The Garden Thread - July, 2025

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

[FamiliarFace]

That looks decadent, Liz! Thanks for sharing it!

[Liz]

y/v/w........

I just love the technique used......so easy for such a sumptuous dish.

[Pollard]

Came home from shopping broke anyway but I bought some unplanned odds and ends plus me and the boy have new cell phones now.

No bills to pay next paycheck so I should be able to get most items to start closing the tunnel in with working roll up sides. First item will be a new $330 fiberglass 12 foot step ladder to do the high work. Not going to worry about gable vents and motors for them right now. It will probably be cooling off by the time I get closed in anyway.

Gonna do some yard cleanup and move some things this morning and see if I can drive the truck around the house. Beginnings of a wrap around driveway. It’s already about 3/4 of the way around. Might do a little work on the lean to shed for NW end of tunnel now that I have 4x4 posts and some 2x6s for it. Figure out how big it will be at least and mark it off. Will likely be 8-9 foot deep since I have some 10’ roofing.

When it gets hot, I’ll bring seed starting stuff up to the house and sow some trays for Fall plantings and then bring them back down to the shed.

[Qiviut]

I was watching our tree guy take down the huge pine that was leaning towards the house & threatening the front wall, 3 rooms & the slate roof. Fortunately, he had room to fell it & didn’t need to use his Spyder crane. I literally did a dance by the bay window when I saw/heard/felt it hit the ground - the sense of relief not having to worry about it coming down during high winds/storms was huge! I’m sure you are similarly relieved and happy, not having to worry about those trees anymore!

[Liz]

SALAD STUFFED PEPPERS
Tender peppers, flavorful cheese, a fresh twist on a classic, transports you to the Mediterranean.

Ing Kosher salt 1 lemon 4 gar/cl 4 bell peppers, assted colors 2 tbl evo 4 oz cooked chp chicken, or chorizo, casings removed, small dice 4 slices bread, torn bite-size 1 bunch Tuscan kale, thin-sliced 1 tbl sherry vinegar 1/4 cup pitted olives, halved 1/4 c fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 2 oz manchego cheese, freshly grated 1/4 cup Marcona almonds, finely chopped

Directions Place pot filled halfway with water on high heat and season generously with salt. Add juiced lemon halves and lemon juice. Add 3 Crushed garlic cloves; btb.

Peppers: slice off just enough top to remove and discard seed pockets and stems. Trim bottoms so they stand up. Finely chop the pepper tops and add to bowl. Gently lower the pepper boats into the boiling water to fully submerge;cook crisp tender, 4-6 min; should hold their shape and stand up straight. Now place in an ice bath a min to prevent further cooking. Drain upside-down on a paper towel-lined plate.

Meanwhile, heat skillet over med-high. Add the oil and chx or chorizo and cook just fragrant, 1-2 min. W/ slotted spoon add the chx or chorizo chp peppers. Add in 2 tsp hot oil from skillet, reserving rest. The chorizo crisps as it cools.

To skillet w/ reserved oil on med heat add bread. Cook/toss til browned and toasted, about 5 min. When nearly toasted, add fine-chp gar/cl; toss to distribute thru bread. Set aside.

Assembly Add kale, vinegar 1 tbl l/juice to the bowl. Massage kale to slightly soften and coat. Add olives, parsley and toasted bread; gently toss to combine. Place peppers upright on server. Mound in salad. Generously grate cheese over. Sprinkle w/ chp almonds and serve immediately. Copyright 2021 Television Food Network.

[FamiliarFace]

I know I had stress about this since April, but I had no idea how stressed I was until this whole thing was over!

One of the tree guys remarked, “Just because it’s hollow doesn’t mean it doesn’t weigh a lot and can cause a lot of damage!”

In this situation, the really hollowed branch (about 20” diameter) was on the side towards our neighbor. It probable would’ve taken out his garage and work truck rather handily.

