The Garden Thread - July, 2024

July 1, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[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!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

So, what did I accomplish today? Well, I got the lawn mowed. Beau put on the new front tires (Never Flat) and they. are. awesome!

Watered the garden for only the SECOND time this season - other than spot watering and direct fertilizing up until now. A rainy, hot and humid week ahead for SW Wisconsin.

Sprayed the puppies with said hose as they were after my pepper plants again - we all enjoyed it, actually - it was HOT, today!

I organized my seeds and planned my Fall plantings as my Spring season utterly sucked this year. :(

Saw my first Japanese Beetle on my 'Blanc Double De Colbert roses, so IT'S ON, LOSERS! Make your peace with your Beetle god and prepare to DIE!

Took care of my Plott Hound, Arikara, who has a cone on her head and is recovering from being spayed. She's a mid-team Bear Hunter, (not that great, but not AWFUL and has room to improve) and we don't plan on breeding her.

Herded puppies a good part of the day. Each got some individual attention, cuddles and a bit of training, though at 10 weeks, they're still a bit young for anything heavy-duty. They are over their 'Velociraptor Phase' and have calmed down QUITE a bit, thank goodness!

Played, 'What's Growing in the Compost Pile?' and found lettuces and some cherry tomatoes! Score!

Beau grilled Ribeye steaks for supper from our dearly departed 'Chuck' and they. were. awesome! Thanks, Chuck! We also had a Kale Salad (from the garden) and I made Popovers.

It was A Good Day. :)

[Qiviut]

Beau grilled Ribeye steaks for supper from our dearly departed 'Chuck' and they. were. awesome! Thanks, Chuck!

*********

Ribeyes .... they. ARE. awesome! My favorite, too. :-)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

How is that possible? Something that tastes good usually is NOT good for you! ;)

[Qiviut]

When I broke my kneecap into 2 pieces and had surgery to repair it, I looked up ‘nutrition’ for healing bones. I was very pleased to find that I was already doing most of it. I added some additional supplements I thought would help after consulting with the company who made them. For whatever reason, I just did not have much appetite for anything .... except Ribeyes (I suspect this was the way my body was telling me to add lots of protein)! Mom felt so sorry for me, she kept me in $Ribeyes$ for 2 weeks ... between the steaks & eggs for breakfast, that’s about all I ate. The result? My Ortho surgeon told me with some amazement “you are a SPEEDY healer!” All Hail ‘Ribeyes’!!

[daniel1212]

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.

With about a 2 week late start, first rip tom was today, but they, and the squash are doing quite well. Not the best pics:

Glory and thanks be to God.

[Augie]

This past week was mostly dry here in Central Missouri. We got a few sprinkles over the weekend but not enough to curtail outdoor activities.

I spent the entire weekend working on Nephew’s Sprinter van. There are still a few convenience items that need attention but the important stuff (solar power) is done. I expect he’s on his way now to pick up his first load.

While I was working on the van Nephew took care of the weed whacking for me and Mrs. Augie mowed the grass. Her cucumber patch is starting to produce so it won’t be long til we’re swimming in fermented pickles. The tomato plants are coming along. I might get to have a BLT before August gets here. I gave the sweet corn patch a shot of urea on Saturday. The plants are about knee high now so should be ready to harvest well before the first frost.

With the van project complete it’s time for me to turn my attention to building fence. Last week I started spraying heinous chemicals on the multiflora rose/blackberries/poison ivy/etc. that are growing where I need to work. I noticed yesterday that the poison is doing its job so it won’t be long before I can hack that stuff down and get to work on the fence.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Ugh! Fencing! I’m always assigned to Clean-Up Crew, which isn’t too bad, bur Beau always has the FUN part of the job running the skid steer and digging holes. ;)

Glad you’re getting some dry weather. We’re stuck in Hazy, Hot & Humid this week. We are starting to SWIM in Zucchini - which I do not mind at all; I will share recipes later today.

