The Victory Garden Thread - May, 2026

May 1, 2026 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[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.

[Liz]

SHREDDED BEEF TACOS / Mexican mouthful

Ing 1 lb rump steak 3 tbl olive oil 6 warm flour tortillas 2 tbl dry oregano 1 tsp cumin 2 tbl ol/oil 2 chp lge onions 5 crushed gar/cl 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes s/p shredded lettuce salsa sour cream lime wedges

Method--brown steak on high both sides in 2 tbl olive oil, 2 gar/cl, one onion. Add water or beef broth to cover. Simmer tender 1-2 hrs. Cool on cutting board. Shred using two large forks pulled in opposite directions. Transfer shredded steak to bowl; season w/ ground cumin, oregano, hot pepper, s/p.

Final Saute briefly tbl olive oil, 2 gar/cl. Reduce heat, add steak; heat thru.

Assembly Fill warm tortillas w/ shredded lettuce, generous layer shredded beef, salsa, and chp onions. Add s/p. Top w/ dollop of sour cream and shredded Cheddar (Taco Supreme). Serve w/ wedge of lime.

[Qiviut]

Blue cats are considered invasive in this lake, but acknowledged as “here to stay”.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[left that other site]

Good Morning!

Have a Blessed Memorial Day Weekend, Diana.
(((HUGS)))

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I wish my Poppy Patch was in bloom! They usually are by now, but the weather has been all over the place this Spring.

[metmom]

All the tomatoes and peppers I started from seed are doing GREAT!

They’ll be going in on Monday, once the overnight lows are going to be out of the 40’s.

[Blurb2350]

Guinea hens are supposed to be the master tick-slayers, but they’re also said to be extremely noisy.

[murrie]

Hi Diana. Am hoping to try growing poppies from seed this year (fall sowing for flowers next year). Am in zone 7-middle Tennessee
Any helpful hints for a first time poppy grower?😊

[goodnesswins]

Yes...I did see a “badger in person” while waiting for hub & grandson to return from fishing. (Idaho) I was hanging out by a split rail wood fence...and I must have been on her route...she kept coming toward me till I was forced to climb over the fence...not a fun experience.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Looking for a Foolproof Rose? Gardeners Swear by This One: Peggy Martin

If you’ve always wanted roses in your garden but felt intimidated by the upkeep, the Peggy Martin Rose might completely change your mind. This famously hardy, low-maintenance climbing rose has earned a reputation as one of the easiest roses to grow—and one of the toughest.

Unlike many traditional roses that require constant spraying, pruning, and pest control, the Peggy Martin Rose is surprisingly easygoing. Gardeners love it because it tolerates heat and humidity, resists many common rose diseases, and has far fewer thorns than most rose varieties. If Japanese beetles, black spot, or fussy care routines have kept you from planting roses before, this beginner-friendly rose offers a refreshingly simple alternative.

But what truly makes the Peggy Martin Rose unforgettable is the remarkable story behind it.

The Story Behind the Peggy Martin Rose

The Peggy Martin Rose is named after Louisiana gardener Peggy Martin, whose home and garden were submerged under nearly 20 feet of floodwater for about two weeks during Hurricane Katrina. After the devastating stormwaters finally receded, only two plants survived on her property: a Crinum lily and a hardy old rose with uncertain origins.

That resilient rose caught the attention of Dr. Bill Welch of Texas A&M (she had actually given him a cutting a few years prior), a longtime friend of Martin. Deeply moved by the plant’s survival, Welch named the rose in her honor, believing it could become a symbol of endurance and recovery for Gulf Coast communities devastated by the storm.

Over time, the Peggy Martin Rose became much more than a beautiful garden plant. Today, it’s widely considered a symbol of resilience, hope, and perseverance.

More at the link: https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/a71360672/foolproof-peggy-martin-rose/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Here’s a basic primer on planting poppies. From what I’ve read, it’s most important that you get a poppy variety that is good to grow in Zone 7 - there are quite a number of poppy varieties.