The men did a basic cleanup of debris, but I have my own cleanup to do. Our deck is covered in poplar sawdust. Things are still damp from yesterday’s rain, but I’m going to keep working on that until it’s all gone. It’s all over every plant, chair, table, etc.

While I was inspecting the state of my plants this morning, I noticed a little miracle. The gloriosa Lily that my sister gave me to transplant, and died within a few weeks of arriving at my home (I hand carried it on the airplane home from that visit), has begun to sprout a new set of leaves!! I thought it was just going to remain dormant, but this is a true gift!

The lilies were planted by my Grandma when mom was little. So Mom tended them when I was growing up, and pointed the patch of them out to us girls every year when they would rebloom. The boys were probably never told, or else gave it little importance.

So a few years ago, my brother was having landscaping done and not knowing what they were, had them ripped out and tossed. My sister learned about it and was furious with him. Ran to the debris pile and pulled out as many tubers and stems as she could find. She managed to rescue about 7 or 8 of them and transplanted them to her yard. This is their third year at her house, and she generously offered one to both me and my older sister. I am beyond excited that I see new growth!

[MomwithHope]

Very nice Pete!!

[Pollard]

I was wondering why I felt so beat out there. Came inside and heat index was 109 at noon. Cat5e cable did make it here today so I'm going to go put that in and raise my controllers up where they should be. Fan is out there in the tunnel and when I'm done with that end, I'll bring the fan into the shed to do that end. Then I'll sow some seeds in the house and do some house work. Will try some outdoor stuff later when the sun's down behind the trees but temp and humidity will still be high.

Rutger's tomatoes - not impressed. Decent flavor but skin is tough. Meaty enough for processing and I didn't realize that was it's main use in the mid 20th century - Created for the New Jersey canning industry, especially for use by major brands like Campbell’s, Hunt’s, and Heinz

Got a dozen shishito off my one plant this morning. Got the same a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking 4 plants is about right for a steady supply. Store only had one and I noticed too late that I had seeds.

Pulled a celery plant a week ago that was crowding the shishito, cut the stalks off and tossed the root ball. Just noticed it's re-sprouting so I guess it's going back in the garden. I need some blue cheese dressing.

Squash is flowering like crazy. Finally got some very tiny habanero peppers forming.

Back out to the heat for a bit.

[Qiviut]

A friend & I did a 22 mile hike on the AT in a 110 heat index (what were we thinking? LOL). Fortunately for me, a thunderstorm came through nearby & I got some cool breezes with no rain. At the time, I was overheated & resting at the base of a steep climb, drinking electrolytes & consulting my map for a bailout point.

After 30 minutes, doing some hydration, & being the beneficiary of those cool storm breezes, I made the climb. My friend was at the top, looking down the trail for me & worried. I rested some more while he refilled all my water bottles at the spring. No more troubles the rest of the afternoon. We finished just as dark was falling. His wife & another friend handed us each a large solo cup with half tea & half lemonade on ice as we stepped off the trail - hands down, one of the best drinks I’ve ever had. We had gallon jugs of water to wash off with, towels & dry clothes - my hiking clothes were soaking wet from sweat down to the skin.

When it’s hot & super humid like this, I often think back to that hike. As for today, I am now inside for the day after an 8 a.m. start. I got everything I wanted to get done accomplished; however, I have one landscape timber that’s warped & not working. There are 3 more that I can try & I’ll pick the best one. Since my drill for making spike holes is out of juice, that timber will have to wait until tomorrow.

More rain with flood potential in the forecast for this evening and tonight. We need some dry weather - everything is just too soggy. Stay cool! :-)

[Qiviut]

I made a ‘Shipwreck Casserole’ last night & enjoyed it, especially because it had no cheese. My lactose intolerance is currently at a high level & even the ‘dairy relief’ pills only work to a certain degree.

So on the hunt for a cheese free casserole, I stumbled on this one: a Sloppy Joe Casserole with tater tots instead of a bun. I do believe this is the next one I’ll be trying :-)

https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/sloppy-joe-casserole/