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.

[FamiliarFace]

Today was a sweet St. Patrick’s celebration. I dressed in a white blouse with the very colorful St. Patrick’s vest my Mom made for herself and wore, every March 17th. I inherited it a couple of years ago. My little sister kept her St. Patrick’s scarf. So…Mom was with me all day. Felt great.

The corned beef came out great! On the spur of the moment, my husband reminded me that we had some Jameson Irish whiskey with the liquors that are out of reach unless you grab a kitchen stool to get up there. So we poured a half a shot glass of Jameson, and toasted his father (born on St. Pat’s Day).

On a whim, we decided to watch “Waking Ned Devine”. Great movie if you’ve never seen it. Set in Ireland, so a great movie choice for the day. My nuns had that same beautiful Irish brogue that many did in this movie. I realize there are a lot of people who don’t have great memories with their nuns, but I did. Mine were sweet, but smart, and tough. They wanted us to succeed, so they pushed pretty hard. Anyway, I miss my Irish nuns, and I can’t help but think of them, and thank them, for the years I had them in my life.

Tomorrow is the big checkup. We think hubby will be released to “normal“ activity, though I have concerns about him driving. We will see what the doctor says.

Here’s an old Gaelic blessing that I love. and wish for all of you on this most special day:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

[Liz]

Fudgy Salted Brownie Cookies / Not another chocolate cookie recipe?
These are the best, baked warm to get shiny, crackled tops and rich, fudgy centers, in under 40 min.

Steps Whisk flour, cocoa, b/powder, and salt. Place chp chocolate and butter in bowl over pan of gently simmering water. Slowly melt/stir til smooth; set aside to cool slightly.

Combine eggs, sugars, and vanilla in mixer bowl w/ whisk attachment on med 5 min, til pale and doubled in volume. Reduce to low and beat in melted chocolate a minute. Add flour mixture and mix on low 20 sec, just combine. Fold in chocolate chips (will resemble a gooey brownie batter).

Use sprayed cookie scoop – invert just above baking sheets, spacing 2" apart (10 per sheet). Bake 350 deg 12-14 min, rotating pans halfway thru; tops are shiny/crackly. Remove, sprinkle w/ flaky salt; cool 10 min on b/sheets, then to rack to cool completely. Store airtight at room temp 1-2 days.

[Albion Wilde]

Many LOLs!!!

[Albion Wilde]

Every blessing around your husband’s checkup.

Loved Waking Ned Devine, and loved your story about your nuns. I was raised in the Protestant half of my family, but had many Irish relatives and family friends. I remember the soft brogue. We heard my granddad’s peculiar accent on my roots tour, near Countes Meath and Louth—not like the Shannon accents farther south. I miss those long ago days.

[FamiliarFace]

Thank you!

His checkup today went well. He has been released to normal activity, which means…work tomorrow!

Next check up is in 6 weeks. Full recovery is 6 months from the surgery.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks for the blessing! Can’t hurt - might help! Glad you had a nice celebration.

‘Waking Ned Devine’ IS a fun movie.

It’s not Irish, but an English movie that’s also fun is ‘Billy Elliot.’ Loved that kid. :)

‘The Mammy’ a book by Brendan O’Carroll is absolutely hilarious. There’s a whole series about, ‘growing up Irish.’

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brendan-OCarroll/author/B000APSZ20?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

And if you haven’t read, ‘Angela’s Ashes’ that another great Irish story.

The soup made with the CB&C leftovers was also a hit - we had that for brunch, today. There wasn’t enough Corned Beef to have sandwiches - so it must’ve been good because it pretty much disappeared. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Martha Stewart has a similar cookie recipe that I’ve made for Beau to take up to Bear Camp.

Gone in Sixty Seconds! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Just so we’re clear - all FReepers are invited over. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

After more greenhouse organizing and clearing out a few more mouse/chipmunk nests (I really need to leave a cat out there all winter!) I took a walk around the manse, this afternoon:

Chives are up - about 3”
Tulips and Daffs are up - poking through straw mulch
Sedum is up wherever it is planted in the landscaping
Maple trees have budded - Beau is done sugaring
Magnolia buds are swelled
Forsythia bush needs some triming and indoor forcing ;)
Grass is growing in sidewalk cracks and the lawn is greening up!

And, of course, rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice, frogs, locust, rivers turning to blood and all manner of trouble is predicted for tomorrow!

Welcome to SPRING in Wisconsin! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Liz]

Honey Sriracha Roasted Carrots
Quick, easy side. Sweet and spicy roasted carrots; good way to make kids eat healthy.

Toss 2 lb carrots in 1/4" thick coins 1 tbl ea honey, sriracha, veg oil, s/p to taste.
Arrange single layer on sheetpan; roast tender 400 deg, 15-20 min, turning once.

Tip: Excess honey/sriracha poured on sheetpan will burn; toss w/ roasted carrots just before serving.

[Augie]

I stopped at the lumberyard on the way home from the salt mine yesterday. Was able to get one side panel assembled before my back told me to stop.

I'm building this one 3'x10', 23.5" tall. I'll place a 2x6 flat on top of the sidewalls to provide a spot to plant my butt while I'm working in the bed.

If it's not raining when I get home from work I hope to get this one finished up today.

The lettuce I planted a few days ago is already coming up. I remembered to buy spinach seeds yesterday and got that planted in the greenhouse.

Small victories...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Excellent progress!

Today I’m making a few ‘cuts’ to the flats of lettuces and spinach I planted inside and moving some to the greenhouse and some to the compost. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Here is a wonderful video from Diane Ott Whealy who co-founded The Seed Savers Exchange and how it all began. Great shots of her garden, and she is just one of the nicest people on the planet. She used to be my Boss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwdXWZk_LnU

If you ever find yourself in Iowa, make sure to visit the farm. It is spectacular and very inspiring. :)

This is her son’s seed company. Aaron changed his name to the ‘original’ spelling (Whaley) so he could pass that on to his three boys. When I moved to Ridgeway, we became neighbors. 🙂

https://awhaley.com/

[Menes]

Hmmmm…so fine😋

[Pollard]

The wind is SW at 22mph and gusting to 50mph today. Tunnel seems to be hanging in there. One side faces SW so today is one of those days where that side would automatically close. Hopefully, I’ll get back to work on it soon. Got a job interview tomorrow. Light duty, clean, hands on work in a place that builds aerospace components. Closer than the other place too.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Good for you on the interview. Hope all goes well. :)

[Paul R.]

It seems like the “P’s” in SEMO got particularly whacked: Poplar Bluff, Piedmont, Perryville...

[Paul R.]

Has anyone here ever had success rooting yew cuttings? I’ve been trying for 3 years & can’t get them to do anything at all...

[Paul R.]

For us, it’s now almost a 30 mile trip. Oh, there is a little closer convenience store at a gas station, but I avoid purchases at such places like the plague. Except when, about 10 years ago, a local charity had a BBQ event going there, outdoors. The chicken was great!