Gardening and Adventure Thread, May 25

Happy May! The Horde is coming through with some great photos and information now that almost everyone is through with winter.

First up, the dramatic opening of a night-blooming cactus:

At night opening up . . .
Fully open in the morning
Nan in AZ

What gorgeous photos!

Close up of the center

Fascinating flower structure! We see some accomplished photography here on the Gardening Thread sometimes.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

From a few days ago:

Summer is almost here , as evidenced by the first fried green tomato sandwich of the season.
By-Tor

For fried green tomatoes, you pick tomatoes while they are really green. They look tasty, but don't eat them raw. The variety 'Lemon Boy Hybrid' is recommended by some people.

There are tomatoes that are green when ripe. They are not picked ripe for green fried tomatoes.

How many in The Horde have had a Green Fried Tomato Sandwich? How do you prefer to make them?

We had someone steal green tomatoes from our plants one year. Think it was for a traditional Mexican dish rather than for sandwiches, though.

Container garden coming along. This is today's haul. Mint and basil also doing well. And I had a helper, which is nice.

See today's Pet Thread for the helper.

I see some peppers among the tomatoes there. What would you do with a harvest like this?

These tomato plants are doing very well, considering that the containers are relatively small for tomato plants. Planting mix may make a difference.

Maybe CBD can take some notes. Basil goes well with home-grown tomatoes.

Community Landscaping

PG&E tree work

NorCal Sierra Foothills Lurker here.
This is hilarious because we live in the woods and this picture is on our property away from anyone even seeing this except us. PG&E subcontractors come out periodically to clear small trees and brush away from poles and power lines. But this is the first time they've ever set up a sign and cones . . . . in the front area of our house!
No one can even see them or get here except for our long driveway, lol!
The sign says, "Tree work ahead". Hahahaaa!

Must . . follow . . rules.

I'm glad you didn't have to do that landscaping.

They've been in our neighborhood, too. At least to warn people that they will be topping trees near power lines. They didn't show up when they said they would, though.

Our electric bill certainly showed up. The County also placed some insect traps on some of our stone fruit trees to monitor for invasive insects.

*** Somehow, this morning I missed this notice of military appreciation today that she also sent in. A trio of events! Nice for Memorial Day Weekend if you are in Northern California.

Home Landscaping

Found the sniper. . .
Teresa in Fort Worth

Stealthy! Yet charming.

Also wanted to send a picture of my Clematis Jackmanii. When the landscape guys came through in the fall to do some clean-up, they got rid of all of the ivy that was growing up the fence, and the Clematis was also taken out (even though I asked them not to).
Thankfully, it came back this year, even fuller and lusher than last year!
Personally, I am a fan of the ivy in that part of the yard - we have some mesh wiring attached to the fence and it makes a nice vertical display where nothing else will grow. It dies back in the winter, so we don't really have to worry about it rotting the fence.

Good to know about the deciduous ivy. In parts of California, evergreen ivy is planted as a tall groundcover in some places. It attracts roof rats.

Glad your clematis survived. It is lovely.

Adventure

Finding a leprechaun at Silly Mountain

Tiny folk are everywhere.

Gardens of The Horde

Neal in Israel has sent in an update on spring plants. We are only including a few today. More later.

Hibiscus: Not really a sign of spring, but looking stronger than previous thanks to fertilization and spring weather. Photo 1 with a patriotic background in honor of Independence Day.
Best regards,
Neal

The Independence Day reminder fits in with our Memorial Day Weekend post, I think.

More information on Neal's lobelia and violas later. I think they set off the photo above nicely.

And the Amaryllis which made it through the winter look great, too. More later.

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.

Previous Gardening Thread

What has changed since our last post? Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, May 11. It was the day before Mother's Day.

Wondering if anyone tried drowning slugs or snails in beer.

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 01:06 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Cactus flower pron. Georgia OKeefe would be all kinds of moist.

Posted by: They ARENT VAGINAS!!!! at May 25, 2024 01:12 PM (k3d8O)

2 Good morning!
Lovely flowers up top!
Planted som vegetables and herbs in containers last weekend and the only one not thriving is the basil. Womp womp!

Posted by: Lizzy at May 25, 2024 01:17 PM (Hkcdp)

3 hiya

Posted by: JT at May 25, 2024 01:21 PM (T4tVD)

4 The greenhouse is up and running. Bought a nice heater/fan for it, so I put out all my young tomato, pepper and cuke plants, plus I'm starting a potted lavender plant or two.

Everything is still toddler sized plants so far, but the tomato plants are loving the light and heat. The pepper plants are moving a bit slower.

