Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Jan. 7

Hi, everybody! Still have Christmas lights up in the yard? Still seeing them? What's the weather like? We have had rain, wind, hail and fog.

This week the Gardening Thread received some bird photos, above and below:

Bama Bubba here. Normally just lurk, but always enjoy the gardening thread. Not a lot going on in the actual garden this time of year except for onions and garlic, but it's getting close.
And here are a few pictures of the birds which are always fun to watch.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Here are some cabbages getting ready to move outside in a few weeks.
Bama Bubba

More on Catalogs

We had a great discussion of tomato varieties and catalogs in the comments last week. Gordon included commentary on Garden Gem and how to get seeds from the University of Florida.

If you send them $10, you can get seed of Garden Gem Improved (late blight resistant), a cherry with a wild ancestor and a larger tomato, in order to become a "citizen scientist" in their program to introduce easy-to-grow tomatoes with heirloom-type flavor.

If you send $25, they will also send "extra seeds".

There is a nice PDF on their site with tomato-growing tips.

Based on the comments last week, I discovered that Hanover tomatoes refer to tomatoes grown in a certain region - - not to a certain variety. So maybe soil prep is important!

There is a similar famous tomato-growing region in Alabama where you can get Slocomb Tomatoes.

Yesterday, I received the seeds I ordered from Tomato Growers Supply. The seed packets have nice variety descriptions.

I also got a print catalog from John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds. They are the people who put out the bulb catalogs. The garden seed catalog has lovely line drawings, but the website has photos. There is a blog, and several winter-focused posts are up.

Here is their Piccolo Zucchini:

Have you ordered or received seeds? Found more catalogs?

Adventure

A natural place to visit in winter. Look for it in Clay County, Mo. You're pretty much on your own when you visit:

Cooley Lake Conservation Area fills 1,000+ acres with an oxbow lake, forest, prairie and rugged bluffs. It also includes Missouri riverfront. The area is rugged, so winter is the best time of year to explore free of bugs & ivy. https://t.co/BXHOxNGPUL @MDC_online pic.twitter.com/1CRXIarJGP
— Kansas City Hiker (@HikerKC) January 6, 2023

Gardens of The Horde

From Hadrian the Seventh:

Her Majesty is tending the roses in our wild garden. While we may grow some herbs, the main purpose of our garden is to support the local bees, birds and butterflies. There's a fountain and birdbath in there and feeders out on the lawn. In the winter, it's a Hitchcockian mob scene. Firebushes, bottlebrushes, lavender, hibiscus, pansies and other flowers attract not only a large number but also a large variety of bees and wasps. Hummingbirds also love to feed here as well.

This year we've taken care to cultivate milkweed for the butterflies; Delilah is watching one land. This fall we counted some 10 newly-hatched monarchs, having passed through the caterpillar and pupal stages here.
Our property is surrounded by farmland with few trees. Our location on the Texas Gulf Coast puts us in the migratory pathway for birds and butterflies. We don't strive to keep a neatly cultivated garden but one that supports wildlife, either resident or migratory. We enjoy watching our visitors and helping them out both summer and winter.

Looks like Delilah enjoys the wild garden, too!

Anything going on in your yard or garden?

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.

Week in Review

What has changed since last week's thread? Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Dec. 31

Any thoughts or questions?

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 01:15 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Thank you KT.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:20 PM (XdIKT)

2 Great bird shots!
And Hadrian's yard looks well done!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:21 PM (XdIKT)

3 I'll go fetch them.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:21 PM (XdIKT)

4 fetched!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:22 PM (XdIKT)

5 Hi, everybody! Still have Christmas lights up in the yard? Still seeing them?

My neighbors across the street keep their lights up until about Jan. 15, God love them. They make up for my grinchiness and general laziness in putting up anything Christmassy.

Posted by: kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:24 PM (dCxaZ)

6 Have you ordered or received seeds? Found more catalogs?

This came in the mail, catalog from "neseed". Rohrer's must have sold them my info.

https://tinyurl.com/3euvp7b9

I am interested in this sunflower:

https://tinyurl.com/yeyt8mcr

Posted by: kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:27 PM (dCxaZ)

7 This is my "take down the Christmas stuff" weekend, with the end of liturgical Christmastide and the beginning of Ordinary Time.

