Hello from Milwaukee WI

Discussion in 'Welcome to GardenStew' started by Willowisp0801, Mar 24, 2020.

  1. Willowisp0801

    Willowisp0801 In Flower

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    Hello,
    We are having a beautiful sunny day, after waking up to snow recently. I'm starting to plan my second planting season here. I refer to last year as my trial season. How I miss my home state of Washington, (Pacific Northwest) with its temperate climate I could grow pretty much anything.
    So, here I am deciding what to plant. Carrots did great! My granddaughter chose rainbow carrots, which I hadn't planted before, but they were very good.
    I was so excited to plant a rhubarb crown, I was finally back in an area where I could grow it! ( I lived in Texas for several years).
    I happily brought it home and after finding a good spot and preparing the area I planted it. Little did I know the squirrels liked to dig.....everything! I never did find my poor defenceless rhubarb crown. Next came strawberries.....which were dug up as well! At least I found them and kept replanting them. Then I heard from a lady who grew up here, if I put dog fur around it, they don't like it, she even gave me the dog fur! Yeah, don't believe everything you hear. It slowed them down, but didn't stop the digging.
    Beets, I planted beets and waited. The tops were huge but when I pulled them up they were so little, there was pretty nothing. Someone told me that I needed to leave them in longer. So I'll try beets again. Any ideas on how to make them more than just tops?

    So now I know, carrots...check.
    Beets...check
    Strawberries, with netting...check
    Rhubarb...hmm netting for that as well? Check does any one have a spare rhubarb crown?
    And this year I'll add zucchini and maybe a sugar pumpkin.
    And horticulture (aka October) beans, my neighbor in Texas gave me. She got them from her mom about 20 years ago and just keeps a few each year for the next year's planting.
    Thanks in advance for your help and ideas (especially squirrel ideas)
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    :)Welcome to GardenStew Willow. I look forward to getting to know you.
     
  4. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Hi Willow and welcome.
    sorry to hear about your rhubarb. check at walmart or a TSC for a rhubarb crown. they have them prepacked and ready to go in the ground. if you can find one (as both stores are essential so, they are open everyday.) put it in the veggie drawer if you cant get it in the ground right away. Or pot it up and let it grow and transplant it after it is a bit bigger. the squirrels don't bother mine.
     
  5. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Hi there and welcome ! OK ,, Beets,,You can pick the tops and leave them in the ground ! I just take a few of the outside leaves for salad or to cook ! The bulb or root needs to stay in the ground longer ! I try to expose the root just till the shoulder can be seen ! Then you can tell when they are big enough to pull ! They do not do well if grown too deep here ! Not sure what your soil is like !
    What kind of beans ? I am in Texas and have been gardening all my life and have no idea what those are !
    As to squirrels,, get a dog not just the hair ! Squirrels don`t dare come here ! We have a few critters !
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2020



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  6. Willowisp0801

    Willowisp0801 In Flower

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    The beans look kind of cranberry beanish. We lived down the road from a Mennonite family. She is the the person who gave me the beans. My granddaughter and her youngest were about a year apart. She brought them with her when they moved from the state they had lived in, before Texas. I may have to go to Walmart next time I need to get groceries, and get a rhubarb crown. We have a stay safe at home order right now.
     
  7. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    There is a Cranberry bean but they do not look like a cranberry ! Now there are some crowder types that might fit your description! And they are heirloom beans,, very old types ! Just look on ebay for your rhubarb crowns ! Delivered to your door ! I have bought seeds and other stuff on ebay for years ! Just make sure its a reputable seller with no less than 95% excellent feedback and many sales on record ! I have never been disappointed with the sellers there !
     
  8. Willowisp0801

    Willowisp0801 In Flower

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    Yeah, I have bought cranberry beans before. I don't buy as many beans now, as I used to, since my granddaughter is living with me. I asked a friend of mine about them and she said her grandmother used to grow horticulture beans. The lady who gave them to me called them October beans but said some people call them horticulture beans. This is what I found and mine pretty much fit the description.
    - Usually pole or half-runner
    - Most have flattened pods when green
    - Red or pink striped pods when ripe, turning purplish at prime shelly stage
    - Large to very large seeds with maroon or red streaks over a white or buff background
    - Potato-like flavor as shellies
    - Often, late to mature ("October beans")

    Yes I was looking on line for rhubarb crowns
     
  9. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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  10. adam.ca

    adam.ca In Flower

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    what about tomatoes and cucumbers?
     
  11. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Who and what are you asking, Adam.ca ?
     
  12. Willowisp0801

    Willowisp0801 In Flower

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    Wow, home schooling, keeps me busy. I didn't realize it was about a week ago last time I was on. Well, and then today I had a conference call with all the other faculty at my school. I think I need a substitute, for home schooling. ;)
    I got my rhubarb crown and it's planted. Yeah! My granddaughter and I planted peas yesterday, and she planted flower seeds in her little garden. I'm trying peas early, since they're a cool weather plant. Maybe they'll grow. Well, they did grow last year, sort of, but I only got about 2 peas. So fingers are crossed!
     
  13. Islandlife

    Islandlife Young Pine

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    Welcome from Vancouver Island BC (Pacific Northwest) Willow!
     
  14. Willowisp0801

    Willowisp0801 In Flower

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    Yes, I've been to B.C many times. Back in the days when you could just cross the border, I don't remember my mom having to show any I.D. and as a teenager I don't remember having to show anything. My son went to Western Washington University and we would cross over sometimes when I visited him (showing just a driver's license). I also rode the Black Ball ferry to Victoria a couple times. And when my kids were young we vacationed in the San Juan Islands and caught the inter island ferry once. We mostly stayed on the U.S side and island hopped, though. I wonder what's above Wisconsin, as it pertains to Canada. I may have to check that out and take my granddaughter. Well, after I look to see what is required to cross these days. Thanks for the welcome!
     
  15. Willowisp0801

    Willowisp0801 In Flower

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    Maybe that's "inner" island ferry :worried:
     
  16. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Willowisp....welcome from New England!
     

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