2026 gardening thread, whatcha got going on in the yard this year? Even house plants are ok.

[S&W Fan]

We got down to 26* here this morning.

 

[Saltwater60]

We got down to 26* here this morning.

Snow where I’m at today.

 

[S&W Fan]

Been Getting snow on and off all morning here too.

 

[Robin]

Snowed here today .

My Granny said it has to snow twice on the forsythia for spring to truly arrive!

Well its in bloom and I believe that was the second snowing, so.........
Robin

 

[CNYJohn]

Any of yous ever start broccoli from seed?

Kinda wondering if I should for spring planting or buy transplants
Also for late summer starting for fall harvest

I live the stuff
Also want opinions on best variety as I like a plant that gives alot of side shoots as well as large heads

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Any of yous ever start broccoli from seed?

Kinda wondering if I should for spring planting or buy transplants
Also for late summer starting for fall harvest

I live the stuff
Also want opinions on best variety as I like a plant that gives alot of side shoots as well as large heads

Harvest the main head to encourage lateral growth.

 

[CNYJohn]

We have had varieties in the past that side shooted like crazy
And have had some that just really petered out after cutting main head.

 

[S&W Fan]

De ciccio and Waltham 29 are two good ones that do well in Northern climates and very often produce side shoots after the main head is harvested. You should start them at least 6-8 weeks before last frost date.

 

[CNYJohn]

We late on starting them
Probably gonna try direct seeding this weekend

I think we have some Waltham seed

 

[S&W Fan]

We late on starting them
Probably gonna try direct seeding this weekend

I think we have some Waltham seed

You should be ok. Make little mini green houses out of plastic milk jugs for them when they start to sprout , in case you get a late May frost. Those two varieties are also pretty cold hearty. I’ve grown them in late season before for a late fall / early winter crop with good results.

 

[Saltwater60]

A few peppers and some tomatoes are flowering already. I’m hoping for an early spring. I’ll start hardening them off next week.

 

[CNYJohn]

Yellow onion sets in today.
Hope to put in broccoli seeds sunday

 

[Saltwater60]

Yellow onion sets in today.
Hope to put in broccoli seeds sunday

I never get broccoli heads so I gave up on broccoli. I get tons of leaves but not good crowns.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

I got my replacement bees yesterday. The nuc I got last year did great even though they had to build all new comb on virgin foundation. I believe the deep freeze got them. There was still plenty of honey and stuff, they just all died.

This nuc gets to start on good comb so they can get right to making honey and growing the colony. Different kind of bees this time. Much larger and they don't seem as docile. Hopefully they can handle the winter a little better.

 

[Saltwater60]

I got my replacement bees yesterday. The nuc I got last year did great even though they had to build all new comb on virgin foundation. I believe the deep freeze got them. There was still plenty of honey and stuff, they just all died.

This nuc gets to start on good comb so they can get right to making honey and growing the colony. Different kind of bees this time. Much larger and they don't seem as docile. Hopefully they can handle the winter a little better.

Hopefully these bees make it. Bees aren’t cheap. Watch for viruses and invaders. It probably was the cold though.

 

[Robin]

A lot of things are killing hives these days, cold being the least of them. If you're using the same hive box I would scorch the inside of it to sterilize it, or maybe check out a Beekeepers supply store that sells something specifically for that purpose.
Good luck!!!
Robin