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Weekly Garden Thread - Feb 26-March 4, 2022 [Grow a Tea Garden Edition]
February 26, 2022 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memorium

Posted on 02/26/2022 6:25:45 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.

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 wonโ€™t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isnโ€™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: Qiviut

What I know is that the higher my ketone levels get, the sicker I’ve been getting. A few hours ago it got bad enough that I decided to end the experiment. Tomorrow would have been the end of the 2-week test period, but things got bad enough it wasn’t worth the risk anymore.

My metabolism is weird, my body chemistry is weird, and I just don’t react to things the way everyone else does. I had hoped this might work, but it didn’t. It was worth a try.

I am glad to hear that it’s working for you!


81 posted on 02/27/2022 9:54:28 PM PST 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

That’s so finny!


82 posted on 02/27/2022 11:14:42 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: Pollard
Are you in the Ozarks too?

Not in, but close. I'm in unincorporated space 1.5mi south of I-70 a few miles east of Columbia.

83 posted on 02/28/2022 6:15:48 AM PST by Augie
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To: Ellendra

So sorry to hear ....

You probably do this anyway ... cut out the vegetable seed oils along with grains & sugar ... eat the rest. That shouldn’t be low enough to throw you into ketosis, but there will still be a health benefit.

Looking at that Eglu chicken ‘tractor/pen’ setup that you sent me the link for .... boy, I wish I could financially do that! After the marauding fox attacked (in broad daylight) last week, there’s only one laying hen left. I contacted my neighbor who has chickens to give her a “fox alert”. No chickens lost yet, but her daughter ran into a fox while walking to the bus stop (they have a longish driveway). So the fox is over there, scoping out their chicken situation! She does sell fresh eggs, so that’s where I’ll have to get mine until my SIL can get more chickens this summer - her daughter will raise chicks for her & she gets them when fully feathered. I’d still like to have my own - one of the chickens killed was sort of a ‘buddy’ when I would chicken-sit for SIL ... I miss that bird!


84 posted on 02/28/2022 6:20:30 AM PST by Qiviut (๐ŸŠ #standup "Don't let your children die on the hill you refuse to fight on.")
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To: Qiviut

I’ve had people tell me that chickens can’t be pets, but they really are sometimes! One of my girls is 5 years old now, and only lays once in a while anymore. But she’s still my favorite, and will hop up in my lap to have her feathers stroked. I can only imagine how devastated I’d feel if she got caught by something!

***hugs***


85 posted on 02/28/2022 9:43:28 AM PST by Ellendra (A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
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To: All

86 posted on 02/28/2022 11:01:35 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Ellendra

***hugs***

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

Thanks! Chickens definitely have ‘personalities’ ... not like dogs & cats, but distinctive. My little great-nieces have their favorites & those particular chickens are always being carried around and are super tame. This latest batch (now down to 1 survivor) came from them - the girls had tamed the hens quite a bit, which was nice. The next batch will be the same - they’ll raise them until full feathered & then they’ll come live here. In the meanwhile, since the fox(es) are raiding in the daylight, when the hens are out in the run instead of locked up in the coops which are pretty much predator proof, some security measures need to be put in place/enhanced before the next hens arrive.

Around here, Jan/Feb is fox breeding season with March/April when they have their kits ... I’m sure that is why the foxes are marauding so badly lately.


87 posted on 02/28/2022 11:44:25 AM PST by Qiviut (๐ŸŠ #standup "Don't let your children die on the hill you refuse to fight on.")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Keep this in your recipe file under "I need an iced tea right now."

Fruit-Flavored Iced Green Tea Recipe | Food Network

Fruit-Flavored Iced Green Tea

88 posted on 02/28/2022 2:59:17 PM PST by Liz ("Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Liz

I love green tea - and make it by the gallon jug as Sun Tea when I can!


89 posted on 03/01/2022 6:07:45 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: All

90 posted on 03/01/2022 6:08:45 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Augie

Augie; Weather and fruit trees. They are a problem but when they do fruit it is worth it. I have 3rd year 2 plums and some Viking Aronia. I will wait until I have a larger property (a very remote possibility) before I get any more trees.

Hope your Green Shed goes well!


91 posted on 03/01/2022 10:14:47 AM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Liz

Green tea w Fruit. I need an order of summer heat to go with that! :)


92 posted on 03/01/2022 10:16:06 AM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

March-the-Tomboy, with her muddy boots, and her friend Jack Frost, wait until Almost-May to visit us and pluck all the blossoms off our fruit trees!


93 posted on 03/01/2022 10:27:23 AM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Hah......it’LL be here soon.


94 posted on 03/01/2022 10:41:38 AM PST 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
Info for people starting their own seedlings!

Fungus gnats can eat the roots of young seedlings and kill or weaken them. The larvae live in the soil and when they emerge they fly around and can spread fungal diseases between young seedlings. Consider using Mosquito-bits in your potting mix and as soon as seedlings emerge keep them in a well ventilated place.

(Diana, do you have any other suggestions regarding Fungus Gnats OR Damping off?)

More information including some control methods here (This is directed mostly at homeowners rather than gardeners!)

Fungus gnats

snip..."The most popular type of gnats are fungus gnats, which measure between 2-3 mm in length and are usually found around windows. The larvae of gnats mainly feed on fungi and decaying plant material but will eat through healthy plant roots."...snip

Fungus gnats are not the same as Fruit flies, but they are both pests.

Fruit Flies

"Fruit Flies are extremely small flies that feed on sugary and fermented substances and are seen throughout the world. They breed in moist areas and can lay up to 500 eggs at a time. A fruit fly is the stereotypical unwanted visitor, that loves to visit all year round.

