Richard Rollinson

retired photo lab supervisor, forester, gardener, amateur botanist. I give away vegetables. (except sweetcorn, I never share sweetcorn)
FeederWatch participant
using iNaturalist as richroll
located in Connecticut, NE US
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone borderline 6b - 7a
All photos are my own unless otherwise stated.
Richard Rollinson (npub1fqf…ajkk)">https://justmytoots.com/Richard Rollinson (npub1fqf…ajkk)

#gardening: [#zone6b](https://toot.wales/tags/zone6b )
#nature:
#horticulture:
#botany:

Public Key

npub1fqffvcwwv7veypsychyx0n39jxklzs462nr7a7a7j5v2nj6yn29stwajkk

NIP-05 Address

richrollgardener_at_toot.wales@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsysy5kv88x0xvjqczvtjr8ecjert03g2a9f3lwlwlf2x9fedzf4zcd8u74t

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Last Notes

2025-05-21 01:42:04

Inside the greenhouse, the cucurbits are sprouting nicely about a week after sowing. Outside I finally could wait no longer, the eggplant (Aubergine) had to be planted out today. It was starting to get pot bound and had actually started blossoming so out it went. Fingers crossed for some "not-too-terrible" weather.
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/114/543/221/292/905/285/original/446a41d80d6ef6c6.jpg
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/114/543/221/701/725/761/original/bb28877ce4dc0270.jpg

2025-05-21 01:15:08

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I expect to pick the first ears in the last week of July and continue picking to about 1 Sept.

2025-05-11 14:10:28

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I'm going back to rigging up some fleece to cover them.

2025-05-01 09:21:18

Here's my problem with the timing of the planting out of tomatoes. Goal: no temperatures below 50⁰F/10⁰C. Predicted overnight low for last night: 46⁰F/8⁰C ; ACTUAL overnight low 40⁰F/4⁰C. As of yesterday, the 10-day weather showed no temps below 50 after today. NOW they show sub-50 temps for 8&9 May. Couple that with my lower ACTUAL numbers means there will be no planting out for a week yet. #BeetBear does not want to get out the torch.
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#Zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://toot.wales/system/media_attachments/files/114/431/823/299/735/496/original/50cef2d0d0675685.jpg

2025-03-31 19:23:01

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So glad things are looking up for you!😀

2024-11-25 12:58:37

Just got done entering my data for week number 4 of Project Feeder Watch. Data can be viewed here:
https://data.feederwatch.org/pfw/count/summary?id=S203565384
We had 21 species and 120 individuals this week. Grackles have all gone now but more Juncos each day. My favorite has got to be the Carolina Wren; tiny bird with BIG voice and lots of style and boldness. Those little guys are FEARLESS!
#ProjectFeederWatch
#birds
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland

2024-10-12 10:10:24

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Not an expert on this, just started doing it because my garden soil is too heavy to produce good carrots. I use a 12 gal. pot. I fill the bottom third with a 50/50 mix of used/new potting mix and then fill the rest of the pot with new. (This uses a LOT of soil, thus the used mix @ bottom). I use pelleted seed and place the seed at about 1" spacing in concentric rings on top of the soil until the surface is done. I then cover the seed lightly with more soil & water it.
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/113/293/897/164/250/611/original/9104eb8f3eee30b2.jpg

2024-08-27 20:04:17

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Well done! I hope they appreciate all your hard work. 😀

2024-08-26 19:28:35

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We also enjoy our cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, blueberries, raspberries, carrots, cabbage, onions and apples! We also grow rhubarb and okra, but those are for other folks...

2024-08-26 19:14:47

Next up: Harvesting the 1600ft²/150 meter² area of the garden that has the butternut squash. Waiting for the heat to diminish and/or the rain to stop long enough for it to dry out. This is a variety called "Butter Baby" that produces fruit that is smaller than the huge ones you see in the market. Just right for the two of us. Last year we harvested 225 squashes, but I don't think this year's harvest will approach that, but we'll see...
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/113/029/884/208/744/075/original/5ceea58215943c84.jpg

2024-08-22 09:32:29

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No. The 5 per hill is intentional. You need the density of stalks, for support and to help pollination. It IS a grass, and grass likes to grow in clumps... 😀

2024-08-22 01:40:43

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There are 3 rows that are 30 feet long. Each row is planted out in 2 week intervals. There are 32 hills in each row, each containing 5 plants. Photo shows 3rd planting going in on June 22nd. Variety is called "Flagler" 😀 Overall area is about 500 square feet/46 square meters.😀
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/113/003/101/966/522/597/original/456357b8d9964aea.jpg

2024-08-21 19:59:28

Well done, good and faithful corn patch. You outdid yourself this year, supplying us with a record 219 ears of corn for the table, in spite of getting knocked down twice and raided by skunks. So long, and thanks for all the corn! See you next year. 😀 🌽
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
#BeetBear
#sweetcorn
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/113/001/748/031/338/603/original/e22816f4dc97810b.jpeg

2024-08-20 23:24:19

The garden is winding down now, but we did have a surplus to set out for the neighborhood. This is the latest I've had extra green beans and yellow squash, I think due to the lack of pests this year. Tomatoes and eggplant still going strong, too. AND we concluded our corn fest tonight with the last 9 ears from planting 3! 😀 🌽
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w #BeetBear
#sweetcorn
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2024-08-19 23:00:01

