Saturday Gardening Thread: Something for everyone, I hope. [KT]

Hello, Horde! We are still having some weather in the country, aren't we? Hope your garden is doing O.K. Anybody have something wonderful to report?

For members of The Horde starting to see a thaw:

Here's a pretty thorough rundown on common species and cultivars of crocus. There are other bulbs that bloom through the snow, but crocuses are my personal favorite. Are you partial to a different "snowmelt bulb"?

Snowmelt bulbs are normally found in the mountains of Europe. Their characteristic is that they start bloom when there still snow nearby. In fact, they sometimes bloom right through the snow. As I speak, the snow banks in my yard are melting back towards the shadier spots, and as they retreat, flowers spring up. Not a few weeks later, or a few days later, but the same day, literally an hour or so after the snow melts. It's as if the flowers were pushing the snow back, forcing it to retreat.
How is that even possible? How can you go from ice to bloom in just minutes? . . .

Crocus tommassinianus

For mild-winter and indoor gardeners

I like the Canadian blog linked just above. Here's a nice beginner's guide to starting seeds indoors. The most recent post is on the Burro's Tail Sedum, which, surprisingly, has been recently seen in the wild for the very first time. Can you identify its companion plants?

I recently received a link to photos of the Obamas chilling in the Caribbean, but I didn't have the heart to post any of them. Now that the Obamas have taken their chillin' effect elsewhere, it should be a little warmer. Some of us might want to visit the Caribbean. All of the plants below should do well there. And with frost protection, in warmer-winter parts of the USA. Or indoors.

Sedum 'Burro's Tail' has two impostors, Sedum burrito and X sedeveria. I kinda like the name "Sedum burrito".

On the subject of the Caribbean, some people might be surprised to find plants suited to arid, salty conditions there. I have heard of some you might not want to touch, but I don't recall the details right now. Here are some dryland plants in the Caribbean.

Anybody still facing drought?

Insty has linked a piece on the mild exaggerations which are "part and parcel of English language humor." Here's an example. Heard any other good ones lately?

I was in an airport in southeastern Iowa waiting for a passenger to arrive and a storm line to depart. Several older gents, farmers active and retired, had gathered to drain the coffee pot and pass the time of day. "Well, I knew it's been dry but I didn't know how dry," a voice stated.
I pricked my ears, sensing a great story in the offing.
"Couple of nights back, I was locking up and heard the dogs barking down by the sweet corn patch. I went that way and heard rustling. Do you know what I saw?" Dramatic pause.
"What?"
"It's been so dry, the raccoons had formed a bucket brigade and were watering the sweet corn!"

Still icy where you are?

Caught out in the cold? You could make a Swedish Torch, or Canadian Candle.

And here are some tips on How to start a gas snow blower in any weather.
'
Power out due to wind?

If there are broken branches around town like there are here, you could make a Dakota Fire Hole for a "semi-stealthy" cooking fire. Right in your own back yard. It is also recommended for cooking away from a campground, in order to avoid attracting bears to the camp.

Gardens of The Horde

The 50th Annual Ag Expo is over, and I am hearing stories about what it is like to drive a massive "crawler" tractor. Maybe I can find some photos of interesting farming equipment for next week.

The latest "atmospheric river" to hit California seems to have brought more wind than rain to our area. Tree branches everywhere. A few overturned vehicles. One man electrocuted. Power out in half of our town. At our house, it blew over a pot of baby broccoli. Ravaged the new little blossoms on our Flavor Delight Aprium and Arctic Star Nectarine. And the rain makes conditions ideal for brown rot blossom blight. Time to get out the copper spray.

Could have been worse here. What's happening in your garden?

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:36 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Middle of NC, saw our first bat flying around last night. That groundhog don't know crap.

Posted by: Press One for Moron at February 18, 2017 12:39 PM (/f1mm)

2 I love the crocus pics.
Always have been a favorite (especially the purple ones). Unfortunately, the moles/voles/slugs/whatever ate all mine.
Every few years, I'll get a couple blooms poke through the ground.

My first sign of real spring is always when then magnolia blooms - Vic & I had the discussion of what type it is a while back - tulip tree?

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 12:40 PM (rUhXo)

3 If we don't get any snow here in KC this month, it'll be the first time since 1892.

Posted by: HH at February 18, 2017 12:40 PM (DrCtv)

4 Local drought here on the Colorado plains. Luckily the mountains have good snow pack and most of the farming is irrigated, but dry land crops and pastures are wanting a wet spring.

Posted by: PaleRider at February 18, 2017 12:41 PM (Jen0I)

5 Press One for Moron at February 18, 2017 12:39 PM

Was that bat batty, or not?

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 12:41 PM (qahv/)

6 My favorite flower is the croak-us.

Posted by: Kermit at February 18, 2017 12:42 PM (W8bn5)

7 Chi at February 18, 2017 12:40 PM

I like to color coordinate crocuses. Purple and white, yellow and white, cream and rose, etc. Love to see them coming up in lawns.

There are a lot of deciduous magnolias. Some of them are called Tulip Trees. But there are also some Tulip Trees that aren't magnolias. I think they are all pretty.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 12:44 PM (qahv/)

8 Mid 60s here in central OH.

Was in shorts and t shirt this morning to clean up some of the dead branches and plants and to rake up.

Also washed the truck and one the 5 yr old twins from next door came over to watch. Give him about a half a pound of candy and a coke and then sent him home.

Yes, I am that guy.

