The Victory Garden Thread - October, 2026

October 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.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“There is PLENTY for them to eat in the fields & woods that does not include our domestic plants, those 4-legged stinkers!”

Yep. Deer have destroyed a number of my ‘planted on purpose’ apple trees through the years...and there are 30 ZILLION wild apple trees on our property!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“The day after I took the electric net down the moose cleaned up the garden.”

Brilliant! I should let the mule lose, LOL! Or, at least the chickens. ;)

Beau was up by you in September to hunt moose. Got skunked. They had snow in Willow, but just a dusting. Friend Adam has been getting ready for ‘winter’ since August...

You guys are tougher than me, for sure! If I WANT snow, I make sure I put my snowshoes out on the front porch for Good Luck. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. We don’t get as much snow here as we used to. But, I can also live with that. ;)

[Liz]

Affogato w/ Candied Almonds, Vanilla Gelato
An Italian dessert so you know its rich and luxurious.

Ing: 1/2 c sliced almonds, 3 tbl sugar 1 c Italian espresso, pint gelato 2 tbl amaretto amaretti crumbs

Candied Almonds: Cook almonds, sugar on med-high; stir constantly w/ rubber spatula 5-6 min. Scrape onto parchmented b/sheet; quickly spread out evenly. Cool completely 15 min. Break into small shards to use. Stores airtight at room temp 2 weeks.

Assembly: Divide gelato among 4 chilled glasses. Slowly pour in 3 tbl Italian roast coffee and 1 1/2 tsp amaretto. Top with crushed cookies and Candied Almonds. Serve immediately.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I can tell you’re SO READY for your winter months. I am, too! Aside from shoveling snow, it’s SO much less work!

[Liz]

Utterly delicious——cant think of a better use for scrumptious kale.

[Track9]

I’ve been Pickling heaps of veggies so they don’t go bad. I don’t really know what I’m doing but so far everyone likes the jalapeños, bell peppers, cabbage and cucumbers. Mustard seeds, sugar, garlic, salt, vinegar and water brew. Maybe I should try another recipe. Condiments galore.

[left that other site]

Here Ya Go...

EXTRA LARGE SIZE BOX!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“So today, I ordered a 9-book set of Little House on the Prairie for my two great-nieces (8 & 10). One in particular loves to read big time & the other will get interested & read as well. They are living on a small homestead so the pioneer/living off the land themes should resonate. Ma & Pa are good role models, too.”

That is the BEST GIFT EVER! When my Allen was 8 or so, we read those books together. He would read a page, then I would read a page...that way we could ‘help one another’ with the ‘harder’ words. Yeah, I faked it, but he was very helpful and proud when HE knew a word I had stumbled on. :)

It was SO EXCITING when Pa had to fight a bear or an ‘Injun.’ (I suppose they edit those parts out now? Hope not! Pa was a ROCK STAR!)

If you’re looking for a gift for your Niece that would tie in nicely, there’s a rather recent book written from Ma’s point of view of how life on the Prairie was NOT always a bed of roses!

Caroline: Little House, Revisited

“In this novel authorized by the Little House estate, Sarah Miller vividly recreates the beauty, hardship, and joys of the frontier in a dazzling work of historical fiction, a captivating story that illuminates one courageous, resilient, and loving pioneer woman as never before—Caroline Ingalls, “Ma” in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved Little House books.

In the frigid days of February, 1870, Caroline Ingalls and her family leave the familiar comforts of the Big Woods of Wisconsin and the warm bosom of her family, for a new life in Kansas Indian Territory. Packing what they can carry in their wagon, Caroline, her husband Charles, and their little girls, Mary and Laura, head west to settle in a beautiful, unpredictable land full of promise and peril.

The pioneer life is a hard one, especially for a pregnant woman with no friends or kin to turn to for comfort or help. The burden of work must be shouldered alone, sickness tended without the aid of doctors, and babies birthed without the accustomed hands of mothers or sisters. But Caroline’s new world is also full of tender joys. In adapting to this strange new place and transforming a rough log house built by Charles’ hands into a home, Caroline must draw on untapped wells of strength she does not know she possesses.”

Diana here: I can’t even imagine it! I can tough it out with the best of them (like when the internet was down for nearly two weeks, LOL!) but I cannot even IMAGINE living the life of a Sod Buster...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

AI says:

Educational gifts for a two-year-old boy should focus on toys that promote cognitive and motor skills, such as simple puzzles, matching games, and building sets. These toys not only provide fun but also support essential learning through play.

