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The Garden Thread - April, 2024
April 1, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 04/01/2024 6:23:19 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a 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 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/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. 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: Pollard

I’m not interested in doing any market selling, anymore. I’m at the end of a dead-end road so we have NO traffic flow, as I did at my other farm.

Everything I do is for me and mine from this day forward. It’s time for the younger crowd to do the heavy lifting. :)


481 posted on 04/30/2024 6:51:36 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: FRiends; All
Like clockwork, Mr. Oriole showed up, today. I put up the feeder, but he/they haven't found it, yet. They will! Time to re-organize the feeding station for the summer; add a second, covered platform feeder and re-fill the Finch feeder. Mr. Hairy Woodpecker is mad at me as I took down the third suet feeder to make room for the Oriole feeder. Life's tough, Buddy!


482 posted on 04/30/2024 6:59:15 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

Yes, they show up in upstate NY soon, I’ll have to check the journal notes. They sure do love the Oranges.


483 posted on 04/30/2024 7:02:57 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Still stunned here. Woke up to a pair of beautiful perfect peacocks in our yard. They were here for an hour, displaying and checking things out for bugs. Going to try and post a pic. They even came up on the patio for awhile. 0-02-01-f1c492c20cf84478162c937391af8ec48981c197658e6bba517db7622bed125b-edfc19510debfbbe
484 posted on 04/30/2024 7:16:25 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Yup, first time going down is going to be stomach churning .... either today or tomorrow, probably. When I sit in the driveway & look down the length of the bank, it doesn’t look that bad, but sitting at the top on the mower looking over the edge is a different story.

My new weed eater came (to old house). Mom claims she can’t pick up the box so she doesn’t think I will be able to use it LOL! If she saw the stuff I am dragging & picking up trimming the pines at the edge of the bank, she wouldn’t worry. I am about 2/3 through hauling away what I cut yesterday, but looking out the window this morning, I see at least 2 more branches that have to go. I haven’t even started on the chestnut trees yet.

BTW, there were some bugs on my bay & kitchen windows this morning. They were in groups. I sprayed them with DIY window cleaner & it killed them ...cleans windows well, too.

3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
1.5 cups water


485 posted on 04/30/2024 7:27:20 AM PDT by Qiviut (If the genocide was unintentional, they would have pulled the poison vaccines, long ago.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; FamiliarFace

First Indigo Bunting spotted a few minutes ago!


486 posted on 04/30/2024 7:52:13 AM PDT by Qiviut (If the genocide was unintentional, they would have pulled the poison vaccines, long ago.)
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To: MomwithHope

WOW! What a great wake up call! I guess their migration is complete? LOL!


487 posted on 04/30/2024 7:57:55 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: Qiviut

Jealous! I’m lucky to see one each of the Indigo Bunting and the Scarlet Tanager each season.


488 posted on 04/30/2024 8:08:07 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: Qiviut; Diana in Wisconsin

Great! I love Indigo Buntings! I had my first Hummingbird sighting of the season just minutes ago, too! Very exciting!


489 posted on 04/30/2024 8:35:30 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I could’ve sworn I heard Mr Oriole out in the yard yesterday but I never spotted him. He should be here any time. I have the feeders set up already.


490 posted on 04/30/2024 8:53:00 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: MomwithHope

That’s cool!

When I was growing up, there was a house we passed by on our way to school that had peacocks in the yard. Beautiful!


491 posted on 04/30/2024 8:54:26 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Are these Oriole and Grosbeak photos yours? They’re very good.


492 posted on 04/30/2024 9:01:50 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: FamiliarFace

Just standard ‘Audubon’ shots. I have some decent photos I’m going to enter in the County Fair this season. When I decide which ones, I’ll post them and you all can pick the WINNERS for me!

I was late entering last year, so I have an Afghan to enter this year and some canned goods that turned out well, too.

You can’t win if your don’t play, Right? :)


493 posted on 04/30/2024 3:02:52 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: Qiviut

I got the mowing done, but I accidentally ran over a snake! My brain said...”Wait! Is that a SNA...?” ‘Whump!’ Too late. And then all the rest of the mow, EVERYTHING looked like a snake, LOL!

I pinged him in the head so it was over quickly. Then I scooped him up with a shovel and put him in the ditch so the dogs and/or cats won’t drag it back to the porch.

Ten to one it’s there come morning!

It was either a Milk Snake or a Fox Snake. Not a common Garter Snake. It was an adult. I feel so bad! (And I really do NOT like snakes, but they eat bugs, so it’s cool.)


494 posted on 04/30/2024 3:07:58 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: FamiliarFace

It took all day, but an Oriole finally found the grape jelly feeder. He was singing his heart out! So pretty. :)

I’m such a geek. I just love birds and nature and stuff. :)


495 posted on 04/30/2024 3:09:31 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: Diana in Wisconsin

I got an Eastern Rat Snake once ... in the middle so not over quickly. I saw it on the next pass & put it out of its misery.

What really kills me is running over a box turtle. Most of the time, the mower passes over, but when it doesn’t & they spit out of the grass chute, it ruins my day.

Did more tree trimming & hauling today despite horrible gnats. There was a breeze now & again, but not enough to keep them away. T-storm nearby, not sure if we’ll get anything. Tomorrow should be cooler & windier so hopefully less/no gnats. Tomorrow is mowing day - brother arrives mid-afternoon Thursday so I want the place toook nice, first time he’ll see it. I told him I’d have dinner, but he said he planned on taking me out to dinner for my birthday (which was almost a month ago) - what a nice surprise!


496 posted on 04/30/2024 3:28:02 PM PDT by Qiviut (If the genocide was unintentional, they would have pulled the poison vaccines, long ago.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We had a few milk snakes around years ago when we had goats. They are brightly colored. The Bonnie truck made it to Lowell today. No shishitos and they are always on the first shipment so I just ordered from Bonnie. At least I know I will have some.


497 posted on 04/30/2024 3:58:57 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: FamiliarFace
Hmmm… that’s a mystery to me. I have chickadees, but only at my feeder.

Got a bit of good news. For the past half hour I have been observing lots of activity at the nest box by a pair of chickadees. Not sure what they're doing, but it looks like the male may be trying to enlarge the entrance hole.

Hopefully they will settle in........Maybe I should reduce the rent?....LOL!

498 posted on 04/30/2024 4:40:57 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Uncle Boozie was eaten by cannibals....)
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To: Qiviut

Oh, don’t even get me started on Turtles! My other farm was across the road from a small lake. Those dumb Snappers would try to cross the road...who knows why? They had NO REASON to leave Paradise!

The largest Snapper I’ve EVER seen got smooshed - by the Recycling Truck. I shoveled what I could find of her to the other side of the road to keep my dogs from getting curious.

Beau said that based upon her size, she was easily 30 years old. What a waste...of good food, LOL! (JUST KIDDING!) I hate to see anything in nature killed by accident. More so if it’s maliciously done!

I’m trying to think of a way to atone for my sin of today. I’ll come up with something nature-related that’s good for all concerned. :)


499 posted on 04/30/2024 6:01:18 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: Qiviut

3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
1.5 cups water

I just saw your recipe! I’ll give it a shot - my ‘Windex’ bottle is almost empty. I clean my top-to-bottom glass kitchen storm door a LOT - four snot-nosed puppies have had at it all day long for a number of months now! ;)


500 posted on 04/30/2024 6:06:36 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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