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

Posted on 06/01/2024 6:22:03 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: Diana in Wisconsin

Awwwww.....nice Dad story.


141 posted on 06/09/2024 6:27:40 PM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name . )
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To: Pollard

Turnips, radishes, mustard are all members of the cabbage family (Crucifers) and have greens that can be used almost interchangeably, although mustard is more bitter. I have Giant Red Chinese Mustard plants and what I notice is that the loopers mostly leave them alone.

Rutabaga leaves are also supposed to be edible, similar to collard greens, a bit tough. I have them, but have not tried them. I suppose I should, but I have so much there is no way we could eat them all. (That is why you have livestock I suppose.) You can also make sauerkraut (Saueruben) from the roots.


142 posted on 06/09/2024 8:24:39 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission (Zone 7B KS/MO border )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"And the door to a submarine"

Now now! No door...hatch! (No walls, bulkheads, decks not floors!!)

Very well....carry on!

Mason bee house......I wonder if you could could just rubberband the empty tubes and put them in an empty number 10 coffee can then hang it somewhere protected near your orchard and garden? (Cut a piece of sheet metal and curve it over the top, secure it in place to protect it from rain.)

143 posted on 06/09/2024 8:40:34 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission (Zone 7B KS/MO border )
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Pete you are right about the bee houses. I googled Mason bee houses and then clicked on images. People use cans, even just banding the tubes together. In our climate west Michigan they need a little cold protection. Round is a good way to go. Lots of designs to pick from.


144 posted on 06/10/2024 4:57:16 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Great advice! Thanks! :)


145 posted on 06/10/2024 5:50:33 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: Pete from Shawnee Mission

You’re right about the hatch. Sorry! :)

Also, need any really heavy manhole covers? LOL!


146 posted on 06/10/2024 5:52:46 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

Top 10 Money Saving Crops

https://www.growveg.com/guides/top-10-money-saving-crops/

Leafy Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Cilantro)
Cut-and-come-again Lettuces
Quick Growers: Radishes, Baby Beets, Scallions
Pole Beans
Tomatoes, Cucumbers
Garlic
Celery
Zucchini
Berries
Chard & Kale


147 posted on 06/10/2024 5:56:07 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: Diana in Wisconsin
kale
148 posted on 06/10/2024 8:54:29 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: All

Opinions on whether or not cutting dome of the biggest broccoli leaves will increase the size of the head. I have huge leaves, no head forming yet and last year heads were not that big from lieutenant.


149 posted on 06/10/2024 8:57:51 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

LOL! I just gave a little Kale to the chickens this morning. They LOVE it! :)


150 posted on 06/10/2024 10:29:59 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: MomwithHope

I might take off some of the upper leaves. Unless the sun is overhead all day (not!) are the developing broccoli heads getting enough sunshine? Does that even matter? I don’t know.

My ‘Lieutenant’ was SUPERB last season; I got large heads and the side shoots grew to be a decent size, too. This year, not so much. Too much rain. I had to yank 4 of them due to slug damage. I was NOT out there in the rain on Slug Patrol until it was too late. Also, last year was nice and dry and though I had to water a lot, at least I had some control. 6” a week has been too much so far!

Anyhow, the way things are set up, it’s like you’re blanching Cauliflower. And that set up would probably be perfect for that. I think most modern cultivars of Cauli no longer need blanching assistance, do they?

Don’t you hate it when people answer a question with a question? :)


151 posted on 06/10/2024 10:38:08 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

No, thats a good answer. I will snip a few leaves on each. Too bad I don’t have the goats to feed them to.


152 posted on 06/10/2024 11:02:45 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

Does anyone know...

On a Cub Cadet LTX 1042 KW Riding Mower, a lever pulls a cable attached to a stiff spring (with a straight section on one end) to move a pulley to engage and disengage the mower blades.

Said spring broke on me, yesterday evening. Bah!

