The Garden Thread - October, 2025

October 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.

[Qiviut]

I already have one of those little ‘jumpers’ & carry it with me when traveling. It fits in a plastic shoebox to give you an idea of the size. I don’t keep it plugged in, but have a schedule to make sure it’s charged up & ready to go. It also comes in handy when the power is out because I can use it to charge my phone :-) Maybe Santa could bring you one for Christmas?

We have had a terrible time with the truck batteries. Dad kept the truck (his ‘baby’) in the garage & it rarely was driven. One battery went dead with less than 200 miles after it was installed. What happens (as explained to me by my favorite mechanic at the old house) is that with cameras on the truck, electric seats & other stuff, settings that need memory, etc., there is a small, steady pull on the battery even when the truck sits & eventually, the battery is drained. Why dad (or I) never thought to put a battery minder on it is beyond me. We had AAA, but they would not install a battery on our truck because it’s not as easy as pulling the old one out & plopping in a new one. My brother installed the current one - took him a while & he really had to get into his tool boxe(s) to find what would work. I was keeping the truck on a battery minder after that with no issues. Then I put 13,000 miles on the truck last year moving & used it frequently this summer hauling mulch, made a couple of trips, got a running board installed, etc. so it was getting run enough to keep the battery up. The last 2 months, I haven’t been driving it much & with freezing weather being hard on batteries, I figured it was time to start taking care of the battery again. So that’s the ‘story’!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I have Scarlet Runner Beans drying right now. I am leaving them on the vine until I see one split open of its own accord - then I know for sure they’re dry enough to shell.

I also leave them in a paper bag a few weeks beyond shelling - just to make sure I have ALL of the moisture out of them before I transfer them to a storage jar for either eating in the Winter or replanting in the Spring. (Use Scarlet Runner Beans as you would a Lima Bean.)

Here’s everything you need to know:

https://www.backyardboss.net/how-to-dry-beans-from-the-garden-in-4-steps/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Oh, Good. Then you know what I’m talking about.

Yes - I dropped some BIG HINTS yesterday about Santa bringing me one! :)

[Paul R.]

Well, my brush pile burn WAS a bit dramatic!

One other story (but no firearms involved):

MANY moons ago as a young man, I was at a big party, about this time of year, at a several acre property well away from town. Some of the guys had collected a big pile of wood and some brush to make a big bonfire, and attempted to fire it up after dark, but, they had trouble getting it started. Somebody got a can of gas, maybe 2 gallons worth, and poured it over the pile. But, they didn’t light it right away. I’m not sure why not — I was not close, and had backed away a little more when I saw the gas can headed to the pile. Finally, somebody threw in a match, and “whooff!” It wasn’t an explosion, not even really a “soft” explosion, but this very impressive ring of blue flame shot out in all directions, hugging the ground. The radius had to be at least 20 feet. It was a calm night and some of the volatiles had just spread out along the ground. At least a dozen people were inside that ring: It passed so quickly that no-one got burned, but it sure did make ‘em jump!

[Qiviut]

What to do with a bushel of apples? Apple cobbler Wednesday, apple fritters this morning. I am trying baking, not frying.

https://easyrecipeslife.com/baked-apple-fritters-2/

Tomorrow is new mailbox post day so canning will probably start Monday. Monday - Thursday the highs are now being forecast for the 40’s rather than the 50’s with a chance of showers all 4 days - good ‘inside project’ days.

[MomwithHope]

No frost here yet and a tomato plant and pepper plants still alive. I should really pull them.

[MomwithHope]

I guess I’ll have to share some history. Hubby’s family had a cottage on lake Michigan. They used to pile up driftwood for a fire. Soak with gas but lit with a flaming roll of TP from up high on the hill. Released on a very taut length of twine or string. It was called the flaming bunwad in the 60’s and still happened at every gathering. Mostly up here after the cabin was sold. Lit from an upper deck. Its epic. Let the gas soak in for abbot 10 minutes, you only need a gallon or less. Everyone can keep back at least 20 feet.

[Liz]

Mushrooms Florentine / can do day ahead
Can fill mushroom caps or bake as casserole

Ing--lb fresh mushrooms, washed/dried butter 2 pkgs frozen spinach, thawed 1 tsp salt 1/4 cup chp onion 1/2 stick melted butter 1 c grated Cheddar garlic salt

Casserole: Saute mushroom caps/stems in butter; brown cap side first. Line 10" casserole with spinach seasoned w/ salt, onion and butter. Sprinkle w/ 1/2 c grated cheese. Arrange sauteed mushrooms over spinach. Season w/ garlic salt. Cover w/ rest cheese. Bake 20 min 350 deg; cheese is melted and tinged. Can do ahead, refrigerate til needed.

