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

Posted on 05/01/2025 6:15:12 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: agriculture; food; garden; gardening; hobbies; may25
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To: FamiliarFace

I usually see ONE Tanager each season. I’ll keep an eye/ear out because the Buntings and the Tanager tend to travel at the same times. :)


101 posted on 05/02/2025 3:02:35 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: Dacula; Pollard

10 Best Garden Planners, Programs, and Apps:

https://www.thespruce.com/free-garden-planners-1357749

Pollard? Anything to add for Dacula’s garden planning?


102 posted on 05/02/2025 3:07:38 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; FRiends

I see both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers here, but just a time or two. I think they’re just passing through on their way to see you (or somebody!).

I’ve been transplanting Bachelor Buttons today, and also weeding out the beds where I’m putting them. Transplanted some Dame’s Rockets, too. Those grow wildly here, and sometimes in a really weird place, like the middle of the lawn.

I cut back an invasive wild rose that’s super thorny. Hubby will have to get it the rest of the way this weekend, if possible.

I’m getting the rest of the herbs planted little by little. I figure if I add enough flowers around them, maybe the folks at the HOA won’t notice because they won’t even know what they are.

I am planning to resist going shopping at some of the nicer nurseries until Monday. I am really trying to stay disciplined about overbuying, which I have a tendency to do every year!

I don’t think the temps will get down as low as they had initially forecast for tomorrow and Sunday, but I’ll still bring the tender things inside at night.

Oh, and another segue, tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby for those who are fans. My BIL and SIL own a race horse, or did a few years ago. So we’ve watched the Derby for most of our adult lives. I love the pomp and circumstance of the horses coming out and lining up in their post spots. Just a couple of minutes of intense craziness, but we enjoy it every year. It’s on my bucket list to go sometime. That list seems to get longer, so one of these years we’d better start doing those things!


103 posted on 05/02/2025 3:32:25 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

Car registration/inspection/insurance are up for renew in May and proof of having paid personal property tax is required to renew auto registration and that’s a little past due. That’s another paycheck gone and all to government or government required services.

Can’t wait to be paying state gov from my SS money that fedgov doles out.


104 posted on 05/02/2025 3:49:16 PM PDT by Pollard (Zone 6b)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thank you so much Diana. You have helped many times over the years.

Life at our home is starting to get some normalcy. My bride past away after a lengthy batter with cancer. My son and his fiancé are engaged to get married in a few months. Both have been accepted to The Ohio State University this fall. His bride is working on a doctorate and my son on his Bachelor’s degree.

I have decided to go crazy in the yard (less than an acre). I have 3 compost bins that provide nutrients. I have 18 Tomato plants, Bush beans, peppers, cucumbers, and lots of herbs and marigolds. I also have 2 Blueberry trees that have been faithful for sometime.

More time outside and less time in the house.

I should be occupied for most of the growing season.


105 posted on 05/02/2025 3:57:13 PM PDT by Dacula
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To: FamiliarFace

Mom is a HUGE Kentucky Derby Fan. She’s given many a fun party on ‘Derby Day’ and since she was a Costume Mistress for local theater for - forever - she always had access to really fun hats to wear. Think: ‘Hello, Dolly!’ or ‘Mame’ or ‘My Fair Lady.’

Mom makes a killer Mint Julep. ;)

For my 40th Birthday we had a ‘Ladies Only’ Garden Party/Fundraiser (Food Pantry/Humane Society Shelter) at my other farm and had so much fun with floral China (thrifted!) dishes and teacups (thrifted!) and the fancy hats and gloves. (FYI: You CAN drink Whiskey from a teacup!)

I need to give more parties! :)

Re: Wild Roses. They are the bane of Beau’s existence when he’s mowing/clearing pasture land. A hundred years ago, SOMEONE, thought those Multi-Flora Roses would make GREAT fence rows on farms keeping animals in or out - and now they are EVERYWHERE around here. The only reason he lets me even HAVE roses is that they’re in two contained spots in the garden and I’ve promised that he never has to deal with them...EVER! We all have our ‘thing.’ Mowing OVER roses is his. ;)


106 posted on 05/02/2025 4:02:23 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: Dacula

THE Ohio State! How exciting!

Any help you need this growing season, just ask us. We’re here to help.

I know (first hand) how losing someone you love really knocks the wind out of your sails for a while. Glad to see you’re moving forward and doing something healthy for yourself.

Gardening, Nature and tending to all growing things is good for Mind, Body and Soul. God Bless You! :)


107 posted on 05/02/2025 4:09:33 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: Pollard

Don’t even get me started. In my working days I made a RELIGION of reading State & Federal tax schedules and paying up to what was due...and not a penny more.

