Weekly Garden Thread - May 22-28, 2021

May 22, 2021 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

[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!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“...he plants all his tomatoes at the same time-no matter what kind and he never knows which one is which, until it has fruits.”

We are ALL married to that same guy, LOL!

(My tomatoes are always grouped together by type, at least!)

[MomwithHope]

The trees do not stink. The fruit will smell heavenly as it ripens, only take a day or 2 after they have been picked. The most amazing and delicious thing I have ever eaten! You probably have some around rivers. People will keep it a secret like morel mushrooms. You probably have some show up at farmers markets in the fall they ripen September-October

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I always forget to save some asparagus for pizza! We’re always in such a hurry to gobble it all up each spring. ;)

My favorite pizza dough recipe is from Deborah Madison, a local vegetarian Chef:

https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/deborah-madisons-pizza-dough

[MomwithHope]

PawPaws are Missouri’s state fruit tree - nice article

https://www.kansascity.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/chow-town/article179494516.html

[Ladysforest]

Sometimes the little things are the most satisfying.

[MomwithHope]

And ones you wait a long time for, waited over 12 years to get the 4 pawpaws we got last year.

[greeneyes]

Thanks. I had a book on plants native to Missouri, and they were in there - hence why I thought it would be good to get one.

[Ladysforest]

I hear that! I have yet to get an apple off our Gala. Been out there about 10 or 11 years. Has fruit forming. The past three years every fruit was gone before it was the size of a quarter.

But I can hope!

[MomwithHope]

I would try the hairnets if I were you, see my post 17 if you haven’t already. They are working, not a single bird as far as we can tell. Fruit growing - this has been a solution.

[Bill of Rights FIRST]

Thanks! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I neglected to do this yesterday, prior to my 'Marathon Gardening Session,' and I am feeling it today! Luckily, it's 'The Ladies Who Lunch' Day, PLUS it's FINALLY going to RAIN, so no garden chores for me, today. Yay! :)

5 Simple Stretches for Gardeners

Gardening can do wonders for your health, but if you don’t take care and stretch your body before spending time crouching, bending, and pulling weeds, you can become very stiff, sore, or injure yourself badly. These simple stretches for gardeners are easy and gentle for every body. Spend just a few minutes doing these before you head into the garden and you’ll feel a world of difference.

1. Tall Like A Tree 2. Touch The Earth 3. Tumbleweed Your Shoulders 4. Tight Like a Bud, Flourish Like a Flower 5. Find Your Deep Roots

Link, below:

[Diana in Wisconsin]

https://gardentherapy.ca/5-simple-stretches-for-gardeners/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Ellendra]

Butternut is C. moschata, while acorn squash are C. pepo. They won’t cross no matter how close they are.

If they were both C. pepo or both C. moschata, then they would cross. And in that situation, putting a watermelon between them would not be enough! On rare occasions C. moschata will cross with a C. maxima, but not often.

This is why I’m able to grow 5 kinds of squash in the same field and still keep the seeds pure. As long as each is from a different species, and the maximas and moschatas are at opposite ends, they won’t cross.

[DuncanWaring]

So, acorn squash and pumpkins might cross, both being C. pepo, but acorn squash and butternut squash, one being of the C. pepo variety and the other being C. moschata, will not cross?

I’ll have to keep my butternut squash away from the Musquee de Provence.

Now I know how it works ... I think.

[Ellendra]

So, acorn squash and pumpkins might cross, both being C. pepo, but acorn squash and butternut squash, one being of the C. pepo variety and the other being C. moschata, will not cross?

Exactly :)

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I wonder if I will be able to grow paw paw trees on my land in Texas......says it is zone 8a which seems weird since my Seattleish location is 8b.

It must lean more heavily towards low temp avg than high temp avg

[MomwithHope]

Just research their habitat. Plus they like it wet, super long tap roots.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

‘Way Down Yonder by the Paw Paw Patch,’ with Crabmeat Thompson in an ACTUAL Paw Paw Patch in Middletown, Delaware.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTexsBoqaCA

I remember singing this song as a kid. Did either of you?

Where, oh, where is my sweet little Nellie? (Any girl name)
Where, oh, where is my sweet little Nellie?
Where, oh, where is my sweet little Nellie?
Way down yonder in the paw paw patch!

Come on, boys and let’s go find her
Come on, boys and let’s go find her
Come on, boys and let’s go find her
Way down yonder in the paw paw patch!

Pickin’ up paw paws, put ‘em in your pocket
Pickin’ up paw paws, put ‘em in your pocket
Pickin’ up paw paws, put ‘em in your pocket
Way down yonder in the paw paw patch!

[bitt]

I'd like to get y'all's opinion on some things that are sprouting in my small perennial garden -

the dog dug around last fall and now I have some plants that are growing just in this area - so I wonder if they are weeds or something I want to keep...