Robert Spencer

Interested in writing, talking and thinking about all things Horticulture, whether fruits, veggies, spuds, trees, pests

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

I've been a bit quiet on the blog posting front for the past several months, but I figured that I'd close things out with a post looking back over the past year. Here's what I noted in 2021.
https://t.co/K2pj2TLO1R #HortMorsels #learnfromthepast #plaguesandtheweather

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

Fall brings with it a need to clean up and put things in order. #Sanitation is critical to the long term health of our fields and gardens. https://t.co/nuzMHaCffL #HortMorsels #disinfect #ditchthecullpile

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

I don't mean to brag, but where I work is pretty lit...up. the skies are glowing and the plants are growing. @oc_hort @oldscollege #sunrises #brandnewday https://t.co/TAs40JwUXh

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

@LanaShawAg I'd say yellow shafted or red shafted flicker. Watch the colour when the wings flare. It's quite colourful and distinctive.

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

An intact skin is critical for any vegetable that will last any amount of time. Sometimes this means that you encourage healing and general skin fortification. https://t.co/8k8TBZPSfU #patchthearmour #curing #woundhealing

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

#garlic is a very popular crop and a great one to grow. This week's #HortMorsels blog article discusses it. https://t.co/T8QsJpyhfy #ItsWhereItsAt #watchoutVlad

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

Fresh produce starts deteriorating from the time it is harvested. It is a relentless slide. #fieldheat has an impact on post-harvest lifespan. https://t.co/zW32DekkIL #HortMorsels #slipperyslope #storage

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

One of the things that I hate the most about summer is #weeding. It is neverending. The key is to just keep chipping away. Read about strategies. https://t.co/fqY724JV6H #hammertime #itsweedingtime #stillweeding #neverdoneweeding

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

Watering is a study of compromises. Sometimes its all about meeting plants' water needs. Other times, plant health and soils factor in. https://t.co/y5dPG3YFcc #HortMorsels #towaterornottowater

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

The recent heat was hard on everything. One crop probably liked it a lot. #Sweetcorn delights and frustrates the average prairie vegetable grower. It's the subject of #HortMorsels blog https://t.co/IQRw2l0oc8 #kneehigh4july

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

With #summer #heat settling in upon us, taking a moment to think about how we apply water to our plants seems like a good use of our time. https://t.co/2cE9iltt7B #HortMorsels #sweaty #soilnotfoliage #irrigation #EfficiencyIsEfficient

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

#pathogens and how they present themselves are fascinating. However, diseases often get described as rot or blight. This week's #HortMorsels blog discusses it all.
https://t.co/3eIgCD9cIz #ThatsNotABlight

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

#insects are appearing and making plans to settle into crops and gardens everywhere. Read about different insect life stages and when those occur in the newest #HortMorsels blog article. https://t.co/IElpkTqQ2f #BugsGotStages

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

#Pumpkins are #GourdsOfMassDestruction, combining wicked hide-and-seek tendencies with a desire to take over any space they occupy (kind of like cats). They're great. https://t.co/HTYc8E8LZF
#theyarecoming #cucurbits #HortMorsels

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

With allergy season upon those of us that are doomed to suffer annually, it bears thinking about pollen and all of its implications. Check out the new #HortMorsels blog article on the subject https://t.co/NJ5yu1KInF #TisTheSneason #horticulturalproblems #Pollen

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

Sleepy puppy. #cuddlemonster #bigrocklabradoodlesnorth #doggienaps https://t.co/lIv8kurXy4

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

With winter's end looming (sort of), most of the pruning should be wrapped up, but I was thinking about the "why's" of pruning fruiting plants. Read about it (if you want to) in this week's #HortMorsels blog article. https://t.co/Eiz94dFABT #pruning #fruitingplants

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

As we head towards the growing season, it is important not to neglect the maintenance of the various safety nets (a.k.a. #insurance) that we put in place. https://t.co/pbPv2WXA1P #HortMorsels #safetynets

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

Today is the 1yr anniversary of 1 of the biggest changes that I've personally ever faced. I've spent time reflecting on what it all means. You can read about it, and maybe gain some perspective on your own challenges.
https://t.co/dNdaNyMkqs
#HortMorsels #howfarhaveyoucome

[Robert Spencer @RobtheHortGod]

I haven't promoted it much here, but I'm collaborating with #GardeningWithSharon to offer a full season subscription for the home gardening enthusiast called The YARDening Club. 3 posts/week for 27 weeks. Visit the Store at https://t.co/gd64qUwlqC to purchase. Starts March 15.