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Weekly Garden Thread - February 18-24, 2023 [Skills Every Gardener Should Have Edition]
February 18, 2023 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 02/18/2023 7:15:12 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!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

This year we are going to try root crops in large pots. I will start tomato and pepper seeds indoors in March. Lettuce and peas will go outside in March.

From Baker Heirloom :
Lemon Drop Pepper
Lipstick Pepper
German Lunchbox Tomato
Carbon Tomato
Black Cherry Tomato
Granny Cantrell German Red Tomato
Dad’s Sunset Tomato
Sugar Snap Pea


21 posted on 02/18/2023 9:58:54 AM PST by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All
These camellias were picked this morning - looks like the 28 degree overnight temps left them unscathed. The photos just do not do justice to the gorgeous pink color.

This arrangement is going to an elderly friend whose hubby is in the hospital for surgery today after a fall at home.


22 posted on 02/18/2023 10:16:09 AM PST by Qiviut (I'm not out of control, I'm just not in their control. $hot $hills: Sod Off)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

LOL! Thanks, Pete!


23 posted on 02/18/2023 10:18:22 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: Pete from Shawnee Mission; Pollard

I see what looks like ‘meat’ chickens! I have accumulated 4 pasture raised meat chickens - didn’t realize I had that many until I was reorganizing the freezers.

One of the chickens is currently in the fridge to thaw for a couple of days. I plan to roast it with either Ina Garten’s recipe (more of the ‘classic’ variety) or a Peruvian chicken recipe I saw that looks delicious. I’ll probably spatchcock the bird, too.


24 posted on 02/18/2023 10:20:52 AM PST by Qiviut (I'm not out of control, I'm just not in their control. $hot $hills: Sod Off)
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To: Pollard
Leftover seed list from the last two years.

Plenty to pick and chose from LOL because I'm not growing all of them. I think I bought one kind of small watermelon and the rest were free seeds that Baker Creek sent with seed orders.

Going to grow 2 or 3 tomato types, an assortment of greens and leaf lettuce for salads, Shisito(yum) and Kalugerista pepper(never got to try a Kalugerista last year) and one of most other things.

25 posted on 02/18/2023 10:24:24 AM PST by Pollard ( >>> The Great Reset is already underway! <<<)
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To: metmom; All

Beau has four of our house yard Maples tapped and some Box Elder trees tapped in the woods; he’s getting a good run here, too.

For those that don’t know, to collect sap, the temps need to be below freezing at night and above freezing during the day. He’ll get a good run again this week.

We’re in this funky weather pattern of ‘Snow on Thursday’ and this upcoming week may be a mess. 12”+ of snow predicted, but they don’t have it narrowed down yet as to where it’s going to hit. Makes a lot of work and expense for everyone.

Yesterday I went to town to meet my BFFs for lunch and a movie. I made the mistake of turning onto Rock Road, which is a 45 degree angle of a road! Force of habit; I always go that way! Anyhow, I got half way up, then the truck just stopped! Luckily I remembered I now have 4WD (first ever!) and I kicked that in, and she took me up that hill like a champ.

So, I accidentally ‘learnt’ something yesterday!

FWIW, I’ve been driving in Wisconsin Winters for ONLY 46 YEARS now, LOL!


26 posted on 02/18/2023 10:25:17 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

Great job on the Magnolia!

I have one, but it’s still young and out of the way of any garden beds. They can be a messy tree. ;)


27 posted on 02/18/2023 10:27:09 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: AppyPappy

I really like ‘Carbon’ tomato. Grew that a few years back. Not QUITE the flavor of ‘Cherokee Purple’ but very close.

A really pretty tomato with the chocolate-colored base and the green shoulders. :)


28 posted on 02/18/2023 10:30:48 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

“I’ll probably spatchcock the bird, too.”

That makes so much sense - more crispy skin and less cooking time.

I roasted a 6 pound 8 oz chicken this past week. She was HUGE, so I have lots of leftovers to make other ‘stuff.’

