Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, March 14

This pansy is the only survivor on the terrace outside of my condo of the harshest winter I've seen since I moved here 6 years ago. It is still perfect.
Lots of little green shoots in my planters though so hope Springs eternal.
Sharon(willow's apprentice)

A wonderful way to start our post today, which comes mostly from the desert.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Last week, WeeKreekFarmGirl shared some information with us about an herb most of us had never heard of, Sculpit. Famous in some parts of Europe, we learned. It is available from Terroir Seeds, a company in Arizona.

Here is one of their summer squashes, Tatume.

It is a firm, round zucchini-type squash known for its heat tolerance. I have grown it before. I tend to prefer the more tender varieties, but this one has the advantage of surviving where others may not.

Here is a little video on another of their offerings,
Cucamelons:

If you are wondering what to do with all of your tiny cucamelons, use them in a salad! They add a delicious cucumber crunch like nothing else.

Ah, Nature

Courtesy Wherever I May Roam Nature and Photography

">*

Adventure

From a friend:

Hiked 6.66 miles today on the Sonoran Preserve. It was so beautiful and pictures will never show all that beauty. We saw so many gorgeous saguaros and other cacti, two snakes (harmless Sonoran garter snakes), many birds, many butterflies, and wild flowers dropping a splash of color in the desert landscape. We akso saw some Christmas cactus. The highlight was a gorgeous crested saguaro. There are only 17 in Arizona, so it's quite an anomaly. I felt privileged to witness this miracle of nature. . . It was a good day.

That crested cactus is amazing.

Gardens of The Horde

Anything going on in your garden, neighborhood or region?

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening 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, Home and Nature Thread, March 7

I closed the comments on that 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 01:29 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Plant based!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 14, 2026 01:31 PM (Kt19C)

2 Good afternoon Greenthumbs Daffodils are getting high but no flowers yet. Winter doesn't seem to go away yet

Posted by: Skip at March 14, 2026 01:33 PM (Ia/+0)

3 DILIT gave me a hydroponic heated, water-circulating grower. I planted five days ago and have the first germinations!

Posted by: RI Red - who is now only somebody that you used to know at March 14, 2026 01:47 PM (JK1W1)

4 Is picking boogers like harvesting?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 14, 2026 01:48 PM (Kt19C)

5 ah not much going on outside, just bulbs popping up here and there!

inside I started my tomatoes way too early lol

they're happy but getting large

everything else I started (at a more appropriate time) is looking happy! can't wait to put thing outside

got an orchid rebloom this past week and all the girls are looking happy with a strong sun! some of them will go outside too (with limits)

Posted by: BlackOrchid(j+aD2) at March 14, 2026 01:50 PM (j+aD2)

6 3 DILIT gave me a hydroponic heated, water-circulating grower. I planted five days ago and have the first germinations!

ooh nice!

Posted by: BlackOrchid(j+aD2) at March 14, 2026 01:50 PM (j+aD2)

7 Need some Moron planting advice.

Bought a small plum tree (potted) when they were very cheap last fall, and then never got a chance to put it in the ground.

I brought it inside to protect the root ball when we had some temps below 10F.

Of course, it bloomed early in our dining room.

I know it takes a lot of the trees' energy to blossom and leaf out.

Should I plant it ASAP, or give it two weeks of sunlight on the new leaves to produce some more glucose reserves before subjecting it to some transplant shock?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at March 14, 2026 01:52 PM (HlyYF)

8 3 DILIT gave me a hydroponic heated, water-circulating grower. I planted five days ago and have the first germinations!

Posted by: RI Red - who is now only somebody that you used to know at March 14, 2026 01:47 PM

Bride of PI has greatly enjoyed those and had good success. Especially when she was suffering "cabin fever" and could not start on her real gardens.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at March 14, 2026 01:55 PM (HlyYF)

9 Problem being we can’t transplant/plant up here in NH until Memorial Day.
But the directions look like you can produce inside!

Posted by: RI Red - who is now only somebody that you used to know at March 14, 2026 01:57 PM (J5F+L)

10 where do you live region wise Pillage?

you should not be transplanting when it's blooming I don't think. but if you live in Georgia or something, you could put it outside in the pot and let it partially acclimate?

don't rush the little guy!

anyway take anything I say with a grain of salt I get nowhere with fruit trees except my Garage Fig (which lives in a big pot and I fear leaving outside for very long).

Posted by: BlackOrchid(j+aD2) at March 14, 2026 01:57 PM (j+aD2)

11 Boogers are made of dried mucus, which is a bodily secretion and not derived from animals, so they can be considered vegan.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 14, 2026 02:00 PM (Kt19C)

12 >>>This pansy is the only survivor on the terrace outside of my condo of the harshest winter I've seen since I moved here 6 years ago. It is still perfect. Lots of little green shoots in my planters though so hope Springs eternal.
Sharon(willow's apprentice)

It's so beautifully defiant!
Maybe "Spring hopes eternal."

