Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Oct. 26

Winter meets fall, mountains above Ogden, Utah.
Lean Buagas Violeta - Aba

Happy Saturday before Halloween! Hope everyone has an opportunity to go outside. Today, a little appreciation for our farmers.

Farm and Garden

If your produce is coming from a flood area, you may get a bonus frog. Hope this doesn't happen too often.

Commercial potato harvest

YUGE!

Between crops, white mustard is planted and dug in to enrich and fumigate the soil. It grows shoulder-high.

Transitioning from Peach Cobbler to Apple Pie

Get out the fall spices.

Last of the late peaches and nectarines on the Wasatch Front in Utah - Canadian Harmony and Reliance.

By-Tor sends in a photo of a giant Fuji apple, big as a softball, that he bought at Costco, with a regular one for comparison. Makes pies easier. Ready for pie?

Ah, Nature

Monarch with Luscious Golden Gate Lantana

Hurry on down the coast.

Puttering

Here's something nicer:

Hope you’ve had a good start to the week. I’ve had a good day mainly messing about in the garden and greenhouse.
I hope you like my autumn flower faff today 🍂💐🍂 pic.twitter.com/rAGDntZiem
— Garden Brocante (@GardenBrocante) October 21, 2024

Adventure

Brodie (Correction - Bodie), California (photos by Jeff Forest)

Mono County

Gardens of The Horde

From Nan in AZ:

Silly Crabapple:

Making blossoms way too early in AZ

Yes, that is too early. I've see the same thing happen with ornamental pears.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden at g mail dot com

Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Week in Review

What has changed since last week's thread? Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Oct. 19

Feedback: Minnesota Midget melon is smaller and more reliably tasty than Golden Jenny.

Any other thoughts or questions?

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 01:28 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 01:30 PM (fwDg9)

2 Rain, that is what is happening in my garden today

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 01:30 PM (D7oie)

3 First note ....

Posted by: Ciampino - See the sky in front of you . at October 26, 2024 01:32 PM (i0xsb)

4 Though I pulled all but 1 tomato plant out, picked a red Anaheim and handful of chili peppers from mini greenhouse this morning.
Leaves are piling and 1 maple tree was at prime golden color so leaf collection will start soon.

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 01:34 PM (fwDg9)

5 Kindltot I forgot what that is, care to remind me?

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 01:35 PM (fwDg9)

6 Those dollbabies lined up scared me snotless.

Posted by: Eromero at October 26, 2024 01:39 PM (jgmnb)

7 90° today, low 70s forecast this week.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 01:40 PM (VXcWv)

8 Love the fall bouquet!

And sending the scary Halloween decorations pic to a relative whose mother had a big doll collection, kept all in one bedroom...finger marks kept appearing on the dresser mirror...

Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024 01:40 PM (uqhmb)

9 Best Hallowee decoration I seen is a house other way town has about 2 dozen life size skeletons assaulting a house and climbing up to 2nd floor

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 01:41 PM (fwDg9)

10 I'm trying to grow several Tiny Tim tomato plants indoors this winter. The seedlings are in their big boy pots now, and I've been setting them outside in the warmer weather. Hoping a fluorescent light and occasional window sun will do them in colder weather. But whether they will actually flower and fruit, who knows. At least I'll find out.

Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024 01:44 PM (uqhmb)

11 8 Love the fall bouquet!

And sending the scary Halloween decorations pic to a relative whose mother had a big doll collection, kept all in one bedroom...finger marks kept appearing on the dresser mirror...
Posted by: skywch at October 26, 2024 01:40 PM (uqhmb
Ok that’s it. Sliding the fridge against that bedroom door and leaving all the lights on tonight.

