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

Posted on 05/01/2024 6:00:41 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; may
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’m keeping an eye on the broccolini I planted a few weeks ago. I’ve never worked with it, but love to eat it. There’s a central stalk with the head beginning to show. Do I eventually cut that so that the plant will branch out, or does it do that on its own?

My herbs are all looking rather lovely right now, and I’m enjoying cooking with them. I just run outside and snip. Perfect!


381 posted on 05/19/2024 7:01:39 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: metmom

You definitely have me considering this. Even though we don’t have a ton of yard, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of an acre is our lawn and garden beds part, we are built onto a slope. We have learned that this parcel sat unpurchased for quite some time until a master gardener (the original owner) saw it and decided it could be built on. So one side is terraced and the other side is sloped. That sloped side is where I was working.

A neighbor was getting rid of her abundant milkweed, so I went over and helped dig the ones out of the ground that she didn’t want in that spot. I used to have lots of milkweed a few years ago, and then for whatever reason it just stopped producing so many plants. I don’t know if these transplants will even take, but I’m giving them a shot again. Fingers crossed. I love watching the monarchs cycle from eggs to butterflies. They are fascinating. I’ve been able to witness the caterpillars go into their J and then spin themselves into pupae. Really cool process. A few weeks later, the beautiful butterfly emerges. Nature is so cool.


382 posted on 05/19/2024 7:31:49 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

Dill attracts Anise Swallowtails. And it’s a great companion plant.

Our property is also on a slope so the wagon helps, but at times the cart can still be a struggle, but NOWHERE near the wheelbarrow.

I’m thrilled with it.


383 posted on 05/19/2024 7:58:24 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: FamiliarFace

I also have a butterfly bush and butterflies LOVE it.

I know there’s controversy over them about how good they are for native species, but I do like them.


384 posted on 05/19/2024 7:59:42 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: FamiliarFace
I'm cleaning up and taking care of the new one. I've actually been keeping it in the cab of the truck. I need to set up a place for garden tools and start getting new versions of a lot of them.

I found the old one somewhere without a handle so I made one from the end of an old shovel handle and put the hose clamp on it to prevent it from splitting. Worked but not exactly ergonomic.

385 posted on 05/19/2024 8:34:01 AM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
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To: metmom

Do you have the kind with 4 wheels or two?


386 posted on 05/19/2024 8:54:41 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: metmom

I bought a dill Bonnie plant the other day. What is it a good companion to? I haven’t planted it yet. I never seem to have luck with it, but bought one again anyway.


387 posted on 05/19/2024 9:13:29 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: metmom

We had a butterfly bush at our old house and loved it. Since full sun is in short supply at this house, I haven’t gotten one again. I can’t think of a good place for one, but I do love them!


388 posted on 05/19/2024 9:24:32 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: Pollard

Yes, every now and again old tools need to be replaced. It looks like you found a great replacement.


389 posted on 05/19/2024 9:26:15 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
Four.

I'm back home and on my computer instead of iPad so know how to post images from here.

It's this one.....

There's a latch in the front, too, so the bed tips up and you can dupmp stuff out of it.

390 posted on 05/19/2024 9:27:52 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: FamiliarFace

12 of the Best Companion Plants for Dill, From Broccoli to Basil
https://www.thespruce.com/dill-companion-plants-8580565

You can start from seed as well. It’s very fast growing and started easily from seed.


391 posted on 05/19/2024 9:29:36 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: metmom

Thank you. Found one at Home Depot and amazingly, delivery is free. Should be here on Tuesday. Cheaper than Amazon and same delivery time. Why should I pay for gas just to get it today? Thanks to Joe (and really Barack), I watch when and where I drive. Gotta make that stuff last.


392 posted on 05/19/2024 10:39:47 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: metmom

Thank you. This helped me decide where to plant it.


393 posted on 05/19/2024 10:40:29 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
Thank you!

I have some of that here. I'll do that this afternoon.

394 posted on 05/19/2024 10:49:26 AM PDT by painter ( Isaiah: �Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,")
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To: FamiliarFace

Home Depot is pretty much free shipping on everything small enough for UPS/FedEx/USPS.


395 posted on 05/19/2024 12:37:04 PM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
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To: Pollard

Good to know. I have never had anything shipped by them before.

The last time we went to a Home Depot, we were accosted by a guy who said he was out of jail now, but needed money so would we mind parting with a few dollars, otherwise he’d be happy to go back for assault. We skedaddled pretty quickly. That was about ten years ago. We haven’t been back since.

We learned there are some reasons why you don’t want to go into the big city. Suburbs work just fine. No Home Depots out here. Just Lowe’s, Ace, and one independent hardware guy. The big city can keep its criminals to itself.


396 posted on 05/19/2024 1:21:09 PM 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: painter

Great ! Hope it gives you good results and lots-a-Broccoli!


397 posted on 05/19/2024 3:34:40 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

Hot here for a few says, 84 today and Friday night our AC went on the fritz. Great tomato growing weather.


398 posted on 05/19/2024 3:49:06 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Pollard; FamiliarFace; All
Decent tools that fit the hand and are a joy to use are SO WORTH THE INVESTMENT.

I have a trowel from Fiskars that I just love (I have a LOT of their pruning tools that Beau won for me at Auction; we share those) and my One True Love is my Korean Hand Plow. It can do just about anything! That's the FIRST thing I'll grab if I accidentally set the greenhouse on fire, LOL!)


399 posted on 05/19/2024 4:19:25 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 have what’s left of an old hoe. Dad gave it to me. Many years ago the blade fell off, it was welded to a metal hook. Similar angle to your hand tool but with a long wood handle. Handiest tool ever. So many uses. One of my favorites is spreading out hot coals on the grill. You don’t have to stand close. Also great for reaching high to put things away or get them down.


400 posted on 05/19/2024 4:25:24 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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