Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread, December 12, 2020 [KT]

We have some thoughtful and inventive people in The Horde. Misanthropic Humanitarian sent along this link about Yulan Magnolias. From Shibumi. Animal lovers sometimes love plants, too.

This is what the flowers look like when they open. The tree is hardy, but the flowers are susceptible to early frosts. More photos and cultural directions at the link.

Real Birds

Our main feature for today, though, is another of those wonderful slow motion videos from PointyHairedBoss:

Not much to report about our gardens - they've all been put to sleep for a while & are now under a foot of snow. With the crappy weather outside at this time of year I can finally get to editing the raw video footage I collect over the summer. If the horde has any hummingbird fans they might enjoy this:

The music is perfect about now, too. Thanks so much.

Christmas Decorations

Skip and family did something wonderful after Thanksgiving. Christmas grave wreaths:

Here is the lot made by 7 of us all in a hour and half. Many parts, bows, balls, flowers and ribbons and such are recollection after the holiday. They are made for past family members a few taken immediately away. I made the red/ white rose setting in front, before that was the branch cutter.
This has been a family tradition for a lot of years.

Just beautiful.

If you have any interesting decorations for your yard or garden, send us a photo. Or grave wreaths, for that matter.

Hand Made Gifts

Sal reminded us last week of the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Their site includes a blog, which has a recent post on DIY Gifts for Gardeners and Foodies. Things you could make for other people. Things other people could make for you. Or things you could help kids make for other people.

Think about it. Bet you could come up with some other ideas.

Gardens of The Horde

Thanks again to Pat* and Hubby for the compost tutorial last week and the detailed comments.

We enjoyed learning about slimy Nigerian Okra last week, too. Cooking or preserving anything from the garden this week?

Our Tropical Milkweed is still blooming. Hard to believe. Anything happening in YOUR yard or garden?

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

ktinthegarden
at that g mail dot com place

Include the nic you use to identify yourself when you comment at AoSHQ unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:23 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good flowers

Posted by: Jimco Industries at December 12, 2020 01:25 PM (buTO7)

2 It began pouring rain in the wee hours, and I've been amused by the soaked squirrels. Their fur is puffed up but clumped together by the rain, so they look like a punks band that had a hard night.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 12, 2020 01:32 PM (/+bwe)

3 Number two? Looks like the issues of the day have overshadowed a very sweet post by Open Blogger.

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 01:32 PM (w2LAm)

4 The Flowers pictured above are simply beautiful

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 01:33 PM (w2LAm)

5 Skip got quoted twice! KT, the square box is copied twice, in error.

Posted by: m at December 12, 2020 01:34 PM (LTs8q)

6 Number three, Boswell. *shines buttons self-importantly*

It's hard to believe Christmas is so close. The discarded pumpkins haven't gone to mush yet.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 12, 2020 01:35 PM (/+bwe)

7 Yulan magnolias. Incredible. Learning about them has made my day.

Posted by: MikeM at December 12, 2020 01:35 PM (np8OD)

8 By the way, the rather warm fall has extended plants lives here in NY...its both a happy thing and a curse.

You really want to clear your ground by late Nov in anticipation of winter and December being rather busy.

That means clearing down plants that, up to last week, were still blooming. Sad.

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 01:36 PM (w2LAm)

9 Afternoon.

Pretty flowers.

Posted by: Robert at December 12, 2020 01:37 PM (1Yy3c)

10 That means clearing down plants that, up to last week, were still blooming. Sad.
Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 01:36 PM

But it's nice to see them longer, isn't it?

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 12, 2020 01:38 PM (/+bwe)

11 >>Number three, Boswell. *shines buttons self-importantly*

I indeed bow low to the NaughtPine! I was this >< close!

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 01:38 PM (w2LAm)

12 But it's nice to see them longer, isn't it?
Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 12, 2020 01:38 PM (/+bwe)

Yes, I had to repeatedly have to ask Mrs. Boswell - are you sure? She would just nod yes...they were lovely though. I hated grounded them.

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 01:40 PM (w2LAm)

13 The grave blankets are beautiful. What a wonderful remembrance.

Posted by: Jen the original at December 12, 2020 01:42 PM (CCBu/)

14 Thanks, m.

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 01:44 PM (BVQ+1)

15 NaughtyPine at December 12, 2020 01:32 PM
An amazing image!

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 01:44 PM (BVQ+1)

16 *putters*

Nice pictures.

