Posted on 04/01/2025 6:11:07 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.
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Happy April — hope you’re fully recovered from your cold, with no lingering after-effects! :-)
Good morning! Happy April!
After the storms that blew through Sunday evening, yesterday was cold and chilly by comparison. We got to freezing temps and below again. Today, however, looks sunny and pretty again, maybe into the mid-50’s by the afternoon, so I hope to get outside and inspect the damage from the storm, which I didn’t do yesterday.
My garlic sprung back to life after having a glacier parked on it for about a month this past winter. Hops started emerging about 3 weeks ago and asperagus is popping up. Some weeding was done this past week but still haven’t started pepper seeds...
Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls / Peanut Sauce
Butter lettuce leaves cover surface of rice papers, looks vibrant. Can easily double recipe for parties.
Ing 22 rice paper wrappers 12 butter lettuce leaves 1 red bell pepper thin-sliced 2 carrots, julienned
1/2 English cucumber, thin-sliced 1/4 head red cabbage, sliced fresh mint/basil leaves Peanut Sauce
Instructions Dip rice paper into warm water to moisten all over. Transfer to wet board. Place lettuce leaf on top. Then layer vegs, mint/basil, 1/2-1" away from bottom. Starting from bottom, roll towards middle. Fold left and right sides to center, finish rolling. Place on server and repeat. (NOTE: If wrappers are stiff, set on cutting board 10-15 sec to soften. Then, roll.) Serve spring rolls w/ peanut sauce; best consumed day they are made.
Easy Creamy Peanut Sauce
Just 6 key ing, a great dip or dressing for salads.
Ing 1/2 cup creamy p/butter 1/4-1/2 cup filtered water 2 tbl ea rice vinegar, soy sauce (use tamari for gluten free) 1 1/2-2 tbl maple syrup 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
Instructions whisk p/butter, 1/4 cup water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil; will be quite stiff. Just keep working it, can add bit more water to desired consistency. Use sauce for appetizer dip, salad dressing, or sauce for noodles. Refrigerates up to a week.
SWAPS: replace rice vinegar with lime or lemon juice or apple cider vinegar; maple syrup with honey or agave. Season w/ Sweet Chili Sauce, cayenne for heat.
You voting today? It’s important.
Beautiful Amarylis are coming up from Christmases past:
My backyard in full bloom:
Mini super bloom of California poppies, the state flowers, which attract bees:
"Downton Abby" rose + verbena + pansies:
My best rose, Perfume Delight, over 30 years old and still going strong:
From the Mediterranean Garden:
Ole Moms Nature dumped an April Fool’s joke in the yard. Snow, wind, and slop. Looks to be the norm this whole week.
Happy Easter to all!
Resting after a long morning of helping in the garden
Yum. I’ve used those rice paper wraps a few times. They are tricky, they have to be wet enough to roll but not too wet. I did some shrimp and veggie ones each time. These look good too.
Hi, absolutely stunning. Love the amaryllis, Apple Blossom. I can’t imagine being able to grow amaryllis in the ground. I have my 9 that need repotting before going outside for the summer.
Doggie posed so nicely, Kitty looks like she could care less. LOL
Let me know how you do on your peppers — I’ve had the seeds planted inside for a little over a week and haven’t seen squat, sprout-wise. Shockingly, 3 of the 4 sweet corn seeds have sprouted.
Isn’t garlic also supposed to be pretty good as a gopher repellent? Have never tried to grow hops — are they easy to get started?
If push comes to shove you can always roll it all up in the butter lettuce leaves.
I’ve not heard that about garlic but most things seem to leave it alone including rabbits. I don’t have gophers but do have moles and they leave it alone.
I started my hops from purchased rhizomes - a section of root mailed to me. It is pretty prolific and spreads on its own. I’ve passed some roots (typically harvested this time of year) on to a neighbor and he now has a patch. Different varieties will fare better or worse depending on your local climate.
I have a 10 ft tall trellis and they want to go beyond that.
I’ve done that with our big romaine lettuce leaves, just have to cut the spines out.
Bet it was delicious.
Beautiful! That’s a yard full of happiness!
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