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Weekly Garden Thread - December 28-January 3, 2020
December 28, 2019 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 12/27/2019 5:16:23 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.

This thread is non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a week Ping List. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!


TOPICS: Food; Gardening; Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; gardenthread; hobbies
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

This is the longest my winter garden has ever lasted. Still have arugula, Romaine, black Simpson lettuce, and kale. Sure wish I’d planted more beets! But I never know how long they get to grow.

I covered everything with sheets when we had a couple day of low twenties. The sheets were frozen and stiff but still everything underneath survived.


81 posted on 01/01/2020 12:09:42 PM PST by CottonBall (This space for rent.)
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To: kayti

I plant my butternut in a 3-sisters area, with corn, green beans dining up the corn, and squash preventing weeds in between. I don’t remember the particulars, but somehow this variety ends up putting nutrients back into the soil so it can be replanted year after year. Last year was yearfour and everything grew well.


82 posted on 01/01/2020 12:15:28 PM PST by CottonBall (This space for rent.)
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To: tubebender

I got 4 hazelnut trees for Christmas! Hubby didn’t have the time to buy anything and I told him that was fine, I’ll get my own. But he would still need to dig the holes.

I have 2 in the orchard now and they are growing the best of all the trees.


83 posted on 01/01/2020 12:18:42 PM PST by CottonBall (This space for rent.)
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To: tubebender

my amaryllis is just about ready to bloom.... a little late for Christmas but will be enjoyed just the same....


84 posted on 01/01/2020 12:21:05 PM PST by cherry
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’d never had it before last year. It’s gooooood.

We used the last of the bottle and need another one. We’ll probably buy the bigger bottle this time ;)


85 posted on 01/01/2020 12:21:11 PM PST by Black Agnes
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To: CottonBall

I love my hazelnut trees! When they start making you’ll have to net them to keep out squirrels. I kept an eye on them this fall and as SOON as they were ripe the squirrels got them. We’d gotten side tracked doing other stuff and I missed looking at them for a week or so. Poof, they were gone! Nothing but hulls with little hazelnut sized holes chewed in them on the ground.

Bah.

They also like more of a neutral PH soil IIRC, I have to lime mine every few years.


86 posted on 01/01/2020 12:23:18 PM PST by Black Agnes
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

just learning about determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes....are there advantages for determinate?


87 posted on 01/01/2020 12:34:17 PM PST by cherry
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To: cherry

Determinates will save you space, as the plants stay smaller than continuing-to-vine Indeterminates.

Many Determinates have better disease resistance.

You get ALL (or most!) of your harvest at once, so canning goes smoother.

Last year I did mostly Determinates with three Indeterminates and I was very happy with the results. I’m someone that has the room for whatever I want, but it also keeps me in check so I don’t go INSANE and make myself a wreck, versus ENJOYING my garden along the way. :)


88 posted on 01/01/2020 12:43:06 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: CottonBall

I had Hazelnuts at my ‘old’ farm (1906) - Thanks for the reminder to add some out here at my ‘new’ (1900!) farm. ;)


89 posted on 01/01/2020 12:44:33 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Black Agnes
I use newspaper for mulching too and weed barrier.....I try to avoid an colored paper......lay it down several layers if you can and cover with old leaves, or pine needles, etc....it works....much better then the store bought weed barrier....

and its more natural....

I've been entertained and enlightened this winter by watching a lot of gardening you tube.....one in particular is Michigan gardener...he's been a round a few yrs but he's down to earth likes to use natural products and reuse other products for his garden.....highly recommend him...

90 posted on 01/01/2020 12:50:31 PM PST by cherry
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

you know, outside Portland Oregon they sell hazelnut shells by the sack.....I guess they would be good for garden pathways and apparently if you have cats they don’t like the shells and they’ll avoid scratching around them...


91 posted on 01/01/2020 12:54:02 PM PST by cherry
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

So your new farm is older than your old farm? Those ages just sound adorable, is that how old the farm house is?


92 posted on 01/01/2020 5:23:22 PM PST by CottonBall (This space for rent.)
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To: Qiviut

Ditto our gardens in the Missouri Ozarks.

Wife has adopted two feral cats. A Mom and one male baby.
She set out food. They adopted us.

Now we have a cat house, filled with straw.


93 posted on 01/01/2020 5:45:24 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Baseball players, gangsters and musicians are remembered. But journalists are forgotten.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

HAPPY NEW YEAR-----may all your days be bubbly and bright.

94 posted on 01/01/2020 6:27:36 PM PST by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Liz

Word of warning: keep a close eye on that bag while it’s popping. My dad set our microwave on fire doing that.


95 posted on 01/01/2020 6:49:06 PM PST by Ellendra (A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
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To: Ellendra

My thoughts precisely.......must depend on degrees of hat used........and thanks.


96 posted on 01/01/2020 7:30:50 PM PST by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: CottonBall

Yes, we base the ‘age’ of the farm on the age of the house. Beau bought this place in the late 80’s, and remodeled the house 99% by himself - he’s so handy!

He wanted the land, of course, and the house had sat empty for five years, so there was daylight coming in through the 3rd floor ceiling and raccoons to move out, LOL!

I was at a point at my old farm that I was going to dig in and start remodeling it. The young couple that bought my old farm are doing all of the improvements to it that I was going to do. I’d lived there for 25+ years, so it was time for new owners. ;) They were thrilled to get a greenhouse and a chicken coop and all of the supplies that went with it. I still need a coop out here!

So, Beau made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, I sold my farm, we got engaged and I moved out here four years ago - and we’ve continued making improvements. He’s been here nearly 35 years, so appliances were dying, new flooring was needed (new carpeting as soon as the old dogs pass away!) and a metal roof - which is nearly done.

We started painting this past Spring/Summer and it should be done this coming Spring. She’ll look brand new and I cannot WAIT! :)


97 posted on 01/02/2020 8:16:16 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Liz

Thank you, Liz! Happy New Year to you, too!


98 posted on 01/02/2020 8:30:52 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: All
Random Gardening Book Selection for Winter Reading, Learnin', Plannin', Wishin' and Hopin':


99 posted on 01/02/2020 8:53:53 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: All
SOUTHWEST GRILLED CHEESE / yum w/ heat

ING pkg Sargento Southwest cheese Slices, 2 Anaheim or poblanos,
roasted and peeled 2 Romas, thin-sliced 2 tb chp cilantro 8 slices multigrain bread 2 tb butter

ASSEMBLY Layer bread slice, cheese slice, 1/4 chiles, tomatoes and cilantro, cheese, bread slice.

FINAL Lightly butter bread. Grill golden over med heat, about 3 min per side.

100 posted on 01/02/2020 9:11:07 AM PST by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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