Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Victory Garden Thread - June, 2026
June 1, 2026 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 06/01/2026 6:10:43 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

The MONTHLY Victory Garden 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 Victory Garden 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.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-116 next last
To: MomwithHope

So you let them grow as tall as they want?


41 posted on 06/01/2026 2:28:09 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Call my personal secretary, Jennie, at 867-5309.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

Absolutely. I just pinch the suckers. Leaving branches that will blossom and fruit.


42 posted on 06/01/2026 2:50:02 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: bert

Thank you, Bert! I get complaints if I make things TOO BIG, LOL!


43 posted on 06/01/2026 2:58:54 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie

That sounds FANTASTIC! Keep us updated! :)


44 posted on 06/01/2026 3:00:10 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy

Re: Bone Meal. I’m thinking I will give them bone meal in the liquid form once they (the tomatoes) flower. I’m just trying to prevent Blossom End Rot.

This is SO frustrating, and why we suddenly have this much raccoon damage is a puzzle. We generally have dogs running around during the day (with tracking collars; we don’t live by any roads) and this year has been the worst ever.

I’m even taking in all the bird feeders at night, which works well - but then they go after my garden plants! Jerks!


45 posted on 06/01/2026 3:03:52 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Paul R.; All

Wifey heard of a significant train derailment from one of her friends who live not too far away from the location of the incident.

https://www.kfvs12.com/2026/06/01/emergency-crews-scene-train-derailment-near-hickman-carlisle-county-line-shelter-in-place-issued/

What a mess! But, very luckily(!), no one was hurt, no hazardous chemicals were involved, etc. Just think: This could well happen to, say, The City Of New Orleans passenger train (nod to Arlo Guthrie), or to a train carrying nasty stuff and in an urban area to boot. :-(

I’ll bet this will still take a pretty penny to clean up, scrap rail cars and / or the locomotives damaged beyond reasonable repair, salvage or replace goods on said cars, and so on.

There were some severe t-storm warnings in that area at various times, the last day or so — I wonder if the tree was downed by a storm?

Given the advances in drone technology, it wouldn’t take all that much to have a cheap drone fly at just over stopping distance out in front of a train. Maybe 5 drones per train — at any given time: One drone scouting, one headed to / from scouting position, two on charge, and one in reserve. Once set up, the whole thing could likely be run by AI. Maybe bring in new defense companies as partners: I’ll bet the program could be “piggybacked” for all sorts of developmental data and such.


46 posted on 06/01/2026 3:18:46 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Same here so far as the varmints go. We’ve never had remotely this many, and some big ones, too!


47 posted on 06/01/2026 3:20:59 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

Florida or California Corn in June. Wait for the GOOD STUFF from Wisconsin in August. ;)


48 posted on 06/01/2026 3:41:44 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Bon of Babble

Buddha Kitty! Love! :)


49 posted on 06/01/2026 3:42:57 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Bon of Babble

They seem to lose interest after a few days. They’re done digging up the Broccoli at least! It’s still another UNNECESSARY STEP I need to take to feed us.

Mandan (Black & Tan Coonhound) will keep them at bay, tonight. He loves a good ‘covert operation’ as much as I do. ;)


50 posted on 06/01/2026 3:47:11 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Liz

“Will post appropriate recipes.”

I suspected as much. :)


51 posted on 06/01/2026 3:49:38 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I was going to inquire as to who the ‘lucky’ garden guard dog was going to be tonight, but you answered the question :-)


52 posted on 06/01/2026 3:53:16 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630; FRiends
Butting in. I agree 100%. Eating seasonally is HUGE with me, though of course I CAN eat things out of season as I CAN them when they're IN season...and cheaper! ;) I can't stand the cost and wasted resources of Strawberries in February in Wisconsin. Come on, People! Finishing up the Rhubarb and Asparagus at our house - Strawberries are on deck next, but need to ripen.


53 posted on 06/01/2026 4:00:43 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin; All
"Jalapeño House". I was going to leave the ends open, but figured with my luck this year, the deer would reach waaay in & get the peppers. The deer seem to be crazy hungry right now, probably because they are having their fawns or about to. I did add some shade - the plants have not been in direct sun since I bought them. We'll see how they do - fingers crossed the 2 chomped in half by the deer pull through!


54 posted on 06/01/2026 4:10:52 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin
Besides tasting better, things were just more special when you didn't have them anytime you liked, but had to wait for THEIR time.

(And I think its de rigueur to butt in on your own thread :-)
55 posted on 06/01/2026 4:17:15 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Qiviut

Oh, I was pretty livid. Some bad, BAD words were spoken...words I would NEVER use in front of my Mother, LOL!

But, everyone is tucked back in and watered in again. I’m just grateful that the @#$%^&*!’ers didn’t break any of the stems. I would’ve been locked and loaded for tonight were that the case!

Beau is putting a doghouse and dog on a chain out there tonight. If they can get past Mandan, I’ve got even BIGGER problems on my hands than raccoons.

Aliens? ;)


56 posted on 06/01/2026 4:17:27 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: FRiends

June Gardening Tips and To-Do List by Planting Zones and Region

Are you new to gardening and wondering what you should be working on this month? If you do a quick internet search, things become confusing.

Should you go according to your region or your planting zone?

The truth is, you should be concerned with both your region and your zone. The reason being is people can share the same planting zones, though they’re in different regions.

Different regions face dry seasons and wet seasons at different times of the year. All these factors can change your gardening tasks.

Which is why we’re going to give you the whole picture. You can match your tasks for your zone with the region you’re in and create a customized to-do list for your garden.

Here are the tasks at hand:

https://morningchores.com/june-gardening-tips/

Zone Five

Mums are starting to appear in this region. It’s important to care for them on a bi-weekly basis. Be sure to prune the mums back ½ inch each pruning session. - I don’t have any perennial Mums planted. DONE! :)

Fertilize roses. DONE!

Harvest asparagus. End of the season for me. DONE!

Begin planting beans and cole crops for the fall garden. - One more bush bean to get in and then I’m DONE! Broccoli and Kale are IN! DONE!

Care for tomato plants regularly to fight first signs of disease or infestation of pests. - Do you mean REPLANT your tomato plants that were dug up by raccoons the very evening of the day you planted them? Then - DONE! :)


57 posted on 06/01/2026 4:23:53 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

I’ve never ‘topped’ tomato plants as I have a shorter growing season than some, anyway. (Zone 5) I DO make sure they are fertilized on time, and I pinch out any suckers, for sure!

BUT - if you’re gonna do it, here is a guide on what to do and when and why:

https://www.tinygardenhabit.com/topping-tomato-plants/

Great question and good Food For Thought! :)


58 posted on 06/01/2026 4:27:18 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I was kinda’ thinking night scope & a sniper position!

All planted (Lantana, jalapeños & lavender) except for those poor snap dragons ... maybe tomorrow.


59 posted on 06/01/2026 4:45:17 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Growing in zone 4, what would you replace Buck Thorn with? I was thinking Prickly Ash and ferns.


60 posted on 06/01/2026 4:53:39 PM PDT by Sawdring
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-116 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson