Weekly Gardening Thread July 13-19, 2019

July 13, 2019 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

[Diana in Wisconsin]

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly 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 non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. 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 Weekly Gardening 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!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I’m so jealous of the view from your balcony!

Fiesta finale tonight We will have a perfect view of the boats and the fireworks from our terrace.

[tob2]

Good evening here! My tomatoes cannot grow fast enough for me and the same for the cucumbers. Picking fresh basil however and use them in sandwiches. Stay safe and hydrated in this sweltering summer!

[tubebender]

are these peppers mild or hot?

[tubebender]

I'm tempted to hire someone to find her! Does anyone know what town in Missouri she lived and garden near?

[Oshkalaboomboom]

are these peppers mild or hot?

Very hot.

[Psalm 73]

"I'm tempted to hire someone to find her!"

I think she is OK, maybe needed a little break - God has a way of slowing us down when He needs to.

I'm sure she knows how much she is missed by the gardening Freepers.

[Liz]

Layer in glass trifle bowl for dramatic presentation of your garden veggies.
Vary, topped w/ cooked chicken or shrimp; crumbled goat cheese or feta.
Vinaigrette is a good marinade recipe.

Chopped Summer Salad / Junior League recipe

VINAIGRETTE Proc/Pulse 2 tb chp shallot, 1 1/2 tb white balsamic, 2 tea l/juice, tea Dijon.
Drizzle in slowly 1/3 c ol/oil; pulse/emulsify. S/p.

SALAD Toss 2 ears roasted sweet corn kernels, cup coarse-chp arugula, chp peeled cucumber,
2 large chp tomatoes, 5 cups packed fine-chp salad greens, 1/4-1/2 cup shredded Parm.

SERVE Add Vinaigrette just before serving. Garnish with shaved Parm.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Tagging this thread over here.

How To Grow Green Beans:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3764686/posts

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Very pretty! Needs some Bacon, though. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wednesday, July 17, 2019:

Finally getting some production here and there with Zukes and Cukes. Bush and Pole beans are finally flowering. Lots of tomatoes on, only a few cherry-types are ready to eat, though.

Supper tonight is pretty much all from the garden:

Chicken & Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Steamed New Potatoes with Butter and Chives
Cucumbers in Sour Cream and Dill Salad
Sweet Corn (bought, but LOCAL!)

I will cook all but the salad in the Microwave and will boil the corn on the stovetop. High heat and high humidity - waiting for a thunderstorm right now. Heat Advisory through the entire weekend, then cooler next week - back into the 70’s which will be HEAVEN!

I watered the garden for the FIRST TIME yesterday - had to ask Beau if he had seen the Owner’s Manual so I could re-learn how to use a hose, LOL! (He just rolled his eyes, as always!)

And then, we got 1 & 1/4 inches of unexpected rain last night! Figures!

I am still a long ways off from any major canning of anything. And, I can wait for a break in the heat, for sure!

[Liz]

Add bacon....what could go wrong?

[Califreak]

Yum yum!

Dinner sounds great!

Speaking of canning.... I made some zucchini relish out of a dozen or so baseball bats and dehydrated a few.

Went thrifting today and got a few dozen canning jars for dirt cheap so I can put up some frozen peas since I can’t grow enough to can and hate the metal taste of storebought canned food. Need some fresh corn and green beans too. I got to loathe canned veggies after growing my own but home canned veggies are pretty good. :)

I have green beans and cucumbers planted but they are still kind of tiny due to weather so if those don’t pan out maybe I’ll buy some from the produce market for pickling and canning.

[Liz]

Enough healthy greenery....time for decadence. Filled, frosted, fudgy brownies lavished with Chantilly Cream.

FRENCH SILK BROWNIES

Brownies 18.3 oz box Betty Crocker™ fudge brownie mix
Water, veg oil and eggs as per box 1/2 cup mini choc/chips
Spray 13x9-inch pan bottom. Make brownie batter as directed on box. Stir in 1/2 cup choc/chips.
Bake in sprayed pan 350 deg 22-25 min (pick 2" from sides is almost clean). Cool completely an hour.

Filling/Frosting 8 oz cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups conf 1/4cup unsweetened baking cocoa 3/4 cup h/cream tsp vanilla
Elec/mixer til smooth, scraping sides. Spread evenly over brownies. Chll/set about 2 hours.

When ready to serve, cut 6 rows by 4 rows. In chilled bowl, elec/mixer cup h/cream slightly thick.
Reduce speed; beat in 3 tb conf, 1/2 tsp vanilla. Increase speed; beat to stiff peaks.

Pipe each brownie w/ cream rosette. Garnish rosettes with 2 tbl mini choc/chips. Fridge loosely covered.

[MomwithHope]

Beautiful salad. Thanks for posting Liz.

[MomwithHope]

Picked our first beans (Kitchen King). Probably a tad early but better than too late. No ripe tomatoes yet but lots of green ones. Lettuce all done. Been picking peppers and one cuke, also early but I was desperate. Been hot and steamy here in west Michigan.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

My beans and cukes are really lagging. :( More rain, today and Heat Index Warnings through the weekend.

Oh, Joy! Oh, Happiness! Not.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! There IS always room for some chocolate in each day. Some days, it’s mandatory! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

My favorite vegetable joke of all time:

One day two green beans, who were best friends, were walking together down the street. They stepped off the curb and a speeding car came around the corner and ran one of them over.

The uninjured green bean called 911 and helped his injured friend as best he was able. The injured green bean was taken to emergency at the hospital and rushed into surgery.

After a long and agonizing wait, the doctor finally appeared.

He told the uninjured green bean, “I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is that your friend is going to pull through.”

“The bad news is that he’s going to be a vegetable for the rest of his life”.

[Liz]

Glad you liked it......nice presentation b/c it shows off all the garden goodies.

[MomwithHope]

**GROAN** (just echoing tubebender)