Posted on 04/01/2024 6:23:19 AM PDT 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.
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!
Nice optical illusion you got there.
Stare at it a few seconds and the sun rays are going Clockwise and then if you look away and back they are going counterclockwise!.....................
Can’t put anything past you, LOL! :)
The changing of the clocks has confused the sun...oh my...
Enough to give you a migraine.
Thanks for the new thread. I like the monthly thread, More tips in each thread.
More than ready.
There’s 9-10”m of snow on tap for Wed and Thurs.
Hopefully, the lettuce can go in once that melts.
I started some celery and more lavender today. The lavender I started last month, only two came up.
More than ready.
There’s 9-10”m of snow on tap for Wed and Thurs.
Hopefully, the lettuce can go in once that melts.
I started some celery and more lavender today. The lavender I started last month, only two came up.
Good morning beautiful 😍
Happy April, everybody from here in southern New Hampshire!
I have three of the four raised half-barrel planters for our greenhouse completed and in place. I will be finishing the fourth this morning. They will give the Boss (Barb) some nice planting space and add some thermal mass storage at the same time. I have to drill the drainage holes in them, yet. I have lengths of plastic gutter under each barrel, slanting to the rear, where I will have long gutters to catch the water and flow it to a catch basin. I got the idea from several Youtube videos.
Thursday will be my 77th birthday and Mom Nature has a special gift for me…10-15” of snow! Glad I haven’t disconnected the snow thrower from my John Deere 318!
Yay...was a rare, beautiful end to March here in W. Oregon...got more plants in our new Courtyard, and around the property...now weeds.
.I am trying to love chickweed....aaccchhhggg
We've had heavy rain here for the past few days, which is great - because our dry season will kick in soon and we won't have rain again until probably November.
I have my own super bloom of California poppies in my backyard now:
And, I wanted to cut back this out-of-control geranium - but it is covered in bees and I don't want to disturb them:
I also have seven stalks of orchids blooming - for the first time in a decade (since I learned how to take care of them properly).
My helpers are glad Spring has arrived:
Lavender is known to be slow to germinate, but also is more well known, actually notorious, to be difficult grown from seed.
Probably more easily to propagate, in season, by dividing clumps
Full-sized plants from commercial nurseries/ greenhouses are expensive, just for those specific reasons.
Always love your photos.
CLICK ON EITHER PICTURE!
) 
) I’m thinking about getting a small greenhouse. Never used one before. Do these need a heater inside to keep the plants warm in this weather? Live in SE Wisconsin and I would still expect a few frosts between now and June. It can get down in the teens sometimes. Any thoughts?
Hi virgil, you have asked the right person. Welcome to the thread.
Ever wondered how long you can save your seeds and have them still be viable? We've created this chart to help you determine the longevity of your seeds. Proper seed storage conditions are cool and dark. The moisture content within the seed greatly affects germination rates. Seeds should be stored in their original packaging in a cool (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit), dark place where their moisture content will stay relatively stable. Here at High Mowing we keep our seed cooler at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit with less than 40% humidity.
| Seed Type | Longevity Under Proper Seed Storage Conditions |
| Artichokes | 5 years |
| Arugula | 3 years |
| Beans | 3 years |
| Beets | 4 years |
| Broccoli | 3 years |
| Brussels Sprouts | 4 years |
| Cabbage | 4 years |
| Carrots | 3 years |
| Cauliflower | 4 years |
| Celery/Celeriac | 5 years |
| Chard | 4 years |
| Collards | 5 years |
| Corn | 2 years |
| Cress | 5 years |
| Cucumbers | 5 years |
| Eggplant | 4 years |
| Endive/Escarole | 5 years |
| Fennel | 4 years |
| Kale | 4 years |
| Kohlrabi | 4 years |
| Leeks | 1 year |
| Lettuce | 5 years |
| Melons | 5 years |
| Mustard | 4 years |
| Okra | 2 years |
| Onions | 1 year |
| Peas | 3 years |
| Peppers | 2 years |
| Pumpkins | 4 years |
| Radish | 5 years |
| Rutabagas | 4 years |
| Spinach | 2-3 years |
| Summer Squash | 4 years |
| Tomatoes | 4 years |
| Turnips | 5 years |
| Watermelon | 4 years |
| Winter Squash | 4 years |
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