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The Garden Thread - July, 2024
July 1, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 07/01/2024 6:30:55 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!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Mrs. Ranger

We could use rain, too. The geography deflects most of the weather to our north or south, so lots of areas around us are wet enough.

I suppose on the bright side, the garlic is happy because the recommendation is that you stop watering before harvesting it and it’s well on it’s way to ripening.

My tomatoes have NO blight, a first in a VERY long time. They are lush and loaded with tomatoes.

Overall, the garden is in great shape by now but I’d still rather not have to water.


161 posted on 07/13/2024 4:57:49 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: Mrs. Ranger

Oh, another advantage of the dry weather is that the deer ticks need moisture to survive and a dry spell, with this kind of heat and low humidity will help take them out.


162 posted on 07/13/2024 4:59:26 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: Liz

Those look good thanks for posting.


163 posted on 07/13/2024 5:00:42 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Grating the zucchini on a cheese grater makes the all-important
“wringing dry” step much easier.......even though its work-intensive.


164 posted on 07/13/2024 5:25:56 AM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray : Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name . )
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To: Liz

Thanks, that’s what I would use.


165 posted on 07/13/2024 5:31:40 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Liz

Oh, very smart! That zucchini is one diverse vegetable!

And there’s nothing I love more than Zucchini Pancakes. Lots of grated onion in there and/or snipped chives and topped with sour cream. :)


166 posted on 07/13/2024 5:32:12 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: 4everontheRight; Augie; Apple Pan Dowdy; Aevery_Freeman; ApplegateRanch; ArtDodger; AloneInMass; ...

167 posted on 07/13/2024 5:33:35 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Sour cream on Zucchini Pancakes....what could possibly go wrong?


168 posted on 07/13/2024 5:35:46 AM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray : Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name . )
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To: FRiends
English Garden Follies: Enchanting and Enduring

Whether it is an Asian-influenced pavilion, a faux crumbling medieval ruin, or a domed neoclassical temple (picture the one in the rain where a drenched Lizzie Bennet meets up with Mr. Darcy during the climactic scene in the 2005 remake of Pride & Prejudice), garden follies have dotted the British landscape for some 300 years. Despite the not-so-serious-sounding name, these architectural creations are more than just pretty faces.

“They had meaning over and above just being delightful,” says Emile de Bruijn from the UK’s National Trust. Think of follies as a sort of three-dimensional 18th-century Instagram—a way for landowners to share their interests in other cultures or in literature, or to make a political statement, suggests de Bruijn: “The structures needed to be attractive and amusing, but there was always a message somewhere.”


169 posted on 07/13/2024 5:38:12 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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I had no idea there were names for these structures. So gorgeous!

More info at link: https://flowermag.com/english-garden-follies/

If you ever have a chance to read ‘Flower’ Magazine, it is a real treat for the eyes.


170 posted on 07/13/2024 5:39:31 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Archie Bunker on steroids

I grew Krim and Black Cherry. They wouldn’t quit...and I only had about 30 vines.


171 posted on 07/13/2024 5:42:03 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: MomwithHope

Those look really good!


172 posted on 07/13/2024 6:20:49 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: MomwithHope

Fried okra is great. Don’t fry the whole okra, just thick slices of them.
Also okras are very nice pickled.

Stewed okra with tomatoes are just okay. I’ll eat them but they aren’t as great as prepared other ways.


173 posted on 07/13/2024 6:23:41 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

*** Think of follies as a sort of three-dimensional 18th-century Instagram—a way for landowners to share their interests in other cultures or in literature, or to make a political statement, ***

If I had a follie, it would be like a tiki hut of some sort. It wouldn’t at all go with anything around here, but I have always wanted to have one someplace. Maybe I will make a fairy garden planter with a tiki theme. That way it would be small enough not to be a terrible distraction.


174 posted on 07/13/2024 6:32:01 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We have a potential “moving van” time period (mom says this is when she wants to do the Big move) of mid-September. I don’t know if she can make that or not, but we’ll see. She bought a new living room set & a bedroom set for herself so the downstairs will have nice furniture that suits the character of the house: modern farm is what I would call it.

After heat indexes like 105, the last 2 days have been 80’s; however, I had company yesterday afternoon which blew all my plans for working on a cooler day - my niece & her boys (ages 1 & 3) came for a visit & to see the house/place. I was pooped when they left! The 3 yo wanted to know “do you have animals” & was disappointed when I said no, but he perked up when I told him I wanted chickens & would he help me with how to take care of them when I got some hens? Big ‘yes’ & smiles. He also loves to help his mom with the garden, so he is anxious for me to get mine going so he can help. His little brother obviously is very interested in anything mechanical, so maybe in a couple of years, he can do my mower maintenance (LOL).

