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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; july
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To: FamiliarFace

Everything blooms in one way or another. I’ve never seen a potato plant NOT bloom at some point.


221 posted on 07/20/2024 8:40:53 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

My mom has about 45’ of hanging clothes (no comment!). When dad built the bedroom addition in the old house, he included a huge walk-in closet for her - his closet was separate & smaller because part of it was the laundry. Since he is gone, she has taken over his closet, too.

Mom has been in a quandary as to where all her clothes will go at the new house - she has a small walk-in closet in her master bedroom suite & she could literally fill up every closet upstairs (2 guest rooms & storage under dormers off the hall) & still not have enough space.

I told her the ‘extra’ clothes that won’t fit in HER closet need to go in the full basement which is quite clean, not dusty (old sheets would be a good dust cover, too). She could keep clothes for the current season upstairs & off season clothes in the basement. Looking at racks to buy, they are pretty expensive, so I started looking for DIY & found this:

https://rainonatinroof.com/diy-clothes-rack-free-printable-size-dividers-for-yard-sales/

Great for yard sales, but also excess hanging space. One thing we have is LOTS of scrap lumber, including untreated 2x4s ... being inside, the wood doesn’t have to be treated. These are also well within my carpentry skills & I have all the tools to make them.

Clothes problem solved? I think/hope so. You could also use smaller multiple dowels on one set of the support ends & make a drying rack for flowers & herbs.


222 posted on 07/20/2024 8:51:28 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

Peaked at the garden when I got home from work yesterday. OMG I have a lot of shishitos to pick/eat. Just went out and filled a 1 1/2 qt tupperware full, about 50 of them, and could fill it again.

Got a hose clamp to put on the main drip line so I can turn everything off but the mushroom bed and water just that without the main line blowing off. btdt

Late July and not going to even hit 80 this weekend.

Bought new tires for the car a few weeks ago but can’t find my tire spoons so I bought a pair off ebay so I can get those put on today and cut my gasoline bill in half.

That and cut grass is my weekend.

Ordering wiggle wire and track this Tuesday am and it will be tight, but I think I can swing plastic next Tuesday, each about $300. Then it’s just another $300 after that - 7-8 more times. That and somehow fit $850 in for new tires for the truck before ice/snow weather.

Then next year, start all over by putting one of these old trucks together. Every spare dime, every month. At least that has a payday at the end when I sell it.


223 posted on 07/20/2024 9:13:28 AM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
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To: Pollard

40-50 shishito peppers later, finally got a hot one


224 posted on 07/20/2024 9:24:12 AM PDT by Pollard (Will work for high tunnel money!)
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To: Qiviut
That is brilliant! I love that they can be expanded as needed. Yeah, you can do this! ;)

Clothes! Such a love/hate relationship for me. Most of my clothes are work clothes, but I keep a few nice outfits for weddings, funerals and the rare dinner out - which is usually a wedding or a funeral, LOL!

My Mom is a Clothes Horse, too - it must be a Generational Thing. She has saved some pretty cool things, though. I have her 'swing coat' from the 50's. It's a nubby gray wool with Rhinestones sewn all over it. Similar to this:


225 posted on 07/20/2024 9:34:07 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

I LOVE that coat!


226 posted on 07/20/2024 9:39:58 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's not as if Biden has the nuclear codes or anything. 😳)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I just checked them, and I see there are a few blossoms beginning to bud! So this is encouraging to me. As I said before, if this works, it’s pretty much free food.


227 posted on 07/20/2024 9:50:41 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

Mom is wearing my Pendleton wool suits from my working days, clothes from her deceased sisters, clothes she has gotten on sale & found at Goodwill or thrift shops. Once in a blue moon she paid full price for something. She was a teacher for 25 years & wore something different every day so her wardrobe is extensive.

I have ‘knock around’ clothes for the most part, a couple of tops to go with a pair of jeans or a pair of black Lands End slacks for ‘off the farm’ situations. I do have a “little black dress” .... being a Southern woman, all you need is a little black dress, a string of pearls & a Smithfield ham to handle any social situation. :-)


228 posted on 07/20/2024 10:06:24 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: Qiviut

*** being a Southern woman, all you need is a little black dress, a string of pearls & a Smithfield ham to handle any social situation. :-)***

Made me smile ear to ear to read that!


229 posted on 07/20/2024 10:14:41 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

I thought banana peels did not compost well.

I’ve heard citrus rinds don’t do well.

My tomatoes are just starting to come in. We’re out of town for the week, sadly, but I expect to have a massive amount of tomatoes to can when we get back.


