That first food garden pic...thats 2 butternut squash plants. And, the entire garden had to come back from a frost a week after we planted, which was memorial day weekend. The plants that survived were 50-80% wilted and brown. Needless to say we got a later than normal start. Luckily the sunflowers weren't up yet during the frost.
Eggshooterist Is there a "green with envy" emoji? That looks spectacular. My thimbleberry, salmonberry and weeds are doing well. Hopefully I can get them all cut down before fall.
I believe a shallow face cut combined with the back cut, will fell the stalks, making access to seed heads easy.
We let the bees, birds and squirrels do their thing. We might harvest a couple heads to have seed for next year.
They’re certainly an aggressive self-seeder and can quickly encroach on a gardener’s kept garden. I let the ones that aren’t in my way grow, but I know where you’re coming from.
Good one! I wonder how long firewood made from the stalks would take to dry and would the BTUs be worth it.