Posted by: Eromero at October 26, 2024 01:44 PM (jgmnb)

12 Yesterday I picked the last of my peppers, still green ones and the few that managed to go red in the last week.
This final batch went from the cayenne that are hot as hydrofluoric acid even when green to the ones that taste sort of like bell peppers until they turn red. I chopped them up, salted them down, and I am leaving the jar on the sideboard so it can ferment into hot sauce.
Mostly I am trying to get ahead of the frost, we had the first light frost on Thursday morning.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 01:45 PM (D7oie)

13 What a pretty winter scape! (oh, it's only Fall you note).

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 01:45 PM (SbFrc)

14 It always rains, Skip. Eventually.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 26, 2024 01:46 PM (D7oie)

15 Cleanup on isle 12...

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at October 26, 2024 01:47 PM (XMwZJ)

16 FDA regulations limit frog content in salad products to 0.5%. Looks like somebody dropped the ball.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 26, 2024 01:52 PM (guGkK)

17 Don't know if anybody caught this - but the Adventure pics look like 'Bodie' not 'Brodie' Ca.

As in 'bad man from Bodie'

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 26, 2024 01:53 PM (QGaXH)

18 Bodie, California.

Hwy 395 runs along the eastern side of the Sierra and weaves back and forth across the Nevada/California borders. The whole drive is pretty cool. Pinion pines, plank floored general stores, Mono lake, the Alabama Hills, the awesome bakery in Bishop and an old cemetery near Vinton looks like a transplant out of a John Ford western.

Posted by: 13times at October 26, 2024 01:56 PM (cRqVW)

19 Don't know if anybody caught this - but the Adventure pics look like 'Bodie' not 'Brodie' Ca.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue

Recommend both 'high clearance' and AWD or 4WD even if they say they are not needed when going to Bodie CA.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 01:57 PM (SbFrc)

20 Thanks.

Posted by: KT at October 26, 2024 01:57 PM (xekrU)

21 Don't think it's rained here in maybe 3 weeks, and none this week. Maybec80 Halloween too and didn't think would see that again.

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 01:59 PM (fwDg9)

22 Posted by: 13times

Add Tioga Pass (the back entrance to Yosemite) to that list.
The Mobil gas station at that intersection used to be a 5 star restaurant, the Whoa Nellie Deli. I guess it is still there; but, I haven't eaten at it in years so don't know if it is still as good as it used to be.
If anyone stops please let us know!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:01 PM (SbFrc)

23 Sadly, there isn't much autumn color this year in our area. An unusually wet period followed by a drought and seriously hot temps put the kibosh on it. Don't know if it is related, but we have very few acorns on the oak in the back yard. However, the tree itself looks healthy even if the squirrels will be pissed off.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 02:02 PM (yTvNw)

24 19 Bodie, California.

Hwy 395 runs along the eastern side of the Sierra and weaves back and forth across the Nevada/California borders. The whole drive is pretty cool. Pinion pines, plank floored general stores, Mono lake, the Alabama Hills, the awesome bakery in Bishop and an old cemetery near Vinton looks like a transplant out of a John Ford western.
Posted by: 13times at October 26, 2024 01:56 PM (cRqVW)

I second this post. The run from where 395 meets 14 going north is one of our favorite drives. And - a lot of western were filmed in the Alabama Hills area west of Lone Pine. Schat's bakery in Bishop is a 'don't miss'. Owen's Lake was once deep enough to support steamship traffic - in fact - two vessels were lost in a storm on the lake and never found.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 26, 2024 02:02 PM (QGaXH)

25 I love that photo. Reminds me of the Mother's Day I had to be shoveled out of the driveway following a surprise snowstorm in Gaylord, Michigan. As I traveled south, I passed a lake which was warm enough that it thawed the snow on the trees. It looked like an enchanted oasis.

I pulled up some vines and harvested a mutant gourd-shaped striped squash and a green onion. Will put a tarp on the zucchini tonight. Maybe it will survive for the unseasonably warm week ahead.

But my main adventure was pushing over the big pot I want to move to the front yard. A swarm of hornets came out, but it was cold and windy so they were slower than I. They buzzed around in a cloud for a surprisingly long time. When it finally gets cold, I will empty the pot into the firepit.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 26, 2024 02:08 PM (+ODIT)

26 Just enjoyed last weeks thread.
Great pictures of the Kibbutz, thank you Biden's Dog and I'd love to taste those grapes.