BTW, you recommended the book “Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots” which I gave the 3 yo as a present - his mom is reading it to him & he loves it. :-)

Temps returning to mid-upper 90’s today & for all next week. I brought a huge fan with me this trip & will find out shortly if it actually works. If it does & I can get some air moving, I might be able to work in the shop, building shelves for all my garden supplies & construction tools I am hauling up here. The goal is to build them with what I have on hand & not spend more $$. I did manage to get my wash stand planter here - needs to be painted before I plant anything in it. I did not get the lumber for the raised beds - no room in the trailer this trip & to buy it here is a 40 minute drive one way. I will get it closer to the old house (10 minutes) & haul it up here next trip.

The butterfly bush bloomed & it’s white - was hoping for purple, but the white color is growing on me & the bees/butterflies love it. The fly trap is working great (whew - just changed out for a new one after 2 weeks - old one full & it is supposed to hold 40,000 flies!), the groundhog appears to have abandoned more digging in the pole shed, the valley crow family visits several times a day just like the crows at the old house, I am seeing more rabbits, & the deer are showing up more frequently. No fawns appearing yet - one fawn is showing up with its mom at the old house.

That’s the latest except the next door neighbor appears to have a little farm store they are opening this weekend - I will have to stop in - haven’t met them yet. I’d also like to know what they were shooting last night about 10 pm - 3 pistol shots at the ‘cow palace’!


175 posted on 07/13/2024 6:51:11 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Good Morning! :-)


176 posted on 07/13/2024 6:57:00 AM PDT by left that other site (If they can do it to a Billionaire President, they can do it to YOU. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; Liz
And there’s nothing I love more than Zucchini Pancakes. Lots of grated onion in there and/or snipped chives and topped with sour cream. :)

Now I'm hungry again, and it's all your fault. Heh. :-)

177 posted on 07/13/2024 7:02:57 AM PDT by AFB-XYZ (Two options: 1) Stand up, or 2) Bend over)
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To: FamiliarFace

I keep asking Beau for a ‘She Shed’ but he says the WHOLE HOUSE is my She Shed, so I’m not getting one. :(

No fair! He has a ‘Boy Barn’! :)


178 posted on 07/13/2024 7:10:04 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Qiviut

“I’d also like to know what they were shooting last night about 10 pm - 3 pistol shots at the ‘cow palace’!”

Probably just your typical Friday Night, LOL!

Glad you’re making progress! In a way it’s nice that you can take your time moving, but also, that means it WILL take the time to move. The work expands to fit the time allotted! ;)

My garden is starting to come alive, but it’s still pretty slow. Have only had a handful of cherry tomatoes and ONE ripe tomato on the vine which I will save for Mom to discover next week. Cukes have been coming in nicely so I made a small batch of fridge ‘Bread & Butters’ to enjoy early.

Nice rain shower this morning, but HOT & HUMID for the weekend with scattered storms.

Puppies are seeming to double in size every day and they’re eating a LOT - but there ARE six of them! Landscaping around the house yard is getting trashed, but I KNEW that was coming. Luckily, it’s all perennials so it will all grow back with ease - and I have no BIG Family Events planned through the summer, so I’m the only one that has to look at the mess. Beau will replace anything damaged beyond hope and my front planters are flattened and a real mess, but it is what it is for now.

Had a full week off from mowing due to rain, but I’m hopping on the mower tomorrow if it stays clear. I am currently mowing on two flat-ish front tires, be a delivery was made the other day and I have ‘never flat’ replacement to put on. Beau will do that for me when he’s home again next week. I can limp along for one more mow, I think. If not, there are always the neighbor teen boys wanting to earn some cash! ;)


179 posted on 07/13/2024 7:23:34 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

LOL, I hear you!

You know at that garden tour a few weeks ago, one of the places had a she shed. Only it was a he shed or a they shed.

Turns out it was started out as a play house for the grandkids, which they didn’t use enough, so gramps took it back over and made it into his own British pub house. He had AC in it, a real bar with pub stools, a few taps, and a tv in there. It was quite the thing!! Hubby LOVED having a beer while I strolled around and looked at the gardens.


180 posted on 07/13/2024 7:58:31 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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