Posted on 09/01/2025 4:39:33 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.
Just use regular vegetable oil? The stuff we have seems pretty
neutral. I can always shoot for perfection “next time”. Thanks!
Do what you can.......you may have to juggle the seasonings a bit.
EVO does have a distinctive taste.....that’s why its used.....is all I’m saying.
Reminds me of Brother Dave’s contribution to the Family Cookbook. His Venison Stew starts with, “If you are a Hunter who has NOT been lucky in the field this season...stop reading right now!”
Cute.
A potpourri ....
If you want to avoid adds in Youtube, do this - I tried it and it worked:
https://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/2020/11/a-little-trick-that-makes-all-youtube.html
Birthday weekend for mom - yesterday, we ate at a local diner for breakfast (had coffee for the first time since Jan & enjoyed it), local BBQ place for dinner & the ice cream stand nearby for dessert. We’re going to an orchard today for apples & apple butter.
Based on the latest weather met forecast, the drought should be breaking in a week or so ... we really need rain.
Rose of Sharon bushes - 2 started getting bright yellow leaves. Hmmm ... fall colors/shedding or too much water? It’s been cool, so I cut back the water to once a day - no more yellow leaves. The bushes look great. I’ve been holding off planting them - upcoming rainy weather pattern should be perfect planting weather.
The deer finally found the large pots with hostas on each side of the front sidewalk ... the stinkers. We’re now covering the pots with row cover every night.
Two of my 4 dahlia plants (from seedlings) are blooming. Plant #3 has fat buds & should bloom soon, #4 also has buds but much smaller.
Transplanted lavenders are looking much happier. The better one is still blooming, the other one has some new foliage.
Survived 2 bouts of company & cooking for same. All the tree debris (trees got a major haircut Wed/Thurs 3rd & 4th & large maple taken down) was cleaned up by Tuesday’s company on the 9th. The cleanup took half a day Thursday, all day Friday, half a day Saturday & on Monday, from 3 PM to 8:15 PM. I did the Monday work (back yard) by myself (mom’s back was out). I’ve been exhausted all week.
Back 1/3 of the driveway had cracks repaired last Thursday & will be sealed Monday. We’ll be ‘good’ until next year when the new asphalt needs sealing.
Family (extended) this week ... it’s been rough: one case of pneumonia, one fall with a broken shoulder as a result, one sky high & rising PSA after a procedure that should have lowered it (urologist is super arrogant, 2nd opinion badly needed).
Next week ... just want to get through it. I have to be on the road for 3 of the 5 weekdays & dread it.
To end on a positive note - there is a very good chance I will be able to get metal raised bed #4 this week. I was also telling the super nice mum seller about straw bale gardening - he’d never heard of it but seemed very interested. He had mums that were supposed to be pink, but not blooming yet, so I’ll stop by again in 2 weeks or so & check the color out & I’ll see if he has looked up straw bale gardening on the internet.
“For some reason, I just love blue pumpkins.”
Me, too! When this heat breaks again, I’m heading to my favorite Pumpkin Patch. I know I’ll bring home something BLUE! And I can decorate the porch this Fall because:
A. The remodeling has not started yet, and I’m not sure it will this Fall, and,
B: No puppies running loose, LOL!
Right now all I have are two orange Mums from Walmart that need a trim because they’re putting out new shoots and buds for more blooms. :)
20+ Blue Pumpkins: https://homefortheharvest.com/blue-pumpkins/
Thanks for the tip on the Jet Star! Added that to my file for this winter. I am totally re-vamping my garden beds so they’re not so much bloody WORK for me from next year on!
I have 16 beds and I over-plant every. single. one. of them! It’s a jungle out there, LOL!
Can’t wait to share all of my ‘Spring-Forward’ ideas with you guys when we’re up to our buts in SNOW! :)
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Good way to use those overgrown zucchinis proliferating in your garden.
Ing 3 lge zucchini in 1/4" rounds Evo, 1/4 c pizza sauce 1/3 c shredded mozzarella 1/3 c mini pepperoni Dried oregano
Method Brush zucchini on sheetpan w/ evo. Bake 400 deg til slightly tender, 5 min. Spoon on thin layer sauce, then top w/ mozzarella and mini pepperoni. Sprinkle w/ dried oregano; bake 400 deg til zucchini is tender and cheese is melted, 10 min.
Lots of progress at your new stomping grounds! :)
“Transplanted lavenders are looking much happier.”
I just have a Lavender in a pot on the porch, but with all your talk of Lavender I gave it a good shearing back and a shot of ‘Tiger Bloom’ and it is going to bloom for me again! Yay! Thanks!
Great news on your additional metal bed, and it looks like you’re getting to be a commissioned salesperson on the Straw Bale Gardening, LOL! I’ve tried it in the past when Jung’s was all over it. It works. It’s a fun and interesting process, plus you get some nicely composted straw out of the deal!
Very nice Mums at a great price! Those should bloom for weeks and weeks to come. :)
We grew Jet Star in flats for wholesale/retail sales for many years (20 at least) , but I never seeded and grew them for myself until this year. They have very uniform medium size fruit that didn’t crack or have other problems. The seeds are not expensive either, they were rather cheap! 😀
Blue Prince is the one I want to grow next year.
16. Blue Prince pumpkin
Blue Prince Pumpkins are medium-sized blue pumpkins with a smooth, slightly-ribbed rind. Each Blue Prince Pumpkin weighs about 9-10 pounds. The vigorous hybrid plants produce 7-9 of these pumpkins each! Blue Prince is another variety that is great for both cooking and decorating. Blue Prince Pumpkins were named an All-America Selections variety in 2020.
We (FIL and I) always grew ‘Celebrity’ tomatoes for local restaurants and the old Hilldale Shopping Mall Market. Remember that market? Yeah - I’m OLD, LOL!
I discovered an improved variety ‘Celebrity Plus’ from ‘Seeds and Such’ and that one is all it’s cracked up to be, too. One of the few good producers I had this season. All of my paste-types were a big disappointment.
For Charlie:
Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Yes. I am old too! I remember all the old stores. I mean really old. We used to sell plants to the hardware store that was in back of the mall. Hilldale was nice back then.
AMEN!
Yeah, I always enjoyed shopping there as a treat to myself back in the day. I still like some of the stores, but the later open-air concept never took off with me - at any of the malls where they tried it, really. Who’s gonna shop there in winter? It’s Wisconsin, People, not California!
I’m partial to Jarrahdale - it really makes a statement - if you can lift it onto the porch, LOL!
Very meaty, small seed cavity for its size and bright, BRIGHT orange flesh. You need a splitting maul to break it open, though. ;)
Cranberry Orange Honey Butter
To whip up this flavorful butter, you’ll need: 1 cup butter, softened – Use unsalted butter for better control over the flavor. 1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries – Adds a chewy texture and tart contrast. 1/4 cup honey – Provides natural sweetness and a silky consistency. 2 teaspoons grated orange zest – Brightens the flavor with a citrusy zing. 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt – Enhances the overall taste. How to Make Cranberry Honey Butter Step 1: Blend the Ingredients In a small mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cranberries, honey, orange zest, and salt until well combined. Mix until the butter is smooth, creamy, and evenly incorporated. Step 2: Store the Butter Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or shape it into a log using parchment paper. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
https://kitchensdiary.com/cranberry-honey-butter-a-sweet-and-tangy-spread/
Exactly. I don’t go there since they changed it.
I only spend money at garden centers.
Ha! 😀
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.