The Garden Thread - January, 2025

January 1, 2025 | 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.

[MomwithHope]

I looked at all the Burpee seeds online. I really don’t need anything they have. All set for next year. Looked at a lot online. Might get a candle for a neighbors gift next year thanks.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Diana Snow stopped yesterday morning. Had all the Christmas lights and some other things in the garage so there were 3 cars that ended up with 1/2 inch of ice on them and on the driveway. Snow totals here were around 12", about 48" on at least one drift on the south side of the house. There have been maybe 3 big snow events since I moved her in 1989. (8-12")

Order of the Day was clearing the snow and running the cars until the heat melted the ice. Worked most of the afternoon yesterday. Broomed off the snow on the cars, had to hand shovel most of the area where the cars sat. Used my wholly undersized snow blower once I got past the cars. Continued this AM hand shoveling, starting with the 20" pile of hardened slush the city plowed onto the end of the driveway and came in today after 2:00pm. Unless the city plows snow again I think that is pretty much done.

Anyway, the snow to the west of me was good for the winter wheat, lots of moisture in spring. I hope that you get a few small snowstorms rather than one of those all-at-once dump days. I remember an 18" snowfall in, I think, 1961 when I was in N. Illinois, but at that age the closed school and it was just a chance to play outside and make snow forts. I might have driven through your 1976 storm going from Chicago to apply for a job in Rosedale MN. Imagine living someplace like Houghton or Copper Harbor MI with 200" of snow a year, and need to have a 2nd story entrance with stairs to avoid being trapped inside! Anyway, Good night!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Bon..CA fires! Are you alright? A lot of fires in Pacific Palisades!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

You had an exciting day! Yes, that snow will be good for Kansas Wheat, for sure. I’m getting a little unnerved at our LACK of snow...and now I jinxed us, LOL!

How’s the back, today? These big snowfalls are backache makers, for sure. Glad you had no damage to anything.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Well, my arms ached more than anything else. Took some asprin with my coffee and that helps.

The streets were plowed and we have 1 1/2 lanes each way. Not sure if they will make another pass.

Snow. Pretty sure you will get some at some point. Be glad you do not live in LA right now.

[MomwithHope]

It was a fun trip. I filled up my bag to the brim with small things we need and use. Only got two packets of seeds. I found a long skinny sweet pepper I will try and another pack of cilantro. I think I already have 4. It’s my “kale”. Also got two bags of birds seed and a jug of the laundry detergent we use. I also found a small 4” pot of a green plant that looks terrarium worthy. And I just found out it is . .50 plus 15% off.
“Yes, the Pilea glauca plant is considered a very good choice for a terrarium, as it thrives in the humid conditions of a closed environment and can function as a trailing ground cover or cascading plant within the terrarium setup; making it a great option for smaller terrarium builds as well. “
In only plan on buying one other plant a miniature orchid and I will wait on that til spring. We have 1 acres of all king of moss and tiny ferns. Just need to find some clay before spring. I want to do a wall.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Be glad you do not live in LA right now.”

Never would in the first place, but from all I’ve read it looks like a major disaster.

But, Peshtigo, WI went up in flames at one time. Happened at the same time as the Great Chicago Fire, but didn’t get the publicity.

“How the 1871 Peshtigo Fire Became America’s Deadliest Wildfire

In 1871, the Wisconsin town of Peshtigo burned to the ground, killing up to 2,500 people. But due to another event at the time, many have never heard about the disaster.”

https://www.history.com/news/peshtigo-fire-america-deadliest-wildfire

Not sure anyone is safe from fire if conditions are right for it. :(

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’m glad you had a successful Menard’s Run. We got our 15% off paper bag in the mail, today, LOL!

The Cashier was nice enough to let us ring up two separate orders but use one Menard’s Card for them both. ;)

Can’t wait to see what you come up with for terrariums next spring. :)

Miss Peach is done for now - she’ll bloom again in February. My Red Lion Amaryllis has one open flower, with 4 coming up behind that, and a 2nd bloom stalk coming up, too.

