The Victory Garden Thread - August, 2026

August 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.

[Paul R.]

Very nice: I wish we had a useful website to check water temperatures like that, around here!

Granted, I don’t think any of the cleaner lakes are even monitored at all.

[Paul R.]

I don’t get how people can grow them.

Pesticides, or, maybe, grow them amongst lots of naturally insect repellent flowers / plants?

[Paul R.]

Yesterday I finally finished up repairing plenty of storm related damage to our garden plants. There were more problems than I’d initially thought. Some of our (up to 8 ft. tall!) cannas got pushed over / bent over, and same for several tomato cages. I had done a pretty heavy, deep watering the morning before, and stakes failed, etc. (Two, on the biggest cannas, broke off - those big leaves have substantial wind resistance... Luckily it appears the plants are salvageable, but I have to sort of gradually straighten them back up.

I also had an indoors casualty: My long trusty Canon scanner! Apparently a lightning surge got enough energy past the (supposedly very good, and almost new) surge suppressor outlet strip. Or maybe the surge was induced directly (sort of like an emp). Some of those strikes were VERY close. The external wall-wart power supply still reads the correct 12 volts, but, the scanner is DEAD. The computer fails to recognize it at all, but does work fine with a USB hub connected to the same cable.

I have an even older Canon scanner, and tried it: The computer “sees” it, but there are too many versions of Windows twixt the old scanner and this Win 11 Pro computer. I’d literally have to go back to Win 98 or earlier!

I also tried scanning with my old Canon printer / copier / scanner / fax, as I can still (sometimes) print with it (it has an intermittent paper sensor problem I’ve not been able to figure out.) No dice - another software incompatibility issue, it seems, and “compatibility mode doesn’t help.

I can photograph documents and such with a cell phone, but then have to do the file transfers to the computer, delete them off the phone if containing “sensitive info., etc. Bah!

As Babylon 5’s Garibaldi once said: “Dang it, I’m gettin’ to old for this crap!” (I’m doing “ok”, but I’ve only got so many hours left in this life!)

I’m probably going to have to just break down and buy a new scanner, but then I may not be able to use it directly with IrfanView. Bah! x2!

[Paul R.]

Clarification to the above: The scanner’s power supply, and the USB cable, test ok. It’s the scanner that is dead. :-(

[MomwithHope]

yes for fishing too that would be great

[MomwithHope]

I recommend HP printers a lot, they scan too and they are pretty cheap.

[Liz]

County Fair Fried Dough / King Arthur flour recipe
Easy version uses just 1/4" vegetable oil: no deep-frying.

Ing 2 c Flour 2 tsp b/powder 3/4 tsp salt 2 tbl cold unsalted butter in 1/2" cubes 3/4 c lukewarm water

METHOD: Mix flour, b/powder, salt. Work in cold butter w/ hands or mixer. Stir in warm water to a soft dough. Cover; let rest 15 min. Divide dough into eight pieces; roll into thin 5" rounds, about 3/8" thick.

FINAL: Heat about 3/8" veg oil 375 deg. (W/ 10" diameter pan, this is 2 c veg oil.) Carefully lower dough disk into pan; cook 60 sec (puffs up on top, lightly browns on bottom). Now flip and cook light brown on 2nd side, about 60 sec. Remove to p/towel-lined b/sheet to drain. Hold in 200°F oven to keep warm while you cook the rest.

Serve warm with maple or apple syrup; confectioners' sugar,
or cinnamon sugar. Can also shake in bag of granulated sugar.

CHEF TIP: Don't cook these too dark; they'll over- crisp. Leftovers need reheating to recrisp.

[dakine]

Went to wedding a few years ago in Grand Haven in June, water temp was 62-64 degrees - Michigander kids were swimming with no qualms..

Michigan trip this year is Kewadin. Great golf courses in Northern L.P...and boating, fishing, etc..

[MomwithHope]

Usually it doesn’t warm up until August.

[MomwithHope]

Usually it doesn’t warm up until August.

[dakine]

Last August was on Lake Michigan just outside Manistee, water was great for swimming...

[metmom]

But if you don’t know what’s eating them, how do you fight that?

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Zinneas...I have the same problem with marigolds. I have put them in next to the tomatoes and basil. I know that the sow and pill bugs eat them because I and see them crawling all over the young plants.

