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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD DECEMBER 9, 2016
freerepublic | 12/09/2016 | greeneyes

Posted on 12/09/2016 7:58:30 PM PST by greeneyes

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly 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.

This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. 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 Weekly 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!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; hobby
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To: Ellendra

I totally understand I went further. When my son was in swimming classes all the parents were using the ear plugs you roll in a ball and then take them out after the lesson. Well, on July the 4th (Of course on a Holiday) my son comes down with a horrible earache. To make a long story short we were sent to the emergency room to have his ears, both vaccuumed out. Those kind of plugs we were told needed to have been OFF the market. The doctore informed out that flakes break off inside the ears everytime they are used. I felt like a terrible mother!


41 posted on 12/11/2016 9:27:42 AM PST by STARLIT (Draining the Swamp includes Cleaning Out The Sewer.)
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To: Ellendra

I hope your ears are much better now. There’s nothing like an earache. Take care.


42 posted on 12/11/2016 9:31:17 AM PST by STARLIT (Draining the Swamp includes Cleaning Out The Sewer.)
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To: greeneyes

Question for anybody who can help: we moved into a house with some landscaping that’s 20-30 years old, and every year so far it trolls us by producing some unexpected new plant. This year it was a rosebush that suddenly came to life and produced exactly one gorgeous flower. Anybody know what kind of TLC I can give the bush so it’ll grow some more? I’m not generally a flower person, but I adored the smell of this one and would love to give it some encouragement.

(Last year, the yard presented us with surprise mulberry trees. The year before that, it was tulips. I’m kind of scared of next spring at this point.)


43 posted on 12/11/2016 4:03:13 PM PST by MightyMama
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To: NIKK

LOL. Glad I took the time to talk about it. I always like to get or give ideas that don’t require additional purchases. Thanks for telling me.


44 posted on 12/11/2016 6:34:36 PM PST by greeneyes
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To: MightyMama

I haven’t really studied rose culture, and this late in the year, there isn’t much to do. Prior to winter, it is good to make sure that plants are well watered. Being too dry makes them more susceptible to winter damage.

However, once there has been a freeze, the advice is usually not to water again till spring. I have a box of rose food that I throw around the few rose bushes that I have when I remember it.


45 posted on 12/11/2016 6:39:32 PM PST by greeneyes
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To: MightyMama; Diana in Wisconsin

I think Diana would be the best person to advise you on that.


46 posted on 12/11/2016 8:13:35 PM PST by Ellendra (Those who kill without reason cannot be reasoned with.)
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To: greeneyes; MightyMama

You might want to be sure of a good mulching for the rose. We pile leaves and a little straw around ours and have yet to loose one even to -15 to -20.


47 posted on 12/12/2016 6:14:38 AM PST by SLB (23rd Artillery Group, Republic of South Vietnam, Aug 1970 - Aug 1971.)
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To: SLB

Thanks for the info.


48 posted on 12/12/2016 6:19:11 AM PST by greeneyes
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To: greeneyes

The older I get the less I like cold weather.

I’ve got some kale going in the cold frame, but aside from that I’m pretty much in clean-up mode right now.

Still need to tear out the okra, green beans and two 375’ rows of tomato plants/trellis mesh.

Spent a good bit of time over the weekend cleaning up my shop. Need to make some space to work on a couple pieces of tillage equipment over the winter.


49 posted on 12/12/2016 7:58:18 AM PST by Augie
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To: greeneyes
We still have a huge pile of very large chips that he has been putting into his chipper to make much smaller chips that we can use as mulch.

Those heaps of wood chips are really good for growing edible mushrooms. There are several businesses online where you can buy spawn.

50 posted on 12/12/2016 8:01:33 AM PST by Augie
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To: Augie; All
Typical Banana Slug got in the house and was caught eating my keyboard…

IMG_0800

51 posted on 12/12/2016 12:32:00 PM PST by tubebender
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To: Augie

I think about doing that several times, but just never get around to ordering them.


52 posted on 12/12/2016 12:59:24 PM PST by greeneyes
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To: greeneyes

I think it was 6 degrees here last night. :(


53 posted on 12/12/2016 1:00:29 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Augie

I’ve been hanging around the computer too much. Need to get some things done, but when it’s cold, I just want to wrap up and stay warm.


54 posted on 12/12/2016 1:01:25 PM PST by greeneyes
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To: left that other site

I love that movie! :)


55 posted on 12/12/2016 1:06:44 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: greeneyes

The weather here is still unpredictable. Warm then colder then warm again. Did get my bulbs planted. Everything is covered up. Pansies blooming non stop.


56 posted on 12/13/2016 10:57:24 AM PST by tob2 (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!)
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To: Wneighbor; Diana in Wisconsin

Just a note to let you know that my first batch of wine jelly appears to have turned out & it is delicious! I was searching for a recipe using blackberry wine & found one at a blog post that uses blackberries & merlot. Here is the link:

Blackberry Merlot Jelly Recipe
http://highlandsranchfoodie.com/2011/11/blackberry-merlot-jelly-recipe-holiday-gifts-from-the-kitchen/

I used the Sure-jell low sugar method because it seems that sets up faster & I had some on hand. Due to the time of year, I figured I’d need frozen blackberries, but could not find them ... got lucky and actually found some ‘fresh’ ones at Food Lion. We have a large patch of wild blackberries in our back field so next year I’ll have to make sure I beat the birds to a couple of cups to freeze for making this jelly.

Thanks for all the tips, recipes, etc. .... once I get a 2nd batch of Blackberry Merlot Jelly done today (6 jars is definitely not going to be enough!), then I’m through with my Christmas canning projects! :-)

PS - Made apple chutney, too. Aside from it taking twice as long (at least) as the recipe stated to cook down, it turned out pretty yummy. Definitely bold flavors - going to be great on pork (ham, loin) & poultry. It would also do well served on a cream cheese brick with crackers. I did not use the recipe in the Ball Blue Book because it was an apple curry recipe & I wasn’t sure if folks would like the curry.

Apple Chutney
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/apple_chutney.html


57 posted on 12/14/2016 8:43:22 AM PST by Qiviut (In Islam you have to die for Allah. The God I worship died for me. [Franklin Graham])
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To: Qiviut

Thank you!

We eat rabbit from time to time and that Chutney would be good with that, too!


58 posted on 12/14/2016 9:03:11 AM PST 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

I would imagine it would be delicious on rabbit!

Once upon a time, I considered raising rabbits commercially, but never took the leap. My uncle always raised a few for his own eating purposes & my brothers had beagles for pets/rabbit hunting. Been a while since I’ve had a good rabbit :-)


59 posted on 12/14/2016 9:12:53 AM PST by Qiviut (In Islam you have to die for Allah. The God I worship died for me. [Franklin Graham])
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To: Qiviut
Our Beagle is terrific for rounding them up for us. Beau is a sure shot!
60 posted on 12/14/2016 9:24:55 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set!)
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