Saturday Gardening Thread: Memorial Day Weekend 2018 [KT]

I've been saving the glamorous photo above for a while now. This is the note that came with it. Hope I timed the photo about right:

This may be a bit early as we're still being told to expect what they laughingly call a 'wintry mix' of rain, sleet, ice and/or snow for tomorrow. Damned good thing we have 'global warming,' or we'd really be up a creek. Anyhow: Once this is done with and the WX starts gettin' more - umm - 'seasonal,' these will make their appearance and put their fragrance in the air. When that happens, I shall break out a mint julep and put 'When It's Sleepy Time Down South' on the wind-up phonygraph ... enjoy.
Dr No

Hello, friends. While some of us are facing a really big storm, we have some garden topics that might remind us that it is still Memorial Day Weekend. Plus something fun for the kids.

Our Heritage:

I love this photo from Illiniwek:

This is one from the old house looking onto the garden as it is disced. One note says 1938, but another note says the well went in in 1941. The chicken house and wash house were in by 1920, I think. The peonies are in bloom. Concord grapes, and early thirties ... Model T?

Peonies remind me of Memorial Day. And Illiniwek still has some growing. They live a LONG time. These are behind some lilies in bud and the camera focus is on the lilies. This scene reminds me of a memorial park. Maybe it's just because it's this weekend:

Here's a photo I took during my father-in-law's services at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

And here is a photo of Illiniwek's everbearing lilacs that just bloomed. "Their best display ever". Some years, growing up, we had lilacs on Memorial Day. I remember being excited when I first heard of re-blooming lilac varieties. Looks like Illiniwek is doing well with his lilac. The re-bloomers may not re-bloom as enthusiastically in the Midwest as is some other places.

Forget-me-nots and Fairy Gardens

I thought it would be fun to include a close-up of a tiny flower from lurker NadineCharmichael's Fairy Garden. Forget-me-nots just happen to fit in with a Memorial Day Weekend theme. It is often used as a symbol of remembrance.

I never considered myself a gardener until I had kids and thought a veg garden would be fun for them. Found out I liked tending it more than the kids! My new hobby has expanded to include 4 gardens and 2 large containers, and now my husband isn't sure if my fabric-hoarding habit is better or worse than my gardening habit. . .

These are forget-me-nots. I know anything else about them. They're tiny but probably one of my favorite flowers. Simple and sweet and breath-takingly beautiful ("Just like you!" - my husband on the couch.) These are the background in my kid's fairy garden. They seem to thrive on partial shade, average water, clay soil, earthworm castings, and marginal neglect.

So, do you think this is what a fairy's eye view would be?

The Official State Flower of Alaska is Myosotis alpestris, the Alpine Forget-me-not. But they grow garden Forget-me-nots there, too. There are other attractive species, but only two real Forget-me-nots are commonly seen in gardens in the Lower 48. The first is M. scorpoides, True Forget-me-nots, Water Forget-me-not or Scorpion Grass. It is a true perennial that can become somewhat invasive in wet areas. The "scorpion" reference has to do with the way the flowers curve. This one starts with pink buds and the flowers then turn blue. See the little scorpion tail?

The other is M. sylvatica, the Wood Forget-me-not. It is grown as an annual or biennial and is available in blue, pink and white cultivars. It tends to self-sow where it is happy.

It took a long time for the Forget-me-not to become the Official State Flower of Alaska. Along the way, proposals were accompanied by the earnest rhetoric typical of new states joining the union. And the typical over-earnest poetry. Usually kind of sweet in a way. Here are the last 4 linwa of Esther Birdsall Darling's poem which accompanied a 1917 proposal:

So although they say we're living

In the land that God forgot,

We'll recall Alaska to them

With our blue Forget-me-not.

The background color of the State Flag of Alaska was chosen by its designer, a 13 year old Aleut boy who later became a diesel mechanic, to represent the sky and the Forget-me-not flower.

If you visit the mountains of Alaska or Western Canada in summer, you might also see the Splendid Alpine Forget-me-not, Eritrichium splendens, a tiny plant with beautiful flowers that look a lot like garden forget-me-nots even though it is in a different plant genus.

The Giant Forget-me-not is also in another genus, a single species from New Zealand that will grow near the ocean, in salt spray.

I think the flowers of the Giant Forget-me-not look a lot like those of the Chinese Forget-me-not, another plant you can grow in your garden. It may take more sun than true forget-me-nots. Best sown where they are to bloom. Note that the flowers don't have the yellow central ring or white bee guides of the real Forget-me-nots in Nadine's garden. It blooms in late summer in most places, earlier if started indoors or in the fall. It prefers cool summers, not too humid.

This plant has flowers a little larger than the flowers of real Forget-me-nots, is grown as an annual or biennial, and has a native perennial cousin in the mountains of Oregon and California. There is also a wild relative in the Eastern USA and Canada, Blue Houndstongue or Wild Comfrey (often seen after fires). And a troublesome weed imported from Europe.

Cynoglossum Officinale Common Hound's Tongue or Gypsy Flower, has pinkish or purplish flowers and smells like "rats and mice". Its burrs stick to the wool of sheep, and it can lead to photosensitivity in livestock if they eat the plants. As you may have guessed from the name, this plant was once used to treat a variety of illnesses. And:

By the end of the 1830s, doctors in England were using houndstooth as an antiaphrodisiac to combat venereal excesses.