*putters some more*

Posted by: Insomniac at December 12, 2020 01:45 PM (ywNoU)

17 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Just delivered a few more grave wreaths we made yesterday

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2020 01:45 PM (Cxk7w)

18 that top photo is amazing

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at December 12, 2020 01:50 PM (nUhF0)

19 Skip, those wreaths are just beautiful! What a lovely idea.

Posted by: bluebell at December 12, 2020 01:54 PM (/669Q)

20 Love the wreaths!

Posted by: President-elect Emmie at December 12, 2020 01:55 PM (ofYez)

21 That top picture is breath-taking. What an amazing plant.

Posted by: bluebell at December 12, 2020 01:56 PM (/669Q)

22 Top pic looks like Angry Bird flowers.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 12, 2020 01:56 PM (63Dwl)

23 This thread always has the most lovely photos. People are so talented. Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 12, 2020 01:59 PM (WkPC9)

24 My gardening activity right now is confined to studying the new seed catalogues that arrived in the mail this week. I'm planning a big order this year, to compensate for the piddling garden supplies we had to endure in the spring, thanks to the Shanghai Shivers. I was reduced to using seeds left over from last year, because there was just no new supply anywhere, and just getting into the hardware stores was a torment.

I've already ordered my seed potatoes from Alberta: usually I splash out on a lot of exotic varieties, but this year I'm going to go with the tried and true: German Butterball and Purple Viking. The potatoes this past year were a complete flop: all I could find to plant were some scrawny fingerlings, and they barely produced anything. I won't get disappointed that way again! My tomatoes were good, though, and so was the butternut and acorn squash, so I'll be planting those again, plus maybe a fancy squash or two for variety.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at December 12, 2020 01:59 PM (rZNlu)

25 Very nice Skip.

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at December 12, 2020 02:00 PM (gtatv)

26 Love the hummingbird vid!

After I saw a female cardinal and two males pecking around on the deck, I took the hint and went and got them their own birdseed. They had been foraging for food in the pots that had the dead flower material still in them.

Also saw a tribe of titmice for a few days. I don't know if they were on a migratory path or just neighbors. In any case there is now food for them too.

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2020 02:01 PM (DJFLF)

27 Have had 2 pine trees come down recently, fixed a over 8 feet of rain gutter today from 1 of them.

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2020 02:03 PM (Cxk7w)

28 Very cold, but clear here on the beach.

Hummingbirds that winter over are buzzing the feeder. Greedy bastards drain it in just a couple of days.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 12, 2020 02:06 PM (U2p+3)

29 I think that most 'rons and ettes will understand - but in matters of the house and grounds - Mrs. Boswell's rules are to be complied with - it is for me to do or die. No defiance of the Misses' orders shall be broke in any fashion...

When she orders that the plants be taken to the ground, or a particular parcel of property by overturn before winter comes...it is done. But I always am sad to do it for it is the for-telling of hibernation, dark and cold.

With all that is happening in the world, the lovely flowers above remind me of my commitment to Mrs. Boswell and the covenant we made to one another.

And so, I clear the grounds as she orders, just picking the prettiest flowers to bring inside and place in a vase...for her.

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 02:07 PM (w2LAm)

30 Skip, what a nice tradition to remember your dear departed in such a beautiful way.

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2020 02:07 PM (DJFLF)

31 My fig tree next to my front door died and I need to replace it with something next planting season. When would that season be ( Houston) ?

Posted by: Mr. Meeseeks, Look at me at December 12, 2020 02:08 PM (2DOZq)

32 Those Yulan Magnolias are really cool. I thought they were birds at first.

Posted by: redridinghood at December 12, 2020 02:11 PM (NpAcC)

33 Melanie needs a rose named after her.

Posted by: redridinghood at December 12, 2020 02:12 PM (NpAcC)

34 Wow, there's baseline mimicry and then there's "what the hell am I looking at animal or plant" level mimicry. Damned impressive.

Posted by: Jackal at December 12, 2020 02:16 PM (yicZh)

35 That top picture is incredible. It's cold and windy out. I managed a trip to the PO to mail some orders and braved Walmart for grocery shopping. That's it. My get up and go got up and went. I'm pooped.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at December 12, 2020 02:16 PM (nxdel)

36 My fig tree next to my front door died and I need to replace it with something next planting season. When would that season be ( Houston) ?
Posted by: Mr. Meeseeks

Now! https://tinyurl.com/y4q2f5jh

And for what type of tree to plant in Houston: https://tinyurl.com/yyk3zxwe

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at December 12, 2020 02:18 PM (gtatv)

37 The grave wreaths are beautiful. How thoughtful of you and your family, Skip.

Posted by: AlmostYuman at December 12, 2020 02:20 PM (YRwr1)

38 Rain knocked down the basil plant, will probably pull it this week.

Tomatoes are still going strong; but, we have some cold weather scheduled for later in the week. I'll cover them; but, I don't know if they'll survive and keep producing.

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at December 12, 2020 02:20 PM (gtatv)

39 Mr. Meeseeks, Look at me at December 12, 2020 02:08 PM
Which direction does your door face?

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 02:22 PM (BVQ+1)

40 I've already ordered my seed potatoes from Alberta: usually I splash out on a lot of exotic varieties, but this year I'm going to go with the tried and true: German Butterball and Purple Viking. The potatoes this past year were a complete flop: all I could find to plant were some scrawny fingerlings, and they barely produced anything. I won't get disappointed that way again! My tomatoes were good, though, and so was the butternut and acorn squash, so I'll be planting those again, plus maybe a fancy squash or two for variety.
Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at December 12, 2020 01:59 PM (rZNlu)

Perhaps overturning the ground and fertilizing a few weeks before planting helps but being from the South (properly capitalized) I have never known potatoes not to grow easily and robustly...

Posted by: Boswell at December 12, 2020 02:22 PM (w2LAm)

41 PointyHairedBoss really knows how to get the music to fit with the action in his videos. Love this one.

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 02:24 PM (BVQ+1)

42 I am new to this area, and while I am familiar with wood ducks, merganzers, and mallards, last week some Bufflehead were on the lake, also known as goldeneye. Made me happy. And in their honor, I saw a bottle of pinot noir at the wine store, named Goldeneye, and will have that with the neighbors at 5:30 today. Going back to the birds...seems most everyone has headed south. Winter is here.

Posted by: MikeM at December 12, 2020 02:25 PM (np8OD)

43 That magnolia is beautiful and amazing! Some other neat pics at that link, too.

Skip, what a nice tradition your family has. Those wreaths are lovely.

It's a cold, windy, and sleet-snow kind of day. Fitting.

Posted by: My life is insanity at December 12, 2020 02:26 PM (Z/jzm)

44 MikeM,
Goldeneyes and buffleheads are different birds.

We used to see them up here in the wintertime too. Do you get the cinnamon teal as well?

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 12, 2020 02:27 PM (U2p+3)

45 The photos, as always, are gorgeous and interesting. But that top photo is adorable as well.

Posted by: JTB at December 12, 2020 02:29 PM (7EjX1)

46 In front of our house a few years ago, I planted a package of purple coneflower seeds. They came up and survived, and were slowly expanding their range. Last year, I purposely cut down the seed heads and scattered them along the entire property line on one side, and this summer it was a thicket of coneflowers.

So this past week I cut down the seed heads again, and scattered them along the other side. I have lots of seeds, so they are very thickly scattered. Hope the new batch is as prolific as last year's, it's a free way and lazy way to make the front yard look good. And the local bees seem to love them.

Posted by: President-Elect Boots at December 12, 2020 02:34 PM (oGBso)

47 Only yard cleanup still needs to be done and could run another chainsaw tank full. Looked at a maple branch that is broke but hung up by a little bark. That think might be close to 40 feet and 10 feet up where it's broke. Any cutting will in a nano second make it come down.

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2020 02:34 PM (Cxk7w)

48 And as always, thanks KT for the gardening thread.

Cleaning up the gardens and putting away the pots and d�cor for the winter has been a pleasant distraction. Earlier this fall, in the happy days of October, I rebuilt a stone retaining wall, ripped out the weeds that had moved in while I wasn't paying attention, and I've seeded that with some nice red bee balm. Fingers crossed it comes up and prospers, the local hummingbirds LOVE bee balm.

Posted by: President-Elect Boots at December 12, 2020 02:38 PM (oGBso)

49 PointyHairedBoss -- Thank you for the hummingbird video. Hummingbirds are one of my favorites. I have butterfly bushes, lantana, and feeders. A couple of my neighbors put out hummingbird feeders, too. We spend all summer talking about who saw what when, trying to figure out exactly how many are hanging around.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- current occupation: cat furniture at December 12, 2020 02:38 PM (hfuUh)

50 The first seed catalog arrived yesterday, Jung's in this case. It took five seconds to turn to the tomato pages and start thinking about heirlooms and hybrids in staggering quantities. We would need a lot more property to grow that amount but the dreaming is fun. If I'm lucky, I may be able to add a 12 by 4 foot patch this season. After this past year I don't know if the body is up even to that. Here's hoping.

Posted by: JTB at December 12, 2020 02:39 PM (7EjX1)

51 White House Christmas 2020 with our beautiful FLOTUS -

https://tinyurl.com/y3rsq92p

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2020 02:42 PM (DJFLF)

52 And a very not usual December day in high 50s with sun here in se Pa

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2020 02:43 PM (Cxk7w)

53 We consumed jam, salsa and tomato juice, table staples for us.

We inherited a tomahawk steak. The wife said, how to cook? I told her YouTube may be a bunch of traitorous serial deviants, but if you search "tomahawk steak" you will find a recipe.

Thirty videos later she and the Traeger turned out steak as good as i have ever had. Butter and garlic were involved, and it took three hours. Most important, the German Shepherd that lives across the alley received a superb bone to chew. His owner does not eat meat, so all are happy when I throw a bone.

I was so inspired that I took advantage of Target's dollar-off sale on prime rib roasts. $136 later I had four. The wife promptly ran two roasts through the course grinder, then froze and vac sealed about 20 chopped steaks.

I hear the horrified gasps. All I can say is you don't know how good these are, and how easy to prepare from frozen to medium rare.

Posted by: Gordon at December 12, 2020 02:47 PM (PX+aG)

54 I wonder if there are more gardens, especially veggies, being started or expanded in response to all the Covid lock downs (spit) and other restrictions being foisted on the public. I haven't heard such but it would be one positive response to tyranny.

I have seen mention on Youtube to get your seeds while you can. There might be some short supply issues. That got me wondering.

Posted by: JTB at December 12, 2020 02:47 PM (7EjX1)

55 President-elect Boots: The purple head cone flowers will also attract gold finches if you are in their area. The gold finches love the not-quite-ripe seed heads. They are the only birds I've ever seen that perch on the flower head itself. The finches also love the not quite ripe centers of big sunflowers. I purposely let some of the black oil sunflower seeds grow under my bird feeder.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- current occupation: cat furniture at December 12, 2020 02:50 PM (hfuUh)

56 Mr Groundhog has a date with destiny in the Spring. Bastard tunneled underneath a few large portions of the lawn, which I just turned for replanting once the weather gets warm.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 12, 2020 02:50 PM (sOXXq)

57 >>I wonder if there are more gardens, especially veggies, being started or expanded in response to all the Covid lock downs (spit) and other restrictions being foisted on the public. I haven't heard such but it would be one positive response to tyranny.

I have seen mention on Youtube to get your seeds while you can. There might be some short supply issues. That got me wondering.
Posted by: JTB at December 12, 2020 02:47 PM (7EjX1)

My brother expanded his gardens this past spring with plans for more raised beds this coming spring. His entire back yard will be gardens.

Posted by: My life is insanity at December 12, 2020 02:51 PM (Z/jzm)

58 Goldeneyes and buffleheads are different birds.
We used to see them up here in the wintertime too. Do you get the cinnamon teal as well?
Posted by: nurse ratched
Thank you Nurse, so far I do not think I have seen the teal, beautiful, I will keep a look out. Thanks for teaching me. Wikipedia seems to be saying the buffleheads are part of the goldeneye family (https://tinyurl.com/yy38jb95) but I see it was the buffleheads that visited, they are very different from what people call goldeneye.

Posted by: MikeM at December 12, 2020 02:55 PM (np8OD)

59 In 2020 veggie seeds sold through early in the stores. In the fall canning supplies were hard to find. In 2021...?

Posted by: Gordon at December 12, 2020 02:56 PM (PX+aG)

60 BBC presenter and botanist James Wong has been mocked online after going on a wild Saturday Twitter rant accusing "gardening culture" in the UK of being racist.

Wong -- who has presented several BBC shows, including Countryfile, and serves as an ambassador for London's Kew Gardens -- made the bizarre claim in a series of Twitter posts.

@eddwall
Gardens are denied their political agency because they too often reveal uncomfortable politics of individual ownership, spatial inequity, & unsustainable practices. There needs to be more honest conversations about gardens in the UK!

James Wong @Botanygeek
Absolutely U.K. gardening culture has racism baked into its DNA.

It's so integral that when you point out it's existence, people assume you are against gardening, not racism.

Epitomised, for example, by the fetishisation (and wild misuse) of words like 'heritage' and 'native'.

Posted by: You will be made to care at December 12, 2020 02:57 PM (BBWrU)

61
I hear the horrified gasps.

Posted by: Gordon at December 12, 2020 02:47 PM (PX+aG)

Count me as one. But don't be afraid to tell us all to fuck off. When we start buying you steaks, THEN we can tell you how to process them, not before.

After all, some miscreants at the HQ put carrots in chili...

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 12, 2020 03:00 PM (EGyGV)

62 There were multiple actors involved in the formation of the United States Constitutional Republic.

Given that the source of Sovereignty in our founding philosophy was the People themselves, the two primary actors in the formation of the United States were the People, as represented by the States joining the Union, and the People, as they would be represented by the union.

These two entities, the People within each State and the People of the Union, informed the construction of the Federal Republic. In writing and approving the United States Constitution, they acquiesced to the balances of power between the component States and the Federal Union. As one can imagine, during that process the States reserved to the People certain rights, such that local rule within a State would be reserved for some functions and other limited functionality would be granted to the Union, the Federal Republic.

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:01 PM (H9lUe)

63 By reserving most powers to the local States, and by acceeding some enumerated powers to the federal government, the actors created a constitutional balance between the Federal Union, and the underlying States.

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:01 PM (H9lUe)

64 PET NOOD IS UP

Posted by: Skip, the guy who says NOOD at December 12, 2020 03:02 PM (Cxk7w)

65 46...
it's a free way and lazy way to make the front yard look good. And the local bees seem to love them.

Posted by: President-Elect Boots at December 12, 2020 02:34 PM (oGBso)

That's how I typically spread the perennial flowers, too.
...

Not much happening here garden-wise, been rainy, unseasonably warm. Just trying to get the rest of the split wood into the firewood shacks. I go around to pick up fallen tree branches, too.

It seems Spring and Autumn months get all mixed up about what they're supposed to be like anymore. It was so cold September and October, we were rushing around trying to button up what we could. November was... November. Now December is too warm. Sigh. C'mon, Sol, get some spots!

I've been enjoying watching the woodpeckers and flickers tap around on the front trees.

Posted by: Flyover, there are four lights at December 12, 2020 03:03 PM (Rbu5d)

66 I can't post an essay regarding the election lawsuit from texas

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:03 PM (H9lUe)

67 it doesn't seem to be allowed

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:03 PM (H9lUe)

68
No OT under 100 comments rule. It can wait for a political thread.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 12, 2020 03:06 PM (EGyGV)

69 That was a nice link to DIY gifts, thank you.

Go one step further from herb-infused vinegars: make your own vinegars!

I've made citrus for cleaning; basil, dill, and oregano vinegars for salads. Apple vinegar for cooking. Raisin for salads, too. Rose petal for rinsing my hair.

Here is a link to a YT from a gal that makes vinegars. https://youtu.be/yyYanU-wrAk

Posted by: Flyover, there are four lights at December 12, 2020 03:09 PM (Rbu5d)

70 Thanks, then it will post?

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:10 PM (H9lUe)

71 Or after 100 comments - it will post?

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:11 PM (H9lUe)

72 Just rained a tiny bit here. First time in a long time. Guess we could have fog tomorrow . . . .

But we need some rain.

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 03:13 PM (BVQ+1)

73 Here is a link to a YT from a gal that makes vinegars. https://youtu.be/yyYanU-wrAk

Posted by: Flyover, there are four lights at December 12, 2020 03:09 PM (Rbu5d)
My cousin used to serve a green salad that was just ridiculously good. Everyone loved it, even his teenaged grandsons. Finally I asked him the secret: he made his own vinegar! He took the spoils from the wine grapes and used them for vinegar.
Scrumptious

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2020 03:15 PM (DJFLF)

74 kallisto at December 12, 2020 02:42 PM
Thanks for posting! She is beautiful. Nice video.

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 03:16 PM (BVQ+1)

75 71
Or after 100 comments - it will post?

Posted by: Josh Davenport at December 12, 2020 03:11 PM (H9lUe)
I think it's comment 62

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2020 03:16 PM (DJFLF)

76 Flyover, there are four lights at December 12, 2020 03:09 PM
Enhanced vinegars would be a great gift!

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 03:17 PM (BVQ+1)

77 Dr. Mabuse at December 12, 2020 01:59 PM
Have fun planning. Let us know what else you like in the catalogs. Potatoes are not enough!

Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 03:19 PM (BVQ+1)

78 Josh go downstairs

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2020 03:21 PM (Cxk7w)

79 I love the magnolia tree. They are so pretty.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 12, 2020 03:29 PM (7bcfy)

80 First photo: are those real flowers?

Posted by: PoityHairedBoss at December 12, 2020 03:42 PM (raufJ)

81 Posted by: KT at December 12, 2020 02:22 PM (BVQ+1

Thanks guys . I had to leave before your posts.

Posted by: Mr. Meeseeks, Look at me at December 12, 2020 03:57 PM (Fmmcs)

82 Popped back in to see the Pat* report and the usual characters, but not here, eh?

Boswell, that's so sweet of you.

Kallisto, thanks for sharing that link. I used to love the Christmas at the White House shows on HGTV. I know people don't like Michelle Obama, but I thought she was a good sport about hosting them. The last year, her daughters slept in and her nephew came early in the morning; you could tell she adored him and enjoyed his reaction to things.

I don't know James Wong from a hole in the ground, but that's trippy. I'd like to plant some wild mustard and creeping charlie in his garden and see how soon he laments "non-native" plants overtaking it!

BTW I found some seeds in the pocket of an old jacket. They may be hollyhocks from an old farm. Or they may be alien spores. Anyway, they're going in a big pot come spring.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 12, 2020 04:05 PM (/+bwe)

83 I wonder if there are more gardens, especially veggies, being started or expanded in response to all the Covid lock downs (spit) and other restrictions being foisted on the public. I haven't heard such but it would be one positive response to tyranny.

It absolutely is the case here in my Canadian corner! For one thing, the garden places couldn't open on schedule, and when they did, they had much less stock than usual - I wonder how many growers went out of business this year. What they did get, sold out almost immediately, and there was VERY little selection. You couldn't even find peat pots in the dollar store, that's how picked over everything was. I think a lot of people responded instinctively when they started to fear that the food supply could be affected.

Now, who can say if any of this spontaneous gardening actually produced much? I found that the growing season was so delayed by the disrupted supply chain, a lot of plants couldn't thrive because they started too late.

One other side-effect of this WuFlu panic is that canning supplies dried up in the late summer, too. It was impossible to find canning jars in my city by September, and jar manufacturers confirm that there was a surge of buying from the same panicky people trying to stockpile food as a result of uncertainty.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at December 12, 2020 04:24 PM (rZNlu)

84 Doubt it's open but Longwood Garden in Kenett Sq Pa at Christmas time is quite spectacular. In fact didn't hear 1 commercial so probably is closed.

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2020 05:20 PM (Cxk7w)

85 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, Boise area: Sorry I'm late - just being lazy. Not much to say at this season. We made 7 pints of applesauce from our Golden Delicious apples last Sunday, and 6 half-pints of red raspberry jelly from our frozen juice on Tuesday.

Husband drove the mower over the neighbor's linden leaves, and some of the sycamore leaves, to mulch them. (Said neighbor has bought the house but might not move in till spring/summer.) No snow yet, but some is predicted for tomorrow.

We've been tidying up the garage, and Husband fixed the cracked cider press bucket, so we can do cider making in the 3rd garage bay this week.

No garden catalogs yet - but Territorial sent me a sale postcard, 15% off if I buy before the 24th. Not likely to do so, though.

Oh, regarding potential seed shortages - time to do an inventory of what you have, what you're willing to share/trade, and find other neighbors or friends who are doing the same. I have a circle of gardening/prepper friends I'll contact first. Then I'll talk to my 4-H friends. After that, there are others who listed gardening as an interest in my neighborhood, on Nextdoor, so I'd contact them. But I'm not worrying right now.

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/usa/boise
I wanted to share this link about the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction coming up. (You'll need to change from Boise to your location to get the correct times to view.) They say the 2 planets will be closest on the 21st. I've been watching since last week - they're not as close together as shown on this graphic. I'm finding my best viewing to be an hour after sunset.
*****
Remember: We are not The Deplorables.
We are The Unconquerables!
We won't be lied to, and we won't live under the lash.
Stay alert, stay prepared, stay safe out there.
Be ready to build over, build under, build around, if events should turn against us.

Posted by: Pat* at December 12, 2020 06:54 PM (2pX/F)

86 Got my first catalog, our hair gal, big gardener, signed me up for Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. It's great, like gardening porn to look thru. Just too many things I want to order.

Posted by: Farmer at December 12, 2020 07:04 PM (55Qr6)

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