Posted by: Tonypete at February 18, 2017 12:45 PM (tr2D7)

9 Pretty heavy rain here in LA County yesterday. It's not raining at the moment, but the cloud cover is pretty thick.

Posted by: junior at February 18, 2017 12:49 PM (nsZ+m)

10
Was that bat batty, or not?

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 12:41 PM (qahv/)

He was probably having the night of his life since none of his friends were out. I also saw the little phoebe that always comes back to build her nest in the same corner of our porch this morning, and I have no reason to doubt either of them.

Garden-wise I'm waiting to see if some scuppernongs I transplanted from an old man in Alabama made it through our extended drought and then the winter. His vines had grapes the size of ping pong balls. I don't care about anything else out there this year. I just want those vines to have survived.

Posted by: Press One for Moron at February 18, 2017 12:50 PM (/f1mm)

11 KT,
Boy we have a mess here. Creeks overflowing into organic strawberries. Fields underwater.
The ranch where I live is okay, some big branches down and some trees.
My friend that lives in the canyon behind Pismo couldn't get home because of downed trees.
I'm at 19 inches of rain at this ranch since 10-28-16.
Normal rainfall for the whole season is probably 12-14 inches.

My husband said he doesn't remember this much rain probably since the 90's miracle March.

Posted by: CaliGirl at February 18, 2017 12:51 PM (u8Ywb)

12
Temperatures could approach records in Philadelphia area tomorrow. The old record dates to 1903. In that year the first Model T SUV's began rolling off the production lines by the hundreds of billions.

Third sentence is #VeryFakeNews.

Posted by: E Depluribus Juan at February 18, 2017 12:55 PM (ZFUt7)

13 I need to make sure pur sorry garden is doggy safe soon

Posted by: @votermom's phone at February 18, 2017 12:57 PM (5vAso)

14 OK! This week I spent about $150 on a seed starter greenhouse setup with warming pad and timer and grow light. Based on last season's crop yield, that works out to about $25 per cherry tomato.
I have to say the economics have me a little troubled. Is there a form to fill out for federal assistance?

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 12:57 PM (Sfs6o)

15 KT, have you ever grown freesias here in the US? They are ubiquitous in Europe, and I really miss them. I can't find bulbs here either. I would appreciate your insights!

Posted by: moki at February 18, 2017 12:58 PM (gfRCk)

16 It's currently 46 degrees here in Minnesota, probably getting up to 55 like yesterday. So the snow is mostly gone and I wouldn't walk on the lakes (although I probably could safely). Today I saw two beautiful trumpeter swans just hanging out on the lake.

My gardening adventure: If you have a 100 lb dog in Minnesota, he does his business all winter but its too cold to go get it, so it all waits until the snow melts. Two brown grocery bags completely full. But at least its done, and before we get a foot and a half of snow this week.

Posted by: chris not rock at February 18, 2017 12:58 PM (WO0/g)

17 Where does anyone worry about snow flowers?

Posted by: Had a hot au pair at February 18, 2017 12:59 PM (M3DRt)

18 Nothing happening outside. Inside, the jade plant is blooming. That doesn't happen very often. The Christmas cactus finally decided to bloom.

Posted by: Ronster at February 18, 2017 12:59 PM (CDUSe)

19 Have ripe Indian strawberries already. The berries are too bland to eat out of hand but dried they, and their leaves, are a good addition to tea. Apparently the plant is somewhat uncommon anymore because of weedkiller on lawns so I'm letting these run wild (besides, I have a use for them).

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:02 PM (sEDyY)

20 Cut back the muscadine grape vines so the new ones can grow. I use some of the larger vines as a trellis on the pillars I planted the grapes against and the rest for projects for the shop.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:04 PM (sEDyY)

21 But, Weasel, I bet it made the best cherry tomato amuse bouche around.
You made Alton Brown proud, I'm sure.

*it's about 70° today - was thinking of starting my seeds, too.

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 01:04 PM (rUhXo)

22 Caligirl, if you can, send some of the rain my way.

Posted by: Ronster at February 18, 2017 01:06 PM (CDUSe)

23 Here's some pics of ranches at around 9 AM. It still hasn't stopped raining since yesterday.

http://tinypic.com/r/1zoutlt/9

http://tinypic.com/r/5v506e/9

http://tinypic.com/r/1z6wkqx/9

Posted by: CaliGirl at February 18, 2017 01:06 PM (u8Ywb)

24 Posted by: moki at February 18, 2017 12:58 PM (gfRCk)

Pretty sure I ordered freesia bulbs from a catalog. Dutch Garden or something like that.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:06 PM (sEDyY)

25 My crocuses are going apeshit. It'll top 60 here in lovely Ohio today.

Posted by: Herr Morgenholz at February 18, 2017 01:07 PM (EUMr7)

26 Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 01:04 PM (rUhXo)
---------
Isn't this weather great? It's supposed to last all weekend.
I have cherry tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant, peppers and peas. I need to look at the seed packets but I guess it's not too early to start them indoors?

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:08 PM (Sfs6o)

27 In the 80s here in Brazoria County, Texas. Washing the dogs as well as transplanting a wisteria from one side of the porch to the other.

Posted by: Kodos the Executioner at February 18, 2017 01:08 PM (J8/9G)

28 Two brown grocery bags completely full. But at least its done, and before we get a foot and a half of snow this week.
Posted by: chris not rock
-----------------

You need a smaller dog.
Admittedly, I have a large yard, but even after almost 5 years, I couldn't tell you where my min-pin does his loaf delivery. I've never seen it in the backyard (not that I look).
Size apparently DOES matter.

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 01:08 PM (rUhXo)

29 Her Majesty would love to grow her own tomatoes, at which she was quite successful in Ohio. But here in Texas she's had no luck whatsoever.