And the HOA rules.

Posted by: Fox2! at January 07, 2023 01:29 PM (qyH+l)

8 I am interested in this sunflower:

https://tinyurl.com/yeyt8mcr
Posted by: kallisto

That's a pretty sunflower.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:30 PM (XdIKT)

9 I ordered some seeds along with the Baker whole seed catalog. I plan to try growing hardy greens with some cover when it gets really cold. I've never tried that on purpose before, but often found some of my summer plantings still harvestable during the winter.

Posted by: Emmie at January 07, 2023 01:30 PM (Emce2)

10 kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:27 PM

I like that pale sunflower.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 01:32 PM (rrtZS)

11 Black Capped Chickadee ,Tufted Titmouse Northern Cardinal

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at January 07, 2023 01:33 PM (FLiOE)

12 Lgood afternoon Greenthumbs

Wonder if top isn't a young Downy Woodpecker

Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 01:33 PM (xhxe8)

13 This is my "take down the Christmas stuff" weekend, with the end of liturgical Christmastide and the beginning of Ordinary Time.

And the HOA rules.

Same here. Plus, enough snow has melted off the roof that I can get to the lights without getting my hands wet and having cold water run up my sleeve.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at January 07, 2023 01:33 PM (Bd6X8)

14 Oooh! I have a question about potatoes, which I grew for the first time this past summer. They were a Yukon Gold-type variety.

When I tried to cook them, many (but not all) refused to soften and lose the raw taste. What's up with that? They were smallish, so I was boiling rather than baking them.

Posted by: Emmie at January 07, 2023 01:34 PM (Emce2)

15 Woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, cardinals, 4!bluebirds, jays, housefinches, sparrows, juncos, occasional grackles, and crows. And a squirrel.

Posted by: Corona at January 07, 2023 01:34 PM (nakGR)

16 I like that pale sunflower.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 01:32 PM (rrtZS)

the seed is pricey, but I enjoy the "new takes" on an old standby. Plus, sunflowers are so easy to grow!

Posted by: kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:35 PM (dCxaZ)

17 kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:27 PM

Rohrers is the one with the old hybrid maters - Ramapo and Rutgers 250 - right?

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 01:35 PM (rrtZS)

18 My niece recommends buying chile seeds from the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State U in Las Cruces. They do a lot of research into growing and hybridizing chiles. I have not bought from them, but they have a big variety on their website.

https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.com/Seeds-c85441005

Posted by: huerfano at January 07, 2023 01:40 PM (dTFZY)

19 I might have taken my lights down today but I'm feeling lazy, so it will probably be Monday morning instead.

Going to try home made navy bean soup with smoked ham hocks in the crock pot for dinner tonight.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 07, 2023 01:41 PM (llON8)

20 skywch, I caught your comment last week after everyone had moved on. Congrats on your peppers! I actually have jalapenos the size of my little finger on my plants. What I really want to see is for my habaneros to do something. I love those in my homemade salsa and the only way I can buy them here is in a package of about 20. More than one in a recipe is too much!

Posted by: Emmie at January 07, 2023 01:41 PM (Emce2)

21 Got my Rutgers 250 seeds from Rohrer this week. These are supposed to be the old-style Rutgers that Mama Publius remembers and loves.

Also ordered a seed mat (with a thermostat). Does anyone have experience with these? I want to get an early start with tomatoes and peppers. We don't have a greenhouse, but there's a table by a south-facing window in the garage. It's usually about 20 degrees warmer than outside, in the winter. I'm hoping this will give us a little head start.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist, just tryna get by at January 07, 2023 01:41 PM (Mzdiz)

22 hiya

Posted by: JT at January 07, 2023 01:43 PM (T4tVD)

23 I have onions that didn't get planted in the fall. Is it too late?

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at January 07, 2023 01:44 PM (Mzdiz)

24 Also ordered a seed mat (with a thermostat). Does anyone have experience with these? I want to get an early start with tomatoes and peppers. We don't have a greenhouse, but there's a table by a south-facing window in the garage. It's usually about 20 degrees warmer than outside, in the winter. I'm hoping this will give us a little head start.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist, just tryna get by at January 07, 2023 01:41 PM (Mzdiz)

Miley, I've never used a seed mat but I've had good luck germinating tomatoes and peppers on top of the water heater or under a ceramic heat emitter for lizards.

