Weekly Garden Thread Volume 23 June 6, 2014

Free Republic | June 6, 2014 | greeneyes

[greeneyes]

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. This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks.

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. There is no telling where it will go and... that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!

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 are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.

[SisterK]

Tumeric is the ingredient which makes curry yellow. But tumeric itself does not have a strong flavor. I eat a lot of pinto beans, black beans, red beans, Anasazi beans and the like...So when I serve up my beans, along with the other stuff ...chives, tomatoes, greens or whatever vegetables or herbs, plus olive oil and salt, I pile on a half teaspoon of tumeric. I do not cook the olive oil, salt or tumeric into the beans, but add it when serving. Heat destroys the medicinal properties of tumeric. You can sprinkle tumeric on toast, on your eggs, on whatever, just do not cook it into the food. The more you consume, the better results. I consume about 5 teaspoons per week. And I am a walking medical miracle. I think it is also good for dogs, do not know about horses.

[trisham]

I’m not a big fan of wilted greens either, but my husband is.

[trisham]

Great pics!

[SisterK]

A friend of mine lost her spleen too, tractor accident. When she gets sick, it is hard for her to shake it...But she also does not do marathon wood chip shoveling. I hope that you get well soon.

[Aliska]

He didn't tell me the ratio of Tide to water. Tide seems very concentrated (from using it to hand wash). I guess I would fill my sprayer almost to the gallon mark, then measure in 1/4 cup or less, probably less, then stir well as you don't want to clog the nozzle or whatever you are spraying with.

I don't have a plan for the beetles this year other than cut off rose buds (what are left) soas not to attract so many. Or I just let them eat and not go out and look at it. They make me feel creepy.

So far I'm not allergic to it, have a relative who had a terrible rash when she had her baby. She won't buy it, of course. It was very hard to get rid of and was so bad she needed help with the baby. They always blamed it on Tide but she also would ream up bunches of lemons and oranges for the Vitamin C so it could have been that, too.

Good luck if you try it.

[trisham]

Japanese beetles have been a real problem for me since we moved here in 2002, but I have found a method of therapy. I fill a large-mouthed plastic container (such as a mayo jar) 3/4 of the way up with water, and then add a few drops of dishwashing soap. I shake it up, and then go from plant to plant and sweep the beetles into the jar. The soap breaks the surface tension of the water, and the beetles can’t get out. I don’t know how effective this is, but it makes me feel better. :)

[Aliska]

I did two traps one year, finally gave it up. They attracted them far worse than usual and I couldn't position them right on the perimeter of my small yard. They work well when you can encircle your property from out a ways and keep them emptied. Ugh. I would drown them in soapy water before I dumped them out of the trap.

When it got bad, they would poke their heads through the vent holes which was disgusting. Then I was so afraid they would chew their way out I covered them with pieces of duct tape.

They are cruel because they slowly die in those things. I used to make rounds with soapy water. If I have to kill, I try to do it quickly. I have gotten so I will pinch them with my fingers or knock them off and stomp on them. Then I have to wash my hands well.

I am hoping in time they will develop something safe that doesn't have unintended consequences to eradicate them. I don't think they've hit the CA grapes and fruit and almond trees. You can bet if they get too pesky on the west coast, they will be very aggressive about finding an effective way to get rid of them.

There have been some experiments, won't go into it. Whatever you do, don't use anything with the neocontinoids in them like I did one summer, fortunately I saw right away what happened. They are now high on the list to blame for the loss of honeybees.

[Aliska]

It’s very effective, just tedious. That was my usual method and when they were bad, I was out 3 to 5 times a day. Drowning them in plain water takes them too long to die which seems cruel. Plus like you said, they can climb on others and escape.

[Aliska]

Thank you; it seemed very beautiful to me, have to prepare yourself for disappointments in gardening one thing or another.

