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The Victory Garden Thread - March, 2026
March 1, 2026 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 03/01/2026 5:58:25 AM PST 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; Education; Food; Gardening
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies; victory
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To: Qiviut

Thanks! That recipe pushes all of my buttons as far as Egg Salad goes!

If I have leftover chicken, I always make Chicken Salad and add a scoop of that on the nights we just have A BIG SALAD for dinner, like on Thursday when we had a big lunch out.

Beau is not crazy about Egg Salad, but I can do the same with that and I’ll bet he’ll eat it, LOL!


661 posted on 03/29/2026 3:28:17 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: ansel12

If I don’t disturb the roots much, I find very little loss from repotting tomato plants into larger pots, and if the soil / potting soil they get potted in is good, they usually do very well / get a net gain. However, esp. with determinate plants, this year I may just start 2/3 plants in large pots and cull the weaklings or attempt to separate and repot them into a cooler location to (hopefully) fruit later, as the early producers fade.


662 posted on 03/29/2026 3:34:28 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

Does Beau like jalapeño poppers? This recipe is near the top of my “make next” list.

How to Make Bacon Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
https://www.scratchtobasics.com/how-to-make-bacon-jalapeno-popper-chicken-salad/


663 posted on 03/29/2026 3:36:02 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; ansel12

I agree, and would add that the hairier, heavier stems are more resistant to cutworms and snails.


664 posted on 03/29/2026 3:37:27 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: Augie

Dang, I never thought to hunt for a local hatchery. I assumed they did not do walk in business for small orders.

I also found that similar size is more important than the same age, when buying chicks. (Or, keep them separated a good while.) I’ve had bigger breed chicks trample smaller breed chicks of the same age. :-(


665 posted on 03/29/2026 3:41:33 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

I recently made my deviled eggs for a lunch I was invited too. 4 people, 6 eggs. cool, peel and cut in half. Put the yolks in a quart ziploc freezer bag. Add just enough mayo to coat them and break them up. Add salt, pepper, (my version of Lawrys) chopped fine celery, and a tablespoon of pickle relish. Seal up bag and squish away. When all blended cut off a corner of the bag and pipe into the egg white halves. I usually top them with a sprinkle of organic tomato powder. Best seasoning for on top. I bought this brand on amazon incredible flavor but its out of stock. There are other brands. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G7G5C4V?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1


666 posted on 03/29/2026 3:46:17 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Qiviut

Also, my Chives are up so that’s also a great add-in for any egg dish. :)


667 posted on 03/29/2026 3:46:20 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Paul R.

I know all about the benefits of repotting as post 640 describes, my question that I keep trying to find ways to ask that someone will understand is, what is the shortest time from repotting to putting into the ground that would make the potting substantially useful?


668 posted on 03/29/2026 3:49:28 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: MomwithHope

I do my deviled eggs the same way! Saves a lot of time for Christmas or Thanksgiving lunches too! I add a bit of mustard to the mix and sprinkle with paprika


669 posted on 03/29/2026 3:51:59 PM PDT by LilFarmer (Isaiah 54:17)
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To: Paul R.; Augie

I’m lucky. Cackle Hatchery is about 1-1/2 hours for me. Went to Estes Hatchery once many years ago when I lived in Springfield, MO area.


670 posted on 03/29/2026 3:57:53 PM PDT by Pollard (It's just another few hundred $$$)
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To: Qiviut

He will eat them if they are on the mild side. Again, Thanks! Looks GOOD! :)

He does LOVE the Jalapeno Popper Dip I make. The recipe is easily halved if it’s just for the two of us and not a crowd.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/233350/jalapeno-popper-dip/

One of his brothers is the other end of the spectrum. He carries a jar of hot pepper flakes wherever he goes and adds it to EVERYTHING! Last time he visited I gave him a jar of my Salsa all to himself so that he could make it as HOT as he wanted while we ‘normals’ just ate my recipe.

And he ate ALL the tortilla chips and never brought me another bag the next time he came over!

