Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Weekly Garden Thread - June 5-11, 2021
June 5, 021 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 06/05/2021 5:12:14 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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-169 next last

1 posted on 06/05/2021 5:12:14 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 4everontheRight; Augie; Aevery_Freeman; ApplegateRanch; ArtDodger; AloneInMass; ...
Just like clockwork; every June, Beatles in my garden!


2 posted on 06/05/2021 5:16:34 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Devil's Door
3 posted on 06/05/2021 5:31:22 AM PDT by LibWhacker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LibWhacker

Perfect description!


4 posted on 06/05/2021 5:33:07 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: LibWhacker

Very cool


5 posted on 06/05/2021 5:33:43 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: All
I have so much on my Garden Plate this morning, that I will get back to you all later today when I am back inside, soaking up the A/C and destroying the planet. ;)


6 posted on 06/05/2021 5:36:25 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Good Morning. Thanks for the ping. We have had loads of rain this week, some pretty cool nights, and not nearly enough sunshine. Weeds abound.

I got most of the beds weeded yesterday. Garlic finally had some scapes, which I have snipped off. I am thinking that I might just dehydrate them and turn them into powder to use when cooking.

I have way too much lettuce to eat. How does one “preserve” lettuce for later use? Any nifty recipes(I am getting tired of salads).

Hubby is working on the siding on the “grand old money pit shed”. Rain canceled the bobcat to do the grading. Now it’s wait again to let the ground dry out.

He says the “root/storm cellar” is ready for some shelves and storage. So I’ll be shopping for some shelves. Also time to order the cistern.


7 posted on 06/05/2021 5:43:45 AM PDT by greeneyes ( Moderation In Pursuit of Justice is NO Virtue--LET FREEDOM RING)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

It’s been “snakeville” around here. Thursday, I pulled a 5-1/2 footer out of a nest box in the chicken coop next door. The following day (yesterday), my SIL pulled at least a 4-footer out (not as thick body as the one I wrangled). Thursday evening, she was walking across the field & a mockingbird alerted her to a snake in the field. She thinks it was smaller than the one she found yesterday. “My” snake will not be back. She released the snake she caught down the road – it will be back in a couple of days. These are Eastern Rat Snakes.

The garden is finally coming around & growing! The tomatoes (Celebrity & cherry tomato) have blooms. I’m not seeing little tomatoes yet – hope they’ll start setting fruit. My two cukes that got sunburned & I thought they’d die, have survived – they’re climbing the trellis & blooming. The peppers plants (2nd batch) are thriving & growing – letting them get some size in peat pots before putting them out in the garden was the way to go. Radishes have been harvested & just planted another row of French Breakfast radishes (our favorite now – we won’t be planting any other variety).

Flowers – Cardinal Climbing vines in pots have climbed over the last week to the top of the trellises. The ones in tub & stock tank are beginning to climb. Hopefully, they’ll start blooming soon – small red trumpet-shaped flowers that hummers like. I planted two beds of zinnias on June 1 & noticed the zinnias starting to peep through as of yesterday (warm temps/rain). The giant sunflowers I germinated in peat pots are in the raised bed now & I also planted some sunflower seeds (autumn colors & a yellow one that’s good for flower arrangements). The tithonia I started in peat pots are also in a raised bed now – as of yesterday, they looked greener & happier so they’re starting to take off a bit.

Hummers are back – not in the numbers we had last year, but enough to be entertaining. The swing on our front porch has a good view of a feeder I’ve hung off a maple tree branch. Between sunset & dusk, the hummers are really coming for their last meal of the day. I sat out until I could barely see the feeder last night, watching them. Also, in the bad news category, I think my “porch bunny” got eaten. It was hanging out in the hostas around the front porch & would occasionally come up the steps & on the porch, exploring ….. this was even when I was in the porch swing! I found a clump of bunny fur (some skin attached) just in front of the hostas on Thursday, so I think something got PB. One of the porch lizards (the broad-headed skink) is missing part of a previously long tail so it’s had a dangerous encounter of some sort as well As long as the snakes stay off the porch …...

Hot, hot, hot this coming week, along with humidity. We got an inch of rain over the last couple of days, so that’s great – didn’t have to water the garden the last 2-3 days. The wet soil has really helped my zinnia & radish seeds germinate quickly. Happy ‘summer’ everyone – I think summer temps are finally here!


8 posted on 06/05/2021 5:48:08 AM PDT by Qiviut (2020 Election steal result: We are beginning our "40 years of wandering in the Wilderness".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thx.


9 posted on 06/05/2021 5:50:57 AM PDT by tennmountainman ( Liberals Are Baby Killers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes; Diana in Wisconsin

I have heard two opposing opinions on the scapes.

One is to snip them because it send the energy of the plant into the bulb and gives you a bigger bulb and better harvest.

The other is to let them go because it doesn’t make any difference.

Anyone have any experience with that?


10 posted on 06/05/2021 6:03:59 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Beatles In Your Garden?






At Least They're not TICKS! Just like clockwork, we get them every spring.

ML/LTOS

11 posted on 06/05/2021 6:08:15 AM PDT by left that other site (If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin
We are (again) fighting a huge drought all over the state of California. We pulled up the last of our lawns last year and replaced them with mulch, and mostly native plants that are water wise. I still have my roses, though, and am able to water by hand, which is still legal - at the moment.