I was out too long and didn't put anything on mine except that finger wound. I think I'll be ok. I was out again this morning and found some more I missed. This particular rose creeps along the ground and hides under a heavy cover of that lamium with the variegated leaves and yellow blossoms.

I thought it was so pretty but my garden friends advised me to get rid of it because it's invasive here and just bad stuff.

The worst is over with the roses but I still have lots of cutting to do. My regular lawn guy is now ready to tackle the long Bermuda grass which got out of control. I was going to buy a weed whacker but I'll let him give it a try. He will also do the monster one on the east side of the house so now I don't have to worry about that.

I'll never get over losing my son but if I keep my mind on other things, it does help especially physical activity which I can't do much but what I do manage to do, even though it hurts and makes me tired, seems to help my mood.

I'll look for some betadine at the drugstore, good to have something on hand besides peroxide and alcohol.

[Aliska]

Had so many helpful and nice responses not sure I'm keeping good track of answering. That sounds like a heavenly combination. I love true blue flowers, dark or light. I tried some old seeds of larkspur which didn't germinate. Should try it again as it's stunning in arrangements or just in the garden.

Oh, those daisies. I asked on freecycle for some many years back now. This guy brought me a bushel basket and I planted them. They spread so nice that even when they weeren't blooming, they are so thick they crowd out grass and weeds even being mowed over. The last crew I had mowed or whacked practically all of them. I got my other guy back and see I have a nice stand of them.

Down the street there is a grouping of those and a particular common smallish yellow iris which blooms at the same time. That's what I wanted in the first place. I have yellow iris but not as sweet as these. I guess I won't ask if I can have any. The daisies will be nice encircling a huge antique pink rose I rooted. Inside, I see my nodding blue columbine has survived, glad of that.

I won't post a bunch of pictures but I have tons of photos of combinations like you mention in your post.

[Aliska]

I've seen the Schwans truck go by but thought they were probably expensive but my daughters run out and get stuff if they are here. Would you believe I've never been to Red Lobster? Haven't had any for years, have broiled my own (lobster) in the past but too expensive. I like to cook my own fish I buy fresh when I'm hungry for it.

I did used to like Long John Silver's; there was one close but they shut down and the only one left is across the river. Anyway, they had fried oysters which I love but quit offering them. I would eat their stuff but the fish is kind of greasy. I liked their hush puppies the best ;-)

Some things I think we have to give up. I had them a lot when we lived out east for a short while. They have nylon bags full of shellfish at the grocery store, guess those must be clams but they must be terribly expensive. I am not up to prying them out but I will devein a pound of fresh shrimp. Maybe there is a place around here that has some; I'll have to ask around. I don't go out to eat any more but might if I could get some of those.

[Aliska]

Thank you for answering my question. I hear it talked about on the late show on the radio. I used it for pickles years ago. Anyway, I do intend to start eating more beans (canned, I hate to cook pinto beans) because I need the fiber. I like the pinto beans with the mild green Mexican peppers in them; I will eat black beans, butter beans, lima beans. Don't know about the others you mentioned.

I'll have to figure out what I can use tumeric on. I just got done with very late breakfast. I saw this YT video where this guy make a chicken salad sandwich which I might adapt to oven cooking. Anyway, when he got to the bread, he sprinkled olive oil on some diagonally sliced sourdough and very lightly toasted it in a 450F oven.

So I had a nice small loaf of plain Italian bread and tried it. I need another glass bottle with that squirt thingie as I just tried to scatter some olive oil out of the bottle which make it a little more dense. Well it toasted just like his but on both sides. His only toasted on one side so I wrote a comment and asked and hope he will answer me.

Then I don't know what got into me but I saw another video where they rubbed garlic on bread. So I peeled some garlic and that's what I did. It worked well to just rub it on the toasted bread. I can't eat it raw but would if it were roasted.

So thank you and I'll do some more research on it, maybe read some testimonials. Heaven knows my general health could use a boost. Now I want some coke or pepsi, have taken to buying it at the gas station or McD's as it tastes better if they get the syrup mixed right.

