Weekly Garden Thread - July 3-9, 2021 [Victory Garden Edition]

That’s very admirable! We might hit the 30 year-mark; we got started late in life. ;)

Mowing this evening & spotted a huge groundhog between the barn and tractor shed. I think it had just come out from under the barn and as I turned the mower, it spooked and ran for the shed. A couple of minutes later, I saw it on the other side of the tractor shed, running flat out for the barn. It was out in the grass at that point & boy, those suckers can really run!

By the time I finished on the mower, it was late & I didn’t feel like setting the big live trap. I’ll do that tomorrow - baiting it with apples off our old apple tree and a cucumber from the garden (I have more than enough cukes - could bait 10 traps). I’ll cut them up so the smell will waft in the air & maybe I’ll get lucky. I’ve not had good luck live trapping groundhogs before - only caught one young one years ago. While trying to catch ground hogs, I have caught a crow and a baby bunny (crow & bunny released with no harm done although the crow was pretty upset). If this big one finds my garden ....well, I don’t want to think about it.

Sometimes I wonder why certain animals were added to the mix; groundhogs are one of them. I mean, they’re not really FOOD for anything else, and all they are is destructive to buildings and food plots.

But, you know, it wasn’t my call back when all of this was being designed, LOL!

Sometimes I wonder why certain animals were added to the mix; .... they’re not really FOOD for anything else

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My brother was in a deer stand a couple of years ago on another farm and a large coyote came across the field in front of him carrying a groundhog - he got a picture of it & showed it to me. Sometimes, a predator will catch them! I’d rather have coyotes than groundhogs.

A first cousin of mine just died Monday - her former husband would hunt groundhogs on her mom’s place & then give the cleaned/dressed ‘hog’ to her mom to cook (my aunt, an excellent cook, did it, but wasn’t happy about it). He liked young ones.

The damage the groundhogs have done around our barn/sheds is just terrible. My dad has been getting Quikcrete & putting it down the holes. I think I spotted a fresh hole from this latest groundhog & that’s where I’ll set the trap.

As for ‘animals’ in the mix that seem to not have much value to us, I saw a ‘meme’ lately from someone in AK ..... “why oh why didn’t Noah swat the two mosquitoes before they got on the Ark?”

On a totally different topic - waiting for Elsa to arrive. We should get 2-3 inches of rain so I did not water the garden last night ... which means we will probably get a ‘sprinkle’ instead. I mowed like a fiend late yesterday, trying to get all the “lush” grass spots cut down (they’d gotten fairly high) - once the grass gets thick/high, it takes forever to dry & chokes out the mower. I had the mower slow down a few times going through some spots, but the worst is done & I can tackle the rest this weekend, after Elsa’s rain/winds clear off (should be after midnight tonight).

I've been out mowing this afternoon, too. It's clearing tonight, so the Kitchen Garden area will be dry enough to mow, tomorrow. We only got 1/4" rain out of the last round, but I will take what I can get! These last few days of the Cool Down have been heavenly! Makes weeding SO much easier and less sweaty!

Vegetables and Herbs to Plant in July

Covers all of our zones!

https://www.thespruce.com/planting-vegetables-and-herbs-in-july-2540000

My Zone, 4/5:

Basil, Beets, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Radishes, Turnips

I have plenty of Kale and Basil, but I will be adding Beets and Radishes and more bush beans.

Weeding the Tater Patch AGAIN - today. It’s nice and cool out and 1/4” of rain earlier this week makes the pulling easy. :) I still hate it, though. I FORCE myself - and I set a timer and play ‘Beat The Clock, LOL!

Diana; (Greeneyes) Thanks for the list of summer starts! I need to review and see what will work in KS Summer!

Garden status; We had a week or so of Seattle weather and got back to Kansas again for 4-5 days. It may rain tonight though.

Beets and Rutabagas and Kohlrabi harvested. Garlic harvested and in a braid in a cool place in the garage. Multiplier onions drying on the back porch.

I began harvesting tomatoes five days ago, Black Krim and Trifle; 2 days ago, Carbon, and starting yesterday Stupice, Principe Borghese, and 10 fingers of Naples.

Dried a bunch of CatMint in the back porch, some dill drying there now.

I moved the potatoes to partial shade and closer to water. They are doing better. Japanese Cucumbers are growing up a trellis. Pruned off the branchings. Yellow squash is up and growing. Will run them up a small trellis this year. Lots of peppers, Jimmy Nardellos, Chevna chuska, I think one Baklouti, A Thai pepper, a japanese pepper. (I like peppers...easy to freeze.) Leeks are growing. (Easy to blanch and freeze. Okra is getting larger. (Had one next to some dill....it did not grow well!)

Japanese beetle population has moderated. I do not know if they have passed or whether there will be later hatches.

I sprayed my Plum and Viking Aronia them with a mixture of Sal Suds soap, neem, cedar oil and spinosad.. They left the Aronia alone.

The mixture resulted in some burning to the leaves of the plums, but they continued to set up their little orgies on the new leaves (now skeletonized....) I ran around for a week knocking them into a bucket filled with soapy water.

They have not bothered the Fig trees!

Nice pictures! The apples are coming along.

What variety of Fig is that?