In 1891, the U.S. state of Michigan identified hounds tooth, along with flea-bane, rag weed, burdock, cockle-bur, and stickseed, as some of the worst weeds in the state

NOTE: They're not as bad as the one above, but the seeds of both Chinese Forget-me-nots and regular Forget-me-nots can stick to your clothes and to pets. They can be kind of a pain to remove. You might want to deadhead plants near paths, especially where dogs walk, or even remove the plants after they flower. But they are lovely. Henry David Thoreau wrote that:

the mouse-ear forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa, has now extended its racemes very much, and hangs over the edge of the brook. It is one of the most interesting minute flowers. It is the more beautiful for being small and unpretending; even flowers must be modest.

I like big flowers, but I've always had a soft spot for dinky flowers. Forget-me-nots, violets, Baby Blue Eyes, little Pinks, Viscaria, etc. Maybe we will need to revisit Fairy Gardens again in the future. In the meantime, Mike Hammer included a link to an ever-so-cute fungus in last week's comments. Did you see it?

Have to admit that this is the first time I've thought of "Fairy Gardens" and "Mike Hammer" at the same time.

By the way, this is NadineCharmichael's Fairy Garden. Some kids know they are loved.

It's in a shady spot with poor soil, so the plants have to be survivors.

The painted rocks are courtesy of my mother, who has quite a flair for that sort of thing, and my kids love moving them all about the yard. The stone angel picture was a wedding gift from long ago. What does one do with a 20lb stone-cast and bronze angel plate? Hide it away for 10 years and then put it in the fairy garden!

Salvias and Hummingbirds

NadineCarmichael's Fairy Garden features a Salvia which I think is S. coccinea, a native to the Southeast.

My 1988 edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book lists 12 species of salvia. My 2007 edition lists more than 60 species and cross-species hybrids, plus many named varieties. S. coccinea, one of the three most common salvias in nursery multi-packs around here today, was not listed in the 1988 edition. I am kind of partial to 'Coral Nymph'. Okay, its species name still says "red" but it's not exactly red.

There are also white and lavender cultivars now. One writer described a white cultivar as smelling like a locker room. Might repel some insects. Who knows?

Nadine also has a specimen Salvia that holds its own as a foliage plant.

Her specimen salvia, called "Eucalytus Salvia" on the tag, may be related to Pineapple Sage. Do you love the fragrance of Pineapple Sage? Here's a recipe for Peach Jam with Pineapple Sage, no added pectin. And here's one for Blackberry and Pineapple Sage Soda

Here's a kid-friendly site with lots of photos of hummers in Arizona and beyond.

Salvias and Hummingbirds seem made for each other. Especially certain species. Ten of them are listed at the bottom of the page. Most of them are rated for USDA Zones 8 and higher (not too cold hardy). Bonecrusher's recent mystery species (we think) makes the list.

The Salvia Study Group of Victoria notes:

Here's one that's perennial in zones 5 - 9. Marketed for the Midwest. Four feet tall. Looks like a good hummingbird plant to me.

Salvia Splendens doesn't make that Top 10 list despite the fact that it is a fabulous bedding plant, here in Taiwan at an international garden show. Wild designs are possible. Puts out some color.

Trees, Bees and Allergies

Gordon sent in an interesting observation recently:

One of those things you never notice since it happens overhead is that bees fertilize maple trees. They are not easy to see but yesterday there were many.

Gordon has accidentally hit upon a long-standing controversy about maple pollination: Are maples pollinated by wind or insects? They certainly attract pollinators. But some maples let pollen fly far on the wind, indicating wind pollination. Some trees are bisexual and some produce flowers of only one sex.

Some maples are rated amore allergenic than others. The Box Elder seems to be the most allergenic of the Acer genus. You can look up individual species of trees you are considering planting, plus more information here.

Expecting trouble with allergies at a picnic this weekend? Any tips for those who are expecting some trouble?

Gardens of The Horde

Linda has written in with a request for tips. She would love to be able to grow some Hygrangeas, if possible. Or some other nice perennials.

Almost all of my yard is heavily shaded, with oak, pine, hickory, and magnolia trees predominant.

I have a few - very few - sunny spots.

What does grow well:

• Dogwood - in several spots, copious flowering
  
• Magnolia - only one tree - the one in a very sunny spot - flowers beautifully each spring
  
• Azaleas - multiple bushes, thrive in sun or shade, produce stunning displays in multiple colors
  
• Jonquils - return each year, sun/shade
  
• Roses - in the partly shady areas
  

I'd like to plant more perennials (OK, I'm basically lazy). I love hydrangeas, but am dubious whether I can get them to establish in my partly shady yard.

I said it's partly shady, but, really, it's MOSTLY shady - and has a very moist soil. I get mushrooms popping up every time there's a halfway good rain.

I live in SC, near Charlotte. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sounds like a long-term project. Any ideas for Linda?

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you just want to be a lurker.

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Garden Thread!!

Posted by: Weasel at May 26, 2018 12:48 PM (MVjcR)

2 Hi, weasel!

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 12:50 PM (BVQ+1)

3 Back from 3 days as tick bait down on the farm.

Posted by: Weasel at May 26, 2018 12:51 PM (MVjcR)

4 And how does your garden grow?

Posted by: Agro-Miklos at May 26, 2018 12:51 PM (zCyNd)

5 Hi KT! Great job this week. Look at the flowers!!

Posted by: Weasel at May 26, 2018 12:52 PM (MVjcR)

6 Top Ten?

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 12:55 PM (vW8Mk)

7 NadineCarmichael has done a great job. I have never heard of a Eucalyptus Salvia. I wish growers would put the species or hybrid names on the tags. She says it smells citrus=y. The flowers, just starting to come out, look like Pineapple Sage.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 12:59 PM (BVQ+1)

8 Just popped in to say we just now got the tomato plants potted up along side a few purple petunias. Now we finish demolishing the old raised veggie beds. The soil is bad and full of weed seeds. We really don't need that much planting space anyway. Ever one have a safe and blessed Memorial day weekend.

