Eclectic Gardening in Tennessee Zone 7

  February 17, 2026 (Originally posted on NextDoor) This is my first year to try winter seed sowing. I chose kale, spinach, and lettuce for early cool weather greens and two perennial flower seeds that both require cold shock before germination (dianthus and cone flower). I planted all on 2/10/2026. I'm excited to see if this will work.                 February 20, 2026 (Update) Nice update on winter seed sowing! Sprouts doing great for kale, lettuce, and spinach! I do plan on starting another container of spinach in the next week or so.             March 21, 2026 (Update) Greens from milk jugs are ready to plant in grow bags!!  Only one (1) tiny coneflower sprouted and it's struggling.  Dianthus seeds did not sprout at all.  I...

  March 21, 2026  Picked up quite a few different seeds at Blount County Library seed swap this morning. I took about 20 envelopes of marigold seeds to share.   Seed swaps are a great way to share seeds!  Please feel free to make comments or ask questions!  Thanks for stopping by!                                                                                                              Marie

  May 7, 2026 Found this planting calendar and 2 maps for Zone 7 (a and b) to share !       Thanks for stopping by!  Please make comments or ask questions!                                                                                                                                  Marie

  May 7, 2026 Here are links to youtube videos, articles, or websites helpful in gardening/planting primarily with a few others thrown in for good measure: 9 Genius Hacks To Fill Large Containers Without Potting Soil https://youtu.be/4zpQMLhotBA?si=gkxO_YIoXc1_EFyU How To Heat Cure Bamboo Poles https://youtu.be/YCSwvonEE4I?si=ZI6_km5Ej7xaNKhX Grow Zucchini Vertically to Save Space And Boost Harvests https://youtu.be/drzr7ZJ0B14?si=xzj_5BcOnybIdiFH https://youtube.com/shorts/fHdEIZbBIqI?si=dQknBlhMaFRPO43S Pokeweed Facts That Will Amaze You! https://youtu.be/MBV2lIrk900?si=z--FqqQusxjR0new Attract Backyard Birds with an Ecosystem Approach! https://youtu.be/ITHgy8xhIV0?si=YpAiPZrJXzuZIi2r Purple Dead Nettle: A Potent Powerhouse Of Medicinal Benefits! https://youtu.be/UHVMzrGTCMk?si=-8w-CL2V15NYZrKS Hairy Bittercress https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/weeds/hairy-bittercress https://britishlocalfood.com/hairy-bittercress/ Roots can be roas...

    30-year old Rubbermaid tote with snap on lid   Drilled holes on all sides and lid   Layers: bottom, sticks/crushed leaves; food waste next; top, brown waste (crushed leaves, strips of cardboard, and shredded paper)   Clips (only 2 corners) to deter pests/critters   Update:  adding food waste layer after stirring   Update: adding browns on top of food waste   Update:  adding browns (shredded paper)   Update:  watering thoroughly April 12, 2026 Project: making a composting bin. I have no desire for a huge compost area in my yard. I opted to use an old Rubbermaid tote with a securing lid. This is the perfect size for the small amount of food waste from my household. NOTE: I do not add meat/fish or fats as food waste. These tend to give off strong odors when decomposing and more likely to draw attention from critters. Drilled holes...

    Bamboo cut/stripped 16-23 ft long   Bamboo cut to 6 ft lengths (feline buddy to help)   Drilled holes in each section to prevent explosions from pressurized air when heated   Flame/heat from fire pit perfect for curing bamboo   Glossy finished after heat curing; resin rubbed into wood   Finished product; however, several small sections not cured will also serve as supports   Anatomy of Bamboo    Many years ago, I received several bamboo plants and proceeded to plant in the lower back of property in the woods.  The bamboo was very slow growing for the first 15 years or so, but even then quite beautiful as it stayed green all year long.  The bamboo has started to spread, but still manageable at this point.   When I started gardening more and more I became interested in using bamboo for supports for tall spindly plants.  At ...