Weekly Garden Thread - September 14th-20th, 2019

September 14, 2019 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

[Diana in Wisconsin]

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.

This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go and... that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a week Ping List. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I really need to pare down my sewing stuff but can’t let go.”

When I have a glut of yarn, which is like ALWAYS, I single some out for charity projects and that gets it out of my house. :)

I do preemie caps, baby blankets, shelter pet blankets, scarves and hats for homeless Vets, etc.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Instead of a Long Shore Fisherman, you’ll be a Long Haul Fisherman! :)

[MomwithHope]

What about my post 127, when to harvest the lettuce seeds. Not sure because they look so green yet.

[Augie]

Oh, me too! That saved me a couple thousand $$$. Big dock floats are really expensive.

[MomwithHope]

Scrounging and finding are great recreation!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Your idea about hanging them is a good one. I would put them in paper bags, upside down, somewhere warm and sunny and let the seeds fall when they’re ready. If the flowers have all dropped, I think it’s safe.

I discovered a few ‘surprise’ lettuce seedlings when I was scrounging around, yesterday - soon to be replanted. Red Romaine. Yay!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

They also say ‘fluffy and dry’ for the flower heads, then you can harvest seeds.

https://www.thespruce.com/saving-lettuce-seeds-from-your-garden-2539695

[tob2]

Seasonal changes taking place. Caladiums dying back and some coleus as well. Making plans for next year’s plantings. Hope all is well with the group.

[MomwithHope]

Great thanks, I have fluffy and dry on the flowers. I usually use a paper bag and have a good place in the garage to hang things. Nice find on the lettuce. I had the most gorgeous romaine this year. I used to start from seed in a barrel with a glass window over it at Easter time and transplant later. Then for several years I have just bought plants. I’m looking into a hanging LED gro light panel to start my own in the basement with a timer.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

That or a cold frame will really give you a jump on the season. I splurged and bought a slightly defective, deeply discounted grow rack when I was retiring from Jung’s. Best thing I ever did. It’s missing one light rack, so it’s got 3 shelves instead of four, which is plenty for me to start tomatoes and peppers and some flowers.

Reality Check: I think you and I need to do some snow shovel sharpening in the next few weeks, LOL!

[MomwithHope]

Those roses are beautiful! I have 4 roses all from the house I grew up in Chicago. So 70 years plus a few. I mean that’s how old the mother plants are. I don’t know the name of one very fragrant, dark pink big bush flowers not so big. One is a rosa rugosa. At one point it was as big as a VW beetle but I have it a severe pruning last year. Another is a climber dark pink seven sisters and the last was my Dad’s favorite Amelia Damask a very old very very fragrant pink with most wicked big thorns ever. The smell is amazing. Classic.

[MomwithHope]

What’s a snow shovel??? I guess we have one with some cobwebs on it. I haven’t shoveled in years, hubby gets most everything with the snow plow on the atv.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I have to shovel the 7 landings up to the house and keep the porch swept. Beau does the rest. I’m going to tell him about your sweet deal! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Rosa Rugosa are the best! I’ve had ‘Hansa’ in the past at my other farm. Gorgeous fragrance and lovely hips.

Two other faves are ‘Blanc Double d’Coulbert’ and ‘Frau Dagmar.’ Same qualities in white and pink.

I’m trying to find a spot for them out here. As a farmer, Beau HATES roses because he has to deal with wild roses in the pasture all the time, so I’m choosing this battle...carefully! ;)

[MomwithHope]

Hubby loves to plow. Our garage is attached so there is nothing to shovel around the house. When we had goats in the barn he would plow a path to the house. Honestly I can’t remember the last time I shoveled.

[MomwithHope]

I got some really big hips this year and dried them for tea. Kind of a pain because you have to get the seeds out from inside. The hummingbirds like the rugosa the best. It still has a few late blooms, 3 even now.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I used to wear ‘Paris’ perfume from Yves Saint Laurent and that is the closest I’ve ever gotten to the heady scent of that rose bush.

I can understand why the Hummers love it! :)

[Vipper]

Okay I give up. I ordered 288 Tattler lids and I have tried them four times now and have a 50-75% seal rate. The rest need to be reprocessed with Ball or Kerr lids or refigerated and used soon. What are others canners results with these lids. I am planning on putting them away until I run out of regular lids and it’s a SHTF situation lol...

I ordered another 600+ normal lids yesterday with an additional 966 jars of various sizes (4oz. 8oz. 12oz. 16oz. 24oz. 32oz, and 64oz.) on Amazon. I about threw up at the $1,600 price tag, but it was the cheapest I could find and I needed them now or this week. Everywhere locally was sold out. Nothing available, but the battered case here or there. No more canned goods to family or friends who will not return jars, period!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“No more canned goods to family or friends who will not return jars, period!”

That is a problem. People ‘mean’ to get them back to me, but usually don’t. :(

And that must be some sort of canning jar purchase record, LOL! I had to replenish a few things this year, but it was time.

Happy Canning! :)

[Liz]

At the Trumps’ second state dinner, a garden party under the stars

President Trump and first lady Melania are hosting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny Morrison, with a menu the White House said “highlights the lush, late summer season across the vast lands of America.”

The bounty of produce that will be served to guests in the Rose Garden includes sunchokes, which will be served roasted, pureed and encased in ravioli, and dressed with a lemony Parmigiano-Reggiano sauce. Bonus veggies come in the form of shavings of sun-gold carrots, baby kale and sunchoke chips atop the first-course pasta dish.

The entree, Dover sole, served with a fennel mousseline (a rich, hollandaise-adjacent sauce) has a classic feel. It’s accompanied by summer squash blossoms, whose green and gold hues echo the decor — and, certainly not coincidentally, the colors of the guest country.

Hyperlocal sourcing is in effect, with herbs from the White House garden topping a rouille, a mayonnaise-like condiment spiked with garlic.

Also traditional is the dessert, a gussied-up apple pie made with Lady apples from Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic trees. The tart is accompanied with a scoop (or two, if you’re the commander in chief?) of ice cream spiked with Calvados, an apple brandy that offers a double dose of the trademark American fruit.