Posted on 08/01/2026 5:02:22 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
The MONTHLY Victory Garden 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 Victory Garden 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.
Good Morning, Everybody!
Happy August!
(((HUGS)))
Our August church newsletter was in my email inbox this morning & I thought “wow, she’s early!” (was late last month). Then it dawned on me ... it really is AUGUST today! This summer has flown by, although there’s plenty of time yet for some very sultry days.
Looks like starting tomorrow, we’re in for a week of showers. Our area is still in drought conditions, but we’re now moderate rather than severe. Everything at our place is green & growing (especially the grass/weeds).
So - here are some ideas for DIY Gifts from the Garden. Instructions, free printables, etc.:
https://ginghamgardens.com/diy-gifts-from-your-garden-homemade-and-simple/
August Gardening Tips and To-Do List for Every Zone and Region
https://morningchores.com/august-gardening-tips/
For me, in Zone 5:
Zone 5
1. Time to Cut’em Back
Have your berries stopped producing? Are the canes shooting out every which way? It’s time to end the madness.
Once the berry plants stop producing, prune the canes back. Pruning will help them to look better and stay healthy.
2. Weed and Mulch
If you have strawberry beds, it is time to take care of them. Be sure to remove any weeds which may have moved into the beds.
Once all the weeds have been removed, cover the strawberry plants with a thick layer of mulch. Mulch will insulate the plants and protect the soil.
3. Put the Volunteers to Work
It’s common to have strawberry plants start voluntarily in the beds. Instead of allowing over-crowding to take place, transplant the volunteers to a new bed.
Then you will have adequate spacing in each bed, and it’ll also give you a larger strawberry harvest in the years to come.
4. Get Busy Planting
As the seasons prepare to change there’s more to do. You can begin planting beets, radishes, carrots, and turnips this month.
What a delicious fall harvest you’ll have by putting in the work now. You’ll be glad you did when you’re craving something fresh.
“In” (to the thread) early, here!
Happy August, everyone!
We got almost 2” of rain yesterday afternoon and overnight. LOTS of close lightning and very loud thunder overnight! I’m likely gonna need a nap sometime, but hate too, with temps staying under 80 deg. NWS says we may have record low highs the next couple days. :-)
Local radar, self-updating:
Omaha and I inspected the garden this morning, and the raccoons didn't dig up a single thing overnight, which has been rare. Yesterday they dug up my potted Jalapeno plant - at least they've stopped running off with things!
So, more inside chores for the day, plus playing with Omaha on the covered porch. He's been pretty bored with all the rain, but isn't being destructive in his boredom, at least!
 |  |
Two things about handling hot peppers;
Do Not (don't) put your finger in your nose.
Do Not (don't) touch your eye with your finger.
Happy Gardening everyone!
I think you mean “Pumpkin SPICE season”.
Blech..
We only got a drizzle here overnight. Sure could use a gentle soaking.
Peas failed, pole beans failed, bush beans produced nothing, earwigs destroyed most cabbages. Bell peppers and tomatoes coming in slowly. Got melons growing. Not a great year overall.
I am reposting your link for cherry tomato recipes, because I almost missed it from July’s threads. I only have about a dozen or so tomatoes right now, but I hope the harvest picks up soon. All of my cherry tomato plants and shishito pepper plants are producing, but very, very slowly compared to last summer.
https://tomatogeek.com/cherry-tomato-recipes/
I am looking forward to cooler weather, but where I am, that may not be until well into October if not later. Forecast today: 99 degrees, and 90s for the next week!
Meanwhile, trying to keep everything in the garden from being burned up.
This is my new hibiscus, "tie-dye" planted in mostly shade:
And a re-blooming orange amaryllis that is struggling to bloom in the hot air:
And, a very old rose that is climbing up a shady brick wall:
Getting ready for fall:
This desert rose loves the heat:
Almost football season!
And, this one refuses to go outside, prefers to be inside where it's cool, and who can blame him?
Happy Gardening! And, stay cool, friends.
I wish we could tip the country and send that rain our way!
We are dry as a bone (SoCal) and our rain doesn’t usually start until December, unfortunately.
Happy August everyone...I have a love/hate relationship with summer. Fall is my favorite time. We are 20 miles directly north of a 20,000+ acre fire. Plus numerous fires to east. Friend in Sisters had to evacuate, but luckily seems only 1 house in area was lost. But, winds are kicking up again...this year is bad. If it rains, the fire retardant my hub put around our place would fail. But looks like dry/hot for future. We are still learning about gardening here. Have too many cukes, (one plant is 8+ ft tall) and a volunteer tomato is starting to produce. The ones I planted are sorry looking. The wind is more a problem, I thunk. Things dry out faster.
ITALIAN STYLE BAKED FILETS / ZUCCHINI SALSA
ING: 2 tbl ea evo/butter, 2 minced gar/cl 2 tbl ea sliced green onions/minced fresh parsley/
green olives,artichoke hearts 4 fillets (trout cod sea bass) 4 tbl fine dry Italian bread crumbs
METHOD: Olive oil/spray shallow baker. Add onions, 1 tbl parsley, garlic. Add fish. S/p; brush w/ olive oil, dot w/ tbl butter. Sprinkle w/ combined tbl butter/bread crumbs. Bake 375 deg 20-25 min; fish is tender, flaky, crumbs lightly golden. Serve sprinkled w/ parsley, lemon wedges, Zucchini Salsa.
ZUCCHINI SALSA Simmer/soften 10 min zucchini pieces, 1 tbl olive oil, 1/4 tsp gar/powder,
1/4 c white wine, 2 tbl chp peppers/cherry tomatoes. Offheat, toss w/ 1 tbl grated cheese.
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.