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

Posted on 12/01/2025 5:54:31 AM PST 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; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Qiviut

I just finished the Glazed Carrots. They baked in the allotted time, BUT I did halve the recipe for just the two of us.

Delish! Thanks! They are going back into the oven to warm through when the Pork is almost done. Side rice dish is in the micro.


221 posted on 12/12/2025 2:58:41 PM PST 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

Re: house plant check-ups
I found 2 fat green worms in my geraniums.
🐛🐛
I knew something was munching holes in the leaves.
These little guys were the exact color of the geraniums,
hard to find them.


222 posted on 12/12/2025 3:01:17 PM PST by TheConservativeParty
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To: TheConservativeParty

Thank you for supporting me in my Retirement, LOL! Dick Zondag finally retired, and two of his sons are running the company, now.

Eldest Son is just a super nice young man - very conscientious and knows the importance of this company, cares about the employees and appreciates the HISTORY.

Middle Son and his wife run the website from their home in SC and the youngest brother and a sister aren’t involved in the company as far as I know.

I met the sister, once. She is a total plant freak, but has no desire to be ‘in the biz.’

If you ever see the Jung’s Family/Employee Cookbook at the store, pick up a copy. It’s really good! Lots of family history included, too. I own one and have gifted it many times. I think they still sell it on their website.

And that’s all the gossip I know. For now. ;)


223 posted on 12/12/2025 3:16:41 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: TheConservativeParty

Re: Green worms on Geraniums:

“Nuke the entire site from orbit-—it’s the only way to be sure.” ~ Ripley (Aliens) ;)


224 posted on 12/12/2025 3:28:34 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Qiviut

Looks like a keeper of a recipe! Thx for sharing it, and your tip about roasting ahead of time.


225 posted on 12/13/2025 5:53:04 AM PST 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: 4everontheRight; Augie; Apple Pan Dowdy; Aevery_Freeman; ApplegateRanch; ArtDodger; AloneInMass; ...
*Chilly Morning Saturday Ping*

ZERO at my house (SW WI) this morning! -9 predicted for tonight, then a warm up. It's a whopping 10 degrees in the Greenhouse - so there's that! :)

226 posted on 12/13/2025 6:37:59 AM PST 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

Cold here in New England, but not as bad as WI!


227 posted on 12/13/2025 6:45:36 AM PST 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

It was so cold in my house i had to go outside to warm up.


228 posted on 12/13/2025 7:06:13 AM PST by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Millions brace for 'mother lode' of cold air, but a change is in sight for central, eastern US

Same here on the other side of Lake Michigan, this would be the 2nd deep freeze below zero this year way before Christmas, don't recall this happening before.  Suspect there are going to be icebergs into June again.  The good news is the perennials do rather well in the spring and especially raised beds as they typically hold water in northern climates so there's that.


229 posted on 12/13/2025 7:11:17 AM PST by quantim (Victory is not relative, it is absolute.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

15 degrees here in west Michigan. Stinkin’ cold! Just saw a blurb that LaNina is here for the winter I guess that means a lot of snow.


230 posted on 12/13/2025 7:48:48 AM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

A savory version of sweet potato casserole - I will be trying this out soon*, will probably be the version I make for next Thanksgiving. The recipe I made this year was loaded with sugar & I prefer to cut back on sugar when & where possible.

Browned Butter Savoury Sweet Potato Casserole
https://www.recipetineats.com/browned-butter-savoury-sweet-potato-casserole/

Per Nagi:
“A magnificant savoury sweet potato casserole made with creamy mashed sweet potato with swirls of browned butter, topped with a crunchy parmesan panko breadcrumb topping sprinkled with sage and crumbled bacon. Unapologetically indulgent!”

*Mom wants me to have cinnamon apples as a side when my cousin comes for lunch. That would be 2 ‘sweet’ sides: Glazed Carrots & the apples. I am considering doing this casserole instead of the carrots.


231 posted on 12/13/2025 8:36:52 AM PST by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: MomwithHope; Diana in Wisconsin; Qiviut; All

I’m home from my trip to Oregon! I got in last night just before the snow hit. We had few provisions, so made a grocery run that should last for a week at least. It’s about 20 now with wind chill of 8. Tonight it will get to -5 and goodness knows what wind chill with that.

It was very lovely weather out in Oregon. Daughter is in Bend, which is just east of the Cascades, so they don’t get the full brunt of the weather. It was warmer there the entire time than it was at my house in Indiana. I’m going to miss seeing my precious granddaughter in person! Next time she will likely be 6-7 months old.

I got in so late last night, and was out “early” (for still being in Pacific time), that I haven’t had much time to examine how my plants are doing. A quick glance showed that my Grandma’s/Mom’s gloriosa Lily is still pretty happy. Doesn’t look like it wants to fade yet. My African violet has beautiful white blossoms laced with purple edges! Best of all, my Christmas cactus emerged from the closet with many beautiful red blooms! This is the one that I thought I was going to have to trash, but it sprung back to life in the throwaway pile late last spring.

It still looks like Thanksgiving at my house. Hubby didn’t change out the Fall wreath for the Christmas one as I had asked. He might get a lump of coal for not following through on that! I am way behind on Christmas decorations, but will start the process today. Crèche scene will be first as soon as I change the front door wreath.

My very full grocery cart only cost $200 today, which is almost half of what it used to be under Joe Burden. Merry Christmas from President Trump! Starting the season off on the right foot!

As much as I loved my visit with my daughter, SIL, and new granddaughter, I am ecstatic to be home again! There’s a lot to be done, and time’s a wastin’!


232 posted on 12/13/2025 9:29:39 AM PST 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: Diana in Wisconsin

Good news here. Banana tree is bearing fruit. Just planted 2+ years ago.


233 posted on 12/13/2025 9:37:23 AM PST by dakine
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To: FamiliarFace

Home Sweet Home ! :-)


234 posted on 12/13/2025 10:11:43 AM PST by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Been out cleaning up a foot of global warming. I’t been 25 to 35 below zero for a few days and it warmed up (zero) for one day yesterday to do this. It is supposed to go back to 30 to 40 below for several days starting tonight.

Gonna log some couch time!

Hope you folks are all getting better wx than us.


235 posted on 12/13/2025 12:07:38 PM PST by FrozenAssets (You don't have to be crazy to live here, but it helps)
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To: FrozenAssets

I honestly don’t know how you live there. Where I live it maybe gets -15 at worst, and usually for no more than a week. I cannot even fathom 30-40 below.

Also, is it light very long over there? I was just out in Oregon, and it was DARK by 4:30. Sun up around 7:30. The days just felt very short to me. How is it for you?


236 posted on 12/13/2025 12:53:57 PM PST 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: Diana in Wisconsin

My sympathies! Here in OK, it got up to the high 40s / low 50s, but we’re supposed to be getting a “cold blast” overnight, with wind chills in the single digits. I guess “wind chill” sounds more fashionably scary for TV.

I’d recommend spending some quality time in the greenhouse! Heh. :-)


237 posted on 12/13/2025 2:39:14 PM PST by AFB-XYZ (( We have two options: 1. Stand up, or 2. Bend over))
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To: dakine

Ooo! Lucky you! Do you have Avocados, too? I loved the Farmer’s Markets they had in HI - freshest stuff possible - usually right from someone’s back yard, LOL!


238 posted on 12/13/2025 2:57:14 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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