What variety of Fig is that? I planted two three years ago - that one is called a Brown Turkey - very sweet, wonderful flavor. Can be dry. I lost the Strawberry Fig, unfortunately - green on the outside, red on the inside. My brother grows them beautifully, have no idea why I lost mine. Not sure if I'll replace it or not. The Brown Turkey is going to give me a huge crop this year - family is already putting in dibs. Daughter says she wants them to make fig jam.

“I began harvesting tomatoes five days ago, Black Krim and Trifle; 2 days ago, Carbon, and starting yesterday Stupice, Principe Borghese, and 10 fingers of Naples.”

All of my faves! I have decided that NEXT season I am growing tomatoes, peppers and flowers and that’s it! I get the most use out of those things; the rest I can buy here for cheap as cukes and zukes and onions and such are SO readily available. So, re-thinking my strategy, too.

I have seen exactly TWO Japanese Beetles - so happy! I think our VERY dry spring, and the fact that they need to emerge from the lawn which was like CEMENT, really helped this season.

(I killed the two I saw - I did NOT want to risk them getting together!)

Pictures tomorrow of the deer I’m ‘growing’ for later harvesting. ;)

BoB PM with some links regarding figs!

Get a promise from them to give you several jars of fig jam before you give them any! (Hard work...let them do it!)

THIS IS THE LINK BACK RESOURCE AREA FOR NEW GARDENERS AND OLD GARDENERS LOOKING FOR NEW IDEAS! BOOKS, MAGAZINES, GARDENING SEEDS, SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, AND INTERESTING GARDENING LINKS! (INFO HAS BEEN COMPILED FROM PREVIOUS WEEKLY THREADS!)

(Previous resource area found at: https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3940012/posts?q=1&;page=118)

SELECT SOURCES OF GARDENING SUPPLIES (Search will locate many more!)

SEEDS, FRUIT TREES, GARDENING SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT

ARBICO Organics (Organic products including beneficial insects)

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Botanial Interests

Burgess Seeds

Fungi Perfecti (Mushroom growing and mushroom products)

Grow Organic / Peaceful Valley (organic farming & gardening/irrigation supplies)

Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co

High Mowing Seeds

Johnny’s Seeds

Jung Seeds & Plants

One Green World

ParkSeeds

Peaceful Valley/Grow Organic (Sell products up to the Pallet level! Probably more for CA Freepers!)

Prairie Moon Nursery (Native seeds and plants Wildflowers)

Raintree Nurseries

Seed Savers Exchange

Seeds Now

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Stark Brothers Nurseries

Territorial seeds

Thompson and Morgan

SEED SAVER EXCHANGE LINKS

http://www.seedsavers.org (Founders/supporter links below!)
https://awhaley.com/
https://amygoldmanfowler.com/
88 posted on 6/6/2021, 7:17:43 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

Canning / Preserving Supplies
Posted by Honeysuckle Tn in another thread!
https://www.allamericancanner.com/
Harvest Guard https://canninglids.com/
Tattler https://reusablecanninglids.com/
Gardener / Farming Prepper links:

Freeper Pollard has a list of Prepper links on Water and Food at his home page:

https://freerepublic.com/~pollard/

Ag/Prepper Database has an extensive list of farming/gardening/agricultural subjects at the link below! (Click on link to see what is available!!)

To: Diana in Wisconsin Ag/Prepper Database Crossover Ping from Pollard:
https://permasteader.com/cloud/index.php/s/cctrRrEp2QzoePC
719mb of mostly pdf files on ‘Agriculture’ geared towards edibles, from nut trees to veggies to mushrooms with lots of supporting info on soils, pests, seed saving etc. There are 22 folders within the Agriculture folder with 21 of them having material sorted by subject and then there’s 1 Misc folder. When you’re in any folder, you can click the button at the top right to Download all files which will create a zip file for you. On individual items, click the three dots to the right of it and click download. I’m pretty sure I got rid of all copyrighted material, magic mushroom and marijuana stuff. I downloaded this as a torrent years ago and had never gone through it all until today but I didn’t open every single file. Just the big ones, apt to be a book and anything with obvious titles. This stuff’s not going anywhere soon so take your time and peruse the content and download what’s useful to you.

102 posted on 7/11/2021, 6:21:01 PM by Pollard

GREENHOUSE POLYCARBONATE PANELS

PLANS AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT POLLARD AG PREP DATA BASE ABOVE!
https://permasteader.com/cloud/index.php/s/cctrRrEp2QzoePC
To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
“buy the polycarbonate panels”
I bought the much cheaper “clear” ( but you can’t see clearly through it) 4 year greenhouse film. Has lasted 8 years and still doing fine. Ha! Still have the link:
https://www.growerssolution.com/PROD/4-year-6-mil-clear-greenhouse-film/G4Y6MGF
If making one for occupation T recommend getting clear vinyl for some clear windows. The vinyl will have to be replaced every year so don’t overdo it’s use..

BOOKS (movies) AND LINKS TO BOOKS Mentioned on the thread

7 Books Aimed at Helping Hobby Farmers

https://www.hobbyfarms.com/books-hobby-farms-farming/

I own ‘The Woman Hobby Farmer’ and ‘The Lean Farm’ both of which I’ve found helpful.
107 posted on 6/21/2021, 9:45:28 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3941037/posts?q=1&;page=251
I have this book. It’s for people gardening in limited space with limited resources. It does teach you a lot about growing vegetables and composting organically. (Good to know but I think If you have space and fertilizer, use it you will get larger vegetables and yields.)
“How to grow more vegetables in less space than you ever imagined” John Jeavons
https://www.amazon.com/How-Grow-More-Vegetables-Ninth-dp-0399579184/dp/0399579184/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

I have not read this but am aware of some of his arguments for using space if you have it.

