Posted on 01/07/2023 7:06:22 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 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!
Currently, it’s not hard to find information about how to improve the aesthetics around you—every streaming service has access to dozens of shows featuring home improvement projects, ways to declutter your life, décor ideas, and more. These programs, along with the many websites and social media accounts that focus on the topic are proof that we all share a collective sentiment: Surrounding oneself with beauty is not frivolous. Rather, it’s a worthwhile endeavor that can improve our mood and outlook on life in general.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that gardeners are striving to give their outdoor spaces, balconies, and homes an aesthetic that makes them happy—ultimately creating a respite from everything else going on in the world. This philosophy guides our forecast for what the focus will be for gardeners in 2023. Happy gardening!
1. Grow Your Own Bouquets
2. Creating Cottage Gardens
3. Designing Mediterranean-Style Gardens
4. Swapping Lawns for Meadows
5. Expanding Houseplant Collections with Rare & Unusual Varieties
6. Adding Texture with Foliage Plants
7. Going Vertical
8. Making Outdoor Spaces Cheery & Bright
9. Using Natural Materials
Anyone here gardening in the piedmont region of North Carolina, near Raleigh?
I farmed and gardened in the north (Central Pennsylvania)for many years.
The mild winters and hot summers are throwing me a curve ball. It appears that most early spring plants in the north, I can plant in January here. Things grow all winter and die off in the hot summer.
It’s been crazy..
More here:
5 Garden and Yard Trends to Look Forward to in 2023
Container Gardening
More Organics
Unusual Varieties
Going Peat-Free
Composting
https://www.thespruce.com/garden-and-yard-trends-2023-6833003
6 Garden Trends That Will Be Huge in 2023, According to Experts
Edible Plants and Flowers Together (Garden of Eden)
Architectural Simplicity
Upscale Relaxation
New Victorian Style
Scandinavian Minimalism
Waterwise Plants
https://www.veranda.com/outdoor-garden/g41534843/garden-trends-2023/
“Nurse” Q reporting: dad home from the hospital/rehab yesterday. It felt good to sleep in a bed, not a hospital recliner & not to be driving back & forth. :-)
More stacks of garden catalogs in the mail last week.
Pretty soon, we will bust loose and plant some seeds !
After that past few years, I have no use for "experts".
I’m looking, and I can’t find a single ‘trend’ on growing your own food. HOW could we go from shortages in seeds and gardening supplies during CovidBS-19 to REAL shortages in foodstuffs and that’s NOT getting any airtime?
I’ll keep looking. Makes NO sense to me, other than our ‘betters’ prefer us to be cold, hungry and in the dark.
My take? We’re just shutting up about it and going about our own business these days. We KNOW what a mess we’re in and what lies ahead of us in the coming years. :(
Just for the record and signifying maybe nothing, On January 5, while observing the birds at the feeders and on the ground, I saw two Robins.
Earlier in the week ist was 75, an all-time record high for the date.
Maybe there is a message there
Hello from SW Virginia!
Last year I PLANNED a 20 x 20 garden, started seeds, bought fence, bought pots and plants and the thing never got planted due to everything else taking priority.
SO, this year I have a 20 x 20 yard area with fence posts in, and not one bit of turned earth.
Realizing my limits, I’m wondering if I can put down weed barrier, buy plants in a few months, and cut holes in the fabric to put the plants into - without having to go till up the whole plot.
Anyone ever tried that or witnessed it? The ground here has less clay than I suspected it would - we’re about 500 yards uphill from the Roanoke River, maybe that means something.
Anyway, what do you think, anyone? No Till Gardening worth the effort?
Oooohhhh...Roses...I especially like old roses...will be planting several in our new Courtyard Garden...especially climbers. We had 17 more trees cut down recently, but I had the guys leave the stumps 6 ft tall...to use for climbing roses, wisteria, clematis, etc. But, creating a garden in a forest is challenging. Thanks so much for this thread DIW...so love it.
I need to get back on garden catalog lists (moved)...what are your faves?
I have used cardboard to do what you are intending...just bury it well with good soil (thick newspaper works, too)
Every few years, if we have a mild winter, I see them in Wisconsin, too.
While they mainly love worms and bugs, they will also eat seeds and berries, so they can find things to eat. I have never seen one at my bird feeders, though.
I had a ‘piebald’ Robin a few springs ago. He looked like a Robin, but his FACE was entirely white. Any white areas on a bird or animal, that would normally be a darker color is referred to as, ‘piebald.’
Park Seeds is tops.
My wife could provide a better response.
I like to start seeds too early, then struggle to keep things going in March.
I think I’ve been working on New Victorian for years, though I try to blend cottage style in as well. Our home looks like a true Victorian from the front, but it was built in the mid 1990’s. The original homeowner was a master gardener, so I’ve had a good slate to work with. (I’m guessing she wasn’t much for cooking, so that was the first reno project we took on, but that’s another story.)
I have raised beds and I only (lightly) till them every three years when I’m working in some compost.
So, yes. Put down a weed barrier of some sort - even a thick layer of straw (my favorite mulch!) will work, and plant away.
Take a look at ‘Lasagna Gardening,’ either the book or various websites. Lots of people swear by it. No till.
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-make-a-lasagna-garden-2539877
You Tube choices:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lasagna+gardening
Awesome! Very glad to hear he’s home.
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