Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Apr. 6

Spring greetings, everyone! Don't you love the photo above?

Caught the final day before the rain washes it all away.
This first one is my favorite.

I live in Bethesda Md. There is an area along the Capital Crescent Trail called Kenwood. It is famous for streets lined with Cherry Trees. They close off the area to cars for a few days when it is peak and people walk and bring their kids and picnic in the little park along the way.

The trees themselves are so interesting with odd shapes and twisty branches. It is amazing that they have been able to keep them from being cut down. You can tell that many are very old. But then the homes in the area are pretty spectacular.

Sharon (willow's apprentice)

It really is an amazing place. Great photos. We saved another one for later.

How many in The Horde are living in a place where "Spring" still means "Crocus"? How is the weather treating you and your garden? We had FROST this morning in the South-Central San Joaquin Valley of California, after reaching the 80s during the week.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

By-Tor has been busy again:

Ralph's had blackberries for $2 a pint so I bought a bunch and made blackberry jam. First time making it. And raspberry, too.
The blackberry is good. Set up nice; not too sweet. Not sure if the raspberry is going to set up. Might have to re-do it.

Let's talk nomenclature for a minute here: What is the difference between jelly, jam, preserves and marmalade?

Blackberries and Boysenberries have bigger seeds than Raspberries. Locally, it is hard to find a jam-like product made from blackberries or boysenberries that includes the seeds. The mister at our house prefers seeds in his. The strained products available commercially are called "Jam".

Raspberry seems to be available mostly with seeds. These products are called "preserves" here.

"Jelly" is made from clear juice.

"Marmalade" is discussed below.

My raspberry jelly didn't set up so I redid it with more pectin. Seems like it worked.

Sometimes perseverance pays!

I was gifted a sack of oranges with the caveat that I make some orange marmalade.

It basically jelly, with a couple extra steps; you have to chop up some of the rind, and take the pith off the orange.

It came out pretty good.

Enticing.

Pro Tip: Taste the rind of each individual orange, as some are much more bitter than others. There are intentionally bitter marmalades, but kids may not like them.

History and Holidays

April 4 is the 94th, less often the 95th, day of the Gregorian calendar. Its equivalent was usually the 15th day of the germinal month in the old French calendar, officially called the day of the BEE.
"Continuing my work, I will sing the aerial honey. ”Georgians, Virgil).
Georgians. Virgile (called "the Swan of Mantoue", born around October 15, 70 BC. J. -C. in the Andes, in present-day Lombardy and died on September 21, 19 av. J. -C. Off to Brindisi ). Enlightenment: attributed to the Master of Vitae imperatorum. Date and place of publication: mid-15th century, Milan (Italy). Latin manuscript, illuminated human writing on parchment. Bodleian Library, Oxford University. MS. Rawl. G. 98, volume 049v

Looks fun!

April 4 is also Carrot Day. Don't know why.

Are you planting carrots this year? If so, are you going for climate adaptability, superior flavor, color, fun shapes, or what?

Illuminated Manuscripts Europe:

April 5 was once the day of lettuce in France.
The miniature is extracted from a Tacuinum sanitatis, a health manual written around 1050 by Ibn Butlân († 1066), a Christian doctor and theologian from Baghdad, copied and illustrated in Rhenania around 1474.
Each sheet of the manuscript bears a title - here Lactuce / Lattich - and an illustration: there, a couple in a garden harvesting lettuce.

Those lettuce plants look pretty big for the beginning of April in France. Must have been before the Little Ice Age.

Ah, Nature

It is expected that 100 trillion cicadas will emerge shortly after the eclipse on April 8.

"It's like an entire alien species living underneath our feet and then some prime number years they come out to say hello," Saad Bhamla, a professor of biotechnology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, told TV station WFLD in Chicago. "This year we're going to get two broods that are going to emerge at the same time."

Experts believe that Brood XIX--which operates on a 13-year cycle and nests across a swath of the mid-South from southern Iowa to the Carolinas - - and Brood XIII, which arises every 17 years and nests between central Illinois and southern Wisconsin, are due to appear at the same time. It is thought that this coincidence has not occurred since 1803.

When they do emerge, based on previous outings, the cicadas will cover fields and houses in their path with shed exoskeletons and produce a noise that rivals a jet engine.

BUT THERE'S MORE:

Alien Species???? How about Sex Zombies?

Trillions of cicadas will emerge across several U.S. states this spring in an event one expert dubbed "cicada-geddon." Not only are more cicadas than usual expected this year, but some of them will be "zombie cicadas" that are infected by a sexually transmitted fungus that makes them hyper-sexual. . .

Matthew Kasson, an associate professor of Mycology and Forest Pathology at West Virginia University, says both of these broods can be infected by a fungal pathogen called Massospora cicadina.

Once the cicadas emerge from the ground, they molt into adults, and within a week to 10 days, the fungus causes the backside of their abdomens open up. A chalky, white plug erupts out, taking over their bodies and making their genitals fall off.

Odd that having their genitals fall off would make them hyper-sexual, don't you think?

Kasson said the reason the cicadas might be able to ignore the fungus is that it produces an amphetamine, which could give them stamina.

"But there's also something else unusual about it," he said. "There's this hyper-sexualized behavior. So, males for example, they'll continue to try and mate with females -- unsuccessfully, because again, their back end is a fungus. But they'll also pretend to be females to get males to come to them. And that doubles the number of cicadas that an infected individual comes in contact with."

