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Weekly Garden Thread - April 24-30, 2021
April 24, 2021 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 04/24/2021 7:11:16 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 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 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: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Ladysforest

A woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do! :)

My Ex rarely lifted a finger to help me with anything; unless it was directly for HIS benefit, of course. Beau is a dream come true on comparison.

With the exception of the 8-year roofing project (a leak in the upstairs ceiling finally lit a fire under his butt) and the now 3-year house painting project, he’s almost always Johnny on the Spot for garden-related things. He likes to eat, LOL!


81 posted on 04/26/2021 6:33:43 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: Cleebie Grums; All
Here you go!

Wednesday:

Thursday:


82 posted on 04/26/2021 6:38:07 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
We're considering those Kunekune pigs, too. I'll keep bugging Beau!

In Wisconsin there is a 'Pagoda Dogwood' tree that's quite pretty, but not as gorgeous as the Florida strains of Dogwood.

Pagoda Dogwood Tree:

However, we can grow really nice Magnolia Trees, which seems odd. They were absolutely GORGEOUS this spring, but are pretty much done, now. I have a small one my BFFs gave me last year to plant in memory of Dad. It's doing well.

83 posted on 04/26/2021 6:46:07 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: Qiviut

Grilled Radishes? Interesting!

I love the first Radish Sandwich of the season. Dark Rye or hearty Wheat bread, butter, radishes, Sprouts if you have them and S&P. Yum!


84 posted on 04/26/2021 6:48:58 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

It was a crazy weather week here in Central Missouri. It was cool last weekend, then it turned cold for two nights and we got some snow, then it warmed up and rained Friday and Saturday. Sunny today headed for a high in the mid 80°s.

I have a feeling the two nights of sub-freezing weather wiped out my chance for apples and peaches. Those trees were in full bloom. Now, not so much.

My battle with the Bird Feeder Gang continues. Chicken thief #4 and chicken thief #5 now have a new home in my freezer.

Made a little progress with Mr. Clarence on Saturday, but I’m fighting a Woodruff key that’s stuck in the lift control shaft. I’m not ready to admit defeat quite yet, but it may come down to the smoke wrench to get it apart. The cylinder head is back from the machine shop with a nice shiny set of new valves, seats, and seals.

Been finding some morels, but they have been few and far between. Ran across some beer can sized yellows yesterday down in the river bottom. With the moist soil we’ve got and a few days of warm temps there’s still a chance for a bumper crop.


85 posted on 04/26/2021 7:00:11 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Augie; All
Morels and Hen of the Woods I found in 2012. I've found more since, and we now have Golden Oyster mushrooms, too - but this was a nice photo, so I had to share. Nature just rocks!


86 posted on 04/26/2021 8:18:29 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

I meant the GMC.....I like GM Ford and Dodge. Loved my suburban. Presently have an F150. Prefer layout and I terror of my GM cars over the Ford.

I also have a 1980 “stingray” style corvette.


87 posted on 04/26/2021 9:17:16 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

I saw a recipe in a magazine for French Breakfast Radishes - sandwiches, I think. They looked delicious & I believe the French Breakfast variety are milder, not as much peppery zip. I think. I’ll find out! Ok, here’s a link with the answwer(s):

What Are French Breakfast Radishes?
https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-french-breakfast-radishes-5076162

What Do They Taste Like?

“French breakfast radishes are milder and sweeter than common red radishes while still retaining a hint of that peppery, mustardy piquancy that is associated with radishes. Spring and fall radishes will be milder than ones grown in summer—the warmer the soil, the spicier the radish.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Went by the local nursery today - my SIL had been last week and they hardly had anything, she said. Well, just got back from from checking them out - they were MOBBED!!! They did have quite a few veggies - I got some cherry tomatoes, bell peppers & cukes. At $1,79/4-pack, it’s not worth the time/trouble for me to sprout my own - our veggie garden is small since it’s for my folks (if I could grow cows in a raised bed, that would be for me!).

I also now have zip ties so my garden fence can go up ... and Epsom salts to make more DIY weed killer. It’s breezy, cool, but bright sun so a good day to work. The gnats were starting to come out yesterday (we get them in May) so the breezes will keep them away/at bay.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ok, couldn’t find that specific magazine article for the French Breakfast radish sandwich, but here are some radish ideas:

Radishes with Butter and Salt (Ina Garten - I love her recipes!) - Herbed butter recipe, too
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/radishes-with-butter-and-salt-recipe2-1945613

A couple of these look good to me & I’ll try them
How to Eat Radishes: 10 Radish Recipes to Try Tonight
https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-radishes-article


88 posted on 04/26/2021 9:19:07 AM PDT by Qiviut (2020 Election steal result: We are beginning our "40 years of wandering in the Wilderness".)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

Oh, and one more thing - I ran across this recipe totally by accident .... I am SO going to do this! I couldn’t find jalapeno plants today and there are no cranberries to be had, but this fall, I should be able to make it.

