Pat99
Member
I thought some of you might like to share activities you enjoy doing outdoors. I love to fish, boat, camp and garden. I used to walk the nature trails too but I need a total hip replacement so this is on hold for a while. I fish mostly from the shore these days because I had to sell my old pontoon last year. I used to ice fish but not anymore. The ice in Michigan can be "iffy".
I have a Coleman pop-up camper that I use when I can get someone to come along. Even more fun is to invite a small group of ppl to meet there and reserve sites next to each other. Campers are usually a friendly bunch so there are no lack of friends to share a campfire or fish story with. The camper has an attached awning and an optional screened in porch which comes in handy if it rains or at night when the mosquitoes hatch. Unfortunately, the porch takes at least 2 people to set up. I make a heck of a good campfire. I make firestarters by rubbing plain vaseline into cotton balls. Make ahead and store in a covered coffee can away from heat. Sometimes I use a tripod for cooking over the campfire and to keep the coffee and water hot. The camper also has an outdoor stove which comes in handy if you invite ppl for dinner. If you have a gang someone can help cook with the extra stove outside. I also bring a very small portable propane grill and a LOT of tin foil.
I usually plant a small vegetable garden in my back yard. I've been told I grow the best tasting tomatos (and the biggest weeds), even when everyone else is having problems. Everyone wants to know my secrets. My answer is always the same. Rotate plant types. Buy the plants, stick them in the ground with some leaves or straw mixed into soil, mulch around each plant with leaves/straw/newspaper sheets, water when needed, and keep the weeds pulled. One application of generic all purpose fertilizer at the time of planting (1/2 the recommended amount for small plants) and one more application mid-season. If you get a lot of rain you will need to fertilize once more. Just look at the growth and if it slows down then add fertilizer. One more thing, add 2-3 crushed egg shells or 2-3 broken up antacid tablets at the time of planting (put into a baggie, cover baggie with cloth and smash with hammer). New research shows that calcium prevents those annoying black spots on the skin. I will use a small amount of Sevin dust if I see a lot of pests but my yard toads usually take care of them, especially the slugs. That's it. If you fuss over tomatos too much you end up with problems. I also have good luck with eggplants and poblano peppers. No luck at all with cucumbers the last 3 years.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION TO EVERYONE THAT KEVIN HAS MADE US A NICE CHAT ROOM. PLEASE STOP IN THE CHAT ROOM WHEN YOU VISIT THE FORUMS SO WE CAN ALL GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER.
I have a Coleman pop-up camper that I use when I can get someone to come along. Even more fun is to invite a small group of ppl to meet there and reserve sites next to each other. Campers are usually a friendly bunch so there are no lack of friends to share a campfire or fish story with. The camper has an attached awning and an optional screened in porch which comes in handy if it rains or at night when the mosquitoes hatch. Unfortunately, the porch takes at least 2 people to set up. I make a heck of a good campfire. I make firestarters by rubbing plain vaseline into cotton balls. Make ahead and store in a covered coffee can away from heat. Sometimes I use a tripod for cooking over the campfire and to keep the coffee and water hot. The camper also has an outdoor stove which comes in handy if you invite ppl for dinner. If you have a gang someone can help cook with the extra stove outside. I also bring a very small portable propane grill and a LOT of tin foil.
I usually plant a small vegetable garden in my back yard. I've been told I grow the best tasting tomatos (and the biggest weeds), even when everyone else is having problems. Everyone wants to know my secrets. My answer is always the same. Rotate plant types. Buy the plants, stick them in the ground with some leaves or straw mixed into soil, mulch around each plant with leaves/straw/newspaper sheets, water when needed, and keep the weeds pulled. One application of generic all purpose fertilizer at the time of planting (1/2 the recommended amount for small plants) and one more application mid-season. If you get a lot of rain you will need to fertilize once more. Just look at the growth and if it slows down then add fertilizer. One more thing, add 2-3 crushed egg shells or 2-3 broken up antacid tablets at the time of planting (put into a baggie, cover baggie with cloth and smash with hammer). New research shows that calcium prevents those annoying black spots on the skin. I will use a small amount of Sevin dust if I see a lot of pests but my yard toads usually take care of them, especially the slugs. That's it. If you fuss over tomatos too much you end up with problems. I also have good luck with eggplants and poblano peppers. No luck at all with cucumbers the last 3 years.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION TO EVERYONE THAT KEVIN HAS MADE US A NICE CHAT ROOM. PLEASE STOP IN THE CHAT ROOM WHEN YOU VISIT THE FORUMS SO WE CAN ALL GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER.
Last edited:
