The Garden Thread - March, 2025

March 1,2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[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.

[Paul R.]

NWS says level 4 risk for us, Friday night.

Level 4 almost always results in some significant damage somewhere in the area it covers... :-(

[Paul R.]

Thanks anyway!

The Wayne pump seems to have lower flow rate than the old Water Ace, even though by rating the Wayne should be slightly better. However, unless we have more than one thing needing strong flow on at a time, it’s not a problem.

I’m more perturbed that the new pump doesn’t have a small outlet for a pressure gauge. Now I’ll have to figure out where to put one in the system.

This morning I hit the shower and discovered I’d forgotten to turn the water heater back up. :-(

[mad_as_he$$]

Klingons! They know how curse the machine!

I am glad that you have a solution.

Be Safe and well.

[Paul R.]

Heheh - 83 deg. F here tomorrow says our local TV station. We were at -1 deg. back on Feb. 21.

[MomwithHope]

Wonderful good news post! You two sound perfect together.

[Qiviut]

Trip to the old town/house yesterday - made a total of 16 stops, including 2 medical appointments for mom. We left at 6:30 am & got back at 9 pm. On the way home, we got off the interstate after 45 minutes, went maybe 2-3 miles & the main road we use was closed - I have no idea why. I had to turn around, go back to the interstate, go to the next town, take a bypass & another route to intersect with where the closed road comes out to put us on the road over the mountains. It probably cost us 45 minutes of extra time & most of the detour route was heavy traffic instead of country road - not what I needed!

So today, I am wiped out - more mental than anything. The guys are here putting down base layers of gravel for the asphalt - this is day 3 of prep work. I had no idea of the work it takes to put down a solid foundation for asphalt so it’san education. Once they leave (equipment blocking the driveway out), I have to go to the grocery store, check another place to see if they have top soil, & go to a car repair shop (not a dealer) to see if they can handle the latest car issue. We got the coolant leak & thermostat replaced, drove it 2 weeks no issues and the check engine light just came back on. The dealer is 30 miles away - would like to find a local mechanic. The asphalt company owner recommended some “good people” so that is who I want to talk to.

At the old house, my brother has hauled 15 loads of downed branches, some off the old pines are as big around as his leg. There are still quite a few branches to pick up & haul away. It’s the worst storm damage in many years. Mom & I got some items we’ve been missing & she was able to pick some daffodils that were blooming. The daffodils here are up about 4 inches with no buds showing yet, so it’s nice to have some fresh flowers from the old place.

Glad the hubs is healing up well after his eye surgery!

[Liz]

Maple Glazed Salmon with Fresh Chives
Cooked to perfection, simple, nutritious, ready in 30 min.

Ing 5 oz portions salmon patted dry Glaze ¼ c maple syrup 3 tbl Soy sauce 1 tbl Dijon 2 minced gar/cl 1 tsp grated gingerroot 2 tbl minced Chives

Start Whisk maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon, and ginger. Place Salmon on parchmented baking sheet; top with 1/3 maple glaze, reserving rest. Bake 375 deg 15-20 min, adding 1/3 more glaze after 10 min. When fully cooked, remove to server, top with rest glaze, and chives before serving.

CHEF TRICK: Done when flat end of wooden skewer goes thru thickest part with no resistance.

[Augie]

The trip up and back was smooth.

Momma D’s garden on the other hand... not really a garden... it’s an overgrown back yard. Bush honeysuckle, bamboo, mint, iris, and who knows what all else.

No way to get on it with the tractor and tiller. Too many roots and vines to use the walk-behind tiller.

I told her that I could see three options - chemical poison (nope) or grind to nothing with a skid steer/brush flail (nope) or find a Boy Scout troop/4H club/etc. to come chop it out by hand. She liked option 3 so we’ll see what comes next. I volunteered to show up with a trailer to haul off the waste if she can find the muscle to do the cleanup.

[Paul R.]

I wonder if that would work for trout...

[Liz]

Definitely....although salmon is not “fishy”....has more of a smoky flavor.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Bush honeysuckle, bamboo, mint,

You can remove it, but it will probably take years to actually control it. I am still pulling up japanese honeysuckle from 10 years ago.

[Pollard]

Bamboo too depending on variety. Some can cross under a paved driveway and pop up on the other side.

[Augie]

Yep I’m not going to take on the cleanup project.

I volunteered to provide truck and trailer to haul off the stuff that gets chopped out. I can barely keep up with my own property. No way I’m taking on another one that’s a 2 hour drive from my place.

She has a church group that’s willing to help with some chopping. Current plan is to head back with the trailer two weekends from now and haul off whatever they can remove by then.

I hope this doesn’t turn into one of those no good deed goes unpunished deals. lol

[Paul R.]

Thanks, yes, my wife cooks salmon occasionally. Occasionally due to mainly to cost. She’s Catholic, so I just ate some of her salmon based soup for a (Lent) late lunch. It’s pretty good, actually.

Trout is just cheaper since I already have the gear & license. :-)

Strangely, Asian Carp would be excellent (not very “fishy”) if it wasn’t for the many small bones. People who snag them down below KY Dam* kill ‘em & throw ‘em up on the banks for scavengers.

*A place I’ve not been to for a while...

[Liz]

Trout is cheaper since I already have the gear & license. :-)

---

That is a decided advantage....... lol

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Where are you located?

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

All three are pretty invasive. There are some varieties of Bamboo that you can control with concrete curbing (so I understand!)

Hope you did alright in that storm! (Which should be over my now!)

Goodnight!

[MomwithHope]

Prayers up for our Missouri friends, just saw about the tornados.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Know your Lucky Four-Leaf Clover; don't be fooled by imitations. ;)

Did you know that there are 50+ varieties of Clover? There's a lot more going on in my lawn than I give it credit for!

[Bob434]

My lucky 4 leave clover gave me hives