Posted on 01/16/2021 7:12:09 AM PST 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.
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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.
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A sad note: the woman who ran Sample Seeds died over the summer. She had a huge variety of bean and tomato seeds, which she grew herself. Rest in peace, Remy.
There are certain gardens or garden businesses, which can’t survive the owner, but they are wonderful while they last.
About six weeks until my chives come back. I am still able to get sage leaves. Getting ready to plan the early spring planting. I am thinking spinach and borage to start. My indoor dill is growing Very slowly.
My chocolate mint looks like it’s ending a life cycle. I a, deciding if I want more of that or to try something new.
I noticed at Wal-Mart, along with Valentine stuff, they’re starting to put out the seeds and starter mixes. I’m getting catalogs in the mail for gardening. I watch each day how sunrise ticks earlier, and sunset ticks later minute by minute. It’s subtle things that lifts my spirits in dark, cold January. I can hardly wait for spring.
I’m sitting here watching the snow come down in Pittsburgh PA. My purple cabbage plant on the patio has shown itself to be surprisingly hardy thru several past winter snows.
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Agree on all points, Virgil. You can tell who’s got the bug — they’re already studying the still-lightly-stocked yard and garden aisles at WallyWorld. I’m new to gardening, but I did get one catalog, Burgess I think it was. Frankly the photos looked very unrealistic to me, a bit like horticultural porn. I guess that makes me a voyeur . . .
It’s pouring rain here. Cold, windy, wet winter rain.
Poor Penny! She refuses to go outside and do what doggies do outside.
However, she would rather burst than have an “accident” in the house.
So she must be uncomfortable to say the least.
She’s a very strong, stubborn dog.
Mowers are serviced - yay! The small tractor style has a new wheel (on the proper rim this time), a new battery & a dust cover. The back wheels turn so it’s fantastic for trimming super close around trees/bushes & it pulls my Gorilla Cart, too. The big zero turn is great most of the time, but the little one is going to be my ‘trim’ mower, around all the redbuds & crape myrtles. That will be enough running to keep it running!
This week we had some temps in the 50’s. Thursday, I finished up work on the small mower (installing battery, getting wheel on, etc.) & set out to weed the two raised flower beds in what has become the Hummingbird Garden, Got bucket, seat, weeding tool ... sun was shining enough that I took off my coat & was just in my long underwear shirt .... perfect, right? Took the first ‘chop’ with my tool and lo & behold, the ground was frozen! At least an inch - no way to weed! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I was. No weeding until we have some thawing & I think some polar air is coming in for the end of the month/early Feb. so it might be a while.
Compost pile is sinking (compressing) rapidly. I’d say it’s down 18” to 2’. I am anticipating some great mulch this spring! :-)
Have a great weekend/week, everyone.
Six inches of snow over the past day or so. Very pretty! We needed a layer to cover up the YUCK that January sometimes brings.
Nothing going on in the greenhouse, but I am studying! I have lettuces, spinach, arugula and sprouts going under grow lights. The sprouts are just ‘greening up’ for a few days - they’re more appetizing to me that way.
When I find the pad of graph paper, I am starting on planning the planting beds for next season. I might even use colored pencils because the 4 year old ‘me’ wants that. Seriously. She does!
Shredded papers for the compost pile, as I need to dump the covered bucket that’s under the sink. Had to re-shovel a path out to the two piles this morning, but I needed to shovel to the greenhouse and the bird feeders, anyway. ;)
Working on subjects to post here throughout the week, and trying to keep my two cats for killing one another as they go stir crazy. They’re usually outside more than in, so winter is a PITA for them.
Beau went out early to hunt Bobcat with a friend who has a kill tag and a nice sideline fur business making pelts into hats, mittens, headbands, etc. I got a raccoon headband for Christmas and it is REALLY stunning; velvet lined! His wife does a great job of sewing with the fur - which is not an easy skill to master.
*PING*
(Ellendra may also know of her.)
I took Mom to Walmart on Wednesday and ours, too, had seeds, supplies and soil ready to go. I grabbed a few boxes of Jiffy Pellets. I was glad to see it.
Between Farm & Fleet and Walmart, I should be able to find everything I need, along with all I’ve already ordered & received this past fall. This is going to be a HUGE tomato growing season for me. I’m down to my last six jars of salsa and V-8 mix! ;)
One note: If you want to order from a catalog, do it SOON - they are all swamped and having a hard time filling orders, it seems.
I’ve been watching the sunrises and sunsets lengthening, too! It’s noticeable, now, and not DARK already at 4pm up here on The Frozen Tundra. Yay!
Shivering at the snow, but very impressed with the beauty of the image you found. Well done!
The only thing I want with tomato soup is egg salad sandwiches.
24 here this am. Waiting for more heat to go feed furballs in the paddocks.
Did a shopping trip yesterday-—mid month. But needed a new vacuum.I killed the other one...after 16 years. ONLY ONE machine out of 14 on display WITH A BAG. I don’t like the bagless ones...too hard to clean out without wearing it all—it is windy here in Nevada. Got a Bissel—with a bag-—for a whole $56 !!!At my age, I am NOT going to spend $200 +++ on a vacuum. “SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED”. Neighbor will come today so we have 4 hands instead of 2.
I’ve been watching a gardening show from the UK. It’s been a real spirit lifter and whenever I see something beautiful, I pop over to Amazon to find the seeds :)
If you are into Lyndon Roses, I bought two from a grower on Amazon. They are top quality and came very well packed.
“horticultural porn”
lol, I hear you!
I walk out to the almost dead garden every day just to scheme.
Almost dead: I do have chard, mustard, snow peas and radish going on down here. Have broc and cauli as well but they are not doing well/growing.
Indeed, winter morning!
More coffee, or maybe a hot cocoa!
Do you heat your greenhouse? I use a small ceramic heater and a temperature adjustable switch. It keeps the temp between 35-40. It’s works well down south, but I don’t think it could handle an overnight temperature below about 20.
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