Posted on 04/01/2024 6:23:19 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a 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 a non-political respite. 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 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/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.
NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!
Mom & I were having a chat yesterday about ‘the birds’. The former owners have a bird feeding ‘station’ out from the bay window. It’s a heavy post (4x4) with a wooden tray on top - no water drainage so it’s a mess of water-soaked seed hulls. There are two small feeders sitting on the tray that end up in the yard - I suspect Mr. Possum is the culprit. I don’t like this setup & would like to remove the whole thing, but that post isn’t budging. This goes on the “thinking about it” list.
Hummers - we are going to hang the feeders off the porch in front of the bay window. My SIL has a similar arrangement & I love watching the hummers from ‘up close’. I checked the migration map & there are a few sightings north of us, but to the east - they haven’t made it to the west for most of the state.
Roofers working on the balcony off the 2nd floor worked all day yesterday, left at dark & were back at 8 am this morning. The slate work hasn’t started yet. It’s 41, feels like 36 with the breeze - on a roof is not a great place to be. I am doing yard work today (again, still cleaning debris/mowing - will it ever end?), but I am waiting until it warms up a bit.
New York Times bestselling author Marta McDowell has revealed the way that plants have stirred some of our most cherished authors, including Beatrix Potter, Emily Dickinson, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. In her latest, she shares a moving account of how gardening deeply inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of the beloved children's classic The Secret Garden.
In Unearthing The Secret Garden, McDowell delves into the professional and gardening life of Frances Hodgson Burnett. Complementing her fascinating account with charming period photographs and illustrations, McDowell paints an unforgettable portrait of a great artist and reminds us why The Secret Garden continues to touch readers after more than a century. This deeply moving and gift-worthy book is a must-read for fans of The Secret Garden and anyone who loves the story behind the story.
I haven’t heard of this book before, but I want to read it. My childhood friends, that I still see once a year, all love The Secret Garden, and all of us are in to gardening. One is even a Master Gardener now. Thanks for the recommendation!
Good morning. I would love to be pinged to this list . Thank you.
Finding my garden at 83 the quiet place....
and my 33yr old adopted daughter has taken a liking for it also..
I have a special place in my heart for bluebirds. When we first moved to this house ten years ago, I didn’t know a lot about birds. Still don’t, but I’m learning.
Anyway, it seems that we were on the edge of where bluebirds stay all year, so I tired to focus on coaxing them with mealworms all winter. It seems to have worked, and now I see bluebirds around all year long.
We have 4 nest boxes set up, and we have had bluebirds nest in all 4 at various times. There’s one that has 4 or 5 eggs in it now, and I hope the eggs will remain viable with the hard freeze we had last night.
Are those your own photos? Excellent! The indigo bunting is one of my favorite birds that I do get to see sometimes, but rarely.
We’re in east TN and know nothing about gardening. Looking at sweet daphne (daphne odor) as something to plant here and there around the house.
Will it be good in our area?
I read that it is poisonous to people and animals, so worry about all the deer we have in the area. Maybe deer aren’t attracted to this plant ...? Does anybody know?
Waiting for the snow to melt and the temperatures to start rising tomorrow.
Then spring will be here in reality and I’ll be planting lettuce by midweek.
Just out of curiosity. . . . You mention buying ornamental grasses, including Karl Foerster and several others that ring a bell. Do you perchance buy from High Country Gardens? I do, and I’ve got a tray of Foersters in my cart right now! I’m trying to talk myself into placing the order . . .
Very clever! Thanks. I don’t have a greenhouse sadly but have friends who do. One of them swears by keeping filled water jugs on the floor. The water stores the heat and then releases it on cool days. We are in west Michigan and it really extends her growing calendar.
https://www.chicagobotanic.org/blog/plants_and_gardening/karl_foerster_plant_myth_legend
Karl Foerster: the Plant, the Myth, the Legend
Smothered Steak / an authentic Southern recipe
Ingredients 4 2-oz sirloin steaks (an inch thick) 2 tbl steak seasoning, divided 2 tbl ea olive oil, unsalted butter 8 oz mushroom, sliced 1 yellow onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped 1 tsp beef bouillon 2 tbl flour 1½ cups beef broth low-sodium S/p to taste Chopped fresh parsley, garnish
Instructions Pat steaks dry with p/towels, add steak seasoning (has salt in it). Heat oil on med-high, then add steaks; brown and cook to desired doneness, 3-4 min per side for med-rare. Transfer to plate, foil over, and set aside.
Set the skillet back over medium heat and melt butter. Add the sliced mushroom and onions. Saute for 6-7 minutes or until onions are soft and caramelized, stirring frequently. Stir in minced garlic, thyme, a tablespoon of the remaining steak seasoning, and beef bouillon, and continue cooking for about a minute. Then add flour and cook for another minute or two until the raw flour taste is gone.
Slowly add beef broth, and scrape up caramelized browned bits w/ wooden spoon. Stir/fully combined and bring the mixture to a boil. Taste and s/p as needed. Reduce heat to medium-low. Return steaks to the skillet and continue simmering for about 3 more minutes, or until they're heated through and the sauce has thickened.
Remove to plate, add parsley, serve w/ mashed potatoes and garden fresh vegetables.
Tips & Notes: A good gravy covers over what an economical steak is missing. Ensure the flour and fat are well mixed before adding the liquid to avoid lumps. Can use chuck steak or other cheaper cuts. If you have time, brining steaks ahead makes cheaper beef cuts more tender.
Every third Sunday off is better than nothing.....
so stop bitchin’.....snx.
Thanks for that recipe. Mama used to make them like that. It’s been a long time since I’ve had smothered steak.
That's funny. Little big on the iPhone thing.
Posted from my American Standard 1.7 gpf
little dig, not big
I added you, Pollywog! Expect a PING next Saturday morning-ish. :)
No, just stock photos from Audubon. I’ll post some of my own photos one of these days and ping ya. I am entering a few in the County Fair this season; Beau is, too. :)
As a ‘Retiree’ from Jung’s, I always buy from them. The three I just received (’Standing Ovation’) were in perfect shape and shipped at the right time. Since I have a greenhouse, I just re-potted them so they can grow on a bit before I’ll get around to planting them out.
I would recommend Jung’s for all of your gardening needs, of course: http://www.jungseed.com :)
But perennial grasses are hard to screw up and are not in the least bit fussy, so any company you’ve been happy with will be fine. :)
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