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Weekly Garden Thread May 9-15, 2020
May 9, 2020 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 05/09/2020 7:08:22 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

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.

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 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 Weekly 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 our New & Improved Ping List.

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 to Gardeners are welcomed any time!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: farm; garden; gardening; hobbies; weekly
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We have a phase system for getting out of lockdown. Right now we are in phase 0, where we are allowed to go out together and exercise at certain hours of the day, shop together, etc. Certain restaurants can open for takeout only. Each week you can move up a phase depending upon meeting certain criteria. Phase 1 lets you travel between towns in your province, bigger stores can open, etc. Because of a rise of infections in the city of Granada we will stay in phase 0 for another week.
They also announced that every festival, the August fair and the fireworks have been cancelled for the year. Most of the festivals are based either on neighborhoods or religious events and various organizations sell food and drink to make money for their operating expenses for the year. Now they will get pennies from the town. It’s no big deal if you’re an expat who has money coming in from other sources but for the locals it’s a cruel blow.


21 posted on 05/09/2020 9:37:16 AM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Anybody ever use a stack of tires to grow potatoes in a small garden?

My neighbor used to set her seed potatoes inside a tire ring, with soil & amendments.

As those plants sprouted, she would add another tire and more soil, etc.

She would end up with about a 6 tire stack, using only a small part of her garden space.

When it was time to harvest, she would carefully remove one tire at a time, getting small, new potatoes at the top and larger potatoes further down the stack.

ALL were delicious.


22 posted on 05/09/2020 9:52:04 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: ridesthemiles
ridesthemiles :" She would end up with about a 6 tire stack, using only a small part of her garden space.
When it was time to harvest, she would carefully remove one tire at a time,
getting small, new potatoes at the top and larger potatoes further down the stack.

I have heard of people using tires to grow potatoes, but I have never heard of this continuous elevated system.
Actually, it makes sense, since the potatoes are a root crop which begins production after flowering.
Generally, black containers become solar heat collectors and heat sinks, and may be too hot for many climates.
This method appears to be ingenious for cooler climates, and higher altitudes which extends the crop growth season.
Good on Ya !

23 posted on 05/09/2020 10:59:27 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
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To: PrincessB
I want to get one more batch of chive blossom vinegar done. Small bottles are my hostess gift for the summer.

That sounds delightful.......recipe handy?

24 posted on 05/09/2020 11:05:31 AM PDT by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: ridesthemiles

It works well. I used to grow potatoes that way as a novelty for my boys and to get them interested in food production.

Beau did it last year, but we had such a wet year that production wasn’t up to par - we still got potatoes, but about half of what we should’ve gotten.

He planted 15# of FREE seed potatoes from his brother this season; some he hilled and some he just did in a row to see which worked better. We have ridiculously good soil in the lower garden where he grows sweet corn, popcorn and melons.

It might be almost TOO good for potatoes, LOL!


25 posted on 05/09/2020 11:37:16 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Sacajaweau
As an Upstate New Yorker, I wasn't too pleased to see snow this morning. Our temps are running 10-20 degrees below normal. But my peas, spinach and scallions are all surviving.

You mean this

(https://whdh.com/weather/#forecast-10-days)

Do not look like this so far:

My indoor garden cache of tomatoes and cukes are growing like crazy but probably won't get set out until June 1st.

Maybe Friday at the earliest.

26 posted on 05/09/2020 12:16:39 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + follow Him)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Did you see this thread?: 'We are 500% busier': Nurseries overwhelmed as everyone starts quarantine gardens San Francisco Chronicle / sfgate.com ^ | May 9, 2020 Updated: May 9, 2020 10:09 a.m. | Madeline Wells
27 posted on 05/09/2020 12:20:33 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + follow Him)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Fourth of July going to be mighty boring.


28 posted on 05/09/2020 12:27:38 PM PDT by yldstrk (Bingo! We have a winner!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Last year - put out the tomatoes and peppers 1 May, all was good.

This year - covered them last night and they are looking weak today. And another “freeze” tonight!

I maybe crying in the a.m...

Folks around here told me not to plant until after Mother’s Day...

Win some , lose some...


29 posted on 05/09/2020 12:29:03 PM PDT by dakine
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To: dakine

Keep em covered tonight. They may come back. I had moved all my seedlings outside to plant last week and got busy and lucky. I just brought them all back inside yesterday.


