The Victory Garden Thread - March, 2026

March 1, 2026 | 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.]

Yesterday evening, while watching that improbable(!) UCONN comeback and victory over Duke, I pulled apart one each of the 3-panel 3000 lumens versions and one of the 4-panel 4000 lumens folding “cheapo” LED lights from Menards. The 4-panel unit has a short base which precludes it from fitting into some light sockets. Otherwise, the 3-panel units appear to have no real advantage except for lower power consumption and the panels running at a slightly lower voltage because the manufacturers cheaped out on the capacitor in the main housing. They may thusly run slightly cooler than they otherwise would. They all run quite hot, and reliability can’t be very good.

In all models, the panels each are rated at ~1000 lumens of 5000k light. Heat sinking is non-existent: The fake heat sinks are plastic, and serve only to help retain the LED circuit board. The LED boards as usual have a thin aluminum layer on their backside. There is enough wire to be able to cut wires and make new connections and insulate them readily. No need to solder to the “fragile” circuit board.

The internal details vary slightly, and not very significantly. Since I am after small cheap LED panels to “scavenge”, the 4-panel light looks like the best bet, as it is on sale for the lowest price. Maybe they cook themselves the fastest and Menards is trying to dump them?

At any rate, the base of the 4-panel light contains a small PCB (printed circuit board) with only 3 components: A full wave bridge rectifier, a small electrolytic 200v capacitor, and a small resistor that serves to slowly discharge the capacitor when the light is turned off. The 4x board outputs to the panels are in parallel and run at ~160 volts DC, with over 10 volts of AC ripple. The entire light is rated at 40 watts, so, each panel should draw 10 watts — easily believable considering how hot they get. Each panel has 2 IC + resistor circuits each running 7 LEDs.

Theoretically then, each panel is drawing ~0.0625 Amps (62.5 mA).

As I want to “create”, essentially, sets of independently switched LED panels as simply as possible - that is, not needing a wall wart supply, these should work out great:

A simple single diode & capacitor, plus a “bleed resistor” in a 60 cent switch (or outlet) box will suffice to provide the DC for a panel. Add a switch, cover plate, and wire - even decent quality 18 ga. lamp cord will do. A heat sink for the back of the LED module is a given. :-)

Since this operates at high voltage, over 150 volts DC, I will use the same precautions I would for a 120v AC circuit, or a bit more. (It’s really no more dangerous than a 120v AC light, hand tool, kitchen gadget, etc.)

I can adjust how hot the LED panel runs by adjusting the capacitor value:

https://search.brave.com/search?q=how+to+approximate+the+DC+output+voltage+of+a+single+diode+%2B+capacitor+rectifier+if+powered+with+120v+AV+line+voltage+and+under+load&summary=1&conversation=08e8087d15e53c025b5dabb13eec4d2153e7

but I also have to check the ripple voltage rating of the capacitor. An inline resistor can also do the trick.

Fun stuff!

[Paul R.]

Obviously, I voided the lights’ warranties in my first sentence above! But, I don’t really care: I know they won’t hold up as is, anyway.

[MomwithHope]

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[Qiviut]

FINALLY .... weather good enough to work outside! Spotty showers in the morning, but then partly sunny, 67° & breezy rather than super windy.

After working on my driveway chain (added sign & reflective tape), it was time to tackle the big kahuna project: cleaning up all the mess from cutting down dead chestnut branches. I made 3 trips to the debris pile. The first was all the small stuff I could cut with loppers. The second was medium size (about as big as my arm in circumference) & I had to use the chainsaw. Number three was the really big stuff - the branches were as big as small trees. I almost quit with the largest branch to go (4 cuts), but I really wanted to be done so I rested a good bit between cuts & managed to get them in the trailer. The trailer is 5'x3' so it makes for pretty big loads.

There are 2, maybe 3 branches left that I want to cut & the 2nd half of the small chestnut needs to come down, but that will have to wait until after mowing. It's time to mow when some of the grass is waving in the wind & the dandelions are starting to bloom!

