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Weekly Garden Thread - April 4-10, 2020
April 4, 2020 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 04/04/2020 9:15:07 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

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.

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 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 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! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.

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 to Gardeners are welcomed any time!


TOPICS: Food; Gardening; Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: garden; gardening; weekly
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To: MomwithHope
A year ago I saw an ad for two LGDs. We went and got them and it was supposed to be two Great Pyrenees and one was stuffed in a little cage so it was hard to tell but the fur seemed a little wavy. When we pushed him out of the cage into the back of the truck, he scooted up to the front corner of the bed and cowered. The other was walking around free was obviously GP breed. We went ahead and took them and driving away my wife asked, "Why do I feel like we just rescued a couple of dogs?" The wavy haired one also had fur down over his eyes and I'm pretty sure he was at least part Old English Sheep Dog. Pretty well a broken dog though. Few days after they were home, I was walking across the yard with a piece of PVC or stick or something in my hand and both dogs bolted behind a stack of trusses in the pen. Obviously they'd been wacked with something. A year later and both had gotten better and I could walk right up to them with something stick like in my hand but the sheep dog was always getting his butt kicked by the other. The GP is a working dog and serious while the sheep dog was just goofy and not too bright. Finally got rid of him. When I brought these goats home, I was concerned about the GP because I had never actually seen him with animals. He was supposed to have watched over 400 head of sheep but that was according to the guy who lied about the breed of the other dog. So before putting the goats in that pen, I brought the GP up to the pen by the house. Then I put the goats in their pen, put the GP on a leash and walked him around the outside of the goat pen. As soon as he saw them, he looked away. I brought him inside the pen and he still ignored them. I'd seen this behavior a few days earlier when I was working on the garden which is right across the drive from the pen. He was wanting to lay in the shade of the chicken coup. He walked over and stood in that shade for a few seconds and the chicks clucked away nervously. He repeated that four times, never looking directly at them, until they no longer clucked when he came over, then he plunked his butt down in the shade. So with the goats, I finally let him off the leash and he went straight to his house and stayed in there for quite a while. By that time, I felt comfortable enough to leave the area. Went to the house and when I came back, this is what I saw.

The people I got the goats from had LGDs so the goats are fine with dogs. In fact, they prefer him to me I think. The tan goat has/had scours(runs) and I shot some pepto bismol down her throat yesterday and had to get her head between my legs to hold her in place while doing it. The dog kind of rushed over all concerned. Didn't come at me or anything because I've pretty much gained his trust at this point. He sniffed her butt right afterwards so he seems to know what's going on with her. He's a smart one. I saw him looking up and barking one time and thought, oh great, a squirrel barker. Then I saw him looking up in the opposite direction and thought, that's one fast squirrel. Then I saw the hawk flying over which is what he was actually barking at. He sees the shadow on the ground, knows what it is and then barks up at them. He seems happier now that the goats are there. He has purpose again. Gotta do my corner brace wires and then run the other 5 strands of high tensile wire today and then tomorrow, the goats and dog will have 12 acres to roam.

121 posted on 04/09/2020 5:29:51 AM PDT by Pollard (shadowbanned)
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To: Pollard

Nice picture. We never had a LGD. Only kept 2 mature does (Saanens) at a time and sold off the doelings (all registered) and the bucks we wethered and sold for 4H projects. Fortunately we had nice choice of registered Saanen bucks fairly close by for servicing. Meat or dairy is a good way to go. Dairy a huge commitment and lots of work keeping them in milk and they were shown every year too. Have fun.


122 posted on 04/09/2020 6:43:34 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Yeah we had a few dairy goats several years ago but milking was not our thing evidently. Most people around here have beef cattle but also have huge properties. Our 14 acres with much of it being steep slopes, is too small for that but big enough for goats. Kikos are supposed to be very low maintenance. Hoping to get to a point where we make $3-4000 a year without too much work.