Miley, even if I don't eat okra the damage to your garden just makes me sad.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:10 PM (SbFrc)

27 I love the fall pic at the top. We don't really have seasons and I love seeing the winter and fall colors.

Posted by: CaliGirl at October 26, 2024 02:16 PM (oaoUQ)

28 We don't really have seasons and I love seeing the winter and fall colors.
Posted by: CaliGirl

I agree, seeing those pictures is great. I draw the line on stepping in all that white and/or wet stuff!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:18 PM (SbFrc)

29 Thanks for cleaning up the GT!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:19 PM (SbFrc)

30 I don't know if this was common or mostly for where I grew up but the fall season brought it to mind. When I was little, kids found colorful autumn leaves on the ground that hadn't become brittle. We brought them home and using an iron pressed them between pieces of wax paper. The heat fused the paper. The area without leaves stayed translucent but the leaves' colors really shone through. This was really cool when in kindergarten or first grade.

Totally inconsequential but a pleasant memory.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 02:20 PM (yTvNw)

31 >>23

There's a lot to see and do.

The Ancient Bristlecone Forest. At like 12 thousand feet it emits strange sensory radiation.

Posted by: 13times at October 26, 2024 02:20 PM (cRqVW)

32 23 Posted by: 13times

Add Tioga Pass (the back entrance to Yosemite) to that list.
The Mobil gas station at that intersection used to be a 5 star restaurant, the Whoa Nellie Deli. I guess it is still there; but, I haven't eaten at it in years so don't know if it is still as good as it used to be.
If anyone stops please let us know!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:01 PM (SbFrc)

It was there last time we were there - 2018 or so. Tioga to 395 down to Hwy 14 (Antelope Fwy) became our preferred route home to O.C. from Yosemite Valley vacations for many years.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 26, 2024 02:20 PM (QGaXH)

33 Supposedly, the sourdough starter I bought was originally from Bodie. The guy had a great story about his mom getting it and keeping it going for decades. It was a good story and it's a good starter.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 26, 2024 02:22 PM (gfViB)

34 31 Totally inconsequential.....pleasant memory.

Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 02:20 PM (yTvNw)

No such thing as 'inconsequential pleasant memory'.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 26, 2024 02:23 PM (QGaXH)

35 Fen should like these
-- Does anyone know a good place where I can buy a fern?
Asking for a frond.

-- With fronds like these, who needs anemones?

Posted by: Ciampino - More soil, more soil -- the plot thickens at October 26, 2024 02:24 PM (i0xsb)

36 It was there last time we were there - 2018 or so. Tioga to 395 down to Hwy 14 (Antelope Fwy) became our preferred route home to O.C. from Yosemite Valley vacations for many years.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue

Great memories of camping in Toulomie Meadows in the 60s.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:25 PM (SbFrc)

37 Gorgeous pictures, K.T.

Posted by: Adriane the Black Thumbed Critic. . . at October 26, 2024 02:27 PM (TX4bP)

38 AI is stupid!
Searching to make sure I spelled the meadows properly I read the following:
"Toulomie Meadows is located 60 miles from Yosemite Valley and can be accessed via Tioga Road (Highway 120 East).
The meadow is approximately 505.73 miles from the park’s eastern entrance."

505.73 miles!!!!!
It is 12 miles from East entrance to West entrance to Yosemite.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:31 PM (SbFrc)

39 So years ago I put in a couple mugo pines as part of my landscaping. Supposed to be dwarfs.
Yeah...right.
Both are about 14-15 feet tall and about the same around. They are so big they are splitting out from the center.
Are they too big to trim back? If I can trim them, how much?
Or am I doomed?

Posted by: Diogenes at October 26, 2024 02:33 PM (W/lyH)

40 Diogenes at October 26, 2024 02:33 PM (W/lyH)

Meh. Just toss ‘em …

Posted by: Adriane the Black Thumbed Critic. . . at October 26, 2024 02:35 PM (TX4bP)

41 35 Fen should like these
-- Does anyone know a good place where I can buy a fern?
Asking for a frond.

-- With fronds like these, who needs anemones?
Posted by: Ciampino - More soil, more soil -- the plot thickens at October 26, 2024 02:24 PM (i0xsb)
You were commanded to bring a shrubbery!

Posted by: Eromero at October 26, 2024 02:36 PM (jgmnb)

42 In Africa Lantana was considered an invasive weed and eradicated whenever possible. Around one of my boarding schools in Nairobi, it grew in extensive, impenetrable groves. Nothing short of a giant Caterpillar with blade would clear that lot.
So no ornamental Lantana there in gardens -- that's how it starts.