Usually, male cicadas will let out a loud humming sound to attracted female cicadas and the female will flick her wings to signal she wants to mate. But the fungus has males flicking their wings like females to attract males and in turn, infect them, Kasson says.

Back in 2021, we saw the FDA suggesting that cicadas could be on the menu as long as we weren't allergic to shrimp or lobster. And the Smithsonian provided harvesting, preparation and serving suggestions. But these sex zombie cicadas have brought up some new concerns:

It is unclear how the fungus would affect other wildlife or humans, but Kasson said in his research, he's observed thousands of compounds in infected cicadas and some could be toxic.

"We know that a lot of animals are gobbling these cicadas up as they're emerging -- snakes and birds. Is it possible they're having an effect on the animals that eat them? Yes, it is possible." But, he said, less than 5% of cicadas are infected with the fungus and researchers have yet to observe any impact on other wildlife.

Kasson urges people not to eat the cicadas or kill them, but to take photos if they see the fugus on the bugs and share them with online science communities, like iNaturalist, to help researchers.

Seems to fit in with the current culture, somehow. I hope the cautions concerning eating fungus-infected cicadas continue. You can still reach a recipe for June Bug Snacks at the 2021 link above if you need to offer a "green" friend an alternative. No hypersexual zombie June Bugs have been reported yet (that I know of).

Puttering

For those small repair jobs:

Fixing patches pic.twitter.com/sqHhr2DnCE

— Wolf of X (@tradingMaxiSL) April 3, 2024

A drywall repair kit or spackle repair kit may let you get away with a less-than major undertaking. .

Adventure

Brave enough to visit a university campus? I think these photos were taken last month.

Those tulip bulbs, with their underplanting of pansies and/or violas, must have gone in during the fall. Unless they are planted from potted plants, which would be pretty expensive. They would have to be replaced every year in Mississippi. Someone must believe that they help lift the spirits of the students.

You may say "Those tulips above don't look very natural in that setting". Where's the adventure?" Well, University campuses can be like different worlds these days. And it looks like all the rain may lead to a less-than-spectacular California Poppy bloom in many reserves, partly because the poppies will be out-competed by grasses and other plants due to all the recent rains. And some venues have been closed. Check before you go.

There are California Poppies blooming in the towns around here. This is California Poppy Day!

This is what the bloom looked like in the Antelope Valley Wildlife Reserve in 2019. If they open the reserve for viewing this year, you may see other wildflowers instead, and not in sheets like this:

Maybe displays like this will return again sometime soon. In the meantime, you could plant a patch of them. They come in other colors, too. There are other wildflowers in the deserts, foothills and mountainso. Just check before you go expecting a spectacle.

It might be an adventure to plant a Hummingbird wildflower nectar wildflower seed mix in your own yard, though I tend to shy away from mixtures (unless you are really good at weed control).

https://www.americanmeadows.com/product/wildflower-seeds/butterfly-hummingbird-wildflower-seed-mix

Check out the list of flowers if you want to choose individual flowers for your garden. Sixteen annuals and perennials. The one below would also be attractive to hummingbird moths.

Gardens of The Horde

Got an email comment about the March 23 thread:

The first plant, I have. It is one of the only truly deer-proof plants I own. Have no idea what it is though. They don't touch my daffodils, but eat EVERYTHING else.

Geraniums, which are nice, but kinda stinky, they eat. Was told they wouldn't... They even eat the azaleas, which they shouldn't.

Planted some CA poppies, which have sprouted. And deer haven't touched them yet. So, we'll see how that goes.

Moved in, and thought, "oh, deer. How cute!"
They're terrible!

Truly enjoy your posts. You show incredible stuff.

As for the rattlesnake pic. Have a story about working on a construction site. Unused for years, but under a raised computer floor, a worker remarked that there was an old cinnamon roll left behind. Luckily, he didn't try to pick it up. He went to kick it over, and it struck at him. Boots and heavy jeans kept the sitch from being bad.

Keep up the good work.

Gunslinger

Several commenters guessed right that the plant in question is a Euphorbia, related to poinsettias. It has toxic sap.

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, March 30

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.

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 01:24 PM (fwDg9)

2 Just took compost out to bin but didn't look in on chives and oregano, very windy and cool out.

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 01:26 PM (fwDg9)

3 "She must be made of jelly, because jam doesn't shake like that."

Posted by: davidt at April 06, 2024 01:28 PM (SYTee)

4 I used to have a cherry tree in the backyard but a late 3 day freeze in may killed it.

Posted by: vic at April 06, 2024 01:31 PM (A5THL)

5 Sometimes I think it would be worth dropping in on By-Tor to "talk" around breakfast time once a week or so.

Posted by: KT at April 06, 2024 01:34 PM (rrtZS)

6 Thanks for the Gardening Thread KT.
I love the pictures especially of the tulips.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 01:36 PM (Fg/tA)

7 I was taught by mom jelly had no seeds and jams had seeds, hence quince jelly (tons of seeds you have to strain out) and berry jams.
Blackberry, Marion berry, and olallieberry jams are all favorites, toast and PBJ sandwiches are just delivery systems for berry jams.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 01:38 PM (Fg/tA)

8 I was gifted a sack of oranges with the caveat that I make some orange marmalade.
It basically jelly, with a couple extra steps; you have to chop up some of the rind, and take the pith off the orange.

