Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, Oct. 11

I thought the colors were so vibrant I just had to take a picture.
Now that I can again walk , hope to be resuming my trail walks so maybe will be able to contribute more.
Sharon(willow's apprentice)

Gorgeous, lucky photo! We will be looking forward to your trail walks!

More Butterfly-Friendly Flowers

Happy Fall KT!
I just had to stop and take a picture of these roadside zinnias. I like flowers that are hardy and can grow anywhere. I expect that they will provide colorful blooms until the first frost.
Cheers,
The Pilot

They are wonderful! The mostly semi-double blooms make them attractive to butterflies.

Below, some sources for interesting roadside flowers for next year. Single-flowered varieties are even better for attracting butterflies.

Zinnia Queen Lime Red

Love-in-a-mist Mulberry Rose

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Intrepid AoS Liaison/Admiral Ackbar garden report

Things are growing well here. The grape vines are full of rapidly darkening fruit, although this is the first year they've really produced, so I'm not sure how long to wait before harvesting. Likewise, the three aronia bushes on the back of the house are loaded, and I'll pull the berries off them soon.

We have a bunch of elderberry, which seem a bit more phased in ripening, with bunches of fruit ranging from green to almost black/fully ripe. They're kind of a pain to process, and I haven't done anything with the few pounds I harvested last year, but I guess that's what the deep freeze is for.

While walking around looking for things to photograph, I saw this tree covered in little bug eggs. Isn't nature beautiful?

There are some less-usual fruits there. Let us know when you blet your medlars.

I'm not sure what kind of bug eggs those are.

Puttering

good color pic.twitter.com/oZa74ZDAr2
— rven (@privannte) October 10, 2025

Finer art from Dr_No:

The Outer Ring

Beautiful and fall-ish

Gardens of The Horde

Look to the left of the moon flowers and you see a hummingbird next to the wind chimes!
Behind the walkway are hostas and the impatiens volunteers.

These are the impatiens volunteers from last year, growing in 6" of pebbles next to the back porch. Amazing life force. They're sprawling 1-2 feet onto the concrete.
p.s. hummingbird report: as of October 3, they're still here in the upstate (SC).

These make me so happy, Miley!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening 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? Berry Enticing Guest Gardening Post [Lex]

Any thoughts or questions? Check out the late comments.

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 01:29 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 01:34 PM (+qU29)

2 That top photo; is that a hydrangea with yellow flowers? I didn't know there was such a thing.

Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 01:35 PM (mADJX)

3 Hi, Skip! Don't Miley's Impatiens look great together?

Posted by: KT at October 11, 2025 01:35 PM (7vIsy)

4 I H8 Fall
Finished clearing out compost bin ready for the new crop of leaves

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 01:36 PM (+qU29)

5 Mrs. Paco is crazy about moon flowers. We have a couple in the vegetable garden (have to keep them behind a fence to protect them from the deer).

Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 01:37 PM (mADJX)

6 I usually think, I doubt these are the last of a species of bug if I kill it or not

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 01:38 PM (+qU29)

7 I usually buy dried elderberries. But heat them with water to cover about 10-20 minutes. Add some honey to taste. You can add ginger if you like. You then strain the syrup. Take a tablespoon a day to keep from getting the flu.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 11, 2025 01:41 PM (kUxzU)

8 Wondering if anyone is doing a fall garden. I considered it but am now thinking about just doing some salad greens in my little aquaculture set up.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 11, 2025 01:43 PM (kUxzU)

9 6 'I usually think, I doubt these are the last of a species of bug if I kill it or not'

Even if it is, it's not like anyone's going to know that you personally made it extinct.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 11, 2025 01:45 PM (fd80v)

10 p.s. hummingbird report: as of October 3, they're still here in the upstate (SC).

Just saw one this morning in ETex.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 11, 2025 01:45 PM (ULPxl)

11 2 "That top photo; is that a hydrangea with yellow flowers? I didn't know there was such a thing."

It's a Lantana.