He also hogs the Cream Cheese platter with Red Pepper Jelly that I make, LOL!;)


671 posted on 03/29/2026 3:58:48 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Paul R.; Augie

We had the same issue last spring when we bought out current flock of chicks. I ordered 6 Barred Rock and 6 Buff Orpington, but for some reason they had a shortage of the Buffs, so I got them two weeks later. (Farm & Fleet)

So, we had TWO brooders going for them because the ones that were only 2 weeks older would’ve raised holy h#ll with the younger chicks.

Nature as a whole is cut-throat - even in the world of fluffy baby chicks, LOL!


672 posted on 03/29/2026 4:07:09 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: ansel12

“...what is the shortest time from re-potting to putting into the ground that would make the potting substantially useful?”

In my experience, four weeks from 4-pack to in the ground.


673 posted on 03/29/2026 4:08:21 PM 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

That’s what I figured, I’m just going to skip the repotting, I almost skipped planting anything and don’t really care about maximizing yield or getting my 9 foot tomato plants this year, I just want a sparse yield anyway, last year I kept myself busy messing with plants and hauling the yield to neighbors, it wasn’t worth the water.


674 posted on 03/29/2026 4:22:03 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; ansel12

Way too many variables so there is no specific time that can be given.

Best bet would be to pop one out of the pot and see if there’s any signs of being root bound. If not, feed them and plant in a couple/few weeks when they will probably look better. If root bound, pot them up and wait for them to “grow larger and healthier, and stronger” and then plant them out.

Even recovery time for repotting is variable. If zero root bound and zero root disturbance in the repot, they won’t even know they were repotted, hence zero recovery time. If the roots went around in 5 circles and you have to do some ripping, yeah, they’re gonna need a week or so.


675 posted on 03/29/2026 4:22:20 PM PDT by Pollard (It's just another few hundred $$$)
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To: MomwithHope; Qiviut

That is GENIUS using the bag for mixing and fancy filling!

Here’s a good source for Tomato Powder. I usually use (your) Smoked Paprika, but Tomato Powder gives a nice farm-fresh flavor to Deviled Eggs, for sure!

I’m running low on a few things, so I’m placing an order this week.

https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/tomato-powder

Their ‘Flat Packs’ ship for free! Who among us doesn’t have a spare jar around for spices? ;)

This is my absolute MUST HAVE from ‘The Spice House.’ Lakeshore Shallot and Herb. Yummy on everything! Great in Quiche or and Omelet or Scrambled Eggs. Good on chicken and fish.

https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/lakeshore-shallot-and-herb


676 posted on 03/29/2026 4:22:24 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: ansel12

Tomatoes are pretty much WEEDS, when you think about it.

‘Nightshade’ Family - without those pesky ‘poisoning’ side effect! ;)

I plant anywhere from 24 to 32 tomatoes each season, but that’s only because my MOM comes to raid my garden and then plays ‘Farmer’ to all of her friends, LOL!

I’m cutting back on numbers this season - I’m down to 22 plants, but working on bigger yields from the varieties I’m growing.


677 posted on 03/29/2026 4:30:30 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Pollard

Darn, now you have me having to rethink it again.

I guess since I care so little I could repot them and then just plant them when my impatience tells me to, since I’m not concerned this year about plants people compliment, then it is six of one and a half dozen of the other, it doesn’t matter all that much.

Maybe I’ll at least learn something if I repot them and then only give them one or two weeks before I put them in the ground.


678 posted on 03/29/2026 4:33:57 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I skipped growing the seeds for my Solar Flare, Heatwave, Cherokee Purple, and didn’t spend the money to order seed for Ponderosa Pink which I like, instead I just ordered an Early Girl plant, a Beefsteak, and a German Queen Tomato (whatever that is), and a Santa Fe Grande Pepper that I’m going to grow in a giant pot, and of course the 6 pack of sweet bell peppers all from Walmart.

I think that will be a light load of garden work, but I’ll get some tomatoes and will stuff the bell peppers which make an excellent frozen food for a single guy, I did about 70 or 80 last year and they are a good main course to microwave.


679 posted on 03/29/2026 4:54:59 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Oy that is pricey on the tomato powder. I went with the 1 lb bag. I find plenty of things to use it on. Plus its organic. I still use the smoked sweet paprika at times. Best thing about the bag is no mess and you just toss it.


680 posted on 03/29/2026 5:09:11 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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