“Gardening when it Counts. Growing food in hard times.” Steven Soloman. (Founder of Territorial Seeds.)
https://www.amazon.com/Gardening-When-Counts-Growing-Mother/dp/086571553X
________________________________________ “Whizbang Gardening!” Herrick Kimball

https://whizbanggardening.blogspot.com/

I am using some of his ideas.
________________________________________ This looks interesting. I do not have room for a greenhouse. If you do It might be worth getting one!

“Four Season Harvest ” Elliot Coleman.

https://www.amazon.com/Four-Season-Harvest-Organic-Vegetables-Garden/dp/1890132276/ref=pd_sbs_11?pd_rd_w=JOmVv&pf_rd_p=651d64d1-3c73-45b6-ae09-e545600e3a22&pf_rd_r=TGC24HR7EQE02YJZD397&pd_rd_r=ab823644-b905-44f4-af8e-c3cabdc39863&pd_rd_wg=JyMba&pd_rd_i=1890132276&psc=1

Pete from Shawnee Mission

Straw Bail Gardening.

https://www.amazon.com/Straw-Bale-Gardens-Complete-Karsten/dp/1591869072

49 posted on 2/20/2021, 10:54:22 AM by Qiviut

To: Qiviut
"The book I used as a resource was “Straw Bale Gardens Complete” by Joel Karsten."
142 posted on 2/21/2021, 10:12:45 PM by Grammy

To: Grammy
Here’s some more good info, Grammy!

“How to Build a Straw Bale Garden” ~ Modern Farmer

https://modernfarmer.com/2013/07/straw-bale-gardening/?fbclid=IwAR3LMpf8e5n5z7jFR2l-ZEA7qIJS7cdi3sq_EwOotGUXHAqzNELAG1yZ1jc

I’d like to recommend Carol Deppe’s “The Resilient Gardener”, as well as her book “How to Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties”.
Even if you don’t intend to take up plant-breeding, she has excellent advice about how to save seeds in a way that minimizes inbreeding depression, and how to select for plants that do well in your particular area.
278 posted on 3/13/2021, 2:40:14 PM by Ellendra

Joseph Lofthouse just published the book for you! His methods of landrace breeding break a lot of rules, but the result is an almost lazy way to breed new varieties. Check it out!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0578245655/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
87 posted on 6/20/2021, 4:27:09 AM by Ellendra

‘The Orchard: A Memoir’ by Adele Crockett Robertson
“The Orchard is an exquisitely beautiful and poignant memoir of a young woman’s single-handed struggle to save her New England farm in the depths of the Great Depression.

10 posted on 6/26/2021, 9:37:52 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

DISGUISED/CAMOUFLAGED GARDENING AND PERMACULTURE

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ secret-garden-of-survival-how-to-grow-a-camouflaged-food-forest-rick-austin /1114910772

and

https://www.thespruce.com/best-vegetables-and-fruits-for-edible-landscape-1403436 and

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/landscaping-with-vegetables.htm

“Edible Landscaping” by Rosalind Creasy is an excellent book. ALL of her books are terrific!

https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/rosalind-creasy/226104/

I see that ‘Edible Landscaping’ is out of stock at this site, but you can find it elsewhere on line or at your library.
(I just hate linking to Amazon for anything these days!)
296 posted on 3/17/2021, 11:29:26 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

Diana in Wisconsin:
“52 Weekend Garden Projects” By Nancy Bubel
To: bimboeruption
It's from 1992, but a really great reference with a lot of useful projects for the garden/yard.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3936288/posts?q=1&;page=101
posted on 2/23/2021, 9:40:20 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

“The Founding Gardeners” by Andrea Wulf
A friend recommended this to me, and it's in my 'stack-o-stuff' (Miss You, Rush!) to read.
"Andrea Wulf's fine story of how gardening and farming shaped the thinking of Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison … One of Wulf's most luxurious and sharp-witted chapters concerns the matter that would fertilize a new nation: 'Mundane as it seems,' she writes, 'manure was of the greatest concern to all
four of them." San Francisco Chronicle
'Land Girls' is a pretty good series to watch, too.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449940/
https://www.createcraftlove.com/garden-hose-spring-wreath/?pp=0&fbclid=IwAR2Y6v7qoYAABrvg8hiL_gWFvToUFqxPOwDjCW-o_hkpZI06rXbmYasnzNM

186 posted on 2/25/2021, 10:25:57 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

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LINKS TO VARIOUS SUBJECTS

Gardening- Amount to Grow for family of five
Here’s a chart for Amount to Grow for family of five of various veggies. Basically for a tractor garden and row length needed ranges from 10 to 1,000 feet. Might be
handy in these times we live in. Can be reduced down to one person or even less. Tells you how much of each veggie is produced per 100 foot row which is handy. Some of those units are in bushels. Row spacing is listed for a tractor. (pdf file)

https://permasteader.com/cloud/index.php/s/WAiqtnpPAKQo9yX

57 posted on 7/10/2021, 4:04:58 PM by Pollard

Before going into the garden!

