Planting a New Genetic Dwarf Apple Tree. 2.4.22

 Dwarf apple trees are usually created by grafting a "normal" apple scion onto a dwarfing rootstock.  There is a history of doing that going back at least a century.  Genetic dwarf varieties do not need a dwarfing rootstock.  They have a mutated gene, such that the length of stem is significantly shortened.  This is called "brachytic dwarfism".  This is not genetic engineering, it's just a mutation that is passed down through generations of breeding.  Brachytic dwarf tree scion can be grafted onto much more vigorous rootstock, so they are more deeply rooted and need less, if any, support.  The disadvantage is, you can's grow your favorite variety as a brachytic dwarf.

I saw One Green World nursery was offering a brachytic dwarf apple variety called "Apple Babe".  I don't know if it will be good, but the general idea might be nice in my minidwarf apple orchard.  The brachytic dwarf tree should max out at about six to eight feet tall, smaller with pruning.  It's more likely to have excellent leaf cover, similar to brachytic dwarf peaches.

I ordered one as a Christmas present to myself.  It came today.  Merry Christmas!

 I thought this was a very nice specimen.  The roots look good.  The stem is sturdy and has lots of buds.  I'll probably prune the top back by a foot.  Kind of hate doing that, but I want it to branch out low on the trunk.

Sewing a Garden Tool Holster. 2.2.22

 Happy 2/2/22!  But it's not Tuesday!

Today I made a holster for garden tools.  The fabric came from the scrap bag.  It was formerly the top part of some trousers.  Normally I throw that away, but saved for this little project.  I ripped out the seams (how unseemly!), removed the belt loops, opened it up, cut the pieces, ironed flat, sewed back together.   I sewed on the button before sewing the strap to the holster.

Then I sewed the holster to a pair of garden pants, so it won't get lost.  

This holster is good because now I won't poke hokes in pockets, lose the pruners or scissors - which I do a lot - and it doesn't require a belt.

If I like this, I can make a couple more for other garden pants.  

Seedlings. More Red Wethersfield Onions, Echinacea. 2.1.22

That second planting of Red Wethersfield onion seedlings germinated nicely.  Looks like there will be all I can plant.  Echinacea germinated sporadically without stratification.  I only want about a dozen plants, so I'm happy with that.  There are more stratifying in the fridge.  I can plant those March 1.

Red Wethersfield Onion Seedlings.  I hope they are good onions.  

 Echinacea seedlings.

 Also the micro-mini tomato seeds germinated.  Micro Tom and Red Robin.

I'm still hopeful there will be Tabascos and Thai peppers.   The current Tabasco pepper seedlings are really puny, and one tiny Thai seedling has emerged.  The second batch needs more time.

Improved Cadet Caps from Upcycled Fabric. 2.1.22

Cadet caps are far superior to baseball caps, due to the lack of a hard rivet or button on the top, more comfortable, and better general fit for me.  They are also easier to make, for an amateur tailor such as me.  I like these because:  I make them with a liner, so the inside is soft and comfortable.  With a liner, there are no exposed edges to fray.  The fabric is upcycled, with an outer shell that's more durable and lining that's softer and more comfortable.  The upcycled fabric has been softened with repeated washings.  The brim is a heavy interfacing but not the hard edge, rigid plastic that's usually used, so the cap will last much longer.  The fabric is all machine wash and dry, same as any other clothing.  I'm accident prone and somehow hit my head a lot, resulting in scalp divots and gross scabs.  I make the liner with a quilted top, which is comfortable and protective (outer layer plus two fabric layers sandwiched around a layer of  cotton quilt batting).  

The fit has been a challenge.  I made new templates for the sides, giving them a half inch more height and a quarter inch to each end of the side panels, and this result was (nearly) perfect.  It shrinks slightly out of the washer and then is snug.

The best shell fabrics are lighter than denim but heavier than quilting cotton.  For upcycle, men's pants made from 100% cotton, such as chinos or Dockers, are perfect.  Heavy denim is too stiff and heavy to sew on my machine.  For the liner, a soft shirt fabric or flannel is good.  

I found an old canvas Trader Joe's grocery tote that had shrunk too much when washed, to hold much groceries.  That is the outer shell.  The liner is a soft cotton shirt.  I used the old (late '50s / early 60's) Morse (Toyota?) sewing machine to see if I can sew with it.  It works nicely but takes some practice.  Unlike the newest sewing machine, it doesn't skip stitches when encountering a thick seam or hem.  However, the stitches look a little less tight.

Inside

That was a practice run, but it's a good result and I'm happy wearing it for garden work.  The cap that I used for the pattern had an outside hat band and inside sweat band.  I don't think the hat band was all that functional.  I could add a sweat band but I think the added liner has that function.

Here are the templates using some chinos remnants.  I didn't have blue thread sitting around, so set those aside and used a Docker's remnant instead.  It takes some rearranging to have enough for a nice hat with no wear or tear.  The top and brim are from the original cap.

 

Here is the cap when finished.  I'll make the blue one later.

Here, along with the tote made from the same fabric.

The liner is soft cotton corduroy, same shirt that I used to make Rufus's rain jacket liner.  

This cap turned out almost exactly what I like.  The fit is  very nice.  What I especially like is that I have a cap that fits my needs exactly, can be washed and dried with the laundry whenever I like, is comfortable and protective  I know that my sewing is not as precise and uniform as something from a factory, but that's OK.  

Forsythia Flowers. 1.30.22

 I cut these a couple weeks ago to bloom indoors.  It's a welcome preview of Spring.

After they bloom, I'll keep them in water to see if they grow roots, as in last year's project.  If they do, they can be planted to extend the forsythia hedge I started then.

The flowers are a little sparse at this point, but should fill in.  There are lots of unopened buds.