# Off Topic **URL:** https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/c/off-topic/39.md [Latest](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/latest.md) · [Categories](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/categories.md) · [Tags](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/tags.md) --- ## [About the Off Topic category](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/about-the-off-topic-category/373)
**Author:** [@silkcom](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/silkcom)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2022, 11:05pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/about-the-off-topic-category/373 "2022-12-29T23:05:25Z")
This category is for gardening or similar topics that people are interested in that aren’t about landrace gardening. Other gardening methods, etc. Why should people use this category? What is it for? Any discussion … --- ## [Frozen squash smell when gone bad?](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/frozen-squash-smell-when-gone-bad/5072)
**Author:** [@KadenceLunemann](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/KadenceLunemann)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/frozen-squash-smell-when-gone-bad/5072 "2026-09-21T23:07:38Z")
Random question/topic but can anyone share weird things they’ve had happen when food you’ve put up from the garden has gone bad? I put up a ton of frozen squash (moschata and maxima) in fall of 2024. I still have some l… --- ## [Perennial protein plants](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/perennial-protein-plants/892)
**Author:** [@UnicornEmily](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/UnicornEmily)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/perennial-protein-plants/892 "2026-09-11T01:05:53Z")
Hi, guys! The other day, I was watching this gardening YouTube video where someone went on about how perennial protein crops are really important, and listed a whole bunch of tree nut species as “must haves.” Have I me… --- ## [Plant identification thread](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/plant-identification-thread/3833)
**Author:** [@KadenceLunemann](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/KadenceLunemann)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 3:21am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/plant-identification-thread/3833 "2026-07-11T03:21:15Z")
I figure instead of a bunch of new threads we can put our mystery plants in this thread. And in the future maybe you can find out what your mystery plant is by looking here! I’ll start with this tree. When it was starti… --- ## [New Gardener Horror Stories](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/new-gardener-horror-stories/4887)
**Author:** [@heatherweather](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/heatherweather)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/new-gardener-horror-stories/4887 "2026-07-01T14:47:48Z")
I thought it’d be fun to share stories of time when teaching new gardeners, they did something shocking or unexpected! I will start :slight\_smile: Yesterday two of my friends came over to weed the garden area we all pla… --- ## [Music that is garden/earth-centric or themed](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/music-that-is-garden-earth-centric-or-themed/4761)
**Author:** [@KadenceLunemann](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/KadenceLunemann)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/music-that-is-garden-earth-centric-or-themed/4761 "2026-07-01T05:21:42Z")
This came up in the zoom today and I thought it would make a cool thread! Do you have music that is about gardening? About vegetables? About defending the earth/nature? Here is some that I thought of… Jean Ritchie, bla… --- ## [Beginners Guide](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/beginners-guide/1010)
**Author:** [@MarkReed](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/MarkReed)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/beginners-guide/1010 "2026-06-25T20:24:39Z")
Discussion in the thread about suggestions for books, topics like phenology, people asking for advice and so on has got me to wondering. Part of what I’m wondering about is a question I asked somewhere, sometime but neve… --- ## [An experimental mindset](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/an-experimental-mindset/4437)
**Author:** [@UnicornEmily](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/UnicornEmily)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/an-experimental-mindset/4437 "2026-04-10T16:43:54Z")
Someone on the forum recently called me a pro, and I was startled and then really touched because I feel so inadequate sometimes . . . I’m so, so far from my goals! I’ve only been gardening for five years, and while I’m… --- ## [Zea diploperennis](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/zea-diploperennis/1656)
**Author:** [@Lary](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/Lary)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2026, 4:38am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/zea-diploperennis/1656 "2026-02-08T04:38:43Z")
Does anybody out there know how to get this from the plant introduction station? Zea diploperennis (PI 462368) USDA North Central Region Plant Introduction Station --- ## [Keeping quail as a laying flock](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/keeping-quail-as-a-laying-flock/1277)