Posted by: Emmie at January 07, 2023 01:45 PM (Emce2)

25 Rohrers is the one with the old hybrid maters - Ramapo and Rutgers 250 - right?

I'm gonna say yes, because they're from Lancaster Co., aka Amish country. Lots of heirloom seed stock there.

Posted by: kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:48 PM (dCxaZ)

26 I have onions that didn't get planted in the fall. Is it too late?
Posted by: Miley

I might be; but, what are you going to do with them if you *don't* plant them?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:49 PM (XdIKT)

27 The tomatoes I buy at the farmers market every week in the summer are Hanover tomatoes. I didn't realize that Hanover designated a place rather than a variety, but it makes sense now because that's where these farmers are from.

I don't eat raw tomatoes, but everyone I serve them to remarks on their delicious taste. I thought it was just because they were fresh from the farmers market but maybe there's a little more to it than that!

Posted by: bluebell at January 07, 2023 01:49 PM (pTb/Z)

28 Going to try home made navy bean soup with smoked ham hocks in the crock pot for dinner tonigh

I had ham and bean soup from a local deli last week. That is a big deal for me because for the most part I eschew "fruit de cochon"...pig products.

boy did that soup hit the spot

Posted by: kallisto at January 07, 2023 01:50 PM (dCxaZ)

29 Emmie, did you let the potatoes age a bit before cooking them. I have read that you need to harvest and let them sit for 3 weeks. I have cooked mine fresh from the garden before and they were fine but maybe the variety you grew would be better after sitting for a bit.

Posted by: Weekreekfarmgirl at January 07, 2023 01:51 PM (lAO29)

30 Beautiful birds, flowers, butterflies all! Now for Missouri!

1

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 01:53 PM (0OP+5)

31 what do you accept for adventure submissions/comments?

Posted by: DB - you know my name at January 07, 2023 01:54 PM (geLO8)

32 I guess I've got nothing to lose by planting the onion sets. We tried once before, not much luck. I got them half-price, late in the season.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at January 07, 2023 01:56 PM (Mzdiz)

33 I guess I've got nothing to lose by planting the onion sets. We tried once before, not much luck. I got them half-price, late in the season.
Posted by: Miley

If any of them grow you can use the tops for 'green onions'.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 01:57 PM (XdIKT)

34 Cure is the work I was looking for, not age.

Posted by: Weekreekfarmgirl at January 07, 2023 01:58 PM (lAO29)

35 Need a recommendation from the Horde on replacements for 2 shrubs to be placed on either side of the front door.

Last year I had to remove the arbor vitae which previously flanked the door due to bagworms. Tried skyspindle holly, but both of those died off.

Any thoughts?

-SLV

Posted by: Shy Lurking Vote at January 07, 2023 01:58 PM (yXpN8)

36 That top bird is the one that started appearing at our suet feeder this year. Little woodpecker guy.

Posted by: Tom C at January 07, 2023 01:59 PM (g7nnY)

37 @ 30- Mystery to me.

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 01:59 PM (0OP+5)

38 31 what do you accept for adventure submissions/comments?
Posted by: DB - you know my name at January 07, 2023 01:54 PM
Well more not 'this one time at band camp' and 'Dear Penthouse, I never thought it would happen to me.'

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 02:02 PM (0OP+5)

39 Emmie @20, thanks! Yours sound great too, nice to have a fresh one when you need one!

Posted by: skywch at January 07, 2023 02:04 PM (uqhmb)

40 Haven't looked at my chives lately but will go see soon how they are surviving. We had some freezing but on other had decent temperatures here in mid Atlantic coast

Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 02:05 PM (xhxe8)

41 I have woodpeckers, sparrows, mourning doves and sometimes a cardinal. The nuthatches let me get right next to them. And there are squirrels, which makes my dog happy.

I am sending a bag of my seeds to my stepson. Gotta plant the rest this year.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 07, 2023 02:06 PM (uz3Px)

42 Re: warming mats. Got a small one last year and the tomato seedlings germinated twice as fast, in those tiny connected pots with seed starter soil.