I used this recipe that is ‘Beau Approved:’

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/skillet-roasted-whole-chicken-with-lemon-and-potatoes/38a0eda0-1fc3-4962-b9ef-e4133425a858

It calls for a smaller chicken, (4#) but even the 6#, 8oz. one was done (I temped it) in the same amount of time, which surprised me.


29 posted on 02/18/2023 10:39:00 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: Diana in Wisconsin

My niece raised the birds I have: 5-6 lbs. She tells me they are delicious, much more so than ‘commercial’ birds. I will be making chicken bone broth out of the carcasses (have some chicken feet to add for extra collagen/gelatin).

The recipes I plan on trying with my birds:

Perfect Roast Chicken
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/perfect-roast-chicken

Lemon & Garlic Roast Chicken
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-and-garlic-roast-chicken-recipe-1943298

Keto Peruvian Roasted Chicken & Green Sauce
https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/peruvian-roasted-chicken-green-sauce-low-carb/


30 posted on 02/18/2023 11:05:32 AM PST by Qiviut (I'm not out of control, I'm just not in their control. $hot $hills: Sod Off)
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To: left that other site

Yup.

Hopefully they’ll have a good season this year.


31 posted on 02/18/2023 11:17:44 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…)
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To: Qiviut; Ellendra; Pollard
It looks that way! I guess the idea is to have a flock and a freezer...like you...and have one or two big days when you "Harvest" and de-feather your chickens and fill your freezer.

I suppose it would be possible to buy a plucker and rent it out or hire oneself out to homesteaders or small farmers for a fee or a percentage.

Pluckers and scalders.

(I know...too much time spent with Organic Gardening or Harrowsmith or Acres reading material!)

Now, I think that the pictures at the link back is interesting! Its a covered movable chicken yard....after they get all the ticks and bugs in one area you can shoo them back into their coop and lock it, then pick up the cover and move it to a new section of yard or garden, re attach the coop to the yard, open the door and let them out in a the new area to forage!

32 posted on 02/18/2023 4:45:50 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: All

Manual reel lawnmower—does anyone know about these? I want to get one because I will be in large of mowing a medium sized lawn and like the quiet snick-snick as opposed to the roar and smell of a regular one.

I want one with a high setting, 3” or more, as the zoysia does much better when taller than it did when it was shorter. I will probably keep it a bit shorter but it may get too tall from time to time.

Is there any particular thing one needs tok or or consider? Do you have to sharpen the blades often? One site said every 6 to 8 mowings (without specifying the size of the area mowed 🤔), another said every 2 or 3 years...

And some sites say to get one with a slight gap between the thing and the blades because otherwise it will need sharpening less often, but I thought they needed to touch to cut?


33 posted on 02/18/2023 6:23:05 PM PST by Chicory
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

So cool that you can collect maple syrup! Best of luck with the weather for that!


34 posted on 02/18/2023 6:25:35 PM PST by Chicory
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To: Chicory

It’s become an obsession for him. But, he’s pretty much perfected it after four years and friends and family he shares it with always ask for more. :)


35 posted on 02/19/2023 7:11:06 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: Chicory; Pollard; Pete from Shawnee Mission; Augie

PING to Post #33 for questions on using manual lawn mowers.

I can’t help, Chicory. I have an ACRE-plus of lawn to mow, so I’ve indulged in a zero-turn mower, which I absolutely love. ;)


36 posted on 02/19/2023 7:13:56 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: Pete from Shawnee Mission

No one in my family is all that crazy about chicken skins, so I skinned mine instead of plucking. MUCH faster, easier, and it doesn’t require scalding.


37 posted on 02/19/2023 8:43:22 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: Diana in Wisconsin

My lone survivalist hen started laying. Found 5 eggs this morning. She must have read last week’s thread.

Completely free range, zero feed, 100% free eggs.


38 posted on 02/19/2023 11:51:02 AM PST by Pollard ( >>> The Great Reset is already underway! <<<)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I can’t figure out how your mower works, but I am glad you are happy with it! Enjoy your summer :)


39 posted on 02/19/2023 3:08:55 PM PST by Chicory
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

That is cool, so gratifying when others ask for more!


40 posted on 02/19/2023 3:09:35 PM PST by Chicory
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