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The Garden Thread - May, 2025
May 1, 2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 05/01/2025 6:15:12 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: agriculture; food; garden; gardening; hobbies; may25
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Heh, my big problem is keeping out the squirrels! I finally put out traps and was able to trap several late last summer, but it was a bother. I wish I could figure out how to get our two cats to hang around the garden areas, without drawing other “problems”. They are fenced off, but that’s no deterrent to squirrels, of course.


61 posted on 05/01/2025 11:14:59 AM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: MomwithHope
reflective streamers

I wonder if those would work on squirrels?

62 posted on 05/01/2025 11:16:29 AM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

“Learn to bake bread from scratch”

I’ll provide the sourdough bread! It is really good. You are supposed to let it cool for an hour before slicing, but my wife always tears the “ear”’off the instant I pull it from the oven.


63 posted on 05/01/2025 11:36:35 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Diversity is our Strength” just doesn’t carry the same message as “Death from Above”)
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To: Paul R.

I had a good set of fruit trees 30 years ago — two apple, a pear, two peach, apricot, and lemon. Squirrels were always a problem. They would take one bite out of a piece of fruit and leave it to rot on a fence post. I swear they did that just to aggravate and taunt me.

I tried shooting them with a good pellet gun. The very first one I hit, the pellet went clean through him. He scampered up the fence post, ran 15 yards on the top raill…and croaked. He fell into our animal rights neighbor’s yard. I figured “That’s it, I’m going to jail.” Her dog was going to come running out and find the carcass.

I quickly found a pole, put a nail in the end, bent it over and made a gaff hook — all dressed in my business suit. I fished the squirrel out of her yard and she never found out. I didn’t go to jail

After that, I switched to traps and a dunk tank. Got rid of 70 of the varmints…and got to eat my fruit.


64 posted on 05/01/2025 11:50:23 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Diversity is our Strength” just doesn’t carry the same message as “Death from Above”)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission
(Watch it switch to a 90 F heatwave next week!)

I'm gonna shove a 55 gallon drum of Chiffon up Mother Nature's tailpipe if she doesn't lay off the crack pipe real soon now.

If the weather guessers are correct we might see a bit of sunshine on Saturday.

The grass in my yard will be a foot tall by then. lol

65 posted on 05/01/2025 12:22:31 PM PDT by Augie
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To: Bon of Babble

Love, love, love your photos! Thank you for sharing! How are you faring these days? Is your nephew still with you?


66 posted on 05/01/2025 12:31:49 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: Augie
Well, We all hope for warm weather so that after you cut it, it drys out enough to bring in the bailer! :O


67 posted on 05/01/2025 12:45:07 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
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To: metmom

Totally incredible. Thanks for sharing. Every year I get to watch hummingbirds court, and then I eventually see babies at the feeders, but I have never been able to see the nest. It would be very cool to finally find one.


68 posted on 05/01/2025 1:01:18 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: Bob434

Fascinating! I’m definitely curious about this.


69 posted on 05/01/2025 1:02:38 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: MomwithHope

My mom used to say that! 💗


70 posted on 05/01/2025 1:05:23 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: FamiliarFace

I typed will but meant wish. Best part about a rose is the smell.


71 posted on 05/01/2025 1:16:51 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Paul R.

Probably would work on squirrels. This is what I bought in the past and got new ones in April. I cut in about 2 1/2 foot lengths. I put some clear packing tape at one end. Punch a hole in that end. Bought some cheap shower rings just a metal loop that can go around a branch and clip shut. 7.99 for a pack of 12. I put 4 streamers on each one and used spacers from cut smoothie plastic drinking straws. About 3/4 inch pieces. Then closed them up until I was at the trees. Open. Go around branch, clip shut. Easy peasy.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSVJLNCG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title


72 posted on 05/01/2025 1:23:56 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Paul R.

These are the rings, I bought them locally but I see Amazon has them too.
https://www.amazon.com/Zenna-Home-Rust-Resistant-Shower-Curtain/dp/B003I8J4QC/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SA0rcRySqX2pmXFVNqo3xLZ6YtETGUTD5L5AdKaVOXqlLCCVqj4qtM0Nn2wV0XQhQ_rAOZWZ4dM998YPvUKYPw50S-iZghjK2dUCIabUbUUKl9YqnLUp2CvRPc8mkoVeYKgE55enNkPUpdbEv1KytkI-DsVS1cefgm2FyrKPRbOFnDHClzXg5yKXo-oIDno2gQJ10LOzaohLhRBmnWPixzlfMjJ4kD3jsUKI-ho84KWqKeOxZ8Hrvb21zbuORT-Gn9LvWKmYY3CZuZE8UZKcoz8YsWdVzA4wy-jOIm61TBk.W1IuNNbZlP2UJMlhuQ7oY2wMQ2v8XmSPq5QH1npN654&dib_tag=se&keywords=Metal%2Bshower%2Brings&qid=1746131088&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1


73 posted on 05/01/2025 1:26:39 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: metmom

And my asparagus is starting to come up!!!!!

I have a few spears about 1-2” tall.


74 posted on 05/01/2025 1:36:39 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesu)
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To: Paul R.

IMO, a .22 is the only thing that would work on squirrels.


75 posted on 05/01/2025 1:40:20 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesu)
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To: MomwithHope

I figured as much. ;) Yes, the best part is the aroma!


76 posted on 05/01/2025 2:16:56 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: metmom

Well, I have a very nice Ruger 1000 fps .22 pellet gun, and it’s a real tack driver when I put a ‘scope on it, but in the past, hunting down many squirrels has proven to be rather time consuming.

Maybe I should plant some catnip out there...


77 posted on 05/01/2025 2:57:48 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Reminds me of the cattle feed trailer in a field on my way to work. It would be a generic thing and boring thing except for the fact that they painted their farm name on it in a red retro script lettering, slightly faded now, and that makes the view a view. I hate that so many have let the old cool looking barns collapse and replaced them with metal warehouse looking buildings. A little hunk of industrial rectangle sitting in the rolling hill country. blek

Just got a few maters and peppers in the ground and now we’re going down to the mid 40s for lows over the weekend. Not much wind though for a change so I guess I guess I’ll go make some stout row cover hoops out of cattle panel wire which is more like 1/4 round stock than wire. Tried making some out of high tensile electric fence
wire but its too flexible.

Need some row cover hoops for the tunnel anyway. If I’d have had them this past Winter, I might have had more than just those three lettuce plants overwinter.


78 posted on 05/01/2025 3:02:16 PM PDT by Pollard (Zone 6b)
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To: MomwithHope

Noted! Thanks!


79 posted on 05/01/2025 3:04:40 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: metmom

I use dental floss for sewing on a lost button.

I also, cut all buttons off of clothes that I get rid off.


Mending clothes is great skill if you lose a button, or a seam rips out a little.


80 posted on 05/01/2025 3:45:30 PM PDT by Dacula
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