The Garden Thread - July, 2025

July, 1, 2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[Paul R.]

And I thought I was fortunate in finding junk, er, I mean ways and things on my property to support plants...

A question: Most of my tomato plants that didn't drown in May-June are doing pretty well now. Everything seems fairly "normal" with them, if set back a couple weeks in terms of production. (Miracle Grow Bloom Booster HAS been applied per instructions.) Except... The Golden Jubilees I bought in 4" pots from Menards (Bonnies) are looking very strong, the plants, that is, as they have been producing tomatoes only 1" to 1-1/2" in diameter, for a few weeks now. (The Golden Jubilee plants I started from seeds collected from last year's plants are younger and not producing yet, though those plants look strong and are growing vigorously too.) Nearby, that "crazy" tall Cherry Falls tomato plant is producing (still green) 1" "Cherry" tomatoes.* Last year, the Golden Jubilees' fruits were generally ~3" diameter. This year's Golden Jubilees (from Menards) did not get chicken manure, just Miracle Grow Garden Soil. Is there a particular nutrient that affects fruit size? Not that I have treated the other varieties differently from that standpoint. *I didn't get back to that Cherry Falls plant with better (taller) support soon enough, and a t-storm broke the top 1/3 down. I partially straightened out the "bend" and coaxed the top portion into sort of a loop on the support. It's now 2 days later, and the plant seems unfazed...

[Paul R.]

My question (post 321) is for “all” who might have input, of course. And I messed up the formatting @ the end of that post. It should have read:

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...Is there a particular nutrient that affects (tomato) fruit size? Not that I have treated the other varieties differently from that standpoint.

(new paragraph!)

*I didn’t get back to that Cherry Falls plant with better (taller) support soon enough, and a t-storm broke the top 1/3 down. I partially straightened out the “bend” and coaxed the top portion into sort of a loop on the support. It’s now 2 days later, and the plant seems unfazed...

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Thanks in advance!

[FamiliarFace]

Our thunderstorm lasted only a couple of hours, not the 5-6 that the weather guessers were predicting. I *think* it was enough for a nice drink for the in-ground plants.

On another note…tiny cabins can be very cozy, if you know what I mean. Sometimes you just gotta make the best of things! Even rainy weekends away from home. ;)

[FamiliarFace]

I have some Suntory whiskey in my cabinet. We use it for special occasions. I think when my son in law finishes his mountain bike race in the next few weeks, perhaps we’ll have a toast to him. Or maybe we will toast earlier (like tomorrow) in hoping that there are no accidents.

I wish so badly that I could try your recipe. Unfortunately, I can’t have any melon ingredients of any kind. I love them all, and as an adult, have grown very allergic to them. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. It sometimes makes me sad, because I used to enjoy them in a major way until I became allergic to them. It’s a sad condition.

My problem is that I itch inside every sinus inside my head. Not just my mouth, ears, and nose. Beyond that, where you CAN’T scratch. It’s horrible. The only good options are to cut off your head, or to stay away from the culprits. So I do what I have to do, because I really like having my head attached to my body. LOL.

However…I am somewhat familiar with Polynesian cocktails. Mai-Tai comes to mind quickly. No melons so I might try one of those soon.

[Pollard]

ANyway
Rutgers are turning red so I’m about to be overloaded with them. Will just bring extra to work. They are organic. No chemical fertilizer or pest killer while calling it better than store bought because I grew it here.

Squash growing like crazy. Cukes a little slow. Watermelon doing good.

Soil under tunnel roof starting to dry out so I’ll be watering soon.

Got a list of IPM items for flea beetles, some of which help with other pests. Tansy & Rosemary repel and Radish is a trap crop. There are others but rosemary and potatoes - yum. Pansies repel a ton of pests and radishes are quick and easy most all the time and I can try some daikon soil breakers.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It amazes me the things we end up, ‘allergic to’ later in life; an ex-husband comes immediately to mind, LOL!

For me, it’s still The Usual Suspects: Pine Pollen and Ragweed. I am currently on a quest to destroy any Ragweed I see in the house yard. I will thank myself later. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Radish is a trap crop.”

Making a note. That’s a good subject for future plantings/postings.