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 02:05 PM (+YA9H)

13 “ When Gila woodpeckers leave their saguaro holes, elf owls move in. Then wrens. Then flickers. One cavity supports decades of tenants. The saguaro becomes a living apartment building. The woodpecker digs once. Everyone
benefits for 40+ years.”

Commie deadbeats.

Posted by: The Dog at March 14, 2026 02:05 PM (XodLO)

14 From Boise area: lows 30-52!, highs 45-64 F. Today is windy, with occasional drizzle. This week is supposed to break 80!, the week after to be cool and damp but not freezing.

Some Johnny Jump-Ups are blooming out by the shed. The crocus behind the kitchen window have flopped, but the hyacinths are coming on. I planted 25 daffodils 2 years ago in a backyard bed, and we have only 4 sprouts so far this year - those things just don't like it here. At least the size of the tulip leaves out front promise a beautiful late spring.

Husband is more than half done with the new dry-stacked stone bed. We'll go to the local native plant society sale in late April to get plants.

I ordered my seeds from Territorial Seed Co., now I'm just waiting for them.

Husband set out our "cat-cam" this week, discovered we are not just feeding our barn cat and the raccoon, we're also feeding 3 other cats and some magpies. This is getting out of hand... Now if we set out the live trap, who knows what we'll catch! Ugh!

Posted by: Pat* at March 14, 2026 02:05 PM (9+hMp)

15 Nice survivor pansy!

I planted some lovely deep purple pansies in the urn out front and the turkeys pecked the flowers off. Blue-faced bastards! *shakes fist*

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 14, 2026 02:06 PM (kpS4V)

16 I got my big bag o' various seeds out and I'm gonna start some 'maters and peppers.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 14, 2026 02:08 PM (kpS4V)

17 I don't know if this will apply to anyone not in my area, but I bought four-packs of annuals for a dollar apiece at our local Walmart. There were no signs, but the packs had a "clearance" sticker on them. So you might keep an eye out.

Posted by: Emmie at March 14, 2026 02:12 PM (FMtrg)

18 Okay. Finally seeing some signs of approaching spring. Banks of daffodils sprang up in a few areas almost overnight. There is a line of ornamental cherry trees nearby. Last week they were bare. Now they are half covered with those lovely dark pink and white blossoms. Same for a few sheltered magnolias and patches of forsythias. The forecast still calls for periods of freezing temps but this seems to be a botanical middle finger to the weather forecasters.

Posted by: JTB at March 14, 2026 02:14 PM (yTvNw)

19 76° and sunny in van nuys. Feels hotter.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 14, 2026 02:16 PM (Kt19C)

20 Cucamelons appear similar to lemon cucumbers. Maybe smaller.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 14, 2026 02:17 PM (/lPRQ)

21 Still working on the new garden beds.
Planted my two David Austin roses and put in some vegetable and herb seedlings and seed tape and mats.
We discovered that a 1:1 ratio of sad dirt pile dirt and cotton burr compost produces a usable soil- we hope.

Turned the special biodynamic compost heap yesterday and inserted the PVC pipe watering unit in it.

Spring clean-up is still going on. The weather has been lovely here in CenTex, but it's supposed to get cold Sunday night- down to the mid 30's.
High winds are a problem in our valley, so I will take down the bird feeders.

Having so much fun working out what goes where- trying to not get carried away!

Posted by: sal at March 14, 2026 02:20 PM (f+FmA)

22 I love this time of year. We're still getting juncoes at the feeders but grackles and red-winged blackbirds are starting to show up too.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at March 14, 2026 02:22 PM (h/O4U)

23 We remain in deep freeze, but the bird feeder is a riot. So many redpoles that we are filling the feeders every day. The chickadees wait until the redpoles are done, about 7:00 pm or so, and then they come in to get the rest.

The dogs are entertained. Every once in a while they smack the glass door so the birds all fly off. Of course they come right back, but the dogs love the game.

Posted by: tcn in AK at March 14, 2026 02:23 PM (I40wl)

24 Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 14, 2026 02:17 PM

Lemon cucumbers are actually real cucumbers. These are not.

Posted by: KT at March 14, 2026 02:34 PM (7vIsy)

25 I FINALLY saw some robins in the yard and it's about time. We typically see them by late January but the unusual frigid temps and the ice storms may have delayed things. We still need coats most days but short sleeve weather is (hopefully) within sight.

The only downside is I'm losing any excuses to stay inside in my recliner and read. Guess I should find my good walking shoes.

Posted by: JTB at March 14, 2026 02:35 PM (yTvNw)

26 PI, nice to know. I’ve started on plain old herbs as first attempts.
I think I’m going to clear an 8’ x 16’ garden out next to the driveway in direct sunlight. Many of my attempts alongside the house were blocked by trees to the south.
Got great green beans, though, last year. And I’m converting the potato patch to cherry tomatoes.
My thumb is not very green - more like puce.

Posted by: RI Red - who is now only somebody that you used to know at March 14, 2026 02:38 PM (fRFTM)

27 That single pansy flower in the top photo is gorgeous. I wonder where the idea the pansy came to mean delicate and effeminate. In my experience they are botanical tough guys. Colorful but tough.

