These days I DO wake up thanking my Lucky Stars (And Beau!) that I do NOT have to worry about a late or missing delivery of Mugo Pines! :)
Posted on 05/15/2021 6:40:39 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 a 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!
30 years
https://www.environmentalreturn.com/amp/thirty-years-of-garlic-mustard-control
Akron battle
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.beaconjournal.com/amp/4970732001
Awesome!
Just emailed your Critter Problem post to a few people. Will let you know how many cancellations occurred.
I LOVE ‘Garden & Gun.’ I’ve saved every issue.
Diana’s Bloody Marry Mix Recipe:
Use your basic V-8 recipe, but add additional garlic and additional horseradish (to your preference) before you can it.
I started with this recipe years ago - I skip the bay leaves and add a few chopped beets to the batch, too.
https://www.food.com/recipe/v-8-juice-for-canning-12033
Blue Start Juniper! Thanks! That grows here, the others you suggested won’t, but I like the idea of a clump of Iris in there, too.
I was also thinking a few of the smaller Hydrangea.
I think this may end up being a Hybrid Japanese/Cottage Garden, LOL!
Meh! Who cares? I’m the one that will be looking at it most of the time, from the kitchen sink window! ;)
These days I DO wake up thanking my Lucky Stars (And Beau!) that I do NOT have to worry about a late or missing delivery of Mugo Pines! :)
Mmmmmm....great way to get more vegetables......liquid form.
I never get enough veggies at mealtime.
Thanks! Winter Gardening Goals, for sure! I feel like a GODDESS now that I’ve figured out how to store potatoes for the winter. ;)
Come on! It was as equally disrespectful to each and every religion, LOL!
You’ve GOT to laugh these days, or you’ll go insane! :)
Great thread so far this week!
Beau took me up there (via the 4x) to see this impressive tree up close and personal. She is a beauty in all of her spring bloom! She has never been pruned or touched by human hands. She is easily 40 years old.
The cows use her for shade and as a back scratcher and they usually get to all of the low-hanging fruit before we do! Beautiful and useful.
How To Grow A Giant Basil Bush: A Pro Gardener Reveals Their Secret
The best way to ensure that a plant grows to its maximum potential is to give it what it needs.
In the case of basil, it is a lot of warmth, plenty of bright sunlight and ample moisture. If you provide these, your basil seedlings will grow fast to become large plants, providing you with plenty of leaves for your pesto.
If you keep your basil in the tiny pot it came in, you are not going to have a large, luxurious plant, even if you provide water and fertilizers regularly.
The roots need space to stretch out, so transplant it into a larger pot or plant it out in the garden.
If you are growing your plants from seeds, start them indoors early so that they will be ready to go outside when warm weather arrives.
Use warm grow lights or heating mats to keep your basil seedlings warm. A constant temperature of 70F is ideal.
Almost all varieties of basil are very tender, so they shouldn’t go outside until all danger of frost has passed.
As a general rule, basil should follow tomato plants. In fact, both these warm-season plants have similar cultural requirements. If you have a long growing season, you can sow basil seeds directly in a well-cultivated spot or raised bed at the same time as you transplant your tomato seedlings.
By the time the basil seedlings come up, it will be warm enough for them.
Basil likes some amount of moisture in the soil all the time, but it doesn’t like wet feet. Rich growing medium keeps it happy, but good drainage should be ensured. Work the soil well to ensure good air circulation. Amend the garden soil with compost, leaf mold, and other organic matter.
Soil compaction retards growth, so ‘friable’ soil is what you should aim for. Add some high nitrogen fertilizer which helps leafy growth. For organic culture, vermicompost is excellent. Repeat feeding every two weeks with compost tea.
Most gardening advice regarding basil supports keeping the plant compact and bushy. But large plants provide more leaves. As you know very well, even a small quantity of pesto requires quite a large amount of leaves.
If you want a large basil plant, refrain from pinching the tip when the plant is 6 inches tall as most gardeners advise.
Allow the plant to grow fast and furious until it is between 12-15 inches tall. Pinch not just the apical bud and the first pair of leaves as you would normally do. Remove around 2 inches of the stem tip. This promotes branching from lower nodes.
The side branches can be allowed to grow and fill out before their tips are pinched. They should be ready within 3 weeks. Continue to pinch off the tips of all branches and use them for making pesto and sauces.
That is a gorgeous specimen! How are the apples?
Just saw some of my poblano transplants (low to the ground and tiny, had some bugs nibbling on the leaves.
Had to break out my Castille soap solution to “nip it in the bud”
Small and sour. I guess you can’t have everything! ;) The cows like them, though.
The only problem is the mockingbird that hangs around the garden eating bugs (a good thing); however, it likes to perch on the chair backs for a 'bird's eye view' - this is a bad thing because I end up with bird poop all over the chairs. I have turned the chairs over/back down so the chairs are no longer a high perching point. The bird has moved to the top of the tomato cages & cuke trellis.
Looking forward to lots of nights under the stars with a great fire & good company.
Nice job!
Hahahahaha! YES! This is real life gardening to feed yourself kind of stuff.
That looks great! :)
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