**Author:** [@UnicornEmily](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/UnicornEmily)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/keeping-quail-as-a-laying-flock/1277 "2026-01-03T15:44:40Z")
I’ve decided that I probably don’t want to keep chickens because I can’t have a rooster (they’re not allowed in my city), which means I couldn’t maintain a population over generations. Ducks are out because they need lo… --- ## [Common beans setting pods](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/common-beans-setting-pods/1325)
**Author:** [@UnicornEmily](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/UnicornEmily)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/common-beans-setting-pods/1325 "2025-10-01T19:03:11Z")
Random question for you guys. Do common beans have trouble setting pods in the heat? We’ve had temperatures of 90-100 degrees for most of the last month. That’s normal for our summers, though, and common beans did jus… --- ## [Weed, my foot!](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/weed-my-foot/1124)
**Author:** [@UnicornEmily](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/UnicornEmily)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2025, 2:38am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/weed-my-foot/1124 "2025-09-16T02:38:27Z")
This is a weed. Except it’s pretty and tastes like lettuce that doesn’t get bitter in the summer heat. This is a weed. Except it’s pretty and tastes like slightly spicy broccoli. And they’re both drought toleran… --- ## [Sourgrass](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/sourgrass/518)
**Author:** [@Cynthia](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/Cynthia)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/sourgrass/518 "2025-08-24T00:11:45Z")
One thing that grows very well here in NorCal is sourgrass. I was just reading up on it (see quoted material below on uses) and was curious if others eat/use sourgrass regularly (note also the hazards section below)? I k… --- ## [Fava Beans, I just think they're neat](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/fava-beans-i-just-think-theyre-neat/4051)
**Author:** [@MichaelFomhar](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/MichaelFomhar)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/fava-beans-i-just-think-theyre-neat/4051 "2025-07-24T00:43:14Z")
Year two growing favas for the first time, we had crazy 100 degree heat indexes in may and june, and i still managed to grow more than I did last year where it was in the 70’s almost the entire first half of 2024. … --- ## [Interesting papers/ research dump](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/interesting-papers-research-dump/2926)
**Author:** [@Geoffrey](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/Geoffrey)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/interesting-papers-research-dump/2926 "2025-05-25T23:15:58Z")
I’m not sure if a thread exists like this already but I thought it would be interesting to share links to papers or research we might find useful. Here’s one about the gene and microbial differences in different populat… --- ## [Insect Identification](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/insect-identification/3950)
**Author:** [@Amaranthus](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/Amaranthus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/insect-identification/3950 "2025-05-23T15:37:25Z")
Saw this little guy sitting on my serrano pepper leaf. I thought he was bird poop! Is this a cuckoo bee? --- ## [Oenothera speciosa with Red Leaves](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/oenothera-speciosa-with-red-leaves/3955)
**Author:** [@JinTX](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/JinTX)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/oenothera-speciosa-with-red-leaves/3955 "2025-05-22T01:20:59Z")
I have a Pink Evening Primrose, Oenothera speciosa, that is growing with all red leaves. I know they usually get some nice purple/red coloring in the fall when temps drop but I’ve never noticed any having this much soli… --- ## [What have you noticed about radishes?](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/what-have-you-noticed-about-radishes/3201)
**Author:** [@treelorh](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/treelorh)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/what-have-you-noticed-about-radishes/3201 "2025-05-03T14:50:08Z")
Howdy folks! I’m curious, what have you noticed about radishes? What conditions do your radishes like best? Especially if you broadcast seeds all over the place, I’m curious what you’ve noticed about their growth habits… --- ## [Saving mustard seed](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/saving-mustard-seed/953)
**Author:** [@H.B](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/H.B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/saving-mustard-seed/953 "2025-04-30T02:24:41Z")
We grew black mustard for the first time last year. Though I didn’t research the topic at all (and honestly still haven’t), I found harvesting seeds to be labor-intensive and was curious if anyone had any methods they li… --- ## [Apple scionwood (US)](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/apple-scionwood-us/3826)
**Author:** [@urbanmicrofarmer](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/urbanmicrofarmer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/apple-scionwood-us/3826 "2025-04-24T22:23:09Z")
This past weekend, I volunteered at a scion swap. When the event was over, I scooped up all the unused apple scionwood, all of it collected in zone 4 or 5. Varieties listed below. For trades, I’m into russet apple scionw… --- ## [SkillCult Apple Trees 35% off until 4/28](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/skillcult-apple-trees-35-off-until-4-28/3821)