[Aliska]

What is polk? Is it the same as pokeweed? I heard people eat it but it is poison if you don’t cook it a certain way.

[sockmonkey]

Heaven knows my general health could use a boost.

I['ve started doing ginger shots in the morning to kick start things. This year, I didn't have any symptoms at all from the pecan pollen. It usually makes me feel pretty sick about two weeks out off the year. I have a juicer, but I know some people who use a blender, then put it through a strainer. I was surprised at how filling some of the juices are..like the ones with veggies, and fruits.

[trisham]

I’ve never had them climb out, and the yard is so large that I couldn’t stomp them, because most of the gardens are too far from a hard surface. It’s no more cruel than poisoning them, imho.

[bgill]

My, oh, my. Down at the corner what must be a city slicker here for the weekend, put up a homemade sign that says, “baby deer crossing” with an arrow. This is the country. Deer cross wherever they want. There’s a ton of fawns all the time. Besides, the posted unofficial speed limit is 20. That’s as bad as that woman who called the radio station wanting the highway department to move a deer crossing sign down the road so the deer would have a safer area to cross. Knock on wood, the deer haven’t bothered the front bed where I planted hot peppers to deter them.

Adding sliced ginger root to some hot lemon water sure helped this winter when we had the crud. I replanted the pot a month ago but only one bit sprouted this week so need to get some more if I ever get to a decent sized grocery store.

[Aliska]

I never had trouble from pollen but have developed some allergy that makes my eyes water. Well, there's pollen out there now and I seem to be ok. I should do more about juice. I like V8 original. I like Mango powerade. But my daughter gets her kid this green stuff and it looks gross.

I will have some black raspberries I grew from seed about July. I will make a "potion" with that. I think I may have something intestinal like diver something so I don't want the seeds. They are so tiny and sharp I don't know how I'll get them strained out, several layers of cheesecloth is all I can think of.

I always ate the seeds before, never bothered me but think I should be careful now. I will make a black raspberry curd and then a black raspberry meringue pie ha ha.

While I just got started with the weeds, I see I have a new black raspberry come up from where I originally had planted them in trays. Hate to kill it. Shouldn't let it grow where we need the water faucet so I'll see if it will transplant. If I had enough of those, I could make lots of juices and freeze or can a bunch.

More carrots and veggies would be good, steamed if possible. Hard to chew raw with my bad teeth.

[Aliska]

I can only stomp them by the front sidewalk and sometimes they get away from me. I hated it when they outsmart me in the grass; I can't find them again. I wouldn't hesitate to use poison if it wouldn't kill pollinators like bees.

I wasn't criticizing you; if the bags worked better for me, I would go back to them. Just won't think what goes on inside. The real shame is that there are thousands, millions people just ignore; only certain gardeners worry about them.

My neighbor who moved used to wet down his hisbiscus?, can't remember the plant, and dust with Food grade diatomaceous earth he got at Lowe's. I think it's more of a repellant. I guess I would rather have as many dead as possible rather than repel them.

Ducks, chickens and turkeys will eat them but few have those and they only get a fraction. Other than that and maybe a parasite, there are no natural predators.

[trisham]

Thanks, Aliska.

We've thought about getting chickens to control just the ticks in our yard, but it wouldn't work with us. Also, most of our beetles are on plants, trees and bushes, and not so much on the grass. I hate using poison, because of our dogs and various wildlife.

[sockmonkey]

I think I may have something intestinal like diver something so I don't want the seeds.

Somewhere on the net I saw a recipe for cabbage juice (you add stuff to mask the cabbage funkiness a bit). Anyway, there was some guy with diverticulitis, and a girl with Crohn's who swear it really helped them.

My daughter and her two juicing amigas each lost about 30 lbs in a month juicing. They didn't just do juice, they ate food, too..just not heavy fried stuff, or Mickey D's or Pizza Hut. Their skin looks great, and her one friend stopped having migraines, and allergies.