The Garden Thread - June, 2025

June 1, 2025 | 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.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! Whatever works! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

There is a chance of rain every day this upcoming week. I am letting the garden fend for itself, but will water anything in a pot today or tomorrow. I am going to blow off mowing because with it being so hot the grass really hasn't grown much and then I can blow it off all next week when it's too wet to mow. There IS a method to my madness!

It looks like a weird week ahead - temps in the high 80's and then 50% and more chances of rain every day. It usually doesn't rain when it's that hot. Wonder what gives? I know so many of you here are sick of rain, but we have only had 1/4" in the past week+.

So, looks like a bunch of indoor chores will be getting done around here. Beau is back from Canada tonight or tomorrow. No ETA at this point. Five black bear culled out of the nine that they treed. All 16 of the dogs that went along got to be 'under a bear' at some point, so it was good training for them all; especially the younger dogs that learn from the older dogs. Only one minor injury and that was a twisted ankle to one dog, but she'll heal up just fine with some rest. Greatly relieved that no one (dogs or men or the Grandkids that went along) had any issues.

[Qiviut]

Major storm last night with lots of washing/erosion. I got the trailer parked under the lean-to so I could shovel mulch if raining. The trailer is about halfway empty after working this morning - would have shoveled some mulch last night but ended up on a ladder nailing back up gutter that decided to fall off the lean-to. I am going to reinforce the nails with screws. but I need a cobalt drill bit for metal. It is very muggy here now, so in for a break.

The herb garden is flourishing (so grateful because I missed my herb garden terribly last year) & the Jalafuegos are 'peppering' up a storm - there is hope for jelly!

Now for the REALLY great news: my beloved brother (I have the BEST brothers) pried up my metal raised beds this morning so I can load them up & bring them home Tuesday. I had tried prying them up previously, but was bending the edge. He said he did bend the edge a bit, but was able to get it bent back ok. He just made my day!! I was having a rough morning dealing with our trash service people - will spare you the details.

Pics of the lean-to project coming maybe next week after I bring lumber from the old house to finish it. In the meanwhile, here are herb & jalapeño beds. I haven't had time to put down shingles & mulch around the beds (next on list after lean-to) so that looks a little rough.

[Qiviut]

Oops - posted twice accidently.

[FamiliarFace]

Your raised beds look beautiful!! Those peppers look like they’re ready to harvest, or am I confused?

What is the herb between the basil and across from the sage, on the lower left side of your photo? Everything looks so healthy and full!

[Qiviut]

A couple of peppers are getting to harvest size. I use red peppers for my jelly so sort of waiting to see how big they get before I notice color changes.

Herb bed, from the bottom, going clockwise:

Rosemary
Oregano
Basil
Lemon Verbena
Lavender
Thyme
Lovage
Sage

These 2 beds are very happy. The flower beds, not so much. Dahlia seedlings have been languishing, dahlia tubers did not come up. Zinnia seeds are up, maybe 2 inches. I planted African Marigolds in 4 corners of one bed & Calibrachoa in another, just for color. I have some Calendula seedlings in peat pots & if I can get some fill dirt for one of the metal raised beds I should have after Tuesday, that is where they can go.

[Liz]

Asparagus quiche in Brown Butter Pastry / with capers
Capers add a lovely punch of saltiness. To make vegetarian, swap gruyère for vegetarian hard cheese. Keeps chilled three days. Great to take on picnics or serve at garden parties

Ingredients 8 oz asparagus trimmed 2 eggs 2 egg yolks 250ml double cream 1 lemon zested and segmented 50g gruyère finely grated 2 tbsp capers drained