30 posted on 05/09/2020 12:33:06 PM PDT by CJ Wolf ( #wwg1wga #gin&tonic #Godwins)
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To: yldstrk

Fourth of July is my anniversary. Makes it easy to remember.


31 posted on 05/09/2020 12:48:35 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Qiviut

70s and sunny today in the Seattle area. I had to come inside to cool down...as much due to all the shoveling and construction work I am doing while remodeling my garden. Regular gardening tasks wouldn’t be so bad


32 posted on 05/09/2020 1:47:27 PM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (Unlike Bloomberg, I have said "Fat broads"and "Horsefaced Lesbians" but cuz I luv them both.)
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To: ridesthemiles

Everytime I thought about doing that ...the I asked myself if I wanted to eat whatever was leaching out of the tires and into the soil, then into my potatoes.

So I have never tried it....too chicken


33 posted on 05/09/2020 1:54:15 PM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (Unlike Bloomberg, I have said "Fat broads"and "Horsefaced Lesbians" but cuz I luv them both.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

Cross posting excerpt from the thread you pinged us to:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/3843247/posts?page=31#31
http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/3843247/posts?page=37#37

Great Idea Diana. When I started gardening, the FR garden thread really helped me a lot.

I also in my research, ran across a web site that was so great-I printed a lot of the articles for reference in my garden planning and emergency planning files:

I have checked and Grand Pappy is still active and penning more articles even now. Some particular Topic Headings:

HARD TIMES SURVIVAL
HARD TIMES RECIPES
GARDENING TIPS-check out the Vegetable Recommendations for New Gardeners.

https://www.grandpappy.org/indexgar.htm

And there’s more topics such as survival, firearm topics, the economy, etc. He’s even got articles about the current Pandemic and Preparations etc.
*******************end excerpt

Yesterday we had cold conditions down to 34 degrees. I’m hoping that’s it. Some of my raised beds are ready for planting and I’ll be getting that going this week.

Winter Rye and Garlic progressing-it may be June before I get to harvest them. I plan to follow the rye with corn, but have not made up my mind about what follows the garlic.

I’m glad I ordered seeds last fall and early this year—seems like some companies are having a hard time keeping up.


34 posted on 05/09/2020 3:31:17 PM PDT by greeneyes ( Moderation In Pursuit of Justice is NO Virtue--LET FREEDOM RING)
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To: All
Five simple ingredients never tasted so good-----fresh lemon juice adds just enough citrus flavor without too much
tartness. Fat-free buttermilk, HnH, and whole milk give creamy texture. The hardest part is waiting for it to freeze.

Lemon Buttermilk Ice Cream

Ing 1 1/2 c sugar cup lemon juice (10 lemons) 2 cups ea hnh, whole milk,fat-free buttermilk

Method Stir/combine sugar and juice til sugar dissolves. Add half-and-half, whole milk, and buttermilk.
Pour into the freezer can of an ice-cream freezer; freeze as per mfg. Spoon into container. Cover/freeze firm--an hour.

SERVE with lemon wheels and mint sprigs.
Or with in-season berries, sliced stone fruit, or lemon rind strips.

35 posted on 05/09/2020 3:56:37 PM PDT by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Impy; fieldmarshaldj

I had to quit the lawncare at 6p. The heavy snowfall was too much to deal with


36 posted on 05/09/2020 4:04:17 PM PDT by campaignPete R-CT (Committee to Re-Elect the President ( CREEP ))
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To: Liz

1 cup chive blossoms, 1 1/2 cup white wine vinegar. Rinse chive blossoms in cold water to remove bugs and dirt. Place in a jar. Heat up the vinegar until it’s almost at the boiling point. Pour over blossoms. Put the lid on and keep in a cool place for about a week and then discard the chives. It should be a pretty rose and have a mild onion flavor. Enjoy!


37 posted on 05/09/2020 4:41:29 PM PDT by PrincessB
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To: campaignPete R-CT

Had God been informed it’s May?


38 posted on 05/09/2020 5:00:07 PM PDT by Impy (I have no virtue to signal.)
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To: PrincessB

T/Y muchly.


39 posted on 05/09/2020 5:13:53 PM PDT by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Impy
I was in my front yard analyzing my maple trees with my 🐈 cat. A little red fox comes running up the road, sees the cat, then sees me and scampers away. Maples are a hassle, as some are not native (Norway Maple). Very destructive to forests.
40 posted on 05/09/2020 6:47:33 PM PDT by campaignPete R-CT (Committee to Re-Elect the President ( CREEP ))
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