You never just see one fruit fly in your house, itโ€™s always as if a whole family, with all their distant cousins, came to visit โ€“ and believe me, weโ€™re not in the mood for that sort of company.

The reason โ€“ once one fruit fly appears, that one fruit fly alone quickly finds a surface to lay eggs, and within 30 hours, can hatch up to 500 eggs. As bone-chilling as it sounds, fruit flies hold truth to the meaning of mi casa, es su casa, and firmly believe that your food, is their food. "

95 posted on 03/01/2022 10:55:09 AM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Qiviut; Ellendra; All

Fifteen years ago when my husband finally died of Alzheimers I had gained up to 165 lbs. I am currently 83, and 5’3”. My constant weight during my 20s before I got pregnant was 123 lbs. After he died I was trying to loose weight just being careful about what I ate. After one year I was 155 lbs. Then I read a Dr. Atkins diet book, so tried the First Stage diet of no more than 20 gms of carb a day. I was loosing 2 to 3 lbs a week, so stayed on it for about 4 months to about 130 lbs. I did not seem to have any problems.

I did not try to pig out on protein as that can be somewhat dangerous. I don’t seem to be allergic to any vegetables, but for low carbs used mostly leafy veggies, cucumber, celery, and small summer squash, all raw, with small amounts of raw tomato, cabbage, red-yellow-or green pepper strips, and onion for flavor. There are a number of commercial salad dressings that only have 1 or 2 gms of carbs for 2 tablespoons. I have had several periods of high stress (or holiday feasting) when my weight crept up to 145 lbs, but it doesn’t take long to get down to low 130s again, with low carb diet. I like that idea of ancestral foods, and like to go pick berries when I can find them. Last fall there were some nearby mulberry trees that provided good desserts.


96 posted on 03/01/2022 10:24:11 PM PST by gleeaikin (, vitamins,Question authority!)
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To: gleeaikin

Do NOT be afraid of protein .... the older you are, the more you need. Most people do not eat enough. Those trying to lose weight unsuccessfully frequently find out they are low on protein .... if you are low, your body thinks you are in starvation mode so no weight loss. Also, protein is VERY important for building muscle. Again, muscle loss in older folks is when they become ‘feeble’, among other things.

As for vegetables, if you can tolerate them (you don’t get inflammation, GI upsets, etc.), then they are fine. Eat your protein first, then your veggies as a side.

As for Atkins, the man was RIGHT .... low carb is the healthy way to lose weight & is “ancestrally” correct for humans. The poor guy was vilified, called a crack pot, accused of killing people, causing heart disease, etc. Bottom line, Big Ag/Big Pharma had a huge stake in keeping people from discovering the way to good health (which meant coming off their expensive meds, not eating their junk grain-based products) so the purpose then (Atkins) and now with the low carb docs is to vilify, try to jerk their medical licenses, etc. Unfortunately, what has been seen cannot be unseen - people reversing Type 2 diabetes & coming off insulin/BP meds/statins, resolving autoimmune disease, losing weight and living happy, healthy productive lives again.

Congrats on your weight loss & having a successful way to deal with it when you gain a few pounds! You’re way ahead of many people/the curve. PS - again, do NOT be afraid of protein - if you have kidney disease, you’d need to talk to your doc, but if not, there are a lot of good resources on how important protein is, especially for the elderly.

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a good resource - emphasized gaining/keeping muscle.
https://drgabriellelyon.com/

Dr. Ted Naiman is also a good resource - here’s an article:
https://www.simplysnackin.com/blog/ted-naiman-pe-diet-book


97 posted on 03/02/2022 7:17:46 AM PST by Qiviut (๐ŸŠ #standup "Don't let your children die on the hill you refuse to fight on.")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I am still laughing at that picture & it’s SO not funny ... LOL!

Two days ago, I visited the neighbors - the back end of their property touches our side property line briefly. When I walk the dog, I can see their whole property behind their house.

They raise bunnies (not sure why ... I don’t think they eat them - too many for just pets), garden extensively (his parents - they are Chinese & do not speak English), and have a large flock of chickens. I sent them a “fox alert” & that put us back in touch/talking again (I met them at another neighbor’s last summer).

Anyway, they gave me 2 dozen eggs & I gave them two pairs of knitted mittens. I will have to talk them into letting me pay for eggs next time. He said if we want adult laying hens, “we can talk” so we could buy some laying hens to replace the ones killed. My SIL is interested, just not right now. I am researching chicken tractors (DIY plans) because now I have a source for adult laying hens!

We had quite the talks about predators - their daughter ran into a fox last Thursday on the way to the bus stop. They’ve had raccoons, possums, & foxes killing hens. He said they finally took a count and were 20 hens down, which was quite the shocker for them .... they started paying more attention to security. They’ve also had snakes in the hen house.

Anyway, it was fun talking to them and it’s nice to have egg/chicken (maybe even bunny) resources next door.


98 posted on 03/02/2022 7:25:54 AM PST by Qiviut (๐ŸŠ #standup "Don't let your children die on the hill you refuse to fight on.")
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To: All
Easy reference for those planting by the Moon Phases:


99 posted on 03/02/2022 8:01:20 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Qiviut

We had Asian neighbors at Beau’s ‘Madison House.’ I got to know them while I was mowing the lawn, cleaning up the landscaping, etc. when we were getting ready to sell it.

Man, did they have a gorgeous garden! They made use of every INCH of their city lot. Loved it! :)


100 posted on 03/02/2022 8:03:14 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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