Posted by: Kodos the Executioner at February 18, 2017 01:10 PM (J8/9G)

30 Here is western NY, (outside of the lake effect area). I have seen very little snow this winter. The ground has had snow cover, but most of the winter its at most 2 -3 inches. Mostly a snow and thaw winter. I remember when_______ the snow was as high as an elephant's eye, or something like that...Today the crocus are probably thinking of coming up...Of course there is always March!

Posted by: Colin at February 18, 2017 01:15 PM (ec2s9)

31 KT, I hadn't even thought to look at my crocuses until I saw your post, but you're right - I have a couple in bloom! Quite a few years ago my kids and I painstakingly planted 50 crocus bulbs, half white, half purple, in a sunny side yard. I don't know whether it was squirrels or moles or voles or whatever, but only a handful of each came up, by which I mean maybe 2 or 3 of each color. And we did plant them correctly.

They've naturalized a bit since then, but it's nowhere near the lovely field o' flowers I thought I'd have. And I guess our cost per flower is somewhere near Weasel's cost per tomato.

Those videos on the Swedish Torch and Dakota fire hole were fascinating. Thank you. I had never heard of either.

Posted by: bluebell at February 18, 2017 01:18 PM (sBOL1)

32 Weasel Farms is accepting advance cherry tomato orders. $30 each.

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:20 PM (Sfs6o)

33 Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for thee, and thou shalt eat the plants of the field.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 18, 2017 01:20 PM (0mRoj)

34 Haven't looked at the daffys yet tosee if they are coming upbut with 60's today and tomorrow should be soon.

Posted by: Skip at February 18, 2017 01:21 PM (HDU3V)

35 Forgot,
Good afternoon greentumbs

Posted by: Skip at February 18, 2017 01:21 PM (HDU3V)

36 Weasel Farms is accepting advance cherry tomato orders. $30 each.
Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:20 PM (Sfs6o)
------------

For an extra $29.99 I can arrange to have them delivered with a single crocus flower.

Posted by: bluebell at February 18, 2017 01:21 PM (sBOL1)

37 Very true, but Christ's blood broke all curses brought by the fall. Theology in a gardening thread is almost guaranteed to be something you only find at the HQ.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:23 PM (sEDyY)

38

For an extra $29.99 I can arrange to have them delivered with a single crocus flower.

Posted by: bluebell at February 18, 2017 01:21 PM (sBOL1)
---------
Done! WeaselBell, LLC. Purveyors of fine fruit and floral products!

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:23 PM (Sfs6o)

39 I'm beginning a major yard renovation project. First, I'm tearing out the old rectilinear cement sidewalk and putting in a curvy brick and flagstone number. Then, I'm tearing out all the old overgrown plants in front of the house, and will replace them with new, more interesting ones. I reckon they'll go in in a few weeks, once the nurseries begin getting new stock.

And by me, I mean I'm paying people to do it. I'm not a complete idiot. It won't be cheap.

Posted by: pep at February 18, 2017 01:24 PM (LAe3v)

40 Was looking at compost pile yesterday, probably should get it turned into the garden soil soon.

Posted by: Skip at February 18, 2017 01:25 PM (HDU3V)

41 WeaselBell! Ooh, I like that.

Posted by: bluebell at February 18, 2017 01:26 PM (sBOL1)

42 Press One for Moron at February 18, 2017 12:50 PM

Love that you have a bird that returns every year. Good luck with the scuppernongs.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:29 PM (qahv/)

43 CaliGirl at February 18, 2017 12:51 PM

Wow. I hate to hear about those organic strawberries floating down the creek. I'll be thinking of you during the next round of rain.

I read that there were 10 plus inches of rain in some places during the last storm, with 4 dead.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:34 PM (qahv/)

44 41 WeaselBell! Ooh, I like that.

Posted by: bluebell at February 18, 2017 01:26 PM (sBOL1)
------------
Yeah!

I have a question about sunlight. Last year's deck container garden was a flop, and I suspect my 1-2 gallon containers were too small. I'm thinking about moving the operation into the back yard, but it's shady. Not totally dark-shady, but sort of typical under a maple tree shady. Shady enough that grass struggles to grow. Any chance that vegetables would do any better? Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant - which I suspect are most if not all "full sun" varieties.

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:34 PM (Sfs6o)

45 I have two Muscadine vines. One has produced at least a little each year while the other has produced nothing in the three years since I planted it. They are supposed to be self-fertile, so I have no idea what the problem is.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:34 PM (sEDyY)

46 What's the status of the CA dam that was overflowing?

Posted by: Ronster at February 18, 2017 01:37 PM (CDUSe)

47 Weasel at February 18, 2017 12:57 PM

Some guy in an undisclosed country called me 3 times yesterday to tell me that the federal government had randomly selected me to received a grant of $5,000 that I don't have to pay back. We are awash in government grant money! Good luck getting your farming grant.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:37 PM (qahv/)

48 Record temps here in N IL, 67 yesterday, supposed to be 65 today and close to that tomorrow.

I'll have to look when I get home and see if anything is coming up.

Posted by: Farmer at February 18, 2017 01:39 PM (4bBUU)

49 My first crocus bloomed yesterday. It was yellow.
Last year the first one was white.
And Spring Training has begun.
Sigh......

Posted by: Diogenes at February 18, 2017 01:40 PM (0tfLf)

50 37 Very true, but Christ's blood broke all curses brought by the fall. Theology in a gardening thread is almost guaranteed to be something you only find at the HQ.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:23 PM (sEDyY)

That is the beauty of this place! A finer bunch of people you couldn't find, I wager.