[Pollard]

I struck gold. Finally made it to the MFA feed store and got my Yukon Gold seed potatoes. $0.75/lb. I could resell them online for $5/lb which is crazy.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Qiviut... Sara Lee; I grew up about a mile away from one of their plants. If the wind was right you could smell them baking. You could also tell they burned a batch.

They had an outlet store and my mother would go and purchase discounted imperfect products. You could see the bread in the package, so not much surprise. If you bought a cake...you might get all cake, or if you were lucky, a 1 inch of cake and 2 inches of frosting! (Enjoyed those!)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Did you want to borrow my lady-sized splitting maul? It was a ‘courting gift’ from Beau, LOL!

That load looks like it would make some good firewood! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

There was a Sara Lee Bakery OUTLET that my Mom used to be crazy for. We’d make the trek there (about an hour away) a few times a year with our coolers for frozen goods and we’d stock up!

That was back when Sara Lee had the BEST Croissants! We were all addicted.

They also had all the fancy ‘Brownberry’ brand breads before they were mainstream. We lived like kings - at a discount of course.

‘Retail Is For Suckers,’ is on our Family Crest. ;)

[Qiviut]

I actually have a splitting maul although I don’t think it’s ‘lady size’. This is all chestnut wood - I had looked it up before & it’s not that great. Here’s the skinny on it:

Chestnut wood is considered moderate to poor firewood compared to top-tier hardwoods like oak, primarily due to its low heat output (averaging 18.0–18.3 million BTUs per cord) and poor coal production. While it is a slow-burning hardwood with low sap content (resulting in low creosote), it produces heavy smoke and excessive sparks, making it unsuitable for open fireplaces without a screen and better suited for outdoor use or log burners with closing doors.

The burning performance varies significantly by variety and seasoning:

Seasoning Requirements: Chestnut is a moist wood requiring 18–24 months to season properly; burning it green results in heavy smoke and inefficient heat.

Variety Differences: American and Sweet Chestnut provide mild, sweet aromas and moderate heat, whereas Chinese Chestnut emits an unpleasant odor and is not recommended. Horse Chestnut (a different species) is a fast-burning, low-density wood with low heat output (approx. 13.8 million BTUs) but is generally avoided for indoor heating due to potential toxins in the smoke.

Usage Recommendations: Due to its low BTU rating, chestnut is best used as kindling or mixed with high-coal woods like oak to extend burn time. It is not ideal for primary heating in wood stoves unless no other hardwood is available.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Hummingbirds Don’t Just Visit This Fragrant, Low-Maintenance Shrub – They Nest in It, Too (Seven-Son Flower)

If you want hummingbirds to make themselves at home in your garden, this fragrant, low-maintenance shrub delivers color across the seasons.

There’s something quietly magical about hummingbirds. They flit through your garden like jewels on wings, their tiny bodies vibrating with energy, but the real enchantment happens when they decide your yard isn’t just a pit stop: it’s a home. Somewhere they feel safe enough to build a nest, to raise their babies, and to make your garden the star location of their (Lion King voices at the ready, folks!) circle of life.

Yes, when a hummingbird chooses to nest among your shrubs, it’s a subtle seal of approval: your garden feels safe, nourishing, and welcoming enough for them to raise their young. Which means, yes, while you should create a hummingbird hangout full of all those those shrubs that offer both nectar and shelter.

To help you on your way to doing exactly this, we’ve pinpointed the ideal flowering shrub for the job. And, even better, it just so happens to come with a name that feels straight out of an adventure film. Whips at the ready, then...

Yes, as my pun hopefully made clear, the Temple of Bloom Seven-Son Flower is a must-plant flowering shrub for those who want to attract hummingbirds to their gardens. Especially as it doesn’t just attract hummingbirds; it gives them a beautiful place to stay, too.

