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Weekly Garden Thread - March 18-24, 2023 [Forcing Flowering Branches into Bloom Edition]
March 18, 2023 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 03/18/2023 6:57:53 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!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Ellendra

Beau says:

Check the spawning schedules of our lake Salmon, as they will come inland to other waterways (rivers and steams flowing in or out of Lake Michigan) to spawn. The DNR site should have that info available.

Secondly, look for places to fish along Lake Michigan - public access where there are some public piers or some sort of jetties or boat landings where you can fish.

He doesn’t go Salmon fishing; he’s not hiding a secret fishin’ hole from you. ;)


41 posted on 03/18/2023 1:34:23 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Pollard
Got the 6 new grow lights put in the tent. Just need to get some small chain to lower them to start. Will be sowing seeds Monday. There's another shelf I can put two more trays on but I only have one so I'll have to pick up a cheapo for this year. When I set the bottom shelf up, two heat mats will be lowered to that and I'll keep a pair on the third shelf.


42 posted on 03/18/2023 2:13:47 PM PDT by Pollard ( >>> The Great Reset is already underway! <<<)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thank you!


43 posted on 03/18/2023 2:42:31 PM PDT by Ellendra (A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Good woman ... much better than me!


44 posted on 03/18/2023 3:13:19 PM PDT by Qiviut (I'm not out of control, I'm just not in their control. $hot $hills: Sod Off)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

EWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


45 posted on 03/18/2023 3:22:53 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith….)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

How did humans manage to actually survive in an environment like that?!?!?!

It absolutely boggles the mind.


46 posted on 03/18/2023 3:23:41 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith….)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Forcing Branches into Bloom Indoors

This age-old practice is about bringing flowering branches of trees and shrubs indoors in late winter. The branches are budded but they haven’t bloomed on the tree. However, when you bring the branches inside, the buds will gradually open and blossom, filling your room with the lovely flowers of spring. Common branches to “force” are Tulip Magnolia, Quince, Forsythia, and Pussy Willows. (More at link) I pruned my plums last week and should have brought the branches in to force! Oh well!

47 posted on 03/18/2023 6:43:52 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Pollard

Went and visited the neighbor and when I got back

8pm - 25 degrees outside

seed room at 56 degrees
tray sensor at 63.6
tent open
closed tent

Now 9:45pm

Still 56 in room
tray in closed tent up to 69

Need to get 2-3 little thermometers to put in the tent at different heights.


48 posted on 03/18/2023 7:57:58 PM PDT by Pollard ( >>> The Great Reset is already underway! <<<)
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To: NautiNurse

What kind of vessel does a Nautical Nurse command? A sub, battleship, party boat?


49 posted on 03/19/2023 5:27:36 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
These days, NautiNurse commands a fleet of earthboxes.
50 posted on 03/19/2023 5:31:44 AM PDT by NautiNurse (There was a 2022 mid-term Red Wave...in Florida! )
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To: FRiends

51 posted on 03/19/2023 8:38:28 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: metmom

It sure does provide a perspective on present troubles doesn’t it!

(Or read: “One day in The life of Ivan Denesovitch” )


52 posted on 03/19/2023 12:43:37 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Those planters are just the right size for cats to lounge in! lol


53 posted on 03/19/2023 2:33:15 PM PDT by tob2 (So much to do, so little desire to do it.)
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To: FRiends

54 posted on 03/20/2023 5:31:08 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Well this looks handy and it's near me and only $200. 10' long, 4'-9" wide, 3'-7" deep. Right around 6 cubic yards. Pretty thin so it's probably for grain so I wouldn't put more than 4-5 yards of compost, depending on how wet it is. Got a wood floor/bottom that needs to be replaced. I could set it on car my trailer which already has a wood deck and go get compost with it as is.

Later on, convert it into a manure/compost spreader. I've got axles and metal frame from an old mobile home I could use to put a frame, wheels and a hitch on the box. For now, it has that hatch on the bottom of the end and I could fork the compost out. You couldn't even buy the metal to make one for $200. I don't have any sides on my trailer and even the materials to build some would be more than $200. Lot of work too since I'd want them removable. Hard to go get compost with a flat bed trailer and I can only get a yard or so in the bed of my pickup. Did that once with pickup truck only and gas cost almost as much as the yard of compost.