Filled caps: Stuff lge caps w/ seasoned spinach. Top w/ cheese. Bake to tinge and melt cheese

[Pollard]

The common/slang name is a Jump Pack. I’ve been wanting one for a long time.

[Pollard]

I started a fire with toluene once. Didn’t think it lit. Disappointed and walking away and all of the sudden a whoosh that actually rumbled for a split second. Would have hurt me bad if my face was over it.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Mom and Aunt Alice took ALL of the remaining cherry-type tomatoes and a big basket of some semi-ripe red and yellow tomatoes.

I have three Soldaki (Sebelka?) and three Cherokee Purple ready to slice for salads and the last BLTs of the season this weekend.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Leave a note for Santa and top that off with milk and cookies and you’re Golden! :)

[Pollard]

Got a birthday in a month. Might have to gift myself one.

[Paul R.]

:-)

[MomwithHope]

Sabelka lucky dog

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’ve still got seeds! :)

[MomwithHope]

Me too, never got them planted this year.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I know! In the northern tier states the world changes and becomes all white and silvery! Snow starts to fall gently from the sky and the old people get so excited watching this they send them to Florida so they do not get heart attacks!

Its 53F now. There were supposed to be frosts but we just got a drizzly rain which will probably continue until Tuesday. it may get down to 39 on thursday. I planted a Beets and Lettuce and Turnips about 12 days ago. The sow bugs ate all the beets, but the Turnips are up 2 or 3 inches and should enjoy the next week! We will see about the lettuce!

[Liz]

SWEET POTATO CRUNCH / Thanksgiving side
Combine 3 lb cooked, mashed sweet potatoes, 1 c sugar, 1/2 c melted butter, 2 eggs, beaten, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 c oj or milk. Set in greased 2-qt baker. Sprinkle w/ Topping. Bake 350 deg 25 min til bubbly

BROWN SUGAR-CRUNCH TOPPING:
Combine 1/2 c br/sugar 1/4 c flour 3 tbl melted butter 1/2 c coconut, mixing well

[Qiviut]

I am doing a similar recipe to this for both of my Thanksgiving feasts - good stuff!

We also like to have regular mashed potatoes. In the past, I have made make-ahead mashed potatoes & they usually have sour cream and/or cream cheese in them. I misplaced that recipe, but found this one I can make ahead ... I love it that I do not have to peel, cut & boil potatoes ... I am SO doing this recipe! :-)

Creamy Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes.
https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/creamy-make-ahead-mashed-potatoes.html

From link:

“Perfect for the busy holidays, these ultra-creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes can be prepared two days ahead of time and reheated in the microwave.

As much as my family loves buttery, gravy-drenched mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving, I’m always hesitant to make them because they’re typically a last-minute dish. Traditional mashed potatoes don’t hold up well when made ahead—they often turn dry, grainy, or even gluey, which is a real letdown for such a special occasion. And the idea of mashing potatoes at the eleventh hour, while juggling a dozen other dishes in a kitchen buzzing with guests of all ages, is downright nerve-wracking!

That’s why I was thrilled to discover a method for make-ahead mashed potatoes from Cooks Illustrated that works really well. These mashed potatoes stay ultra-creamy and can be made up to two days ahead of time. Best of all, they reheat perfectly in the microwave—a lifesaver when oven and burner space is at a premium during the holidays.

Interestingly, the recipe calls for baking the potatoes instead of boiling them. In all my years of cooking, I have never seen a mashed potato recipe that starts with baked potatoes. But it makes sense: water is the enemy of perfectly mashed potatoes. If the potatoes are too wet, they become dense and heavy. (That’s why most recipes instruct you to “dry” the boiled potatoes on the stovetop before adding the butter and liquid.) In many ways, the recipe is similar to twice-baked potatoes, which can also be made mostly ahead.

Baking the potatoes does take longer but it’s a tradeoff: you don’t have to peel or dry the potatoes and it’s completely hands-off. And since the potatoes cook directly on the oven rack, you won’t even dirty a pan!”