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

Posted on 05/01/2026 6:24:57 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

The MONTHLY Victory Garden 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 Victory Garden 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: cowgirlcandy; deerproof; food; fritatta; garden; gardening; howard; selfsufficiency; selfsufficient; victory; vidaliaonionsauce; vitaminc; wasps
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thanks!


401 posted on 05/17/2026 12:51:26 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (FBI out of Florida!)
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To: metmom; FamiliarFace

7 days of doxycyclin which will take care of Lymes (too early to test for it) & if she’s working on cellulitis (probably doesn’t have it yet), the doxy will take care of that, too. I took 4 ticks off & it looks like she’s got another spot where one bit her & moved on ... those little ‘seed’ ticks, as we call them, will do that - nasty little buggers. We’ll be outfitting her with better protective clothing & spraying her down with tick spray before I let her out of the house again.


402 posted on 05/17/2026 1:01:00 PM PDT 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

Great news in the long run! Could be a lot worse and I’m glad you’re getting in front of it now!

Time to relax from a crazy day. (Whenever I have to go to an urgent care or ER for whatever reason, I am always glad to go back home and try for normality. We often order dinner out on those days, unless I already had decided on a meal, and am ready to dig in with prep.)


403 posted on 05/17/2026 1:14:21 PM PDT 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: FamiliarFace

I’m “done” for the day .... in the recliner & feet up. I have the PGA Championship on - calming/boring:-) It’s hot & humid today so mowing will wait until tomorrow.


404 posted on 05/17/2026 1:45:37 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Glad to be of help. Every little bit helps. :)

It took me 30 YEARS to finally have my own little farm. And then after 25 years there, I ‘moved on up’ to a bigger farm.

Granted, it helps to have some land to play with, but really, there is a LOT that anyone can do no matter WHERE they currently live, Town or Country. :)


405 posted on 05/17/2026 4:20:52 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Liz

Coconut bread recipe looks good!
I might even have all the ingredients.
😀


406 posted on 05/17/2026 4:22:34 PM PDT by TheConservativeParty ( )
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To: TheConservativeParty

You’ll love it........coconut and lime flavors are outstanding.


407 posted on 05/17/2026 4:28:51 PM PDT by Liz (Winston Churchill: “Nothing in life is so hilarating as to be shot at without result.”)
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To: FamiliarFace

So our power went out - just us. Fortunately, the electric co-op sent a truck out pretty quick, within an hour. Last time, a crow had tripped the transformer to our house - this time, it was a squirrel, the usual culprit. The crew leader knows our address - he was out here multiple times with the previous owners & now twice with us. Nice guys - I always thank them profusely.


408 posted on 05/17/2026 4:38:47 PM PDT 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

I am “done” for the day, now, too. I’ve been working outside most of the day, whenever it was that breakfast ended. I came inside for breaks every hour and a half or so, and rehydrated. This has been the workday that I’ve been wanting for weeks. ( NO RAIN, and I’m in a tank top and shorts!)

If I hadn’t been stung last week, I would be a little further ahead in the game. During the week on the non-rainy days, I went to purchase both annuals and perennials. Yesterday it was stormy, so this was my first opportunity to work outside with many hours of daylight at my disposal. I got a lot done, but something tells me I’m only a third to halfway finished.

For dinner, we were initially planning to make wings with celery, corn on the cob, and a family friend’s recipe for hush puppies. It’s not difficult, but you also shouldn’t be exhausted when preparing this fine Southern meal. (The hush puppies are the truly Southern thing about it, and I have finally the technique down. In fact, the hush puppies are probably the best part of the meal. 😎)

So we opted for Jimmy John’s, which just opened up about a mile away from us. If I place the order online, it’s ready by the time we get there. We rarely have sandwiches, but sometimes you just gotta have a sub. Tonight was the night. Yummy!


409 posted on 05/17/2026 5:01:00 PM PDT 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

I just saw this post. I’m glad the power was restored in a timely fashion!


410 posted on 05/17/2026 5:02:23 PM PDT 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

Glad you’re being proactive for Dear Old Mom. I take it ticks weren’t as big of a problem at your old place?

I’ve taken one tick off the cat, and two off of the Beagle - even after dousing them.

All of this rain is going to help, and it will also tamp down the Japanese Beatles, as they can DROWN while in the larval stage in the grass turf.

Good riddance to all!


411 posted on 05/17/2026 5:50:09 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Bob434; Liz; FRiends

https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/vidalia-onion-sauce-recipe/#recipe

I baked a Pork Tenderloin for supper tonight and also made the Vadalia Onion Sauce and some Sweet Corn and a Wild Rice side dish.

Beau totally approved!

I’m keeping THIS recipe in my back pocket for the future Game Feeds our Hunt Club sponsors!