123 posted on 04/09/2020 6:53:47 AM PDT by Pollard (shadowbanned)
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To: Pollard

We have 10 1/2 hilly and wooded with a creek at the bottom. We frequently would let them out and they would follow us down to the creek happily snacking on tall wild grasses, wild raspberry branches and had fun crossing the creek jumping on stones. Lovely memories.


124 posted on 04/09/2020 6:58:37 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Pretty darn smart! :)


125 posted on 04/09/2020 7:37:07 AM 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

DO they keep a furry coat like that, or is it just that they haven’t shed out for Spring, yet? They’re beautiful!


126 posted on 04/09/2020 7:38:05 AM 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.; Ellendra

*PING*

Your help is needed, Ellendra!

(She might be working out at her property today, Paul.)


127 posted on 04/09/2020 7:40:49 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Liz

Aside from the seafood we eat most of that each week. I’m gonna live forever, LOL!

Pork Loin Roast for supper, it is! :)


128 posted on 04/09/2020 7:41:56 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: All

129 posted on 04/09/2020 7:46:10 AM 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

Stay well......


130 posted on 04/09/2020 8:22:38 AM PDT by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
No-bake rich chocolate ganache mousse; layer of creamy dulce de leche, nestled in a sweet/salty cookie crust.
Here's a good way to get some healthful zinc into your system...........hopefully stave off the virus.
Just "by accident" it also contains luscious, creamy dulce de leche and a cinnamony cookie crust.

Dark Chocolate Dulce de Leche Tart

ING Crust: 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs (from about 7 ounces cookies) 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks For Dulce de Leche: 8 ounces dulce de leche 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream, as needed For Ganache Mousse: 6 ounces good quality dark chocolate (70-75%), finely chopped 1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, divided 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract flake sea salt (such as Maldon), for topping

METHOD
CRUST Proc/chop wafer cookies. Add sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Proc/pulse to incorporate. Add melted butter fold to incorporate, evenly moisten. Chill/set 30 min Pressed into six 4-inch mini tart pans) with a removable bottom.

CARAMEL LAYER Combine Trader Joe’s brand jarred dulce de leche w/ 3 tb cream was perfect. Microwave 45-60 seconds, stirring once, til smooth and cream, is completely incorporated. Spread even layer in the bottom of chilled crust. Refridge while you prepare the chocolate layer.

CHOCOLATE LAYER Heat 3/4 cup of cream til it just begins to bubble (do not boil). Pour over finely chopped chocolate. Steep 30 sec, then begin to gently whisk, making small concentric circles in center, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Add butter, 1 chunk at a time, whisking slowly until incorporated before adding the next chunk. Stir in vanilla. In a clean bowl, vigorously whisk remaining 1/2 cup cream until it forms soft mounds (you’re looking for a slightly softer consistency than typical whipped cream). Fold into melted chocolate mixture until smooth and no white streaks remain. Pour over dulce de leche; spread evenly. Set in counter 1 to 2 hours at cool room temperature or refrige for 30 to 60 minutes just until set (if refrigerated longer, the top won’t be as glossy.)

FINAL Liftout of pans. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes and edible glitter just before serving.

CHEF NOTES Tart will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days. Let come to room temperature prior to serving.

131 posted on 04/09/2020 9:38:06 AM PDT by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Paul R.

I’ve never heard of a rooster doing that, but if you need to swap out eggs in the future, I’d suggest doing it at night, or else blocking the rooster somewhere he can’t see you. They’ll be more likely to accept the new ones if he doesn’t actually see you doing it.

With my broody, I had to watch for her to get up from the nest on her own, then switch the eggs around fast before she came back and saw me. But I was just swapping real eggs for fake ones, since I can’t have any more chicks yet.

As long as you didn’t scrub the eggs, they should be good. Cleaning them at that stage is tricky, because you don’t want to wash the bloom off. But at the same time leaving the dried egg white would have caused problems too. I think you did the right thing there.


132 posted on 04/09/2020 3:14:59 PM PDT by Ellendra (A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Not 100% sure. This is a new breed for me. I imagine their coat probably thins a little when it’s warmer and thickens when colder like most four legged animals.