Posted by: skywch at January 07, 2023 02:07 PM (uqhmb)

43 maybe the variety you grew would be better after sitting for a bit.
Posted by: Weekreekfarmgirl at January 07, 2023 01:51 PM (lAO29)

Thanks, WeeKreek! Some I cooked fresh and some were aged. Some of the aged ones got desiccated so I didn't use any of the really rubbery ones.

Posted by: Emmie at January 07, 2023 02:08 PM (Emce2)

44 okay, gardening stories from long ago-

never plant ivy near your house- or you will start a 'forever war'

there is no such thing as too many daffodils

maples look nice in autumn

Posted by: DB - you know my name at January 07, 2023 02:10 PM (geLO8)

45 Not mine but everywhere I see bamboo planted it looks like it will takeover the immediate 100 acres
Don't even think about it

Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 02:14 PM (xhxe8)

46 Not mine but everywhere I see bamboo planted it looks like it will takeover the immediate 100 acres
Don't even think about it
Posted by: Skip

I've seen people build cement circles to contain bamboo. The bamboo broke the cement (it was 4inches thick and 12inches deep).
I've read that you can build a circle out of copper to contain bamboo; but, I've never met anyone rich enough to try it.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 02:18 PM (XdIKT)

47
Not mine but everywhere I see bamboo planted it looks like it will takeover the immediate 100 acres
Don't even think about it
Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 02:14 PM (xhxe

___________

We planted some clump bamboo to hide a dog pen from being seen from the road. Not only did it grow large and handsomely but it also did not spread.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 07, 2023 02:18 PM (MoZTd)

48 I usually emulate Denver city or county? and leave my outdoor lights up through the stock show which covers the last 2 weekends of January. But this year I didn't get any up. Didn't do indoor decorations either, things are crowded with the electric bed for dad and I haven't had enough ambition to get the one ratty old recliner into the dumpster.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 07, 2023 02:21 PM (3cGpq)

49 Still seeing lights up. It's cold out today. Freezing drizzle in the forecast.

Posted by: jewells45 fuck cancer at January 07, 2023 02:23 PM (nxdel)

50 That stuff comes in really handy.

Posted by: Gilligan at January 07, 2023 02:26 PM (DhOHl)

51 Last year my neighbor didn't take his outdoor lights along the fence down at all. That didn't work out for him, the wires got busted up in the wind about April. I did enjoy them while they lasted though.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 07, 2023 02:28 PM (3cGpq)

52 I bet that piccolino zuchinni would be great sliced and fried like okra.

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 02:31 PM (0OP+5)

53 Top pic is great. I saw one of them on my walk and got a short video of him pecking away at a tree limb. Really interesting to watch, they're really fast at drilling.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at January 07, 2023 02:33 PM (cq4C8)

54 Hadrian that's because you have panda bears to eat it, not everyone has

Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 02:35 PM (xhxe8)

55 Downy woodpecker. Regular here in western Mo.

Posted by: MkY at January 07, 2023 02:36 PM (cPGH3)

56 45 Not mine but everywhere I see bamboo planted it looks like it will takeover the immediate 100 acres
Don't even think about it
Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 02:14 PM
When we lived on the other lake, Mrs.E bought the two lots next to our right which had a few bamboos on it. Over the years we fought that stuff every which way. When we moved to town and sold the other place it went unmolested, so the new buyers went in and shredded it. Came back just like kudzu.

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 02:37 PM (0OP+5)

57 Last year I had to remove the arbor vitae which previously flanked the door due to bagworms. Tried skyspindle holly, but both of those died off.

Any thoughts?

-SLV
Posted by: Shy Lurking Vote

Zone? Direction facing? (N E S W). Obviously you're going for evergreen.

Posted by: MkY at January 07, 2023 02:38 PM (cPGH3)

58 The nuthatches have gotten used to me and wait in a lilac 10 feet away for me to refill the feeder.

Posted by: DaveA at January 07, 2023 02:40 PM (FhXTo)

59 Put up the Christmas stuff to a variety of Christmas tunes.
Took them down to the dulcet sounds of Ray Orbison, and Brooks and Dunn.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 07, 2023 02:41 PM (anj39)

60 The nuthatches have gotten used to me and wait in a lilac 10 feet away for me to refill the feeder.
Posted by: DaveA

That would be fun. Only the crows don't fly away from me.