Posted by: Ciampino - More soil, more soil, more -- and the plot thickens at October 26, 2024 02:38 PM (i0xsb)

43 Gardening question:

I potted two fuschia hybrids. One is doing great, the other was placed two feet away more shady and it is dropping green leaves and not thriving.

Does it need more sun less shade?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 26, 2024 02:38 PM (RIvkX)

44 am I doomed?
Posted by: Diogenes

Probably!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:38 PM (SbFrc)

45 entrance to Yosemite.

Used to know at least one back road into the park, no toll booth.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 02:39 PM (R4Gjb)

46 41 35 Fen should like these
-- Does anyone know a good place where I can buy a fern?
Asking for a frond.

-- With fronds like these, who needs anemones?
Posted by: Ciampino - More soil, more soil -- the plot thickens at October 26, 2024 02:24 PM (i0xsb)
You were commanded to bring a shrubbery!

Posted by: Eromero at October 26, 2024 02:36 PM (jgmnb)
----
Sorry, Sir Robin ran away he did.

Posted by: Ciampino - didn't want gutting at October 26, 2024 02:40 PM (i0xsb)

47 I forgot about pressing leaves in wax paper, probably 1st orc2nd grade projects

Posted by: Skip at October 26, 2024 02:40 PM (fwDg9)

48 San Franpsycho at October 26, 2024 02:38 PM

Fuscias vary by the species which went into the hybrids. Some are more sun-tolerant than others. Some thrive in more shade. Usually the big-flowered ones are not particularly sun-tolerant but may not be as vigorous.

Posted by: KT at October 26, 2024 02:41 PM (xekrU)

49 mugo pines as part of my landscaping. Supposed to be dwarfs.
Posted by: Diogenes

I hadn't heard of mugo pines... pretty.
I didn't read a caution to make sure you purchase a dwarf species! LOL.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:41 PM (SbFrc)

50 Saw quite a bit of potato harvesting when we were in Idaho several years ago. That stuff about Idaho potatoes is not just advertising. All of the potatoes we bought locally in Idaho were amazingly delicious. Several levels above the flavor of the potatoes we buy here in Texas.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at October 26, 2024 02:42 PM (FEVMW)

51 Sigh...

Posted by: Diogenes at October 26, 2024 02:42 PM (W/lyH)

52 Totally inconsequential but a pleasant memory.
Posted by: JTB at October 26, 2024 02:20 PM

I'm glad you brought it up! I did that, too! We hung them all around the classroom.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 26, 2024 02:42 PM (+ODIT)

53 Saw this:

A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.
-- Doug Larson

Posted by: Ciampino - find a use for it and then it isn't a weed at October 26, 2024 02:49 PM (i0xsb)

54 AI is stupid!
Searching to make sure I spelled the meadows properly I read the following:
"Toulomie Meadows...."

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 02:31 PM (SbFrc)

It's even more stupid because it's Tuolumne.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 26, 2024 03:01 PM (0eaVi)

55 39 So years ago I put in a couple mugo pines as part of my landscaping. Supposed to be dwarfs.
Yeah...right.
Both are about 14-15 feet tall and about the same around. They are so big they are splitting out from the center.
Are they too big to trim back? If I can trim them, how much?
Or am I doomed?
Posted by: Diogenes

Sell the house. It's the only option.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 03:02 PM (IY7PK)

56 Hi everybody
After the huge high of being in Texas with the horde, back to mundane household tasks. Took down the last of the container veges. Nights have gotten pretty cold so it was time but still sad.
Fall foliage here is petty different from New England. Peak color is like two days long and then gone. Thereis a reward though once the leaves are gone I get fabulous sunsets right off my back door.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at October 26, 2024 03:02 PM (t/2Uw)

57 Idaho?
You da ho!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 03:04 PM (R4Gjb)

58 57 Idaho?
You da ho!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 03:04 PM (R4Gjb)
----
She da ho!

Posted by: Ciampino - find a use for them and then they an't a weeds at October 26, 2024 03:06 PM (i0xsb)

59 Thanks KT

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 26, 2024 03:07 PM (RIvkX)

60 Idaho?
You da ho!
Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 03:04 PM (R4Gjb)

I thought we're supposed to keep politics out of these threads.