STEM toys, building sets, and imaginative play items are excellent educational gifts for a four-year-old boy, as they promote critical thinking, creativity, and fine motor skills. Look for options like magnetic building tiles, coding robots, or tool sets designed for young children.

You are the Best Auntie Ever. Mine only gave me candy and gum...but she was reliable in that respect, LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Feed them well! They have a LONG trip back to Costa Rica.

In fact, I may just pack my bags and join them! ‘Birding’ in Costa Rica is on my bucket list. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! Love it! I can totally relate - have an eye appointment in a few weeks...and a Mammogram and my yearly visit to my GP at the VA. Old Age Ain't For Sissies!

And I'm down to my LAST pair of semi-functional glasses so, it's obviously WAY past time. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Harmony’ Dumb video but the audio quality is really good. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB9cA3KocLY

A perfect song to end that album. (Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road) I KNOW you had a copy. On Vinyl. As did I. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks, Pete! Glad to be BACK, Baby! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! Let’s see...there’s two of these boxes currently in the kennel shed and one on the floor of the pantry...

Yeah. We go through a LOT of Milk Bones around here with 14 hunting dogs (we are currently at capacity!) and one Majordomo, House Beagle.

They KNOW if they’re good and ‘kennel up’ when I tell them to, they get a treat. Works like a charm. :)

[left that other site]

For Tippy, it’s:

“Go To Your Crate.”

She does it and waits for her treat.

Since she’s a Cattle Dawg, she’s about as energetic and crazy as 14.🐶❤️🍁

[Qiviut]

“Caroline: Little House, Revisited” sounds like a good followup book to the set I’m giving the girls.

I LOVED the Little House books. In my elementary school, we had a library. The Little House books were on a particular shelf & I would make a beeline first thing to see if there were any Little House books I hadn’t read yet. To find one was like finding treasure after a long search.

[Qiviut]

Year before last was “puzzle” year. The older girls got some pretty complex ones like 500 pieces - they did them, too. The boys were 4,3, 2 & 10 months. The 10 month old got a first Christmas tree ornament with his name on it. The other boys all got puzzles ... wooden ones (dinosaurs, farm and jungle animals). I didn’t hear any complaints.

Last year, the girls got Journaling sets - their mom was homeschooling them again after a 2 year hiatus so she could get through nursing school. I figured anything that encouraged them to write was a good thing.

The older boys got an ‘H is for Hooks’ book - fishing themed alphabet book. Great pics and fishing info - both are avid fishermen. I also gave them fish flashcards (waterproof) to keep in their tackle box - helps ID fish & gives habitat & bait info. They both got $5 each, too - the presents were ‘joint’ & I wanted them to each have something.

The youngest who was not yet 2 got a baby prayer book. His 3 yo brother got Dr. Seuss books & related coloring books. He also got $3 belated birthday money (I was a bad aunt!) & an additional $3 for the swimming pool ‘fund’. He has decided they should have a pool in the back yard & he’s saving his money LOL!

[FamiliarFace]

I was very young when my ophthalmologist told me I had cataracts. He told me he could remove them, and then insert multi-focal lenses (7 different distances, from close up to driving distances). It was when the lockdowns first happened. I couldn’t get into his surgery room fast enough! (I’ve had glasses most of my life, since I was a kid.) Living happily ever after. No glasses of any kind and the best vision I’ve ever had!

I guess the point also is that I can see my wrinkles without glasses. The house is unkempt and the stinkbugs have totally invaded. The garden needs work, and so does the lawn. I guess I’d better get to work (tomorrow)!

[FamiliarFace]

We walk our neighborhood every day, and bring medium sized Milk-bones with us to treat the dogs that are waiting for us, so they like us instead of wanting to attack i(in case their collars aren’t charged up). We have trained a few to wait until we toss them their treats.

The mailman gave us this hint. It works great. All the neighborhood dogs love us. There’s a barking call they must give announcing us - “the walkers are here, and they have bones!” 😍

[FamiliarFace]

GREAT SONG!

*** A perfect song to end that album. (Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road) I KNOW you had a copy. On Vinyl. As did I. ;)***

Well, I wish I had that album! I didn’t get my first vinyl until I was almost graduated from HS. “Sitting’ In” by Loggins & Messina. Even hubby said his older sister had GYBR, not him. I will have to check our record cabinet to see if we ever got it over the years (it’s probably in there - a classic!)