Does this spring have a particular name, such as “Blade Engage Linkage Spring” or something like that?

(You can tell I’m not a riding mower mechanic, but, I think I can fix this if I can find the part / describe it properly to a Cub Cadet parts supplier.) I can perhaps “rig” something with a “similar” spring if need be, but a correct part would be better, to most properly tension the blades’ drive belt.

If someone has a parts diagram, that’d be great. I imagine most of Cub Cadet’s riders of this vintage have a similar part.

If no one knows this off the top of their head, or has a manual / diagram, I can try to do web searches this evening.

Thanks!


153 posted on 06/10/2024 11:47:16 AM PDT by Paul R. (Bin Laden wanted Obama killed so the incompetent VP, Biden, would become President!)
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To: Paul R.; Pollard; Pete from Shawnee Mission; Qiviut; Augie

Post #153.

Lawn Mower questions.


154 posted on 06/10/2024 11:49:20 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; All

One of my 4 “Heatwave II” tomato plants that I was able to keep going through the winter started off great in the garden this spring, even starting to fruit, but the bottom of the stem has turned brownish in this last week, and the plant wilts if not given constant water drip at the base. I’m guessing “something” has damaged or attacked the roots. The plants on either side of it are doing fine, and all get similar watering, etc.

MAYBE I can cut the stem where it turns nicely green, plunk this thing in a tall narrow vase with water, and get it to sprout new roots? Would some sort of root hormone help? Maybe trim off 1/2 of the existing foliage to reduce water demand?

Thanks!


155 posted on 06/10/2024 11:55:38 AM PDT by Paul R. (Bin Laden wanted Obama killed so the incompetent VP, Biden, would become President!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’ve decided I just can’t grow onions in our soil worth a darn... :-(

Bulbs cut off the bottom of spring onions do ok in pots for me, indoors with lots of light, including in the winter. In the garden they get about 8-10” high and die. I have no idea why. Tomatoes and okra (and weeds, of course!) in the same spots do fine.

Rats.


156 posted on 06/10/2024 12:03:21 PM PDT by Paul R. (Bin Laden wanted Obama killed so the incompetent VP, Biden, would become President!)
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To: Paul R.

Do you have a dealer in the area who sells (& maybe services) Cub Cadets? I find if I take a picture with my phone of a broken part and/or where the part goes (on anything), I usually get “oh, that’s a xxx”). I have also emailed pictures before regarding parts & if you can get a real person, that works well. Good luck!


157 posted on 06/10/2024 12:48:58 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

Rock slabs are off the trailer & I am still in one piece - no slipping/falling on the ramp.

I have 4 slabs & of course one of the “bloody” slabs has to be an oddball ... 24” x 30” rather than 30” square. I will figure something out - I have some smaller pieces & may be able to jigsaw a solution.


158 posted on 06/10/2024 12:53:16 PM PDT by Qiviut (If the genocide was unintentional, they would have pulled the poison vaccines, long ago.)
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To: Paul R.

West Michigan. I buy a bag of bulk onion sets and grow them in the summer. In all my big containers there’s a ring of them on the outer edge. They all get pulled, cleaned, chopped and frozen in meal size baggies for the winter. About a good size handful. Enough to add to a skillet dish or pot of soup. I let them dry a bit before I do this. Never have to buy any at the store. I have about 18 bags so far. I keep the veggies in a larger freezer bag with a zipper. Unless you have solid clay they should grow for you.


159 posted on 06/10/2024 2:45:57 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope
Been going through all my recipe cards, looking for favorites I want to make this summer from our veggies. I ran across this potassium broth recipe. It is ancient, from a newspaper taped onto an index card. Though maybe someone might be interested. I think I did share it long ago with greeneyes. Had to un-yellow it a bit. 0-02-01-6cd9274da4bd3ee7cfff275a5049a448c03d877c2357567bcdea47204a73fd74-b1780fa38937b076
160 posted on 06/10/2024 2:52:35 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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