She said pith - Mike Tyson

Posted by: JT at April 06, 2024 01:38 PM (T4tVD)

9 Very nice pics. We're expanding the strawberry bed today.
And I now have a serviceberry orchard!
15 plants

Posted by: MarkY at April 06, 2024 01:38 PM (ey6G9)

10 Just took compost out to bin but didn't look in on chives and oregano, very windy and cool out.
Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 01:26 PM (fwDg9)

VERY !

Posted by: JT at April 06, 2024 01:39 PM (T4tVD)

11 I have three cans of prepared Seville oranges, from one of the regular marmalade makers. They are for making your own. And I have a recipe for marmalade made with Guiness that I want to try.

I ordered a Mantis. I would prefer to use a broadfork and my garden fork but my right knee is bad. Digging is out. I could hire someone maybe. But this is not a big yard and a one time deal might not be enough. Mantis is still made in the US so I am hopeful this will work.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:40 PM (yeEu9)

12 And I got David the Good's new book "Minimalist Gardening". It's small but well done. I am planning to try one of his Grocery Gardening rows. I hadn't planned on fruit trees but using them to shade plants would be good here. I'll see how it goes.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:42 PM (yeEu9)

13
produce a noise that rivals a jet engine.

Hyperbola. They're nature and they're alive. I like the sound of them. If I got my actual dB meter out they may be in the 80-90 dB range. Jet engine on take off is 120 plus dB.

Maybe they meant a jet engine at idle.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at April 06, 2024 01:42 PM (RKVpM)

14 Thanks for letting me share my perambulations. Looking at the pictures here and as I walk, I am just constantly amazed at the variety of colors and shapes that Mother Nature gives us. It is hard to believe that they evolved this way naturally. Makes you believe there really is someone up there who loves us.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 01:42 PM (t/2Uw)

15 I use Seville orange marmalade in my marinades with chicken and often use it to glaze just before the chicken is done.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 01:44 PM (t/2Uw)

16 >>>The miniature is extracted from a Tacuinum sanitatis, a health manual written around 1050 by Ibn Butlân

I need to get me some of those pointy shoes for gardening.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 01:45 PM (w6EFb)

17 I ordered a Mantis.
Posted by: Notsothoreau

Make sure you drain the gas after use. A friend had one and replacing the plastic gas lines was not fun, nor was it inexpensive IIRC.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 01:46 PM (Fg/tA)

18 Growing up I lived in Wheaton, MD not that far from Bethesda. I know Kenwood. It was always beautiful in the spring. My grandparents lived in NW D.C. not from the National Cathedral and we'd take walks there after brunch on Sundays.

Now... I have my own park. Well, the yard/property. I just finished mowing it for the first time since last November. About 4 acres of grass. Lots of onion grass and weeds. So it smells like a funky salad bar.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 06, 2024 01:46 PM (Q4IgG)

19 Hear stuff falling outside, sycamore bombs falling on roof

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 01:46 PM (fwDg9)

20 So much content! I seem to remember cicadas sometime around Comet Kahoutec?

Posted by: Eromero at April 06, 2024 01:46 PM (o2ZRX)

21 I bought a marionberry plant just because I like the jam so much. Not sure if it will be happy here.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:46 PM (yeEu9)

22
Hyperbole. I think we keep math out of the gardening thread.

Anyway, spring clean up continues. I can not remember any winter with as much tree damage as this one in decades.

Milder temperatures, but stronger winds.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at April 06, 2024 01:48 PM (RKVpM)

23 90% cloud cover for my location for most of Monday.

You gotta be kidding me.

Posted by: pookysgirl, astronomical bad luck charm at April 06, 2024 01:49 PM (dtlDP)

24 I just hope I can work up small patches. I'll keep a bit in grass up by the house for the dog. But I really want to minimize lawn.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:49 PM (yeEu9)

25 21 I bought a marionberry plant just because I like the jam so much. Not sure if it will be happy here.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:46 PM (yeEu9)
OK, so you made up that berry, right? You trying to set me up?

Posted by: Eromero at April 06, 2024 01:52 PM (o2ZRX)

26 It's finally going to hit 72 here! With 29mph winds and 44mph gusts. I'm not going to work outside today.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:52 PM (yeEu9)

27 No, it's named after Marion county in Oregon. Blackberry cross with something.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:54 PM (yeEu9)

28 Actually not a cross per Burpee but a blackberry developed by the university. Has a really rich flavor and does not taste like a blackberry. Large berries.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 06, 2024 01:57 PM (yeEu9)

29 Growing up I lived in Wheaton, MD not that far from Bethesda. I know Kenwood. It was always beautiful in the spring. My grandparents lived in NW D.C. not from the National Cathedral and we'd take walks there after brunch on Sundays.)
———
I grew up not far from you. In PG County. I have family that still live in the Bethesda/Kenwood area (unfortunately). Crazy libs but a beautiful neighborhood.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at April 06, 2024 01:57 PM (o5xMZ)

30 I just got the eclipse glasses I ordered for Monday after I found out we would see 85% here. They do not stay on. There is a reason they were so cheap. I ordered 10 prs to give to,the rest of the family but unless they tape them to the kids heads, I don't see how they will work.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 02:00 PM (t/2Uw)

31 I just got the eclipse glasses I ordered for Monday after I found out we would see 85% here. They do not stay on. There is a reason they were so cheap. I ordered 10 prs to give to,the rest of the family but unless they tape them to the kids heads, I don't see how they will work.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 02:00 PM (t/2Uw)

Super glue ?

