Posted on 01/31/2026 6:26:44 AM PST by 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.
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After Monday, the temperatures are actually supposed to break freezing for several days in a row.
I actually have some onion seedlings coming up. I need more shallot seeds but know a place to go for those.
Your bale is most likely straw if it was used for Halloween decorations - hay is animal feed and usually has seeds in it, which can cause problems for a gardener.
Just keeping the bale covered and out of the weather should keep it just fine. Do you have a shed or can it be tucked under a porch or an open stairway? Even better.
You can use it to top any planters or hanging baskets you’re using. Keeps the moisture in. :)
And, if for some reason it gets wet and rots, then just add it to your compost barrels.
We do have fun over here - and you never know what’s going to happen next! :)
That is so perfect! Stealing for FB - I’ll ping all of my past employees - they will love it! :)
Now THAT would be something to see coming over the snowbank, LOL!
Smart and merry—with people as dedicated to their flora (and fauna) as I am.
Redbud and Serviceberry grow wild here and both bloom before the dogwoods. I have serviceberry(white flowers) but no redbuds(magenta flowers). I need some redbuds but they’re understory trees which are a hard thing to dig up. Read this morning that you can propagate from green wood cuttings using root hormone. Seeds too of course but good luck beating the birds to them. State Nursery sells them. Just need to set an alarm for Sept 2nd because all the good stuff sells out in a day or two. They allow out of state buyers.
I have used sourdough discsrd to make tacos...very yummy.
Looking forward to having ‘discards’ at some point! :-)
Eating from the Land, your Hand, your Garden.
Supper tonight is Diana’s Maple Burgers:
1 pound ground beef (Home grown - Thanks, Chuck!)
Scant 1/4 cup Maple Syrup (Home made - Thanks, Beau!)
2 Tsp. crushed Garlic
2 Tsp. Dried Chives (from the garden last year)
S & P to taste
Combine it all, make four patties. Don’t forget the DIVOT in the center so you don’t get hockey pucks when cooked!
Grill outside or bake in your cast iron skillet.
How do you like your Burger? I like Swiss Cheese on top, Yellow Mustard and lots of ground black pepper. (We skip the buns for less carbs.) Also having Cole Slaw and Oven-Baked Potato Wedges.
Life Is Good! :)
Qiviut; Pythons...they started finding decapitated pythons and determined that bobcats have figured out how to dispatch them (most of the time...). Perhaps the cold will slow them down and make hunting easier for a while.
King snakes and one or two other native snakes eat the young pythons, and I think that they have re-introduction programs to increase their populations.
Those sound delicious, well except for the mustard. I’ll have to remember to put that on my list.....
Living in the Mid Atlantic area for many years I have been enjoying a tolerable climate. I do remember decades ago, waiting for a bus to work and seeing a bank temp of 2f, and not enjoying the memory again. However, the big shock was going to college in the Mid West. First winter saw temps of -24 to -26f before slacks and leggings were fashionable for women. My knees would be nearly frozen by the time I arrived at first class, and bright burning red as I left for the next one. Nice, however, to be able to store all that fattening free cafeteria food between the window and storm window in my dorm room. Thanks heavens the next winter long lower garments were the fashion.
The first summer in my own off campus room we had a week of 105 to 107 temps with nights around 90 and NO AC. My future husband had a scholarship at a Mid Atlantic school and I moved there to marry. After school the promised job did not materialize and he wanted to return to the Mid West guaranteed job. I told him our marriage would not survive Mid West weather, so it survived for 44 years near the Atlantic Ocean he loved, and his beloved boat, until Alzheimer’s got him.
Now, back to gardens. I had bought a lot of bulbs—tulip, daffodil, crocus, hyacinth. I got some planted in Zones 6 and 7, before premature winter got in the way. Can I plant them usefully in Zone 7 if our ground thaws in the next few weeks?
“Gardening in Zone 7 is a delightful journey, especially when planting bulbs that promise bursts of color come spring. Laden with moderately cold winters and warm summers, this zone is a paradise for diverse flowering bulbs. The ideal time to plant bulbs in Zone 7 is in the fall, around six to eight weeks before the first frost, typically late September through early November. This allows the bulbs to establish their roots before the ground freezes, ensuring a vibrant display when the weather warms up.”
You missed your window if opportunity for planting spring bulbs (Daffs, Tulips, Crocus) which was September - November in Zone 7.
https://evergreenseeds.com/when-to-plant-bulbs-in-zone-7/
“Determining the Right Planting Time
Planting bulbs at the right time is key to ensuring they develop strong roots before they must face the cold. In Zone 7, fall is generally the preferred season for planting most bulbs. This is typically between late October and early November, just before the ground freezes. Planting during this period allows the bulbs to establish themselves and benefit from the winter chill, which helps them bloom come spring.”
However, if you want to add some SUMMER-blooming bulbs such as Lilies or Alliums, those go in after the soil has warmed up for summer blooms in Zone 7.
“For spring/summer bulbs, soil temperature should be about 60°F (15°C) or cooler to encourage root growth without premature sprouting. For summer bulbs, planting between late March to early May works best. Keep an eye on the temperatures and be ready to plant after the last frost.”
Check with a local garden center - they’ll have bulbs available for you during the proper planting times for your Zone. :)
Ornithologists Share the Ideal Time to Hang a Hummingbird Feeder—Based on Where You Live
Year after year, people are overjoyed as they watch their loyal hummingbirds return to their feeder. It’s one of those special moments that signals warmer, brighter days are ahead. But hanging that feeder too early or too late can mean missing the brief window when these tiny birds need it most. While many people associate feeders with the start of spring, hummingbird migration depends heavily on geography and weather patterns, which means the right timing varies widely across the country.
To help you get it right, we asked bird experts to break down when to hang your hummingbird feeder based on where you live, from the southern states where hummingbirds arrive early to northern regions where they tend to appear later in the season (with some exceptions). Here are the rough timing guidelines by region, followed by a few simple, must-know feeder tips to help you support hummingbirds once they arrive.
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