The rain stopped and the sun came out long enough for us to resume corn-fest and begin taking stock of out butternut squash crop, which will be harvested as soon as things dry out a bit more. HOWEVER, it's now rumbling and raining again. 😬 🌽
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w #BeetBear
#sweetcorn
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2024-08-18 12:25:09

It's a good morning for a cuppa on the porch. Late summer garden in the rain.
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/982/988/700/421/465/original/0d4be8f04ba7c2ba.mp4

2024-08-17 23:30:03

Got some picking done this morning ahead of the rain coming overnight. Had a good bit of surplus to put out for the neighbors to take. Surprised that the green beans are still producing! Still lots of tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. The okra crop has been meager this year, not sure why. AND corn-fest continues. With today's picking we have surpassed last year's total by one, with more to come!😀 🌽
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w #BeetBear
#sweetcorn
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/979/931/616/116/374/original/9bebbaeefa44c1c8.jpg
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2024-08-12 23:30:26

Managed to get some more picking done today. Got what is probably the last of the green beans, some beefsteak tomatoes, and some green bell peppers. Also the corn fest now continues as planting number three is now ripening. The skunks have gone on holiday, so no more losses...yet.😀
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
#sweetcorn
#BeetBear
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/951/609/211/178/818/original/4ab0261a61062b5b.jpg
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2024-08-12 23:15:35

In spite of everything that's going on, there's still beauty in this world. Was met with this lovely sight when I went out into the garden after dinner! 😀
#gardening
#Allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
#rainbow
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2024-07-07 15:44:35

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Yes, we're eating squash, cukes, tomatoes, green beans, cabbage, peppers, and beets. Surplus goes to the neighbors. Just made the 6th (and last) blueberry pie this AM. Raspberries almost ready. 😀

2024-07-06 19:30:42

With all the bouts of rain, high heat, and tropical humidity, it's been a challenge to get out and pick veg. BeetBear and I managed to get some picking done today, though and here is today's surplus getting ready to go out for the neighbors. (It was all gone in one hour.) We came back inside for a cool drink and put our feet up!😀
#BeetBear
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/741/176/887/146/086/original/b74c7bf3877cb55c.jpg
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2024-07-06 19:21:36

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I mulch where I can with what's available, but I specifically do not mulch under the squashes and cucumbers so that my "boards-on-the-ground" method of catching squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and squash beetles has a chance to work. I don't give them any other places to hide.See my earlier posts. Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, lettuce, beets, and cabbage all get heavy mulching. I have 4000ft² of garden, so I have to make choices where the limited mulch is put.😀
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/741/156/140/555/110/original/06727511a65ff261.jpg

2024-07-06 13:34:08

Some morning views of the muddy garden. As I write this there is thunder rumbling all around and it is raining again. Everything is muddy and soggy and it's been hard to get out to pick. Lots of rain. Today .8 in/20mm so far. Yesterday 1 in/25mm. Over the last two weeks a steady chain of storms totaling about 4 in/100mm of rain. Temps have been 90F/32C during the day and staying above 70F/21C at night. Plants are ok but I'm melting.
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/739/668/679/334/320/original/70709390ff49eb0f.jpg
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2024-07-02 10:46:40

Sunrise view of my sweet corn patch. The oldest row is now showing tassels. 😀
#sweetcorn
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/716/472/243/686/712/original/e1dcb2ecd3ca4c30.jpg
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2024-07-01 14:44:32

With all the heat, humidity, and rain, the veg. plot is really starting to pop. We've already had some beets, cabbage, lettuce, and tomatoes. Had a surplus of zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, and eggplant this morning to set out by the road for the neighbors to take. Lots more coming! 😀
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/711/745/374/005/628/original/0197e9af4f23e889.jpg

2024-06-27 20:21:16

BeetBear was quite delighted to select a couple of beets for tonight's chicken dinner. Also here's a "beauty shot" of the garden today. Yes, it's been too hot, but also we've been getting ample rain at just the right times, so far. Been harvesting lettuce, peppers, cabbage and beets. Green beans and squash in a few days.😀
#BeetBear
#gardening
#allotment
#NewEngland
#zone6b
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/690/390/126/485/086/original/18cba14916a238ff.jpg
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2024-05-17 23:12:57

#today I got my garden cart back from the neighbors so I was able to move all of my mature compost and use it to mulch around my tomato plants. This used up all the compost that I currently have, so the remaining area will be mulched with a mixture of leaf mold and grass clippings over the course of the season as they become available. While I was doing that, #BeetBear spent some time with his beet crop, cultivating and weeding. 😀
#gardening
#allotment
#zone6b
#NewEngland
@npub1v5a…ny6w
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/458/915/451/518/795/original/1fd103be4825e9c9.jpg
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2024-04-23 23:03:31

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❤️

2024-04-22 00:23:11

As is my custom every Earth Day here is Walt Kelly's iconic Earth Day 1970 poster. After all these years the message is still the same!
#earthday
#ClimateChange
#gardening
#Allotment
https://cdn.masto.host/tootwales/media_attachments/files/112/311/994/487/037/971/original/b3605afe1755e61e.png

2024-04-21 09:42:30

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That's nice looking stuff! How old is it? By that I mean how long has it been composting? Mine takes about 2 years to look like that. 😀

2024-04-20 13:44:36

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I use the materials on hand, such as shredded prunings from the fruit trees and shrubs, a combination of shredded tree leaves saved from the previous autumn & any grass clippings I can get (tumbled in the compost tumbler for a few days first). I also compost garden waste from the previous year and use that as mulch the following spring. There is always a need for more! 😀