Posted by: JT at April 06, 2024 02:03 PM (T4tVD)

32 Kasson urges people not to eat the cicadas or kill them,

I will not eet zee boogz.

However, I cannot protect any that emerge on my property from my chickens.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:04 PM (llON8)

33 I bought a marionberry plant just because I like the jam so much. Not sure if it will be happy here.
Posted by: Notsothoreau
OK, so you made up that berry, right? You trying to set me up?
Posted by: Eromero

Now why would you think we, your horde brethren, would ever consider 'setting you up'?
(unless we thought we could get a laugh out of it.)

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:05 PM (Fg/tA)

34 Deer-resistant plants https://tinyurl.com/muyhtetb

I try to focus on these when possible. Coneflowers, columbines, butterfly bush, among others.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:06 PM (w6EFb)

35 >>> 23 90% cloud cover for my location for most of Monday.

You gotta be kidding me.
Posted by: pookysgirl, astronomical bad luck charm at April 06, 2024 01:49 PM (dtlDP)

I can't wait to see complaints from tourists about the towns they visited having bad weather.

>>> 30 I just got the eclipse glasses I ordered for Monday after I found out we would see 85% here. They do not stay on. There is a reason they were so cheap. I ordered 10 prs to give to,the rest of the family but unless they tape them to the kids heads, I don't see how they will work.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 02:00 PM (t/2Uw)

Go for a drive to several of the big box locations - Home Depot, Lowe's, etc - to see if you can find welding glasses. You can also make a quick pinhole camera or help the kids make one.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:09 PM (llON8)

36 Sharon maybe tape to other sunglasses

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:10 PM (fwDg9)

37 I got some papaver somniferum seeds to make tinctures and tea. Hopefully will not get busted.

The clematis plants are covered with buds So far, 5 blossoms. Will wait until later in the week to take photos. The plants are so happy where they are!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:11 PM (w6EFb)

38 tape them to the kids heads,
Posted by: Sharon

The kids will remember the eclipse better if you tape the glasses to their heads!
Be sure to use blue tape and not duct tape or glue!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:13 PM (Fg/tA)

39 I got some papaver somniferum seeds to make tinctures and tea. Hopefully will not get busted.

Posted by: Miley

Will the poppy seed sold for bread make the same tea and tincture?

I remember reading about a lady who threw her old poppy seed into the garden and had the cops come rip up her garden when they sprouted and bloomed.
Lady was surprised. Cops were upset.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:16 PM (Fg/tA)

40 Lovely cherry trees. I was worried our Yoshino cherry trees got nipped this year, but they escaped the late frost we had. Many of the Tulip trees were not so lucky.

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 02:16 PM (ju2Fy)

41 Gunslinger--

I laughed at your experience with deer because it perfectly parallels mine. We moved out here 7 years ago after living in the city without a yard for 30 years and I thought, "Finally I can have a garden." Ha!! I also have many deer.

In my early days of trying to find things that the deer wouldn't eat I ran across this post on a gardening site. "I think deer eat things they don't like just out of spite." Seems to be true from my experience.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 06, 2024 02:17 PM (FEVMW)

42 The kids will remember the eclipse better if you tape the glasses to their heads!
Be sure to use blue tape and not duct tape or glue!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:13 PM (Fg/tA)

They'll remember better when ya take the tape off.

RRRiiiiiiiPPPPP !

Posted by: JT at April 06, 2024 02:17 PM (T4tVD)

43 They'll remember better when ya take the tape off.

RRRiiiiiiiPPPPP !
Posted by: JT

As a nurse I've done that 'rip' to many... I always mention to the guys that the ladies pay a lot for what I was about to do to them.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:19 PM (Fg/tA)

44 Will the poppy seed sold for bread make the same tea and tincture?

I remember reading about a lady who threw her old poppy seed into the garden and had the cops come rip up her garden when they sprouted and bloomed.
Lady was surprised. Cops were upset.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:16 PM (Fg/tA)

Not sure about that. Might work for tea. All poppy seed will give a positive test for opium though.

I hope not to be bothered. What people could do in the privacy of their land back in the day is no longer an option in times of drones and flyovers.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:20 PM (w6EFb)

45 Other time there was a eclipse, I have a few pieces of dark glass from stain windows at my grandparents. It's like welders goggles in darkness

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:21 PM (fwDg9)

46 19 >> See Monday the eclipse but what time?

https://tinyurl.com/y9ljnazb

Go there, zoom in, click on your location, observe local times calculated.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 06, 2024 04:27 AM (w6EFb)

Posted by: m at April 06, 2024 02:22 PM (o3SCB)

47 Art and Gunslinger, I have planted a number of items here that were supposed to be unfavored by the local fauna.
Nope, cactus were eaten by javalina, penstemon were inhaled by rabbits, Palo Verde trees stripped by ground squirrels, and any vegetable doesn't get much beyond sprouting.
No deer though. Win!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:22 PM (Fg/tA)

48 Skip, that is actually a practical idea. The kids do have plastic sunglasses and it would be easy to ape the side pieces to the sides of the sunglasses. They are basically paper so could even be cut. They would then stay on.
Might even do that with my glasses because I can't seem to get them to stay on.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 02:23 PM (t/2Uw)

49 In my early days of trying to find things that the deer wouldn't eat I ran across this post on a gardening site. "I think deer eat things they don't like just out of spite." Seems to be true from my experience.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 06, 2024 02:17 PM (FEVMW)

We wouldn't be able to garden without the electric fence. A friend down the road had his vegetable garden wiped out by deer. He was warned.

