Big thanks for small things
RD: Just a note to thank you for your magazine. It is truly a way for those in rural areas, and those who are interested in small, to learn what others are doing.

Jennifer Palmer
Kingsley, N.B.

Gold potato nuggets
RD: Just to say I loved your editorial, “This spud’s for you,” (RD May, page 6). It was most informative, especially from a historical point of view. I learned to plant potatoes with my grandfather about 70 years ago as a young lad … and have been planting potatoes ever since with my trusty Cub tractor. I find that our soil in West Pubnico is perfect to grow Yukon Gold potatoes. I have been growing that brand for the last 25 years.
I enjoy Rural Delivery.

Laurent d’Entremont
Lower West Pubnico, N.S.

Weird carrot
RD: My brother was showing me the picture of the carrot in your December 2020 issue (Letters to RD – “Wayward carrots and horses,” page 8). Since we are coming to another planting season, I thought I would send a picture of the weird carrot I grew in 2020. The carrot looked like eight carrots growing on one stem, and weighed almost three pounds.

Rodney Mullen
Easton, N.S.

Blast from the past
RD: Ruth Richman here – remember me? Congratulations on 45 years! I will always have the wonderful memory of shuffling index cards of subscribers and writing recipes for Household Notes, back in year two.
Love the magazine, and the timeliness of the articles. We are just building a wood and poly 12’ x 16’ greenhouse. In my garden, as climate change moves in more strongly, I am seeing a wider range of pests. A few summers ago, on my way up the driveway to go to work, something humping its way down the middle made me stop the car. A Tomato hornworm in all its toothy, bright-green glory was heading its way to the garden. What? Was it dropped off with a map to my patch? It met its match, and the event has not been repeated – but what is that weird weed that has appeared and likes to grow as dense as moss?
And – I have horsetail in my garden. I am not the only one. It seems to be a problem that is increasing in scope. I did get some good advice last year, which I am following. I was told it is a five-year plan. For me, it meant turning half of my 100’ x 100’ garden into lawn, and beginning a whole new veg garden in another place. For a friend with more open land, it has meant moving flower beds and other planting areas. If you have any suggestions, it would be appreciated.

Ruth Richman
Cardigan, P.E.I.

Of course we remember you, Ruth! And many longtime readers will fondly recall your “Bug of the Month” columns. We’ll have to dig some of those out of the archives. In the meantime, maybe some readers can offer advice on battling horsetail, or share reports of other unwelcome arrivals in the garden. DL