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 26, 2018 01:00 PM (myjNJ)

9 Weasel at May 26, 2018 12:51 PM
Ticks! Yuck. Any tick tips?

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:00 PM (BVQ+1)

10 Last night I dreamt that my garden was being destroyed by giant caterpillars. I wonder what it means.

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:00 PM (vW8Mk)

11 madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 26, 2018 01:00 PM
Better to keep your garden to a controllable size, for soure.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:02 PM (BVQ+1)

12 One quick last thought.
Surfperch you may need a gun thread advice for those caterpillars. Alters all.

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 26, 2018 01:02 PM (myjNJ)

13 I recall chancing upon a dreamy garden planted w/ forget me nots underneath a wisteria canopy. It was a misty day, a very light rain was falling, and I felt transported to a peaceful, ethereal world

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:02 PM (oxpQH)

14 9 Weasel at May 26, 2018 12:51 PM
Ticks! Yuck. Any tick tips?
Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:00 PM (BVQ+1)

I have tuck tips!

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at May 26, 2018 01:02 PM (vW8Mk)

15 Yep. I'm apparently something of a tick magnate. Get it? Tick Magnate! HAHAHAHA! A little farm & garden humor. I crack myself up.
Anyhoo- I'm going to get a sprayer and turn the place into a super fund site. Not a fan of ticks.

Posted by: Weasel at May 26, 2018 01:05 PM (MVjcR)

16 The three strawberry plants I grew last year have sent runners. One of them popped up six feet away. I guess that means they survived the dreadful winter.

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:06 PM (oxpQH)

17 If you get a chance, click on the link to the Taiwan Flower Show. Just before the brightest red Salvia photo.

There are reasons they uses Salvia Splendens for commercial bedding.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:06 PM (BVQ+1)

18 I better go stick those sunflower seeds in the ground while the moon is still waxing.

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:07 PM (oxpQH)

19 That photo is lovely. Blooming right now in our (Connecticut) gardens: bleeding hearts, creeping phlox, flowering ferns, Solomon's seal, euphorbia, columbines, snow drops, trillium, one of our early day lilies (yellow), irises, lady's mantle, azaleas, rhodies, lilacs, beauty bushes and (very soon) peonies. The roses and summer perennials are just getting started.

Posted by: Caliban at May 26, 2018 01:07 PM (QE8X6)

20 Is it too late in the year to plant beans?

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:08 PM (vW8Mk)

21 kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:02 PM

How nice that the remembrance stayed with you.
And nice about the strawberries, too.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:09 PM (BVQ+1)

22 The stone angel picture is perfect for a fairy garden.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:10 PM (BVQ+1)

23 15 Yep. I'm apparently something of a tick magnate. Get it? Tick Magnate! HAHAHAHA! A little farm & garden humor. I crack myself up.
Anyhoo- I'm going to get a sprayer and turn the place into a super fund site. Not a fan of ticks.
Posted by: Weasel at May 26, 2018 01:05 PM (MVjcR)

You fool! The more you spray, the more resistance we'll pick up to the spray!

Posted by: The Invincible Ticks at May 26, 2018 01:11 PM (vW8Mk)

24 Good news/ bad news for my garden.
Bad news first, all 4 of my Honey Dew plants died and some insect is eating my cucumber leaves. My mom suggested sprinkling cinnamon on the leaves any one else second or have another suggestion?
Good news is tomatos and peppers are fine, planted 9 green and yellow bean plants from seeds. Also the potatoes and a onion rescued from compost seemingly are growing.

Posted by: Skip at May 26, 2018 01:11 PM (aC6Sd)

25 Is it too late in the year to plant beans?
Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:08 PM (vW8Mk)


Depends. Are they magic beans?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at May 26, 2018 01:11 PM (CPfoe)

26 Ain't there some kinda bird that eats ticks ?

Guinea hen mebbe ?

If so, mebbe intro some to Weasel Acres ?

Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 01:12 PM (ojwL9)

27 KT - it was at Longwood , in one of their Italian gardens. Made me a real fan of myosotis and people with that eye color

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:13 PM (oxpQH)

28 Is it too late in the year to plant beans?

Nope. But don't dawdle.

Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 01:13 PM (ojwL9)

29 20 green or wax like I plant last year gave me beans well through to September.

Posted by: Skip at May 26, 2018 01:13 PM (aC6Sd)

30 25 Is it too late in the year to plant beans?
Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:08 PM (vW8Mk)


Depends. Are they magic beans?
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at May 26, 2018 01:11 PM (CPfoe)

They're Black Turtle Beans, I think.

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:14 PM (vW8Mk)

31 Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:08 PM
Unless you are in a really hot-summer area, you might try one of the newer bush bean varieties marketed as heat tolerant.

You can also plant lima beans and edamame soy beans after the weather warms up.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:15 PM (BVQ+1)

32 Wait - Skip rescued an onion from compost?

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:15 PM (oxpQH)

33 Mantilja poppies are another thing you do NOT want to plant, unless you don't mind them popping up any/everywhere in your garden.

and they are a stone bitch to eradicate too: neither kind of Round Up seems to faze them, even when sprayed on freshly cut stalks.

ask me how i know...

Posted by: redc1c4 at May 26, 2018 01:16 PM (79lT1)

34 Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:14 PM
You want to plant beans to serve shelled or dried? Or as green beans?

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:16 PM (BVQ+1)

35 Hey gardening horde!! We are putting in our tomatoes that I started from saved seeds. I'm anxious to see if they produce. I have squash, beans, carrots and blackberries that are doing okay in raised beds, but I must have dropped some seeds from the squash/melon family in a well tilled but in-raised bed part of the garden, because I now have free range plants of unknown origin going berserk. They are happy, and producing blossoms while the raised bed plants are barely past cotyledons. I am rethinking my garden planning for next year- no raised beds.