Apparently the neighbors are having a party. Good for them! They're on the other side of the woods, and they're our closest neighbors.

I have to start seeds today. No more procrastination.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:24 PM (w6EFb)

50 Besides commenting here listening to CJN Speaks and still can hear wind over my headphones 🎧

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:24 PM (fwDg9)

51 Well, we got four more inches of snow this week, but it is still, very slowly, melting off.

DH bought me a greenhouse from Home Depot! It should arrive sometime next week, but it will have to wait until the snow is gone.

I started cukes, sunflowers, peppers, and some tomatoes this past week. The cukes are shooting up, so I had to pot some of them already. Everything but the sunflowers will go in the greenhouse. I'm very excited.

I grow carrots, potatoes, peas, strawberries, and sometimes green beans outdoors. I'm considering blueberry bushes this year, too. Only issue is the slugs from last year. Bastards ate everything. And they were huge and disgusting. I need to solve that this year before it gets started. Another rainy end of season and my garden will be doomed.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at April 06, 2024 02:26 PM (sRfrW)

52 Too bad if Biden gets is way he will have all those beautiful yards ruined after he gets States to repeal zoning laws and moves in Section 8 housing and low income towers.

Posted by: vic at April 06, 2024 02:27 PM (A5THL)

53 3:20 pm most coverage here which is cool because kids are out of school by then. But forecast is cloudy. Hope we get to see it.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 02:27 PM (t/2Uw)

54 I remember my first eclipse, in 1963. Not total, but my grandfather made one of those pinpoint boxes.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:29 PM (w6EFb)

55 Monday supposed to be high clouds and clearing so hope to get to see it even if not totally

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:30 PM (fwDg9)

56 An old farm woman who worked at our local nursery said to put out pie tins filled with beer at noon (God's time. Not DST.) to get rid of slugs. Worked or us, but it was pretty gross looking.

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 02:31 PM (ju2Fy)

57 We're getting 80% coverage here in upstate SC, but it will be cloudy. Publius is more into celestial phenomena than I am, so he'll likely be disappointed.

I'm not expecting to be harmed during this event, but some people are staying indoors and praying. Seems a bit extreme.

Still, our "betters" are lathered up over this, so who knows.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:32 PM (w6EFb)

58 56 An old farm woman who worked at our local nursery said to put out pie tins filled with beer at noon (God's time. Not DST.) to get rid of slugs. Worked or us, but it was pretty gross looking.
Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 02:31 PM (ju2Fy)

I tried the beer thing, and some of the idiots went for it, but the horde of slugs last summer was epic and a few pie tins wouldn't get it done.

I have raised beds, so they should be easier to defend. Just gotta figure out how to police the border...

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at April 06, 2024 02:32 PM (sRfrW)

59 56 Slugs were a big problem in Sweden and the beer definitely works. Hubby was unhappy about the waste of good beer.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:33 PM (w6EFb)

60 Spring... right. 65 degrees Thursday, about an inch of white stuff last night, which will be melted off by noon.
Spring is about 3 weeks away around here.
Turning over the raised beds now, found a few earthworms, good sign.
Still learning how to garden in a semi-arid climate more than a mile high. Quite a bit different than "throw some seeds in the ground" Willamette valley.

Posted by: buddhaha at April 06, 2024 02:35 PM (AOz1w)

61 >>> 46 19 >> See Monday the eclipse but what time?

https://tinyurl.com/y9ljnazb

Go there, zoom in, click on your location, observe local times calculated.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at April 06, 2024 04:27 AM (w6EFb)
Posted by: m at April 06, 2024 02:22 PM (o3SCB)

You can modify the above main URL with

/astronomy/night/usa/ [name of a city near you, hyphenated if it's two words]

scroll down and forward to about Noon on Monday, then 'search' for the Sun. iirc all five naked-eye visible planets will be in the same area of the sky.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:36 PM (llON8)

62 Puttering in the kitchen the entirety of the week installing new cooktop, sink, disposal with the attendant necessary re-plumbing and preparing for the new wall ovens. The ass**** initial installer of the dishwasher used three different types of screws with three different screwheads so removing them (all off center and cockeyed) was a royal pain. Oh wait, that was me. Nevermind. Drove all over town to find the correct gas line fittings for the cooktop. Etc. etc.

Had frost the last few nights so I pulled in all the tropicals I had drug out earlier. Still suppose to be cold the next few days so they'll stay in for now.

BUT, Momma is very happy and I actually did enjoy myself immensely.

Posted by: Tonypete at April 06, 2024 02:37 PM (oSFyF)

63 SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Starlink Group 8-1 - SLC-4E - Vandenberg SFB - Space Affairs Live

SpaceX is targeting a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
New T-Zero: Liftoff is targeted for Saturday, April 6, 7:25 p.m. PDT, (02:25 UTC, 04:25 CEST April 7).

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

https://www.youtube.com/live/-TEiQGiff_w

Posted by: Ciampino - Update #259 at April 06, 2024 02:38 PM (qfLjt)

64 "But there's also something else unusual about it," he said. "There's this hyper-sexualized behavior. So, males for example, they'll continue to try and mate with females -- unsuccessfully, because again, their back end is a fungus. But they'll also pretend to be females to get males to come to them. And that doubles the number of cicadas that an infected individual comes in contact with."