5 SIMPLE STRECHES FOR GARDENERS

https://gardentherapy.ca/5-simple-stretches-for-gardeners/

Gardening can do wonders for your health, but if you don’t take care and stretch your body before spending time crouching, bending, and pulling weeds, you can become very stiff, sore, or injure yourself badly. These simple stretches for gardeners are easy and gentle for every body. Spend just a few minutes doing these before you head
into the garden and you’ll feel a world of difference.
1. Tall Like A Tree
2. Touch The Earth 3.
Tumbleweed Your Shoulders 4.
Tight Like a Bud, Flourish Like a Flower 5.
Find Your Deep Roots

151 posted on 5/27/2021, 7:12:13 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

GARDENING HOW TO (Various)

STARTING SEED

https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/seed-starting-faq/7882.html

Nutritious vegetables

ttps://www.almanac.com/extra/most-nutritious-vegetables-you-can-grow

Square Foot Gardening

https://squarefootgardening.org/2019/03/planting-chart-cheat-sheets/

These charts from Botanical Interests are also very helpful. Printable PDF Files:

https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Sowing-Guides

Beneficial Bugs in the Garden

https://www.almanac.com/beneficial-insects-garden

TRICHOGRAMMA WASPS

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/corn-earworm-control.htm

https://pestadvisories.usu.edu/2020/08/19/corn-earworm-hornworms/

Trichogramma wasps are parasitic toward CEW eggs. Wasps can be purchased and released into corn fields.
spinosad (Bonide Captain Jack’s Deadbug, Monterey Garden Insect Spray, Natural Guard Spinosad Spray)
Search Amazon for one source for them.
"Bug Sales Trichogramma 3 Squares/ 12,000 Eggs Brand: Bug Sales"
About $12 and $2 shipping.
Also available through Aribico Organics and Peaceful Valley/Grow Organic.
(Both have Good products for fly control in dairy and horse operations!)

HORNWORMS
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-blacklight-tomato-hornworms-97836.html

WATERING: (Advice from Diane)

The Proper Way to Water Your Garden
Watering Plants and Lawns Efficiently
DO When is the best time to water plants? That’s a popular question. Water early in the morning when sunlight is weakest, the ground is coolest and foliage will have hours to dry before nightfall. Aim for between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
DON’T water in the evening when soil is warm and wet foliage can attract insects, fungus and disease.
DO water deeply and at fewer intervals so that you reach roots, the part of the plant that needs the nutrients, sugars and hormones contained in water. Soaking the soil to a depth of 5 to 6 inches encourages plants to grow deeper roots, which in the long run will make for a healthier garden.
DON’T water lightly and often, which promotes shallow root growth. (One of the worst watering crimes you can commit is to dash outside after work every evening and sprinkle the lawn for 10 minutes. Book ‘em, Danno!)
DO direct water at the base of a plant and avoid wetting foliage, which invites fungus. Also, you’ll lose less water to evaporation and, since your’re applying water
directly to the root zone, the water will be readily available to the plant roots.
DON’T water from overhead. Depending on the size of the plant, the water may never actually hit the ground because the foliage may overshadow the plant’s base.
DO give lawns an inch of water per week during dry spells which, with a sprinkler, takes about 90 minutes to deliver to one area. If you don’t have a water gauge, set out
an empty tuna fish can. When it’s full, you’re done!
DON’T water a lawn more or less than what’s needed because the amount affects root growth — the foundation of a healthy, beautiful lawn.
DO use irrigation systems with fixtures close to the ground. If using a sprinkler, opt for small sprinklers that allow you to change water delivery patterns or, for large
areas, use a pulsating, revolving sprinkler that shoots water out horizontally at a high speed that overcomes loss due to evaporation or wind.
DON’T use sprinklers that spray vast amounts of water into the air, most of which evaporates before it ever hits the ground. Avoid watering on windy days as well.
DO give trees and shrubs — especially newly planted ones — direct watering every 7 to 10 days.
DON’T rely on sprinklers and irrigation systems to reach the bases of trees and shrubs.
DO use soaker hoses to water vegetable gardens. Again, hit the ground, not the plant.
DON’T use overhead sprinklers in vegetable gardens. More water is lost to evaporation than is absorbed by the soil.
DO use a watering wand to water annuals and perennials, both in ground and containers.
DON’T use a hose and nozzle which casts a wide spray that wets the foliage and not always the ground.
DO water container gardens regularly, typically once a day during hot, dry spells. Stick your finger in the soil. If it feels dry all the way to your second knuckle, it’s time to water.
DON’T think that container gardens need watering only when everything else does. Pots hold heat, so the confined soil dries out faster than garden soil does.
DO mulch beds and containers with several inches of composted material, which cools soil, retains moisture and helps deter weeds.
DON’T water un-mulched soil. The force of the water can spatter plants with moist soil and cause runoff.
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/the-proper-way-to-water-your-garden