Unless YOU want to do it. :)

[FamiliarFace]

I’m allergic to so many outdoor things, you’d never believe that I enjoy being outside at all, much less in a garden. I thank God that I had an amazing allergist some 30+ years ago. I had to endure 2 years of shots every week, but all these years later, only the melon allergy is a bother.

[Liz]

Your Japanese zucchini recipe made my mouth water. Thought you'd like this.

Ginger zucchini noodle egg drop soup

Ing 4 spiralized 1 1/2" zucchini 2 tbl ea evo, minced gingeroot 5 c sliced shitakis 8 c veg broth, 2 c plus 1 tbl water, ½ tsp red pepper flakes 5 tbl low-sodium tamari or soy sauce 2 c thin-sliced scallions, 4 lge eggs, beaten 3 tbl cornstarch, s/p.

INSTRUCTIONS heat olive oil on med-high. Stir in minced ginger 2 min. Add shitakes/tbl water; cook to sweat mushrooms. Add 7 c broth, rest water, red pepper flakes, tamari sauce, and 1½ c chp scallions. Btb, stirring occasionally. Thickener: mix smooth cup veg broth/corn starch. While stirring, slowly pour beaten eggs in thin stream. Slowly pour in thickener; cook for about 4-5 min. S/p. Add the spiralized zucchini, cook/stir 2 min, noodles are soft and flexible (they cook in bowl). Serve topped w/ scallions.

[Liz]

I came across this amazing zucchini dish.....but no recipe. Anybody have a recipe?

[MomwithHope]

Found this- might be it. Looks good but complicated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrCdV_6t8Oo

[Liz]

THANK YOU————you’re a great detective.

Its a stunning presentation-———who would ever think to cut it that way the skewer the shape?

Healthy ing, too.

[MomwithHope]

I like helping people find stuff. I used google image search on your picture, fast. I have some frozen shredded zucchini still in the freezer, two bags. I use it for zucchini bread during the winter. Now I think I will strain it, add seasonings and egg, flour and fry into zucchini fritters. Did that once with zucchini and also shredded carrots, they were yummy.

[MomwithHope]

On the youtube it said ground meat, looked like pork to me.

[Liz]

I guess you could use pork of beef———even grnd turkey?

Btw, I think its a Moroccan recipe.....found on their web site.

Amazing cooks.

[Liz]

I have some frozen shredded zucchini; will strain, add seasonings and egg, flour and
fry into fritters. Did that once with zucchini and shredded carrots, they were yummy.

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Nice fritter recipes............good to hear a successful gardener
using up every single one of those pesky zucchini that pile up.

[Qiviut]

I watched the video & laughed at the “finished in 10 minutes” in the video title. Lots of veggies, lots of prep. The way she arranges the zucchini is very interesting. One thing I wondered about: the pepper tomato sauce. She bakes the zucchini/meat mixture in it and I thought she would spoon it over the finished dish, but didn’t notice her doing that. I am saving the recipe for a time when I want a dish that’s definitely different in appearance. Thanks for posting :-)

[Qiviut]

One of my friends who visited yesterday brought me a Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) plant. It would be perfect for my metal raised beds except I don’t have them set up yet. They are deer & rabbit resistant so it fits that requirement & I am looking for taller plants that will show up against the barn backdrop. I might have to set up one bed & fill it with enough bagged soil/compost to get the plant in there. The only spot I could put it currently is in with the zinnias & I really don’t want to do that. The plant is in a gallon pot so I think it will do ok until I can work out a place for it.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I use my ‘spiralizer’ all year long. A very handy tool!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Re: Fritters. I make these quite often throughout the year. Good for Brunch or as a side with something on the grill:

Mom’s Zucchini Pancakes

“These zucchini pancakes go fast! I am ‘Mom’ and have been making these for years. My whole family just loves them. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222870/moms-zucchini-pancakes/https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222870/moms-zucchini-pancakes/

Note: I have found that if you make them on the smaller side they cook up just fine. If you make them too big, the edges burn before the middle is done. If I don’t have Green Onion on hand, I add Chives (to taste) from the garden, or soak/drain Chives that have been dehydrated.