So, an STD messes with a cicada's mind, driving it to hyper-promiscuous homosexual/trans behavior?

It's a good thing that can't happen in any other species!

Posted by: mikeski at April 06, 2024 02:38 PM (DgGvY)

65 PSA announcement:

There's a technical standard for eclipse glasses, which are designed to block out most light and let you safely see the moon pass in front of the sun: It's called ISO 12312-2 after the International Organization of Standardization. Make sure it's printed on your glasses.

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 02:39 PM (ju2Fy)

66 The ass**** initial installer
Posted by: Tonypete

I've had the same installer work for me!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:39 PM (Fg/tA)

67 >>> 57 We're getting 80% coverage here in upstate SC, but it will be cloudy. Publius is more into celestial phenomena than I am, so he'll likely be disappointed.

I'm not expecting to be harmed during this event, but some people are staying indoors and praying. Seems a bit extreme.

Still, our "betters" are lathered up over this, so who knows.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 02:32 PM (w6EFb)

The EXPERTS! might be testing to see how well they can panic the gullible types this time around.

More normal types may be buying into the hype (about massive crowds, anyway) because it's only 7 years since the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48, so everyone who missed it last time wants to see it now.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:41 PM (llON8)

68 Sometimes perseverance pays!

In this case, isn't it preserverance?

Posted by: mikeski at April 06, 2024 02:42 PM (DgGvY)

69 Cicadas are nature's perfect cat toy. The make noise, vibrate, fly, and can't harm the cat.

Posted by: SamIam at April 06, 2024 02:42 PM (oasF3)

70 I think the last one was an annular eclipse not a total, so this will be different, and much cooler.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:43 PM (Fg/tA)

71 DEER REPELLENT ... We had reasonably good success using coyote urine poured into little bottles and positioned on stakes in and around our small garden ... We typically bought kits in winter -- such as "Leg Up" brand which came with three small dispensers and a 30-day supply of the liquid -- then later on order pint or quart size bottles of the coyote urine to refill the small bottles over the remainder of the growing season ... This product also deterred raccoons from taking up residence in our shed.

Posted by: Kathy at April 06, 2024 02:44 PM (yG7uN)

72 Oh, I didn't know there will be a comet - 12P/Pons-Brooks - near the sun at the same time. That might be part of the silliness.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:45 PM (llON8)

73 Absolutely stunning photos. The gardening thread always has good ones but today's is exceptional. Thanks to KT and everyone who sent them in. And the recipes have my mouth watering.

Posted by: JTB at April 06, 2024 02:47 PM (zudum)

74 My cats were inside cats, but crickets were a good cat toy until they got delimbed

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:48 PM (fwDg9)

75 >>> 70 I think the last one was an annular eclipse not a total, so this will be different, and much cooler.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:43 PM (Fg/tA)

There was an annular in ... uh, just last year?

2017 was the one I was thinking of as the 'last total visible in the lower 48'.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:48 PM (llON8)

76 I'm going to be in SoCal on Monday, so I think there will be some action. I don't much care.

And I do think it would be hilarious if it was cloudy over much of the country.

The ARNP I support is in Mexico with her clan of witches. Her warnings and prophecies and woo woo shit bores me, so I'm not really paying attention.

Have fun though!

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 06, 2024 02:48 PM (Yvd2Y)

77 The sweet basil seeds in a planter have started to grow. Hot diggety! There is something about seeds as they develop that is fascinating to watch. I should do more of it if I can find the table space.

Posted by: JTB at April 06, 2024 02:50 PM (zudum)

78 A skunk was/is under my deck living. As it's not paying rent it needs to be evicted. I don't like squatters

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:51 PM (fwDg9)

79 So earthquakes, eclipses and now a plague of insects.

Things have gotten weirdly biblical suddenly.

Posted by: Robert at April 06, 2024 02:54 PM (a8nDR)

80 Back yard report. The lilac bush has leafed out and has some flower spikes. Didn't get many flowers last year. Sadly, we haven't had any warm, moist mornings so far which can fill the yard with that gorgeous scent. The dogwood in a tub has survived another season. The tips of the branches are just starting to show emerging leaf and blossom tips. Not sure if the crepe myrtle made it as there is no sign of leaves or buds showing but it is a very late blooming variety so there is still hope.

Posted by: JTB at April 06, 2024 02:56 PM (zudum)

81  ...because it's only 7 years since the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48...

Am I imagining my stop in Hanksville, UT in August of last year when they were all planning for the big influx of tourists for the eclipse in a month or so?

Posted by: buddhaha at April 06, 2024 02:57 PM (AOz1w)

82 Hopefully this comment doesn't end up willowed. Just wanted to point out two errors in the caption for the illuminated manuscript depiction of bee-keeping. The Roman poet Virgil is listed as being born in "the Andes," and unless the ancient Romans got around a whole lot more than the evidence suggests, that wasn't likely the place of his birth.

He *was* born in the Italian village of Andes, which by pure coincidence has the same name as the mountain range in South America. Also, the work from which his quote was lifted is the Geordics, not the Georgians.

The source of the illustration is indeed from Oxford University, but not the one located in Mississippi. The latter is the University of Mississippi, and it's situated in the city of Oxford (although we do refer to the Brit one as "the other Oxford").