And thanks for the tip, I found bulbs direct and dutch bulbs, both of which will be detrimental to my budget!

Also, has anyone heard from FenelonSpoke about her stove? Did she get it working?

Posted by: moki at February 18, 2017 01:41 PM (gfRCk)

51 Swedish snow lanterns are a great addition to help dispel the gloom of winter. These can be particularly dramatic near hoar-frosted perennials. You build a cone-shaped chimney out of snowballs. Pretty basic, right?

http://tinyurl.com/jgdkurq

Actually, why stop at one? If you have a walkway leading to your house, you can make a series of these cheerful structures. They don't take much time to throw together.

One tip though - using tea candles with aluminum cups isn't recommended, since the cold is conducted by the metal and results in the candle "drowning" itself around the wick instead of allowing the wax to melt evenly in the cup for the usual four-hour burn. Use tapers or pillar candles on a plate or base if you need one.

Another bit of wintry garden art consists of freezing water in a bucket or smaller plastic container. The water freezes at the bottom and sides first. Keep an eye on it until you have a nice thick layer, then empty out the water and place your candle inside. A natural "crystal" holder.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 18, 2017 01:42 PM (tHwdc)

52 moki at February 18, 2017 12:58 PM

Yes, freesias are hardy here in Central California. Good for places that will go dry during the summer. They will rot with too much rain during summer. They are hardy to 20 degrees (-7 C). In colder areas, they can be grown in a sunny window in pots.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:43 PM (qahv/)

53 chris not rock at February 18, 2017 12:58 PM

A brave project completed. I salute you.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:46 PM (qahv/)

54 I got Dakota Fire Hole once.

Fortunately, that was back when penicillin still worked on stuff like that.

Seriously, I'll bet you could do the Swedish Torch thing by tying together smaller logs with baling wire or something like that.

Posted by: The Editorial Board of National Geographic (Classic Edition) at February 18, 2017 01:47 PM (YjW8V)

55 Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:02 PM

Are those Indian Strawberries native or from, say, India?

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:48 PM (qahv/)

56 Us Californians need a thread on growing pavers and comparable hardscape since even with vast quantities of rain and snow you can bet state and local authorities ain't ever turning our artificially boosted water rates back down.

Need to pay for bennies for all those illegals y'know.

Like that SF shit who's trying to legalize photo speed radar in CA.

Posted by: JEM at February 18, 2017 01:50 PM (TppKb)

57 Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:48 PM (qahv/)

Native. I found out about them from a blog called Foraging Texas which has a great alphabetical listing of posts about various edible plants found in Texas.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:52 PM (sEDyY)

58 37 Very true, but Christ's blood broke all curses brought by the fall. Theology in a gardening thread is almost guaranteed to be something you only find at the HQ.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 01:23 PM (sEDyY)

Yet we will not see the removal of the curse until the Second Coming and the restoration of all things. Until then, it's thorns and thistles.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 18, 2017 01:54 PM (0mRoj)

59 I got Dakota Fire Hole once.

Fortunately, that was back when penicillin still worked on stuff like that.

I thought that was the one where you know you need the nitrile glove before you sit down on the crapper.

Posted by: JEM at February 18, 2017 01:55 PM (TppKb)

60 CaliGirl at February 18, 2017 01:06 PM

It has been a long time since we have had floooding like that here on the valley floor.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:56 PM (qahv/)

61 >>>My husband said he doesn't remember this much rain probably since the 90's miracle March

i remember
i think it was 95
i needed to cross a swift moving river in my truck just to get home
not the safest thing to do, but i was careful

Posted by: concrete girl at February 18, 2017 01:56 PM (KSo74)

62 Shady enough that grass struggles to grow. Any chance that vegetables
would do any better? Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant - which I
suspect are most if not all "full sun" varieties.

Hi, Weasel--

All the above plants are full-sun lovers, and probably wouldn't like it under the tree.

If you can find or build larger containers, try your sunny spot again!

If you want to try plastic 5gal buckets, any restaurant (especially if they make fruit pies!) should have plenty of used food-safe buckets -- just ask and they might let you have some for free!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 18, 2017 01:59 PM (044Fx)

63 59 I thought that was the one where you know you need the nitrile glove before you sit down on the crapper.

I think you're thinking of Oaxaca Fire Hole.

Posted by: The Editorial Board of National Geographic (Classic Edition) at February 18, 2017 01:59 PM (YjW8V)

64 Is this a El Nino year?

Posted by: Skip at February 18, 2017 01:59 PM (HDU3V)

65 Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:08 PM

Pro tip: You've got some cool-season crops and some warm-season crops there. You can look up a planting calendar for your area.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:59 PM (qahv/)

66 Ronster at February 18, 2017 12:59 PM

Congrats on the indoor blooms. Christmas in February!

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:00 PM (qahv/)

67 Kodos the Executioner at February 18, 2017 01:10 PM

There are some dedicated tomato growers in Texas. But nematodes can be a problem and you may need to plant at a time you would not expect.

We might be able to help with a few more details.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:03 PM (qahv/)

68 Just a quick stop to post.
59 degrees and sunshine in SW OH.
Gonna plant snow peas in the garden.
Adding sand to one end of the garden in preparation for potato planting late in April.
Gonna enjoy the sunshine while I can.

Posted by: never enough caffiene at February 18, 2017 02:04 PM (N3JsI)

69 bluebell at February 18, 2017 01:18 PM

Glad you got to see your first crocuses of the year.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:05 PM (qahv/)

70 Thanks all. The really only part of the yard that is at all sunny is the deck - and I'm kind of limited to smaller containers there. Oh well. Maybe smaller crops... like radishes or something.

