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On my property I have many large sweet gum trees. I love the trees and the shade they produce in the summer, however, these particular trees produce hard spiked indestructable balls of Hell spawn known commonly, around here, as gumballs or monkey balls. See the image:
This would not be a problem at all if they stayed on the tree. In the late fall they are dry, brown, sharp, and litter the entire yard, each one dreaming of the distant warm spring day when I might come strolling through the yard with bare feet. Chop them up with a mulch mower? This only serves as a way to turn them into projectiles that strip the flesh from my ankles, and cripple most small animals within a 30 foot radius. Burning them only seems the harden them, almost like tempering steel.
But.... They might be useful afterall.
A couple at my church said that they are great for planting under tomato plants. The theory is that they will give the roots something to really hang on to, as well as hold moisture for the plant. I'm thinking about trying this. My seedlings should be ready for the garden in about 4 to 5 weeks. Anyone else ever here of this?
This would not be a problem at all if they stayed on the tree. In the late fall they are dry, brown, sharp, and litter the entire yard, each one dreaming of the distant warm spring day when I might come strolling through the yard with bare feet. Chop them up with a mulch mower? This only serves as a way to turn them into projectiles that strip the flesh from my ankles, and cripple most small animals within a 30 foot radius. Burning them only seems the harden them, almost like tempering steel.
But.... They might be useful afterall.
A couple at my church said that they are great for planting under tomato plants. The theory is that they will give the roots something to really hang on to, as well as hold moisture for the plant. I'm thinking about trying this. My seedlings should be ready for the garden in about 4 to 5 weeks. Anyone else ever here of this?
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