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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: Augie

Call those ‘Picker’ guys from PBS! I think there’s only one left, though. :(

I’ve half-decided I’m just going to have an auction. Turn all the heavy lifting over to the ‘Perfeshunals.’ ;)


701 posted on 10/28/2025 6:22:44 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
And how DOES one get on your Christmas List?

I have American Senna seeds for anyone that wants them.

There are probably 50-ish pods still on the plant. The pods are starting to shatter and drop their seeds so I need to get them soon. Shoot me a PM with a snail mail address and I will send a few pods your way.

And please let me know here that you sent a PM. I don't check PMs on a regular basis so won't likely see it unless someone tells me that I need to look.

702 posted on 10/28/2025 6:29:44 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

This batch was (roughly by volume - I filled a two gallon bucket halfway up) 1/3 Serrano, 1/3 Jalapeno, and 1/3 Cayenne, but you can use pretty much any kind of pepper you like.

Personally, this batch is plenty hot, but not so hot that it’s unpleasant. I know some folks like the BYFO effect they get from Scotch Bonnets/Ghost/Carolina Reaper/etc., but I’m not one of those. I’d rather enjoy the flavor than have the skin melted off the inside of my esophagus. lol


703 posted on 10/28/2025 7:15:45 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Those teevee picker guys... lol... Pops actually called them a few years ago to enquire about that.

They aren’t interested unless you have buildings that are stacked floor to ceiling with junk (digging through trash is good tv?) or you have high-value collectibles that you’re willing to sell for pennies on the dollar.

We held an auction after Mom passed, and we’ll do the same after Pops checks out. He’s got a mountain of cool stuff over there, and I certainly will hang on to a few things that hold sentimental value, but I sure don’t need all of it.


704 posted on 10/28/2025 7:25:04 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Dragging today ... mom & I have been watching the World Series. Last night’s game went to the bottom of the 18th inning when one of the Dodgers hit a home run. Both teams had run out of relief pitchers so things were about to get extra interesting if they went into a 19th inning. It was 2:52 AM & I still had to deal with getting cinnamon apples out of the crockpots & into jars, then had trouble falling asleep. Mom made it to the 15th inning, then went to bed, so she’s a little friskier than I am today.


705 posted on 10/28/2025 8:12:07 AM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: goodnesswins
Anyone using a good plant ID app they would recommend?

I get decent results from Google Lens. It will ID all sorts of stuff - not just plants. There's a similar app that Mrs. Augie uses on her iphone but I'm not an apple guy so can't say for sure what it's called.

706 posted on 10/28/2025 8:19:37 AM PDT by Augie
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To: FamiliarFace
No no no to canned boiled peanuts! C’mon man!

The struggle is real. I've only seen fresh hot boiled peanuts for sale in the far southern parts of Misery where cotton is also grown. Never once seen them offered on the north side of the Missouri River.

One of our former neighbors grew up in Doniphan, MO, on the eastern edge of the Ozarks Plateau, where it transitions into Arkansas Delta country. He would plants a couple hundred feet of peanut row in his kitchen garden every year and boil them during the annual neighborhood fish fry/beer fest.

707 posted on 10/28/2025 8:36:04 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; left that other site

Climbing TWCs...

I watched a reel on facebook yesterday of a TWC scaling a 6’ chain link fence. Dude stood up with his front paws on the wire, then picked up a hind leg, stuck his toes in the wire, and proceeded to climb like a monkey. Poof! Gone! Free!

I hope Howard never figures out how to do that. lol


708 posted on 10/28/2025 8:44:53 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Augie

A TWC could do that!

A Border Collie, however, would go on the Internet, contact a handyman with opposing thumbs, and hire him to dismantle the fence.

I Believe you! 🐶


709 posted on 10/28/2025 8:52:53 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: Diana in Wisconsin

I used to gift cayenne pepper oil years ago when I had tons. Dried the peppers first, then pierced with a toothpick and put in old soy sauce bottles filled with light olive oil. Let sit out for a few days. The oil will turn pink, after that best to refrigerate. I’ve seen where people do herb infused vinegars ,lots of things.


710 posted on 10/28/2025 9:33:14 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Augie; Diana in Wisconsin

I did a bit of research, and American Senna looks like it might be good to go along our side of the ditch that runs beside the road on the east side of our property. A.S. is apparently tolerant of juglone, which is good, because there are plenty of hickory trees nearby, and a couple 30 ft. tall walnut trees along one area, too. I don’t know about the sensitivity to road salt, though: If it’s just average, the plants would probably be ok. We are in Zone 7a, so, road salt is not so large a concern as Diana would have in the same situation otherwise! A quick search online didn’t turn up much in that regard (A.S. sensitivity to road salt). However, I’ll be setting the plants a couple extra feet back from the ditch anyway, sort of inline with the occasional tree trunk, to keep the county from mowing the flower plants.