As far as ticks go, we had well water on our farm that was,,,sulfurous. But not a tick on us. Of course we weren't welcome in public either. Hubby also used sulfur tablets when he surveyed in Arkansas. It kept ticks, mosquitoes and wasps away.

Posted by: Moki at May 26, 2018 01:16 PM (V+V48)

36 I wanted an eco-lawn but HOA will not allow it. So I had to cave and get a lawn treatment service.

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:18 PM (oxpQH)

37 we're not bothering with tomatoes again this year in The Valley. i don't think the weather is ever going to get hot, and, if it doesn't they don't grow for shit here.

Posted by: redc1c4 at May 26, 2018 01:18 PM (79lT1)

38 31 Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:08 PM
Unless you are in a really hot-summer area, you might try one of the newer bush bean varieties marketed as heat tolerant.

You can also plant lima beans and edamame soy beans after the weather warms up.
Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:15 PM (BVQ+1)

Thanks for the advice, KT. I'll have to look around for some heat tolerant bush beans.

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:19 PM (vW8Mk)

39 HOAs are un-American

Posted by: redc1c4 at May 26, 2018 01:19 PM (79lT1)

40 Skip at May 26, 2018 01:11 PM
Do you have cucumber beetles? Tough to control.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:19 PM (BVQ+1)

41 Wait - Skip rescued an onion from compost?

And he gave it to Palpy to put on his belt.

Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 01:20 PM (ojwL9)

42 Eritrichiums are one of the holy grails to rock/alpine gardeners. Very, very difficult to grow and flower. E. nanum and similar species are found at high elevations in the Rockies. https://nargs.org/photo/eritrichium-nanum-4

Posted by: Hal Dall at May 26, 2018 01:22 PM (5+rMY)

43 Anybody got some sahdy garden tips for Linda? Favorite perennials?

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:24 PM (BVQ+1)

44 I better go stick those sunflower seeds in the ground while the moon is still waxing.

Posted by: kallisto


I grew sunflowers one year; I watched a squirrel
Chew the head off of the biggest one and drag it away.

Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 01:24 PM (ojwL9)

45 34 Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:14 PM
You want to plant beans to serve shelled or dried? Or as green beans?
Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:16 PM (BVQ+1)

I was planning on serving them dried.

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:24 PM (vW8Mk)

46 Neat picture of the old ford by the garden. Probably a model T but mid 20s

Posted by: MAC SOG and nothing will happen at May 26, 2018 01:25 PM (czkHE)

47 Hal Dall at May 26, 2018 01:22 PM
Do you know any alpind gardeners?

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:25 PM (BVQ+1)

48 Wow, quite a long post.

I believe that's a Model A, not T, in that great pic.

Posted by: mindful webworker - of the black thumb webworkers at May 26, 2018 01:27 PM (XqXVp)

49 37 we're not bothering with tomatoes again this year in The Valley. i don't think the weather is ever going to get hot, and, if it doesn't they don't grow for shit here.
Posted by: redc1c4 at May 26, 2018 01:18 PM (79lT1)

You might have luck with lettuce, cabbage and related plants if it doesn't warm up.

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:29 PM (vW8Mk)

50 43 - ferns are great in shady gardens

44- tasty they are! I am planting them for the goldfinches, but will keep an eye out for squirrels

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:30 PM (oxpQH)

51 Lilacs don't do well in the south, but in their place we've got Crepe Myrtles. Although they're usually not thought of as large, I've got a couple that are quite old and which are probably about 30' tall - definitely tree sized. They start blooming about now, and will keep blooming at least through September.

btw, east texas today - 86 degrees and sunny, beautiful weekend. Woke last night to the sound of thunder, how far off I sat and wondered - but it never got very close.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 26, 2018 01:30 PM (V2Yro)

52 Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:24 PM
You need to plant a lot of beans for a significant harvest of dried beans. They say you can use Black Turtle as a snap green bean (it probably has a string and requires good ripening weather). It is also used as a fresh shelly bean, which is probably how I would use it if I grew my own.

Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:32 PM (BVQ+1)

53 Non-gardeningly, my grandfather's Model T (still going when I was a kid) was the first one here in smallville, OK, so I was told. Brought it in by rail because in those days, you couldn't practically drive here from there, as it were. Said road conditions soon much improved by granddad's cement company.

Posted by: mindful webworker spans centuries at May 26, 2018 01:33 PM (XqXVp)

54 KT I looked at the Taiwan salvias, yes they are dramatic large scale. I find myself planting less vibrant tones usually. I admire the rich reds and bright yellows in other peoples gardens but usually I tend to the lower key hues. I do use red as an accent though.

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:34 PM (oxpQH)

55 Hydrangeas do well in shade. I'm in Texas and have mine in horrible, clay soil in almost 90% shade and they love it. They also love lots of water like their name indicates. I can only get mine to bloom pink since the soil is so base. It's also very hot here and it will droop in the sun but perk right up in the shade.
Here is a shot right now when it get's it daily sun.

http://tinypic.com/r/e982km/9

Posted by: lin-duh at May 26, 2018 01:35 PM (kufk0)

56 47 Do you know any alpind gardeners?

I've known many, as I've had a rock/alpine garden in the past and have been a member of the North American Rock Garden Society for most of the last 30 years. There is commonly a significant strain of native plant enthusiasm which draws people to try to grow the lovely things'

Posted by: Hal Dall at May 26, 2018 01:37 PM (5+rMY)

57 Saw Baltimore Orioles at new job! So beautiful...

Must. Feed.

