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

Posted on 07/01/2024 6:30:55 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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1 posted on 07/01/2024 6:30:55 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Zone 7b. My cucumbers are short and kind of round, almost look like limes. Pollination issue? Any help is greatly appreciated. The plants also are not vining like they usually do.


2 posted on 07/01/2024 6:33:41 AM PDT by cdcdawg (Pointing out hypocrisy is meaningless to the Left; they don't have principles, they have goals. )
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American Flag Flowers – How To Grow A Red, White, And Blue Garden

You can do more than just wave the flag to demonstrate your love for the country. A patriotic flower garden is a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July or any national holiday. Red, white, and blue flowers combine to represent your devotion to the country. There are tons of combos or you can plant an American flag with your plant selections. Follow our tips on a USA flower garden that will astound your neighbors.

Planning a Patriotic Flower Garden

Making a political statement with gardening may seem a bit much, but it can be a fun and beautiful addition to the landscape. A red, white, and blue garden is about so much more than a partisan statement. It is an expression of love and devotion to the land in which you live.

American flag flowers may be perennials, annuals, or an entire bulb garden. You may even opt for bushes with colorful leaves and blooms. Choose an area where the bed will be seen and where flowers will get appropriate light. Amend the soil as needed and then it’s time to select red, white, and blue flowers or plants.

Using petunias as the base provides an affordable and easy way to build a USA flower garden. There are solid or striped, single or double petals, and even creeping petunias in each of our patriotic hues. They make the ultimate American flag flowers, which will grow and blend together in a tapestry salute to our pennant.

Using Native Plants as Part of a Patriotic Garden

Native plants in the scheme pack a double whammy. Not only can they bring in the red, white, and blue tones, but they are part of this country naturally. Few things will salute our great nation as easily as plants that are indigenous to this part of the world. Some wonderful native selections might include:

White

Arrowwood
Silky dogwood
Fringe tree
Goat’s beard
Wild quinine
Calico aster

Red

Cardinal flower
Columbine
Coral honeysuckle
Rose mallow

Blue

American wisteria
Passion vine (maypop variety is native species)
Lupine
Virginia bluebells
Jacob’s ladder
Wild blue phlox

More at link: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/grow-a-red-white-and-blue-garden.htm


3 posted on 07/01/2024 6:34:51 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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4 posted on 07/01/2024 6:35:37 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
Happy Independence Day, everyone! Let's stay independent!


5 posted on 07/01/2024 6:40:26 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: cdcdawg

Zone 3a (Northern ND) My cucumber vines are about forearm length and no buds yet. Tomatoes just under knee high. Dandelions are doing awesome though.


6 posted on 07/01/2024 6:41:38 AM PDT by BBQToadRibs2
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To: cdcdawg

That doesn’t sound like a bug issue to me, so I’m going to suggest that you’re consistent on the watering (An inch per week, and more if it’s REALLY hot right now in Zone 7) and that you’re fertilizing them with a balanced (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) fertilizer. Don’t over-do it on pure nitrogen as that will give you lots of foliage and less or even no fruit.

There are some cukes that DO produce round fruit - you’re certain of the variety you planted? (Just asking! It happens!) Do you know the variety? That may help me, too. They’re a lot of hybrids out there for cukes, now.

Has your weather been especially hot and dry? If so, the consistent watering and fertilizing should help with better production all the way around.

I’m assuming they’re in full sun? Well draining soil? If it doesn’t drain well, don’t overdo it on the watering, then. If you ARE over-watering and it’s not well drained and you’re not fertilizing, that could be the culprit, too.

Is that complicated enough? LOL! I mean, it’s just a cucumber for Pete’s Sake! They should be pretty easy to grow. I’m just covering all the angles, here. ;)


7 posted on 07/01/2024 6:46:50 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: 4everontheRight; Augie; Apple Pan Dowdy; Aevery_Freeman; ApplegateRanch; ArtDodger; AloneInMass; ...

8 posted on 07/01/2024 6:48:35 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: Albion Wilde

9 posted on 07/01/2024 6:50:15 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: All

I have peppers, squash and tomatoes doing well but they are losing the battle against the weeds.


10 posted on 07/01/2024 6:54:46 AM PDT by BipolarBob (I'm lost and looking for the Lake of Respect.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Plant this in your front yard, patriots.


