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The Garden Thread - April, 2025
April 1, 2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 04/01/2025 6:11:07 AM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: april2025; food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Augie

Morel season!! Gotta go check out around here then! Thanks for the reminder.

It’s supposed to get cold and windy here again tonight. We’ve already cleaned out the fireplace for the season, but I might be tempted to build a fire one more time.

Or maybe I’ll light some candles and grab a blanket instead.

Looking forward to the later part of the week when the temps will get back into the 60’s for the day.

The forsythia have bloomed, and are still blooming, so I expect there will be three snows sometime soon. I just want them to come and get it over with. I’m ready for REAL SPRING to stay and leave winter temps behind me.


161 posted on 04/07/2025 7:34:50 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Well kids, we are having winter again today. It got cool enough that I decided to cook a big stew on the wood stove. Noting better. I recently swapped out our 30 year old Vermont for a new Jotul F55. IF you want to know, it works fine and it passes my test of being able to cook on the top. Made breakfast Sunday. Excessive tastiness! Best of all, no catalyst. Not finicky about colored paper etc. FWIW highly reccomended.


162 posted on 04/07/2025 3:33:03 PM PDT by FrozenAssets (You don't have to be crazy to live here, but it helps)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Cutting off the romaine heads and leaving about 2” of stumps in the ground works really well. It starts growing again quickly and while you don’t get the original yield back it’s bout 2/3. And it’s easy. Just use a sharp scissors.


163 posted on 04/07/2025 3:51:38 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

I will try it this upcoming season. I was surprised that I got a little something for my efforts this winter. :)


164 posted on 04/07/2025 4:26:24 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

If I had a greenhouse I would be growing lettuce in it as long as possible.


165 posted on 04/07/2025 4:35:46 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Liz; Diana in Wisconsin; All
While eggs seem to be going down in price and so are less of a problem, here is an article regarding some of the best replacements for eggs in cake.

I Tested Five Egg Replacements for Cake, and There Was a Clear Winner

The author also has a nice article about making sourdough in a dutch oven. (She worked in a bakery at one point.)

166 posted on 04/07/2025 8:12:14 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Egg replacement ideas are a good thing.....
b/c many people are allergic to eggs.


167 posted on 04/07/2025 10:38:45 PM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray...."Our Father, who art in heaven......")
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To: MomwithHope

It’s a great jump-start in the spring, and I’ve had lettuce through mid-December in mild years. Spinach is started in there, and lettuces will be following this week.

Not sure why I love lettuce like I do! I mean, I love salads, but I think lettuces are so unique and pretty. On, ‘Diana’s Useful Scale’ it’s right up there with chickens, LOL!

At my other farm, my wood-framed greenhouse was pretty rickety. In fall it got sun all day, since the trees had dropped their leaves. A branch of a Climbing Rose (’New Dawn’) grew up through it, and I had blooms in early winter, one year. Kinda fun. ;)


168 posted on 04/08/2025 6:38:24 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: All

Bacon Stuffed Barbecued Onions
The wow power is off the charts, a cinch to make.

Prep 8 pieces of foil, twisted into 2" rings or ise grilling rings; 1-1/2 c wood chips or chunks, soaked an hour, then drained.

Ing 8 peeled Vidalia onions, 5 tbl unsalted butter 4 slices best bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices 1/2 c sweet red barbecue sauce Freshly ground black pepper

Steps W/ sharp paring knife, cut cone-shaped cavity in each onion. Fine-chop removed onion. Set each onion on foil ring. Saute on med, tbl melted butter, bacon and chopped onion; lightly brown 3-5 min. Drain in strainer over bowl. Place spoonful of bacon in onion cavity. Spoon tbl bbq sauce into each onion and a square of butter on top. Sprinkle w/ pepper.

Set up grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips or chunks into the smoker box or a smoker pouch and run the grill on high until you see smoke. Then reduce heat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center and preheat the grill to medium, then toss all of the wood chips or chunks on the coals.

When ready to cook, place onions on foil rings in the center of hot grate, over drip pan, and away from heat; cover grill. Cook onions golden brown and tender, 40-60 min. Done when pinched squeezably soft. If filling starts to brown before onions are fully cooked, cover loosely w/ foil. Plate grilled onions and serve at once.

169 posted on 04/08/2025 6:46:08 AM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray...."Our Father, who art in heaven......")
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To: FRiends; FrozenAssets; Augie

Things that are, ‘waking up’ around the Manse:

Rhubarb
Strawberries
Asparagus
Tulips, Daffs and Allium
Perennial Grasses
Sedums
Magnolia
Saskatoon Serviceberry
Haskaps
Roses (which need a quick pruning!)

Spring has definitely sprung: The chickens (11) have been laying like crazy-mad, anywhere from 7-10 eggs PER DAY! We’ve been giving eggs to anyone and everyone and eating a lot of them ourselves. Breakfast casseroles, fried, scrambled, omlettes, Toad in the Hole, Egg Drop Soup, Deviled, etc.

‘Stew,’ the steer, has been released from the barn and is able to do some grazing right now. As soon as Farmer Dan brings the Heifers to our pasture, Stew will go in with them until late fall when he’ll be finished on hay and grain in the barn through next March. However, he will have one very idyllic season to enjoy life. ;)

As may we all!


170 posted on 04/08/2025 6:57:58 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Last night we had a hard freeze, so I covered up the bleeding hearts that were just starting to grow blossoms. Tonight will be another hard freeze.

A year ago, it was sunny and beautiful enough that I could wear short sleeves to watch the full Solar Eclipse. Today I’m wearing a heavy sweatshirt. There is some sun, thank goodness, but it’s chilly out there. I can’t wait for warmer temps to be here.

