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The Garden Thread - August, 2025
August 1, 2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

Posted on 08/01/2025 6:03:57 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: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: MomwithHope

I like Lemon Splash, but I think it’s time to give it up as it’s in plastic. We have good well-water, too. And I DO drink well water more than anything else from a metal-lined, insulated water bottle. Beau is HUGE on drinking water - and milk. ;)

Remind me again what Kombucha does for us?


761 posted on 08/27/2025 5:34:58 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: Liz

WOW! Decadent and easy. Like a ‘Dump Cake’ recipe.


762 posted on 08/27/2025 5:36:14 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

Kombucha provides required digestive biotics.

I made and consumed Kombucha for us to consume after extensive treatment with antibiotics following surgery.

Kombucha us at root, black tea beer.


763 posted on 08/27/2025 5:38:36 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission
"What is the report on the the Harvard Square tomato...How does that taste?"

No Taste Test, yet. Beau will be home tomorrow so I am saving a perfect one for him to use in a BLT. I'll taste it too, of course and report in!

For me, the best tasting tomato I grow, or ever HAVE grown is the 'Grandma's Pick' tomato. I love everything about that tomato.

https://www.totallytomato.com/product/T00325/89

('Totally Tomatoes' is owned by Jung's.)

764 posted on 08/27/2025 5:45:01 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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https://www.totallytomato.com/product/T00325/89


765 posted on 08/27/2025 5:45:25 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: Qiviut

Hang in there! And just remember to be thankful that it’s not YOU up on that roof! :)


766 posted on 08/27/2025 5:47:22 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: bert; FRiends

It doesn’t look too terribly complicated to make:

https://www.liveeatlearn.com/the-simple-guide-to-kickass-kombucha/#wprm-recipe-container-18044


767 posted on 08/27/2025 5:51:47 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

“”For me, the best tasting tomato I grow, or ever HAVE grown is the ‘Grandma’s Pick’ tomato. I love everything about that tomato.””

It looks like a brandywine type of tomato. I’m going to order the Orange Jazz tomato seeds, in addition to a pk of Grandma’s Pick seeds. They are expensive seeds, for only 10 seeds, but you can always harvest the seeds from the tomatoes you grow. Do you know of any promo codes for this website?


768 posted on 08/27/2025 5:53:43 AM PDT by Danie_2023
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

PROBIOTICS. I used to make our own for a short time - 1 year when we had no fresh milk. Otherwise its kefir and I can still get A2 milk for that. Kombucha is not going to tast good but its good for you. The fruit varieties are not too bad if you plan on just buying a bottle.


769 posted on 08/27/2025 5:53:56 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

How did your sabelkas turn out?


770 posted on 08/27/2025 5:55:35 AM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope

I only ended up with one ‘Sabelka’ plant thanks to chipmunks in the greenhouse early this spring. They were digging up everything!

Anyhow, it performed as well as could be expected under the awful, rainy conditions this year. The plant was/is spindly, but still put out a dozen or so fruits for me. They’ve gone into V-8 Juice.

Hoping next year is better because I will grow them (and ‘Sabre’) again. :)

I’m at the point where I’m going to start yanking stuff out of the garden and getting fall salad greens started in the greenhouse and outside in whatever pots/planters I empty out.


771 posted on 08/27/2025 6:00:20 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: Danie_2023

I’m sorry, I don’t know of any promo code - but check in once in a while. They do have sales and specials at times.

The ‘Grandma’s Pick’ is a cross between an old Heirloom red (forget which one) and the Heirloom ‘Constoluto Genovese’ which I have also grown in the past. ‘Grandma’s Pick’ has better production and disease resistance, in my experience. It’s also ‘meatier’ as it has fewer ‘lobes’ than does the old ‘CG’ tomato.

https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/grow-costoluto-genovese-tomato/


772 posted on 08/27/2025 6:06:36 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

“”The ‘Grandma’s Pick’ is a cross between an old Heirloom red (forget which one) and the Heirloom ‘Constoluto Genovese’ which I have also grown in the past. ‘Grandma’s Pick’ has better production and disease resistance, in my experience. It’s also ‘meatier’ as it has fewer ‘lobes’ than does the old ‘CG’ tomato.””

Ok, thanks. I’m gonna try it next spring. I have my seed-starting thing down pat now (finally).


773 posted on 08/27/2025 6:14:59 AM PDT by Danie_2023
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
It isn't hard to make. It's just fermented black tea.

If you buy a kit with the SCOBY starter culture and you just need a big container. I bought one of those inexpensive plastic beverage dispensers with a spout from Walmart. One gallon or maybe two.

Making kombucha is like making wine. You need to keep everything clean. It is more or less just chemistry. You need to keep track of the pH level. I think the pH level needs to be down to around <3.5 to be satisfactory. Also temperature control was hard for me in the winter because it needs to be above 65 F for proper fermentation. I bought a pH meter to check it.

I'm convinced it was beneficial following the digestive biotic wipe out caused by heavy duty post surgical anti biotics


774 posted on 08/27/2025 6:49:25 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
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To: Danie_2023
They are expensive seeds, for only 10 seeds, but you can always harvest the seeds from the tomatoes you grow

It's a hybrid so seeds saved won't be the same tomato.

775 posted on 08/27/2025 6:51:01 AM PDT by Pollard (Gettin' things done)
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To: Pollard

“”It’s a hybrid so seeds saved won’t be the same tomato.””

Oh, snap. Well, I ordered it anyway, will give it a try. I usually get cheaper seeds from Etsy unless I see something I’ve just got to buy... and today was it.


776 posted on 08/27/2025 7:18:40 AM PDT by Danie_2023
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

22 minutes release to tree is impressive. Did the guys bring their own bear? lol

I keep the fetch balls in the boat when the dogs aren’t playing with them. Two nights ago Howard saw me put them away. You know where this is leading...

As we were wrapping up the outdoor stuff last night I told the dogs to go to the deck. They left the barn like good dogs... I still had a couple things to put away... turned around for half a minute and where do I find Howard when I turned back? IN THE BOAT playing with a fetch ball!!!

He’s a Grade-A sneak thief with a 4’ vertical leap.


777 posted on 08/27/2025 7:28:16 AM PDT by Augie
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To: Pollard

778 posted on 08/27/2025 8:09:53 AM PDT by Pollard (Gettin' things done)
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To: All

Ree's Spicy Coffee Martini / from her restaurant

Ingredients 2 Tbl ea cooled espresso (or cold brew coffee), vodka, coffee liqueur 1 Tbl ea chocolate cream liqueur, heavy cream, chile syrup (such as Pink House Alchemy) Sprinkle of cayenne garnish

Directions Add espresso, vodka, coffee and chocolate cream liqueurs, h/cream and chile syrup to shaker filled w/ ice. Shake vigorously til cold and frothy 30 sec. Strain into chilled glass; add sprinkle of cayenne.

779 posted on 08/27/2025 8:14:25 AM PDT by Liz (May you be in Heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead (Irish blessing))
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To: bert

Thanks for the info! I’ll add it to my ‘Bucket List of Home Ec Things to Learn to Do.’ :) (See tagline...)

Yeah, extended antibiotic use can mess you right up!


780 posted on 08/27/2025 8:17:41 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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