Cranberry Pepper Jelly
https://abakerswife.com/2011/01/cranberry-pepper-jelly.html

Some description from the link:

“This was a beautiful appetizer my fabulous niece Ashley made for the holidays this year. I love Pepper Jelly in general, and I have many a neighbor who make a beautiful batch every summer. It’s delicious draped over a block of cream cheese and then dipped into with a Wheat Thin. This recipe had something a little different about it. It was the prettiest pepper jelly I’ve ever seen. Beautiful! Most pepper jelly’s rely on food coloring to make them a pretty color. This one had cranberries. A bright, bold shocking pink color and a hot sweetness that was delicious.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Note from me - I do not use food coloring. I make my Jalapeno pepper jelly with red, ripe peppers only - the color is sort of a light amber/gold & with the bits of red pepper bits, it’s really pretty.


89 posted on 04/26/2021 9:27:01 AM PDT by Qiviut (2020 Election steal result: We are beginning our "40 years of wandering in the Wilderness".)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Hen of the Woods = Grifola frondosa

What you have there with your morels are pheasant backs/dryads saddle - Polyporus squamosus

No matter what you call them, they are very tasty if you find them before they get woody, and just a few nice ones will add a lot of weight to your shroom sack.


90 posted on 04/26/2021 12:58:08 PM PDT by Augie
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To: Augie

Oh, yes! I’ve had really tasty ‘Pheasant Backs’ and really awful ‘Pheasant Backs,’ LOL!


91 posted on 04/26/2021 5:16:07 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: All
This is brilliant! Go brush your pets and put their fur on a clothespin where the birds will find it while they are nest-building! I have three (found!) wren nests that are lined with my Black Lab's fur and two that are lined with shed tail hair from the mule. Nature Rocks! Nothing is wasted!

That said, for a while I saved dryer lint to put out for the birds, but I heard that that could be a problem for them because of the laundry soap and/or dryer sheets we use? I use those wool balls in lieu of dryer sheets in the winter months, otherwise I hang laundry to dry. Anyone know the skinny? I stopped saving dryer lint just in case.


92 posted on 04/26/2021 5:23:52 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
I caught a few after work yesterday.

First time I've ever found any black morels.

2021-04-26_19.18.01

93 posted on 04/27/2021 5:22:43 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Augie

Impressive! Great catch. :)

I’ve never seen the black Morels; we have the grey and tans.


94 posted on 04/27/2021 6:18:20 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

95 posted on 04/27/2021 6:41:10 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: Pollard; All
'Weber' is growing fast! He's out on grass now, with some grain and treats thrown in daily for good measure. He doesn't know it, but he's getting a new halter - so don't ruin the surprise. That way we can move him around to 'mow' various areas for us. He comes to his name, now...and also the feed bucket. Warm beer and daily massages are next for my 'Kobe Beef Boy.' 😉 He's a cross between a dairy Holstein and a Black Angus; somebody jumped the fence! We got him for free in December from the dairy farmer that rents our crop land; he goes to 'The Spa' next March.

^Baby Picture.^

^Taking one of many daily treats.^

^Now, a Toddler, soon to be an unruly Teenager.^

96 posted on 04/27/2021 7:28:58 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
Autonomous Weeder robot uses lasers to take out 100,000 plants an hour As long as it sticks to just weeds..
97 posted on 04/27/2021 6:37:43 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save + be baptized + follow Him!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All
We took the morning off to go visit a shirt tail relative 15 miles north of us. The apple farm belongs to Lady Bender’s nephew but we were visiting his step dad. It’s about 15 miles inland from Mc Kinleyville Ca. Intense planting of semi dwarf apple trees…

IMG_2297 2

IMG_2286 2

98 posted on 04/27/2021 10:02:33 PM PDT by tubebender
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To: tubebender; All

Beautiful apple trees. Thanks for sharing!

Our local (Munchkey Apples) has about 9,000 trees and they are all pruned to look as if they have no branches, and the apples look ‘columnar’ on each tree. I guess that makes for easy picking for staff or those that want to pick their own.

Mom & I go there each fall and split a few pecks of different varieties for pies and sauce and such. They have good prices on ‘scratch & dent’ apples.

I buy locally and seasonally whenever I can. :)

https://munchkeyapples.com/


99 posted on 04/28/2021 6:14:28 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: 4everontheRight; Augie; Aevery_Freeman; ApplegateRanch; ArtDodger; AloneInMass; ...

‘Useful Tool’ Ping!

State Drought Monitoring Map.

My part of Wisconsin is currently in an ‘Abnormally Dry’ period, which is true. They keep TALKING about rain, but nothing is developing. I had to water my garden yesterday, which is odd because we’re either treading water or still shoveling snow at this time.

Wishing you a drought-free growing season, BUT I have found that having a drier growing season is better than too much rain. ;)

The guys are working hard, and early, to get crops planted all around us. This is the earliest either of us can remember in many, many season.

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx


100 posted on 04/28/2021 6:22:55 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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