The Garden Thread - May, 2025

May 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]

*** before we couldn’t take the cold weather and gray skies.***

I STILL struggle with that aspect of Midwest living, especially the gray winter skies. I’m a native Floridian, and without a doubt, it is the hardest thing for me. I have now been in the Midwest longer than in the South, and the Seasonal Affective Disorder is still a thing for me. I consider myself to be like a plant that thrives in full sun. In the winter, I get droopy. I pull through, but I really prefer the sun!

[FamiliarFace]

So I was working on those wild roses today. Even though I had my gloves on, I’ve noticed tonight that I had a tiny thorn caught on my left thumb. I’ve removed it, and washed it thoroughly, although I must’ve washed my hands at least twenty times today. I’ve put alcohol on it, and now I have triple antibiotic ointment on it too. It looks a little swollen like you get with a mosquito bite. So…I’m going to be keeping an eye on this and if it doesn’t improve, I’ll be talking with the doctor. I had no idea that rose thorns could give problems. Thanks for this tip.

[metmom]

I couldn’t believe it either. I actually got my iPad out and took a couple brief videos.

[metmom]

I STILL struggle with that aspect of Midwest living, especially the gray winter skies. I’m a native Floridian, and without a doubt, it is the hardest thing for me. I have now been in the Midwest longer than in the South, and the Seasonal Affective Disorder is still a thing for me. I consider myself to be like a plant that thrives in full sun. In the winter, I get droopy. I pull through, but I really prefer the sun!

Even us lifelong northerners deal with it. We're certainly not immune just because we grew up here.

I grew up in Buffalo, overcast city, but I've visited FL fairly often and LOVE it but moving there and even the snowbird thing is just not in the cards for us,

[FamiliarFace]

Interesting, I didn’t know that native Northerners could feel it, too. My husband is from NY, and it doesn’t bother him. It doesn’t seem to bother our kids. So I’ve always thought it was just because I grew up in the Sunshine state.

Sometimes I want to move back to Florida, but then, I do love our small Midwest town. I very much dislike traffic, which Florida has an abundance of. There are very few places left that resemble how I grew up. So it’s a lot to consider.

I might add, as much as I cheer on the Gators, I’m not a fan of the animal. I did not grow up with them in every body of water.

So, we have mostly decided that, at least for now, Florida is a great place to visit. I did a lot better with my winter “depression” this year. I added more D3 to my regimen and also took theanine in the morning with my coffee. I think the combination helped.

I’m up late tonight waiting for hubby to get home from a business trip. He was almost stranded in Louisiana because of storms. He should be pulling up any minute.

[metmom]

One of the big problem with winter is also being trapped indoors so much.

I do much better being outside but it’s often too old and and snowpack and ice makes it too difficult. In addition to the fact, that there’s just plain not much to do when nothing is growing.

And the vitamin D levels certainly could be part of it. Sun? What sun?

I suspect the day length is only part of it.

[Pollard]

Finding a workplace with a great culture

Found out yesterday that people there are willing to help each other. We inspect the first and last part we mill and usually that means various basic measuring tools but occasionally, that means using a high tech probe on an articulating arm that's connected to a computer. You probe various points on the part and it takes measurements and the part passes or fails inspection. But the arm and software are quirky. I'd never used it so my future weekend shift boss was showing me but struggled with it. He got advice from another guy and eventually asked the guru who got the part to pass. Then on my last part, yet another guy helped make it pass. Succeed together or fail individually.

Then I evidently bumped the door lock button at lunch and I always leave the key in the truck so I was locked out. After work, a guy saw me with a coat hanger and he happened to have a lock out kit and offered to help. Then a few others hung around to watch. That's mostly a guy thing though because breaking into a vehicle legally is just cool.

[Liz]

Heirloom Tomato Tart
An easy, elegant summer dish that showcases heirloom tomatoes in flaky puff pastry, w/ buttery brie. Add salad greens for main course or serve small slices as an appy.

Ing 8 oz puff pastry (17.3 oz sheet), 12 oz beefsteak and heirlooms, in ¼" thick rounds K/s/p 2 tbl Dijon 4 oz Brie, sliced ¼ inch thick 1 tbl capers, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tbl evo

Directions Preheat oven 400°F, w/ rack in center. On a lightly floured parchment, roll pastry into 9 1/2x11 1/2" rectangle (1/8 inch thick). Trim edges straight. Refrigerate 10 min. Salt tomatoes with salt; arrange on paper towels. Top with more paper towels (to absorb excess liquid).

