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The Garden Thread - October, 2025
October 1, 2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 10/01/2025 5:23:58 AM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; gardening; hobbies; preppers
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Oh My! Those are so precious!

Tippy has been spayed, so no more puppies for her.

She doesn’t seem to mind though.


641 posted on 10/25/2025 6:33:51 PM PDT by left that other site ( For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us Is.33:22)
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To: left that other site

I don’t mind having been spayed, myself. LOL! ;)


642 posted on 10/25/2025 6:43:35 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: FamiliarFace
No self respecting Southerner would eat (or serve) canned boiled peanuts, any more than they would make instant grits.

Well I grew up in Massachusetts eating Mass Lobsta every couple of weeks so I'm definitely not a self respecting Southerner. LOL

When I was 19, I moved to FL and learned about roadside foods like boiled peanuts. Ate ribs and greens made by old black guys who came from GA/AL and ran roadside stands/trailers. Always came with like a half a loaf's worth if slices of white bread. Smoking meats up North? Not really a thing.

GA is the peanut state and they have heavy soil so I guess that's fine for growing peanuts. My low pH might be an issue.

I have looked for and found peanut seed sources but would have to start a new search to find them again. Then again - https://www.rareseeds.com/peanut-tennessee-red - 120-140 days with 70-90 degrees preferred temp? I can see why they're a Southern thing.

I can live with the occasional canned hot boiled peanuts.

643 posted on 10/25/2025 6:55:32 PM PDT by Pollard
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

LOL!

We don’t use that term for humans, usually.


644 posted on 10/25/2025 7:02:51 PM PDT by left that other site ( For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us Is.33:22)
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To: Pollard

Well, you’re off the hook if you’re not a Southerner. Totally forgiven!

The family surprised us for dinner one night with stone crab claws for dinner!! A true delicacy and I enjoyed every single bite!

Heaven!


645 posted on 10/25/2025 8:42:53 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: All

ASIAN SWORD FISH
Marinate 2 hours 4-4 oz swordfish steaks 2 tbl olive oil 2 tbl or regular soy sauce
2 tbl lemon juice 2 crushed gar/cl 2 tbl sherry or water 1/4 tsp ginger black pepper

Lift out; cook on moderate 3 min per side in sprayed skillet. Serve w/lemon wedge.

646 posted on 10/25/2025 10:36:28 PM PDT by Liz (To make a conservative mad, lie to him. To make a leftist mad, tell him the truth.)
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To: Qiviut; FamiliarFace

‘Funny Face’ or ‘Familiar Face?’ LOL!

She still won’t tell me who she is. I think she’s Morgan Fairchild in Real Life but she won’t fess up. ;)

Those ARE some unique markings on that cow...


647 posted on 10/26/2025 5:48:36 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: left that other site

After having raised 27 puppies so far, I’m not sure where I end and they begin! ;)


648 posted on 10/26/2025 5:50:53 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Liz

I LOVE Swordfish. Haven’t checked prices in ages - will see what it’s going for at The Piggly Wiggly. On the grill, it is SO GOOD!

Even TOO GOOD for Fish Tacos! ;)


649 posted on 10/26/2025 5:52:20 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I LOVE Swordfish- will see what it’s going for at
The Piggly Wiggly. On the grill, it is SO GOOD!


Right, a good variation is to grill instead of pan fry,


650 posted on 10/26/2025 5:57:12 AM PDT by Liz (To make a conservative mad, lie to him. To make a leftist mad, tell him the truth.)
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To: cherry; FRiends

Here was yesterday’s, ‘Gained Knowledge’ for me. Cherry got the ball rolling with her question about when she should shell her green beans to save seed for next year. I have Scarlet Runner Beans drying on the vine right now to shell, but I also have a good number of green beans that I just let ‘go to seed.’ After canning and freezing eleventy-thousand green beans this summer, I’d had enough! So, since they look a lot like a Cannellini Bean, which I like to use in soups, and/or they might make a good Baked Bean, I went looking!

Can You Eat Dried Green Bean Seeds? Everything You Need to Know

Nutrition Profile of Dried Green Bean Seeds

Like most legumes, dried green bean seeds pack a nutritional punch. Some of their key nutrients include:

Protein – around 22g per cooked cup, providing all 9 essential amino acids.

Fiber – 16g per cooked cup, keeping you full and promoting digestive health.

Folate – over 90% DV per cooked cup, important for red blood cell production.

Iron – about 20% DV per cooked cup, which supports oxygen transport in the blood.

Potassium – 600mg (17% DV) per cooked cup, helping regulate fluid balance.

Magnesium and zinc – other important minerals dried green bean seeds provide.

Plus, they are low in fat and a good source of B vitamins like thiamine and niacin. Their high protein and fiber combined with lower calories makes them excellent for weight management.

How to Prepare Dried Green Bean Seeds for Eating

Before eating dried green bean seeds, they need to be soaked and cooked to rehydrate them and make them tender. Here is a simple process:

Rinse the seeds and pick through to remove any debris.

Soak in water for 8-12 hours or overnight.

Drain the soaking water and transfer to a pot. Cover with fresh water or broth.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender.

Season and add to your recipes as desired.

You can flavor the cooking liquid with aromatics like onions, garlic, and herbs or spices like cumin or coriander. Soaking and cooking times can vary based on the age of your dried seeds.

