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.

[shaggy eel]

,,, here's a great way to add value to feijoas Diana -

https://www.whiskyshop.co.nz/92779/42+Below+Feijoa+Vodka+%281x700ml%29

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Familiar Face Interesting! I keep reading all these humorous comments about everyone being bored and learning to makebread and perfect a sourdough tension roll while in lockdown!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Shaggy! Glad you stumbled onto the thread! (Diana does not often have Kiwi visiters let alone cryptids!)

Its 10:45 and a balmy 35F here and I am off to bed! Glad to hear from you again! A lot of excited people looking forward to the World Cup here in K.C. Big sport in local HS and a lot of youth leagues. ( I suspect you knew that!)

Good night and merry Christmas in advance!

[shaggy eel]

,,, Pete! How's it all going? Is Tanners Bar & Grill still pouring good size mugs of beer? All's well here. Off for a few days to Tokomaru Bay, way up on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's all pick up trucks and boat trailers. Fishing's great there and when you look out to sea from there our nearest neighbour is Chile. My son in law is taking his 270 shooting iron because there's no shortage of deer, although he nails them down this end of the Island regularly.

Have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2026!

22C at 18,23 Sunday.

[FamiliarFace]

Actually, I didn’t try my hand at sourdough. I made Cuban bread for one of the challenges (and amazing Cuban sandwiches followed). Another challenge week I made puff pastry. I believe someone else in the family worked on sourdough, and focaccia. I don’t remember every else’s entries, but food challenges were a fun thing we did to keep in touch and a way to improve our lives and skill sets.

My little sister, however, has been working in her sourdough skills. She is a more avid baker than I am. Her nickname is Mrs. Keebler.

As much as I love bread, especially homemade, I’m always trying to cut those calories out of my meals. It’s so wonderful though, I can’t always resist.

[Bon of Babble]

We had about five inches of rain the past two months, my roses have exploded like never before, we usually get some roses in late fall before we cut them back, but this is unusual. A few irises are coming up too - I hope they're double bloomers and this isn't their flowering for the year:

The yellow roses are Henry Fords - don't know the name of the Irises b/c they are so old.

This vase is full of Perfume Delight - there were so many one of the branches bent and the roses spilled across the yard:

Not a great photo - I took it late in the day two days ago as the sun was going down. I've never seen that rose bush so full of roses. We're about to get five more inches of rain over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - what a great gift!

Thanks for asking - what a great topic! This entire forum (except for here) has gotten very contentious lately.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I used to be quite good with roses, but have seemed to have lost that Magic Touch - other than with the super-hybrids that are more like landscape shrubs and have little to no scent, but lots of blooms.

Beau hates roses because we have Wild Roses here that can take over your pastureland in a hurry if you don’t mow them down on a regular basis. The cows won’t eat them and even the deer leave them alone - and they’ll eat just about anything!

They were planted on purpose decades ago to make a living fence that really did work to keep cattle and sheep from moving around, but they also have spread like wildfire. They are a friend to none and their stems are nothing but tiny thorns that easily stick to anything, and really HURT if you get one in the finger.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Those sound just perfect for your guys. *HEART*

[Diana in Wisconsin]

A-HA! The plot thickens, LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Celebrating the Winter Solstice: A Time to Welcome the Light!

Winter Solstice marks the moment when daylight is at its shortest and the long nights reach their peak, just before the light begins its slow return. In the Northern Hemisphere, it usually falls on December 21, occasionally on December 22. Let’s explore why the Winter Solstice is so special and how to celebrate this quiet, beautiful turning point in the deep of winter.

Subtle Turn

It is the longest night, a gentle threshold between deep winter and the slow return of brightness. There is something ancient and reassuring in this moment — a pause so complete it feels as though the whole world is holding its breath.

For centuries, people have marked this turning point in simple, meaningful ways. Not through spectacle, but through small gestures that honor warmth, home, and the quiet promise of renewal. Even now, in lives filled with movement and light on demand, the solstice invites us to recognize the beauty of darkness and the steady comfort of light returning.

Marking the Solstice

This day asks us to notice what the season is offering. Outside, the landscape rests. Trees hold their bare silhouettes against the sky, the air carries a winter hush, and even familiar places feel touched by a deeper calm. There is a softness in the way the sun rises late and slips away early; a reassurance in the slow arc that hints at brighter days ahead.

Marking the solstice might look like lighting a few candles at dusk and letting the glow fill the room. It might be a slow walk in the cold, listening to the quiet and observing how still the world becomes. It might be gathering a few loved ones for a simple meal — warm soup, bread from the oven, citrus on the table — and savoring the comfort that sharing brings. This is a night for embracing the beauty of dim rooms and lingering evenings.

Moments of Meaning

Sometimes the most meaningful observances are the smallest ones. A slip of paper where you write something you’re ready to leave behind. A word or intention chosen as a companion for the turning of the year. The solstice offers a natural moment to honor what has shaped you and to make gentle space for what you hope will grow.

And then, at the heart of it all, there is the light. Even as the solstice marks the longest night, it also begins the return of the sun by the smallest measure. The shift is ever so slight, yet deeply symbolic. It reminds us that renewal often begins without fanfare, that hope grows quietly, and that change can start as a whisper rather than a leap.