Posted by: KT at October 11, 2025 01:47 PM (7vIsy)

12 You then strain the syrup. Take a tablespoon a day to keep from getting the flu.

I took a tablespoon from the last restaurant I ate at.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 11, 2025 01:48 PM (40mRe)

13 You can use the seedpods of love-in-a-mist for dried decorations.

Posted by: KT at October 11, 2025 01:49 PM (7vIsy)

14 Saw have a few more Anaheim peppers, will keep a eye on any frost warnings and will pick them before that can happen.

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 01:52 PM (+qU29)

15 I'm a bad person. Today I put out the annual salt licks for the passing deer. I live on a deer trail and my neighbors down the road despise deer. They annihilate their sweet corn every year. They've resorted to all kinds of hijinks to keep them away including tying aluminum pie pans to small saplings. Not sure what that does.

Anyway, my apple trees, salt licks, and plentiful cut grass attracts them like an all you can eat buffet. I've tried to tell them they can keep them out of the garden with "Deer B Gon", which is mint based and safe. It really works. But, they are, apparently, "smarter" than me. So I stopped trying to help them out.

It's getting colder, so they'll be herding up soon. Which is always fun. 30 to 40 Whitetails romping through the property of a couple that absolutely hates them.

Posted by: Orson at October 11, 2025 01:52 PM (dIske)

16 11 "That top photo; is that a hydrangea with yellow flowers? I didn't know there was such a thing."

It's a Lantana. - KT

So it is! The enlargement altered perspective in such a way as to make the leaves seem larger than they really are.

Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 02:00 PM (mADJX)

17 wife got a good crop of Nasturtiums in the garden tower. Blossoms ranging from yellow to bright orange.

Posted by: Ronster at October 11, 2025 02:01 PM (LOaLX)

18 > p.s. hummingbird report: as of October 3, they're still here in the upstate (SC).

Just saw one this morning in ETex.
---------
Ours here in N Central KY left earlier in the week. Had several hanging around since late Sept. But, they've moved on.

I understand some will migrate as far as Panama.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 11, 2025 02:05 PM (Q4IgG)

19 Hummingbird report: Saw a traveler yesterday. Our guys left this past week. I'm keeping the feeders up for stragglers.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:05 PM (w6EFb)

20 Imagine a tiny hummingbird crossing the Gulf of America in one flight.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:07 PM (w6EFb)

21 Anyway, my apple trees, salt licks, and plentiful cut grass attracts them like an all you can eat buffet. I've tried to tell them they can keep them out of the garden with "Deer B Gon", which is mint based and safe. It really works. But, they are, apparently, "smarter" than me. So I stopped trying to help them out.

I don't know how effective Deer B Gon is, but Liquid Fence seems to work. We make our own "bootleg" repellant, that closely follows the ingredients in Liquid Fence: a mixture of egg, milk, dish soap, cooking oil, and ground cayenne or chili pepper, everything mixed in water. This has been very effective in deterring deer and rabbits for us.

Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 02:07 PM (mADJX)

22 Wondering if anyone is doing a fall garden. I considered it but am now thinking about just doing some salad greens in my little aquaculture set up.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 11, 2025 01:43 PM (kUxzU)

My brother bought some brussels sprout starts which turned out to be broccoli. Bummer. The garden center was not helpful. Well, who knows who was responsible for marking them? I would have thought they plant the seeds themselves, but maybe not.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:10 PM (w6EFb)

23 I understand some will migrate as far as Panama.

They ought to just bum a ride on the backs of ducks and geese.

Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 02:10 PM (mADJX)

24 LOL, Paco!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:12 PM (w6EFb)

25 Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:10 PM

Broccoli is easier to grow than brussels sprouts anyway. You really have to get your timing/climate right for brussels sprouts.

Posted by: KT at October 11, 2025 02:16 PM (7vIsy)

26 Talking about birds and migration...

There's a website that tracks their migration. I had no idea many (most) fly at night. Like 10's of millions of them. The National Weather Service's network of weather radars pick them up from time to time.

Birdcast dot info

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 11, 2025 02:17 PM (Q4IgG)

27 >>>I thought the colors were so vibrant I just had to take a picture.
Now that I can again walk , hope to be resuming my trail walks so maybe will be able to contribute more.
Sharon(willow's apprentice)

It's really beautiful, Sharon. Well earned!