Somehow the plants seem to know when Easter is. The Lenten roses are right on schedule. Tulips are opening, daffodils are on their way out. The redbud trees are blooming and the viburnum has blossoms all over, not opened, but there. I must learn patience.


171 posted on 04/08/2025 10:50:54 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: FRiends

Discussion over here on heart-healthy eating:

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/4309771/posts?page=6


172 posted on 04/08/2025 1:34:03 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"my wood-framed greenhouse was pretty rickety"

Antique and weather distressed!


173 posted on 04/08/2025 7:04:59 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

I’m not the only one, then! LOL!

Mom got that greenhouse for me for a hundred bucks when Fish Building Supply was going out of business. It was on their lot and they even DELIVERED it to me, just to be rid of it.

Of course, we had it for a few weeks, and we hadn’t gotten it ‘tacked down properly’ and we had a big wind storm and it ended up in the farm field ACROSS THE ROAD - but we got it back and once it was properly nailed down, it was fine.

We also lost a canoe in that storm, but found it IN THE LAKE across the road, a week later. That was SOME storm!

I think the canoe was telling us that we hadn’t used her enough that Summer, so she was returning to her people! ;)


174 posted on 04/08/2025 8:14:23 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Liz

DROOLING over those stuffed onions!

They had Vadalia onions on sale at the Piggly Wiggly this week and I grabbed six.

I’m going to look for some baked, stuffed onion recipes. Will go good with the Brisket I’m making tomorrow. ;)

Here’s one:

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/stuffed-onions/print/

Printing...printing...printing! :)


175 posted on 04/08/2025 8:20:48 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: FamiliarFace

“I must learn patience.”

When you learn the secret to that - please let me know, LOL!


176 posted on 04/08/2025 8:22:11 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Vidalias, bacon, brisket.....what could possibly go wrong?


177 posted on 04/08/2025 9:06:50 PM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray...."Our Father, who art in heaven......" )
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To: Liz; Diana in Wisconsin

Nothing… that’s an amazing combo.


178 posted on 04/08/2025 9:25:24 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

If I ever learn the how to, I’ll be sure to let you know!


179 posted on 04/08/2025 9:26:26 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

Today (Tuesday) we made the 45 minute trip to town ... a different, bigger town than where we live, a town with an Aldi’s and Lowe’s.

We did some shopping at Aldi’s - found boxes to hold our groceries that took up the whole back seat of the truck - mom’s box was full, mine not as much, BUT I found a little potting bench ($40) and after walking away from it twice, decided to buy it. It has 3 shelves, the top one being metal (galvanized, I think) & the legs are capped with metal ... no rotting legs. It has hooks for hanging tools, etc. Not huge, but just perfect to put in front of the windows in the shop garage & maybe sprout a few things or I can buy some herbs & hold them there until I get raised beds for them.

Speaking of raised beds, I bought the cedar planks for 2 beds today at Lowe’s. I got lucky - there was a Lowe’s guy unloading wood right in front of the cedar planks .... the planks were in the lowest ‘bin’ so he got down in there and pulled out stacks so I could pick through them & come up with 18 with no ‘splits’, no ‘dinks’ or knots along the edges, which were planed fairly well, etc. I was picky and he was very patient about pulling out ‘five more’ so I could go through them. I did tell him what I wanted them for so he knew why I was being picky rather than just ornery.

At Lowe’s, they had herbs & veggies out: Bonnie brand. A small rosemary was $5.98 or thereabouts. Wut?? They have really gone up in price. The Co-op had some rosemary, sage, thyme, etc. .... I didn’t check the prices, but now that I have some place to hold plants (potting bench), I am going back & checking out their prices. The little farmer’s market down the road is supposed to have plants, too ... probably not yet due to the temps around here.

Tonight is supposed to be down to 25 ... I think last night it was down to 31. Looking ahead, I see temps overnight in the 30’s, but mostly mid to upper 30’s. We’ve got a bit of a chilly spell going on. I feel sorry for anyone with fruit trees because they’re all pretty much in bloom right now and ‘below freezing’, especially a hard freeze like 25 & depending on the stage of the bloom, could see damage. Critical temp seems to be below 28.

I need to work on the trailer soon ... line the inside with cardboard so mulch & topsoil doesn’t leak (sides are metal ‘grating’). Mom’s flower bed area needs to be finished with landscape timbers pinned down in place & more mulch, then the beds filled with soil. I did get two sawhorses at Lowe’s - they fold up very small so when not in use, they will fit on a shelf in the shop; but best of all, I now have two sawhorses that are the same height! When I built the other beds, I had two old wooden sawhorses that are very heavy & one is noticeably higher than the other which was annoying at best.

I have a metal cabinet with 30 small drawers in the shop. The drawers are perfect for things like files, wood chisels, other tools, even boxes of nails, screws, etc. How to label them? On Amazon, I found magnetic label holders that I can use so I can keep track of what is where. Once I get stuff in the drawers, that will clean up a lot of space so I have room to work on building the raised beds. I have been very ‘unmotivated’ to work on ‘projects’, but I’m beginning to get anxious to get some things done. I will see my niece over Easter & I think she’s got some dahlia tubers & young snapdragons for me so I need to ‘shake a leg’ & get the raised beds ready.

As my dad used to say (much to my annoyance, but now that he’s gone, I find it endearing): “Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the flowers is??” Well dad, the flowers are coming your way because I found a granite vase that we can attach to the foundation stone for your headstone that will hold flowers. The Daffy’s are past prime, but the peonies have buds so maybe peonies for Easter? If not peonies, the old lilac is starting to bloom - we’ll find something!


180 posted on 04/08/2025 9:37:24 PM PDT by Qiviut (Come! Live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!)
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