Posted by: MkY at January 07, 2023 02:41 PM (cPGH3)

61 We DO know if the deer in the yard are regulars or not by their reactions to us.

Posted by: MkY at January 07, 2023 02:43 PM (cPGH3)

62 Also...yet another year begins in defiance of the cold, snow and ice. My crocus have once again poked their green shoots above the dirt. Yea!!!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at January 07, 2023 02:44 PM (anj39)

63 DB - you know my name at January 07, 2023 01:54 PM

It's an adventure if you had to deal with nature, etc.

Or if you were involved in the interface between nature and civilization. I guess. Send it in. We'll discuss.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 02:45 PM (rrtZS)

64 I bet that piccolino zuchinni would be great sliced and fried like okra.
Posted by: Eromero

Are you trying to steal Miley, okravangelist's spot?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 02:46 PM (XdIKT)

65 Christmas lights usually stay up here until the last musher finishes the Iditarod. It's damned dark here in winter and it's kind of nice to see the colors. Plus there's a huge star on the mountainside that the military keeps lit until then, too.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at January 07, 2023 02:46 PM (LOVUx)

66
The bees have been carrying off the bird seed from the feeders. I've never seen the likes of it before. But I've read that in the absence of flowers they'll go after anything that provides sustenance. We put out some sugar water for them, which they love.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 07, 2023 02:47 PM (MoZTd)

67 The nuthatches have gotten used to me and wait in a lilac 10 feet away for me to refill the feeder.
Posted by: DaveA

That would be fun. Only the crows don't fly away from me.
Posted by: MkY at January 07, 2023 02:41 PM (cPGH3)

I've a Lions Head maple in the yard. The hummingbirds sit on the highest branches while waiting for Mrs D to put new stuff in the feeder.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 07, 2023 02:48 PM (anj39)

68 Turned off the outside lights this morning and son took them down today.
I turned off the tree lights last night and undecorated it and took it to the curb today.

Now we just wait until Lent.

(We started doing the full 12 days of Christmas partly because of living in Germany 25 years ago, and partly because our son's birthday is less than a week before Christmas, and we didn't decorate until after his birthday.)

Posted by: GWB at January 07, 2023 02:50 PM (4lsOS)

69 Any thoughts?

-SLV
Posted by: Shy Lurking Vote at January 07, 2023 01:58
------------------

Maybe Alberta spruces? Different varieties to meet size requirements. However, they are susceptible to spider mites so annual spraying is advisable.

Posted by: olddog in mo at January 07, 2023 02:51 PM (ju2Fy)

70 I went and collected about 8 hedge apples from the one stand of Osage Orange in the county (it was planted as a horse paddock hedge years and years ago) with the intent to sprout the seeds and plant them

Supposedly they are not hard to sprout if the winters stay below 40F so I chopped them up and planted them in my starter bed out back. I am not so much interested in spiny hedges as I am for holding on to soil, and maybe some springy wood some day.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 07, 2023 02:54 PM (xhaym)

71 Hadrian, nice!!!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 07, 2023 02:54 PM (+B8yt)

72 64 I bet that piccolino zuchinni would be great sliced and fried like okra.
Posted by: Eromero

Are you trying to steal Miley, okravangelist's spot?
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 07, 2023 02:46 PM
Why no. She probably already fried up some of the piccolino zuchinni, but I've never seen it before. But everybody knows that okra's like bacon, it makes everything better.

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 02:55 PM (0OP+5)

73 It is NOT warm out thar.

Posted by: JT at January 07, 2023 02:59 PM (T4tVD)

74 Big erection in progress next door. Neighbor is setting up a bouncy castle for kids.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 07, 2023 03:03 PM (tkR6S)

75 But everybody knows that okra's like bacon, it makes everything better.

Posted by: Eromero at January 07, 2023 02:55 PM (0OP+5)

LOL! Almost everything. Haven't put it into desserts yet.

*substitute okra for bananas in banana pudding?*

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at January 07, 2023 03:06 PM (Mzdiz)

76 Wonder if top isn't a young Downy Woodpecker
Posted by: Skip

Red headed woodpecker ?

