What did you do in the garden today?

[Sueby]

I am wondering if a Chicago fig (or whatever they're called...?) could grow here. I read in my zone (5b), it dies back in the winter, but regrows each spring. Does that mean it grows fruit each year? Anyone know?

They have a way to go yet. The top will break out of the thin covering and have a few to several little bulbs. Sometimes the bulbs will grow a topset of its own! It's cool that you're getting some the first year. A lot of them wait until their second year. You can cut some leaves sparingly for chive/green onions.

I saved all the little bulbs I got the first year to plant in the fall and fill in the bed. Well, except for a couple that I had to eat to see what they were like. Yup, like tiny little onions!

I have a friend in my zone (6) that planted a couple in the ground for the winter as a test & they are doing pretty well. I'll let ya know if they get figs or not, if you're interested. This is what they look like as of a couple days ago, I imagine they were small when he put them in the ground, he's only been growing a couple years:

He has 100s of varieties so I'm not sure what one this is. We did have a mild winter here but I guess it is possible!

I'm excited about my EWO!

 

[Sally PB]

@Sueby, sure, I'm interested in hearing if your friend gets figs. I just read a little about them, and maaaaybeee I could grow one here. The best bet seems to be the Hardy Chicago fig.

What I've read is the stem is probably ok down to 10 F, and the roots to -20 F. 10 degrees is probably a given every winter here. Zero and below are less common, but certainly possible. Perhaps if I wrapped it in chicken wire and fill the space with leaves... hmmm.

The coldest winter I've ever seen in this area had -30 F air temps, before windchills. The local meteorologist said that it was a once-in-a-generation kind of winter. But if you think of a generation as roughly 30 years... it could happen again in my lifetime...

 

[Iluveggers]

@Sally PB we have a fig tree here in zone 5. We put it out in the spring, and bring it into our insulated garage at the end of fall. It goes dormant in the winter, and we bring it back out in the spring when It gets warm. It’s only about 5 feet high and DH can move it on his own. We keep it in a large pot. Two years, so far so good!

 

[Sally PB]

@Iluveggers, do you get figs from it? What kind is it? Thanks for the info.

 

[SheaLoner]

So what do you guys think? @jerryse & @Elyrian1

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I dont think that is nettle. Wild parsnip I believe.

 

[jerryse]

So what do you guys think? @jerryse & @Elyrian1

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Probably stinging nettle . I will have to look. at mine .

 

[Iluveggers]

@Iluveggers, do you get figs from it? What kind is it? Thanks for the info.

We do get figs. I’ll text my friend who we got it from, DH bought it because he knew it would be ok in our climate! I’ll let you know what I find out!

 

[igorsMistress]

I have with good success. I've only done it with mild freezer burn and I soak the meat first for a little bit in the hopes that'll help.

I just came in from my morning chores and had my phone with me for a change. So I took some pictures as I walked up to the house and wanted to share.

Being in the desert, a lot of our property is bare dirt with agaves and trees.
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Here's our parrots outdoor play pen. He spends a few hours outside everyday. I think it's good for his sanity and ours!View attachment 3133510

This is my walkway upto the house. I really need to divide my Sword Fern this year, but that's a project for another day.View attachment 3133512

I also checked our pond and rescued a bee that went to deep. The pond is always swarming with wildlife and bees.View attachment 3133521

Which makes me stare at my Mexican Elderberry that's blooming like crazy and wonder why there's no fruit forming! Think I need to get a second plant for better pollination.View attachment 3133523

Nice to have another desert on the thread! Beautiful walkway there.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I set like 6 lids of beer for slugs in the garden.

 

[jerryse]

Stinging nettle so yours is wild parsnip .