BROWN BUTTER PASTRY 2 c plain flour 150g butter 1 egg

Method step 1 Make the brown butter by heating the butter in a small frying pan, swirling frequently, until foaming. Cook for 1-2 mins or until it starts to look brown and smell nutty. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Once cool, transfer to the fridge to chill and turn solid. Once cold, cut into cubes. step 2 Whizz the flour and brown butter in a food processor until it looks like damp sand, then add the yolk and 1-2 tbsp of ice-cold water to bring it together. Wrap and chill for 30 mins. step 3 Steam the asparagus in a tiered steamer for 3 mins until bright green, then rinse until cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Keep 6-8 of the best spears whole, and chop the remainder into 1cm pieces. step 4 Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll out the pastry and use to line a 23cm tart tin. Fill with a piece of baking paper and baking beans. Cook for 15 mins, then remove the paper and cook for another 5 mins until the base looks dry. step 5 Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, cream, lemon zest and cheese with some seasoning.

step 6 Trim the pastry case sides, then add the chopped asparagus to the base. Scatter over the capers and pour over the egg mixture. Arrange the remaining asparagus spears on top and cook in the oven for 35-40 mins or until set but still with a slight wobble to the middle. Serve at room temperature or cold.

[FamiliarFace]

Thank you. My oregano has more rounded leaves I think, so from the angle of your photo, I couldn’t make out if that was marjoram or oregano.

Here’s my herb garden, mostly in pots. In the cart top shelf, from left to right, Italian oregano, chives in back, rosemary in front, Genovese basil. On the bottom shelf, marjoram, and thyme. Baby red potatoes are in the bucket on the left, with fairies hovering in case someone from the HOA makes an unexpected visit. Below the potatoes is a red gerbera daisy, and above it is Icelandic poppy. French tarragon is below the poppy, followed by a hybrid Italian/Greek oregano. Purple Angelonia just above the moisture meter, variegated sage that might be perennial, more French tarragon with Winter thyme in front of it, and lovage behind it. In the blue pot is one shishito pepper plant with some annuals sharing it. Garlic chives and blue-eyed grass in front of that, and finally lemon verbena to round out my little slice of heaven. I know it’s tight in there, and will get tighter as things grow. Almost all of this has been harvested at least once, if not many more times. I wish I had more space, but I don’t.

[Qiviut]

There’s just “something” about herbs. They’re easy to grow for the most part - not finicky or temperamental. There’s a subtle ‘power’ in the leaves (flowers sometimes, too) either medicinal or culinary and more often than not, both. A naturopath I follow says ‘God put everything on this earth we need to heal our bodies’ and herbs are a big part of that “everything”. Maybe that connection is why I love them so.

I think I mentioned it before, but the lettering on the inside of the little birdbath in my herb garden says “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”. I love the reminder.

If you’re inclined to go ‘deeper’ on that thought, here’s a good discussion:

https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/blogs/latest-news/posts/6798303/his-eye-is-on-the-sparrow-matthew-6-25-27-my-favorite-verses

[Pollard]

With two defective vehicles, I guess I won’t be driving to Menard’s to get drip line. I can get to work in the car just fine and waterpump for the truck is on it’s way. Grocery store is in town 1/4 mile from work.

All the drip line I had went into that single bed. A 100’ roll is only $20 plus whatever shipping, $10-15 and will do the other two beds. Later when the tunnel sides are done and I can add two more beds, I’ll upgrade to something better than the cheap brown 1/4” tubing with built in emitters(which vary a lot).

All the market gardeners rave about the new Toro Aqua Traxx stuff and it’s pretty cheap. Anything over a 15-20’ run of 1/4” tubing and the far end won’t be getting as much water. My beds are 28’. The Toro stuff is 5/8” and has more consistent built in emitters at any spacing you want as opposed to 6” or 12”.

Anyway, after 10 hours on my feet, I’ve got comfier shoes on and am going out to the garden to water seeds and plants and sit on my butt and drink a beer. The drip system filter I have has hose fittings and is also a Tee so I was able to add a hose. Will water seeds with hose if need be and then water the plants with drip, both from the same tank/pump, no connecting/disconnecting. Very fancy.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I like the bird bath in the middle of your herb garden! Everything looks so healthy.

[FamiliarFace]

I agree, there’s just *something* about herbs, especially fresh ones.