Posted by: JT at January 07, 2023 03:08 PM (T4tVD)

77 I cut the Christmas tree up with a chainsaw and put it in the yard debris can yesterday...Is that gardening?

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at January 07, 2023 03:14 PM (h1jJh)

78 We call this the 'season of yuk' as the sun never shines, it is cold and wet. Will order seed this week. Totally Tomatoes for maters and peppers. Jihnny's is a reliable seed spirce for 'commercial' and home growers. 'Cippollos Pride' tomato is a winner for me here in N. Indiana. This year imma use livestock panels to support maters, as i am tired of wasting time with sticks and string. Secure one panel, plant the row of maters and sammich them between a second panel. Let see how this works.

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid in cloudland N. Indiana at January 07, 2023 03:15 PM (3Or4S)

79 No Downey, they are as that one looks, have them here. B&W with little patch of red on top of head

Posted by: Skip at January 07, 2023 03:15 PM (xhxe8)

80 Miley, We used seed warming mats over the years. Work great. However, take care that tomato stems do not grow too lanky and thin because they are growing too fast.

Posted by: Mrs. JTB at January 07, 2023 03:17 PM (7EjX1)

81 70 That's interesting. I've collected a few as well and am going to plant them on our new property as a way of helping perpetuate them. They seemed plentiful enough back in the day, but don't see them that often anymore. Too old to worry about the springy stuff, but maybe someone else can.

Posted by: Erik In Texas at January 07, 2023 03:17 PM (aGGj6)

82 No Downey, they are as that one looks, have them here. B&W with little patch of red on top of head
Posted by: Skip

Huh !

Posted by: JT at January 07, 2023 03:18 PM (T4tVD)

83 Pet Thread is up!

Posted by: Oldcat at January 07, 2023 03:19 PM (eoQWY)

84 I put my game camera out to get bird pics at the feeder. Pecking order is Flicker, Blue Jays, then all the little birds. The littles birds share better though.

Posted by: WhitePunk at January 07, 2023 03:20 PM (sZZ0o)

85 No Downey, they are as that one looks, have them here. B&W with little patch of red on top of head
Posted by: Skip

Should we call him Morton ?

Posted by: JT at January 07, 2023 03:20 PM (T4tVD)

86 You deserve a break today at McDonald's!

That catchy little jingle was written by Barry Manilow. He says it's his biggest hit. Also says he's only eaten at McDonald's one time. Guess he was right when he sang "I write the songs the whole work sings". Fun fact... He didn't write that song. I Write the Songs was written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys.

Manilow also wrote the "stuck on band aid" jingle.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at January 07, 2023 03:21 PM (Wy1BU)

87 Here's question for the garden Horde. As a kid, back in B.C. in the mumble-mumbles, I got seeds for something hyped as a "tomato tree". I planted them, and got some very tall plant with large heart-shaped leaves, but it never flowered or bore fruit. Wasn't a sunflower, because I had grown sunflowers.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 07, 2023 03:22 PM (tkR6S)

88 Miley, okravangelist, just tryna get by at January 07, 2023 01:41 PM

Generally, a good catalog will list the best germination temperatures for various seeds (peppers take rather high temperatures, for example).

After the seeds sprout, you don't want the plants to be too warm, especially if the light is not strong.

You might put a low fan near the plants, too.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 03:26 PM (rrtZS)

89 Alberta Oil Peon at January 07, 2023 03:22 PM

It's not a tomato. It's a tropical plant with fruits that look vaguely like tomatoes.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 03:30 PM (rrtZS)

90 I put up a suet feeder (actually two suet feeders) for the first time recently, and in addition to attracting a bunch of little woodpeckers like the one pictured up top, it has attracted a bunch of bluebirds. I've never read that bluebirds are attracted to suet, but then again they started to show up when the temp stayed below 20 degrees for an extended period. Maybe they just couldn't afford to be choosy.

Posted by: Cumberland Astro at January 07, 2023 03:39 PM (d9Cw3)

91 Alberta Oil Peon at January 07, 2023 03:22 PM

If you want a tomato that looks like a little tree, get "Silvery Fir Tree".

Or cage up one of the dwarf tomatoes.

