The Victory Garden Thread - June, 2026

June 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.

[FamiliarFace]

Don’t forget to take water breaks!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’m hydrated! And I’ve been working in the shade. My garden gets full sun from Noon to sunset, so morning hours are a pleasure out there. :)

[Sawdring]

My neighbor went out carp shooting and came back with a bunch. He gave me six big ones, I dug them down under the garden and the next day something had dug up all of them. I should have figured!

[MomwithHope]

I just have one pepper plant to find a place for and clean out the flowers under the birdbath. The next two mornings I’ll have weedwhacking to do, if I can get it all done in two mornings. Neighbor boy cutting the grass Saturday. Congrats on getting your list done.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I think I’ll be going to town on Friday. I’ve got to get my list together, because that’s gonna be IT until Beau is back home again. Gasoline, milk, annuals. ;)

I need a few Marigolds; Mr. Chippie kept digging up the ones I started in the greenhouse!

And I need a bag of potting soil. I have three hanging baskets that are crying out to be filled. I’ll get the Wave Petunias if they’re still available. One of the best garden industry inventions, IMHO. :)

[Liz]

Lemon Ricotta Pasta / w/ wilted baby spinach leaves serves 4
Simple enough for weeknight dinner, elegant enough for entertaining.

ING 12 oz rigatoni or penne, 1 c ricotta zested lemon juiced ½ lemon 2 minced gar/cl 2 c fresh
baby spinach, ½ c Parm pinch nutmeg ¼ c ol/oil s/p Garnishes: red pepper flakes, fresh basil

METHOD Cook pasta as per pkg; reserve ½ c pasta water then drain. SAUCE combine ricotta, lemon zest, l/juice, garlic, ol/oil, Parm, pinch nutmeg. S/p. Add hot pasta to ricotta mixture; toss to coat. Gradually add pasta water til creamy and smooth. Fold in spinach; heat from pasta will wilt it. Add red pepper flakes, basil sprig. Serve warm topped w/ Parm.

[Liz]

Cinnamon-Sugared Cream Cheese Wontons / Nutella-Dulce de Leche Dip

Ing 16 oz cr/cheese, 1 tsp vanilla 1 c sugar, divided 1 lge egg 1/3 c water 24 wonton wrappers 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 c Nutella 1/2 c store-bought or homemade dulce de leche 2 tbl h/cream 1 qt peanut oil

Method mix smooth cr/cheese, vanilla, 2/3 c sugar. Place wrappers on work surface; keep covered w/ moist kitchen towel. Work one at a time, center wrapper w/ heaping tsp cr/cheese mixture. Moisten edges w/ fingertip dipped in egg wash (egg beaten w/ 1/3 c water). Fold one corner to create triangle. Egg wash two side corners of triangle and cross them over center of wonton.

Repeat til all ing are used, then cover w/ lightly dampened kitchen towel. Set aside. Toss 1/3 c sugar and cinnamon in paper bag. Set aside. DIP: micro dulce de leche, Nutella, and h/cream 30 sec. Stir well. Continue to micro and stir in 15 sec intervals til pourable and smooth. Keep warm.

Final: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry wontons in batches of 4 for 30 sec, turning and moving constantly til just beginning to turn golden (see note). Drain on p/towel-lined plate. Transfer to cinnamon sugar bag; toss to coat. Hold on rack atop baking sheet til all are cooked and coated. Serve immediately with Nutella dipping sauce.

Chef Notes: Wontons will crisp and brown slightly after removing from oil.
Take them out just before they reach the perfect golden color.

[Liz]

Lemon Cream Stuffed French Toast with Streusel Topping
Custard-soaked brioche, a lemon cream cheese filling, cinnamon streusel topping.

Ing Streusel: 1/4 c ea flour, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp cold butter. Filling: 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/3 c conf, 1 tbsp ea lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp vanilla. French Toast: 8-10 thick slices brioche, 4 eggs, 1 c milk (or halfnhalf), 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, butter for skillet.

Instructions Streusel: Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter til crumbly. Filling: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, juice, vanilla until smooth. Assemble: Spread ~2 tbl Filling between two slices of bread, creating a sandwich. Cook: Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon. Dip sandwiches in custard, soaking briefly. Melt butter on med. Fry til golden (~3-4 min per side). Or place on baking sheet, sprinkle with streusel, and bake til topping is crunchy. Serve Dusted with powdered sugar, topped with fresh berries, maple syrup on side.

Chef Tips Use day-old bread, piping bag to fill. Make a casserole by layering bread
cubes in b/dish, pouring on custard, then baking. Adjust recipe for overnight prep.