The Garden Thread - March, 2024

March 2, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[Diana in Wisconsin]

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a 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 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/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you for everything that you do!

[virgil]

My tulips are starting to come up and the peonies are poking through. With the beautiful weather today I was motivated to clean up the yard. We’re having an early spring here in Wisconsin but as you say, we are likely not done with wintry weather. Guess the ground hog was right this year. Will start my tomatoes and peppers in a week or two. Going to try bucket potatoes this year.

[metmom]

There was a thread about that study and how flawed it was.

But that won’t stop the globalists from using it anyways and treating it like it was written in stone.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

You had an amazing Winter Crop! I am thinking I need to do more Winter Greenhouse Growing because I can easily keep cool-crop veggies ‘double covered’ in there.

It’s the ‘shoveling a path to the greenhouse’ part that usually stops me. I have NO excuse this Winter with our total lack of snow and INSANELY warm temps, but if I had known, I would’ve started at Christmastime!

Mother Nature - She always keeps you wondering...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Re: Beef. My sister REFUSES to visit with ‘Chuck’ when she comes out to the farm for some R&R from ‘The Big City.’ Oh, she’ll eat his steaks, but she does NOT want to know where her food comes from!

I keep telling her she’s really the Mailman’s Daughter. We are geometrically opposed in ALL directions; are we REALLY related? ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I try to have a sunny disposition every day, and gray clouds get in the way of that.”

I’m a Leo; we NEED Sunshine...and the Spotlight. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

We’re banding together to FIGHT these jerks. They THINK they have the power, but in reality the do not!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I still plan on pinging everyone each week. I’ll add to the thread if no one else does - but I know they will. :)

[Pollard]

That’s some beautiful broccoli.

Yes it is. Pete's a Master Backyard Greens Gardener.

---

Frame 3 of 7 is in concrete.

From the road. I imagine a few people haven't figured out yet what I'm building.

Yes, I have some trees to get rid of. I've grown there before and only need a few more down for that. Been a few years and some have filled out.(cart/horse - whatever) I took all the ones down that would have wanted to fall right where the tunnel is. Only got one slightly dicey one to take down and not for sun, just because if a branch fell, on would fall on/through the tunnel. Need a bunch more down to have a bigger yard and a couple of peach trees and maybe some grapes.

Got a little digging on the next set of holes. Gonna sit for a few and sow some seeds.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“The cabbage loopers and heat would have destroyed them in the summertime.”

That’s a whole ‘nother subject - timing planting to defeat whatever PESTS you have in your area.

I do that with my Raspberries. I grow ‘Heritage’ so I can cut them all the way back in the spring and get ONE crop, later in the season (Sept/Oct). That way the @#$%^&*! Japanese Beetles are DEAD (and gone to HELL where they belong!) and also the ‘Picnic Bugs’ (those tiny black beetles) are gone, so I have little to no damage to my Raspberries.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

That’s as pretty to my eye as ANY Cathedral. :)

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Doing some winter gardening when you do Not have to is good practice for when you do. (Ubrig macht Meister!) Shoveling a path. I hated that part when it snowed.

That said, I am getting to the point where I would rather stay inside.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Pollard. Thank you! (I appreciate the complement from Mr. Homestead and General expert in the assembly and maintenance of arcane electro-mechanical ! )

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I recollect my father doing that with his raspberries, but Japanese Beetles were not a problem at the time. (IIRC)

Timing planting. One of the reasons I put the cold hardy crucifers in early. (I need to do peas and stuff too.)

[MomwithHope]

We have Latham raspberries, they give two crops, cut them back halfway in the fall and then just let them grow. The first crop is the heaviest.

[FamiliarFace]

Capricorn here. My Florida roots just don’t escape me for long, even when I *try*. Halfheartedly sometimes, I admit. ;)

I love Midwesterners and the Midwestern life. It’s so good! So authentic! People are real here. But I LOVE my Southern background as though I’ve never left! I don’t know who in my background gave me the roots AND the wings, but they are both very strong influences for me. A nearly constant tug,

Sunshine is an absolute must for me! I am like a sun-loving plant. I can survive in partial sun or shade, but I THRIVE in the sun! ❤️

I’m trying to decide on the spotlight factor. I think some Capricorns might like it. I know I did when I was younger. But now? I’m pretty happy to be among the unobserved. I need a little attention, but if you forget that I’m around, that’s just fine with me. Sometimes I think I should get out of my comfort zone a little bit. Time will tell.

[1of10]

Not sure how you guys do this .. so ..I’m just posting to the last post and the starter....

ANY way ... I have a question .... and in need of a bit of advise...

I live in Georgia ... a bit east of Hotlanta ..
the last time I had a big garden was over 30 years ago
plenty of full sun .... but the trees have changed .. they got bigger.

I know I have to open the canopy, but ....
would full morning and mid day sun be best ...? or
full mid day and evening sun be best ..?
Or ... should I just bite the bullet and crank up the chain saw and go nuts?

I hate to cut any tree ... they are so hard to put back if I make a mistake.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
thanks

[FamiliarFace]

Mailman’s daughter. Oh, I have a story that’s similar. Can’t tell it here. Maybe someday.

[MomwithHope]

We have limited sun. Hubby loves our big tall trees. I have a couple that would give us more sun if they were gone. Garden gets great southern exposure. I would choose more morning and midday sun over evening. Best advice is depending on where your garden is, use this year to track the sun from spring to fall and identify what really needs cutting. I’ve done that for years but hubby just won’t cut down a couple.