I've got blooming cactus:

70-CE3249-92-DE-41-F3-BF18-FA3-B34-A510-F6-1-105-c

Pomegranates setting in (they need very little water):

29-D7-DC29-BF3-D-4-A66-B496-12-CD0-B444-B63-1-105-c

Another bumper crop of lemons:

E9-B2-E608-A030-4-D4-F-B237-53523-F9-E40-B5-1-105-c

: I know they aren't "water-wise" but I can't go without roses. This one is called "George Burns."

1-C092167-FCF2-424-A-8-FFB-A75182-D5-A930-1-105-c And, one last one from my native plant/bee garden, called "Sticky Monkey Flower.":

7-E861633-6-C36-4651-B09-B-46372-E9894-B5-1-105-c

12 posted on 06/05/2021 6:34:16 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (Rigged Elections have Consequences)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes

Is there any way to remove crab grass for good? That stuff just flourishes in my front bed, and the roots are crazy long.


13 posted on 06/05/2021 6:41:32 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Florida: America's new free zone.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes; Chode; All
How does one “preserve” lettuce for later use?

Wash lettuce and pat dry. Stack leaves about 1” thick and roll up in plastic wrap. Spray bundles with Canola oil cooking spray. Take 1 large Leporidae and pry mouth open, insert plastic wrapped lettuce bundles until Leporidae is doubled in size. Nail Leporidae in to 4’ x 4’ x 1/2” thick plywood. Place Leporidae Lettuce boards in Root Cellar. Store up to 6 months.

To use, remove Leporidae from plywood pull lettuce bundles and discard. Strip hide and remove entrails, rinse well and put in bucket of salted cool water. Prepare Dutch Oven with 1/4” of Olive Oil and preheat on medium high. Remove from salt water and pat dry with a towel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and lay into heated oil and brown (sear) both sides. Repeat until 4 Leporidae are seared then place all 4 Leporidae back into Dutch Oven with 1 medium 1015 or Vidallia Onio cut into quarters, 6 Carrots- topped and washed and 6 sticks of Celery Stalks- washed. Cover with water to top of Leporidae and bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and cook for about 1 hour.

Serve with choice of Vegetables and Rice Pilaf. Enjoy.

(For fun leave ears and head intact to help get the Dinner conversation rolling. )

14 posted on 06/05/2021 7:10:28 AM PDT by mabarker1 ((Congress- the opposite of PROGRESS!!! A fraud, a hypocrite, a liar. I'm a member of Congress !!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Use yoko ono spray. Gets rit of them in 6 shots.


15 posted on 06/05/2021 7:12:25 AM PDT by Track9 (Dealing with democrats is like living without toilet paper. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Beetles....and worms of various sizes eating the leaves on my salvia and zinnias. 🐛 Not to mention aphids. Found aphids 2 weeks ago.

Hot out there for a few days, doing twice a day waterings on newly transplanted annuals when it is 90 and windy.

Send rain please
😅


16 posted on 06/05/2021 7:31:16 AM PDT by TheConservativeParty (MAGA FOREVER 🇺🇸)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: metmom

I think clipping the scapes is the best.....anything extra on a plant does slow down the development of the fruit.....also, they taste damn good cooked in some butter, a litte lemon and salt....


17 posted on 06/05/2021 8:32:35 AM PDT by cherry (we are the dominionated)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Bon of Babble
we live in eastern Washington and we too are in drought conditions...we're usually dry all summer but the dry period started in April for us....

I'm having trouble with seeds coming up....have had to replant three times now from different packages....once I get some of them up I can finish my planting and start prettying up the place....

husband built 11 raised beds this year out of pallets....so proud....

18 posted on 06/05/2021 8:35:23 AM PDT by cherry (we are the dominionated)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: greeneyes

“I have way too much lettuce to eat. How does one “preserve” lettuce for later use? Any nifty recipes(I am getting tired of salads).”

Me, too! With our cool, sunny spring I’ve got lettuce and spinach coming out my ears!

How about using some of it up in Smoothies? You could then freeze the Smoothie liquid in ice cube trays for later use, too.

https://gastroplant.com/3-ingredient-lettuce-smoothie/

https://thecookful.com/lettuce-smoothie/

And, tons of other ways (recipes)to use up lettuce, here:

https://thecookful.com/category/head-lettuce-101/

I’ve got some nice Red Romaine right now, so I’m going to whip up some Tuna Salad and fill leaves with that for ‘sandwiches’ later!

One more idea: Taco Salad! So, I always thought Beau didn’t like ‘Mexican Food’ due to the sometimes spicy nature of it. Turns out he doesn’t like Tacos because of the mess they make - so I’ve been making Taco Salad instead and he gobbles it right up. Fajitas, too.

After ten years of looking, I thought I might have found his ‘fatal flaw’ which would be the end of us, because I could eat Mexican food every day of the week and never tire of it. So, I guess we’re stuck with one another, now. ;)


19 posted on 06/05/2021 9:29:34 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Bon of Babble

Beautiful, as always! So jealous of your fresh lemons!

I took pictures of my roses for you this morning; will post and ping you later today or this evening. :)


20 posted on 06/05/2021 9:31:19 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-169 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson