Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, July 5

Hi, KT … It's good to see you back in the Captain's Chair again. Excellent column! Attached is a pic I found in files on the Venerable XHD - some spider lilies. These were in a 'kinda-sorta' garden next to what had once been JAX Brewery in the French Quarter.
It was about 0730, and the light was great. Equipment was a Bogen tripod, Olympus OM-4 (black) w/16mm Olympus macro lens. Exposure? Heh. A triple exposure on the same film frame. No easy task with the OM-4. It had a button that had to be depressed when 'advancing' the frame (which kept the film stationary in-camera) for each subsequent exposure. In reality, this was a 'hit 'n hope' shot, and I was quite the happy boy when the print was ready at Colorpix. It was also a good seller. Sometimes luck trumps skill, yes?
Oh. Filmstock? It was probably one of the stocks from Agfa, 'cos I really like its 'European' color balance from that time.
Dr_No

A great trip down memory lane. Timely, too. Great substitute for fireworks in the garden (especially around dogs - ask me how I know).

More potential fireworks substitutes. Gotta watch 'em:

I missed the peak, dangit. Thanks for what you do.
Bonecrusher

I think the buds are lovely. And the flowers, even if you miss the peak. Not as dangerous as fireworks (h/t NorCal Sierra Foothills Lurker). Terrible.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Hi KT,
NorCal Sierra Foothills Lurker here and so glad you are back and hoping you do well. I’m sending pictures of our first Armenian cucumbers and the huge leaves of our one zucchini plant. We already have too many zucchini from it! Be well and thank you so much for your work!
By the way, we have quite a few tomato plants but they’re just starting to make fruit.

The cucumbers look great!

Gardens of The Horde

What is the red and green plant? Made this tabletop waterfall, but don’t know what the red/green arrowhead leave plant is. Field Marshal Zhukov

Nice arrangement started there.

Well, Horde:

Name that plant . . . .

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden at g mail dot com

Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

A single bee can produce 1 tablespoon of honey in its lifetime.

683 bees fly roughly 32,550 miles to gather 5.93 lbs of nectar from about 1,185,000 flowers in order to make one 9.5 oz. jar of honey.pic.twitter.com/NOCQBXQu6c
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) June 25, 2025

Walnuts are great at this stage and lack allergenic insect parasites. Black walnuts are much messier than this.

Walnuts grow inside a central stone that is surrounded by lime coloured outer coverings called husks or hulls

pic.twitter.com/3KrTXgnHOg
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) June 15, 2025

Posted by: K.T. at 01:27 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I recently learned of the existence of garlic scapes. My wife has been cooking them for the past couple of days. Pretty good if somewhat chewy.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 05, 2025 01:39 PM (7xrfc)

2 Good afternoon Greenthumbs and nature lovers.
Might have first cucumber tomorrow

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 01:40 PM (+qU29)

3 Thanks for the gardening thread KT!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 05, 2025 01:41 PM (SzZZ5)

4 summoned the others.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 05, 2025 01:42 PM (SzZZ5)

5 As a kid, there was a massive English Walnut tree, we would have unlimited walnuts we ever wanted. We kids would just crack them and eat them.
But for two or 3 decades I swore I had all the walnuts I ever wanted. Only recently started to eat some occasionally.

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 01:43 PM (+qU29)

6 Andromeda strain.

Posted by: Eromero at July 05, 2025 01:43 PM (vfEBG)

7 Real cucumbers or Armenian cucumbers (melons), Skip?

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 01:43 PM (xekrU)

8 Love Dr_No's art.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 01:44 PM (xekrU)

9 I seem to have a dying tree problem. Just got most of the latest to come down on its own but others are not long for this world either

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 01:47 PM (+qU29)

10 Maybe it's mites rather than insects that get under the skins of walnut and make them allergenic.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 01:47 PM (xekrU)

11 Black walnuts are messier? I am planning on planting a walnut tree and wanted a black walnut. Is there a better choice?

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 01:49 PM (PcTds)

12 What a beautiful photo Dr No, it looks like a painting or AI.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 01:49 PM (77W69)

13 I am planning a self sufficient off grid home and I hope to have walnuts as a source of protein.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 01:51 PM (PcTds)

14 Nice to have you posting again KT.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 01:52 PM (PcTds)

15 Got the backyard fence replaced.
Bottom of it is now at street grade, leaving an 8in gap along a good portion of it.

Perfect excuse to start landscaping with rocks, dirt, and plants.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at July 05, 2025 01:52 PM (ufFY8)

16 ooh boy. I remember the first time going home with green stains all over my clothes and skin from a walnut throwing war with cousins n neighborhood kids. Ruined clothes and pissed off parents.

Posted by: JROD at July 05, 2025 01:54 PM (IlL6s)

17 Regular cucumbers to eat or pickle.

I didn't get tomatoes this year, but have a dozen mystery volunteers squash growing. Still no idea zucchini or sqush

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 01:58 PM (+qU29)

18 AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 01:49 PM

First of all, you may need more than one tree for pollination. Second, black walnuts suppress the growth of many other plants. If you get another walnut, make sure it's not on black walnut rootstock. Other walnuts may suppress the growth of certain plants. Check.

You should choose varieties of walnuts based on your area and climate.

Locally, there are some old native black walnuts lining a freeway, but the walnut groves are "English" or "Persian" walnuts. Some are on black walnut rootstock. Suppression of other plants in the groves (often weeds) is not an issue there.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 02:10 PM (xekrU)

19 Our niece and her husband, both mid-30s, are thinking (only thinking) about moving to South Dakota and would want to raise chickens, hogs and a small cattle herd as well as gardening. Are any of the Horde familiar with the area and the possible downside to their thoughts? I'm the original Eastern Seaboard boy and know nothing about the western states.

Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2025 02:14 PM (yTvNw)

20 JTB at July 05, 2025 02:14 PM

Cold and blizzards. Keeping animals alive may be a challenge.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 02:21 PM (xekrU)

21 >>> 19 Our niece and her husband, both mid-30s, are thinking (only thinking) about moving to South Dakota and would want to raise chickens, hogs and a small cattle herd as well as gardening. Are any of the Horde familiar with the area and the possible downside to their thoughts? I'm the original Eastern Seaboard boy and know nothing about the western states.
Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2025 02:14 PM (yTvNw)

I don't know that much about SD but - my number one concern for growing things including critters is water, water, water. Rule of thumb I learned was "less than 20 inches per year west of the 100th parallel". More water for the garden but also more land per head of critter, and more supplemental feed (ie hay or whatever instead of just grass and other grazing). Are they looking at this as a primary income source or is it more the desire to grow their own groceries? And specifically for critters, no matter where you go, you need very good fencing!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 05, 2025 02:22 PM (ULPxl)

22 Skip at July 05, 2025 01:58 PM

Let us know if your squash/zucchin turn out weird.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 02:23 PM (xekrU)

23 Thanks for the walnut info KT.

South Dakota info? I haven't lived there but have lived close by, consider the winters.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 02:24 PM (PcTds)

24 Dr. No,

That is a spectacular photo of the spider lilies. Thanks for including the camera details. Bogen tripods have always been top of the heap. Even Ansel Adams used them. And while Canon and, especially, Nikon get all the popular mention on TV and movies, Olympus bodies and lenses have always been excellent. (Most of my gear is Pentax.) I've tried the multiple exposure technique and it's always a crap shoot. So glad that turned out so well.

BTW, I had never heard of spider lilies until they came up on the gardening thread. They are just so cool looking.

Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2025 02:24 PM (yTvNw)

25 11 Black walnuts are messier? I am planning on planting a walnut tree and wanted a black walnut. Is there a better choice?
Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 01:49 PM (PcTds)

A pecan. Tastes better, too.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 05, 2025 02:27 PM (Lhvai)

26 Been some time but in Pa I think some disease or pest was wiping out black walnut trees

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 02:28 PM (+qU29)

27 KT, Thanks for including the video about bees and what it takes to make honey. I find them and the process fascinating. A true wonder of nature.

Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2025 02:31 PM (yTvNw)

28 Gorgeous photo of those spider lilies! Otherworldly.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at July 05, 2025 02:33 PM (w6EFb)

29 19
Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2025 02:14 PM (yTvNw)

That sounds like a lot of work in the cold. I'm not sure when North Dakota cattle calve but if they are calving and it's snowing that sounds tough.
It's also expensive. You will need approx. 1 bull per 20 cows and a breeding bull is about 5-10,000.

You also need corrals, squeeze chute to work on the cattle. A new portable squeeze chutes can be around 10,000. You also need strong fencing, one job is keeping the bulls away from the cows when you don't want them to get pregnant. The bulls will break down fencing to get to them.
Vet bills are expensive too, the vets come and preg check the herd and it's a lot of work to round them up and get them in the corrals.
If you're using heifers and hoping to start a herd you may need a special smaller bull that produces low weight calves.
Again, a lot of work. The cows don't know it's Christmas and it's an everyday type of job.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 02:35 PM (jPh2t)

30 Looking for a magnetic screen door / curtain to keep flies out.
Amazon has a bunch but it's hard to find the right size with good reviews. Just need it on the door from kitchen to garage so hafta find one narrow but long enough.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at July 05, 2025 02:35 PM (dE3DB)

31 I'm going to have to plant some privacy hedges. I have green space directly behind me but unfortunately I have a neighbor house perpendicular to that green space and my house separated only by about 15 feet.

Lot of choices but I don't need them to more than 6 to 8 feet tall max.

Any suggestions?

Posted by: polynikes at July 05, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)

32 Don't forget to refill birds

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 02:40 PM (+qU29)

33 Done. I guess it's just too hot to grow anything in the yard. Block wall, small yard, caliche, almost all day sun. Everything burns. Have some corn as a last ditch attempt. No more next year, maybe try pots of tomatoes under canopy.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 05, 2025 02:40 PM (0eaVi)

34 And part of the deal of cattle is after the cows have calved you have to get about 20 or 30 of your friends to come to your place and bring their horses to brand and vaccinate and ear tag. The cowboys take turns and boy they make that stuff look easy.
Then you go to everyone else's branding and help them.

You're going to need help depending on how many head you have.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 02:41 PM (jPh2t)

35 Thanks to everyone for the insightful comments about South Dakota. It was curiosity on my part as they have VERY wisely not asked for our advice.

Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2025 02:41 PM (yTvNw)

36
Lot of choices but I don't need them to more than 6 to 8 feet tall max.

Any suggestions?
Posted by: polynikes at July 05, 2025 02:38 PM

Privets grow like weeds.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 02:42 PM (jPh2t)

37 Black walnuts are messier? I am planning on planting a walnut tree and wanted a black walnut. Is there a better choice?
Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 01:49 PM (PcTds)

A pecan. Tastes better, too.
---
I will be planting in NW Montana. I will check out local nurseries for nut trees that grow in the area. I know of two black walnut trees in the area so I know it is possible, but not common, to grow them there.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 02:42 PM (PcTds)

38 Perfect excuse to start landscaping with rocks, dirt, and plants.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at July 05, 2025 01:52 PM (ufFY

... gun emplacements, booby traps....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 05, 2025 02:43 PM (0eaVi)

39 Black walnuts are tasty, but harvesting is quite different from other walnuts. The gunk inside the outer skin really, really stains.

See's Candy patented a black walnut meat extractor at one time to make black walnut candies. They are kind of hard to crack, too.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 02:47 PM (xekrU)

40
Any suggestions?
Posted by: polynikes at July 05, 2025 02:38 PM (VofaG)

I went to an estate sale about an month ago and I had to walk down a super long tree lined road to get there and I was amazed that they had a privet privacy hedge under all the oak trees. It was thick and tall and I was kind of surprised it grew like that in the shade among the tree roots.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 02:47 PM (jPh2t)

41 Thanks to all for the kind words about the spider lilies … they're a great-looking bloom, and deserve to have a kinda-sorta 'immortalisation'. Even tho' I'm now using Nikon gear, I still have great memories of how excellent the Olympus setup was.

– Dr_No

Posted by: Dr_No at July 05, 2025 02:48 PM (ayRl+)

42 Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 02:47 PM (jPh2t)

Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like something that could work . I've been considering an arborvitae species.

Posted by: polynikes at July 05, 2025 02:50 PM (VofaG)

43 South Dakota is very open to newcomers. I was looking at places in the northern part of the state. Was not looking at a homestead type place. I think they should go for it. They should start calling up local people (libraries, lawyers, etc) and ask questions. Many of the good deals aren't showing up on Zillow.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 05, 2025 02:51 PM (AcTAo)

44 Suddenly I have hascap berries coming out of my ears. I'm picking today and probably jamming tomorrow, unless I can get them frozen.

I also have plenty of baby raspberries, not yet red but threatening to go that way soon. I'm gonna be a canning idiot.

Already put up 8 jars of pickles from the quick snack cucumbers in the greenhouse, with more on the way shortly.

And I have my first red tomato out there, gonna have that bad boy for lunch.

Still waiting on the strawberries. Beans and carrots coming up nicely, as are the potatoes.

Farm-ette-ing is a fair bit of work these days. But it's happy work.

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 05, 2025 02:56 PM (1Gsou)

45 I lived in the Rapid City ,SD area when I was a kid.
One day I'll go back to revisit to see how different my adult perspective is from my kid perspective. I used to walk to kindergarten by myself . Times sure were different back then.

Posted by: polynikes at July 05, 2025 02:56 PM (VofaG)

46 I am considering lilacs for a privacy hedge.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 02:58 PM (PcTds)

47 Black walnuts are tasty, but harvesting is quite different from other walnuts. The gunk inside the outer skin really, really stains.
---
Interesting...a secondary reason for the black walnut choice is the opportunity to create wool dye from the husks.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 03:02 PM (PcTds)

48 Has anyone in the horde experience with growing fennel? I read that the smell keeps deer away and have planted a couple. They're pretty. Like ferns. And the deer ARE staying away from that part of the garden. But I know nothing about growing or harvesting or preparing for winter. Any advice?

Posted by: Wenda at July 05, 2025 03:03 PM (Lw34y)

49 Farm-ette-ing is a fair bit of work these days. But it's happy work.
---
You sound like my sister, she has an amazing green thumb.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at July 05, 2025 03:03 PM (PcTds)

50 I count deer on my long commute home in middle of the night. Last trip saw 14 and 11 were in my township and in last 3 miles. I see tell tail droppings in my yard often.

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 03:06 PM (+qU29)

51
Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like something that could work . I've been considering an arborvitae species.
Posted by: polynikes at July 05, 2025 02:50 PM (VofaG)

Those work too. If it's for privacy I would want fast growing.
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago...

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 03:08 PM (jPh2t)

52 I am having my last beers for a bit and looking out the patio at my backyard on my first weekend of home ownership. And no potential homelessness which was a sucky six months.

I can't wait to send you all pictures. It's a beautiful backyard. Think forest. I'm on a corner lot and can barely see my neighbour's house.

Oh, and we have a LOT of statues. I can't wait to send those in.

Tomorrow we see if home ownership and soberishness i,prove the quality of my yardwork.

Just looked outside again. The yard is so beautiful. And I have a bright yellow picnic table...the color is Sherwin Williams cheerful.

I can't wait to send in pictures.
I'm actually experiencing happiness.
Hmmm.

Posted by: Stateless BUT NOT HOMELESS! 77%- mental state clawing up from 10%, shit happened, clawing back now at July 05, 2025 03:13 PM (jvJvP)

53 It's wonderful that you have your own home, Stateless! We'll enjoy seeing it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 05, 2025 03:15 PM (AcTAo)

54 I've lived in my house for over 12 years now. Today I discovered I have blackberries growing in my backyard. Wonder how long that's been going on.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 05, 2025 03:15 PM (IBQGV)

55 Yaya Stateless!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at July 05, 2025 03:16 PM (jUVbH)

56 Bees were designed by GOD to work their butts off for us. It’s time to give thanks for this industrious little insect. Thank You, Lord!

Posted by: Eromero at July 05, 2025 03:20 PM (LHPAg)

57 54 I've lived in my house for over 12 years now. Today I discovered I have blackberries growing in my backyard. Wonder how long that's been going on.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 05, 2025 03:15 PM (IBQG
Hmmmmm. Maybe ‘something’ is buried back there, Perfesser.

Posted by: Eromero at July 05, 2025 03:23 PM (LHPAg)

58 Only thing new I see is a new sign along road that tells motorists a stop sign is down the corner

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 03:23 PM (+qU29)

59 PET NOOD

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2025 03:33 PM (+qU29)

60 Thanks for all the SD info. To answer a few questions, we would be looking at just 1 or 2 dairy cows for sustaining. This whole endeavor would be taking a backseat to the first phase. Renovating and rebuilding an old stead that's been in the family since late 1800s. But no one has lived there in decades, so the livestock portion would be waaaay in the future after we get the land/buildings back to former glory. Lots of acres, lots of dilapidated structures and historics needing TLC. Depending on the state of the later structures, we may only summer there while we work to get it liveable in winter. End state we would like to have some livestock.
And I must say comment #35 while funny is not accurate.

we are not wise. Just hard headed.

Posted by: craftyRat at July 05, 2025 03:45 PM (DsDRo)

61 Thank you all.

There's a pet thread?

And Mom's dog and that cat who has been sleeping here for 3 weeks are tiring, but good.

Posted by: Stateless BUT NOT HOMELESS! 77%- mental state clawing up from 10%, shit happened, clawing back now at July 05, 2025 04:05 PM (jvJvP)

62 48 Has anyone in the horde experience with growing fennel? I read that the smell keeps deer away and have planted a couple. They're pretty. Like ferns. And the deer ARE staying away from that part of the garden. But I know nothing about growing or harvesting or preparing for winter. Any advice?

- Tall fennel varieties can grow as tall as you. The ferny leave are edible in salads or as garnished. The blossoms are, too, but have a stronger flavor. The seeds are used in sausages and cookies in some European countries, but you will likely harvest more than you need.

- There are a few varieties bred short for "florence fennel" harvested in cool weather as a fancy celery-like vegetable.

Fennel roots inhibit the growth of many plants, especially small plants, sort of like black walnut. Fennel is considered a scourge in some nature reserves. It is perennial where frosts are light. You can start it from seed every year anywhere, maybe in a container. Don't worry about protecting it in winter.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 04:11 PM (xekrU)

63 48 Fennel is a host to some swallowtail butterflies like Black Swallowtails. There is a bronze variety that is a good choice if you want to grow caterpillars, because it is easier to see them against the color of the plant.

Bronze fennel is also an attractive garnish and you are less likely to eat butterfly eggs or caterpillars than if you use green fennel as a garnish because you can see them.

Posted by: KT at July 05, 2025 04:14 PM (xekrU)

64 ivestock.
And I must say comment #35 while funny is not accurate. we are not wise. Just hard headed.
Posted by: craftyRat at July 05, 2025 03:45 PM (DsDRo)

Totally doable, especially if you're young which I am not, sadly.

Posted by: CaliGirl at July 05, 2025 04:15 PM (jPh2t)

65 Field Marshall Zhukov mystery plant May be an alternanthera, possibly the Party Time or Raspberry Rum variety, there are many

Posted by: none at July 05, 2025 04:30 PM (MxiJ/)

66 KT, thank you! It will be fun watching it grow, since I have no idea what kind I planted!

Next year I'll start from seed.

Posted by: Wenda at July 05, 2025 05:01 PM (Lw34y)

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