The Garden Thread - April, 2025

April 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.

[Liz]

None that I know.

[Pollard]

Didn't realize just how many modules I had until I stacked them all up and they approached 7 foot.

Bottom box/cart is now full of fence insulators, lightest thing I had to fill it with and was taking up floor space.
The two boxes above that will hold power tools and stay in the shed.
Drawer units above those plus the bag and organizer just underneath the bag will be on the cart/box as the mobile kit.
The short box with red lid underneath bag and organizer will get mounted on the hood of the tractor at some point.

Yesterday was fun (who would even save something like this?)(I don't even know what this is.) Got one corner to dig into and then start putting stuff away.

Shelving I made a while back from leftover 3/4" floor OSB. It's 64" wide with three uprights. (just now noticed line under top shelf matching wall line - not planned)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Looking Good! I love a nicely organized space.

I am in love with a total pack rat Farmer who doesn’t throw anything away because, well, ya never know if you’ll need it, and why pay good money for something in the future when you can put it in the barn for 20 years in case ya need it?

I always tell him that if he goes before me, I’m moving out the valuables, lighting a match and RUNNING, LOL!

That said - if there’s a project that needs doing, he’s got every d@mn piece of the puzzle he needs...if he can find it!

I just wish he was better organized like this! I’ve tried organizing him. It doesn’t work. OK. It works for 10 minutes, but then...LOL!

P.S. I’m in my office/craft room. I just looked at my bookshelves of books, yarn, craft stuff, etc. I’ll shut up now! :)

[FamiliarFace]

Beautiful! Where do you live that you have strawberries already? Berries around here are end of May at the earliest.

[FamiliarFace]

Happy Easter, FRiends!! Have a wonderful and blessed Easter season!

[MomwithHope]

I have a nice row of daffodils on the path to the barn. Some we brought from our old house, at least 15 years there and 41 years here. An old variety. Why don’t you stick one of your cats in the greenhouse?

[MomwithHope]

I’m with Beau on this one. I find stuff all the time that I can use that’s been stuffed tin the garage or barn for decades. My late Uncle had a saying “You need it, you got it”. It’s even on his tombstone.

[Paul R.]

It looks like you have storms just west of you! Practically speaking, “watts equivalent” is a real rabbit hole. No disagreement there. More on that later, perhaps. :-)

[Silentgypsy]

Wishing y’all a very blessed Easter.

[Pollard]

Looking Good! I love a nicely organized space.
But I wasn't even close to finished.

Oh, I'm a pack rat too, and a scavenger. Used some used nails today that I saved from the house I tore down for materials, 13 years ago. I've used 20+ year old AC adapters to power these automation controllers. (if it's 12 vdc, it's a keeper) But there are limits and my limit is indoor space.

Anywho, here's the finished product.

Stuff on the floor in lower left is on it's way out. Far cry from having a tiny path to the back.

Ended up keeping the little black and yellow stackable boxes but the one on the right used to have a middle 2 drawer section that I tossed cuz they were junk.

Back wall; and that's a twin door behind the grow rack. Not hinged yet and when I do hinge it, the grow rack will be relocated.

Need to get more 3-1/2" insulation and a couple more sheets of OSB to finish the inside. It's got some of that reflective foil bubble wrap insulation on the rafters which keeps the sun from baking the shed. I've been impressed with that stuff.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

S.G. And to you and yours and everyone on this thread too.

[metmom]

And to you all as well.

[Pollard]

Yep, about to get hit by a little red blob. Hopefully not enough to wash away the Sevin granules I spread a little bit ago.

Truth in advertising. Means nothing. Can I see? Are the seedlings growing good? Did it get dimmer in a few months? Did it quit working in several months?

[Pollard]

Two entire days off from news or social media — priceless — and allowed me to de-clutter the brain for the new job this week. I go in at 7am to see HR lady and hopefully, everything will happen fast after that. Such a long dragged out process these days.

[Qiviut]

More organizing of tools has occurred and I’m coming down the home stretch with my newly hung pegboard & a small number of loose tools to deal with.

I have wanted a tool box on wheels for a couple of years now, especially since my old garden was a small distance from the garage/shop. I have a tool ‘bag’, but it had gotten so heavy, it was a pain to lug around; plus, no organization, just everything jumbled up in there. The last time I needed something, I pretty much had to dump everything out to find it.

My new garden will literally be right outside the shop door, but I often need tools for projects in/around the house. Since the shop is getting really organized, I’ve decided to grab what I think I need & use a tool carrier dad had for toting those items to the house. The carrier has pockets & dividers so some organization is possible. When I’m finished, the tools will mostly go back to their spot in the shop. I have a couple of favorite items I find myself using just about every time I work on something so those items will likely stay in the carrier. The whole ‘getting organized’ project is a work in progress, but so far, I’m far enough along I no longer have to go ‘hunting’ for something I need when I can’t remember which pile or box it’s in. :-)

My work area is cleared off enough I can start building my 2 initial raised beds. I have 3 beds I built for mom that need filling with good dirt & I don’t want to haul or have it delivered until I have my 2 beds ready to go. Another one of those “can’t do that until” issues .... :-)

[Pollard]

I have wanted a tool box on wheels for a couple of years now

The ideal thing would be for those wheels to be small bicycle rims/tires, 10-12 inch but this is only temporary while I finish the tunnel.

More ideally is to have multiples of some things and keep them where they're used. I decided I need another multimeter so I have one in the house and one in the shed. I already have a tire plug kit for each vehicle.

We'll get there. :)

[Qiviut]

Bicycle tires would definitely roll over rough ground - good idea!

I went back out to the shop around 9:30 last night & worked on the raised beds until 12:15. The 4 long sides (6’) of both beds are finished. I ran out of screws so I’ll be making a trip to the store this morning - the short sides may get done today or tonight. I will need to assemble them very close to where they’ll be sited because they’re heavy when put together.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Why don’t you stick one of your cats in the greenhouse?”

That is under consideration, too. Eva Grace (Killer Queen) would have a great time! The only drawback would be that she’d tip over new seedlings while, ‘on the chase.’

They’ve been leaving the flats alone that are covered with large plastic tubs, so I am on the hunt around here for a few more of them to use. Things are really springing up quickly in the house, and I’m out of room in the grow light rack. Still have Zukes and Cukes, Nasturtium and Sunflowers and Winter Squashes to get started. ;)

Beau is going to put a few of his ‘patented’ Peanut Butter Snap Traps out there for me today, so we’ll go that route, first. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’m outnumbered! LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

This Mental Health Fix Is Free, Natural, and Probably in Your Backyard

Nature-Based Activities Show Fast Mental Health Benefits

“Researchers have found that nature-based activities can improve mood and reduce anxiety in people with mild to moderate mental health conditions, in as little as 12 weeks.

The findings come from a UK government-backed initiative aimed at improving mental health care through “green social prescribing.” Seven pilot sites were set up across England, including one in Humber and North Yorkshire—the first to publish results from the national program.

Green social prescribing involves healthcare professionals referring patients to nature-based community activities – such as GARDENING, walking groups, or outdoor mindfulness sessions – as a way to support mental health alongside traditional treatments. While still in the testing phase, early results suggest these program could become a valuable addition to mental health services across the country.”

https://scitechdaily.com/this-mental-health-fix-is-free-natural-and-probably-in-your-backyard/