112 posted on 6/7/2021, 11:41:50 AM by Diana in Wisconsin
Watched a few of the Daisy Creek Farms videos. Very informative and well done.
A good primer for Newbies on which veggie plants NOT to buy at a nursery...because they are super-easy to grow yourself from seed! $4 for 6 corn seedlings? LOL!
What a racket!
Never Buy These 12 Veggie Plants from Nursery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faPfTVWDIi4
78 posted on 6/28/2021, 2:55:52 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

J. Jevois "Do not water plants....always water the ground around the plants!"

SOME OF DIANE’S ADVICE ON SELECTING AND GROWING TOMATOES

Tomato blight is in the SOIL, so the key to prevention and/or slowing it down, is to mulch your tomatoes well, but leave a gap around the stem for direct
watering/fertilizing. Also, pruning your lower tomato plant leaves well above the soil and using a copper spray on the bottom 1/3 of your plants on a regular basis helps
knock it back, too.
Humidity and dew really don’t contribute to spreading the disease; heavy rain downpours on un-mulched garden beds can splash the blight up onto the higher leaves,

spreading disease. You will almost always see blight starting on the LOWER leaves and working its way UP. HOWEVER - if your tomatoes are packed in and there’s not enough air circulation around them, that also contributes to blight issues.
I know it’s too late for this year, but in the future get in the habit of buying seeds/plants that are blight resistant. Look for AAS Winners; they’re usually a winner because
they don’t have the disease issues other varieties have. The AAS Winners listed here are the small and cherry-types.
https://all-americaselections.org/aas-winning-tomato-types/
Here is a listing of blight resistant tomatoes that are newer to the market:
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-trends/best-new-tomatoes-2020/
Here are some ‘old standards’ many of us have been growing for years:
https://tomatopedia.org/blight-resistant-tomato-varieties/
Disease Resistant Codes (usually listed in the catalog description; sometimes are part of the actual tomato variety name):
Disease Resistance Codes
V Verticillium Wilt
F Fusarium Wilt
FF Fusarium, races 1 and 2
FFF Fusarium, races 1, 2, and 3
N Nematodes
A Alternaria
T Tobacco Mosaic Virus
St Stemphylium (Gray Leaf Spot)
TSWV Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus
I heartily recommend ANY of the tomatoes in the ‘Chef’s Choice’ series - but leave room because the plants and the tomatoes are BIG!
https://tomatogrowers.com/collections/chefs-choice-tomatoes

152 posted on 7/15/2021, 9:38:44 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

SOME OF DIANES ADVICE ON SELECTING AND GROWING CUCUMBERS

Cucumbers will stop setting fruit if the temperatures get too high. Have you been having that Heat Wave by you?
Also, you either have too many male flowers and not enough females (that carry the fruit) or vice versa. They usually even themselves out in the end. ;)
Too much nitrogen in the soil, or what you’re using as fertilizer can cause that, too. Just like tomatoes, if you have too much nitrogen, you get big plants but little
production out of them.
How are pollinators by you? Do you have bees and such buzzing around? Lack of pollination can be a problem for cucumbers, too.
Lastly, they have cucumber varieties now that are Parthenocarpic, which only produce female flowers and self-pollinate - no male flowers needed.
“A few parthenocarpic cucumber varieties are available for home gardeners. Parthenocarpic slicers include Sweet Success, Euro-American, Socrates, Tyria, Diva, Tasty
Jade and Suyo Long. County Fair 83 is a parthenocarpic pickler, but the slicers can also be harvested young and used for pickling since seeds are not a problem.”
https://www.hunker.com/13426694/parthenocarpic-cucumber-varieties
Of those above, I have grown ‘Diva’ which was nice, but fatter than I wanted. I like the English-style cukes that are long and thinner with few seeds and thin skins. This season I am growing, ‘Sweeter Yet’ and ‘Summer Dance.’
23 posted on 7/10/2021, 9:04:21 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

APPLES
Unusual apples
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/unusual-apples
POTATOES Efforts to introduce the potato into the European diet. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/07/28/prussian-and-the-potato/

CLEMATIS
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm
120 posted on 6/23/2021, 8:29:03 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

SWEET POTATOES
Thank you for the Sweet Potato sprouting link.
Bumping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35dp5iS8u7M
TianaHighrider

VEGETABLES AND HERBS TO PLANT IN JULY

Covers all of our zones!

https://www.thespruce.com/planting-vegetables-and-herbs-in-july-2540000

My Zone, 4/5:
Basil, Beets, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Radishes, Turnips
I have plenty of Kale and Basil, but I will be adding Beets and Radishes and more bush beans.
Weeding the Tater Patch AGAIN - today. It’s nice and cool out and 1/4” of rain earlier this week makes the pulling easy. :) I still hate it, though. I FORCE myself - and I set a timer and play ‘Beat The Clock, LOL!

106 posted on 7/9/2021, 10:35:12 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

VEGETABLE CROPS AND THEIR SUCESSION PLANTING INTERVALS

If you live in a colder climate like I do (Zone 4/5), it’s time to start thinking about Fall Crops, already! I found this handy-dandy list on the Johnny’s site. Vegetable Crops & Their Succession-Planting Intervals
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/succession-planting-interval-chart-vegetables.html
I really only have half of a bed that held Broccoli, so I’m just going to plant beets and radishes in there, now. When my Bush Beans are done, I’ll do something else in that bed, which will be about 3/4 empty - the Pole Beans on one end keep going late into summer.
Anyhow, hope this helps some of you to make the best of your Victory Garden this season! :)

82 posted on 7/5/2021, 1:10:31 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

ADVICE TO GET RID OF GARDEN SLUGS

I’ve always used beer in jar tops to attract snails/slugs & it’s worked for me..
A homesteader I follow has this article on getting rid of garden pests ... she is in WAshington State & evidently, there are a lot of slugs in that area.
How to Get Rid of Bugs on Plants Naturally Tips that Actually Work
https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/how-to-get-rid-of-bugs-on-plants-naturally/
Quiviut

USING STOCK PANELS IN THE GARDEN & SUNSPACES (Check the ag link at top!)

