The Garden Thread - January, 2026

January 1, 2026 | 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.

[Augie]

At least there won’t be any freezing rain mixed in or right before the snow.

I hope that turns out to be the case. The weather guessers can't seem to make up their minds what they think is going to happen this weekend.

Congrats on the new wheels. It's nice when you don't have to worry if a trip home from town is going to be on foot.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It starts tonight, Kids! Frigid weather from Friday night through Sunday - then only back into the teens with a HIGH on Friday of SEVEN BELOW! Yikes!

In preparation, Beau is making a feed and bedding run today and stopping to grab milk and butter. A fan is going into the crawl space under the kitchen and I will leave the cupboard door open under the kitchen sink to prevent any frozen pipes. All faucets will be allowed to drip a little for the next few days which will THRILL the cats, as they love to play with a dripping faucet...and they have Cabin Fever bad enough as it is, already!

All plans cancelled as we hunker down for the rest of the week - and probably into next week as well.

Uncle! I say, UNCLE! Don’t remember temps this frigid since 2004 when we hit -22 one weekend night. Life in general totally shut down...including my garden center.

https://www.channel3000.com/weather/?mode=week-1443070&weather_zip=53533#/rounds/1/gallery

[dakine]

“Cold front expected to linger into the weekend with cloudy skies and scattered showers.”

Upper 70s this weekend. Cold.

[FamiliarFace]

Do you ever freeze portions of it? With that cream I’m wondering if it’s a good idea or not.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’ve never frozen it. We manage to eat it up within a week. We never get tired of it! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Well, it IS winter - even in Hawaii! Do you have a spare bedroom? Any plans for adopting someone from The Frozen Tundra? LOL!

[FamiliarFace]

Very good! Thank you!

[Qiviut]

Major storm this weekend & our ‘choices’ from Mother Nature, who decides, seem to be 20+ inches of snow or 2” of freezing rain/ice. If I had a vote, it would be for snow.

Grocery shopping accomplished this morning. The external water faucets have been wrapped with insulation - previously just had insulated faucet covers on them. Extra insulation stuffed in covers, too.

Bought a tarp for the car - will leave it covered, near the end of the driveway, close enough I can dig it out. We are on a main country road thoroughfare into town so the road is kept open. Likewise, we are on a main power line so hopefully any outages will be of short duration.

Tomorrow, fill some 5 gallon water buckets so we can flush toilets if we have no power (we’re on a well & pump system). Also, fill containers with drinking water. We do have a gas cooktop so we can heat water & cook.

I found my knee-high neoprene boots, I have a very heavy, rugged winter coat & I have rounded up shovels, ice scrapers, etc. so it may take a while, but I should be able to dig us out (car, path to shop & house doors, etc.). Frigid temps all week & another storm likely next weekend so Winter ‘fun’ is going to be with us for at least 2 weeks.

There should be a ‘dry slot’ developing during the storm & it looks like we might be in it - less snow/ice if that happens. I am 🙏ing.

[Liz]

BERNAISE SAUCE
Elegant French sauce w/ near-consistency of mayo. Serve
hot or cold over fish, broiled steak, roasted lamb, pork chops.

Ing-- 2 tbl chp shallots 3 tbl best organic cider vinegar or fresh-squeezed l/juice
3 egg yolks 1/4 tsp ea sea salt, pepper 1/2 c butter 1 tbl minced fresh Italian parsley.

Method--Simmer combined shallots/vinegar over hot water on very low heat, stirring til vinegar is nearly all absorbed. Stir in 3 egg yolks, 1/4 tsp ea sea salt/fresh-ground bl/pepper, tbl butter. Keep cooking over hot water adding rest butter gradually in small pieces, until 1/2 c butter has been used. Stir in parsley last. Serve hot or cold.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

The wind was crazy-wicked today, but it was sunny all day. Going to stay clear as we go into the Deep Freeze.

I shoveled twice today just from blowing snow - luckily it’s been light and fluffy, but the drifted stuff needed some ‘chopping’ to move some of it.

9 degrees now; they’re predicting negative teens, tonight. Ugh. Going to go take a hot shower, do some laundry and then finish supper prep. Beau went to a wake in this weather - the guy was our Cow Town Councilman, so it’s going to be packed.

I’m certain no burial until Spring! It was February the year my BFF Cathy died. She was Catholic, so no cremation. We had to ‘keep her on ice’ until Spring. If she knew, she’d have been so p*ssed, LOL! I ‘talked’ to her all through the service. She would’ve HATED her casket - it was silver and looked like a beer can. And you KNOW there weren’t nearly enough flowers, either! She was a pistol. I miss her dearly.

