Spring projects (Knoxville, Crossville: work, health, university)

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

Re-seed the lawn with actual grass verses green weeds.
Fence in the back yard.

Fix up two riding lawn mowers that we never use because the yard doesn't warrant them and sell them to make more room in the shed.
Put up a hammock in the back yard and take a break!

Don't have to mow weeds as often... How big of riding lawn mowers do you have (hp)? I may macrame' a few hammocks this year if I can find some more of that braided nylon cord that is real thin again.

Originally Posted by knoxgarden

Hit the Tennessee plant swaps and you can probably get some for free. I know someone in Knoxville who brings seeds to the East Tennessee Swap and I vaguely remember someone offering saplings.
Check the Tennessee forum on Garden Web for swap info.
Gardening in Tennessee - GardenWeb
The UT Arboretum will have a plant sale April 19. Great place to pick up trees that you know will do well in Tennessee.
UT Knoxville | Forest Resources Research and Education Center

Many thanks for the info Knoxgarden, I am surprised how few there are for sale since they are such a nice tree and have fruit to boot!

[2mares]

Ackkkkk, I wouldn't dig a post hole again if my life depended on it. I used the fiberglass posts and they are so fast and easy to put up. Bringing all of mine with me as hope to get another horse after we get settled.

Dont blame you there. One has to do what one can tho. I was paying my newphew and gs $2 per hole with post inserted. They quit on me after about 12 holes. LOL.
With the high cost of hay and rising cost of grain and all this darn work I have been considering getting rid of one of my horses! Heck, I have to work so hard to keep the up, I dont have time to ride anymore.

[LauraC]

I got new software about a month ago and have been making slideshows/executable files of my recent outdoor photos, putting the slideshows to music, making DVD/CD photo labels and mailing the CDs/DVDs to friends. I'm waiting for the leaves on the trees to do a bigger Spring slideshow project.

But it feels really cheap, girly and pitiful next to all of these Spring projects requiring muscle, sweat and dirt.

[2mares]

I think that sounds really neat Laura. You have some beautiful photos.

That reminds me that I should take before and after photos of my projects.

[knoxgarden]

More on pawpaws.
There are three nurseries in Tennessee that are supposed to sell them, according to the PawPaw Foundation.
KYSU 2008 Pawpaw Nursery List
I'd forgotten about that group. My mother, who grew up in Crossville, ate pawpaws as a child and remembered them fondly. She talked about them a lot and was a member of the foundation but never got around to growing one. She and my dad moved to California way back when.
University of Kentucky is doing a lot of research on pawpaws and is trying to spread the word about the tree.
My mother said a ripe pawpaw was the most wonderful thing she ever tasted.

[AlisonL]

Are pawpaws readily available in TN? I love trying new fruits!!

[maryn]

What is a paw paw tree. House was completed in Aug. 07 in Hawks Bluff (Spencer, TN) and it is time to plant some seed! what other types of shrubs are good to grow up in the plateau? I would like to do some planting when I am up there in July, so I need some gardening advice from those of you that have experience with what grows well up there!
Thank you.

[knoxgarden]

There's info on PawPaw trees here:
K.State University Land Grant Program: Pawpaw FAQ
It's a tree native to North America and grows wild on the Cumberland Plateau at least. That's where my mother tried them.
I don't recall seeing them in stores. Farmer's markets may have them. The Paw Paw Foundation is working on getting them more widely accepted. They're described as tasting like a combination of a banana, mango and pineapple.

[maryn]

Anyone know where to get a Paw Paw?

[gemkeeper]

Does anybody know anything about the Beaver Creek Nursery in Knoxville?

They have a great website that says they carry all trees and shrubs common to the area, as well as, hard to find species.

Might be worth a phone call.

It's a dot net website with the nursery name.