The joe gardener Show with Joe Lamp: Top 10 uses of stock panels in the garden.
https://joegardener.com/podcast/livestock-panels-top-10-uses/
More links & resources at the end of the article. plus more on the page.
If you’re wanting free heated space for activity a low thermal mass attached greenhouse is great!

https://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Sunspace/sunspaces.htm

I can sit buck naked in mine after 2 - 3 hours of sunshine even when the outdoor temps are in the teens.
Not much good for plants though as they get too warm in the day and too cold at night.
32 posted on 3/6/2021, 1:52:48 PM by mrsmith

PERMACULTURE

Are there any easy to maintain permanent plantings you can make? (Beside chives!!)
https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/20-perennial-vegetables
Fig trees grow quickly and are fairly easy to grow and maintain! Some varieties will tolerate a cooler pacific coastal area!

STRAW BALE GARDENING LINKS

To: Grammy
Here’s some more good info, Grammy!

“How to Build a Straw Bale Garden” ~ Modern Farmer

https://modernfarmer.com/2013/07/straw-bale-gardening/?fbclid=IwAR3LMpf8e5n5z7jFR2l-ZEA7qIJS7cdi3sq_EwOotGUXHAqzNELAG1yZ1jc 146 posted on 2/22/2021, 9:43:59 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

(and advice!)
You’re NOT a ‘bad’ gardener! You’re just a novice - and I’ve been doing this for 50+ years and I still learn something new nearly every day! :)
“Days 4-10: Feed the bales using a high-nitrogen organic liquid fertilizer – any standard vegetable and flower mix will be fine. Simply add it to your watering can as directed on the pack and pour onto the bales.”
https://sympathink.com/conditioning-fertilizing-straw-bales-for-gardening/
Look for a liquid fertilizer that has a high ‘N’ or FIRST number in the NPK rating. Bales need Nitrogen more so than a garden in the soil and a liquid will be the easiest way to apply it and get it to the plant roots.
They should give you some specific recommendations in any of those books suggested for Straw Bale Gardens.

(RECIPES Go to the end of this thread!)

PLANTING TIMES

But, Spring started nearly 3 weeks ago, Feb 2! Match 21, Spring Equinox, is Mid-Spring.
For the ancient Celts, Cross-Quarter days signaled the beginning if a season! For example, what is now Groundhog Day (Candlemas) would be considered the start of spring! Together, the Quarter Days and Cross-Quarter Days made an eight-part year that reflected the natural procession of the seasons.
That explains why June 21 is Mid Summers Day; and December 21 is Mid Winters Day.
QUARTER DAYS AND CROSS-QUARTER DAYS

114 posted on 2/20/2021, 10:58:49 PM by ApplegateRanch (Lo

TOOLS

JAPANESE HAND HOE KANAHOE

If I have to do close kneeling hoeing this is the one!

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3968185/posts?page=1

Japanese Kanahoe

SCYTHES

Here is a link to a store that sells something that will still work when there is a gas shortage!

https://www.scythesupply.com/

Videos on harvesting wheat and mowing grass, for cutting hay on hillsides that are too steep to mow, and how to sharpen your scythe (by hand.)
There are a variety of blades depending on what you need to do.
They sell a custom fitted snath (the wooden part of the scythe)to help minimize the wear and tear on your body!
“Maine made Snaths are custom fitted to your measurements, are innovative in design and made by us here in Perry, Maine.”
After all, people customize golf clubs and pool cues, why not scythes?
(I do not work for them or get anything for posting this link!)

67 posted on 5/15/2021, 8:45:59 AM by Pete from Shawnee Mission

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECIPES THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE GARDENING THREAD!
THERE ARE MORE AT POLLARDS HOME PAGE

https://freerepublic.com/~pollard/

60+ NASTURTIUM RECIPES ~ FOOD, DRINKS, REMEDIES & MORE

https://practicalselfreliance.com/nasturtium-recipes/

25 posted on 7/3/2021, 9:37:22 AM by bert

ROSEMARY https://mollygreen.com/blog/twenty-ways-to-use-rosemary/

39 posted on 6/19/2021, 11:34:43 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

HERB SUGARS

https://www.marthastewart.com/907438/herb-sugar
I could see a Bloody Mary glass rimmed with Basil Salt, or a Mojito Glass rimmed with Mint Sugar. Yay, Summertime!