Also got my raised beds all turned over and planted. DH put potatoes in the big one, which is sort of silly because the yield will be so small, but he says he's farmin' that bit. OK.

Strawberries are looking good. Lost only one plant over the winter, what with 4 feet of snow over everything.

So far, no slugs. I will execute with extreme prejudice after last year's slug invasion. The border is my raised bed, and I will defend.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at May 25, 2024 01:25 PM (sRfrW)

5 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Finished processing 2021leaf collection, sifted it out and will put what I have these last couple days on top of the rest I did these last couple weeks.
Also got some garden plants, Japanese cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet basil, more chives, chili peppers and 1 sweel pepper that won't give me anything like every other year.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 01:26 PM (fwDg9)

6 I should get the birdbath out but haven't.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 01:27 PM (fwDg9)

7 I should get the birdbath out but haven't.
Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 01:27 PM (fwDg9)

Your birds must have BO.

Posted by: JT at May 25, 2024 01:30 PM (T4tVD)

8 "I should get the birdbath out but haven't.
Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 01:27 PM (fwDg9)

Your birds must have BO.
Posted by: JT"

Nope.

Posted by: Lume For Birds at May 25, 2024 01:32 PM (vFG9F)

9 Got the yard cut before a thunderstorm cut loose. I guess I have the rest of the day off.

I read somewhere that a well manicured lawn and garden is a symbol of Man's domination over nature. I don't know if that's true, but nature sure doesn't just lay down and take it.

Posted by: Lume For Birds at May 25, 2024 01:36 PM (vFG9F)

10 Off sock that's for the birds.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 01:37 PM (vFG9F)

11 PG&E send crews to my house to trim trees and bushes away from the power lines. They are supposed to contact me prior to any work, I've caught the people in my field when it's not clear. We had just sprayed pesticides and the field had about 48 more hours.

They were just here trimming trees on the road and my husband told them they could work on one side of the road but not the other because of the owls. They said okay and then they moved their bucket truck and started trimming by the owlets. I was so mad. If I had done that I would get in trouble but I guess PG&E operate under a different set of rules.
If they want to trim my trees right next to the nest with the mom owl in it with eggs they just get a wildlife expert to write them a note. It's insane.

Posted by: CaliGirl at May 25, 2024 01:39 PM (6IAhu)

12 Beautiful photos today!

This year we are latelatelate getting the garden planted, due to unavoidable delays. So seeds are going in this weekend.

I didn't start my tomatoes until the beginning of May, if you can believe that. But with the help of the new grow light and heating mats in the garage, they're coming along nicely and it's time to transfer them to their deep styrofoam cups. They'll be place by the tomato trellises in the garden in a week or two, depending.

My brother's flower projects are doing very well. Zinnias, lupins, lobelia, bachelor buttons and many more. We're flowering up the place for Mama Publius, who has spent the better part of her afternoons rocking on the porch (her daddy made that rocking chair).

Brother is also working on completing the front walkway. Thank you to those who have been praying for him.

I know I had gardening questions but now I can't remember them.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 01:40 PM (w6EFb)

13 Oh yeah - I meant to tell you that we've been using 7" styrofoam cups for transplants. After you get them in the cup, cut a wedge in the bottom for drainage that's big enough to get your finger in to push the plant out when it's time to transplant (usually when you see roots coming out of that hole). They get a 6" deep root mass and are way less fragile when placed out in the garden.

p.s. spellcheck doesn't like "styrofoam"

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 01:45 PM (w6EFb)

14 Cactus flower pron. Georgia OKeefe would be all kinds of moist.

Posted by: They ARENT VAGINAS!!!! at May 25, 2024 01:12 PM (k3d8O)

I saw a documentary about a night-blooming cactus that showed them being pollinated by bats. The bat's long skinny nose fit perfectly into the flower.

That was hot.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 01:48 PM (w6EFb)

15 Slow day today. I'll check back later. I've got more potting to do.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 01:52 PM (w6EFb)

16 I think short. nap before continuing spreading compost, and birdbath

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 02:02 PM (fwDg9)

17 In the hood, roof rats mean something else too...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 25, 2024 02:08 PM (ynpvh)

18 14 Cactus flower pron. Georgia OKeefe would be all kinds of moist.

Posted by: They ARENT VAGINAS!!!! at May 25, 2024 01:12 PM (k3d8O)

I saw a documentary about a night-blooming cactus that showed them being pollinated by bats. The bat's long skinny nose fit perfectly into the flower.