11 posted on 07/01/2024 6:57:18 AM 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: BipolarBob

“I have peppers, squash and tomatoes doing well but they are losing the battle against the weeds.”

I have peppers and tomatoes and herbs, but for the life of me, I can’t manage to successfully grow squash here. The vines grow big and showy with flowers, but I never get any squash. Same with cucumbers. Weird.


12 posted on 07/01/2024 6:59:53 AM PDT by Danie_2023
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Many thanks for the July thread!

Ate the first radishes from the vegetable bed. Tasted much better than store-bought. Have also taken it into my Neanderthal pea brain to try growing an orange tree from seeds. Bought some Valencia oranges and extracted all the seeds. I’ve read that it can take several years before the tree produces fruit, but that’s OK by me. Putting them in containers will make it easier to move them inside for the winter. Alternatively, is there a way to insulate / protect them so that they can remain outside?


13 posted on 07/01/2024 7:05:28 AM PDT by AFB-XYZ (Two options: 1) Stand up, or 2) Bend over)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Yes, it has been quite hot and dry. At least two other things (”cherry tomatoes” and beans) I have planted have not been exactly what I thought I was getting, so it could just be the type. I will make sure to consistently water. Thank you!


14 posted on 07/01/2024 7:11:54 AM PDT by cdcdawg (Pointing out hypocrisy is meaningless to the Left; they don't have principles, they have goals. )
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To: BBQToadRibs2

“Dandelions are doing awesome though.”

Same. They seem to be impervious to drought-like conditions.


15 posted on 07/01/2024 7:13:19 AM PDT by cdcdawg (Pointing out hypocrisy is meaningless to the Left; they don't have principles, they have goals. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Hard to believe it’s July already!

Not 10 minutes ago, saw a fawn (with spots) in the front field & when it saw me, it ran into the front pasture. There is an old apple tree there & 2 does were eating small green apples that fell off during the storm last night. One of the does is “mom”. My brother saw a doe with twins yesterday, down the road at the creek. There was a large coyote chasing 3 does in the back pasture 2-3 weeks ago so I am glad to see there are 3 fawns it hasn’t gotten yet.

Crows are in the fig bush - figs were still very green last time I looked, so I will have to see if some are ripe & attracting birds.

We had severe thunderstorms around the area last night. Lightning stayed north, but we had one downpour that was almost an inch of rain. This morning, it is wonderfully cool, close to an early fall feel to the air. Tomorrow should be similar, then the high 90’s heat & humidity come back in.


16 posted on 07/01/2024 7:15:55 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
We are bracing for heat in So Cal in the coming week, temps hovering around 95 degrees, hotter in inland areas, up to 115 where my relatives live.

So now it's all about maintenance, watering and mulching as much as possible.

Few things bloom in our extreme summer heat and hot winds.

I do have some tiger liles coming up in a shaded area:

27-E61-D56-8-EFD-471-A-A397-BE138-A4-EE9-A8-1-201-a

Plumerias can stand some heat, these are in partial sun:

45-ACB9-D7-EA90-46-B9-82-FF-AFB50-EF69-DD8-1-105-c

And this lone iris that is blooming bravely:

879-DBF5-A-762-C-445-A-9-D7-D-335-FB4-E00-CC0-1-105-c

Ready for the 4th of July!!

816-AC535-F288-40-AB-9652-548-A791-B8-CC7-1-201-a

17 posted on 07/01/2024 7:32:06 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: Liz
Here is my front yard:

2-CA2528-B-B8-C1-4-BA4-9-E52-43-FFC8-BEE9-F2

85-AF7-D7-B-8-E8-F-496-B-965-C-5329-D3396-D5-E-1-201-a

18 posted on 07/01/2024 7:38:54 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

It’s 71° at almost 11:00 today. Yesterday, the high was 101° .... record is 102° ... it was sweltering!


19 posted on 07/01/2024 7:49:57 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Hi Diana. Thank you for this thread. Love it! Am interested in responses to cucumber question. Am having mixed results in my garden. Some normal, some disfigured. Thank you!


20 posted on 07/01/2024 8:01:18 AM PDT by murrie (Mark Levin: Prosecuting stupidity nightly.)
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