Posted on 04/02/2022 7:31:47 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 wonβt be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isnβt 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!
Thanks.
Yeah, I figured they wouldn’t be very tasty and would need further treatment.
But would sure make my neighbors go... “WTF?”!
Interesting thing I also never knew is that the tasty Damson Plums are very cold hardy. I’ve just grown the American plum here which comes through every year. But is only good for jelly and jams.
According to the Gardening article they make marmalade good fencing. (A thorny hedge!)
No blooms yet, but our small flower gardens on the south and east side of the house have been sprouting the bulbs. The Snowdrops and Siberian squill need just a day or two of full sun and they will be popping. Of course, the inch of snow we got today will have to melt first. And the inch or two forecast tomorrow will have to melt first, too. I guess there is always next week.
That's all I'm going with this year.
s/b Marmalade AND good fencing! (Throrny hedge!)
Thanks! A Good idea!
Mowing happened yesterday! My brother mowed all the critical areas (yard, front field, entrances, around garden) yesterday morning, then came back early evening & got a lot more areas (couple of the smaller fields, around pole & horse barns). I would estimate about 90% is mowed. He reported the grass was getting really thick/tall in some areas so it was good to knock it back/get it under control now. Getting this mowing done yesterday is a huge load off of me & gives me an extra week to be able to be comfortable sitting on the mower.
On a totally different subject, my niece was telling me that more fruit trees were planted in their new orchard & the plan is to get Babydoll sheep to keep the orchard area under control as far as grass/weeds, etc. Evidently, they are perfect in this role in vineyards & orchards. I had never heard of these sheep before, but they sound wonderful - small (18-24” tall), good-natured, great wool, the “Angus” of mutton, & the bonus of being adorable. Exciting - can’t wait for her to get a couple - there is a farm just up the road that raises them so she has a good source when she’s ready for sheep.
https://www.gardenmyths.com/corn-gluten-meal-weeds/
(Not all CMG is the same, so you need the correct product and how to apply. Discusses the OSU Study in link below.)
and
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/corn-gluten-meal-did-not-prevent-weeds-germinating-osu-study
(Unable to duplicate an Iowa St University Study that did show a reduction. Was discussed in first link.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Read more at Gardening Know How: Cornmeal As Weed Killer And Pest Control: How To Use Cornmeal Gluten In The Garden
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/cornmeal-in-the-garden.htm"
"Using Cornmeal Gluten to Kill Ants Cornmeal gluten is also a popular method to control ants. Pouring it wherever you see ants traveling is the best option. They will pick up the gluten and take it to the nest where they will feed on it. Since the ants cannot digest this cornmeal product, they will starve to death. It may take up to a week or so before you see your ant population dwindling."
Here is a post that indicates that it can be used for pill bug control
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1748735/sow-bugs-pill-bugs-rollie-pollies-wretched-insects-from-hell
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) 7 years ago
"Generally they like a high degree of moisture, which is not something I'd equate with a water-wise AZ garden, so maybe it is the amount of irrigation you are providing. Ever consider developing a more drought tolerant garden that requires minimal irrigation?
If that's not your thing and these guys are present in large numbers, try cornmeal or corn gluten meal. Available in bulk cheaply at feed stores, the pill bugs are attracted to it and eat it. But it affects their digestive system and kills them. Lot less expensive than DE and holds up better with irrigation. Corn gluten meal is also a low grade organic fertilizer, a pre-emergent herbicide and has a number of fungicidal properties as well.."
*****I have used this for ants in the garden area along with powdered sugar and borax and had pretty good control. (I was looking for control, not running an experiment, I used both....) I have NOT used CMG on pill/sow bugs but if they become a problem I will try it.
Quiviut! Good morning! I am glad to hear you are doing better!
I ordered a lawn roller last nightas part of Lawn leveling this year.
Thanks - seeing improvement daily! :-)
I’ll post my BIG list of Garden Goals when I get it finalized, but I am growing tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic (in last fall), zucchini, pole beans, potatoes, winter squash, sweet corn and lots of flowers, this season. The former are to feed our bodies, the later to feed our SOULS - and I need some ‘soul food’ with the way things are these days!
I already have beds of asparagus (that needs a good weeding!), strawberries, raspberries and grapes, but am adding blueberries this season.
I’m getting there for growing useful fruits and veggies that I can preserve from the garden.
That sounds interesting; please give us updates of the project as you go along!
So glad the mowing got taken care of for you! Yes, you NEED to rest for a while longer; you’re recovering quickly as it is, so don’t push your luck! :)
Those Babydoll sheep sound interesting. I had to look:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/breed-profile-babydoll-southdown-sheep/
https://babydollsheepregistry.org/
Always have...from a little boy to an old man.
Here's a joke for ya all..............
Woman Shot in her own Driveway...
Linda Burnett, 26, A resident of San Diego, was visiting her in-laws and, while there, went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries.
Later, her husband noticed her sitting in her car in the driveway with the windows rolled up and her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head. He became concerned and walked over to the car.
He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she had been shot in the back of the head and had been holding her brains in for over an hour.
The husband called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head.
When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head. A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered.
Linda is a blonde, a Democrat, and an Biden supporter, but that could all be a coincidence.
The defective biscuit canister was analyzed and the expiration date was from 2008, so it was determined to be Trump's fault.
Interesting. I have a first cousin named Linda Burnett only
she is closer to 76 than 26. Going to have to send her this
joke for a good laugh. Take care.
Howdy from SE Texas. Got my vegetables planted in mid February. Around the horn we go: Artichokes, carrots, celery, 4 tomato plants, serrano peppers and cantaloupe. Tomato plants are already 4 feet high.
Had a weird winter. My cherry tomatoes kept on producing up until January. Picked my last ones on January 2. That never happened before.
Gorgeous spring day here - with the grass cut, the place looks like a park.
I would love some of those Babydoll sheep! Our 40 year old fencing is too far gone, but you can do great things with electric fencing & it’s moveable. It would save me a fair amount of mowing. I wish I liked mutton so there would be a meat option as well with an animal that would be small enough to manage processing yourself. Unfortunately, I have never been able to eat mutton - just the smell of it cooking is barely tolerable. :-(
Both of my nieces are going to be raising grass-fed & finished beef soon. I think I’m going to get them to raise one for me too or perhaps buy a portion of one from them. I’m getting very serious about sourcing my own food.
Just checked the hummingbird migration map. There is one sighting in our area, but quite a few near the southern border of the state which is 2-3 hours by car away.
I think I’m going to hang out feeders this coming week - might be a week or so early, but rather early than late. I’ve missed the little guys!
LOL!
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.