Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the middle of a Wisconsin winter

[21hens-incharge]

Sour cherries are way to sour to eat straight. That is a belly ache in the making for sure.

I cannot grow cherry trees here either. Mine made it to the second year and died. A lot has to do with our deep freezes and I am sure you get those there. Some types of tree are just to delicate to make it. Peach trees are hit and miss here. Some make it but most do not. The nurseries do not guarantee any fruit trees here. They still sell them but with the warning that many do not survive to maturity. Apple trees are the best for my area but still get hit with blight and other issues.

I have had 2 peach trees die on me over the last 6 years. I have my fingers crossed for the baby one and the 3 year old tree this year. Most years even if the tree makes it the late frost takes the fruit.

There are some lucky people here that have huge green houses and grow the fruit trees in there.

Have you looked into the ranges for rainier cherry? I am not sure of its zone rating. I would think the best place to plant up north would be close to a structure on the south side. Still a gamble though.

 

[jerryse]

Try the new bush cherries that were bred in Canada . Sour cherries .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I do have one bush cherry, Nanking bush, but they aren't quite the same. Thanks 21hens, I think my dream of a cherry tree can die along with all the trees I tried to grow, Maybe I'll put in another bush variety, they certainly are cheaper and easier. I think I will throw out the dream of the peach tree too, maybe just add another plum, maybe a red variety.

It's nice to hear this stuff before I waste more money on trees.

 

[napdognewfie]

Are you willing to keep dwarf trees in containers?

You have to let them get cold enough to chill them, then drag them inside for the worst of it. Then out again when it warms. I have done this for years with tropicals that wouldn't make it in my zone.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I did have a pair of orange trees, I finally killed them because I couldn't get rid of the scales. I do keep shrubs in pots, I have a pair of box woods that are pretty big that go in my shed in the winter.

 

[napdognewfie]

If you spray with Raid in the blue can before you bring them in, it helps. Or soak them with Safers.

 

[21hens-incharge]

As much of the nation is being buried under snow I had to keep looking at greenhouse plans. I cannot take the snow much longer. I need spring to well spring already.

http://www.gardeners.com/buy/automatic-vent-opener/11-229.html#start=41
Not sure if I shared this automatic vent already or not. No electric required so thinking about using it in my design.

This greenhouse build has me wishing for some free doors here. Turned out nice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Nice and affordable on the vents, and the greenhouse is brilliant, great use of discarded items.

Spring is still a long time off for us, it usually doesn't start to warm until the end of March. Nice blizzard we are getting, the weather people finally have something exciting to interrupt programs today.

 

[21hens-incharge]

*SIGH* Staring at the cold wet snow is getting to bug me so I made a trip to the local Home Depot.

I picked up a shelving unit and lights to go with it so I can finally try and get some onion seeds planted. I am way overdue on getting that started.
I did get a screaming deal on the smaller lights needed to fit the shelf size. I have 4 foot lights but needed lighter weight 3 foot lights.
I got 3 foot long 2 lamp T5 size for 15 dollars each. Normally they are 30 each. I am hoping this is the right kind of bulb. I do have to wire a cord on them but since I do that sort of thing for a living it is no big deal. They want more for the cords then I am willing to pay so I will get the items needed at cost from work on Monday.

Let the great radish experiment begin! (pics to follow of course)

 

[gizzyntaz]

My DH finished building the 3 last garden boxes for our deer-proof plot (9 total). I may add another in the future, but no plans as of now. I have the garden planned for spring with the 9. My garden store of choice doesn't open until March 1st to buy the soil components, but you can be assured I will be there the week of March 1st if there isn't snow in the garden. I will be starting seedlings in the basement tomorrow. I can't wait!!!