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:39 PM (oxpQH)

58 The birds not the baseballers

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:40 PM (oxpQH)

59 I have nearly everything planted. I "may" have had far too many green bean and cucumber plants for available containers (bonus! I now own aqua and purple planters). This transitioning from the ground to containers has been not without cost, and I still have 6 green bean plants in my side gardens in the ground.

I went with: green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes (Roma and cherry), eggplant, cabbage (2 varieties), peas (3 varieties), lettuce (mustard greens, spinach, red lettuce and some "surprise" mix), peppers (5 different varieties). I also have a 5-tier herb tower (OMG I LOVE that thing!!)

There are earth boxes, planters, and a giant bag table taking up a good half of my patio.

The good news about these containers is they are high enough that the rabbits are not feasting nightly on my plants.

The bad news is we are gonna look like rabbits if all this comes up. I swear I have more growing now than when I planted mainly in the ground.

Posted by: Ann at May 26, 2018 01:40 PM (e59uY)

60 Saw Baltimore Orioles at new job! So beautiful...

Must. Feed.

What do they eat ?

Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 01:41 PM (ojwL9)

61 I don't see any insects on the cucumber plants during day but keep finding their leaves all eaten through.

I toss all vegetable scraps into compost and find the remains of some growing some time later. So that's what I keep tring to grow, doesn't cast anything for the experiment.

Posted by: Skip at May 26, 2018 01:41 PM (aC6Sd)

62 52 Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:24 PM
You need to plant a lot of beans for a significant harvest of dried beans. They say you can use Black Turtle as a snap green bean (it probably has a string and requires good ripening weather). It is also used as a fresh shelly bean, which is probably how I would use it if I grew my own.
Posted by: KT at May 26, 2018 01:32 PM (BVQ+1)

Thanks, KT, I may end up using them as green beans. I guess I better start planting them.

Posted by: Surfperch at May 26, 2018 01:43 PM (vW8Mk)

63 Great pictures and write up, KT!

Anyway, it's unseasonably cool in the Central Valley and we even had some rain on the north east side of Bakersfield.

Nothing to report on the gardening front. Just letting the front planter fill out with flowers and contemplating building a new planter to fill in a dead space in the front yard.

Posted by: Blake - used bridge salesman at May 26, 2018 01:44 PM (WEBkv)

64 15 Yep. I'm apparently something of a tick magnate. Get it? Tick Magnate! HAHAHAHA! A little farm & garden humor. I crack myself up.
Anyhoo- I'm going to get a sprayer and turn the place into a super fund site. Not a fan of ticks.
Posted by: Weasel at May 26, 2018 01:05 PM (MVjcR)

----------------------

I'll never forget my first spring in MN. If you go roaming in the woods in MN during the spring, you will be removing ticks from your body. 13 of them, my first time out, if memory serves.

Uggh.

Posted by: Blake - used bridge salesman at May 26, 2018 01:48 PM (WEBkv)

65 A couple weeks back I helped Mom plant her flower beds and some pots for the back porch. One of my favorite combinations in pots used black petunias, light green potato vines, and a rust-colored plant (maybe a coleus). The bright green and orangey-rust colors displayed well against the velvety black.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at May 26, 2018 01:51 PM (qJtVm)

66 Ain't there some kinda bird that eats ticks ?
Guinea hen mebbe ?
If so, mebbe intro some to Weasel Acres ?
Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018

Chickens and Quail eat all bugs they can catch.

Guinea fowl can eat ticks and snakes, but are really LOUD and very stupid.

Posted by: pogomip at May 26, 2018 02:00 PM (87V/q)

67 60 - they like oranges and grapes and grape jelly. Some folks
give them hummingbird nectar

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 02:02 PM (oxpQH)

68 Ticks of the wood variety seem to be bad here.

Posted by: Skip at May 26, 2018 02:05 PM (aC6Sd)

69 Hal Dall at May 26, 2018 01:37 PM

Rock gardens, especially in friendly climates, can be stunning. And I like finding little treasures tucked here and there.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:10 PM (BVQ+1)

70 Salad is on the menu this weekend! Regular leaf lettuce, baby spinach, romaine, lots of herbs from the containers. Apparently all that rain last week agreed with them.

BTW, thanks for the suggestions for determinant or bush style tomatoes for the EarthBoxes. They went in this week and are thriving. (I've been known to kill plants in 24 hours, hence my enthusiasm.) We are trying a couple of heat loving types. They are called the Phoenix and Heat Master. We'll see how they do.

Posted by: JTB at May 26, 2018 02:11 PM (V+03K)

71 www.totallandscapecare.com/
green-industry-news/quails-vs-ticks/

Bobwhite Quail Armies!

Posted by: pogomip at May 26, 2018 02:12 PM (87V/q)

72 kallisto at May 26, 2018 01:34 PM

Many varieties of Salvia splendens are self-cleaning, which cuts down on labor in large plantings.

I tend to go for the less-bright colors, too, except for accents. I generally prefer deep red to bright red and pale yellow to bright yellow.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:13 PM (BVQ+1)

73 cool article on the reblooming Josee lilac (which I'm fairly certain is what I have). The new one is Bloomerang, which doesn't need to be pruned to get a rebloom.

I called it ever-bearing, but that is more of a strawberry term.

No ticks on me ... so far, this year. But the buffalo gnats (black flies) are a nuisance. Record temp for this day is 91 and I have 91 now, forecast high 94. ... supposed to be 90's most of next week.