This same person sells a lot of stuff and has a few more things I'd like. One thing is a four foot wide belly mower for $50 that I could put on my little tractor. I'd have to set up a lift mechanism and run a belt with 90 degree turn to go on the engine. I have an extra set of belt pulleys for the 90 turn off an old Sears Suburban garden tractor.

He's also got an umbrella for a tractor for $50 and a leaf shredder that would probably need a new horizontal shaft small engine for $160 but I'd have to get the shredder cheaper than that. It's belt run which is cool. I hate things that are built integral(I'm talking to you generator makers). Might have to work a package deal for all.

Got my paystub in the email for tomorrow's check and it has my $500 sign on bonus on it. He's had the mower deck forever and is apt to have everything still in a month but I'd hate to miss out on some good deals on things I need(or at least want).

55 posted on 03/20/2023 11:03:01 AM PDT by Pollard ( >>> The Great Reset is already underway! <<<)
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To: Pollard

The first picture is indeed the tub off a a grain wagon. Hauled many of them full of grain to the local elevator in my yute.


56 posted on 03/20/2023 11:12:30 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
It was a typical March weather week here in Central Missouri. Cool/warm/wet/dry/etc. and then we fell off into the freezer.

Woke up to this frozen flower pot full of baby radishes on Saturday morning. It didn't bother them any, but I did lose some seedlings in the greenhouse. I think the low Friday night was 18°F. I didn't do much in the greenhouse on Saturday because I had bigger fish to fry - the recovery of an heirloom.

20230318_082452

In 1957 my Grandpap bought a new Ford 860 to use on his farm. After he passed in 1982 all of the farmer stuff of value was auctioned off. Our next door neighbor BJ Blackwell bought the 860 and owned it until he passed a few years back. BJ's son RC asked me awhile back if I'd be interested in buying it back once all of the estate ruckus calmed down. Saturday turned out to be that day.

Pops and I made our way to RC's place, spent a couple hours visiting, and traded a handful of Benjamins for Grandpap's tractor. BJ took good care of it. I doubt that it spent even one night parked outside. There's nothing on it that needs any fixing done. It could use a fresh coat of paint, but I'm going to work it, and I like the patina, so I think I'll leave it as-is cosmetically. I wore blisters on my butt working the fields with this tractor when I was a kid and I'm extremely grateful to RC for allowing it to come home again.

20230318_132231

That wasn't all of the tractor fun for the weekend, though. Yesterday I gave Mr. Clarence's clothes back to him, then took him outside and put him to work.

20230319_150334

I hadn't yet picked up the brush from trimming orchard trees so I bolted a hitch ball to the drawbar, hooked up the trailer, and we got to it. This is one of three loads, and there's more on the ground out by the pond. Foreman and line boss are taking a break between loads here.

20230319_173628

Tucked away until next time...

20230319_182621

For a damp, cold, windy, and just generally miserable weekend it turned out alright.

57 posted on 03/20/2023 11:49:40 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Qiviut
After trying all the “tricks” for small stripped screws on YouTube, I spent the money for a “micro screw extractor” set - hope it works.

Left handed drill bits are a handy thing to have around when there's a screw with a stripped-out head.

These would do nicely

58 posted on 03/20/2023 12:27:39 PM PDT by Augie
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To: Augie

Thanks! I bit the bullet & purchased a micro screw extractor set - just got it & haven’t screwed (no pun intended) up the nerve to tackle my stripped screw yet. The “drill” goes counterclockwise, the the ‘extractor’ does the same. Sometimes the screw will come out with just the drill. This set works on very small screws (cameras, key fobs & PCs) so it should work. I have watched a couple of videos, too - one using the exact set I have. Thanks again - appreciate the info :-)


59 posted on 03/20/2023 1:04:56 PM PDT by Qiviut (I'm not out of control, I'm just not in their control. $hot $hills: Sod Off)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Did some post hole digging. Got 18 holes marked/started for the high tunnel. Went 8-12 inches deep and will plug away at them after the next rain session. I went as deep as I could without spending more time knocking wet soil off of the post hole diggers than actual digging. The soil is a fairly dark brown down to 4-6 inches due to feeding the goats three round bails of hay there Winter 2021. Hay+poop+pee. I’ll only need enough compost to suppress weeds/grass.

Too windy to weld on high tunnel frames/trusses as usual. Windy for another three days at least. If it comes down to it, I’ll have my son out there holding a piece of plywood up to block the wind.


60 posted on 03/20/2023 4:52:04 PM PDT by Pollard ( >>> The Great Reset is already underway! <<<)
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