230 posted on 07/20/2024 12:17:55 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Add these baby potatoes to your roasted garden vegetables file for an elegant side.

Roasted Baby Potatoes
Start by digging up small new potatoes. Wash them well and leave them whole. After boiling and smashing them using a potato masher, toss in olive oil, which helps them become crispy and golden brown when roasted. Add sea salt, black pepper, garlic, paprika and your favorite herbs like rosemary or thyme. Roast golden and crispy and enjoy this delicious potato side dish.

Ingredients 2 pounds new baby potatoes Salt and freshly ground black pepper paprika ground garlic herbs, like oregano, thyme, rosemary , optional 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Green onion to garnish

Steps Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Scrub the potatoes and place them in boiling water for 10 minutes, leaving their skin on. In a small bowl, whisk the oil with garlic, herbs if used and paprika. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle press them carefully using a potato masher. Toss them with oil mixture, sprinkle salt and pepper, and place them in a greased baking sheet. Bake for 40-50 minutes until they are golden and crispy outside. Sprinkle with chopped green onion and serve warm alongside a fresh garden salad.

Tips---Scrub unpeeled baby potatoes thoroughly, par-boil 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, use a potato masher to carefully press them, flattening each potato slightly. Toss with the oil mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. S/p to taste. Place the coated potatoes on a greased baking sheet, making sure they are spread out in a single layer. Bake them in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside. Once they are done, sprinkle with chopped green onions for added flavor and freshness. Serve the warm smashed potatoes alongside a fresh salad for a delightful and satisfying meal. This tasty potato side dish brings comfort and elegance to any meal.

231 posted on 07/20/2024 1:04:30 PM 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: MayflowerMadam

It is really cool! My Mom grew up in abject poverty. When she married my Dad, his Mom (Grandma Edith) was a total ‘Fashionista’ and she made darn sure that her new DIL was dressed to the nines at all times. We spent a lot of time in dressings rooms at Macy’s and Gimbels back in the day. Of course, that trickled down to us girls, too! ;)

Mom is also an awesome Seamstress, so she made a lot of her clothes through the years and dressed herself and her two daughters in matching outfits for special occasions...which wasn’t always easy as she had two Tomboys on her hands, LOL!


232 posted on 07/20/2024 2:44:19 PM 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

“...& a Smithfield ham to handle any social situation.”

LOL! Never thought of that! I guess we Yankee Wisconsin Gals could get by with the Little Back Dress, our Green & Gold Packer Mardi Gras Beads, CLEAN barn boots and a Hot Dish* to pass. :)

*Hot Dish: A ‘hotdish’ or ‘hot dish’ is a casserole dish that typically contains a starch, a meat, and a canned or frozen vegetable mixed with canned soup. The dish originates in the Upper Midwest region of the United States, where it remains popular, particularly in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and eastern Montana. Hotdish is cooked in a single baking dish, and served hot.


233 posted on 07/20/2024 2:50:04 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: metmom

Everything breaks down, but some things break down faster than others. I have YET to have an Avocado pit disappear, but I throw them in the compost pile, anyway. ;)


234 posted on 07/20/2024 2:58:59 PM 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

Cute story. Memories.


235 posted on 07/20/2024 3:02:22 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's not as if Biden has the nuclear codes or anything. 😳)
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To: Liz

I didn’t grow taters this season, but I have a bag of small reds on hand for a Potato Salad that Beau likes. So, thanks! We grill a lot all summer, so those herbed/roasted potatoes are a great side dish.

Red Potato Salad:

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/87373/red-potato-salad/

Instead of the chopped dill pickle called for, I add homemade pickle relish to taste, probably 1/4 cup for this size recipe. :)


236 posted on 07/20/2024 3:06:07 PM 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

“dressed herself and her two daughters in matching outfits for special occasions”

Mom sewed matching outfits for her, my sister, and me for church on Easter and Christmas. I look at the pics a lot.


237 posted on 07/20/2024 3:07:30 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's not as if Biden has the nuclear codes or anything. 😳)
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To: MayflowerMadam

Mom let us each pick out fabric for blazers to wear with white slacks one Easter. She must’ve been sick of fighting with us over wearing dresses. ;)

We BOTH picked a plaid - and by-golly she matched each seam PERFECTLY! No easy task!

Sis & I look like Used Car Salesmen, but we love those pictures, too. :)


238 posted on 07/20/2024 3:15:02 PM 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

Yikes ....sour cream and mayo......what could possibly go wrong?


239 posted on 07/20/2024 3:17:15 PM 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

Aside from clogged arteries? Not much! :)


240 posted on 07/20/2024 7:20:34 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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