There are other arguments against "industrial" agriculture but this is
the first I came up with.
The Fatal Harvest Reader by Andrew Kimbrell (Editor)
http://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Harvest-Reader-Andrew-Kimbrell/dp/155963944X/