The Garden Thread - March, 2025

March 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.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Addendum: The Peppers were from the garden last season, too. But not the onion.

Onions are a huge production vegetable in WI so they’re always cheap to buy. All root crops are Big Business here, so I rarely grow them.

It’s a good idea to find out what your state grows, fruit and vegetable wise, and buy it and preserve it when it’s cheap and in season. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

For growing salad greens I use my patented, 'Bag-O-Miracle Grow' and a 1 cubic foot storage container from Walmart.

Or the flats Beau made for me last season.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Goji Berries. Apparently they have some side effects, but Ok in moderation. (Ladies should read this.)

serious-side-effects-of-goji-berries

Blueberries you can eat until the bears come home! (Looking for their stolen blueberries!)

Aronia berries. (Which I have.) Good antioxident values, but really astringent. Choose blueberries!

[AFB-XYZ]

Diana — check FReepmail. Many thanks! — AFB-XYZ

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Gleeaikin; 1) Well, there are no flowers on figs, the fig is the bud of the flower that never blooms. 2) Figs can have a both and early and main season crops, the early fig is called a Breba fig. There are usually a lot less of the Breba, but they are ususally larger. Some varieties will produce almost no Breba figs. Sometimes the variety is grown for the breba figs, which, may have a better taste, some for the better taste of the main season crop. May be cold, but you are probably correct about squirrels or birds eating the figs. It could also be opossums.

Protections; You can buy some green colored 4" x 6" oregami gift bags and put them over the developing figs.

Useful Links;

Ourfigs Articles on fig growing

Figbid Articles

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Got it! Responded with my advice. :)

[AFB-XYZ]

Will follow the instructions to the letter. If that bay tree ends up dying, I’m going to feel like I let my sister down.

Assuming tonight’s predicted storms (it’s always Armageddon with these weather fearmongers) don’t do any damage, I’m going to go out tomorrow and invest in some terra cotta. Will update when I know whether the bay is going to be reincarnated or is KIA. :-)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Best of luck! Most herbs like good drainage and to ‘dry out’ between watering.

There’s SO MUCH to remember, and luckily, that’s how my brain works. I can’t remember Sports Stats like Beau can, but by golly, I can tell you what you need to know about growing just about anything!

And I can also point out all kinds of flora and fauna...when NOBODY HAS ASKED, LOL!

[gleeaikin]

I am growing in mid Atlantic states, temperature zone #7, one area on the south edge of #7. I don’t know if this would change your information. Thanks

[Liz]

Apricot Coconut Balls / No bake confections
Tangy dried apricots, coconut, sweetened condensed milk ----a tasty treat.

Ing 2 c ea dried apricots, moist shredded coconut ⅔ c sweet/cond/milk, coconut and conf coatings.

Steps Proc/pulse briefly til apricots, coconut are fine-chp. Add condensed milk; processor/combine. Scoop out scant tbl; roll into balls. Roll some in shredded coconut, some in conf. Store in fridge.

Note Leftover condensed milk is great in hot coffee or tea or on your morning oatmeal

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

No, should not make any difference. I am in 6 B and I have several fig trees growing in ground.

[gleeaikin]

Thanks, 6B, maybe I can plant some figs by my cabin in West Virginia, a little above 1,000 feet.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

G.

This might be a good resource link. The posters farm is located in WV. He also has an article on OurFigs on Fig Flavor groups. (I think with his name.) You would have to sign up on Our Figs to get his name. (Think its Joe.) (My signin nolonger works!)

https://mountainfigs.net/

All sorts of info on varities and growing. There is a post "Winter comes to West Virgina".

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

G. I am located at 1050 Feet above sea level. No mountains, but we do have rolling hills.

[FamiliarFace]

Lol, I just bought dried apricots for extra fiber if needed (for hubby).

Now I can work it into a fun treat!

[Liz]

Apricots are deelish by themselves......but you’ll get 5 stars putting them in this recipe.

[Liz]

Filet in Citrus Caper Sauce

Ing for one serving: 1 fish fillet, patted very dry s/p 2 tsp olive oil 1/2 ea lemon, orange---
zested/juiced, 1 tsp capers (drained) 2 tbl white wine 2 tsp butter

Add ol/oil to hot skillet; sear s/p'ed fish fillet on one side. When white halfway up sides, flip. Add wine, citrus zest, capers, butter. Squeeze citrus juices into pan. S/p a bit more. When sauce is bubbly, cook thru on med-low, about 1-2 min. Serve garnished w/ citrus slices.

[Jane Long]

That looks like the cake we had!

Did you happen to save the link, if there was a recipe?

Thanks, Liz 💕

[Liz]

https://susanbringsdessert.com/lemon-berry-mascarpone-cake/