Posted by: JTB at March 14, 2026 02:43 PM (yTvNw)

28 Those are great photos! I grew up in Phoenix, hiked in the desert often, and I never once saw a crested saguaro! That’s amazing!!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 14, 2026 02:45 PM (Mh6s8)

29 I think plant when temperatures outside reach inside but not a expert

Posted by: Skip at March 14, 2026 02:45 PM (Ia/+0)

30 On today's episode of Gunsmoke, Festus runs away with the circus. Then finds out they want him for African Dodger.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 14, 2026 02:46 PM (Kt19C)

31 Good afternoon all
I 've only been to two deserts. The first one was the Negev in Israel. Just completely barren. I don't remember seeing cacti or any vegetation. Maybe our resident Israeli can refresh my memory. This was well before cell phones so I'd have to go find old prints.
The second was in Utah in May, and the cacti were in blossom and it was glorious. So dry though. Again, a long time ago. I actually have pictures hiking in a two piece bathing suit. A really long time ago when I wasn't actually 29 yet IRL. 😉

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 14, 2026 02:47 PM (t/2Uw)

32 31 I actually have pictures hiking in a two piece bathing suit. A really long time ago when I wasn't actually 29 yet IRL. 😉
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 14, 2026 02:47 PM (t/2Uw)

; )

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 02:49 PM (+YA9H)

33 Wow, the lions of Iran appear to be kicking our asses! The region is on fire.

Posted by: Sid at March 14, 2026 02:51 PM (fpvw+)

34 Pansies usually make it through the entire winter here but this winter has been horrible. Cold and snowy. Unusual. Now predicting crazy weather for Monday. Thunderstorms, tornadoes.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 14, 2026 02:52 PM (t/2Uw)

35 A cret saguaro grow within a mile of this house.
They are 1in 200,000 so I think 17 is to low of an estimate.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 14, 2026 02:56 PM (f9h0J)

36 Anyone else have any moringa trees in their yards
We have 10 started from seed right now, maybe 9 as I think one was eaten...

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 14, 2026 02:58 PM (f9h0J)

37 Well, the weed in the garden just showed up. Bye, retard.

Posted by: RI Red - who is now only somebody that you used to know at March 14, 2026 03:00 PM (thgqG)

38 And I thought pansies were wimps!

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at March 14, 2026 03:04 PM (o70pw)

39 37
Posted by: RI Red - who is now only somebody that you used to know at March 14, 2026 03:00 PM (thgqG)

Wikipedia:

Somebody That I Used to Know

Not to be confused with Someone I Used to Know or Somebody I Used to Know.

For other uses, see Somebody That I Used to Know (disambiguation).

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 03:06 PM (+YA9H)

40 "This pansy is the only survivor on the terrace outside of my condo of the harshest winter I've seen since I moved here 6 years ago."

Jeez, why didn't you let the little twink come in out of the cold?

Oh, you meant a plant. Never mind.

Posted by: Richard Cranium at March 14, 2026 03:06 PM (AjG6+)

41 pansy

1 a popular cultivated viola with flowers in rich colors, with both summer- and winter-flowering varieties.

Genus Viola, family Violaceae: several species and hybrids, in particular the commonly cultivated V. cornuta

2 offensive: a gay man.
• a man who is seen as unmasculine, timid, or affected.

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 03:08 PM (+YA9H)

42
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from French pensée ‘thought, pansy’, from penser ‘think’, from Latin pensare, frequentative of pendere ‘weigh, consider’.

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 03:09 PM (+YA9H)

43 • a man who is seen as unmasculine, timid, or affected.
Posted by: m
See #33.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 14, 2026 03:10 PM (f9h0J)

44 34 ... "Now predicting crazy weather for Monday. Thunderstorms, tornadoes."

Sharon,
Thanks for the heads up. I'll check the forecasts. If your area gets it ours likely will too.

Posted by: JTB at March 14, 2026 03:11 PM (yTvNw)

45 don't rush the little guy!

Posted by: BlackOrchid(j+aD2) at March 14, 2026

We live in southern Kansas. I think the plums (outside) would probably be blooming in 2-3 weeks.

I think I will coddle the plum tree in the pot for a little while and then plant.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at March 14, 2026 03:15 PM (HlyYF)

46 If you look up

pansy dessert

(instead of pansy desert),

you'll see a bunch of dessert recipes that use pansies!

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 03:16 PM (+YA9H)

47 Monday rain, thunderstorms 65, Tuesday 35.

Posted by: Skip at March 14, 2026 03:20 PM (Ia/+0)

48 Weather supposed to be really severe

https://tinyurl.com/43thu2yt
Check this link
From SC to Baltimore.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 14, 2026 03:21 PM (t/2Uw)

49 nood pets

Posted by: m at March 14, 2026 03:26 PM (+YA9H)

Processing 0.01, elapsed 0.0119 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0046 seconds, 58 records returned.
Page size 46 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.