The nice thing about today's rain in New York State...

[LuckyCharms]

is that it will make the weed pulling much easier tomorrow with the ground being soft.

There's a bright side to lousy weather.

I managed to clean my composite deck with something called (I think) "30 second cleaner".

It's a concentrate that is probably mostly bleach that you mix 50/50 with water and apply with a pump sprayer.

I re-skinned by deck about 15(?) years ago with light brown TimberTech composite decking, and white composite railings.

Apparently, at the time, that material was first generation, and the white railings really hold mildew stains more than they should. so I have to clean the hell out of them every year so the mildew does not get out of control.

Some years, I have a company to come in and do it, but this year, money is tight (as it is for all of us), so instead of paying someone $200 to clean it, I did it myself with a $35 bottle of this cleaner.

Pic below. Left side is before cleaning, right side is after cleaning (this is an old pic).

You all have a nice day.

[marble falls]

1. When you're done could you come and hit that spot under my window A/C unit?

[LuckyCharms]

3. Sure! I'll be there with the pump sprayer!

Seriously, the stuff works pretty good.

They market this cleaner as "no scrubbing required, but I have to scrub.

Spray onto a dry surface, let it sit, scrub it, rinse it off, repeat.

It's not a big deck, but it takes me three hours to clean the railings. The deck itself goes quickly.

[marble falls]

6. I'll get the beer in the cooler.

[LuckyCharms]

8. Haven't had any alcohol for 13 years, but...

You're making me want a cold one now!

[PJMcK]

2. True, but...

... today is my good friend's daughter's wedding ing NYC. The rain will prevent the photos being taken in Central Park.

[LuckyCharms]

4. Oh no...

Well, I bet the wedding will be a blast anyway!

Good wishes to the bride and groom!

[biophile]

5. I, too, am looking forward to weeding after the rain

Only a die-hard gardener would say they are looking forward to weeding 🤣. But I’ve been waiting for the rain and now the weeds are so big that I could only pull them after a ground softening rain 😏.
It’s a very rewarding feeling once it’s done, though!

[LuckyCharms]

7. Yes, it's a feeling of accomplishment when done!

It's never ending though!

[biophile]

11. So we get to have that good feeling multiple times!

My weeds are very determined and persistent!

[Figarosmom]

15. Yeah. Me too.

I just bought some weed barrier fabric I'm going to use with the tomatoes which are still in their starter pots. We had some late frost so I held them back a couple extra weeks.

[NJCher]

9. Ahead of you

Neener neener neener

I pulled mine yesterday in 4 more beds. I am awaiting the rain and I will then put in yellow zucchini, acorn squash, and more lettuce, kale, and tomatoes. Seeds on some, like the zucchini and cuke.

Then I will seal in the water with flattened cardboard to prevent weeds. After that a big pile of straw.

This is in an area with intense sun, so it works really well.

————

I think your deck looks really nice with the cleaned railings.

[LuckyCharms]

10. Thanks, Cher!

You have been busy!

Wishing a good harvest for you!

[biophile]

12. You are an over achiever!

Send me some of that ambition! 😆☺️

[msongs]

13. what happened to the waste water full of bleach and mildew?

[LuckyCharms]

14. It's not 100% bleach.

It has other ingredients, and it's heavily diluted.

The actual amount of product sprayed on the railings is small.

The product has an EPA "safer choice" label.

The specs for the product indicate that it is safe for plants (which it indeed is) with careful rinsing.

The small amount of waste water is rinsed off and then further diluted with a hose.

Does that answer your question?

[Ptah]

16. Desert solution; no rain, no weeds.