Best Times for Planting in Various Zones

When it comes to planting poppies, timing is everything. The ideal time for planting varies depending on the hardiness zone you’re in, as well as factors like temperature and rainfall. In general, spring is a great time to plant poppies, as the soil has had a chance to warm up from winter and the risk of frost has passed.

In Zone 3-5, where winters are cold and snowy, it’s best to wait until late April or early May when the soil can be worked. This allows the seedlings to establish themselves before the hot summer sun sets in.

MURRIE: In contrast, Zones 6-8 have a longer growing season, making spring (March to May) an ideal time for planting.

https://plantgrowerworld.com/growing-poppies-in-your-zone-a-comprehensive-guide/

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Brunch, tomorrow. I always forget how EASY it is to pull together a Frittata! I’ve got eggs. I’ve got fresh Rosemary. I’ve got Taters. I’ve got Cheese. I’ll ‘half’ this recipe as there are only three of us for this meal.

Rosemary Potato Frittata - Rachel Ray (Food Network)

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/rosemary-potato-frittata-recipe-1948664

I’m going to bed early, so I can wake up to this, LOL!

[MomwithHope]

I actually might have one. At our house since 1984, brought up from the house I grew up in Chicago. In 1952 or 53 my Dad swiped it from the fence of a literal shack they were living in. Brought it to their new house. It still runs the length of the whole side fence at the house. We kept ours as a bush. Not easy. He also brought an Amelia Damask rose. I got a chunk of root from that one. The thorniest (big ones) and most wonderfully smelling rose there is.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

You just might! They couldn’t find the genus of that rose, so they just named it after the current ‘owner.’

[FamiliarFace]

Do Sarah Bernhardt peonies ever have a second batch of blossoms? I have a pink peony that smells so lovely, and the other day I clipped off the fading blossoms. Well, today, those little secondary blossoms all opened up! I have never seen any of our peonies do this before. There are seven or eight new blossoms that have completely opened. I’m wondering if it’s because of the enormous amount of rain we’ve had this Spring. It has been raining some most days, with just one dry sunny day in between. It’s making it hard to get outdoor work in. (Today was a heavy outside work day.)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

My various Peony varieties never bloom ‘all at once’ so that’s probably what you’re seeing. My ‘Sarah’ looks the best so far this season - she’s just LOADED - and the two ‘Festiva Maxima’ are not too far behind. I usually have blooms up here (Zone 5) by end of May, first week of June.

I have one that has totally ‘pooped out’ so I’ll need a replacement for that. She’s put up ONE stem and one leaf this season. I give her credit for trying! ;)

And they ALL get treated the same! They’re all four in a row. Same sun every day, same rain, etc. Why some thrive and some die will always be a mystery!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Paul R.]

Why some thrive and some die will always be a mystery!

They think they are people?

I get that sort of variation a lot. Two of the same plants, same size, same soil, same size pots, same lighting and watering, one thrives, one does poorly or even, sometimes, dies. :-(

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Since there is no rest for the wicked, here’s my chore list for the rest of the weekend:

Outside:

Prune Forsythia away from A/C unit

Fill gallon jugs from rain barrel

Weeding

Selective Round-up on one tough area (not near food)

Water Greenhouse (am & pm)

Move tomatoes outside for some breeze action

Water Houseplants

Hook up garden hoses

Put down some mulch

Inside:

Clean the coffee pot

Make Celery and Cream Cheese Snacks

Water Houseplants

Make Jam Muffins and/or Zucchini Bread

The new lighting in the kitchen and pantry/laundry is DA BOMB! One fixture isn’t working right (flickering - driving me NUTS) so that will be replaced ASAP. Mick left a while ago to head back to Appleton. He was such a huge help to us both this weekend. I need more Minions around here!

Walked the puppy this morning, but he wasn’t really into it. All of the dogs are being quiet and lazing in the sun today, so that’s A Good Thing. It’s a really BEAUTIFUL day out there, so I am taking advantage of it.

[mythenjoseph]

Been pretty damp down here in St. Tammany parish....Hope you all are doing well. (St.Tammany Parish is in Luisiana , sorry)