That was hot.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 01:48 PM (w6EFb)

I go around early in the morn when mine put forth flowers and try to pollinate them. Last time, there were hordes of large, green pearlescent beetles and bees all around the flowers. They close by mid-morning.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 25, 2024 02:10 PM (ynpvh)

19 >>>If they want to trim my trees right next to the nest with the mom owl in it with eggs they just get a wildlife expert to write them a note. It's insane.
Posted by: CaliGirl at May 25, 2024 01:39 P
*******
I’m sure the Owls will help put out the fires and provide you and hubby electricity

Posted by: Y Cali Sux at May 25, 2024 02:11 PM (LolQL)

20 Up again, birdbath first

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 02:24 PM (fwDg9)

21 19 >>>If they want to trim my trees right next to the nest with the mom owl in it with eggs they just get a wildlife expert to write them a note. It's insane.
Posted by: CaliGirl at May 25, 2024 01:39 P
*******
I’m sure the Owls will help put out the fires and provide you and hubby electricity

Posted by: Y Cali Sux at May 25, 2024 02:11 PM (LolQL)

I thought that was only bears with shovels...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 25, 2024 02:26 PM (ynpvh)

22 OT: sidebar Germany Germany Says It Would Execute ICC Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu

Old habits die hard, I see, Germany. Time for the "I Was Not a Nazi Polka!"

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 25, 2024 02:28 PM (ynpvh)

23 Cactus flower pron. Georgia OKeefe would be all kinds of moist.
Posted by: They ARENT VAGINAS!!!!
===============

Sudden urge to check up my night blooming cacti...

Did have a 'budda chain', or whatever wifey calls it, bloom. Here and gone. Not very remarkable or photogenic but it was first time I seen it bloom.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 25, 2024 02:39 PM (cOq4q)

24 Green pearlescent beetles = Japanese beetles?

We get those here and they are SO destructive!!
A golf course bought cheap, out of state sod a few years back and introduced them to our city. A$$holes ☹️

Posted by: Lizzy at May 25, 2024 02:44 PM (Hkcdp)

25 Does Sven ever stop by to post pictures of his beautiful borders? We're on the road for an extended time, and I don't miss my flower beds as much as I thought I would.

It's a lot of work, mainly because of the deer, armadillos, ground hogs, rabbits, chiggers, some sort of big black fly lookin' thing that bites hard and itches; also, the heat, humidity, tornadoes, hail, flash floods, heavy red clay and low water pressure from the well making it impossible to get the drip irrigation dialed in.

Posted by: Tammy-al Thor at May 25, 2024 02:48 PM (Vvh2V)

26 Tammy, sounds like horseflies - their bites hurt!

Posted by: Lizzy at May 25, 2024 02:51 PM (Hkcdp)

27 neverenoughcaffeine, asparagus is an easy one to grow, it needs water to settle in, and a couple of years to get good growth. I had a couple of crowns, but then I tilled through them so they didn't survive

I have a couple of horseradish plants that I have spread to the garden by picking up a fragment of root and getting it in the garden by accident. I haven't gotten around to trying to make horseradish sauce, but I have used the tops for boiled greens, notably in 2020 when there were barriers and lines up around the stores.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 02:52 PM (D7oie)

28 Finished mowing the yard, mostly. Some standing water in "the bottoms" that will have to dry before I can finish that area.

Also discovered about 4 carpenter bee holes in some posts on the porch. Filled them with some adhesive caulk. Destructive little buggers.

As for the garden; I have a couple blooms on the squash and a handful of tomatoes starting. I guess that's promising. My wife's potatoes are doing well but won't be ready until August/September.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 25, 2024 02:52 PM (Q4IgG)

29 Everything is popping out like crazy here at the wind swept outpost. When we sell this house, gotta show it in April or May when it's a riot of color. I should take pictures and send them in.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 02:54 PM (MeG8a)

30 also, basil: I found I can root basil from sprigs that broken off other plants, or the bundle of cut basil I can get from the farmers' market. I did that last year and got lots of basil plants. I like growing it near the tomatoes, and I use it in tomato sauce.
I also started tomatoes from the lower branches that I pruned from my older tomato plants. Unfortunately peppers will not start that way.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 02:55 PM (D7oie)

31 Basil...

We have some coming up in the herb bed, apparently from the roots? of the plant that was there last year. I cut it back in the spring and really didn't think it'd come back.

