The Garden Thread - December, 2025

December 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.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Beau and I were talking about drones at lunch, yesterday - and researching that new dog breed at the same time.

I guess a good drone goes for about $8K right now. I’m surprised they’re not a standard issue at our state parks (heat seeking ones) to find lost people in the woods! Maybe they are? I dunno. Just thought I had another Million Dollar Idea there, LOL!

[FamiliarFace]

That looks yummy! Thx!

[Qiviut]

Would you believe we have ferns hanging on our porch today? I put them in the garage when the weather started getting too cold for them. We’ve kept them watered & they evidently get enough light. Mom cleaned up some dead leaves about 2 weeks ago so the foliage isn’t as lush, but unless you saw them before, you wouldn’t notice. It’s supposed to get to 57 today & it’s not windy, so we put them out on the porch - so pretty!

[Liz]

That looks yummy! Thx!

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So easy......can also add hearty sausage to the potato soup.

Or throw in a can of corn kernels to make a chowder.

[Augie]

The dog is being trained to find injured deer in the field

I got a call from neighbor Jered on the last morning of rifle season here. He shot a doe that ran onto my side of the fence before she folded. He relayed that he was training a hound for that exact purpose and wanted permission to let the dog track on my property.

Of course I said that was ok. Couple hours later he called to let me know that his dog took him straight to the deer and that he had gotten her to his side and loaded on the SxS.

A well-trained dog is good for a lot more than keeping us humans company and eating our shoes.

[Liz]

STUFFED EGGPLANT

Ing 2 med eggplants Flour for dredging 2 eggs, beaten Olive oil 1/2 lb sliced Mozzarella 1 lb ricotta w/ tbl minced parsley added 2 c Mamma's Marinara Sauce garnishes chopped parsley, Grated cheese.

Method stem, peel, and slice eggplant lengthwise. Dredge in flour, then into beaten egg; fry until golden brown. Drain. Place Mozzarella slice in middle of each eggplant slice; add scoop of seasoned ricotta; Roll up; place rolls, seam side down in greased shallow b/pan. Top w/ a bit Marinara Sauce. Bake 350 deg 15-30 min. Serve garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese, pasta on side, VARIATION: Mix in pkg chopped spinach.

MARINARA SAUCE: 6 c imported Italian plum tomatoes, hand-crushed 3/4 c salad oil 1/3 c thinly sliced garlic 10 snipped fresh basil leaves or tbl dried 1 tbl chopped fresh parsley S/p. Heat oil and add garlic. Add rest ing; simmer/stir 30 min. Yields about 5 c sauce.

[Liz]

Seared Pork Chops in Mustard Cream Sauce

MUSTARD CREAM SAUCE

Ing 3/4 c. dry white wine tbl minced shallot 1 c h/cream 3 tbl Dijon Salt/white pepper to taste

In a small heavy saucepan boil/reduce wine/shallot to about 2 tablespoons. Add cream. Bring just to a boil and simmer 2 min til thickened slightly. Strain thru fine sieve into a bowl and whisk in mustard, white pepper, and salt to taste. Serve over pork chops seared done over high heat.Add parsley garnish.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

We’ve had that happen here, too. We have FOUR Farm Families and all of our land butts up against one another at some point in the mix.

During deer season everyone is VERY GOOD about NOT shooting over the fence lines...usually because there is cattle or horses out there, too! ;)

I am looking into how I can ‘donate’ a ‘Hound That Won’t Hunt’ to an organization that trains therapy or guide dogs. I told Beau that if my darling ‘Blackfoot’ doesn’t find her footing (LOL!) I want to donate her to an organization that can use her. She is so sweet - but so far not interested in raccoon and RUNS from a bear. (She’s a Walker Dog).

She’ll be getting her turn on Bobcat and Coyote this winter, so we shall see.

She’s one of three I fed every 2 hours for 3 days while Mamas Taylor was in for a delivery c-section. We’re totally bonded. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

That looks good. What can I substitute for Eggplant? Zucchini, maybe?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

How lovely!

-15 wind chill when I get up in the morning. The wind is HOWLING out there. Beau was nice enough to take down my wind chimes before they ding up the house. Mick will be here for Christmas Eve and if there is any ‘ding’ in the paint job he worked on for 3 years, I’ll be in BIG TROUBLE, LOL!

I also have to make sure all of the flooring he installed for us in the Family Room, Kitchen, Pantry and upstairs bath is scrubbed to perfection before he arrives.

Merry Christmas to ME!

My $10 Walmart hanging fern is long gone - in the compost pile to be resurrected as yummy DIRT for growing something else next spring. ;)

[Liz]

What can I substitute for Eggplant? Zucchini?

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Very definitely a winner w/ zucchini.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Got a whole freezer full of chops from our recent hog purchase. How YUMMY is that cream sauce? Very! :)

Would also be delish on the Pork Steaks that are in there, too. I could see adding some fresh Rosemary (I have some rooting, plus a live plant) in lieu of the Parsley* garnish.

*I have never been a Parsley Fan as far as herbs go. Not sure why. I do grow it for the Monarchs, though, THEY seem to like it, LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Zucchini - Oh, Goodie!

I have noodles, homemade canned sauce and a tub of Ricotta and fresh Mozz and Parm cheeses on hand. I feel a Lasagna ‘coming on’ this weekend! :)

[Liz]

YUMMY mustard cream sauce would also be delish on Pork Steaks, maybe add
fresh Rosemary (have some rooting), in lieu of Parsley* garnish.....not a Parsley Fan.

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Go for it.

[Liz]

Not to worry......a tweakable recipe to be sure.

[MomwithHope]

.

[Qiviut]

Exercising my “ask the audience lifeline” here .... :-)

I made Nagi’s Red, Green & White Christmas Salad for yesterday’s luncheon. I love the blanched vegetables part & the dried cranberries & feta were good. I was not wowed by the dressing: olive oil, Dijon, lemon juice, honey. Any suggestions for a tastier substitute that would still get along with the dried cranberries & feta?

https://www.recipetineats.com/red-green-white-christmas-salad/

[Liz]

Depending on your taste buds.....
add either apple cider vinegar for tang
or a sprinkle of Splenda for sweetness.

[MomwithHope]

I’d be trying a basil vinagrette maybe with some garlic.

[Liz]

OK by me.