74 posted on 6/28/2021, 7:25:31 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

(Also see Pollard’s home page for links to recipies)

COOKBOOKS recommended by DIANE:

Twelve Months of Monastery Soups
Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette

and

Simplicity From a Monastery Kitchen
Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette

15 posted on 7/10/2021, 8:49:47 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

WAYS TO GET VEGETABLES INTO YOUR DIET

Do five servings of veggies per day seem near-impossible? Don’t worry. Here are 125 easy, delicious ways to sneak more vegetables into your daily diet—no kale necessary.
https://parade.com/1207913/stephanieosmanski/how-to-eat-more-vegetables/

49 posted on 7/10/2021, 11:55:55 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK CHICHITOS AND CHARRED LEMON

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/grilled-skirt-steak-shishitos-and-charred-lemon
I did not have mint or watercress. And I dislike blue cheese so I used Jarlsberg. Blistering the peppers took some finess but I have a grill wok so it worked out well, they don’t take much time at all.

89 posted on 6/6/2021, 7:34:38 PM by MomwithHope

SALT & VINEGAR ZUCCHINI CHIPS (DEHYDRATOR RECIPE)

https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/salt-and-vinegar-zucchini-chips/#_a5y_p=3092921

102 posted on 7/20/2021, 3:11:32 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

MOMS ZUCCHINI PANCAKES

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222870/moms-zucchini-pancakes/

4 posted on 7/17/2021, 7:54:37 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

TOMATO PIE
My mom literally begs for tomato pie every year .... this is a decent recipe. I’ve made it with slices & diced - both have their advantages.
http://www.tasteofsouthern.com/tomato-pie-recipe/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CORN SALAD
It may be too early for corn, but Ina Garten’s Fresh Corn Salad is just fabulous, IMO. I had an uncle who was over for dinner when I served it - first time he’d had it & I was worried he was going to dive head-first into the bowl (only slightly joking here). If corn is not in season, you can use frozen, cook & cool it.
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/fresh-corn-salad

31 posted on 7/10/2021, 9:46:34 AM by Qiviut

SLOW COOKER RANCH MUSHROOMS

Thanks for the recipe. That sounds like a good one to take to our next Family Gathering, though I’ve ended up ‘in charge’ of always making the Crock Pot Mushrooms...NEVER any leftovers:

https://www.thechunkychef.com/slow-cooker-ranch-mushrooms/

54 posted on 6/5/2021, 7:26:27 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

To: All
I saved my BEST Zucchini Casserole recipe for last. I just LOVE this - and there is nothing low-fat or low carb about it, though you can use calorie-reduced cream soup and sour cream if necessary.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/zucchini-and-stuffing-casserole-3062402

148 posted on 7/23/2021, 12:57:41 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

JAPANESE ZUCCHINI

Great side dish for Asian meal or grilled seafood, chix,
or steak. Amp flavor with hot sauce and chili garlic sauce.
INGREDIENTS
3 medium zucchini,
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium sweet onion, coarse chopped
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tsps toasted sesame seeds.
Heat veg oil ......and pat of butter for richness. Add zucchini batons and chp onion;cook 2 minutes.
teriyaki, soy sauce, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Cook 4 to 5 minutes til soft enough for your liking. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

139 posted on 7/22/2021, 8:04:28 PM by Liz

THE UNIVERSE COCKTAIL
The Universe cocktail is made from Midori melon liqueur, vodka, pistachio liqueur, pineapple juice and lime juice, and served in a chilled champagne glass. INGREDIENTS
15 ml / ½ oz. Midori melon liqueur
15 ml / ½ oz. vodka
15 ml / ½ oz. Lime Juice
10 ml/ ⅓ oz. pistachio liqueur
30 ml / 1 oz. pineapple juice
METHOD
Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
Strain into a chilled champagne glass.

143 posted on 7/23/2021, 9:40:17 AM by Liz

OLD-FASHIONED GINGERBREAD

REAL gingerbread! Heavy on molasses and spices. Very moist, flavorful -
sweet and spicy. Can add 1/8 tsp cloves, grated candied gingeroot.
Much loved New England classic. For breakfast or dessert.

METHOD elec/mixer on low 30 sec, 2 1/3 c flour, 1/2 c shortening, 1/3 c sugar, cup molasses, 3/4 c hot water,
tea ea b/soda, ginger, cinnamon, 3/4 tea salt, an egg; scrape bowl constantly. Beat on med 3 min, scrape occa.
Bake in greased/floured bottom/sides 9x9x2" sq 325 deg 50-55 min--pick in center comes clean.
SERVE hot out of the oven for breakfast slathered w/ ice cold butter. Great w/ scrambled eggs.
VARY Serve as dessert
Topped w/ whipped cream cheese drizzled w/ a thin Lemon Sauce.
Topped w/ whipped cream cheese drizzled w/ Butterscotch Sauce.
Topped w/ whipped cream cheese and canned apricot halves w/ juices.

RED LOBSTER CHEESE BISCUITS

To: Diana in Wisconsin
Everybody loves this recipe so I'm reposting in case anyone missed it. Red Lobster Restaurants'
popular cheese and garlic biscuits are easy to make using Bisquick and freshly grated Cheddar.

https://www.wisconsincheese.com/recipes

ING 2 cups Bisquick 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar 1/4 cup melted butter 1/4 tsp garlic powder
METHOD Mix Biquick, milk, cheese to soft dough; then beat vigorously 30 sec. Drop spoonfuls onto ungreased sheetpan.
Bake golden 450 deg 8-10 min. Brush warm biscuits w/ combined butter/garlic powder. Serve warm sprinkled w/ minced parsley.
CHEF'S NOTE: steep chp gar/cl in melted butter while baking biscuits......instead of using gar/pwder.

