Posted on 04/25/2020 6:49:47 AM PDT 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!
D’Oh! :(
Could I interest you again in some Reemay fabric? LOL!
I’m still waiting on a dog food order from Chewy. I hope it gets here today, or my dogs will be very, very sad and hungry.
Maybe Sarah McLaughlin can bail us out from her ‘Sad Animal Fund?’ ;)
Around here, I’ve noticed over the years that dandelions are a reliable indicate of when the danger of frost has passed. The more blossoms, the less chance of another frost. And when they bloom en masse, it’s safe to plant the tomatoes outside.
That day is getting close! I saw 3 dandelions blooming in the yard yesterday. And dozens about to bloom when I was working on the farm.
That is a very interesting observation. None blooming yet around here, west Michigan.
I’ve got DOZENS blooming on my front lawn. I usually don’t start to mow until May 1st to leave the dandelions for the early bees and bugs. :)
Dandelion History
It is hard to believe but at one time there were no dandelions in North America. Dandelions originated in Asia Minor and quickly spread throughout Asia and Europe.
The Normans called this plant “dent de lion”—tooth of the lion—for its jagged leaves. Anglo-Saxons corrupted this name into dandylion.
The Vikings brought dandelion seed with them to Iceland and Greenland where the plant still thrives today.
The Chinese call it “nail in the earth” for its long taproot which draws nutrients and moisture from deep in the ground.
In medieval times, dandelions gathered on St. John’s Eve—June 24—were believed to repel witches. The milky sap, given the name “devil’s milkpail”, was used to cure warts and pimples.
https://www.almanac.com/news/gardening/garden-journal/dandelion-health-benefits
I planted ten new asparagus plants a few weeks ago. Now, skinny shoots are coming up.
Should I clip these or leave em alone?
Short Answer: No clipping!
You can stop right here if you want, LOL!
Long Answer: Your Asparagus will be ready to eat 3 years from now. Maybe, two. ;) Those are very thin spears coming up now, mere babes!
Let it do it’s thing - let it frond out and ‘bloom’ this summer into fall. If your soil is good, don’t bother to fertilize until you see them coming up again next spring. Water if you have a dry spell. Resist the temptation to cut the spears next year, too!
When the fronds turn dry and become an eyesore, you can clip them off at ground level, then mulch with straw for the winter months.
Do you get cold enough in the Ozarks for Asparagus? I forget which Zone you’re in. They need a freeze/dormancy period.
I am in Year THREE of my new crop. I can harvest some this season, but I won’t take it all. You want the plant to go through it’s normal life cycle, no matter how much asparagus you have; leave at least one or two stalks per plant to do its thing...
I miss my established 40’ row that I left behind at my old farm, but a nice 4’x8’ patch will do the two of us nicely.
A light at the end of the garden: Scientists are cultivating glow-in-the-dark flowers by inserting DNA from bioluminescent mushrooms
Researchers were able to take DNA from certain mushrooms and add it to plants
They started with the tobacco plant as they have a relatively simple structure
The process allows for the new plants to have a ‘constant and renewable glow’
Now THAT would be cool. Would give a new meaning to planting a ‘Moon Garden,’ too! :)
I originally thought I was going to plant tomatoes. However, my last purchase of grocery store tomatoes changed my mind. Nothing tastes as good as what comes from your garden! Have started tomato seeds in the house; just waiting for the weather to get warm enough to plant them outside.
JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby....i get so much of my stuff for photo shoot costuming at both, and along with thrift shops, get all my needed supplies.
I am a bit of a dork when it comes to making costumes for photo shoots.
That is right...I do gardening, photography, and can hand sew some stuff too..hahaha.
You had a productive day! My weekend plans were slowed by selling a car which required detailing it.
But I got a bunch done.
When the dandelions around here are blooming....it is a sign my wife needs to get the lawnmower out.
Remember your first bouquet of dandelions. My bouquet giver was 55 three days ago.