Posted by: illiniwek at May 26, 2018 02:14 PM (bT8Z4)

74 What beautiful flowers! I wish I could help Linda, but I have different soil and climate. Sedum and hostas are my go-to shade plants, along with some ferns.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at May 26, 2018 02:15 PM (/+bwe)

75 That's a Model A. Introduced 1927 I believe.

Posted by: f'd at May 26, 2018 02:15 PM (UdKB7)

76 In keeping with my black thumb, this year I am planting whirligigs. My poor spirea is just not doing well the past few years and there are so many gaps that until I can get the strong backs to dig and replant, I will just fill in. I think I will do the same with the big pots this year, last year had beautiful grasses, but they won't come back.

Posted by: mustbequantum at May 26, 2018 02:15 PM (MIKMs)

77 My very very old peonies (50+ years old from grandparents house) do not bloom until first week of June.

Posted by: mustbequantum at May 26, 2018 02:19 PM (MIKMs)

78 48 Wow, quite a long post.

I believe that's a Model A, not T, in that great pic.
Posted by: mindful webworker - of the black thumb webworkers at May 26, 2018 01:27 PM (XqXVp)

Tractor looks like it might be a Farmall M (mfg 1939-1953)

Posted by: Iron Mike Golf at May 26, 2018 02:20 PM (di1hb)

79 I came across mention of dehydrators on another site, which got me thinking. (Always dangerous.) Now We're seriously looking at getting a good one. It doesn't have to be huge but effective. Cabelas has a 10 tray model that gets good reviews. I wouldn't expect much from the garden to dry except for herbs unless the tomatoes go wild. But getting decent amounts from the local farmers market would be a possibilty. The idea of apple chips, dried peaches, tomatoes, etc. for use during the year is enticing.

Posted by: JTB at May 26, 2018 02:22 PM (V+03K)

80 Thanks as always for a magnificent gardening thread, KT.

Still living vicarously through the pics and stories of other gardeners because the pregnant and lactating deer are continuing to feed on most things in our garden. I'm giving up in the front flower beds and just planting some more darn new gold lantana because they are indestructible and the deer won't eat them. (They are eating ruelias, plumbagos, esperanzas, and even some salvias--all of which they won't eat most of the time. Even the bars of Irish Spring soap won't repel them. Aaargh!)

But the salivas that they don't eat (some variety of salvia greggii and indigo spires) are going great guns.

It will be 96 here today and in 100s for most of the next 10 days, so unless I get any work in the garden done early in the day, it's not happening.

Posted by: Art Rondolet of Malmsey at May 26, 2018 02:32 PM (S+f+m)

81 Moki at May 26, 2018 01:16 PM

Your dad swallowed sulfur tablets to deter insects?

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:33 PM (BVQ+1)

82 lin-duh at May 26, 2018 01:35 PM

Thanks for the great hydrangea photo. If your soil pH is set for pink hydrangeas of that type, better to start out with one that's intended to be pink. Right?

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:42 PM (BVQ+1)

83 That's a Model A. Introduced 1927 I believe.
Posted by: f'd at May 26, 2018 02:15 PM (UdKB7)
Yep you are right.
Make a great hot rod

Posted by: MAC SOG and nothing will happen at May 26, 2018 02:43 PM (czkHE)

84 Ann at May 26, 2018 01:40 PM

Good luck with your new concentrated elevated garden!

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:44 PM (BVQ+1)

85 My very very old peonies (50+ years old from grandparents house) do not bloom until first week of June.
Posted by: mustbequantum at May 26, 2018 02:19 PM (MIKMs)

I have a very old peonies, but it still hasn't lost its bloom.

Posted by: Charlie Rose at May 26, 2018 02:44 PM (/qEW2)

86 Ugh. Defrosting the garage freezer. Bought it a couple of years ago to replace a dead one. I never thought to see if it was frost free. I couldn't imagine someone buying one that wasn't.

Except me, apparently.

Just was looking at price and delivery date when I bought it.

Posted by: Iron Mike Golf at May 26, 2018 02:47 PM (di1hb)

87 Skip at May 26, 2018 01:41 PM

Have you tried snail and slug bait? That kind made with iron (pet safe) might be a good choice. You could also set a beer trap to see if you have slugs.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:47 PM (BVQ+1)

88 Dr No left out the name, it's a magnolia blossom. I had a large one in the front yard in California. Haven't been back to see, just hoping the drought didn't kill it. Blooms all summer, it seemed like. Awesome shade.

Posted by: Born Free at May 26, 2018 02:50 PM (ooJUc)

89 mustbequantum at May 26, 2018 02:15 PM

Whirligigs have their place in the garden. Perhaps you could find a place for one companion plant. Keep an eye out.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:50 PM (BVQ+1)

90 Art Rondolet of Malmsey at May 26, 2018 02:32 PM

I like Salvia greggii and its hybrids. Nice to know that it is extra deer resistant.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:52 PM (BVQ+1)

91 That is not NOT NOTa Model T.Probably a Model A, a much much more modern automobile.Could possibly be a "B" or a first-year V8.
If you've ever sat behind the wheel there would be no doubt.Model A is a "three box" body, and drives just like...fuck me, I forgot. You can't drive a stick shift manual. God damn it.
Model T has three pedals you would never recognize, plus two levers on the column you should not be allowed to touch. And, crank.
You. People.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at May 26, 2018 02:56 PM (rtvho)

92 thanks for the Model A replies ... send in your old family car pics, maybe another good thread. I never saw that one myself, just the pic of it and some other nice machines.

I have an M from another uncle, but when I was a kid here they had an H, which I used some for hay. But I have another older pic closer up, that I believe shows it is an M.

And now my favorite "toy" I just bought is like the little Allis Chalmers B from my youth, but this one has a belly mower to eventually mow a few miles of pathways through my woods with many perfectly manicured gardens along the way ... hey, I can dream, can't I? lol

Posted by: illiniwek at May 26, 2018 03:09 PM (bT8Z4)

93 My salvia that I started inside died of neglect, but not to worry, Wal-Mart has them like 6 for under $2. I put out 18 of them in a little spot, nice color, hope they bloom for awhile. The little tag just says "salvia". I'll need to visit a nursery some day for more choice.