Sun-wise, the A.S. would get “partial sun”, “mostly sun” in the morning, very little in the afternoon.

I could try the west side of my shop, too, but that area gets pretty well “baked” in the afternoon. The flower garden in the northwest part of our front yard might be a possibility too, if I don’t rotate tomatoes out there next year.

Should I just scatter or rake in seeds, or would birds and squirrels get them? (Our chickens pretty much don’t get into the areas I mentioned above.) If starting them in small pots or flats indoors works, I could do that, but it’d have to follow my getting some of my veggie starters transferred “out”.

Thanks!


711 posted on 10/28/2025 11:27:24 AM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: Augie

PM sent. Thank you!


712 posted on 10/28/2025 11:31:17 AM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: Qiviut

I know the feeling - I made the “mistake” of tuning into that game after the “late” local news was over (after the football game).

What a contest that World Series game was!

I’m beginning to think the “Godzilla” references to the Dodgers’ Othani may be correct. He went 9-for-9 if you include walks, with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 5 walks). He also volunteered to relief pitch (but SFAIK did not). A “one man wrecking crew”.

Then I was up @ 6 am for wifey to head to work... At least the fog was not as heavy as predicted, so she didn’t ask me to drive her in. (She had no idea I’d been up for the end of that Series game.) :-)


713 posted on 10/28/2025 11:57:15 AM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: Paul R.

‘Godzilla’ is the starting pitcher for LA tonight. I hope the Blue Jays can figure out something, but I don’t think it looks promising for them with him on the mound.


714 posted on 10/28/2025 12:16:29 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Augie

I boiled the green peanuts that we brought home on Sunday. Yummy! I have frozen 2 quart sized ziplocs of them. They freeze well, and when you reheat them by reboiling, they turn out great. If I could get green peanuts sent here without a problem, I would do that. Problem is, most places don’t have a clue about green peanuts. If it says raw on them, they are usually too dry for boiling purposes. Once harvested, they should be refrigerated to keep them fresh, just like most produce. Letting them air dry defeats the purpose. Boiled peanuts are one of the things I miss the most from living down south. I can get most of the fixings for other southern dishes here or online, but green peanuts are nearly impossible. Your neighbor was generous to share them with you!


715 posted on 10/28/2025 12:31:32 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: Paul R.

The plant we have is a volunteer. It came up in the gravel path alongside our front sidewalk. It’s under the canopy of a mature Redbud tree, or at least it was until a few weeks ago when I had the tree chopped down because it died. I salt the sidewalk when it gets slick in the winter so I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it can tolerate a “certain amount” of road salt, but can’t even guess how much that “certain amount” might be.

I don’t know a lot about propagating American Senna - just what I’ve read on the google machine. One thing that I picked up while researching it is the seed must be cold stratified in order to germinate. I collected some seed a week or so ago and put it in a ziplock bag with a damp paper towel and tossed it in the barn fridge. I’ll transfer the seed to starter cells in the spring.

I expect the seed could be tossed on the ground now to overwinter, and then see what Mother Nature does with it come spring. I’m hoping to get a few more going and transplant them to fringe spaces around our yard later on.


716 posted on 10/28/2025 12:35:20 PM PDT by Augie
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To: Qiviut

I fell asleep on the couch watching that game last night. Woke up around 1 to watch hubby still going strong. That’s when we officially went upstairs to go to sleep, but it took another half hour or so to actually fall asleep (again) for me.

We are in peak fall colors right now. A bit chilly and damp outside. I’ve just noticed the juncos are back for the season!


717 posted on 10/28/2025 12:35:27 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: Augie

Thanks. I avoid google, tho....but I am beginning to cave what with AI and its all encompassing info collection.


718 posted on 10/28/2025 12:51:24 PM PDT by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
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To: Qiviut

Beau stayed up until the bitter end; he’s glad he didn’t miss it.

He gave me the whole inning-by-inning details over Brunch-fast; he slept in a little. ;)


719 posted on 10/28/2025 3:32:54 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: Augie

I agree! I like some heat, but I like FLAVOR more when it comes to hot sauce. As a neophyte, I pretty much rely on ‘Frank’s Hot Sauce’ to get the job done.

I have a BIL who actually carries some super-hot blend of powdered chilies that he puts on WHATEVER you serve him.

Kind of annoying, actually. ;)


720 posted on 10/28/2025 3:36:05 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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