Yes, plenty of plants lure hummingbirds in with nectar-rich blooms, but far fewer offer the dense, branching structure these tiny birds look for when building nests. And that’s what makes Temple of Bloom so special.

With its layered, arching branches and naturally airy shape, this shrub creates the kind of sheltered, elevated spots hummingbirds favor for nesting. Add in a reliable late-season food source, and it becomes every bit as much a habitat as it does a feeding stop.

For gardeners hoping to support wildlife in a meaningful way, this means that you can easily create a space where your favorite birds can live, raise young, and return year after year. And for those who are gardening for... well, let’s say for slightly less selfless reasons, though, don’t despair; this tree offers you and your yard plenty of color and fragrance and year-round interest, too.

More: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hummingbird-nesting-shrub

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Seven-Son Flower

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I remember the absolute EXCITEMENT there was the first year we carried the Yukon Gold seed potatoes at Jung’s. It was the first potato I ever planted because I HAD to try it. It was supposedly BETTER than German Butterball - which it ws probably bred from - I don’t remember.

Anyhow, we had just moved the woodpile and had all of this LUSCIOUS soil to use, so we planted the potatoes there. Everything went fine all growing season. When we went to harvest EVERY SINGLE POTATO had been chewed in half on the bottom side.

We forgot that all the critters that lived in that woodpile still hung out there for Old Time’s Sake.

It was heartbreaking, but we survived ‘The Potato Famine’ of 1993, LOL!

[MomwithHope]

Hummingbirds have nested in our seven sisters rosebush for decades. It’s a climber but we trained it into a freestanding bush. They will nest deep inside the very thorny branches. Speaking of hummingbirds they are getting closer.

https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2026-map.htm

[Diana in Wisconsin]

‘Spring’ in SW Wisconsin:

PLANNING THE NEXT 24 HOURS:

“As we move into the early hours of Tuesday, the initial storm threat will continue to diminish. The First Warn Weather Team is monitoring extending the ALERT DAY period into the late morning into the early afternoon hours on Tuesday if the isolated severe weather threat continues, before a cold front sweeps though, ending any strong storm threats.

Temperatures will be the warmest in the morning, falling quickly after lunchtime into the mid afternoon and evening Tuesday. Tuesday night temperatures will be in the mid 30s.”

Isolated severe storms Tuesday

Heavy rain/freezing rain Wed. night & Thursday

Heavy rain & wind Saturday

Looks like yet another Easter Sunday where we’ll be wearing our Snowmobile Suits over our Easter Finery! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

OK, looks like a nice load of kindling, then. That should keep you busy for the rest of the week. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I cleaned all the Winter Junk off the porch, yesterday. I have all supplies at hand and am ready to receive the Hummingbirds!

Can’t wait for them, the Orioles and the Red Breasted Grossbeak. A true Rite of Spring. After one more round of ice or snow, of course! ;)

[FamiliarFace]

I know it is Real Spring when the Juncos leave. They’re still here but I bet they will be gone within a week’s time.

[Qiviut]

Nope, no kindling - mowing is #1 on the project list. My brother sent me a message last Saturday night - he started mowing at the Old House so we’re all back to the grind.

I may be doing an Easter brunch - will know Thursday. We tried going out to eat last Easter but all the places within a reasonable driving distance were closed. We ended up at a Chinese place in a strip mall that was primarily a takeout place. Mom didn’t like it - my food was OK, but how hard is it to mess up broccoli in garlic sauce? Anyway, I found a Monte Christo casserole that looks good so I may do that..

[Qiviut]

The BIG question ... do deer eat it? The answer is: deer resistant.

[MomwithHope]

I thought I saw an oriole leave our seed feeder. Flash of bright orange. But the website only shows two sightings. Here vis the link. People need to post easy band free. So my feeder is out no jelly in it yet.
https://maps.journeynorth.org/map/?map=oriole-first-baltimore&year=2026&season=spring