Posted on 01/01/2026 5:52:41 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.
Congrats! Enjoy your anniversary.
I use all A2 milk for my kefir. Kefir is excellent when making pancake batter. Even just added to bisquick which I don’t buy anymore, kefir makes a thick light batter. Truly fluffy.
Thank you. We are lucky that we get to celebrate twice. Not everyone knows the day they met and fell in love. (Our wedding anniversary is in March.)
The-on-the-fly meals are self-preservation LOL! Mom just decides what she wants to do & I have to figure out to ‘execute’!
It is really beautiful how you take care of each other. My mom’s been gone since 2007. I still really miss her. You are blessed to have her but I am sure you know that.
I’ll ditto that! My Mom passed in 2017, though she was on her way 2 years before that. She stopped recognizing me in 2015.
It’s heartwarming that you take such good care of her. You are a living, modern day saint, Qiviut. I truly believe that.
Agreed - a dynamic duo!
I am definitely no ‘saint’! I just feel a strong obligation to take care of my parents in their later years because of the great care & parenting they gave me in my younger years. Dad, of course is gone, but the goal of keeping him home was met. The same for mom - fortunately, her overall health is good ... my goal is that mom will be able to stay here at home where she loves it so much.
There are other motivations like a family pattern of caring for their elderly in homes when possible & my experience being medical power of attorney for a friend for 3 years until she passed. She was in a bad nursing home and I’ll leave it at that.
January Gardening Tips and To-do list by Planting Zone and Region
It’s January.
Hard to fathom another year is beginning, and your garden is anxiously awaiting your attention.
It isn’t too early to get a jump start on the next growing season. There’s usually something to do for your garden at any point in the year. It could be actual hands-on chores or preparing for the next season.
Which is why I’ll be sharing with you what you should be doing to help your garden right now, based on your planting zone and region.
Here’s what you could be doing around your garden this January:
https://morningchores.com/january-gardening-tips/
Zone 5 - Me!
1. Get the Flowers Going
Some spring flowers take a while to start. One example is pansies. I love them, but they take some time and effort.
Therefore, you should begin this month with starting pansies indoors. Give them love and attention, and you should have gorgeous flowers to plant outdoors when the temperatures warm.
2. Get Ready to Start Seeds
January is the time when every gardener gets a little extra pep in their step because we all know it’s almost time to start a bunch of seeds.
Well, use the time you have left to make sure you’re ready. Stock up on any seed-starting mix you may need. Also, make sure you have plenty of fertilizer too.
Diana here: I AM going to get my grow light rack all cleaned up and ready to go. Right now it is holding extra egg cartons, boxes of seeds and suet packages for the birds. Not REALLY it’s intended purpose, LOL! I want to check all the light bulbs to make sure they are all ready to go.
I may try my hands at starting Pansies. I have a friend in IL that grows the best, so she can give me an honest Primer on how to do it successfully.
We did the same for my parents, by allowing them to live their last years at their home, so I know exactly what you mean. My little sister was the closest to mom, so she bore the brunt of the efforts. She also doesn’t like to be called a saint, but I think she is one, too. I cared for Mama one week every month. We all took turns. It was an honor to be able to spend the time the way we got to. No nursing homes. We did have outside caregivers come sometimes. There were two that became like family members. I agree that our parents deserve to have the love and care that they gave us as children. It is only fitting that we return the favor.
We are supposed to get to 60 today, but I’m not sure we’ll make it. Friday & Saturday should be 62 with some rain both days & I will be traveling Saturday, so that day is knocked out as a work day. I want to get the flower & pepper beds cleaned out this week & the dirt shoveled into the last metal bed #4. On the warm rainy days, I need to open the shop doors & let in some warmer air & work on organizing all the stuff I dumped in any available spot after my last trip to the Old House & scavenging the garage
Zone Seven
1. Put the Warm Days to Use
It’s inevitable at some point in January you’ll have a few warm days. Put these days to good use.
During the winter, chickweed and wild onions like to sprout in some of your garden beds. Use the warm days to pull these items out of your garden beds.
2. Start Seeds
Towards the end of January, there are some seeds you should get busy starting indoors. If you enjoy broccoli and cabbage, they can be started inside.
However, you can also grow some lettuce indoors too. This will be a welcomed task considering it’s difficult to have many fresh greens over the winter months.