Posted by: illiniwek at May 26, 2018 03:16 PM (bT8Z4)

94 All my hydrangeas started blue and are now pink.

Just watched videos on how to make pemmican... interesting. Might try it this fall. It's too hot now.

Posted by: lin-duh at May 26, 2018 03:22 PM (kufk0)

95 I don't see any insects on the cucumber plants during day but keep finding their leaves all eaten through.
__________

Snails, slugs, leaf rollers not far behind, there's a couple more I can't think of.

Ortho makes a pesticide that is nontoxic to humans.
It may be purchased at Hm Dpt.

Posted by: gNewt at May 26, 2018 03:37 PM (bxu2Y)

96 Whirligigs have their place in the garden. Perhaps you could find a place for one companion plant. Keep an eye out.
=====

I decided that they would be my hedge this year rather than planting.

Posted by: mustbequantum at May 26, 2018 03:37 PM (MIKMs)

97 Will look Tuesday

Posted by: Skip at May 26, 2018 03:39 PM (aC6Sd)

98 KT don't have any beer here, will single malt scotch do?

Posted by: Skip at May 26, 2018 03:40 PM (aC6Sd)

99 Guinea fowl can eat ticks and snakes, but are really LOUD and very stupid.

I guess we won't see THEM on Jeopardy !

Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 03:48 PM (ojwL9)

100 My yard isn't very large so I'm trying tick tubes this year to try to get them under control. You can buy them on-line but I'm making my own.

https://organicdailypost.com/make-tick-tubes/

I put the first batch out in April the 2nd batch will go out in July. The ticks are supposed to live on mice if the mice use the treated nesting material in the tubes that should kill most of the ticks. If it doesn't work I'm only out $20 worth of permethrin I bought. I already had cardboard tubes from paper towels toilet rolls, I used dryer lint for the nesting material.

Posted by: badgerwx at May 26, 2018 03:58 PM (fo5HA)

101
Looking for some advice regarding getting irises to bloom. We have dozens upon dozens of irises - the "regular" kind, nothing special - in our beds at our summer place. The soil is sandy, exposed to sun most of the day and typical rainfall for the Mid-Atlantic region.

At any given year at most 10% of these plants will produce blooms. The remainder have the foliage, which ranges in size from essentially equal to those which did bloom down to "sprouts" about an inch or two tall.

Have folks here any advice as to what we could do to boost the number of blooming plants? T'anks, eh!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at May 26, 2018 04:23 PM (NoLse)

102
I guess we won't see THEM on Jeopardy !
Posted by: JT at May 26, 2018 03:48 PM (ojwL9)

They are, however, naturals for celebrity newsreaders' Jeopardy.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at May 26, 2018 04:26 PM (NoLse)

103 Guinea fowl can eat ticks and snakes, but are really LOUD and very stupid.

I guess we won't see THEM on Jeopardy !

Posted by: JT
****************

My grandfather used them as watchdogs.
I think they eat snails a and slugs also.

Posted by: gNewt at May 26, 2018 04:29 PM (bxu2Y)

104 84. posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 02:44 PM (BVQ+1)

Thank you!

Posted by: Ann at May 26, 2018 04:34 PM (e59uY)

105 I am late, but I managed to get a Korean melon, chamoe yellow melons, planted from seeds I saved from last year.
I sprouted them first in a saucer with a paper towel in it to make sure I would get something.

I was not in because I was helping my niece plan for putting up a deer fence around her garden.
I may take pictures when it is done.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 26, 2018 06:06 PM (2K6fY)

106 Linda, I've found there are two (probably more) types of hydrangea. The stout woody kind grows best in cold climates (zone 5 or less). The southern kind have lightweight, smooth stems. We have a southern kind in our yard. It's massive and really loves the total shade and constantly moist, mossy soil it gets against the house. Blooms as big as a dinner plate, and the clearest baby blue color. I do nothing to it except prune in the winter. Check your zone, and get the right species that can survive your local heat or cold.

Posted by: NadineCharmichael at May 26, 2018 06:22 PM (qgFIz)

107 101 - after a number of years the irises must be divided. Right now the growth energy is going to foliage rather than flower.
You can replant the roots you dig out, or gift to a friend.

Mom planted the dug up rhizomes out back, they were a lovely addition to her rose garden.

Posted by: kallisto at May 26, 2018 06:24 PM (/VB9J)

108 Skip at May 26, 2018 03:40 PM

I have never heard if slugs like scotch. I know they like beer.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 07:10 PM (BVQ+1)

109 NadineCharmichael at May 26, 2018 06:22 PM

Hey! Welcome to the comment thread!

Sorry about the variable spelling of your nic. Loved your pictures. You have a way with plant combinations.

As you have suggested, are more than two kinds of hydrangeas. We may have to summarize again.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 07:13 PM (BVQ+1)

110 badgerwx at May 26, 2018 03:58 PM

They use something similar to tick tubes in some wild areas. Interesting idea.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 07:16 PM (BVQ+1)

111 Bees don't fertilize maples- they pollinate them

Posted by: S2 at May 26, 2018 08:12 PM (roj2h)

112 Thanks KT! I appreciate you putting so many of my pictures in! Frankly, the Horde frightens me sometimes, but the Garden Thread seems usually safe.

Linda, here is a pic of our southern hydrangeas. They love.the moist soil and complete neglect. I'm about 5'4", and the tallest branches are easily 6'. Beer bottle for size reference, and just because.

http://i68.tinypic.com/oku8b7.jpg

Posted by: NadineCharmichael at May 26, 2018 08:58 PM (qgFIz)

113 Nadine, if that is S. coccinea in your Fairy Garden, be careful when you remove the flowering stems after they bloom. The stems are quite brittle and you can break off more than you intended. Hand shears recommended.