Now I'm reading they were believed to repel witches. Hmmmm
I’ve bought cars that were a bit on the filthy side, detailed them and resold at a profit. Never could figure out why someone wouldn’t spend a day cleaning the thing up to get a better price, that and common courtesy of not selling your filth. It’s especially that way with trucks, minivans and SUVs.
GM all,
Never dreamed I’d be part of a garden thread, you’d normally fund me fishing or working on my house, but here goes...
With the teleworking and not going out, I decided on a new venture. It took 2wks and I built sturdy raised square foot garden boxes. Cedar boxes, with pressure treated 2x4 legs. 34” off the ground. Four boxes, each perfectly 2’x3’inside and 12” potting soil deep (height allows for 13.5” deep soil) with 1ctft work castings mixed in the soil. Added an automatic sprinkler system in each box with 4 mister heads running down the center of each box. The bottoms of the boxes are also cedar 1x8” with 1/4” gap between each board for drainage and the boxes are lined with lifetime guarantee rated weed barrier.
In fifteen minutes of sprinkling, water drips evenly from all the gaps below.
Lots of details, but since I’m posting for the first time, want give as much info as possible.
If anyone wants the photo of the boxes, plans, or any help building this let me know in PM.
...ONWARD...
I live in SE Florida, Ft Lauderdale area house
, 1/2 mile east of the beach as the crow flies.
I know this is not the planting season for this area and but the Chinese virus motivated me to start this now, so I’m stuck with what I’ve got for the time being. This planting is considered the R&D learning curve and hopefully by fall I’ll have a better knowledge base for when the season arrives.
Germinate...
On 4.22 I planted store bought seeds in the burpee 36 cell seed trays, put them on a table in the Florida room. For those not familiar, this is a room, faces east, with full 4’ tall windows on the N, E, and South sides and air conditioned. I have non gmo heirloom seeds, but am holding off on those while I learn out of season though. The seed trays have not seen direct sunlight yet.
Seeds started 04.22.20
Today is day six...
Radishes are 6”
Carrots 1”
Spinach 1”
Cauliflower 4”
Cucumber healthy 5”
Here’s the questions so far...
Today I put the radishes, carrots, cauliflower, and cucumber in the planter. They are getting so leggy that they’re staying to lay down. Was this too soon, or too late. How tall should the sprouts be to transplant?
The boxes will get 7 hours of direct, full Florida sun. I can turn the sprinklers on whenever I want by turning the egg timer. Easy. Should I shade the new sprouts?
How much shade? 4 hours? 6? All day? How many days, weeks did they get to be in shade?
How often should I water?
Any help that can be offered while I learn is very much appreciated
Thank you all.
Respectfully,
SW
LOL! I doubt your child put that together. I remember Mom used to get mad at us in the spring because every day we’d be covered in yellow Dandelion pollen and green grass stains.
We were born Packer Fans, Mom! :)
Admirable skills!
My Beau knits and darns socks better than I do. ;)
“Today I put the radishes, carrots, cauliflower, and cucumber in the planter. They are getting so leggy that they’re staying to lay down. Was this too soon, or too late. How tall should the sprouts be to transplant?”
HEAT is only going to be your friend for the Cucumbers. Carrots, Radishes and Cauliflower like it sunny and cool - so winter plantings for your zone.
Either look on line, or get yourself a book that is specific to your Planting Zone and you’ll get all the info you need on what to plant, when. You can only fool Mother Nature so far. ;)
Examples of what you’re looking for:
https://www.amazon.com/Florida-Fruit-Vegetable-Gardening-Harvest/dp/1591869056
https://www.amazon.com/Month-Month-Gardening-Florida-MacCubbin/dp/1888608242
I would leave the cucumber (just ONE plant) in your pot, but throw a tomato cage over it for support, or rig up something - cukes vine and will want to be trellised up. This also keeps them cleaner than if they trail on the ground.
Good luck! :)
Thank you Diana =o)
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