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 02:08 PM (Sfs6o)

71 pep at February 18, 2017 01:24 PM

Ambitious! Keep us updated, and let us know what you are planting.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:08 PM (qahv/)

72 Just took a stroll through the yard. Mid-40s today and lightly sprinkling, a little breeze. Not great for staying out.

Can see crocus shoots. No snowdrops, even! Korean azalea and Christmas roses have buds, so 'spring' will be about 2 weeks later than last year.

But I do enjoy the No Lawn Mowing Time of Year, however flowerless it may be.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 18, 2017 02:11 PM (044Fx)

73 Also, has anyone heard from FenelonSpoke about her stove? Did she get it working?
Posted by: moki
--------------

Sadly, she killed it with a typo.
She meant to type "oven" but instead typed "over."
It was all fire and brimstone after that...

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 02:11 PM (rUhXo)

74 Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:34 PM

You might be able to do cucumbers under a not-too-shady tree. The others will struggle more to produce. There are some leafy veggies you could grow there, though.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:11 PM (qahv/)

75 Miley, the Duchess at February 18, 2017 01:42 PM

Thanks for the artistic tips. I'll have to think about a warm-winter substitute.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:14 PM (qahv/)

76 Insomniac at February 18, 2017 01:54 PM

Thorns and thistles for our sakes. Ever wondered about the way that is worded?

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:18 PM (qahv/)

77 and thanks for the log fire video, i'm going to do that this summer. i love outside fires as much as my inside ones.

Posted by: concrete girl at February 18, 2017 02:18 PM (KSo74)

78 Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:11 PM (qahv/)
--------
Thanks,KT. So is the consensus on container size about 5 gal minimum?

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 02:19 PM (Sfs6o)

79 Posted by: Insomniac at February 18, 2017 01:54 PM (0mRoj)

Left to it's own devices, yes that is what will be produced (and work will *always* still be necessary) but as Christians we can claim the removal of the curse on land we have authority over. This will need to be done repeatedly, and sitting indoors drinking iced tea awhile wishing isn't the work needed (much to my personal annoyance). It does work though. And yes it feels strange reminding ground that it isn't cursed anymore, so praying that God help it fulfill its uncursed potential is much more comfortable.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 02:20 PM (sEDyY)

80
The daffodils have been blooming here for over a week, very pretty and...yellow.

Some of the clumps are getting very thick and should be divided.

When is the best time to dig them up for transplanting? Summer? Fall?

Posted by: Spun and Murky at February 18, 2017 02:21 PM (4DCSq)

81 Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:03 PM (qahv/)

The timing difference for planting in southern Texas keeps throwing me off. I know intellectually that peas and lettuce need planted much earlier than more moderate climates, but can't seem to manage to *do* it at the proper time.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 02:23 PM (sEDyY)

82 Weasel at February 18, 2017 02:19 PM

Most people say 5 gallon minimum for tomatoes. You might be able to do a small determinate type in a 3 gallon container.

Green beans will produce a few beans in quite small containers. Lettuce doesn't need much potting mix to produce. So it depends on what you want to plant.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:24 PM (qahv/)

83 Skip at February 18, 2017 01:59 PM

Last year was supposed to be the El Nino year. This year's weather was predicted for our area last year.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:27 PM (qahv/)

84 The Editorial Board of National Geographic (Classic Edition) at February 18, 2017

I have seen several variations on the Swedish Torch. Your way would probably work, too.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:28 PM (qahv/)

85 ****UPDATE ON VIC****

Mrs Vic:

Waiting for discharge now. Maybe we won't have any more "but first"s.

Posted by: phoenixgirl in sedona at February 18, 2017 02:29 PM (K2p/t)

86 Is this a El Nino year?

Posted by: Skip at February 18, 2017 01:59 PM (HDU3V)

La Nina is over now. http://tinyurl.com/zfayedg

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 18, 2017 02:32 PM (tHwdc)

87 Picked the right year to plant 8 trees on our property in So Cal. Banner rain year. Last night was amazing. The yards and hills are as green as Pennsylvania in the summer! I love it!

Posted by: keena at February 18, 2017 02:33 PM (RiTnx)

88 As mentioned in the past I now live in the Willamette valley. My Oklahoma father-in-law planted Crocus bulbs in our lawn to surprise us when Spring arrived. This was a tradition he did back in Oklahoma.

Unfortunately, we never saw them because here in western Oregon the grass really never goes dormant like it does in colder climes. So when the crocus bloomed the grass was already needing a cut. So I literally mowed down the crocus without a clue.

Years later he asked about the crocus and was disappointed that his surprise never happened.

Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 02:34 PM (qIhPN)

89 Spun and Murky at February 18, 2017 02:21 PM

Sunset says that daffodils are best dug after the leaves die down, but while you can still see where the bulbs are. Store over summer and re-plant in fall.

Clumps that are not divided should still be lightly cultivated after the leaves die down so insects don't have and easy entrance to the bulbs.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:35 PM (qahv/)

90 Remember that daffodils generally face the sun when picking a planting location.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:36 PM (qahv/)

91 Last year's deck container garden was a flop, and I
suspect my 1-2 gallon containers were too small. I'm thinking about
moving the operation into the back yard, but it's shady. Not totally
dark-shady, but sort of typical under a maple tree shady. Shady enough
that grass struggles to grow. Any chance that vegetables would do any
better? Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant - which I suspect are
most if not all "full sun" varieties.