Posted by: m at October 11, 2025 02:19 PM (aURVT)

28 26 Birdcast dot info

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 11, 2025 02:17 PM (Q4IgG)

I use www.hummingbird-guide.com/

Sharon, that's a stunning photo.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:22 PM (w6EFb)

29 That is a vibrant photo up top.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at October 11, 2025 02:23 PM (guCHD)

30 Zinnias are the most grateful flowers there are. If you pinch them back - actually, cutting the flowers - they branch out at the interstices. I have one volunteer in the vegetable garden that's like a bush.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:24 PM (w6EFb)

31 So many beautiful photos! Sharon's shot with all those vibrant colors is gorgeous and the mulberry rose, which I've never seen or heard of, is fascinating.

Thanks to KT for the thread and all the submissions. Sparks of color to enrich the afternoon.

Posted by: JTB at October 11, 2025 02:25 PM (yTvNw)

32 I just tagged & released 12 female Monarch butterflies this morning & have 20+ more still hanging.

Posted by: Bob at October 11, 2025 02:25 PM (YiqZD)

33 Beautiful pictures. Thanks!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 11, 2025 02:27 PM (L2PcB)

34 32 I just tagged & released 12 female Monarch butterflies this morning & have 20+ more still hanging.
Posted by: Bob at October 11, 2025 02:25 PM (YiqZD)

Well, that's neat!

Posted by: m at October 11, 2025 02:31 PM (aURVT)

35 Wondering if anyone is doing a fall garden. I considered it but am now thinking about just doing some salad greens in my little aquaculture set up.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 11, 2025 01:43 PM (kUxzU)

I put in Cranberry beans when I dig my potatoes in late July. They will get ripe enough to eat as green beans in the fall before the frost nips them, they never get ripe enough for shell beans. I like them a bit more than the string beans.
I also have some Swiss chard and some carrots that are as thick as my wife's tiny wrists, all of which I planted to try for a fall garden.
The carrots are a surprise, since we have heavy clay and hard-pan that stunts the carrots. I amended heavily with calcium and that has loosened up the clay.

With the first rains we also got wine-cap mushrooms, which got as big as salad plates and was quite surprising. I still haven't eaten any

Posted by: Kindltot at October 11, 2025 02:31 PM (rbvCR)

36 I miss mushrooming in the woods, which was a major autumn adventure in Sweden.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:33 PM (w6EFb)

37 Ya done good, K.T.!

Posted by: m at October 11, 2025 02:38 PM (aURVT)

38 That photo of the sunflower is so nice. As I pay attention, I find sunflowers to be fascinating to observe, especially the center area with all that texture and subtle irredescent colors. Mrs. JTB brought me a small one from the florist yesterday. I've spent an hour with a magnifying glass just taking examining it.

I should find out if there are smaller versions that can be grown in a container next summer. We have a spot in the back yard that should be perfect for them.

Posted by: JTB at October 11, 2025 02:40 PM (yTvNw)

39 Beautiful photos, y’all.

Time for a walk. It’s grey and cloudy and 54. Definitely fall weather.

And the Mariners won in 15!

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 11, 2025 02:42 PM (mT+6a)

40 Last year's garlic crop...wasn't. I planted too early, during a cold snap, but then we had unseasonably mild weather and the garlic began to grow quite rapidly!

They (the smug people with green thumbs) say it should be planted after the first hard frost. Which I did.

They lie.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at October 11, 2025 02:44 PM (n9ltV)

41 CBD, if I were you I'd stagger my plantings and refuse to accept failure. Plant once a week until something takes.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:49 PM (w6EFb)

42 I don't know how effective Deer B Gon is, but Liquid Fence seems to work. We make our own "bootleg" repellant, that closely follows the ingredients in Liquid Fence: a mixture of egg, milk, dish soap, cooking oil, and ground cayenne or chili pepper, everything mixed in water. This has been very effective in deterring deer and rabbits for us.
Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 02:07 PM (mADJX)
_____________________________

Nice. I'll make a bet with you. Add some vinegar to your mixture and spray it on poison ivy. I bet it wilts in about 3 days.