It's especially ironic that later photos picture the beautiful landscaping at Ole Miss (aka the University of Mississippi). The credit for that goes to the current Chancellor of Ole Miss, Glenn Boyce. I know the man and have worked with him, and he firmly believes that any institution that aspires to greatness needs to present the best possible aesthetic.

Posted by: John Drake at April 06, 2024 02:58 PM (ruzO0)

83
2017 was the one I was thinking of as the 'last total visible in the lower 48'.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket

Yup, so my memory has finally left the area, probably never to be found again.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 06, 2024 02:58 PM (Fg/tA)

84 There was an annular in ... uh, just last year?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:48 PM (llON

October 14th, to be exact.

Posted by: Robert at April 06, 2024 02:59 PM (lZn+m)

85 So earthquakes, eclipses and now a plague of insects.

Things have gotten weirdly biblical suddenly.
Posted by: Robert

Black Swan event on deck next...
Meanwhile I am hanging around wife at some Filipino event "helping".

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at April 06, 2024 03:00 PM (3vcct)

86 Everyone's tulips are in bloom in our neighborhood. Very few reds or purples but a lot of deep golden yellow varieties. They look burnished when the sun hits them just right. Just a walk or drive along the area is punctuated with pots of gold. Lovely.

Autumn used to be my favorite season but, as I've gotten older, spring is taking over the top spot.

Posted by: JTB at April 06, 2024 03:00 PM (zudum)

87 A skunk was/is under my deck living. As it's not paying rent it needs to be evicted. I don't like squatters
Posted by: Skip
--------------

Saw one go under my deck last week. Internet said to put a radio out there and put it on talk radio. Kept a radio out all week when wasn't raining. Haven't seen him/her again.

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 03:03 PM (ju2Fy)

88 79 So earthquakes, eclipses and now a plague of insects.

Things have gotten weirdly biblical suddenly.

Posted by: Robert at April 06, 2024 02:54 PM (a8nDR)
----
And all because of global warming don't you know? It can do anything.

Posted by: Ciampino - Update #260 at April 06, 2024 03:03 PM (qfLjt)

89 Lovely cherry blossoms and spring flowers!

>>Back in 2021, we saw the FDA suggesting that cicadas could be on the menu as long as we weren't allergic to shrimp or lobster. And the Smithsonian provided harvesting, preparation and serving suggestions.

Anyone who has experienced one of these cicada onslaughts can confirm: these are ugly, disgusting bugs. All the flapping and crunching as you walk or drive over them, etc. is gross. Anyone telling you to eat them hates you.
Seriously.

Posted by: Lizzy at April 06, 2024 03:06 PM (6IDWi)

90 I could throw a radio under the deck, as lond as no rain for a few days. Put it on end of a pole and run it well under

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 03:06 PM (fwDg9)

91 My cats were inside cats, but crickets were a good cat toy until they got delimbed

Posted by: Skip at April 06, 2024 02:48 PM (fwDg9)

Della adores crickets and lizards. The other two actually hunt real stuff like rodents and birds. I hate it when they catch birds, but what are you gonna do?

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 03:08 PM (w6EFb)

92 Love those broad-tailed hummingbirds - such delightful creatures.

Posted by: Lizzy at April 06, 2024 03:08 PM (6IDWi)

93 This is good, clean humor suitable for this thread:

https://tinyurl.com/3n3f935u

Posted by: Ciampino - Update #261 at April 06, 2024 03:09 PM (qfLjt)

94 >>> 81 ...because it's only 7 years since the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48...

Am I imagining my stop in Hanksville, UT in August of last year when they were all planning for the big influx of tourists for the eclipse in a month or so?
Posted by: buddhaha at April 06, 2024 02:57 PM (AOz1w)

No, you missed that last year was an *annular* eclipse, not total.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 03:09 PM (llON8)

95 The landscape guys had planted 300 daffodil bulbs in the rose bush beds. This was requested because they cut the rose bushes back to nothing in the spring. They then proceeded to put so much mulch down hat all I've seen so far are a green shoots when everywhere else they are in full bloom. Rose bushes started to fill out. Disappointing.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 03:10 PM (t/2Uw)

96 I do have a deer-resistant plant success story to share. After several failed attempts I planted some Jerusalem Sage in the flowerbed next to our garage. They've survived two ice storms and severe drought and how they blooming crazily.

I even got compliments from some neighbors the other day about how pretty they looked. Score it Art Rondelet 1, deer 15.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 06, 2024 03:11 PM (FEVMW)

97 The EXPERTS! might be testing to see how well they can panic the gullible types this time around.

More normal types may be buying into the hype (about massive crowds, anyway) because it's only 7 years since the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48, so everyone who missed it last time wants to see it now.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 02:41 PM (llON

We know that at least 30% buy into ANYTHING to panic them, and maybe 30% refuse to buy into ANY hype.

With the internet, you can watch videos made by people who see the world through their phones. Why bother to inconvenience yourself?

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 03:12 PM (w6EFb)

98 71 We have coyotes here, but I can't figure out how to extract urine from them.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 03:13 PM (w6EFb)

99 I even got compliments from some neighbors the other day about how pretty they looked. Score it Art Rondelet 1, deer 15.
Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 06, 2024 03:11
-------------

Thanks. Just emailed that info to wife. Curious? How long do they bloom?

