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.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

High tunnel. Perhaps a small propane space heater during the heavy parts of this story to try and keep the temperature just above 32F would help? The fact that you have a peak and a good slope should help to shed ice and snow.

My daughter went shopping and found that all the bananas and whole cream were gone. (We already had bread and paper products. )

[Qiviut]

Good news:

GMO Tomato Project Funded by Gates Foundation and U.S. Taxpayers Hits Roadblock
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/gmo-tomato-project-gates-foundation-dod-roadblock/

“The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and DARPA, a division of the U.S. Department of Defense, are funding research to genetically engineer tomatoes to be able to disrupt the reproductive cycle of the whitefly, a common insect that damages tomato plants. Critics of the technology said they aren’t surprised the research is running into trouble.”

[Liz]

Amish Onion Fritters
Crispy and tender, savory and sweet, a substantial dish on the table when the food budget is kaput.

Ing 2 lge onions, 3/4 c flour 1 tbl ea sugar, cornmeal 2 tsp ea b/powder, salt 3/4 cup milk. Options: Smoked paprika garlic powder, or crushed chili flakes for added flavor Vegetable oil for frying

Steps slice peeled onions into thin strands. Batter: combine flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add stir in milk, to a smooth batter. Add optional herbs or spices. Gently fold in onions, ensuring each strand is well-coated. Set 10-15 min, to meld flavors.

In a deep frying pan, heat veg oil over med to 375°F (190°C). Carefully spoon in dollops of the onion and batter mixture. Fry 4-5 fritters at a time, dont crowd pan. Cook each side 2-3 min til golden-brown. Transfer cooked fritters to paper towels to drain.

Serve hot w/ dipping sauces, from tangy to creamy, depending on personal preference.

[Pollard]

Heater won’t do any good because I never did get the ends and lower sides covered so it’s basically like a covered bridge. Should be fine though. Like you say, I’ve got a good peak. The plastic film is also less than a year old and should be close to full strength. It might still be releasing plasticizers/petroleum oils, which should help with the non-stick aspect. I have a 12 foot long 1 inch round fiberglass pole I can wrap a rag on the end and use to bump the ice/snow off from the inside.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

"In the meanwhile, I came down with a head/sinus cold last night & I feel pretty ‘punk’ today. I have jumped right on it with elderberry tea (from dried organic berries), doubled up on Vit D & C, added some Nigella sativa, NAC & a povidone iodine nasal wash. By tomorrow, I expect to feel better."

I hope you feel better!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

If you have a wind tunnel with open ends it may equalizes air pressure, but if the wind gets inside it could turn it into it into a big sail. I hope the open ends keep that from happening and hope you get through the next few day.

Here in KC we currently have freezing drizzle so its on its way to Augie and you.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

What is this DARPA stuff? What does DARPA have to do with research for agricultural pest managment? What are the Department of Agriculture and every State Land Grant University with an Agricultural College doing now??

Whitefly. A real problem in greenhouses. Bill G and Darpa buddies should look at a current control, Neem oil, first. It does disrupt insect breeding cycles, unless, of course, their real goal is something other than pest control.

[goodnesswins]

Territorial is one of my faves...and just received

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers

Do you have a passion for houseplants? A desire to grow more tomatoes? Do you want a garden bursting with colorful flowers? No matter what kind of plant fan you are, it’s easy to make more of your favorite plants—and it can be done for free! Plant Parenting is a beginner-friendly introduction to plant propagation. Leslie F. Halleck details the basic tools necessary, demystifies seed starting and saving, and shares easy-to-follow instructions for the most practical techniques. She also provides additional information on controlling pests and diseases and transplanting seedlings and cuttings. Charming, richly illustrated, and accessible, Plant Parenting is for anyone looking to make more of their favorite plants.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I have a 12 foot long 1 inch round fiberglass pole I can wrap a rag on the end and use to bump the ice/snow off from the inside.”

We had to do that all winter long on our hoop house at Jung’s. It was satisfying work and no one poked a hole through the plastic, either. Which was amazing, though I did give the Stock Boys Holy Heck prior to them being allowed to touch it, LOL! (I had them use a flat head push broom to do the work.)

[Qiviut]

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a research and development agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military.[3][4] Originally known as the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), the agency was created on February 7, 1958, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in response to the Soviet launching of Sputnik 1 in 1957. By collaborating with academia, industry, and government partners, DARPA formulates and executes research and development projects to expand the frontiers of technology and science, often beyond immediate U.S. military requirements.

You can check them out here & see what all they are into.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA

“As of 2021, their mission statement is “to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security”.

********

Whiteflies are a national security issue? The combo od DARPA & Bill Gates is probably a national security threat .... that partnership means nothing good for ‘we the (little) people”, IMO.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

My Sister and I live and die on the weather forecasts from Frankie MacDonald out of Nova Scotia. He’s the Little brother we never knew we had...or wanted...until we found him. ;)

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=KIDO4l7ZiKOVrRqO&v=anI9fnV9dVU&feature=youtu.be

[Qiviut]

Frankie kept talking about MD & DC ... I hope the bulk of the snow stays north of us.

[FamiliarFace]

Happy to report that I managed to carve out time to get over to Menard’s today. Stuffed that bag full till it nearly split!

Just pennies over $100 today. The birds will be very happy for the next few weeks on certain items, but the suet should last until Spring. I recently learned I can’t get the suet that I’ve had no trouble finding before, so now a trip to Menards is necessary. Only, not necessary any more. They had almost everything I was looking for.

[FamiliarFace]

I love this! Will try soon, thank you!

[Pollard]

And the dreaming and planning is free!

[Liz]

Will be your go-to dish.........guaranteed.

[FamiliarFace]

Sorry to hear about the punk feeling. We take most of those every day, but when I start to feel something coming on, I add a bit of zinc (25 mg 2x a day) and some quercetin (500 mg) at the same time. I haven’t had a cold much these last few years. CoVid once and it was mild. I know it’s not that way for everyone, but thankfully it wasn’t a big deal for me.

Of course, you’re using the iodine nasal wash, so that is very likely to help!

[FamiliarFace]

Totally going to check this resource out! Thanks for posting!

[Qiviut]

Somewhere, between here & there, I have misplaced my zinc & EGCG (major active compound in green tea & a zinc ionophore).

I don’t get many colds - can’t remember the last time I had one.