So, you don’t want to eat Squirrel? Smother it in Vadalia Onion Sauce!

No Bobcat for you? Smother it in Vadalia Onion Sauce!

You SAY you don’t care for Spit Roasted Raccoon? Smother it in Vadalia Onion Sauce!

Rabbit thighs in the Crock Pot are not your thing? Smother it in Vadalia Onion Sauce!

Road Kill that Grandpa ‘harvested’ today? Smother it in Vadalia Onion Sauce!

I’m gonna have to make this stuff by the GALLON now, LOL! It is really so, SO good! Simple ingredients, too. I had everything on hand.

Thanks, Bob! You made my day! :)


412 posted on 05/17/2026 6:04:55 PM PDT 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

OK OK I’ll try it. I only buy sweet onions anyway. Question - do you leave them sliced for a sauce? Wouldn’t chopped be better?


413 posted on 05/17/2026 6:09:36 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

Burr Oak. Hollow. Nothing to write home about. Campfire wood. Not even a decent ‘stump’ to make a Bear Bait stump!

But if and when we ever lose the huge Maple in the house yard, I’m going to be crying long and loud...because it’s going to fall right on my kitchen and take out my front porch. ;)

She’s sturdy, though. Gives us Maple sap and I can’t even get my arms around her. And, she’s ONLY 40 years old. She’ll outlive us. ;)


414 posted on 05/17/2026 6:13:41 PM PDT 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

We had ticks at the old place, but we called them “dog” ticks, much larger. We also didn’t get them very often. These little ‘seed ticks’ are a different story & it seems to be easy to get into a group of them.

At the Urgent Care, the nurse was telling us about a guy who came in last week, 5 weeks after a tick bite. Every time he ate, he got diarrhea. I immediately said ‘Alpha-gal?’ She seemed surprised I knew about it & confirmed he tested positive for it. Ticks carry a lot of bad stuff. Dogs can get Lymes & my brother’s Brittany had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - very sick dog, but recovered.

Rain coming Wednesday so I’ll have to get on the mowing tomorrow. I let the grass go an extra week because I was under the weather enough last week that I just couldn’t make myself get on the mower. Despite all the stuff going on today, it was a pretty good day as far as how I was feeling, so hopefully, it’s the beginning of a more positive trend.


415 posted on 05/17/2026 6:20:52 PM PDT by Qiviut (A Mighty Fortress: “...the body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever")
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To: Paul R.

“If I could just quit trying new tomato seed / plant varieties...”

I hear that! But after SO many years of gardening, I have my faves now that seem to perform in Zone 5, no matter what the weather - other than TOO MUCH RAIN - which we may be going into this season as well. :(

Give me HOT and DRY any year, Baby! :)

Gotta have my ‘Grandma’s Pick’ and anything from the ‘Goliath’ or ‘Chef’s Choice’ line up. They have given me DECADES of proven reliability and production. :)


416 posted on 05/17/2026 6:21:15 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: MomwithHope

I sliced them into half-rounds, then pulled the slices apart. Makes a prettier presentation, but either would work. :)

Gotta see if there’s some way to can this stuff - but with the dairy and butter, I’m thinking not. Freezing MIGHT be OK.

Don’t quote me on this, LOL!


417 posted on 05/17/2026 6:26:21 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Qiviut

We’ve had two dogs with Lymes disease, but we caught it quick and got them on antibiotics and they did fine.

The problem we have, aside from Lymes, is something call ‘Blasto.’ Don’t know the full name. It a spore in the soil up north where Beau hunts and where our cabin is located.

It ends up in their lungs and we lost one really good dog to that disease, and have friends that have also lost good dogs as well.

How DO you keep a hound from running full bore with his nose to the ground? Ain’t gonna happen.

And with the ‘Blasto’ by the time you see the symptoms (problems breathing; lethargy) it’s too late. There doesn’t seem to be a pro-disease medicine or shot invented for this yet. :(


418 posted on 05/17/2026 6:32:43 PM PDT 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

Blastomycosis, a fungal infection. That’s about all I know.


419 posted on 05/17/2026 6:44:29 PM PDT 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: Diana in Wisconsin

LOVE THIS IDEA!

When I was a kid we had a bell pepper farm to help make ends meet. Every now and again, we would have a huge harvest and drive up to Atlanta to the big Farmer’s Market there.

Dad bartered for Vidalia onions as often they’d let him. Sooooo good, and if a chicken can be made a hundred different ways, so can a Vidalia onion. You can eat them raw, too, like an apple. Not that I’ve ever eaten a whole one, but yeah, several of us kids would share one. Take a few bites, and take a swig of Coca Cola from a bottle we all shared. Fond memories borne of a difficult time in our lives. Simple pleasures.


420 posted on 05/17/2026 6:50:40 PM PDT 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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