[MomwithHope]

Stay warm everyone. We are hunkered down and may even miss Saturday night Mass and the orchid show in Grand Rapids on Sunday. Will out of town growers even show up for this in this cold?

[Pollard]

She ain't pretty but very little rust for the age and runs and drives good. High firm brake pedal. Guy had bought it for his son's first vehicle so I think he had it gone through.

At least it doesn't have electrical/charging issues that prevent me from running the blower motor for heat like the little car. That would suck right now.

I put 8 concrete blocks across the back of the bed and loaded it up with firewood from there forward. Firewood is slanted up to the tool box across front of bed. I'll put the new tarp over it tomorrow and weigh/hold it down with chains. Most of the wood ought to stay dry.

8 blocks are about 300 lbs and well behind the axle, plus the wood. Back end of truck with no load sits pretty high. Closer to 4" above the front than the standard 2" on a 2wd. It's about level now. Only 5 leafs but pretty thick ones. Took it to the store thinking I might pull some weight out when I got back but ended up forgetting there was a load back there. Didn't notice squishy or sway etc.

NWS changed their forecast again. Now we're getting a bunch of snow. They've gone from 3" to 6" to now over 8".

I've got 25 hours of PTO. Might be taking some. Will see how she goes in the snow Saturday morning. New tires will be on the way as of morning, along with an upgrade for the Harbor Freight manual tire changer. Bubble Balancer soon after.

[dakine]

Plenty of room... Four-bedroom house... Bring your beef cow 🐄

[Qiviut]

Today was beautiful - sunny & in the 50’s. Tomorrow won’t be as warm, but still fairly ‘mild’ considering what the temps have been & will be during/after the storm.

I did get the spigots extra-insulated so feeling good about that. The local weather meteorologists are calling for 8-14 inches of dry, fluffy snow with maybe some sleet towards the end of the storm. Of note, they’re commenting that there should not be much wind, so power outages should be infrequent (yay!). All the major roads, even some not so major, have chemical de-icer on them already. The road crews have been busy!

I think I’m going to the cemetery tomorrow to pick up the Christmas wreaths - I want to save the wire frames. We were supposed to provide the flower arrangement for the church altar this coming Sunday, but after talking to the Pastor, we’re not ordering any .... church is going to be closed.

Yesterday & today were trips to Big Town to get mom new hearing aids. Her old ones were about 5 years old & she was virtually lip reading which was frustrating for her and for me. She’s got her new ones on tonight & she’s definitely hearing better. We’re pleased with the folks where she got her new pair - extremely nice, great customer service and after care.

On the way home from Big Town, there was a road along the river I wanted to check out. It was almost dark last night, but I could see enough that it was a beautiful drive. I took that road again coming home this afternoon during daylight hours and it’s very scenic. Lots of nice houses and farms along that road. I’ve got the roads around town figured out, but now doing more exploring in the countryside, which I enjoy .... got the ‘exploring’ bug from my dad. :-)

[Paul R.]

Paducah NWS, and us, too, are forecast for almost 12” now. Ice to the south, but hopefully it won’t shift any more (north).

[Paul R.]

Yeesh. We are back “down” to 11” of snow coming, but with lots of sleet, now... Thankfully, any freezing rain still looks minimal, and on top of snow/sleet, not under it.

Temps get too cold for salt to do much...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Be careful what you ask for! ‘Stew’ and I can share a room. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Do you remember a few years back when we had a HEAT WAVE with temps in the 90’s in April & May and the Holland (MI) Tulip Festival was totally ruined? My spring bulbs were destroyed as well - no matter how much water I got to them. I went to that festival as a kid with my Grandma who was a Crazy Flower Lady. It was magical! :)

But, Nature Always Wins.

-10 when Dolly wanted out at 1:30am. -18 when we got up again at 7am. Temp is UP to -16 right now! Brrrrr!

I’m looking for my Chewy order - which is most likely delayed due to the weather. I usually try NOT to order much of anything in the winter months as it’s a PITA for delivery people to get to us due to cold and/or snow. A lot of times they leave it by the mailbox - then it gets covered up by the snow plow - or leave it with my neighbor, so I’ll check with her this morning.

Bird feeders are packed and there are FIVE squirrels here this morning, getting in on the action. I won’t deny any critters any comfort today. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I’ve got the roads around town figured out, but now doing more exploring in the countryside...”

After living here for nearly 10 years, I can find my way around fairly well. Our standard joke is that Beau can no longer just LEAVE ME somewhere in the countryside to get rid of me because I CAN find my way home, now. ;)

I STILL get a little lost in our woods at times - about 40 acres and every tree looks like the next one - but I’m getting better at that, too! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Ice is the WORST. Hoping that it misses you completely.

I use a mix of salt and sand on our walkway - works pretty good, no matter with Mother Nature throws at us!