[spankalib]

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

LOOLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

[cherry]

here in eastern washington its been extremely hot and dry....

last year I had zucchini the end of June...

we just now picked ONE ...

its been hot but it came on suddenly and before that it was rather cool so the plants got a bad start...

my Potatoe plants died back over a week ago so we decided to dig them up because the intense heat can't be great for them sitting there...

potato crop was a failure and some day I'll finally figure it out....

no beans yet...no cukes, but close...green tomatoes but no red ones...pepper plants beginning to get some size but we only have maybe 7 weeks left of hot summer weather....

[FamiliarFace]

I’ve been intrigued by those of you who mention shishito peppers. I’ve never had them, but I found them at the grocery store, so I bought about 20 of them. Would love to know what y’all do with them. I’ll be looking up recipes shortly.

[Pollard]

Most popular one you’ll probably find is to brush with olive oil, broil, grill or even pan fry them until they’re blistered and softened. Then sprinkle with coarse salt and eat them.

I’ve chopped them up for a salad too.

I’ve also thought they’d make good little stuffed peppers. Any meat ingredient stuffed into them would likely have to be precooked since they’re not thick like a Bell Pepper. I’ve never done stuffed bell peppers so for all I know, meat going into those could be precooked as well.

It would be a little tedious stuffing little peppers but would be good finger food.

They’re from Japan but I have no idea how the Japanese use them.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It’s been a tough growing season for so many of us! I am totally revising my ‘canning planning’ and will concentrate on my V-8 Juice more than anything. I am well stocked on Salsa.

Dilly Beans may also be out of the question, though the drying beans (Good Mother Stollard) are going gangbusters, so there will be soup and stew this winter. ;)

Zucchini is just coming in now, so I’m making the most of it!

[Pollard]

Just ordered my wiggle wire and track for the tunnel. Pretty sure I can swing plastic for the top next Tues. That’ll give me a roof.

Then it will be take the truck to work once a week and buy 4 lengths of chain link fence top rail every week for a month or so for drop down sides and end wall framework.

Then gable vents. Then more plastic for ends/sides. Some wire and connectors. And then finally, linear actuators to operate the sides and vents. Those will be purchased 2-3 at a time because at a qty of 4, shipping jumps from $11 to $33.

Should be an automated tunnel about the time -32 degree nights arrive.

[FamiliarFace]

Thank you! Many recipes do call for blistered peppers.

I saw one to go alongside a flank steak, and I have a flat iron steak in the freezer, so close enough.

Another called for using it with pepper jelly on chicken thighs, and grill the peppers with scallions on the side. That also sounds yummy.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It is High Zucchini Season in Zone 5a, Wisconsin. Here are my Four Fave Zucchini Recipes:

Mom’s Zucchini Pancakes : https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222870/moms-zucchini-pancakes/ (I am making these for breakfast tomorrow. Serve with Sour Cream or homemade Applesauce; savory or sweet, your choice.)

Zucchini Casserole with Stuffing: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/21035/zucchini-casserole-ii/

Mom’s Zucchini Bread: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/6698/moms-zucchini-bread/

Zucchini Stir-Fry: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/281277/easy-zucchini-stir-fry/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Should be an automated tunnel about the time -32 degree nights arrive.”

This is so exciting! But only to geeks like us, LOL! Looking forward to what you can accomplish/grow this Fall into Winter Season!

This growing season has been a tough one for me. I am REALLY looking forward to my Fall garden and extending the season in my unheated greenhouse.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Zucchini Summer is here! Firefly summer is mostly over! (Soldier Fly summer is also here! Lots of lovely SF Larvae eating their way through my Roller Compost Barrel contents! I understand that chickens really like Soldier fly larvae!)

Aronia...3 bushes picked 2 gallons in the freezer. 5 to go! I am using it in Ginger/nettle tea. Lots of tomato. Will try pics later!

[Paul R.]

Hahaha!

And, thanks!

[Paul R.]

I just now looked again: All the pumpkin flowers are closed up, but, it looks like new ones are on the way. No sign of fruits yet, and the plant has been flowering for a bit over a month, I believe.

So... a bit of artificial insemination is in order. I hope the pumpkin plant does not belong to a sect whose beliefs are offended. /s

How long does it take for the fruits to fully develop once they begin to form?

[Paul R.]

Our chickens will sometimes eat stink bugs and Japanese beetles. They swallow them VERY fast.