Also, saw an evaluation of early indoor tomatoes to try. Maybe Orange Pixie or Little Birdie Red Robin.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 03:45 PM (rrtZS)

92 Miley, We used seed warming mats over the years. Work great. However, take care that tomato stems do not grow too lanky and thin because they are growing too fast.

Posted by: Mrs. JTB at January 07, 2023 03:17 PM (7EjX1)

I read somewhere that you should brush the seedlings with a piece of paper to simulate wind and thicken the stalks. Anyone else ever hear this?

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at January 07, 2023 04:10 PM (Mzdiz)

93 Posted by: Shy Lurking Vote

Zone? Direction facing? (N E S W). Obviously you're going for evergreen.
Posted by: MkY at January 07, 2023 02:38 PM (cPGH3)

Facing southwest, but some BIG oak trees shading the front, in MD.

Maybe Alberta spruces?
Posted by: olddog in mo at January 07, 2023 02:51 PM (ju2Fy)

Those might work, definitely looking for some sort of evergreen (coniferous) if possible.

-SLV

Posted by: Shy Lurking Vote at January 07, 2023 04:29 PM (yXpN8)

94 Thanks for the bird pic compliments, glad you enjoyed them. All taken from about 50 ft away using a Nikon B500 on a tripod. And speaking of birds, WAR EAGLE!

Posted by: Bama Bubba at January 07, 2023 04:36 PM (XjZhF)

95 Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at January 07, 2023 02:46 PM (LOVUx)

Belated hello. Leaving the outdoor Christmas lights up through mid march makes sense that far north. What a fun tradition.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 07, 2023 04:50 PM (3cGpq)

96
I guess - having read a number of his books - Sir Max Hastings is something of a Wehraboo. German equipment, tactics, training, etc. were always superior to the US and UK.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 07, 2023 06:08 PM (MoZTd)

97 Here in Nawthern Michigan, it’s cold but there’s hardly any snow…and the Cheeseburger Birds are sounding the call. Morning and night, you’ll hear it…cheeeeeeeese-bur-ger…

Posted by: Don Draper at January 07, 2023 06:13 PM (SXH3O)

98 Miley, okravangelist at January 07, 2023 04:10 PM

You can brush the stalks to thicken them, but this also risks spreading disease. A low fan that circulates air a little may be more appropriate.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 09:05 PM (rrtZS)

99 Cicero Kaboom! Kid in cloudland N. Indiana at January 07, 2023 03:15 PM

Great plan with the livestock panels.

Totally Tomatoes carries Summer Dance cucumbers, which do well trellised in our hot weather.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 09:09 PM (rrtZS)

100 tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at January 07, 2023 02:46 PM

Great idea, leaving lights up in the dark season.

Here, lights on fences can help people navigate in winter fog.

Posted by: KT at January 07, 2023 09:18 PM (rrtZS)

101 From Boise area: Lows 19-37 F, highs 34-48. Rain Thursday, fog Friday. Husband mowed and bagged the leaves under a maple, and we put them in the leaf cages for future composting. Much of the maple in other areas has gotten mixed with non-compostable oak, so that may all go in the trash with the sycamore leaves.

Christmas lights are still up. We normally take them down Jan. 6th, but today 7th we spent the day at a shooting competition with some of our students, and wanted to come home to some cheerful lights, so we left them on. Tomorrow we'll pull the plug, and if the weather is decent we'll also take them down. We did remove ornaments/lights and put the tree out on the 6th (will go in spring burn pile; until then, birds will use it as cover).

I have ideas on how to add flowers to assist the vegetable garden, but we have to draw up plans first, as some flowers attract good bugs to certain crops, some repel bugs, some attract bugs away from certain crops - I want to be sure I put flowers in the correct places! Once we draw planting plans, and inventory current seeds, catalog fantasies can become reality.

Posted by: Pat* at January 07, 2023 10:33 PM (sSIXM)

102 My favorite birds are Mother Eagle, the Crow, and the Hummingbird. Mother Eagle is the symbol of freedom. Crows. Try hunting them, they are so keenly aware of their surroundings it is almost impossible unless your are in a Ghillie Suit.

Hummingbirds. Pure strength ariel beauty.

Posted by: Danimal28 at January 08, 2023 09:36 AM (ryUqI)

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