But it has. In spades. Lots of little guys popping up.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 25, 2024 03:01 PM (Q4IgG)

32 Oh yeah - I meant to tell you that we've been using 7" styrofoam cups for transplants. [ . . . ]
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 01:45 PM (w6EFb)

My perfect transplant pots are nested Solo cups. I cut the bottom out of one, and slit it up the side from rim to base, then I nest it inside another cup with drainage holes in the bottom, then put in potting soil and the seeds/seedling.

When it is time to plant, slide the cut up cup out of the whole cup, it comes out slick as can be, and just unroll the cut up cut sleeve from around the soil and plant, and you are ready to put it in the hole, without muss fuss or damaged roots.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 03:03 PM (D7oie)

33 I watched a nature show and it featured water lilies. Certain pads have white flowers which open up at dusk. A certain species of beetle then flies into the blossom, pollinates it and then settles down for the night. At dawn the blossom closes up, with the beetle inside, where he will be captive until the next dusk, when he will be released with new pollen for the next plant.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 03:12 PM (MeG8a)

34 Every week this thread is filled with striking photography; this week is really exceptionally good.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at May 25, 2024 03:12 PM (CHHv1)

35 I have little lace bags I put on my peony seed pods so if I miss them for a day I won't lose any seeds. I watched a video on starting peonies and know I understand why those bulbs are so expensive. Mine are I believe the hybrid tree peonies and the video I watched said it can take up to 5 years to get blooms. I'm excited to try this. I thought they would make nice gifts for my girlfriends that enjoy gardening.

Posted by: CaliGirl at May 25, 2024 03:13 PM (YVs21)

36 I'm pretty furious about the repeated, violent thunderstorms I've experienced in the last month. They wrecked a lot of flowers here. A lot of time, money and effort, too

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 25, 2024 03:17 PM (0FoWg)

37 CaliGirl at May 25, 2024 03:13 PM

It will be interesting to see if you get something new!

Posted by: KT at May 25, 2024 03:18 PM (rrtZS)

38 My hibiscus is one of the few things that aren't dead from these thunderstorms, because they won't bloom for a few more weeks yet.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 25, 2024 03:20 PM (0FoWg)

39 I like Teresa's sniper.

Posted by: KT at May 25, 2024 03:37 PM (rrtZS)

40 All done with spreading compost, bird bath filled, watered everything in garden

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 03:43 PM (fwDg9)

41 From Boise area: First, has anyone heard from Nurse Ratched since surgery??

Looking through 2 weeks of garden notes. We're having cool temps, which is slowing things down. Basil and parsley seeds have not come up yet. Tomato starts are all doing well, except for a little frost-nip, which I did not expect in late May. Poblanos and broccolini doing fine. Cucumber, cantaloupe, and pumpkin seeds/plants struggling. Zucchini seed came up, as did some black oilseed sunflowers. Our tiny blueberry bushes are flowering.

Potatoes got a touch of frost-nip as well. Today I started adding compost to the bags. (4 potatoes are coming up in the carrot bed, which is apparently where last year's used potato soil ended up!) Corn and green bean seeds got planted and some have come up - I need to do fill-ins.

Husband's lawn de-thatching meant composting work for me. I filled one bin, which is already "cooking", and have started filling the second bin. He sprayed fungicide on the fruit trees, and today hoed between the corn bed rows. He's also been doing trailer repairs, before summer travel season.
(post 1)

Posted by: Pat* at May 25, 2024 06:39 PM (GGoaS)

42 Hi Pat, nurse was home and recuperating, so that's good news!

Frost nip at the end of May? How awful!

We got a late start too, but not due to weather.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at May 25, 2024 06:51 PM (w6EFb)

43 From Boise area again: The fruit trees look like they won't produce much this year - last year they bore heavily, so I guess this will be a resting year. I did see tiny fruits on some of our chokecherries.

The wild rose hedge we're working on removing, is blooming, so this is my last chance to collect petals.

Our lilies of the valley are fading. The bearded iris are past peak, and the Siberian Iris are probably in the middle of their season. The usual Johnny Jump-Up pansies look great. The yellow columbine and Sweet William pinks have just started blooming. Their neighbor the tall purple lupine is at peak. Some chamomile has come up. The new flowers I planted haven't come up yet - borage, nasturtium, and marigold. The 2 basils and 2 parsleys haven't come up yet either. I think there are some black oilseed sunflower sprouts.

I've been collecting oregano to dry. The garden sage is about to bloom - it's the one that won the "Best Of Division" ribbon at last year's Western Idaho Fair (only 3 months till Fair!!).

Plenty of strawberry flowers - and I just saw the first fruits forming.

Stay Ungovernable out there!
(post 2/end)

Posted by: Pat* at May 25, 2024 06:53 PM (GGoaS)

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