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 01:34 PM (Sfs6o)

Weasel, I have a balcony garden and used large plastic bins (with drilled drainage holes and the lid to catch runoff) for economy of space and also volume of dirt. Since my balcony is covered, I just hope I watered them enough to make it through the winter. You could try this on your deck - that shade sucks for most veggies other than some herbs. Certainly not tomatoes and the others.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 18, 2017 02:36 PM (tHwdc)

92 Just looked, daffys are 2 inches high and feels like spring

Posted by: Skip at February 18, 2017 02:37 PM (HDU3V)

93 keena at February 18, 2017 02:33 PM

I love the green landscapes around here, too. Though they are mostly flatter than yours.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:38 PM (qahv/)

94 65 degrees in N. Indiana.....and im down with the flu.

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at February 18, 2017 02:41 PM (uB+td)

95 89, 90

Thanks, KT!

Posted by: Spun and Murky at February 18, 2017 02:43 PM (4DCSq)

96 Mountain laurels are in full bloom. We finally have movers coming on Monday to get us into our new house.

I should be messing with that instead of this, but I always like to check in at this thread if I can.

Posted by: stace--we are all punchable Nazis at February 18, 2017 02:44 PM (ozZau)

97 Two brown grocery bags completely full. But at least its done, and before we get a foot and a half of snow this week.
Posted by: chris not rock
-----------------

You need a smaller dog.
Admittedly, I have a large yard, but even after almost 5 years, I couldn't tell you where my min-pin does his loaf delivery. I've never seen it in the backyard (not that I look).
Size apparently DOES matter.

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 01:08 PM (rUhXo)

I looked up min-pin. 8-10 pounds! Of course you'll never see evidence. I never saw evidence for my 12 lb cat either!

Posted by: chris not rock at February 18, 2017 02:44 PM (WO0/g)

98 Well, I better go get some pants on. I'm going to a fruit tree pruning session. This one is on too tall fruit trees. I have a Melrose Apple tree that needs to be shortened. My cherry trees are also too tall but they need to be pruned in late summer.

Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 02:45 PM (qIhPN)

99 Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 02:34 PM (qIhPN)

That's too bad. How sweet of him to try though.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 02:47 PM (sEDyY)

100 Ann Margret was a Swedish torch.

Posted by: eleven at February 18, 2017 02:49 PM (qUNWi)

101 stace--we are all punchable Nazis at February 18, 2017 02:44 PM

Thanks for stopping by. I love Mountain Laurels. Good luck with your move.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:51 PM (qahv/)

102 Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 18, 2017 02:36 PM (tHwdc)
--------
Yeah, thanks Miley. I was hoping to avoid bigger containers but that's probably the answer!

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 02:52 PM (Sfs6o)

103 Octiparan at February 18, 2017 02:45 PM

If you want to keep your apple trees short, you might try re-pruning your new growth in late summer, too.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:54 PM (qahv/)

104 O/T Weasel, Did you get to the range today and if so, how did the K-38 do?

Posted by: JTB at February 18, 2017 02:54 PM (V+03K)

105 Chris,
Tucker is at least 16 pounds. Large for his breed. As someone recently pointed out, it's possible he's a Manchester Terrier, but I seriously doubt it - I think he's just big.
Luckily, his dropoffs are not.

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 02:56 PM (rUhXo)

106 Weasel, Have you considered using Earthboxes. We have used them for

Posted by: Mrs JTB at February 18, 2017 02:56 PM (V+03K)

107 Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 02:34 PM (qIhPN)

That's too bad. How sweet of him to try though.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 02:47 PM (sEDyY)

It truly was a nice gesture. He did lots of neat stuff for us. The best was a collapsible work bench.

Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 03:00 PM (qIhPN)

108 If you want to keep your apple trees short, you might try re-pruning your new growth in late summer, too.
Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 02:54 PM (qahv/)

Didn't know that. Thanks.

Are you familiar with Corona garden tools? If so are they quality products?

Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 03:02 PM (qIhPN)

109 Nood

Posted by: Octiparan at February 18, 2017 03:09 PM (qIhPN)

110 Weasel,
Do you know any brickmasons? Guys that work with concrete regularly?

I have a number of these "trays" that are maybe 6 or 8" tall x 18x24?
Used for mixing mortar - but they seem perfect for your purpose.

http://tinypic.com/r/ida9u0/9

I'm going to use a couple for starting my seedlings. I figure if I only spend $25 on dirt, I can beat your pepper & tomato prices by at good 50%.

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 03:09 PM (rUhXo)

111 Are you familiar with Corona garden tools? If so are they quality products?
Posted by: Octiparan
-------------

I have Corona garden shears & "grass scissors" (or whatever they're called).
Good quality steel. Holds an edge well. It was the best stuff I found at the big box stores.

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 03:12 PM (rUhXo)

112 Went outside and pruned one of the apple trees today. It's in the lower 60's here in the 'burbs northwest of Detroit. I have not seen a Feb this warm since 1997 or '98, when my son's Boy Scout troop planned a winter campout. Two weeks before the campout on the first weekend in Feb I went to the campground to check the area and make reservations. There was a foot of snow on the ground. Two weeks later, snow was gone and temps were in the mid-60's. So much for learning winter camping skills. But the boys in my son's patrol came up with a new set of activities and ran a good campout.

You can't trust any season in SE Michigan!

Posted by: George V at February 18, 2017 03:37 PM (LUHWu)

113 Posted by: JTB at February 18, 2017 02:54 PM (V+03K)
---------
Thanks JTB and Mrs. JTB!
I'm going to check alternatives to the plastic containers I used last year. I can probably find something that's an improvement - thanks for the suggestions!