Score edges of pastry, creating a 1/2-inch border. Spread mustard inside border, then top with cheese, tomatoes, capers, and thyme, overlapping tomatoes slightly. Drizzle with oil, s/p, and bake 15 min. Reduce temp to 375°; bake golden and cooked through, 25 to 35 min. Sprinkle with thyme sprigs and serve warm or room temp, with greens. Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, July/August 2021

[Dacula]

That is exactly my scenario. I grew up in west Texas, traveled a bit with work and life, then settled down here in GA. I use artificial light to keep me going in the winter. Kind of like how we help plants.

*** before we couldn’t take the cold weather and gray skies.***

I STILL struggle with that aspect of Midwest living, especially the gray winter skies. I’m a native Floridian, and without a doubt, it is the hardest thing for me. I have now been in the Midwest longer than in the South, and the Seasonal Affective Disorder is still a thing for me. I consider myself to be like a plant that thrives in full sun. In the winter, I get droopy. I pull through, but I really prefer the sun!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Re: Indigo Bunting. How fun for you! I’ve never noticed that their beak was silver.

I was in the ‘old’ garden one day and found a Yellow Warbler whose foot was tangled in something. I ran and got a scissors to free him, and while I was holding him, he gave me a very painful peck on the hand! Ingrate! I just saved your LIFE!

He flew to the nearest tree and then sang and sang and sang...so I forgave him. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I talked to her a few minutes ago! She’s working her church Garage Sale and is snagging all kinds of canning jars for me before the Amish buy them all!

She said her Mint Julep recipe is just the basic ‘Southern’ recipe:

https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/mint-julep.html#tabrecipe

I personally think the addition of the Bitters make the recipe. I LOVE a ‘mocktail’ of Bitters, big green olives, ice and sparkling water.

‘Bitters’ is totally a ‘thing’ in Wisconsin:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/washington-island-wisconsin-bitters-shots

Is it wrong to have a shot of Bitters and some big green olives for Breakfast? Asking for a friend... ;)

[Paul R.]

I’m about to get the “grey spring” “SAD”, I think. We can’t seem to go more than half a day without at least enough rain to make working outside problematic at best. Amounts have been modest since early April’s big rains (biggest esp. in W. KY), but frequency has been, well, frequent. It’s been warm too, with the area running 2-3 deg. above average for April. That’s made it really tough to try to keep up with the mowing, and I just hope the warmth and wetness doesn’t lead to a lot of molds and plant diseases.

“Don’t water late in the day”, but it’s been wet late in the day, most days...

:-(

[Paul R.]

And I’ve not been fishing ONCE yet this year. Any dry times available have just been too valuable to get needed stuff done. Double :-( :-( !

[Diana in Wisconsin]

No 'true' *PING* this morning, as we just started this thread on Thursday. BUT, for consistency sake, here is a Good Morning for you all:

Got the first mowing of the season done, yesterday. My back is feeling it, today! We also planted the three Nanking Bush Cherries. The 'Bare Root' bushes had great root structure and were leafing out, so they should be just fine. Help me to remember to give them winter protection against bunnies, though!

Beau is pretty much tied up with repairs to his BIG truck, today. My plans include more greenhouse organizing, more Porch Pot & Planters planting and garden bed prep. I also have a ton of solar lights to put out in the garden.

Our Brennan (family friend) and his new Fiance are coming over in the morning, so I want to bake a Coffee Cake for that. They, 'want to talk to us.' I'm predicting that they want to get married out here at the farm. The wedding is in two years, though. She doesn't want to steal her sister's thunder of HER upcoming wedding next year. I'll let you all know if my prediction comes true. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Is there anything Puff Pastry can’t do? ;)

I see this is a Martha Stewart recipe. I’ve always been a fan, even during her ‘Prison Months.’ Talk about recovering your ‘brand’ and keeping it relevant! And we were ALL crocheting those ‘Prison Ponchos’ she was making with the other inmates at,’Camp Cupcake.’ ;)

https://www.mashed.com/240834/the-truth-about-martha-stewarts-time-in-prison/

[Liz]

She even hired one of her prison mates.....
dont know if she’s still working for Martha.

[FamiliarFace]

For the last four years we have walked out in our neighborhood nearly every day, even during the low temps during the winter. Getting outside daily is apparently something I NEED to do for my body. We don’t always get in 3 miles every day, but most of the time we do. I really do dislike the severe cold temps. That means anything below 10 is no fun for me. I hate going outside when it gets that cold.

[FamiliarFace]

I’m happy that this new work place is a cooperative get along kind of place.

The locked car sounds like a little adventure in a way. I’m glad someone there could help you out.

[FamiliarFace]

Yes, I have one of those lights, too. It helps *some*. I think upping my vitamin D was a good idea during the winter. I’ll try that again next winter, too.

[FamiliarFace]

Thank you! It’s on the to do list to make a batch before the Derby.