3. Direct Sow Certain Veggies
Though it’s cold outside, there are some vegetables which are hearty enough to be able to withstand the temperatures.
You can direct sow cabbage seeds and onion seeds outdoors. Be sure to plant them in a cold frame or under row covers for added protection.
4. Prep Strawberries and Asparagus (don’t have :-( )
Do you have established strawberry and asparagus beds in your yard or garden? It’s time to take care of them.
Begin by pulling any weeds in the beds. Finish the job by adding fertilizer to the beds and topping them with a fresh layer of mulch.
One Pot Pork Chop Dinner
Russets, carrots, onions, chops cook stovetop in tomato-based sauce for an easy one pot meal.
Ing 1/2 tsp k/salt 1/4 tsp ea fresh-cracked black pepper, Creole or Cajun seasoning, gar/powder 1/2 tbl cooking oil (veg, canola, or olive) 4-6 bone-in pork chops 3 med peeled russet potatoes in chunks 4 small carrots in inch pieces 1 cup quartered/sliced sweet onion 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or fave dried herbs) 10-3/4 oz can condensed tomato soup 1/2 soup can water 2 tsp Worcest/sauce 1/2 tsp hot sauce
Instructions Sprinkle combined first four ingredients on both sides of chops. Brown chops in heated oil, adding oil if needed; remove and set aside. Add vegs to drippings, sprinkle w/ Italian seasoning; toss to coat. Continue cooking, stirring til lightly browned.
Meanwhile, whisk tomato soup, water, Worcest and hot sauce. Nestle chops back into skillet w/ veggies, pour soup mixture over and btb. Reduce heat to med-low, cover/simmer 40-45 min til chops and veggies are tender and cooked through. Serve piping hot.
Someone once told me - Let others tell you who you are.
There is a lot of wisdom in that. It’s about what we are giving and how the recipient receives it. So the next time someone tells you that you are a saint don’t argue. It’s what we and others see. Are saints perfect? I don’t believe so, as long as they are alive they have something to teach.
❤️
Love that, Mom!
I think I know a few earthly saints! Many are on these Garden threads in particular!
STUFFED ZUCCHINI SHELLS
Simmer 4-5 whole garden zucchini tender in boiling salted water 15 min.Drain; cover with cold water to stop cooking. When cool, halve lengthwise; scoop out centers leaving hollow shell. Mash zucchini pulp w/ potato masher or fork.Add to fave meatball mixture or Meatloaf Mix. Stuff zucchini. Spread w/ pizza-flavored sauce. Sprinkle with Parm, shredded mozzarella 10 min before baking is finished. Bake 350 deg 30 min. Drizzle with olive oil infused with minced garlic, oregano, and basil before serving.
Vary-Stuffing: 1/4 stick butter 1 tbl flour 1/4 c dairy sour cream 1/2 tsp dill s/p zucchini pulp parsley and paprika sprinkle, Melt butter. Blend in flour smoothly; add sour cream. Combine with dill, salt, zucchini pulp, mixing well.Fill shells. Mix to coat tbl melted butter, 1/2 c bread crumbs. Sprinkle buttered bread crumbs atop zucchini. Top with parsley flakes and paprika. Bake.
Those look delicious and green too, not overcooked or baked. I’ve done big ones many times many years ago I should really do a small one.
10 Hygge Practices You Need In Your Life Right Now
Feeling the chill and blues of the season? A dose of the Scandinavian practice of hygge may be in order. But what is it, and how do you pronounce it? We have the answers!
What The Heck is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced “hoo-geh”) is a Danish concept of taking pleasure in everyday things, simplifying life, and creating coziness in the home. It encourages you to savor the good moments and foster meaningful relationships while relaxing and indulging. The word derives from an old Norwegian term, hugga, meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” and while there is no literal translation in English (the closest is “hug”), it’s a mindset that has helped sustain the people of Denmark through long, chilly winters — Danes rank as one of the happiest people on the planet.
The concept has increased in popularity—there are several books that recently came out on the topic, with more reportedly to come. In fact, one of the Oxford Dictionary’s finalists for 2016 Word of the Year was “hygge.”
10 Hygge Rituals To Bring Into Your Life
Lighting
Togetherness
Cozy Furnishings
Comfort
Eat and Drink Well
Unplug
Connect With Nature
Bring Nature Indoors
Make a Fire
Linger
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-is-hygge
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