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The Garden Thread - August, 2024
August 1, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 08/01/2024 6:19:57 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

The MONTHLY Gardening 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 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! 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!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: august; food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; MomwithHope
"HI!. My name is John, and I'm new to goats. Can anyone help me? I hear that Swiss breeds/dehorned are the bestest."

You know there's a "goat forum" out there don't you?

https://www.thegoatspot.net/threads/water-glassing-eggs-question.235900/

(I got distracted by a water-glassing thread)

141 posted on 08/06/2024 6:49:08 AM PDT by spankalib
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To: Paul R.

I know that riff well, now it’s in my head. The manhole cover over the pit was a small one too, I could fit barely and the first thing your foot hit on the way down to step on was the top of the motor. You had to get out the same way and place your foot just right and heave yourself out. Hope it goes well at menards.


142 posted on 08/06/2024 6:54:13 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Back from Joann’s ... had to get another skein of yarn to finish a prayer shawl. This is the 2nd one in the last 2 months - SIL’s father just died (the other for a cousin with cancer). When it is pouring down rain Thursday & Friday, I’ll have something to do. I don’t have WiFi at the new house so at night, I listen to podcasts I’ve downloaded & knit which has been super productive. On hot afternoons with a heat index over 100, I’ve done some knitting as well.

My niece has blackberries saved for me - wanted to swing by & get them, but never made it - she’s an hour away from the new house over the mountain. Maybe I can pick them up on the next trip & do a little canning, which I love doing in the new house kitchen.

Debby leaves Saturday, so I’ll see if I can get out of here Monday - will likely have to mow on Sunday.

My brother had a tornado that got as close as 3 houses down - the neighborhood is still rebuilding. One area where the lots had to be cleared & new houses built is called the “Amen Corner” by the neighbors. No one got hurt, which was a miracle. I’m glad whatever tornado was in your area missed your farm!

BTW, I am really excited about the flower gardens I have planned for my mom. I need to do some prep work on the side of the shop - terrible bank that is hard to mow. I’m going to cover it with shingles (if I have enough), then mulch ... no more mowing. The raised flower beds will start at the bottom of that bank, so the backdrop will the the mulch bed rising behind it. I think I need 18’ which will be 3 3x6’ cedar beds. Another plus - water faucet is going to be about 3’ away so she can water the beds easily. One of my nieces has dahlias & zinnias blooming like crazy right now - mom and I are SO jealous, but maybe next year we’ll have flowers. Deer eat dahlias, so I’ll have to devise something (probably a frame with netting) to keep the deer away at night. This past trip, I really solidified in my mind how I want those beds for mom to work out - can’t wait to get that project done (even more so than my medicinal herb beds).


143 posted on 08/06/2024 7:43:36 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: MomwithHope

Mom; It was delicious! I have some Black Krim, Hillbilly, and Mortgage lifters ripening in the kitchen.


144 posted on 08/06/2024 8:14:17 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

Lots of canning recipes ... I was looking for a recipe using peaches when I found this site.

https://foodinjars.com/recipes/


145 posted on 08/07/2024 6:54:45 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: Qiviut; All

Pickled Blistered Shishito Peppers
https://foodinjars.com/recipe/pickled-shishito-peppers/

When you want some off-season.

From recipe: “The next day, I opened one jar to find out if my experiment had worked. The aroma when I popped the lid was amazing — and while the peppers are a little softer than they would be fresh out of the pan, that smoky flavor I crave was there, plus lots of zing from the aromatics and vinegar.”


146 posted on 08/07/2024 7:10:40 AM PDT by Qiviut (Forced obedience to obvious lies is the essence of totalitarianism-the ultimate flex for psychopaths)
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To: Qiviut
Agreed! I recently found this book, hardcover copy, for $2.29 at St. Vinnie's Thrift Shop. I wanted lower-sugar recipes to use up the apples, pears, cherries and peaches I have. Fruit is nice to have, but WOW! The sugar content is crazy in most preserving recipes and since we make our own Maple Syrup, it was a good tie in as a natural sweetener.


147 posted on 08/07/2024 7:55:46 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Augie

Augie, Nice picture! Bet its a lot busier “beach” on the weekend, at least when you do not expect upstream storms!