Posted by: leb at October 26, 2024 03:08 PM (3iuj+)

61 What did I miss in the nuked OT?

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 26, 2024 03:09 PM (R4Gjb)

62 55 Sell the house. It's the only option.
Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 03:02 PM (IY7PK)

Nuke em from orbit - it's the only option

Obligatory

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 26, 2024 03:12 PM (QGaXH)

63 There's been a drought here in my little part of Babylon DC. The fall colors will be meh at best this year. They are just turning brown and falling off the trees. Some years can be spectacular though.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at October 26, 2024 03:13 PM (sAmhv)

64 I haven't seen potatoes harvested in about 30 years. They used to I believe have an implement that dug them up and then they left them above ground and I think then they were put in bins or boxes. Not sure, I'd have to ask.

The machine in the pictures is digging them up and putting them in a trailer, much more efficient.

Posted by: CaliGirl at October 26, 2024 03:14 PM (oaoUQ)

65 Uh-oh....what happened?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 26, 2024 03:20 PM (QGaXH)

66 I received to small transplants of red currant from an 87 year old lady. The bushes have been on her homestead forever.

In the 50s the forest service came through eradicating all currants from the area because they purportedly harboured blister rust, which was decimating the white pines. White pine was a big commercial crop.... for matchsticks if I recall correctly.

Anywho...this woman threatened to shoot the forest service employees if they touched her currants.

They left and never came back.

And of course, they recently discovered red currants are blister rust resistant. Always had been. Figures.

Posted by: Derak at October 26, 2024 03:22 PM (br/pB)

67 OT - in case you are not in the blog later ......

SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Starlink 10-8 - SLC-40 - Cape Canaveral SFS - Space Affairs Live
Launch is announced: October 26, 5:47 p.m. EDT, 2147 UTC, 23:47 CEST.
https://www.youtube.com/live/UHoPxD-l1qg

Posted by: Ciampino - find a use for them and then they ain't weeds at October 26, 2024 03:22 PM (i0xsb)

68 I was recently driving through a portion of Was Virginia recently. There's some color starting to show.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 26, 2024 03:29 PM (dg+HA)

69 Geez. "Recently" twice in the same sentence. 15 yards and loss of down.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 26, 2024 03:32 PM (dg+HA)

70 Geez. "Recently" twice in the same sentence. 15 yards and loss of down.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 26, 2024 03:32 PM

You were emphasizing it for us slow learners.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 26, 2024 03:39 PM (mwQMI)

71 Today is 'put the patio stuff away' day. Because supposed to turn colder and rain tomorrow thru ??? who knows.

I'll miss the canopy... no more sitting outside, but staying dry, while it rains.

Posted by: JQ at October 26, 2024 03:40 PM (njWTi)

72 What did I miss in the nuked OT?
Posted by: Commissar of Plenty

Some fool was being an ass... I think I've seen it up thread twice.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 26, 2024 03:59 PM (OpoaD)

73 From Boise area: Got home from an East Coast trip on Tuesday late. Since then, lows 34-45 F, highs 52-69. Colder temps coming up...

Found that squirrels had nibbled part of an outdoor candle, leaving little wax shreds by it. WTH?

Various things are now dead - zucchini, tomatoes, nasturtiums. Marigolds damaged, but there should still be a few left for All Souls Night. Red raspberries and strawberries still producing a few decent ones. Harvested a few last poblanos. Broccolini plants still alive, but I don't think I'll get more from them. Rosemary pot was brought indoors before the trip. Garlic still needs planting.

Today we emptied dirt onto a tarp, from the last few tomato pots. One was destroyed by burrowing critters (vile little beasts!) and 2 damaged. Saw 2 voles scarpering away from us. Definitely getting barn cats next year!

Also today, raked up leaves from 3 sweet gums and shredded them. Husband sawed a limb, which was trying to block the sidewalk, off the front crabapple tree.

Posted by: Pat* at October 26, 2024 05:54 PM (bQqDd)

74 Are they too big to trim back? If I can trim them, how much?
Or am I doomed?
Posted by: Diogenes

Sell the house. It's the only option.
Posted by: nurse ratched at October 26, 2024 03:02

LMAO, TY nurse. Love he typical Moron reaction/answer.

Posted by: Farmer at October 26, 2024 07:34 PM (55Qr6)

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