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The Garden Thread - February, 2026
February 1, 2026 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 01/31/2026 6:26:44 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.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: cooking; food; garden; gardening; hobbies; recipes
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To: FRiends
'Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow cycles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of Grace.'
~ May Sarton

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/may-sarton

441 posted on 02/21/2026 8:59:43 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; Diana in Wisconsin; All
Here are pictures of the shop after 3 days of trying to straighten it out .... more to do, but I can find the tools I need for projects & that is the most important thing for now :-)

The heavy duty shelves I worked on for 1/2 day plus.

The long view from the front door to the back, about 32'.

The corner with items hung up out of the way - why did I not think of this before?

Pegboard & drawers. Chainsaw ready for a cleanup on the white table. "Army" table is the brown wood one with the metal drawers sitting on it.

Counter workspace with a view! Storage behind curtains. Dahlia pics for inspiration :-)

442 posted on 02/21/2026 10:16:43 AM PST by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Qiviut

JEALOUS! I need my own shed!


443 posted on 02/21/2026 11:25:27 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: Albion Wilde

Broken link! Please try again! :)


444 posted on 02/21/2026 11:26:06 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

I need Two Sheds.


445 posted on 02/21/2026 11:27:41 AM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Broken link! Please try again! :)

Sorry it didn't transmit to you, Diana in Wisconsin. It is still showing on my homepage; so for any whose platforms already showed this pic, sorry for the duplicate, and for others, it's about the name of the plant:


446 posted on 02/21/2026 11:48:13 AM PST by Albion Wilde (Yesterday only comes one time. —Sorrells Pickard)
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To: Qiviut
Qiviut! That is really very nice! Impressed! You have a Calender Picture view of the mountains (Even with the red barn? Garage? in the way!)

The counter....seems like a good indoor space for potluck food for a mostly outdoor family or Church picnic or get together!

447 posted on 02/21/2026 1:15:04 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission
https://www.almanac.com FROST DATES! Enter zip code at link.

Almanac First and last frost dates

They also have garden plot and planting guides and Moon Phase calendars.

448 posted on 02/21/2026 1:21:18 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Bon of Babble; Liz; Diana in Wisconsin
Bon...Sometimes I have a hard time seeing them they are so fast! They have not come back here yet, they are still vacationing in a warm place, probably in your neighborhood and up in her Canyon!

Any progress on your Catio?

449 posted on 02/21/2026 1:45:06 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Qiviut

Very impressive! You have a talent for using space well.


450 posted on 02/21/2026 2:46:50 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

It’s the side of the barn; however, standing directly in front of the windows, the barn is a side view & mountains are straight ahead.

The barn side view will get better - I moved 4 metal raised beds against the side last year & they will be planted in flowers this year.


451 posted on 02/21/2026 3:01:52 PM PST by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Hohoho!


452 posted on 02/21/2026 3:25:22 PM PST by Silentgypsy (In my defense, I was left unsupervised..)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; Liz; metmom; Bon of Babble; All
On the subject of Sugar Solutions, these are for People Not Hummingbirds!

Simple syrup for Cocktails

Mixed drink base used by bartenders!

Making British Golden Syrup

Yes, I made some! Very Good! You can drizzle golden syrup on:


pancakes
waffles
french toast
scones
ice cream
fruit salad
Greek yogurt
fruit pavlova

Anzac Biscuits (A traditional Australian and New Zealand sweet biscuit made with rolled oats, coconut, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, and baking soda. They originated during World War I, created by women at home to send to soldiers in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) due to their long shelf life and ability to withstand travel. ) Anzac Biscuits Golden Oatmeal cookies

Treacle Tart! (3min 30 seconds)

Boston Girl Bakes Treacle Tart

OK..(What is that....my daughter's board game? Candyland??) Sugar slide over!

453 posted on 02/21/2026 4:19:39 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

I’m just going to throw this out there. Maybe focus March’s thread on Victory Gardens. Promoting them, pictures, links for people, maybe a March thread title dedicated to them. I think it would be a great year (250) and the fact we are yearning for clean food that we could all contribute to a great resource thread for newbies. Even historical reminders of why we had them. I have to believe a lot of people would like to do this but don’t know where to start.


454 posted on 02/21/2026 4:23:15 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Qiviut
When my family moved out to a farm house in the country there was a red barn next to the house, so I like the red barn!

(It just needs to move a little to the left for a better view. :)

455 posted on 02/21/2026 4:34:15 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Thanks for the recipes!!!


456 posted on 02/21/2026 11:03:37 PM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Yes, my sister in Colorado says same about hummers - they have all left for warmer climes, most likely mine.

I have Rufous, Anna’s and Ruby Throated hummingbirds in the yard.

Poor kitty still has FIV but her numbers have improved. She’s currently at my son’s home - and indoors only. At the moment, he is afraid to move her back to my home b/c she has little to no immune system. I’m hoping for a visit...

I’d get another cat but I have a lot of travel plans this year to visit relatives all over the country, I do this every other year - so maybe next year. I miss having a cat - the mice are getting brave again.


457 posted on 02/22/2026 6:39:18 AM PST by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: Albion Wilde

Toooo cute!


458 posted on 02/22/2026 9:56:38 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Qiviut

That’s a great job you did! I need to work on cleaning out our shed and making it functional and organized again. Sometimes when winter comes before I’m ready, I just open the door and chuck things in there willy nilly. It’s a bad habit I have when I’m rushed.


459 posted on 02/22/2026 9:59:11 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Thanks. Mine says April 29. That would be a good week or so start before the old rule of thumb, Mother’s Day, which is on May 10th this year.


460 posted on 02/22/2026 10:03:21 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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