148 posted on 08/07/2024 10:39:54 AM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Wow, I should look for that book. My sweet tooth has significantly decreased in the last 10 years. Good thing, or I might be almost as wide as I am tall!

We have quite a few strawberry plants scattered around the garden — I pull up the wild ones, the “domestic” plants I leave alone, but they don’t fruit much. I may try to force the issue next spring and see if wifey will make some strawberry jam.

Oh, BTW, the mis-labled “Roma” tomato plants are bearing fruits that turn out to be medium size (average 3”), yellow to light orange fruits. (I discovered a couple days ago that if they get to medium orange, they begin rotting on the vine.) Same shapes as Better Boy or Celebrity. But, I have not a clue what they are. I don’t recall any label like that @ our Menards this spring! Taste test this evening...


149 posted on 08/08/2024 10:51:44 AM PDT by Paul R. (Bin Laden wanted Obama killed so the incompetent VP, Biden, would become President!)
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To: FRiends; Red Badger

Anyone participating? ;)

150 posted on 08/08/2024 1:52:37 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Zucchini...Lots of little ones on the vines this year! I may get some for a change. (I may regret it!)

(Not many spotted and striped cucumber beetles yet! Maybe a Spinosad or H2O2 dilute solution and soak around the base of my curcubits to kill off any developing larvae!)

Other things growing....I may unload a few bags of okra on them!

151 posted on 08/08/2024 6:19:41 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
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To: Qiviut

I have tried pickling some last year. For me that shishito unique flavor is lost. Blisterd however we love.


152 posted on 08/08/2024 6:29:19 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

My Spice House spices arrived!! I’m so excited :-)

Can’t wait to try them .... first one I try will probably be the Shallots and herbs. 🌿💚

Thank you for the suggestion.


153 posted on 08/09/2024 7:43:05 AM PDT by Jane Long (The role of the GOP: to write sharply-worded letters as America becomes a communist hell-hole.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Well! My orange color “not Romas” tomatoes turned out to taste great! Not too acidic, not bland (like Romas), and a hint of sweetness. I wish I knew what they were!

I’ll try saving some seeds for next year, who knows if they will stay true...


154 posted on 08/09/2024 9:42:09 AM PDT by Paul R. (Bin Laden wanted Obama killed so the incompetent VP, Biden, would become President!)
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To: Paul R.; MomwithHope

Glad they weren’t a loss for you! There aren’t too many orange paste-types. My ‘Best Guesses’ would be:

Orange Beauty
Sunrise Sauce
Wick’s Orange Paste
Roma Orange
Orange Banana

Look those up and see what you find. I grew ‘Sabre’ from seeds that Momwithhope sent me - they are as wonderful as she has said. :)


155 posted on 08/09/2024 9:53:35 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Nice to hear you are getting some. I am about to pick our first ripe one in a day or two. Save every seed!


156 posted on 08/09/2024 10:36:08 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

Will do! I am also looking for alternatives for us both - just in case! :)


157 posted on 08/09/2024 6:29:05 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: 4everontheRight; Augie; Apple Pan Dowdy; Aevery_Freeman; ApplegateRanch; ArtDodger; AloneInMass; ...

158 posted on 08/10/2024 6:00:59 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: FRiends
Garden Superstitions

Lady’s Mantle

The cup-shaped leaves of lady’s mantle collect beautiful large round dewdrops, which you have probably noticed if you grow this plant. In pre-eighteenth-century Europe, people thought that the dewdrops that collect on lady’s mantle had magical properties.

The dew from lady’s mantle plants was collected and added into magic potions and people reportedly thought that they could use it to turn common metals into gold. This practice is called “alchemy,” which is where lady’s mantle got its Latin name, Alchemilla mollis, meaning “small alchemist.”

https://gardentherapy.ca/garden-superstitions/

159 posted on 08/10/2024 6:03:49 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Jane Long

Great! I’m sure you’ll love their products as much as I do.

I used to go to both of the shops below with my Grandma Anita when I was a kid. We had ‘Sausage Day’ every year in the Fall when the whole family would participate in making our brats, liverwurst, etc. for the year. She bought meat & casings from the butcher, then spices at The Spice House.

https://www.usinger.com/

https://www.thespicehouse.com/?sscid=81k8_alkrd


160 posted on 08/10/2024 6:13:31 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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