If you deadhead, the plants should bloom all summer.

And thanks for the hydrangea pic in the comment. Beautiful color.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 09:24 PM (BVQ+1)

114 Kindltot at May 26, 2018 06:06 PM

Some of those Korean melons are interesting.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at May 26, 2018 09:25 PM (BVQ+1)

115 Oakleaf hydrangeas will do great in the shade, they can get tall so place in the back of the border. Begonias and hostas would do well and maybe hang some hanging baskets from the trees with ferns and pretty fuschias.
Fire ants eat ticks, the only benefit to having these horrible insects. You can also put down/spray in beneficial nematodes.
I wish I had more shade, I get full on afternoon sun here in Houston, it even burns my citrus.

Posted by: Dreadpirateroberta at May 26, 2018 11:20 PM (yjbTx)

116 Sorry that Idaho's Treasure Valley report is so late! It was a busy day. We slept in, then husband and I spent the late morning planting 2 more long rows of corn, and some fill-in seeds in formerly planted corn and bush green bean rows. Then a friend's daughter-in-law Anna showed up to collect flowers.

(Backstory: my friend Brenda's granddaughter is getting married tomorrow, and I volunteered some of my final batch of purple Siberian Iris for their floral displays. When I mentioned this to a neighbor last night, she offered some of her pink peonies as well. So this is what Anna and I were cutting.)

After lunch and a shower, I went over to Brenda's for the afternoon, and had a GREAT time! I met some of her family - she hatched some Button Quail chicks so we sat and watched them - she has chickens that will squat down when they want you to pet them, so I petted chickens - did you know there's a special apron for collecting eggs?; I didn't, and Brenda had me wear it while some of the younger granddaughters collected the eggs to give to me so I could put them in the egg pockets - and before I left, I got to sit and hold baby bunnies! Turns out I have a hidden talent - I picked up one of the squirmiest ones, but within 5 minutes it was blissfully asleep - so now I am the Bunny Whisperer.

Oh, yeah, *Garden* Thread. Right.
We've harvested all of the first planting of last year's old green onion bulbs, and the second planting of newly bought ones is growing but still small. The first planting of radishes is eaten already, the second is growing, the third is just sprouting - that's probably it for spring. The leaf lettuces that did decide to sprout, are still producing. The spinach has decided it's time to start bolting, but I'll keep harvesting until they get out of hand.

We found out previously that birds will attack our sprouting green beans, to get at the parts of the seed that are above the ground after they sprout. We have to protect them using styrofoam cups with the bottoms cut out, pinned down with bamboo skewers, until the plants grow at least 2 decent leaves.

All our butternut squash seeds have sprouted, and all the cucumber seeds did too. Still watching for the cantaloupe seeds. The 2 zucchini plants we started indoors look great! The Asian peas are flowering (not the shelling peas yet though). The strawberries are starting to blush!

Based on our soil analysis of the corn bed, we put 5-10-10 fertilizer along the corn rows. So far, our main crop there is purslane... At least most of the corn sprouted too. (We've found last year's corn seeds have low germination rates - does anybody know, is that common with corn seeds?)

We pinched the first batch of flowers off each tomato plant, but now we're letting them bloom.

I planted basil seeds, cilantro seeds, and a drift of chamomile seeds. I also just *dug out* and tossed out my entire chive section in my herb bed - I had to use a shovel, not a trowel, and filled the entire garden cart with the debris - then it took three five-gallon buckets of soil to fill that 2 foot by 2 foot area back up. I just have too freaking many chives! - I still have all the ones tucked into the blueberry bed. I plan to dig those out too, until I'm down to just ONE clump again. I post on Nextdoor annually trying to give some away, and I did manage to give away 4 pots-full to one lady, which barely made a dent in the blueberry bed's chive patch...

I did finish trimming frost-killed branches off my 2 Provence lavenders. I never did finish picking dead leaves off the sage, but as soon as it got warm, it grew so many new leaves that you can't even tell where the winter-killed leaves are! So if I want to fully tidy that plant, I'll have to do it sooner in the spring.

The English thyme is pretty, has some flowers, and smells nice. I did cut out the dead center of the spearmint, but that took a sharp shovel and some serious pulling - I hope the plant will grow back toward the center again, instead of jumping over the dividers and into neighboring sections of the herb bed.

Other than our final batches of Siberian Iris - the Johnny Jump-Ups that bloom nearly all year, are blooming, and I spotted tiny buds on the fireweed and red penstemon plants.

We wonder if California Quail also eat ticks. If so, we're blessed, because we have a covey living in the cover along parts of the irrigation canal that runs behind our street's homes. (I've spotted a pair multiple times this week, late afternoon or evening, out front, so I try to remember to put out some millet on the porch for them.)

The next 2 weeks are going to be kind of crazy - 2 short trailer trips, extra rifle classes for our students who are going to the state 4-H championship on June 8th, and 2 special handgun classes for me (one I learn, one I teach) - so if these reports are late on Saturdays, or even show up on Sunday, please forgive - I'll do better after these 2 weeks are past.

Posted by: Pat* at May 27, 2018 02:13 AM (2pX/F)

117 Duluth Trading Company sells a little tick removal tool that fits on a keychain, for those inclined to hike in the woods.

Posted by: Gordon at May 27, 2018 06:47 AM (f8nfN)

118 Thanks to all for the assistance. I'll be using it to plan next year's garden.

Posted by: LindaF at May 27, 2018 04:49 PM (qBtOo)

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