I haven’t totally gotten in to herbs as naturopaths, but I’m definitely willing to pay attention. I HATE pharmaceuticals! I’m ok with general first aid, and a few generic OTCs that have been around a while (ie, pseudoephedrine).

I’m an environmental allergy patient. I’m pretty allergic to most pollens and mold that grow on plants, shrubs, and trees. My sinuses are on overdrive in the spring and summer.

Get this: I’m not very sensitive to poison ivy. I think it’s because I’m allergic to almost everything else. Mold on Christmas trees? Yes. Cottonwood trees, blooming right now? BIG Yes!!! Name the pollen, and I am likely allergic to it. Urushiol? Meh. Hardly a reaction. Not much more than a mosquito bite for me. That’s kind of crazy, right?!

The good news is that I had allergy shots every week for 2 years, YEARS AGO!!! Now I can take an OTC medication for a flare up, and be just fine.

*** I think I mentioned it before, but the lettering on the inside of the little birdbath in my herb garden says “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”. I love the reminder.***

That’s a cool reminder! I love diving into the Bible!

My favorite psalm is 139. I find it very comforting that God knows me this well. And why shouldn’t He? He is responsible for my creation.
https://coursebible.com/new-american-bible-revised-edition-nabre/psalm-139

[Qiviut]

Fellow ‘allergic person’ here. I had allergy shots for 5 years, age 13 - 18. The ‘package’ was for pollens, etc. in our area. Back then, they did not include mold/mildew & I am highly allergic to them. Pollens don’t bother me much. I don’t take allergy meds; however, I break out in hives fairly frequently & take fexofenadine, which works for me (doesn’t work for everyone). I do get poison ivy, but especially when I was doing trail work & knee deep in the stuff, I was careful how I changed clothes (peeled pants/socks off touching only inside) - poison ivy duds went in a plastic bag & from there, straight into the washer when I got home. Once I started doing that, I never had another case of PI.

[FamiliarFace]

My allergy shots were in adulthood. My youngest was aged 2-4 and he was my companion at the doctor’s office every time. Five years sounds horrible!

As far as PI goes, both my husband and daughter are very, very allergic to it. They just need to be somewhere within a few inches of it, and they get it.

Even though I don’t have a problem with PI, I still don’t take chances. I know I can become allergic at any time. So when I come inside, I wash my hands and legs with Dawn with a scrubber type sponge. It needs something to break up the oil (which Dawn does beautifully), and friction (scrubber sponge comes in to play here). Clothes go in to the laundry.

I switch off Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra. They all work for me, but if I take one too often, it becomes less effective. So I change them up.

[Silentgypsy]

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads on the gardening thread as well as to the dads of all the GTers!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[FamiliarFace]

I passed along the sentiments to my sweet hubby, who I think is having a rather nice day mostly lounging around so far.

[Silentgypsy]

Glad to hear that!

[Augie]

It was another wet week here in Central Missouri. Got 1.8” on top of the 5.5” that came the week before.

Mrs. Augie was able to get part of the yard mowed in between showers. I’m going to try to get some done this afternoon.

Garden is still a muddy mess, but I’ve got to say the weather pattern we’ve been in is making my new rhubarb plants very happy. Same for the new asparagus plants. Peppers are looking good. Eggplants look like hell. Tomatoes are holding their own but could stand some sunshine, and badly need to be mulched and caged.

Cukes and squash are just getting started. I’ve got a bunch of basil that I need to transplant into the new raised bed. It might be dried out enough to get that done today.

Howard is getting more comfortable here every day. He still wants to take off and roam when I let him go off leash. I think that’s just a hound thing, and puppies are gonna do puppy things, so I can’t hold it against him, but I’m holding out hope that he’ll decide staying close is good. If you’ve got any advice for me on that topic I’d love to hear it.

He’s starting to get the hang of riding on Mrs. Augie’s golf cart. Booger showed him that the pond is good for more than getting a drink. Now he wants to go for a swim when we take our evening romp around the property.