Posted on 02/04/2023 6:17:08 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.
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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.
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In before - everything
Founded in 1922, the non-profit American Horticultural Society (AHS) is one of the most longstanding, respected national gardening organizations in North America.
AHS proudly celebrated its Centennial year in 2022!
Societies, Clubs and Organizations:
https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/
Societies by Plant Type
Enthusiasts from around North America focus their energy on specific plants.
Find a plant society that interests you using our list of national plant societies in the U.S.
https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/societies-by-plant-type/
Sure looking forward to Spring. It was 5 below in my Town in Upstate New York...and that’s not counting the wind chill.
My first ‘Society’ pick (of a few!) would be The American Begonia Society. Right now I only own two, but I think Begonia are the coolest plants!
https://www.begonias.org/about-us/
You’re getting the Alberta Clipper we had last week. -15 one morning. We’re warming up to the teens, today - then next week we’re going to hit 40, so relief is coming your way. :)
It’s cold, but at least there’s SUNSHINE which makes a huge difference in my mood. ;)
Had an awful time last year with blister beetles. They destroyed as much of my garden as the heat and the gophers did. I’m told that a lot of the time, the eggs are already in the garden soil / potting soil we buy, so there’s no way to know you’ve got an infestation until they hatch and start obliterating things. Is there anything I can do this year as a preventative measure?
You’re definitely right about the sunshine.
Those are some really cool begonias!
All seriousness aside...your picture looks exactly like our sunroom after the wife brings her plants in for the winter. One end of the sunroom looks like a jungle.
LOL! Wisconsin was once a HUGE grower of commercial Hemp - WWII - used for parachute ropes and other war-related things.
Our state is still lousy with the stuff; I like to add it to floral bouquets in the summer months, just to see if anyone notices. ;)
We have a nice patch growing down by the mule - he keeps things well fertilized. However, THAT patch is most likely ‘leftovers’ from the teen boys that used to live on this farm back in the 80’s. :)
The three south-facing windows I have are all full of houseplants, too. :)
You may want to check out Nature’s Good Guys, or Arbico Organics.
Nature’s Good Guys
https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/
Arbico Organics
https://www.arbico-organics.com/
Diana, what about adding a section on raising your own backyard chickens? I’m very interested, from the reading the coop and feed are the most expensive part, I checked out hatcheries they want as much to ship as for the chicks. With the price of eggs climbing weekly, and the heavy use I thought it would be a good way to stop paying the Big 10 food companies. And have fresher eggs.
That sounds awful! I don’t have Blister Beetles up here, but I did some research and here’s what I found:
“Blister beetles can be a real pest in the garden. They feed on the pollen in many flowers including tomato, potato, and eggplants causing them not to set fruit. They can also cause skin irritations when touched, scared, or damaged. So avoid touching them with bare hands. But controlling them naturally is quite easy with these simple steps.”
Diatomaceous Earth sprinkled on the soil and around plants is a good organic solution.
Hand-pick them when you see them. (Wear gloves!)
Plant ‘Trap’ Crops.
https://www.homestead-acres.com/how-to-get-rid-of-blister-beetles/
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