Held by the Season’s Rhythm

As the solstice settles over the landscape, you might find comfort in knowing that you are part of a long, unbroken rhythm — one that has guided generations before and will continue long after. This moment of stillness offers nourishment for the days ahead, a gentle reset, and a reminder that both darkness and light have their place in the cycle.

Final Thoughts

May this solstice bring you a sense of grounding, a spark of warmth, and a soft faith in the light that is already on its way back. May these winter days hold space for rest, renewal, and the quiet beauty that midwinter carries so naturally.

https://www.escapebusy.com/articles/winter-solstice

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Qiviut]

I must say, despite all the ‘frustration’ & my prickled up hands from dealing with the cedar, those two wreaths were worth every single minute of time spent.

A very dear friend of mine died in 2007 & is buried in a veteran’s cemetery about 45 minutes from my old house. The first Christmas after he was buried, I attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony* at the cemetery. I did not get a wreath from them, but made my own for him (a hiker, nature & mountain lover, adventurer, former sailor). I gathered greens from the woods/trees around the house, pine cones, nandina berries, etc. I did this for a couple of years until we had a huge snow storm one year & I would not have been able to find him (section of cemetery where markers were all flat on the ground). At that point, my grief was manageable to the point I didn’t need to go to the cemetery as often and gradually, I stopped going other than when I was in the area (not often). He’s still in my heart and I greatly miss my ‘sailor boy’ and trail companion. That’s how I started making wreaths.

*A group of Vietnam Vets on motorcycles were there. Seeing them walking across the cemetery as a group to lay wreaths on their buddies’ graves still makes me tear up. It was quite the day. The sky was lead gray & at one point in the ceremony, a flock of geese flew over in V formation .... sort of like the military jets ... that symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone there. Very Special.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

10 Simple Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, is a magical time of year that marks the longest night and the return of the Sun. This sacred moment invites us to reflect on the darkness, honor the cycles of nature, and welcome the growing light. You don’t need elaborate rituals to celebrate; even small, meaningful acts can connect you to the spirit of the season. Here are 10 simple ways to honor the Winter Solstice and infuse your day with magick.

1. Light a Candle for the Sun

Symbolize the rebirth of the Sun by lighting a candle on the longest night. Choose a gold or yellow candle to represent the Sun’s warmth and light. As you light it, set an intention for the year ahead and reflect on the hope that light brings.

2. Watch the Sunrise

Wake up early on the morning after the Solstice to watch the first sunrise of the growing light. Take a moment to reflect on the beauty of nature’s cycles and welcome the return of the Sun with gratitude.

3. Create a Yule Altar

Decorate a small altar with seasonal symbols like evergreen branches, holly, pinecones, and candles. Add items that represent your personal intentions for the coming year, such as crystals (citrine, garnet) or small charms.

4. Make a Yule Log

Craft your own Yule log to display on your altar or use as a centerpiece. Decorate a piece of wood with ribbons, herbs like rosemary and cedar, and small candles. If you have a fireplace, burn it to release old energy and welcome the new.

5. Share a Feast

Prepare a simple meal with seasonal ingredients, like roasted root vegetables, spiced cider, or fresh-baked bread. Share it with loved ones or enjoy it in quiet reflection, giving thanks for the abundance in your life.

6. Perform a Gratitude Ritual

Write down three things you’re grateful for and reflect on the blessings of the past year. Burn the paper in a fire-safe dish as a symbolic release, making space for the new blessings to come.

7. Decorate with Nature

Bring the outdoors inside by decorating with evergreens, holly, and mistletoe. These plants symbolize resilience, protection, and the enduring cycles of life. Craft a wreath or hang a sprig of mistletoe for a magickal touch.

8. Meditate or Reflect in Darkness

Spend a few quiet moments in the dark to honor the stillness of the season. Reflect on the lessons of the past year and visualize the light of the Sun returning, bringing growth and renewal into your life.

9. Craft Witch Balls

Create magickal ornaments filled with herbs, crystals, and glitter. Hang them on your tree or in a window to protect your home, attract prosperity, or infuse your space with seasonal energy.

10. Give Back

Yule is a season of generosity and connection. Donate to a charity, volunteer your time, or help someone in need. Sharing your light with others is a powerful way to embody the spirit of the season.

https://sincitywitches.com/10-simple-ways-to-celebrate-the-winter-solstice/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Who would’ve thought that Cactus and Roses would look so gorgeous together? :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Great memories! You’ve inspired me to make a wreath for my Dad. Most of our snow has melted so I can get at all the evergreens I need and can now safely get to his memorial spot on the hill overlooking the pasture.

I’ll need to pick up a grapevine wreath, though. The ones I have are all being used! ;)

[FamiliarFace]

Absolutely beautiful, Bon! Your cheerful roses have brightened my day (though it is sunny, I still welcome flowers)! Thank you for sharing your bounty with us.

And I agree, the garden thread, like gardening itself, it a welcome retreat from the contentious world out there.

[FamiliarFace]

Those wild roses grow here in our woods, and yes, I think they’re a menace, too.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

88 DAYS TO GO!

[MomwithHope]

Thanks for a very nice post. Not a lot of gardening going on so this is nice although the day after the solstice has always been more important to me.