Thank you... it's a tough time right now
.. ...........

That was the first thing I tried several years ago and it didn’t deter them much. I have been using a large, inflatable fake snake for the last 2 years (move it around the garden frequently so they don’t catch on). Also got some of that holographic tape and tied on the plant stakes. They don’t like that noise and light reflections flickering on them.

I have heard of, but haven’t tried, tying red Christmas tree bulbs on the plants. Supposedly, they peck at those and when they aren’t real, they move on.

If they would just peck at one tomato and keep working on it, I wouldn’t care. But they peck at several of them. It’s my understanding that it’s not a food source, but a water source to them.

My grandfather tried that one year. I don’t remember the results though.

In my experience all the red ornaments in your garden only prompt people to ask why they are there.
The mockingbirds might peck at them but they still find tomatoes and strawberries.
I even started planting orange and yellow tomatoes but eventually they will find them.
I believe now there are three generations of mockingbirds that have been raised off my garden.
So until I can fully net my garden I plant for all of us.

Picked my first early girl tomato yesterday

It wasn’t very early.

Yep.

We finally have a trickle of them coming in:



but we are 'buried' in berries!:

Cobbler on the way.

yup - first few pounds already been 'cobblerized'!
my kiddos been 'experimenting' with every recipe they can find.
I'm enjoying doing the taste-testing....:

I know right.... False advertising on the name.

Anyone know where to get live ladybugs?

Lot of Nursery's carry them. They keep them in a fridge so you don't see them on display. You might call a few. I see there is some in stock on Amazon too.

Thanks👍

It's been a good season. The rain has stopped so I'm running the sprinkler.

Not going in the BlackBerry business yet but maybe one day.

Medium Rare tomatoes are turning out. They're good but the Beefsteaks are better in my opinion.

Love pickles and stuff like that.

What’s with packing a firearm while in the garden, snakes?

Kill stink bugs.

Not worried about snakes. Besides, that a .308. I'm usually pictured holding or having a rifle nearby just to keep my left leaning inlaws guessing.

Looking good!

yessir, gotta watchout for those killer tomatoes! You may need backup!

cman do you ever get twitchy and shoot one of the mannequins?

They identify as scarecrows.

I've had our electrical provider and a deputy in my yard at night. Both about lost their load when their light hit them up.