Once cooked, dried green bean seeds have a dense, meaty texture similar to cooked chickpeas or cannellini beans. Their natural flavor is mildly earthy and vegetal.
Tasty Recipes and Serving Ideas for Dried Green Bean Seeds

Dried green bean seeds are versatile and pair well with both savory and slightly sweet ingredients. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy them:

Toss into hearty salads, grain bowls, or Buddha bowls

Puree into dips like hummus, bean dip, or spreads

Mix into stew, chili, cured meats like ham or prosciutto

Blend into puréed soups for added protein

Roast with olive oil, herbs, and spices for a snack

Cook and mash with olive oil, lemon, and garlic for bean mash

Make veggie burgers or meatballs using beans for a binder

Stir into rice pilafs and cooked grains like farro or barley

Use in place of potatoes for plant-based hash browns

Bake into energy balls and bars with seeds, nuts, oats, and honey

Whip into desserts like brownies, cookies, or banana bread

As you can see, the possibilities are nearly endless! Dried green bean seeds can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. Consider substituting them for about 1/2 -1 cup of other cooked beans in any dish.

https://thekitchenknowhow.com/can-you-eat-dried-green-bean-seeds/


651 posted on 10/26/2025 6:11:48 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

LOL, I thought maybe you were Morgan Fairchild but won’t fess up!


652 posted on 10/26/2025 6:12:45 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: FRiends

653 posted on 10/26/2025 6:15:51 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

LOL! Twenty Seven BLUE HEELER Puppies?


654 posted on 10/26/2025 6:27:11 AM PDT by left that other site ( For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us Is.33:22)
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To: FamiliarFace; FRiends

She’s really something, isn’t she? What a way to take advantage of and make the most of the assets God has given you! I cracked up over her being Chandler’s (trans) Dad on ‘Friends!’ Have loved her in every campy role she’s played.

Today’s plans include:

A trip to Menard’s! I usually avoid it like the Plague on weekends, but Beau has finally relented and is buying us a new pressure tank for our well water system! Yay! He promised that he would not leave me and ALL THE CRITTERS without water while he’s in CO hunting next month. Ithaca (Mule) and Stew (Steer) drink GALLONS or water every day!

Since he’s buying, I’ll also stock up on birding supplies for winter and do a little Christmas Shopping if they have what I want on sale - Black Label Bacon for my Mom, of course! (to freeze)

We’d usually ‘do lunch’ but he has to get back to finish up a mowing job and then All Natural Activities STOP because Aaron Rogers is playing against the Packers this evening. We are the only team he hasn’t beaten yet in his various QB shirts since he left us. I’m not sure who to cheer for, today! It would be a pretty cool stat for him - but I truly LOVE my Green Bay Packers, so this is a tough one! Kinda hoping Micha Parsons gets to sack Aaron - at least once - and relatively gently, LOL!

Sunny but cool. What I REALLY should be doing is mulching more garden beds, but I’ve still got time...


655 posted on 10/26/2025 6:29:24 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Last week I had fresh grilled mahi on my tacos. Sooo good!

My family finally understood that I long for fresh seafood while we were in Florida, since I can’t get it that fresh here. Some days it was surf and turf. Every day I got to enjoy fresh off the boats seafood. Now that’s good eatin’! They still had their steaks and pork butt, but there was always an offering of seafood every day.

As an aside, my older sister won’t eat fish. Not because of its taste, but because the poor animal has to be killed. So I asked her if she still eats beef, pork or chicken. Oh yes, she does, but only organically fed or grass-fed. She said all this with a straight face. Some people have no logic. She knows the cows, hogs, and chickens are killed for our meat, but somehow fish are different to her. She eats shrimp and crab claws, but the shrimp has to be killed entirely, too, doesn’t it? I think she should just say she doesn’t like the taste of fish. Then it would make sense.


656 posted on 10/26/2025 6:32:50 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: left that other site; Augie
No, the neighbor raises the Blue Heelers. I raise Treeing Walker Coon Hounds and Plott Hounds for hunting raccoon and black bear.

Plott Hounds come in lots of color forms, but I like the brown Brindle coat the best. They look like Marbled Rye, LOL! They also look much more vicious than they are - unless you're a black bear - then all bets are off!

Neither of these breeds are meant to be house pets, but his Howard (Walker dog) is working out well for Augie, it seems. :)

657 posted on 10/26/2025 6:39:01 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: FamiliarFace

Having a weird sister myself, I get it! ;)


658 posted on 10/26/2025 6:40:33 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

My sister in Maine had a Walking Coon Hound, and I witnessed her climbing up a tree! (the dog, not my sis!)


659 posted on 10/26/2025 7:05:03 AM PDT by left that other site ( For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us Is.33:22)
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To: left that other site

Some will climb! We have a few that are hard to keep contained in our exercise yard. Those few end up in ‘Doggy Condo Land’ with their own house, sun/shade deck and a long chain. ;)

Shawnee and Mandan (both Plotts) are two current escape artists. Luckily, they don’t go far - they come up to the porch (where they learned to get treats while growing up)- to show me how ‘smart’ they are. Then, they get their own condo. ;)


660 posted on 10/26/2025 7:15:33 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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