I hear ya! It’s frustrating. We are taxed a hundred ways from Sunday.


108 posted on 05/02/2025 4:24:28 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

We cut back some invasive wild rose one year and piled all the brambles in a pile to move to the burn pile.

And we look out the window one morning and there’s a flock of deer (not quite a herd but several) standing around the pile cowing down on it!!!!!!!

I could not believe their mouths were tough enough to handle all the thorns.


109 posted on 05/02/2025 4:35:58 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesu)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thank you. Your kind words help me.


110 posted on 05/02/2025 4:36:36 PM PDT by Dacula
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To: Dacula

Intermixing the herbs with the veggies is called companion planting and can help deter pests.

There are plenty of you tube videos.

I like the ones like this by The Millennial Gardener. He seems to have done his research well.

5 Mistakes You Must NEVER Make When Growing Tomatoes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5jkvZGzTfQ

I hate sensationalist headlines but it seems almost impossible to avoid these days.


111 posted on 05/02/2025 4:42:10 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesu)
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To: metmom

Thank you Metmom,

That is exactly where I picked it up. He has some great videos. I am also pocket planting. I pay attention to the plants that I have been buying and spotting the plants that have multiple seedlings and getting them accustomed to my yard environment. I don’t have necessarily have a green thumb, but I do have a dirty thumb and many blisters from all of the yard work that I have been doing. It is truly my therapy.


112 posted on 05/02/2025 4:50:47 PM PDT by Dacula
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To: Dacula

Gardening IS very therapeutic. And there’s the satisfaction of being able to eat what you grow yourself and know what’s in it. Or on it.

Some of my beds are going to get dual use. I have a section now that has lettuce and snow peas in it, and they’re only going to last so long. Then I’ll plant turnips and probably more lettuce for a fall crop of it. I’m going to be looking into some very cold/freeze hardy varieties. And maybe some beans or an early maturing variety of zucchini to beat the frost. Depends on when stuff matures and how the fall looks to be for gardening. Sometimes we get a late frost and have a very mild one. Sometimes not.

The onions and garlic will be up in about Aug and what I’ll do with those areas is compost it and manure it to let it age for next season, so the soil doesn’t get too depleted.


113 posted on 05/02/2025 5:07:03 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesu)
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To: metmom

I would love to see your garden. What state do you live in? I am in Northeast GA. I need to plan and prepare for succession planting for the rest of the year.

Good luck and happy gardening.


114 posted on 05/02/2025 5:21:28 PM PDT by Dacula
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
He's a beauty. I got to hold one 5 or 6 years ago now. That's my hand! He landed on our new deck and somehow his foot went through the crack and he could not get out. Got him free and just long enough to get a pick, because that will never happen again. Love that silver beak. 654779cd179635c9
115 posted on 05/02/2025 5:27:14 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Dacula

So sorry to hear about your wife. Please accept my sincere condolences.

We used to live in Atlanta, but moved to Columbus for a job opportunity in the late 80’s. Raised our kids there. Stayed for 25 years before another job opportunity brought us to the Indianapolis general area. No offense to Hoosiers, but I really love Columbus more. It’s a neat place. (Having said that, we LOVE the small town we live in now.) The point is to let you know that your son and his fiancé have a bright future ahead of them. OSU is a very good school for a public university. If you need any tips about the city, I’m happy to help. Our youngest son is still there. We get to see him every couple of months.

Anyway, just wanted to say Go Bucks! I think they’ll like it there.


116 posted on 05/02/2025 5:37:02 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 you have it handy, I’d love to have your mom’s mint julep recipe. If not, no worries.

I just planted the mint this afternoon. Put it in the ground with a busted pot so it won’t grow beyond the space, at least not right away.

Those wild roses are everywhere on this property. I don’t think we’ll ever get to all of them. Mostly in the woods, but occasionally they pop up where I want other things.


117 posted on 05/02/2025 5:45:45 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: FamiliarFace

Thank you!

Our family lived in the C-bus area for a couple of years before we couldn’t take the cold weather and gray skies. We had family that lived around the area but lost track of them when she got sick.

I want the best for my son and his future wife. He is 23 and has enough money and investments to purchase a home. I am confident that they will be happy and successful for a long time.


118 posted on 05/02/2025 5:46:26 PM PDT by Dacula
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To: metmom

What?!! The deer ate the rose bush brambles?!! Unreal!! I haven’t ever seen them doing that, but maybe you have to put it all in a pile! Then it’s like a smorgasbord for them!


119 posted on 05/02/2025 5:48:10 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: MomwithHope

Beautiful! The Indigo bunting is one of my all time favorites. Such a pretty color.


120 posted on 05/02/2025 5:53:45 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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