This year I put Alyssum around the base of my tomatoes with the idea that it attracts small wasps that parasitize aphids and tomato horm worms and things. They are growing well and I have not had much problem with tomato insects.

Good luck with your future Zinnea plantings!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Glad it did not reach last years levels!

I try to avoid a wheelbarrow full of rain. Rain raised the grain on the wooden handles, rust.

I am Sorry about all your watermelons! Raccoons are a real pest. If they were small maybe a few will grow back? (Sugar baby?) I have 3 vines, but no melons at this point. Not sure if I will get anything at this point.

It sounds like you have made some real progress with your new home! Good deal!

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you much!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Sugar baby vine which I trellis up a cattle panel arch and then I use the leftover mesh bags from grocery store oranges and lemons to support them by clipping the bag with tomato clips to the cattle panel.

Yes I have some new watermelon buds growing.

[Liz]

Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry Noodles
Comes together in 15 min flat w/ just a few ing. Serve w/ veggies or protein for a quick and easy meal

Ing: Sauce 1/3 c water 1/3 c soy sauce or tamari, 1/4 c pure maple syrup 1 tbl toasted sesame oil 1-2 gar/cl, finely grated 1 tsp finely grated gingerroot 1-2 tbl chili crunch 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. 1 lb 5 oz stir fry noodles chp fresh cilantro and green onion

Method: Sauce Mix well water, soy sauce, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, gingeroot, garlic, toasted sesame seeds, chili crunch, corn starch (corn starch dissolves). Heat a sauce/ noodles together. W/ pre-cooked noodle, cover with pan lid 1-2 min to warm and break apart easily then use tongs to loosen noodles; cook w/ Sauce 1-2 min til sauce thickens and coats noodles. Serve garnished w/ chili crunch, toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs, w/ side or veggies or fave protein.

Chef Notes Use any kind of noodles. Trader Joe’s wheat noodles are pre-cooked or get pre-cooked stir fry noodles at most grocery stores. Other kinds of Asian style noodles will work. Cooking noodles? Rinse under cold water a few seconds before adding to sauce.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Easy Chorizo Street Tacos

These chorizo tacos use just 5 ingredients and taste amazing.

Ingredients

1 chorizo sausage link, casing removed and meat crumbled

2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

4 corn tortillas

2 tablespoons chopped onion, or to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, or to taste

Directions

Combine crumbled chorizo and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a bowl. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat; add chorizo mixture and cook until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, reserving grease in the skillet.

Heat tortillas in reserved grease in the skillet over medium heat until warmed, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Stack 2 tortillas for each taco, then fill with chorizo, onion, and cilantro.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Book Review!

The certified organic, 400-acre farm in the Capay Valley is one of Northern California’s most beloved.

Full Belly Farm draws crowds at its stands at Bay Area farmers markets, and its produce stars on a legion of restaurant menus.

Established in 1985, it grows more than 80 different crops, including all manner of veggies, fruits, nuts, herbs, and flowers. It also raises chickens, sheep, goats, and cows. It offers farm tours, school visits, and popular events that include farm dinners and pizza nights. Now comes its newest offering: “Full Belly Farm & Kitchen” (Hardie Grant).

Its first cookbook, of which I received a review copy, was written by Amon and Jenna Muller, who are part of the farm’s second-generation owners. Amon Muller, who runs the farm kitchen, trained at legendary Bay Area restaurants, Chez Panisse, Quince, and Coi. Jenna Muller organizes the farm events.

This cookbook isn’t about boundary-pushing, complex recipes, but ones that are easy, wholesome, and highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients. And they come complete with stories from the farm that take you through its changing seasons.

Enjoy everything from spring’s “Citrus Tea Cake” and summer’s “Cherry Tomato Panzanella with Pickled Red Onions” to fall’s “Pork Belly with Sugar Plum Glaze” and winter’s “Kabocha Squash Cappellacci with Sage Brown Butter.”

Diana here: More at link and a recipe, too.

https://www.foodgal.com/2026/04/easy-peasy-spring-fling-lamb-chops-with-tangy-cilantro-and-mint-yogurt-dressing/#more-82864

[Diana in Wisconsin]

https://www.foodgal.com/2026/04/easy-peasy-spring-fling-lamb-chops-with-tangy-cilantro-and-mint-yogurt-dressing/#more-82864