133 posted on 04/09/2020 5:54:57 PM PDT by Pollard (shadowbanned)
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To: Pollard

That reminds me...better shave my legs; Flip-Flop Season is right around the corner, LOL!

We had mid-30’s today and HUGE snow squalls, then full sun, on and off all day long. I had to keep closing and opening the greenhouse today.

Ah, Spring. You fickle Lady! :)


134 posted on 04/09/2020 6:08:42 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

Thanks!!!


135 posted on 04/09/2020 7:35:25 PM PDT by Paul R. (The Lib / Socialist goal: Total control of nothing left wort h controlling.)
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To: Ellendra

Hi, Ellendra! Thanks for the reply!

I isolated the broody hen w/ her adopted eggs immediately after the “abortions” occurred. She was in the top portion of our smaller henhouse, so I just blocked off the opening in the “2nd story” floor with 1/2” mesh “garden cloth”. (The cross-section of the whole henhouse looks like a wide “A” and the top “right” (roof) part of the “A” is hinged and swings open for access.) So she has food & water and I hand feed her a few cut up grapes or other fruit each day. She stays on those eggs about 1435 minutes a day, so she seems pretty determined at this point. I’m hoping she doesn’t stop @ 21-22 days because it took me a week to get the hatching eggs once she’d gone broody, but it seems to me this hen has stayed on eggs longer in the past, so, we shall see.

The chickens now in the bottom section are not cramped, but seem a little testy at not being able to go “upstairs” @ night. “Downstairs” is mostly that mesh and the frame and a (solid) door, so maybe the birds feel “exposed”. However, I added an extra roosting bar (a section of hickory branch) “downstairs” today, and can probably add one more nest box and maybe an external “panel” tomorrow.

Only two of the hatching eggs really had a lot of “white” (and some yolk too) on them, so I’m left with 2 washed eggs and 3 unwashed. I did not scrub the 2, but did sort of rub them clean. I guess that makes them more susceptible to bacteria - not sure I can do much about that.
“Mom” seems to keep the nest pretty clean. We’ll cross our fingers and hope for the best...

As for the rooster - yes, I looked around some on the web and found nothing on that sort of behavior. It’s almost as if he knows a big feisty Maran roo’ may well come out of these eggs. I like this guy’s looks (almost like a colorful hawk - seems to scare off small predators, as opposed to white chickens that seem to attract predators!) But he’s a mutt and may end up on the dinner table, as we have one too many roosters.


136 posted on 04/09/2020 7:38:05 PM PDT by Paul R. (The Lib / Socialist goal: Total control of nothing left wort h controlling.)
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To: Ellendra

Funny thing about the “mutts” (hybrids) though. They seem more likely to hatch, and, we haven’t lost a one once at least half grown.


137 posted on 04/09/2020 7:48:28 PM PDT by Paul R. (The Lib / Socialist goal: Total control of nothing left wort h controlling.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I just got an email from Territorial Seeds that they are suspending accepting orders for a couple weeks because they are so swamped with orders, they cannot keep up packing and shipping them out.


138 posted on 04/09/2020 11:56:10 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

31 this morning here. Hopefully it won’t kill my chances of eating fresh peaches this summer. I’ve had a tree for 5 years now and got two peaches off it last year and that’s it. It’s to early of a variety for this locale and frost has gotten it most years.


139 posted on 04/10/2020 5:05:04 AM PDT by Pollard (shadowbanned)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Silly question: In preparing a planting bed, I dug up some old bulbs. I put them in water to see what might happen. Well, they sprouted. Woo hoo. Not having much experience with bulbs, is that the stem or the root? Wouldn’t want to replant them upside down. I’m probably just feeding the darned moles I’m having trouble making extinct.


140 posted on 04/10/2020 5:29:59 AM PDT by NonValueAdded ("Sorry, your race card has been declined. Can you present any other form of argument?")
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