JTB - yep! I will tell you they need it the Target Masterpiece for a reason! its about a 90-95% gun aesthetically, with some honest wear on the high spots, but its pristine mechanically so it's perfect as a shooter. I'm really happy with it. I was even able to get used to the Magna stocks which I usually struggle with, at least on other guns.

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 03:41 PM (Sfs6o)

114 +1 on Corona. I used their small anvil loppers and pruning saws for years as a trail maintainer. Very lightweight and durable!

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 03:44 PM (Sfs6o)

115 Thanks, KT!
..........
+1 on Corona. I used their small anvil loppers and pruning saws for years as a trail maintainer. Very lightweight and durable!
Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 03:44 PM (Sfs6o)

Yes, but do not let teenage boy volunteers use them unsupervised. I've ruined two pairs that way

Boys have wonderful energy but they will hack away AT anything WITH anything unless directed correctly.

Posted by: stace--So much winning! at February 18, 2017 03:54 PM (ozZau)

116 I got 2 big surprises this week, here in Idaho's Banana Belt: The Johnny jump-up pansies never died. We had 40 inches of snow this winter. It got to negative 18 F at least once. And they never died. All the little green leaf sprouts from fall are still there. AND there are flowers already. It is mid-February, and we are going to have temperatures in the mid-20's later in the week, and the little buggers are *blooming*.

Also, there are tulip sprouts. We have 3 pots of them on the back patio, which got hefty amounts of snow dumped onto them - and 2 small areas near the front door sidewalk, which got all the snow from the sidewalk dumped on them. And it's mid-Feb., and they are sprouting.

I'm not surprised by the hyacinths out back being several inches high. They had already started sprouting last fall after being planted (so I covered them with leaves), they're usually earlier than tulips, and they're nice big strong bulbs. I think they'll be OK. But I do hope the tulips know what they're doing...

My pot of Siberian Squill would have been blooming by now, had this been a normal winter, but it was most certainly not. That pot had an inch of clear ice on top of it, and I only got it loose from the patio ice at the start of this month. Now it's sitting in the sun. I'm hoping the bulbs didn't get killed, but I just have to be patient and see what happens.

We did the first spring tasks yesterday - time to prune trees. We took a few broken branches off the 2 apple trees - might have to go back and do a little more pruning. Also a bit of trimming on 2 sycamores and a maple. Pretty soon, we'll have to start on raking leaves - we really hate the front sycamores. They dump leaves so late, many of the leaves got buried under snow, and the rest didn't fall off till midwinter. Now there are soggy brown leaves all over our front yard (and everyone else's - the whole neighborhood looks like trash).

After my husband went inside, I stuffed the trash with broken-up branches, then started removing dead iris, daylily, and bunchgrass leaves.

In the vegetable garden, we spotted a lot of vole runs - this means War. We'll need to cut down the dead asparagus stalks, remove the dead chives leaves, and do a lot of cleanup. I never got all the dead tomatoes out, and the roots of the squashes. We'll have to turn the soil once it's completely thawed, and build 2 beds to finish the 2nd row, and buy the seeds and plants we need (I did an inventory of what seeds we do have, last weekend).

I still have to decide what goes into my herb bed. I already have spearmint, English Thyme, and onion chives. I have 3 spots left, each 2 feet square. Any ideas from the Horde? I was considering sage, German chamomile, basil, and cilantro - and I know I had a list of more ideas in the TV room somewhere, I'll have to find it.

For the folks curious about freesia - if you can't get those, try crocosmia. They have a similar look, with sword-leaves and sprays of flowers, but no scent, only come in shades of oranges and reds that I know of - and can be invasive in some places, so do research. I always wished I could grow them. But for some reason, now that I'm in Idaho and have room to garden, I'm reverting to classic bulbs like tulips and hyacinths.

About driving through flooded roads: we did that. Once. The Great Gilroy Flood, 1986 I think. We were in NY visiting my kin, laughing about all the rain back at home. But we flew back to San Jose, and lived in Monterey, so we drove through it. In the dark - 10 PM. It was STUPID to drive down 101 when there were 4x4 fenceposts floating across the road. STUPID. We followed a pickup truck through the waters. He got through, we got through. The car following us did not. We were the last vehicle to get down that road that night. I couldn't tell if I was shaking more from cold or from terror. DON'T drive through floods. End of scary story.

Everybody stay well; the season of Hope (that precedes the seasons of Planting, and Results) is nearly upon us!

Posted by: Pat* at February 18, 2017 03:57 PM (qC1ju)

117 Just ordered some 7 gallon cloth planting bags designed for container gardening. We'll see!

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 04:19 PM (Sfs6o)

118 117 Just ordered some 7 gallon cloth planting bags designed for container gardening. We'll see!
Posted by: Weasel
-------------

Is that the same thing as a burlap bag?
What we used to call a potato sack?

Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 04:35 PM (rUhXo)

119 Posted by: Chi at February 18, 2017 04:35 PM (rUhXo)

That gives me an idea. I can get jute coffee sacks from a local roaster for $2 each and they would make good horizontal planting "boxes". Maybe even vertical if filled with enough soil.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at February 18, 2017 05:06 PM (sEDyY)

120 Just ordered some 7 gallon cloth planting bags designed for container gardening. We'll see!

Posted by: Weasel at February 18, 2017 04:19 PM (Sfs6o)

I was reading up on those as I was weighing options for the balcony. The great thing about them is that they air prune the roots. That makes them especially useful at nurseries.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at February 18, 2017 05:07 PM (tHwdc)

121 Pat* at February 18, 2017 03:57 PM

Amazing that your Johnny Jump-ups are still jumpin'. Thanks for the update. Do you attribute their survival to the insulating power of snow?