**Author:** [@JonathanDeRevonah](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/JonathanDeRevonah)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/skillcult-apple-trees-35-off-until-4-28/3821 "2025-04-22T00:36:25Z")
This is the only nursery that I’m aware of that is offering Steve’s trees: USE CODE: “SALE35” --- ## [Urine as Fertilizer](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/urine-as-fertilizer/3382)
**Author:** [@devonaviola](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/devonaviola)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/urine-as-fertilizer/3382 "2025-04-15T21:46:49Z")
Last year I compiled an essay about urine as fertilizer. I’m going to copy and paste most of it here for anyone interested in this topic: Fertilizer Value The N-P-K ratio of human urine is approximately 11-2-4, dependi… --- ## [Soil testing for a freshly dug garden](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/soil-testing-for-a-freshly-dug-garden/3776)
**Author:** [@MichaelFomhar](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/MichaelFomhar)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/soil-testing-for-a-freshly-dug-garden/3776 "2025-04-15T14:55:07Z")
I’m expanding the garden another 200sq feet and was curious about my soil ph and fertility. I know I plant in a clay soil with low fertility but I wasn’t prepared for how bad it really was. Clay content damn near 100%, p… --- ## [European video meetings. Next: tuesday 8th of April 20h CET](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/european-video-meetings-next-tuesday-8th-of-april-20h-cet/3090)
**Author:** [@ThomasPicard](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/ThomasPicard)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/european-video-meetings-next-tuesday-8th-of-april-20h-cet/3090 "2025-04-09T19:47:42Z")
EDIT : All meetings on tuesdays 8pm at CET . Permanent link : Jitsi Meet See last posts for agenda of each visio call. Hi there, Just to let you know that talking yesterday to the board of the french PEPS group (Bru… --- ## [Glow-in-the-dark plants](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/glow-in-the-dark-plants/3734)
**Author:** [@JinTX](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/JinTX)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/glow-in-the-dark-plants/3734 "2025-04-02T19:17:01Z")
This is something I just discovered and wondering what everyone here thinks… These are currently commercially available. I actually found out about it through an advertisement from a local wholesale nursery I follow o… --- ## [Garden Dog Landrace?](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/garden-dog-landrace/3715)
**Author:** [@VeggieSavage](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/VeggieSavage)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/garden-dog-landrace/3715 "2025-04-02T18:53:42Z")
I’m looking for excellent Garden Dog, that can scare away (Or kill) all the Animals (Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels, Groundhogs, Moles, Mice, ect) bothering my Garden but at the same time not trample over my garden beds & make… --- ## [31 year old Dartington food forest needs support](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/31-year-old-dartington-food-forest-needs-support/3687)
**Author:** [@norris](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/norris)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/31-year-old-dartington-food-forest-needs-support/3687 "2025-03-24T21:46:53Z")
Martin Crawford and the Agroforestry Research Trust (ART) have done pioneering work for decades on temperate climate food forestry and perennial polycultures. They’ve been leasing from a Trust 2 acres on which they’ve de… --- ## [Chinese Technique for Growing Watermelons](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/chinese-technique-for-growing-watermelons/3661)
**Author:** [@JinTX](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/JinTX)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/chinese-technique-for-growing-watermelons/3661 "2025-03-19T14:43:33Z")
I found this as a post on another site. It is about an ancient Chinese technique used when growing watermelons. I’ve never heard of this and thought it was interesting… During the day, the stone absorbs the sun’s heat,… --- ## ['Bodie' the Sourdough Starter Profile (In Serendipity Seed Box)](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/bodie-the-sourdough-starter-profile-in-serendipity-seed-box/3648)
**Author:** [@LarimarHomestead](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/LarimarHomestead)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/bodie-the-sourdough-starter-profile-in-serendipity-seed-box/3648 "2025-03-15T01:24:21Z")
“Bodie” the Sourdough Starter Profile (Currently in the Serendipity Seed Box) Origins: +Originally bought on Etsy, original listing: https://www.etsy.com/listing/745699350/239yr-old-authentic-san-francisco-dried +A 2… --- ## [Correlation between Cold Temperature Requirements for Breaking Seed Dormancy & Chill Hour Requirements of the Mature Fruit Tree?](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/correlation-between-cold-temperature-requirements-for-breaking-seed-dormancy-chill-hour-requirements-of-the-mature-fruit-tree/3631)
**Author:** [@JinTX](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/JinTX)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/t/correlation-between-cold-temperature-requirements-for-breaking-seed-dormancy-chill-hour-requirements-of-the-mature-fruit-tree/3631 "2025-03-12T02:03:21Z")
Are there any known correlations between the amount of time in cold storage required to break seed dormancy and the chill hours required for the mature plant to set fruit? My theory would be that there may be some corre… [Next page](https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/c/off-topic/39.md?page=1)