Click on pic to open big one in new tab. 
Posted on 02/17/2024 5:36:12 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!
Click on pic to open big one in new tab.
Thanks!
I found this guy on yt that specializes in restoring the wild meadows & native plants:
https://www.youtube.com/@NativeHabitatProject
He's pretty cool.
https://x.com/tinykarin/status/1759687828663930942?s=20
Hi there! Have you ever seen these Red Lark Delphinium?
Just saw it on X tonight.
Had no idea there was a red delphinium.
Of course now I must have some of it !
Ha ha!
Interesting sunflower you got there as it has sunflower type leaves but wider. I have 4 varieties (wild, from last fall) and can’t for the life of me figure which one is which one, the plant ID apps I have giving conflicting results from 5-7 MB photos. I took seeds from each and am going to put them in isolated garden beds with good soil instead of the native starved sand around here. Perhaps the pic is a large traditional sunflower and not the wild varieties?
I have one that has a big eye like this one in the photo but it is only about 5’ at best with real skinny leaves and stalk, another one about a mile away and I swear it was at least 20’ tall and 2/3 up the way of a nearby telephone pole. I went to their website on the photo because it was a #248 number where I spent most of my life and sure enough - then realizing this photo was probably taken off the ‘web and stepped on. We shall see what happens!
Last week was mild and dry here in Central Missouri. Then came Friday with nasty cold temps, gusting winds, and blowing snow. I had hopes of moving dirt over the weekend but Mother Nature said Not Happening!
Saturday was too nasty outside to do much so I spent some more time cleaning and organizing my workshop. Sunday was nice so Mrs. Augie and I started a bit of spring cleaning on the yard. I chopped a silk tree down last fall and have since gotten tired of tripping over the stump so we built a bonfire on that Sunday morning and got it mostly burned out over the past two days.
I got the new to us little Kubota tractor out Sunday afternoon and commenced to cleaning out the horse stalls in the barn. I was about half done when it blew a hydraulic hose to the front end loader so I put that one away and finished up the job with Nanner and a manure fork. I replaced the blown hose and topped off the hydro fluid yesterday, so the Kubota is ready when it’s next needed.
That was the first time I’d used the Kubota for any real work since we bought it and I was fairly well pleased with the performance. It’s a much more capable machine than the Massey Ferguson that it replaced.
It’s supposed to stay dry for the next couple days so I may have an opportunity to get some dirt moved after work. Good chance of rain on Thursday, then they’re guessing another week of unseasonably warm temps and dry weather. I’m hoping they’re guessing right because I really would like to finish moving dirt so I can get to building my new raised beds.
I found the Red Lark Delphinium online at several places as plants, including at Jungs online. Might look at the Stoughton store after they get bedding plants in stock.
“Might look at the Stoughton store after they get bedding plants in stock.”
I’m excited to visit that, too! Did Jung’s take over where the other greenhouse/garden center was on the edge of town? That was a nice shop and would’ve been an easy fit. They generally don’t build new.
Yes, it is at the old Stoughton Garden Center location. It is much better since Jungs took it over. I go there a lot now.
Thanks for supporting me in my retirement! :)
😄
Another old one Minerva, one stalk, only two flowers. 
A whitish double called Amadeus Candy, two stalks 4 flowers each. 
I have some good ones coming up but I wanted to start posting. I also wondered about something. The threads are so short in the winter and with a mild winter and maybe early spring I am looking forward to what people are doing as far as starting seeds indoors and other garden prep. We don't have a greenhouse (or a mule :( ) but we have loads of light and I start all my seeds indoors. So I am wondering if maybe March could be a month long thread. Maybe a garden prep thread. That way there would be more posts. Just for March if you think it's a good idea.
Of course we all know that mild winter weather like this is followed by cold weather in March. In spite of that I direct sowed radishes, turnip, some chinese cabbage, and for fun, a couple of Baker Creek really large cabbages. I have some of the nylon insect barrier that I will eventually put over them, white butterfly cabbage loopers make growing them impossible otherwise.
Hope you get your spring prep done and get your raised beds in. (Good to have access to stable litter for your field and compost even if you have to clean the barn (ausmisten) by hand!
You are correct about time to start seeds!
I will be doing leek seeds in a fairly deep pot. that I will leave outside Leaf mould compost at the bottom, potting mix , seeds, cover with a bit of topsoil, protect from digging destroyer squirrels with a cover of chicken wire, and until they growing well, gardening fabric. Water occasionally
At some point pretty soon I will start peppers and tomatoes and marigolds in peat pellets. I have a sunny back porch that I will use .
Good luck with your "starts"!
Interesting YouTube....I do not know about earning 6 figures, but he has interesting mostly no till gardening practices that could be used in someone's garden!
Sign in 6:47 / 20:24 Epic Gardening....."He Farms 35 Hours a Week By Himself and Makes 6 Figures"
From the palm tree in the back ground is suspect he is California so he probably has 4 growing seasons. He probably also has a good farm to table marketplace available to him. (Larger city somewhere nearby.)
“So I am wondering if maybe March could be a month long thread. Maybe a garden prep thread. That way there would be more posts. Just for March if you think it’s a good idea.”
I like that idea! I have a fun topic for next week, but then March could be a monthly for all of us kicking things off.
The first thing I start are my peppers and that’s usually the first weekend in March. I do have my grow light rack cleaned up and ready to go, though! I’ve moved it into my office where it’s warmer, versus the pantry/laundry room that has no heat. I’m hoping that will help with pepper germination, which is slow-going as it is.
After this ridiculously mild Winter, I’m still thinking we’ll get snowed in before it’s all over. I’m not sure our luck will hold until REA: Spring arrives. ;)
If I were younger and more ambitious... ;)
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.