Winter chores - copper spray dilemma

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   At last a break in the weather, all my shallots and garlic bulbs are planted!This year half of them were free. I let a half dozen of each from last year grow on and divide. There is still enough cold weather to set the bulbs before the longer days kick in.
Feels good - the long slide to summer has begun, and...(drumroll) the first lamb was born on Bastille Day! There are four now, two singles and one twins. Sooo cute.
I have planned what I am going to do in the vege patch this year - I was really taken with the three sisters idea, and have set aside space for twelve mounds. I turned the soil over today so that the frost can get at it and hopefully kill off a few nasties. The local saw mill is dropping off a cubic meter of untreated sawdust this week so after a couple of frosts I can fertilize, lime and blanket ready for spring.
I am hunting for Jerusalem artichokes - none of the local garden centres seem to have them, but I know I can get them online.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is calm - so I am thinking to copper spray as soon as the sun is up. I am in two minds about this, but I have to deal with heavy lichen infestation of my fruit trees. Any ideas on a more organic solution? If I don't do something this winter I will lose the trees which are now ten years old.

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Effigy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chef Joined: 17 June 2013 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 633	Post Options Post Reply Quote Effigy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Winter chores - copper spray dilemma Posted: 15 July 2013 at 01:42
	At last a break in the weather, all my shallots and garlic bulbs are planted! This year half of them were free. I let a half dozen of each from last year grow on and divide. There is still enough cold weather to set the bulbs before the longer days kick in. Feels good - the long slide to summer has begun, and...(drumroll) the first lamb was born on Bastille Day! There are four now, two singles and one twins. Sooo cute. I have planned what I am going to do in the vege patch this year - I was really taken with the three sisters idea, and have set aside space for twelve mounds. I turned the soil over today so that the frost can get at it and hopefully kill off a few nasties. The local saw mill is dropping off a cubic meter of untreated sawdust this week so after a couple of frosts I can fertilize, lime and blanket ready for spring. I am hunting for Jerusalem artichokes - none of the local garden centres seem to have them, but I know I can get them online. The weather forecast for tomorrow is calm - so I am thinking to copper spray as soon as the sun is up. I am in two minds about this, but I have to deal with heavy lichen infestation of my fruit trees. Any ideas on a more organic solution? If I don't do something this winter I will lose the trees which are now ten years old.
	Resident Peasant

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HistoricFoodie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 21 February 2012 Location: Kentucky Status: Offline Points: 4945	Post Options Post Reply Quote HistoricFoodie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 July 2013 at 06:43
	Anne, nowadays they use the more modern name "Sunchokes." So you might look for them under than name.

Effigy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chef Joined: 17 June 2013 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 633	Post Options Post Reply Quote Effigy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 August 2013 at 17:46
	I found some in an online auction, down here they are still called Jerusalem Artichokes, although the sunchoke name is known - its just not used here.
	Resident Peasant