The Garden Thread - July, 2025

July, 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.

[Liz]

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake / no bake / three perfect layers of goodness.

CRUST: 2 C crushed grahams 1/2 c melted butter PEANUT BUTTER LAYER: 8 oz soft cr/cheese 1/2 C p/butter 1 tsp vanilla 1/3 C conf CHOCOLATE LAYER: 1 C choc/chips 1/4 C h/cream 8 oz soft cr/cheese 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 C conf

CRUST Grease or parchment 8x8 pan. Firmly press flat in pan combined grahams/butter; freezer.

Peanut Butter Layer: Beat cr/cheese, p/butter, vanilla and conf smooth; spread on crust. Freezer pan again. Micro choc/chips and h/cream in 30 sec increments, stirring, til smooth. Cool 5 min. Meanwhile, beat cr/cheese, vanilla and conf. Then add chocolate sauce and combine. Spread atop p/butter layer and FRIDGE. Cool 2 hrs. To cut, run knife under warm water, wipe dry and cut.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I did read on Almanac to be careful and use as a last resort because you are attracting the pests you want less of after all and could make things worse.”

That is my, ‘perfeshional’ opinion as well.

For my money, I plant a little extra to bring in the ‘Beneficial Bugs’ which will kill off the ‘Bad Bugs’ for you. No muss, no fuss.

Diana’s Beneficial Bug Blend:

Cilantro (allow to flower)
Small Zinnia
Orange Calendula
Dill - ‘Diana Dill’ is great - slow to bolt ;)
Borage
Blue Bachelor Buttons

Use a package of each and blend seed together. Make ‘planting plugs’ in 4” pots and allow to grow on until all plants have a set of adult leaves. Plant in larger containers set in the garden or tuck a plug or two into the corners of your planting beds in full sun spots.

Note: The Calendula and Borage may self-seed, so be on the lookout in early spring for those seedlings. If you’re happy with where they are, just let them have another go. :)

[FrozenAssets]

We had a fire pop up 2.4 miles from us yesterday evening. There was no ground access so there was a continous parade of Super Scoopers, Firebosses and choppers running back and forth from the fire to Harding Lake. It looks like they kept it to just over an acre. Whew!

I see that there were over 80 structures lost at Grand Canyon, including the historic lodge on the North Rim.

Too much trouble all over.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Grand Canyon, including the historic lodge on the North Rim.”

Oh, NO! We stayed there on a family vacation when I was a teen. I LOVED that place! That style of architecture started my life-long love of Log Cabins. :(

BUT - it also burned down in 1952, so hopefully they can rebuild again.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14902795/Grand-Canyon-lodge-destroyed-wildfires-Arizona.html

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Beau is home from Bear Camp for a quick layover to borrow a F-550 (!) to haul his F-350 in for repairs. He’ll be spending a LOT of time on the road in the next few days.

Anyhow, we walked through the Kitchen Garden with me this morning, just to see if all my whining about too much rain was really too much rain.

His exact words: ‘Well, we won’t starve, but things are NOT up to your usual standard of MAGNIFICENCE as far as the vegetable garden goes.’

Cold comfort; but at least I wasn’t imagining it! I won’t have the usual BOUNTY to be as generous as normal with family and friends this season - Mama’s gotta EAT!

I suppose I need a year like this from time to time as a Reality Check and to appreciate each tomato, cuke, green bean and zuke. Life can’t all be Sunshine and Lollypops I guess.

[Augie]

1.75" of rain here in the Middle of Misery over the weekend. 1SG Son, DiL, and the grandkids were here from Kansas over the weekend. Aside from harvesting some zucchini and bell peppers I got nothing accomplished in the garden.

The brown santa truck brought all of the electric fencing supplies that I ordered last week so I've got something to occupy my free time for the next few evenings. The groundhog has been wreaking havoc on my tomatoes but I've got a special surprise in store for him now. lol

Howard really impressed me while the grands were here. No barking in the face, no rugby tackles, no jumping. Just lots of licking and kissing and slobbering. They brought their new Rodesian Ridgeback/lab mix puppy along - those two became instant buddies and spent a LOT of time wrassling together. 5yo granddaughter was sad when it was time for them to go home - she wanted to stay here with Howard because "He's nice and he gives me kisses".

Howard and Mr. Darcy.

This is American Senna. It came up volunteer along the edge of the sidewalk to our front porch. I can only guess that a bird pooped out the seed it grew from. I've never seen one anywhere else on the property. It's very attractive and the bees absolutely love it. We're going to collect some seed from it this fall and try to get some new ones started next spring.

All of the rain we've been getting has brought the Chanterelles out. Mrs. Augie and I picked a couple dozen after the kids left yesterday, and found one patch of 75 or so little bitty ones that we left alone so they can size up before we pick them.

[Augie]

I know what you mean about the chickens demanding scraps, though!

Mrs. Augie's chooks do that too. It's like she's the Pied Piper of chickens. Any time she's putzing about in the yard there's a chicken parade following her looking for a handout.