43 posted on 2/28/2021, 10:30:17 AM by Liz (
BAKED ONION MASHED POTATOES
Mash 2 lb drained, warm red potatoes w/ milk/butter; add pureed Baked Onions; s/p.
BAKED ONIONS Bake soft 2 med chp onions/2 tbl ol/oil 375 deg 15 min. Blender/purée.
MAPLE-GLAZED SALMON
Sear both sides in heated pan 4 filets coated w/ olive oil/coarse salt/wh/pepper.
Drizzle w/ Maple Glaze. Finish 350 deg 12-15 min to fave doneness.
GLAZE Flambe 1/4 c brandy 5 sec. Add 1 1/4 c maple syrup; heat.
Whisk in cornstarch/slurry; simmer/stir 5 min. Cool to room temp.
ASSEMBLY Arrange on plate potatoes, salmon, Glaze drizzle.
SERVE garnished w/ a shower of diced red peppers, minced scallion.

182 posted on 2/25/2021, 6:35:45 AM by Liz

To: All
I picked a peck of Cucumbers yesterday, so I am making a batch of Refrigerator Pickles, today. I basically use this recipe, though I have a spice combo already thrown together for pickling. These will be ‘Bread and Butter’ pickles, versus Dill. I also add whatever red or green peppers I have on hand to the mix, just because it’s pretty, and of course, I add garlic. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/easy-refrigerator-pickles/

DIANA'S EASY FRIDGE PICKLES

Find your favorite BIG jar with a lid. Make sure it's squeaky clean! Peel and slice enough cucumbers, red peppers and sweet onions to fill the jar to the brim. (They shrink when the hot brine hits them.) 2 cups water, 2 cups vinegar of your choice (I just use Heinz 57 plain old white vinegar), 2 cups sugar. Boil those together until the sugar is dissolved, stir a few times. (Should just be bubbling; doesn't have to be a rolling boil.) Add 2 Tbsp chopped garlic to the brine, then pour it into the jar. Let the mixture cool, then cap and put in the fridge. Tasty the very next morning. Keep stored in the fridge, and I tip the jar over or shake it up when I think of it. Totally yummy.

88 posted on 7/11/2021, 8:19:22 AM by Diana in Wisconsin

PIZZA ASPARAGUS AND BRIE

A gourmandise pizza made w/ Asparagus and Triple Cream Brie.....
startlingly beautiful taste sensation on steroids.

Asparagus and Triple Cream Brie Pizza (click for link)

139 posted on 5/26/2021, 6:37:49 PM by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use. )

I always forget to save some asparagus for pizza! We’re always in such a hurry to gobble it all up each spring. ;) My favorite pizza dough recipe is from Deborah Madison, a local vegetarian Chef:

https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/deborah-madisons-pizza-dough

143 posted on 5/26/2021, 6:46:43 PM by Diana in Wisconsin

TARTIFLETTE / serves 4

ING medium russet potato (about 1/2 lb.) 2 tb butter, 1/2 lb onion, halved and thinly sliced
K/salt 1 1/4 tsp. sugar 1/3 cup white wine 2 tb thinly sliced sage 2 tb crème fraîche
1/2 lb. Fromager d’Affinois (creamy French cheese similar to Brie), in 1/4" slices
Prep--cover potato with cold water. Cook just tender, about 25 min; cool slightly. Peel and cut into 1/4" thick slices. Hold. In skillet, melt butter on med. Add onion and 2 tsp k/salt. Cook/stir occasionally; onion begins to brown, 8-10 min. Stir in sugar, then 1/2 of wine, scraping up the browned bits. Cook/stir often, til reduced, onion is golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add rest wine. Cook/ stir scraping pan bottom til is deep brown and jammy, 8-10 minutes. Stir in sage. Remove from heat. Arrange half of the potato slices in baker; k/salt and pepper. Top with half of the onion. Repeat with the remaining potato slices and onion. Drizzle with the crème fraîche. Top with the cheese. Bake 400 deg golden-brown and bubbling at the edges, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
109 posted on 5/12/2021, 8:21:49 AM by Liz

Bookmark

FYI: The current Weekly Gardening Thread is up for November 20-26, 2021. :)

Slide...Woodchuck and Badger, its not the "Wind in the Willows" and these are not gardener friends,

https://sites.uwm.edu/badgerresearch/badger-facts/

"Badgers are opportunistic carnivores and will eat almost anything under the size of a woodchuck (groundhog). Badgers are especially adept at capturing burrowing mammals such as woodchucks, ground squirrels, and gophers. Other food items include voles, mice, ground-nesting birds, insects, and carrion."

I am not going to suggest that people in Wisconsin just need more state protected badgers to take care of the woodchuck (and small rodent) problem. I do not know what will then be done as a result of the broken cow leg problem because of all the new badger burrows. As always nature has solutions and in this case its probably wolves. (Which are also state protected, at least in places like Madison with a low gun/capita ratio and anti-farmer agenda.)

Badgers will also take care of the problem their burrows cause if they can get a mound up over the carrion cow before the wolves find out.

Yes I know.....posted to old dead thread!