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 03:17 PM (ju2Fy)

100 >>> 65 PSA announcement:

There's a technical standard for eclipse glasses, which are designed to block out most light and let you safely see the moon pass in front of the sun: It's called ISO 12312-2 after the International Organization of Standardization. Make sure it's printed on your glasses.
Posted by: olddog in mo at April 06, 2024 02:39 PM (ju2Fy)

Worth repeating! ..... and a good excuse to make a pinhole camera.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 06, 2024 03:18 PM (llON8)

101 98
To get urine from coyotes you need to get them drunk on beer first.

Posted by: Ciampino - Update #262 at April 06, 2024 03:18 PM (qfLjt)

102 >>> 101 98
To get urine from coyotes you need to get them drunk on beer first.
Posted by: Ciampino - Update #262 at April 06, 2024 03:18 PM (qfLjt)

Real beer please, no Bud Light.

Posted by: coyotes at April 06, 2024 03:19 PM (llON8)

103 I guess if I had to I could pick up some Bud Light for slugs and coyotes...

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at April 06, 2024 03:20 PM (w6EFb)

104 Mercifully there are people who will collect and dehydrate coyote urine for you. (I do NOT want to know the details of that business.)

At our old house we used to buy coyote urine to repel destructive raccoons. We bought it at Callahan's General Store in Austin but later found it online.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 06, 2024 03:20 PM (FEVMW)

105 Pets up

Posted by: vic at April 06, 2024 03:21 PM (A5THL)

106 After they're fully soused on the beer, take them to your family doctor's clinic. They'll direct them to a room and give them a cup to fill. No matter how little urine the coyotes produce, the nurses will complain that it's too much.

Posted by: John Drake at April 06, 2024 03:22 PM (ruzO0)

107 olddog--

I don't know how long they bloom but it's been a couple of weeks now at least. I can't answer on the basis of prior years because this year is the first year that they've had enough rain and warmth to thrive.

They have a sweet smell a little like jasmine too, which we'd never experienced before. We had a handful of blooms in prior years, but not enough to know that they had a scent.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 06, 2024 03:24 PM (FEVMW)

108 John Drake at April 06, 2024 02:58 PM

Thanks for the information. It's from a translation.

Posted by: KT at April 06, 2024 03:49 PM (rrtZS)

109 The ones I got are fully approved but still basically cardboard glasses. 10 for $25 delivered overnight from Amazon. Only needed for one day so will figure something out.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 06, 2024 04:05 PM (t/2Uw)

110 Monster content KT!
And i love.looking at my naked trees in the winter. The branches tell their own stories as they twist and turn among themselves.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 06, 2024 04:35 PM (W/lyH)

111 The cherry blossoms are so pretty as are all the tulips.

Posted by: CaliGirl at April 06, 2024 05:14 PM (xXoVA)

112 We had frost too this am and we planted about 100 tomato plants about a week ago. I hope they're okay. I tried to walk out there and look but it's way too muddy. We had about a half inch of rain and the tractors sliding through there make a big mess. They'll fix the road hopefully this afternoon.

Posted by: CaliGirl at April 06, 2024 05:19 PM (xXoVA)

113 haven't made blackberry jam in ages. I hate the seeds, so I used a hand-cranked sieve (with a fairly heavy sieve) that squishes the pulp and juice, but (almost entirely) keeps the seeds from going through. Seedless blackberry jam; most wonderful.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at April 06, 2024 05:31 PM (ynpvh)

114
Before the left makes the opposite claim, a vote for Biden is a vote for Civil War.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at April 06, 2024 05:56 PM (RKVpM)

115 From Boise area: Lows 34-50 F, highs 39-72. It started raining (and thundering) Wed. night and has barely stopped raining since - more thunder and apocalyptic rain Thurs. eve. - some snow Fri. eve. and this morning. Hoping for dry weather tomorrow!

I put my big rosemary plant outside in the mini-greenhouse. I've been replanting seed starts that haven't sprouted yet. In the outdoor beds, all I've got is the peas, 4 radishes and 5 potatoes sprouting - might need to re-seed outside too. Hyacinths are starting to fade - brought 2 stems of the fragrant white ones in for the scent. Tulips starting to bud. The daffodils in the new forsythia bed may bloom soon; the ones in 2 large planter pots are barely poking up.

I did more trimming in the flower and herb beds, and cut off dead strawberry leaves. Husband bought some new mower parts and needs to install them.

Yes, I plant carrots every year. Why? Winning ribbons at the Western Idaho Fair! My 'Yellowstone' took 1st place in 2022 ("any other color"), my 'Little Finger' (Nantes type) took 1st in 2023 ("orange, under 6 inch"). Both taste good raw or roasted.

Monday 8th, Eclipse Day: partly cloudy...

Posted by: Pat* at April 06, 2024 08:58 PM (y4ng/)

116 First mowing today - its been very wet. Trying to get in to do a final tilling to plant radishes and lettuce. Seeds are started for tomatoes and peppers. I'm going to try carrots planted a bit later and after continually tilling the planting bed to work all the weeds out.

Weather looks good for the eclipse. We are in the totality band and the weather forecast has gotten better each day. 80% chance of rain tomorrow. Sunny and 73 on Monday.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 06, 2024 09:36 PM (UVyKP)

117 There is an app to use to identify plants and flowers.

Have used it many times, can even identify from a picture someone might send you.

It is called " Picture this."

You can sign up for a subscription, but I just click out of that.

Works great.

Posted by: Linda Lee at April 07, 2024 12:53 AM (pXqHW)

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