It’s the Little Things in Life that keep us going. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Eating from the Pantry/Garden, etc.

Tonight’s supper is a Sheet Pan Dinner. Man, I have fallen in LOVE with those! So easy!

https://www.bucketlisttummy.com/sheet-pan-pork-chops-and-sweet-potatoes/#mv-creation-150-jtr

Pork is from the neighbor, Sweet Potato from the grocery store, but one of the seasonings is Beau’s homemade Maple Syrup - on both the chops and the veggies. I’m expecting good results. :)

Green salad and homemade applesauce on the side. Can’t have Pork Chops without Apple Sauce. ;)

[MomwithHope]

My post had a lot of typos. Small plant was 4.50. And we have 10 acres. Nice that you could fill 2 bags. We just don’t buy much. We will be set til spring.

[MomwithHope]

I have a minerva and an apple blossom in bloom now on the table, 7 more amaryllis on the floor. My red lion was huge last year two stalks and flowers on each stalk. Had to use wire orchid supports.

[Bon of Babble]

Not sure if an inch (or more) of ashes is good for the garden - I don't think it is, I remember hearing fireplace ashes should not be placed in the garden.

It is still dark outside, the sun is being clouds of black smoke, the air is horrible and I keep getting alerts to stay inside because of the particulates and ashes - looks like a light snowstorm - and wish it was!

Just heard on the news that looters are being arrested. Bad enough a lot of people lost their homes...

Thank you to all who have written to me personally to ask if I and my family are OK - we are, no power outages but are prepared just in case.

Taken this morning from the local Ralphs parking lot:

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’ve got Red Lion supported with leftover orchid supports, too!

She’ll probably need some ‘engineering input’ from Beau in the coming weeks, LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks so much for letting us know what’s happening. Prays Up for you and yours!

Keep us posted.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I went to a Boy Scout camp north of Antigo and we had a large field in the middle of the woods that we used for capture the flag. There were a number of old burned out stumps of trees that were 3-4 feet across at one time. They told us were left over from the Pestigo fire. This would have been about 98 years after the event.

LA has a real problem with its building codes. Time go go back to things like adobe walls and Clay tile roofs. That, and keeping water on hand in your reservoirs for your firemen.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

) Ominous pictures... Glad everything is good! (So far...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

There are WAY too many self-inflicted (Read: Democrat) problems in this world that need solving.

I’m introducing a Bill in Congress that brings back COMMON SENSE!

I doubt it will gain any traction, though. LOL!

[MomwithHope]

.

[Augie]

Ugh...

And just when I start to think things can't get worse...

One of my favorite humans was admitted to the hospital on 12/23 with breathing problems. Long story shortened he started having mini strokes on Christmas day, had a couple severe strokes Monday night, and left this world behind at 6:45 Tuesday morning.

Mrs. Augie and I sat at the hospital with his mom from late Monday afternoon into the evening. Tuesday morning I went straight back there after I dropped Mrs. Augie off at her workplace, sat with his mother and waited on the rest of the family to trickle in. It was 1:00pm by the time they had all arrived and said their goodbyes. We got lunch, his fam dispersed to take care of some stuff, I fetched the wife from her work and we went home to get ready for house guests.

His mom, sister, one brother and SiL all spent the night here Tuesday. They are lovely people and while I'm distraught over what has happened I'm glad I was in a position to bring some comfort to them during such a difficult time.

I'm a bit of a wreck myself right now but the horse drinker is staying open and I'm still upright so I've at least got that going for me. lol

[Bon of Babble]

My son took the filters on one of the air purifiers yesterday - a new filter - and it was completely black with soot.

Yesterday’s particulate count was in the “purple zone” in my area - that’s the highest possible. It’s dropped a bit today but the air smells absolutely terrible right now.