And a valuable cautionary tale about driving through floodwaters. My car stalled out going into my apartment driveway years ago when I was in So. Cal.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 06:41 PM (qahv/)

122 Weasel at February 18, 2017 04:19 PM

Good luck with the fabric containers, Weasel. I've read good things about them. They do require you to water your plants, though. Your planting mix will probably make a different, too.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 06:49 PM (qahv/)

123 And Pat*

You many not want to put that spearmint in your herb bed. You could plant it in a container, even a deep bottomless container or concrete pipe sunk into the ground. Far enough down so the roots can't escape.

I would probably plant some sage if I were you. Though it tends to up and die unexpectedly. My Mom grew it in Utah. Best with good drainage.

The other herbs you mention, including German Chamomile (Matricaria) are annuals, so you could rotate them in and out of your other planting spots. Cilantro, in particular, bolts quickly, so a re-planting plan is not a bad idea. Consider smaller, staggered plantings. Maybe with more than one kind of basil. You might work some baby salad greens in, too. And maybe some Giant Italian Parsley (biennial).

Have fun.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 07:02 PM (qahv/)

124 Asplundh Tree Expert Inc. fired employees, including about 100 in the Philadelphia region, after a federal audit in 2009 found that they were not eligible for work in the United States. But many of those workers were re-hired under fake identification and Social Security numbers, federal prosecutors said.

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at February 18, 2017 08:43 PM (e8kgV)

125 KT, thanks for the ideas. The herb bed actually has dividers built in. The bed's about a foot deep, and has full-height backers made of coroplas, the stuff they often make election signs from. (We use abandoned election signs as target backers at the rifle range - both political parties; whoever doesn't clean up their signs is fair game.)

The mint really didn't spread at all last year, since that was its first year, but it looks like the roots may have survived (I think the thyme and chives did too), so we'll see if it takes off this year.

The 2016 parsley is in the blueberry bed, since the bushes were so small (and the herb bed hadn't been finished yet), but you're right - if that plant doesn't come back, a new parsley plant will need one of the remaining 3 spots in the herb bed. The plant got pretty huge, so it will need an entire square to itself. We have an electric dehydrator with racks that do well with herbs - I dried a bunch of parsley and some chives this year.

We use a lot of poultry seasoning, which has mostly sage in it - that's why I thought of sage. The chamomile was in case I could figure out how to make tea from it (plus it can attract bees for pollination). And I just like eating cilantro! Hmm, I could stick the chamomile in the *new* blueberry bed without much harm, I suspect (the 2 new beds this year will be second beds for both strawberries and blueberries!).

One end of the herb bed has a 4' x 2' spot, to put in a pair of Lavender 'Provence'. After the nasty winter we had, I'm grateful I hadn't planted any last year!! I'm not completely sure how they'll do during our normal winters, but I really miss the row of them I had in CA - something like 2 dozen plants. So I'll give them a try. If they don't survive in the long run, I could try fall garlic, or grow some cutting flowers, or something.

Our lettuces (and this year's new salad crop, spinach) will have spots in the regular garden beds, so they don't need a spot in the herb bed. (And our potatoes will go into those black, felt-cloth-like bags. We had trouble in one bed with some sort of bacterial soft rot and lost a lot of Yukon Golds. Having the potatoes separated from each other, in fresh soil, will help. And so easy to harvest! - just dump them out on a giant tarp and go through all the soil carefully.)

I haven't the foggiest ideas why those Johnny jump-ups survive, winter or summer. They're growing in an area where we walk constantly, which has crushed rock covering it. They're just "stubborn as a Deutschmann", as my late father would say.

Posted by: Pat* at February 18, 2017 10:48 PM (qC1ju)

126 Weasel, if you happen to look in, consider the Earth boxes. We get ours here:

http://tinyurl.com/36ttcgh

You can start with one for $36, plus the potting soil. You can grow a lot in one fairly small box. People grow corn in them, and you can have four melon plants in one box.

Posted by: Gordon at February 18, 2017 10:53 PM (vXUzT)

127 Pat*

I think you will appreciate fresh sage. Makes a difference. Think about starting with a plant of a named culinary variety. I don't recommend trying to start it from seed. Not worth it.

From what I have read, cilantro loses its flavor upon drying, so leaving a spot to re-sow may extend your season. There are some cultivars bred to be more bolt-resistant, but that's relative with cilantro.

I've used old election signs for a couple of garden projects, too. One site recommends using them to create a horizontal divider in a pot to create a self-watering container.

Posted by: KT at February 19, 2017 12:56 AM (qahv/)

128
Love that you have a bird that returns every year. Good luck with the scuppernongs.

Posted by: KT at February 18, 2017 01:29 PM (qahv/)

At the risk of being banned for commenting on "old" threads (what's the cutoff, anyway?):

Thanks. I'm optimistic. And yes, the little bird is great. I think we've probably had a daughter or two replace the original phoebe by now, but they're all the same momma bird in our eyes.

Never paid any attention to phoebes before her, either, but they're neat, plain, unassuming little birds. It's fun to recognize their calls when we go other places, too.

Posted by: Press One for Moron at February 19, 2017 08:44 AM (/f1mm)

129 I can almost see last years remnants of the pea cover crop I planted in the garden last fall peeking out from under the snow here in Idaho. So excited for spring after record snow this winter.

Posted by: S.Lynn at February 19, 2017 09:37 PM (DeNVk)

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