DickTater

I like TFP but do agree they can be rigid. If you know the makeup of the chemicals you can do your own thing if you’re competent.

I think chlorine pucks and liquid makes sense for your pool.

I use a test kit from tfttestkits.com

It uses Taylor reagents and is highly recommended and accurate.

I have salt pool, I keep my salt around 3000 ppm. I don’t over do it bc we get so much rain I end up washing out excess salt so would be wasteful.

I add acid, calcium, and cya individually.

I added boric acid to try to help stabilize the ph rise (didn’t notice much difference), but as mentioned above the summer wash out was too great and boric acid is costly.

I keep my ph around 7.8 during summer ..kids eyes like higher

My salt cell is off right now, not gonna be much chance of algae bloom with water being so cold.

If you’re saying you planted tomato seeds outside directly into your beds, then yes it is way too cold for them to germinate. Soil temps are hovering around 40 right now, they need 70 +.

Most people start tomatoes inside under grow lights in advance of planting.

I would try to plant in masses so it looks more natural. Nature usually has multiple trees in close proximity. It helps with wind shear and adds visual interest.
Around a pond you would try 3 cypress in a triangle shape or a cluster of oaks(not live oak) in an open space …odd numbers usually are more appealing.

Also if near house, deciduous trees along the east and west.
Trees on west side will shade home in summer, but allow sun to warm it in winter when trees are barren. I’ve seen big changes in my home’s temperature now that my trees have gotten large enough to cover the west side in summer! Have fun with it, pick multiple varieties. Shumard oaks have wonderful fall foliage. Try to pick native species. Red swamp maple is another great option.
Willow oaks grow well here with a more columnar growth habit if want closer to the home.
Live oak, maple, and cypress are great for hurricane territory…native and have the ability to make it through storms !

Harvested a late season guava !
Man that thing was good, completely different flavor than what I had a few months ago. It was much smaller but I’ll take small for that flavor ! Any specific Amendments that guavas like to improve fruit flavor ?


Also had a tragedy with my super Hass avocado. A few months ago it got caught on fire by a pine straw bale and a weed torch (that’s what you get trying to not use herbicides)
It took half the tree down, it had started to recover and we got the last cold snap, I had my heater setup in the greenhouse over it, and I just wasn’t thinking.The heater was aimed up towards the tree, and not just at the ground. So basically cooked the tree for 2 days straight. I cut it back, but the branches look terrible, leathery and black..I’ve seen this before.

Not very hopeful.


Saxon Becnel has some super Hass that will be getting put out in 6 weeks, plan to get one for a replacement in the event that this one dies off.
I’ve considered topping it completely and hoping it rebounds come spring.


Good news is my Reed is about to bloom and I’ve learned a lot having 2 to care for.

That’s gardening!

Pickering is much more full around 30” from dirt ..development of good scaffolds happening..DH taller but a bit more spindly and less developed
They’re in 16 gal pots now


[/url] [url=LINK ] [/url] [url=LINK ] [/url][/img]

My satsuma didn’t bloom last spring but decided to bloom and set fruit about 6 weeks ago …loaded with marble size fruit lol.
Guess I just let it be? Or will this affect the next bloom?

Also my dwarf Hawaiian tried to push panicles and flower then stopped. The Pickering is still hanging out unbothered.

Don’t want either to set fruit this year anyways.

I have 2 in ground. I posted a few times in the tropical thread about them.

Super Hass and a Reed.
SH been in ground 18 months
Reed about a year.

They’re both doing very well. I have them planted on mounds..needed for drainage.
I know my drainage is good bc I also have lavender growing at the base as a living mulch, which is thriving, a notoriously hard thing to grow in Louisiana.

I harvested fruit from the SH last year, it did not flower bc of snow storm this year, covered with heat, it completely defoliated but was alive. It flushed new growth, and I’m hopeful for next year.

The reed did much better through the cold 9’ at my house with same care. It flowered and put on fruit, but ultimately aborted it. I think next year it will hold.

SuperHass



Reed

Good news. Have you gotten any fruit from it yet?

I have one planted as well. Was bare root a year ago, I let it get some decent scaffolds this year. Always hard pruning young trees but hope it sets me up for success. I have about 10 fruit (stone, apple, pear, citrus ) in a single area plan is to keep them all smallish, backyard orchard culture style.

Mr maple


Baton Rouge variety back in stock for those who are looking!

Yea did you not use the Scott’s and also not apply anything else ? If so that’s on you.

Most in here recommend separate applications of herbicide, fertilizer and pre emergent.

Now if you’re strapped for time then convenience wins and you may need to use combo products, but usually there not as effective as single source applications.