The Garden Thread - February, 2026

February 1, 2026 | 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.

[Albion Wilde]

TEN WAYS TO LOVE

That's beautiful! A keeper!

[Albion Wilde]

Thanks for that oriole article. I live in Maryland, where the Baltimore Oriole is our state bird, and in the past three decades I've only ever seen one oriole in my yard—or anywhere! The tips on using the color orange and to feed orange halves and dark organic grape jelly is something I can try.

I know that crows and ravens like the color blue, so I have a large blue plastic tray that I put bird seed out on, and they can see it from the air.

Found this, for anyone interested in what plants attract various species:
Which Birds Are Attracted To Which Colors?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Any white fish is fine with me. Shrimp is yummy, too! And yes, I like shredded cabbage or shredded lettuce. Soft or crunchy corn tortillas; whichever you prefer.

And you’ve GOT to have Baja Sauce! :)

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/238599/baja-sauce-for-fish-or-shrimp-tacos/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I saw that. *WINK*

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“...but a close neighbor couple did not share my tolerance to this fragrance, and reasonably objected.”

LOL! When we moved to the old farm, it was a hot summer day with a southerly breeze - across the road from a hog farm.

My boys were having FITS over it. I told them, ‘That’s the smell of FREEDOM, Boys!’

Luckily, the hog operation was only temporary - I’m not sure I could’ve stood it all summer, either!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Howard is one LUCKY DOG! If he ever acts up again, make him watch one of those ‘Sad Puppy Commercials’ so he remembers how LUCKY he is, LOL!

I always have to turn those off. I KNOW people do bad things to animals, but ours are working dogs AND beloved members of the pack. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

That is beautiful! Thanks! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Mom volunteers for EVERYTHING at Olbrich - so she can see stuff for free, LOL! She also runs her model trains there at Christmastime, which is quite magical.

But, yeah. I have NO patience for crowds anymore. Not sure when I turned into a Little Old Lady, but it has happened. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I have a brief window of spring that works for cool season vegetables.”

You DO go Straight To Hot for the most part, don’t you? We sometimes do, but luckily it’s usually a gradual warm-up. Maybe they should plant a few TREES in Kansas, versus just CORN? LOL!

Can’t wait for you to see my greenhouse re-organization. I’m kinda proud of myself! We have another nice day coming up tomorrow, so I might just get the final beds cleaned out and mulched - I was 100% L-A-Z-Y and disheartened at the end of last season.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Orioles by the dozens. They are my faves in the Spring. :) But I’m always looking for birding tips, so THANKS! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I knew you guys would appreciate it. :) Found it a few years ago and it is a great reminder of how to be a better, bigger person.

You know, just in case there’s something lacking in you in the first place, LOL! (I know all of us are PREFECT, here!)

[MomwithHope]

Found 4 nice keepers for puzzles. Thanks. I am pretty picky.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Yay! :)

[daniel1212]

“...but a close neighbor couple did not share my tolerance to this fragrance, and reasonably objected.” LOL! When we moved to the old farm, it was a hot summer day with a southerly breeze - across the road from a hog farm. My boys were having FITS over it. I told them, ‘That’s the smell of FREEDOM, Boys!’ Luckily, the hog operation was only temporary - I’m not sure I could’ve stood it all summer, either!

Well, I have smelled what came from a hog farm, and the odor from cows is mild compared to that.

[Pollard]

It’s a thing in the South part of the Midwest.

Here in Mid Mo, we just went from single digits to two weeks of snow on the ground to two weeks of warming and the snow plow piles are almost gone. Everything else is mucky. Our heavy/clay soil stays too wet to work for a while. Most gardeners around here don’t bother with cool season and won’t/can’t till their garden until May. June brings 90s.

Interesting thing under my tunnel roof right now. It’s wet/moist on the long sides for 2-3 foot in due to snow sliding of and melting and the middle strip is dry. It’s always going to be that way to some degree. I’ll be able to grade it here soon.

This mid week will hit 70+- and be clear with a breeze/gusts. I’m in mechanic/fab mode so I’ll be doing that. Might be swatting at bugs. Seems like I was doing that 2-3 months ago.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I don’t mind cow manure at all. I actually LIKE walking into our barn when we have a steer living in there.

Now THIS smells like a BARN should smell. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Might be swatting at bugs.”

I told Beau today that the BEST PART of working outside on these last few BONUS February days has been - NO BUGS! He agreed.

However - houseflies have awakened in our False Spring, as have the FAKE Ladybugs and I’ve even noticed a few Box Elder Bugs inside the Manse!

So far - no Assassin Bugs have awakened from their slumber in my walls. Last winter I had to battle SIX of them. They are scary - but I’m a wuss when it comes to bugs of all kinds. I DO respect them, though. Bug Life is horrific for the most part. A DAILY battle of Life and Death!

And then while you’re COMPLETELY mindin’ your own bidness - a Human goes and STEPS on you, LOL!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

A. W. Thanks! Forwarded to my family! Wikipedia has more on Orioles. I think that I am just out of their range.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_oriole

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Assassin bugs.... When I Find those they get scooped and moved right to the garden! Mantises too!

Several hundred in my Plum trees right when the Japanese Beetles come would be great!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Look forward to the pictures!

Corn? I moved from Illinois...which has +40 inches of rain a year and corn... to eastern Kansas, which has about 30 inches a year where I am at. Some, but not much Corn.

The dry line starts just west of the 100th meridian west of Topeka. Less than 30 after that. Pretty much Wheat and cattle and limestone quarries after er that. We have forests--oak, hickory, locust-- here and out to Topeka and a bit beyond. I have been out west to Junction City west of Ft Riley about 3 times, and the trees--cottonwood, osage, and poplar...disappear except along creek banks and reservoirs. )

Fort Riley

Location: United States > Kansas > Riley County > Madison > Fort Riley

Latitude: 39.171
Longitude: -96.779
Elevation: 369 meters / 1211 feet)

https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/04/11/the-100th-meridian-where-the-great-plains-used-to-begin-now-moving-east/

Konza Prarie, Riley County Kansas. (View west from Manhattan towards Ft Riley)

Flint Hills, Geary County Kansas

(Both about 100 miles west of me)

More pictures at this link Ft Riley KS