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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 wonโ€™t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isnโ€™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: Diana in Wisconsin

Very nice image! I hope that star isn’t going supernova, though...


481 posted on 12/25/2025 11:31:26 AM PST 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: Diana in Wisconsin

,,, Happy Christmas and all the best for 2026 to everyone, from downunder!


482 posted on 12/25/2025 2:31:22 PM PST by shaggy eel (A long way south of the border.)
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To: MomwithHope

I’m in the southern end of The Frozen Tundra, southern Wisconsin. Not too frozen lately, it was 40 today.
Having indoor blooming plants helps get me through to spring.
I have a lot of amaryllis, saved some bulbs from last year, bought a few new ones from Amaryllis.com.
Should be a good show starting in a few days.
๐Ÿ˜€


483 posted on 12/25/2025 5:05:02 PM PST by TheConservativeParty
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To: shaggy eel

Merry Christmas!
๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ„


484 posted on 12/25/2025 5:05:50 PM PST by TheConservativeParty
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To: TheConservativeParty

Nice, many of mine are pretty old. Such big beautiful flowers and so easy to take care of. I don’t like seeing these newer ones coated in wax. Yuk.


485 posted on 12/26/2025 2:54:02 AM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Qiviut

You’re lucky to have found that - hence the reason I’m still looking!


486 posted on 12/26/2025 7:10:40 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: MomwithHope

Mine is going gangbusters, as are the Paperwhites - you know about Miss Peach’s disaster, but she’s faring well, considering her ‘fall’ from grace, LOL!

I THOUGHT I had bought the ‘Red Lion’ but this Amaryllis is NOT a Red Lion - it’s the striped one. Still pretty, lots of blooms, but not the Red Lion that I love to have every year.

I guess some Elf at the North Pole decided it was time for me to mix it up a little!

I will have an article for Saturday’s ping about a related plant called, ‘Clivia.’ I would love to grow those again.


487 posted on 12/26/2025 7:19:08 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: TheConservativeParty

I am grateful for this break in the weather, too! We’ll get socked again, but it’s always nice to have a break, especially when we need to travel.

I bought a HUGE creamy-white ‘Point’ from Cushman’s in Belmont when we were on our way back from a trip to Platteville. It’s holding up well and is HUGE and under $30, so score!

They used to grow the Points for us at Jung’s and they were always lovely and sold themselves. The owner finally brought in a young man to take over for him and he seems to be doing a fine job. I like stopping out there at least once or twice a season - they grow great stuff!


488 posted on 12/26/2025 7:26:22 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

Sounds like a Minerva. I have 8 different ones and two duplicates, so 10 total. I owe you a Freepmail it will have to be next week sometime. I dug out the living and blooming Baby Peaches because the white ones took over only had two plants with roots that I could find. They are in a separate new clay pot. But they will be enough I think it is just too cold to ship anything living.


489 posted on 12/26/2025 7:27:20 AM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Yeah, that ‘wax thing’ is ridiculous, but I’ll bet for a VERY Novice Gardener, it’s a god-send.

Also, when people can’t keep their bulbs from year to year, you can always sell them another one the following year. ;)

Marketing 101...which also drives me mad at times, LOL!


490 posted on 12/26/2025 7:30:35 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: MomwithHope

Gotcha! :)


491 posted on 12/26/2025 7:32:41 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

True but the wax ones I’ve seen are all small bulbs. Might not even get one bloom.


492 posted on 12/26/2025 9:53:38 AM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: All

NO BAKE CHEESECAKE

ING--CRUST: Mix 1 1/4 c fave cookie crumbs 3 tbsp sugar 1/3 c butter, melted.
Press on bottom/sides of 9" pie pan.

FILLING: 2-8 oz pkg cream cheese 1/2 c sugar 1 1/2 c Cool Whip.
Method--Mix cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip;
mix smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Vary by adding chocolate chips to batter. Or top w/ fave fruit pie filling.

493 posted on 12/26/2025 12:18:33 PM PST by Liz (Jonathan Swift: Government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.)
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To: Liz

I would top with the tiniest dollop of blueberry preserves. Maybe 1 tablespoon. Less is more.


494 posted on 12/26/2025 1:59:36 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Sounds good.


495 posted on 12/26/2025 3:06:04 PM PST by Liz (Jonathan Swift: Government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
One cat shelter completed & delivered. He peeked inside briefly, so maybe he'll use it. He was trying his best to get into the house, but when that doesn't happen (and it won't), he'll either use the shelter or be very cold - his choice. At least I don't have to worry about my cousin falling down the stairs at 3 in the morning.


496 posted on 12/26/2025 3:18:07 PM PST by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: โ€œ...the body they may kill. Godโ€™s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Qiviut

When we were “hosting” feral cats on our screen porch in 2011, we made a shelter for the four cats. They wouldn’t use it. Then we read that cats avoid spaces with only one way in/out. The don’t like to feel trapped.

So we added another hole in the wall opposite the wall of the existing hole. The hole was not opposite the current one but staggered at the other end. They loved it.

Ours was a dog house that we bought at the farmers co-op. We made the doors smaller — cat size.

Eventually, we brought them inside, and two remain.


497 posted on 12/26/2025 3:27:49 PM PST by MayflowerMadam ( "Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away". - B. Franklin)
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To: MayflowerMadam

A lot of houses you can buy have that 2nd escape door. Many of the feral cat shelters made out of bins only have one. This cooler isn’t big enough for 2 holes. If he absolutely refuses to use it, we’ll have to try something bigger for a 2nd hole. The Igloo is located up on a front porch so it’s a sheltered spot & no problems with animals coming up on the porch to get his food so maybe the one hole will work - fingers crossed.


498 posted on 12/26/2025 3:57:56 PM PST by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: โ€œ...the body they may kill. Godโ€™s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Qiviut

I hope it works well for you! Gotta help God’s critters.


499 posted on 12/26/2025 4:46:48 PM PST by MayflowerMadam ( "Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away". - B. Franklin)
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To: Qiviut

Looks first class!


500 posted on 12/26/2025 5:31:04 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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