The Garden Thread - October, 2024

October 1, 2024 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[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!

[FamiliarFace]

Ahh, this is what happens when I miss the gardening thread for a few days!

Last night we made killer pork carnitas burritos. I used shishito peppers in them. What amazing flavor, and hubby said they were the best we’ve ever made. I agree!

Next time I will try homemade tortillas instead of store bought ones.

[FrozenAssets]

This year it was cherry tomatoes, large yellow tomatoes, Degma’s Perection, Polbig, and Neves Azorean Red. All are open pollinated. I’ve been saving and planting my own seed for quite a while. Not really short season varieties, but I start early and grow them in hoop houses.I usually wind up ripening them indoors. One makes concessions to nature. It was 5 degrees this morning. We are about 45 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

[Liz]

Pork Carnitas Burritos in homemade tortillas.......cant get any better than that.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Culver’s is pretty much the only ‘fast food’ we ever eat. Just a few times a year for us, too - usually when we’re running longer-distance errands for the day.

Glad you have one nearby, now. It is a GREAT Wisconsin business. Every store I’ve been in has been clean and well managed.

Try their fish - also really good!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Is it just me, or does coffee taste especially good on 30 degree mornings? :)

Plans for the day include, but are not limited to, more raised bed cleaning, more drying bean shelling and some tree and perennial trimming. Waiting for the sun to fully come up and temps to rise a bit (and the coffee to perk me up) before I start my morning chores. Also ALL the animal chores. Beau is up at the cabin for a Whirlwind Weekend Tour of helping a friend with a plumbing project on his recently purchased cabin home and then to winterize our place for the season. If anyone needs to stay at the cabin for Bobcat hunting this winter, they will have no water or heat - but we do have an outhouse available!

[AFB-XYZ]

Is it just me, or does coffee taste especially good on 30 degree mornings?

It's not just you. Nothing I enjoy more than firing up the wood- stove of a morning and having a cuppa Joe while planning the day. :-)

Pleased as punch that my fall crop of tomatoes has taken off so well. Maybe it's because temps here after the sun comes up have been unseasonably warm. Funny that they should do so much better in fall than in the summer. Heck, I'll take it though.

[metmom]

We have an interesting week in store temperature wise.

Sun day and Monday night lows are going to be in the mid 20’s so that will take care of everything that is cold sensitive, and then Wed and Thurs are going to be in the mid-70’s which means we can get out in the woods and get some more tree harvesting done for firewood. We have a few that are leaning significantly that will make great firewood. Ashes and black birch.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I just checked mine; it’s ridiculous, but really closes the window on me getting everything done:

Sat - 56
Sun - 61
Mon - 68
Tue - 80!
Wed - 76! and rain starts thru next Monday
Thu - 54
Fri - 56

I have to keep two seasons of clothing at the ready, LOL!

[left that other site]

Your Theory about Coffee tasting better on a 30 degree morning has been subjected to replicated experimentation and proven CORRECT!

It is no longer a Theory but has become axiomatic.

[ArtDodger]

For me, I am going to a bluegrass jam session. Fall weather and good, down-home music go hand in hand!

[Blurb2350]

Paul — What is opo? I was thinking it was short for opossum (”. . . in the 12” to 15” range . . . small (for Opo) but tender and you can just cut ‘em up, skin, undeveloped seeds, and all, like a youngish cuke.” But now I’m thinking it must be some sort of plant.

[metmom]

As long as the weather holds, I can get things ready for spring. And will.

It’s also great exercise because once winter really sets in, getting out and doing stuff is near impossible. Keeps me in better shape with good weather.

[Liz]

Mexican Casserole
Easy, cheesy goodness, brown rice and lots of veggies, gluten free, Makes a lot.
Use leftovers stuffed in homemade tortillas for your next weeknight dinner.

Ing 1 tablespoon Olive Oil 1.5 cup Red Onion, chopped 1.5 cup Red Bell Peppers , chopped 1.5 cup Green Bell Peppers , chopped 1-2 Jalapeños, sliced, (adjust to taste) 2 cups Corn kernels, frozen 1 can Black Beans , 14oz, drained and rinsed 14 oz can Diced fire-roasted Tomatoes, 2 tablespoon Lime juice 4 cups Cooked Brown Rice 1 3/4 cup Cheddar, shredded 1/4 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded, for topping. Seasonings 1 teaspoon Gar/powder 2 teaspoon Ground Cumin 1 teaspoon Oregano 1 teaspoon Paprika 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne or Red Chili powder, adjust heat to taste Salt to taste

Steps Heat skillet with oil. Saute onions, peppers and diced jalapeño 4 mins, brown sightly. Add corn and saute couple more min. Add beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, lime juice and then spices. Stir/combine. Remove offheat. Taste to adjust salt. Add cooked brown rice and mix well. Then add in cup shredded cheddar. Transfer mixture into greased b/dish. Sprinkle w/ cheddar and Mexican blend cheese. Bake 400 deg in oven center 12-15 min, cheese is bubbling. (Optional) broil til lightly golden. Garnish with chp cilantro. Cut into squares and serve.

[metmom]

When it gets that unusually warm in the fall, watch out for those cold fronts.

That’s when severe weather can really be an issue.

[FamiliarFace]

Your temps remind me of why I like layering my clothes. Short sleeves under a button up long sleeve shirt (light weight flannel!) is a happy combination these days. Topped with a jacket if necessary.

I’m barely even wearing capris anymore, as long as I have on short sleeves I can manage, though if it get near 80 I might run in and grab a pair of shorts!

[FamiliarFace]

I’m not ready for freezing temps yet, but I’d better get there, cuz it’s a coming. Hot cup of joe in the morning, always welcome!

Your cabin sounds like it’s a very sturdy tent. I don’t enjoy doing “primitive” living anymore, but you never know when you’ll need to have that skill set ready.

[FamiliarFace]

Looks amazing! I think I may try this the next time we want a south of the border meal. Thank you!

[Liz]

You could add leftover shredded chicken, if you have it on hand.

[Pollard]

Acorns, acorn and more acorns and hickory nuts. Woke up the other night and thought we were getting hale. It was windy and was acorns hitting the tin roof. Or acurns as the locals say.

[FamiliarFace]

That’s true. We usually have a cup or so in the freezer at any given time. Constant rotation and very often have it on hand.