New Garden

[custosnox]

$20 drip irrigation kit.  This should be more than what you need.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Orbit-Vegetable-Garden-Drip-Kit/16564921

Orbit Timer (keep the recept, they break at least once every two years and I go get another one.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Orbit-1-Dial-Electronic-Hose-Timer/16332345?findingMethod=rr

If you like roses, go to Depot/lowes and buy the $4.50 roses in the bag.  They should be on clearance soon.  It takes about two years for them to really root in well, but after that, they are fantastic.  If you want security, look for a 'Climbing Joseph's Coat'.  It's a great rose that has more thorns than anything I have ever seen.  I just call them "The Devil".

Still going to be a bit before we can afford even that, so will will be having to do the hand watering for a bit.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Still going to be a bit before we can afford even that, so will will be having to do the hand watering for a bit.

Or check out Roses, Inc. for some pretty good roses and good information if needed. 

[lalumna]

My climbing Joseph's Coat was not resistant to black spot at all. However, when I did get it under control, the blooms were beautiful. No water on the leaves is definitely important.

[TheArtist]

   Well, I am now a Chicken Farmer.  

We have 4 little chickens.  Look out Tyson, here we come.  

We have Hyacinth (who seems to be the lead chicken and bosses everyone around) , our Rose (who is in black as she has probably lost another boyfriend and is in mourning or wishes to visit the Vicar and live in a convent) , our Daisy (is short and pudgy and has the feathered feet reminiscent of house slippers) and there is of course our Violet (who is the dainty small one, she does not have a sauna, but there may be room for a small pony).  No Richard or Onslo for have found out they are illegal in the city.

Pictures to come soon.

[Gaspar]

  Well, I am now a Chicken Farmer.  

We have 4 little chickens.  Look out Tyson, here we come.  

We have Hyacinth (who seems to be the lead chicken and bosses everyone around) , our Rose (who is in black as she has probably lost another boyfriend and is in mourning or wishes to visit the Vicar and live in a convent) , our Daisy (is short and pudgy and has the feathered feet reminiscent of house slippers) and there is of course our Violet (who is the dainty small one, she does not have a sauna, but there may be room for a small pony).  No Richard or Onslo for have found out they are illegal in the city.

Pictures to come soon.

My wife would love that, unfortunately we have a Cooper's Hawk and several large barn owls that would make quick business of a chicken.  They have become so unafraid of us that they will sit on the fence in the back while we are out there and pick small birds off of the trees.

[DolfanBob]

  Well, I am now a Chicken Farmer.  

We have 4 little chickens.  Look out Tyson, here we come.  

We have Hyacinth (who seems to be the lead chicken and bosses everyone around) , our Rose (who is in black as she has probably lost another boyfriend and is in mourning or wishes to visit the Vicar and live in a convent) , our Daisy (is short and pudgy and has the feathered feet reminiscent of house slippers) and there is of course our Violet (who is the dainty small one, she does not have a sauna, but there may be room for a small pony).  No Richard or Onslo for have found out they are illegal in the city.

Pictures to come soon.

I love the references to "Keeping Up Appearances" great show.

[Red Arrow]

My wife would love that, unfortunately we have a Cooper's Hawk and several large barn owls that would make quick business of a chicken.  They have become so unafraid of us that they will sit on the fence in the back while we are out there and pick small birds off of the trees.

We had a Red Shouldered Hawk a few weekends ago.  I got a picture of it just as it took off from a pole.  It matches this:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/birds/falconiformes/Buteo%2520lineatus/Red-shouldered%2520Hawk,%2520flying%2520%28Duck%2520Ponds,%2520Jan.%29b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/birds/falconiformes/Buteo%2520lineatus/Buteo%2520lineatus.htm&h=343&w=480&sz=57&tbnid=WWMrEXoGWSxQWM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=126&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dred%2Bshouldered%2Bhawk%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=red+shouldered+hawk&docid=FHV0GeY-WmTdNM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VESDT_SKMYL30gHbyJnuBw&sqi=2&ved=0CFMQ9QEwBA&dur=695

Sorry for the long URL.

I forgot to mention that I often hear owls in the area but haven't been able to identify them.

I am actually hoping the hawks and owls do a bit of squirrel control.  Those little furry tailed rats steal my tomatoes.

[Conan71]

My wife would love that, unfortunately we have a Cooper's Hawk and several large barn owls that would make quick business of a chicken.  They have become so unafraid of us that they will sit on the fence in the back while we are out there and pick small birds off of the trees.

They don't care much for the kittehs do they?

[Gaspar]

You know Red, that's a better match than the Cooper's hawk.  I must have mis-identified this little guy.

Conan, rest assured they do not have a taste for kittens, besides the "kitten" is about twice the size of this bird now!  She's a hoss!  No offense Hoss.

[Gaspar]

We've had a real squirrel problem in the past.  Got so bad a couple of years ago that I put forth an initiative to aid several of them in reaching squirrel heaven.  This year with our increased owl population we hardly have any squirrels.

7pm and 7am are owl orgy time.  They make quite a racket and give each other piggy-back rides.

[Hoss]

You know Red, that's a better match than the Cooper's hawk.  I must have mis-identified this little guy.

Conan, rest assured they do not have a taste for kittens, besides the "kitten" is about twice the size of this bird now!  She's a hoss!  No offense Hoss.

Damn, I spit my binky out on that one!

[custosnox]

we have a few squirrels and rabbits here that I will have to keep an eye on.  

[Gaspar]

we have a few squirrels and rabbits here that I will have to keep a cross-hair on.  

That's how you do it. ^^^

[custosnox]

That's how you do it. ^^^

Been eyeballin the red ryder anniversary bb gun at wally world

[heironymouspasparagus]

My climbing Joseph's Coat was not resistant to black spot at all. However, when I did get it under control, the blooms were beautiful. No water on the leaves is definitely important.

At least critical, if not mandatory!

Black spot resistance...

Martha's Vineyard is an Oklahoma proven bush style that is very resistant.  Ours have been blooming at Christmas in the mild winters we have been having for so long.  Last two years, they were done by Thanksgiving, though.  It is right at 30 years old and going very strong.

Lady Banks roses (climbers) bloom once per year and then give magnificent foliage - yellow and white are available (may be others - not sure).  There is a nice old one at Hardscapes over a gateway, just to northwest of end of main sales building.  Has been cut down recently with some damage from last year's winter and then heat, but it will be back I think (if they don't cut it out...)

Seven Sisters is a magnificent rose that is just huge if you let it go.  I plan to grow a few thousand to make into a "hedgerow" along the lines of what they had in Europe that gave our soldiers such a hard time after D-day.  Not much smell, though.  Straight canes that will grow 8 to 10 feet tall and make an amazingly dense root area.  Not for the faint hearted, and needs to be in a larger space, but the rewards for this one are an amazing array of blooms.

Stay away from hybrid tea's if you want to avoid black spot.  Or put them far apart (see Tulsa Rose Garden at Woodward park).

We have another climber (pink) that is extremely fragrant - kind of takes over the yard, actually.  Cannot remember the flavor, but will ask SWMBO if interested.  Very resistant to black spot.

Disclaimer - climbers need lots of room.  They will take over if you give them the chance.  Literally.