Posted by: Orson at October 11, 2025 02:57 PM (dIske)

43 40 Last year's garlic crop...wasn't. I planted too early, during a cold snap, but then we had unseasonably mild weather and the garlic began to grow quite rapidly!

They (the smug people with green thumbs) say it should be planted after the first hard frost. Which I did.

They lie.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at October 11, 2025 02:44 PM (n9ltV)

______________________________

I'm going to have to ask you to promise all of us that you won't speak to any Chinese experts on growing garlic.

Posted by: Orson at October 11, 2025 02:59 PM (dIske)

44 We have fairly mild winters here, so I put the garlic "seed" on the garden and covered it with a good 5" of wood chips.
The seed is from hard neck garlic I never got around to topping. It is a garden I am considering putting back into lawn so if it doesn't come up I will put in grass seed.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 11, 2025 03:01 PM (rbvCR)

45 @ Martini Farmer: Thanks for the link! Very interesting site.

Posted by: The Pilot at October 11, 2025 03:02 PM (M+4Y9)

46 OK, typo. 2" of wood chips.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 11, 2025 03:02 PM (rbvCR)

47 You then strain the syrup. Take a tablespoon a day to keep from getting the flu.

I took a tablespoon from the last restaurant I ate at.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 11, 2025 01:48 PM (40mRe)

okay, I LOL'd

Posted by: Pony Tail at October 11, 2025 03:05 PM (HcbZb)

48 CBD, if I were you I'd stagger my plantings and refuse to accept failure. Plant once a week until something takes.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:49 PM (w6EFb)

And go outside more than once?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at October 11, 2025 03:16 PM (n9ltV)

49 They lie.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at October 11, 2025 02:44 PM (n9ltV)

They have you confused with a vampire, therefore are afraid of you.

Or something.

Posted by: kallisto at October 11, 2025 03:23 PM (DeRoy)

50 Afternoon all.
Just did a little over a mile with 0 asymmetry(that's
Perfect) but didn't quite get to the trail. With Texas only a few days away didn't want to overdo it. But getting back outside listening to music and feeling the rhythm just feels so good.
Starting to feel like fall here and looks like my encore azalea will blossom but everything else looks almost gone.
It's nice that those of you who have year round gardens keep us in pictures til spring.❤️🌸🌺🪻

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at October 11, 2025 03:26 PM (t/2Uw)

51 And go outside more than once?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at October 11, 2025 03:16 PM (n9ltV)

The Garden State air must be aromatic. I remember the refineries in the 60s as we passed through on I-95.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 03:26 PM (w6EFb)

52 The volunteer impatiens…what an interesting concept! This year, I got every conceivable volunteer: hummingbird mint, petunias, coleus, cypress, snapdragons, summer jewel sage, even nicotiana…

But no impatiens. And boy would I love some volunteer impatiens

Posted by: kallisto at October 11, 2025 03:27 PM (DeRoy)

53 @42 We make our own "bootleg" repellant, that closely follows the ingredients in Liquid Fence: a mixture of egg, milk, dish soap, cooking oil, and ground cayenne or chili pepper, everything mixed in water.
Posted by: Paco at October 11, 2025 02:07 PM (mADJX)
+++++++++++++++++
Nice. I'll make a bet with you. Add some vinegar to your mixture and spray it on poison ivy. I bet it wilts in about 3 days.
_______________________________

Pro Tip: Just use what's called 'Cleaning Bleach' - it's 7.5% Sodium Hypochlorite instead of the standard 6%. Doesn't sound like much, but it's 125% stronger than the weaker version. Same rule-of-thumb applies to vinegar. 'Cleaning Vinegar' is generally 150% stronger than the standard model. That's why y' wear gloves when handling either of 'em.

Posted by: Dr_No at October 11, 2025 03:28 PM (ayRl+)

54 36 I miss mushrooming in the woods, which was a major autumn adventure in Sweden.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 02:33 PM (w6EFb)

I wish I knew which varieties are edible, because Mother Nature has been sending me a smorgasbord. One of them bloomed to the size of a dinner plate. I wanted to eat it so bad but neighbor said I shouldn’t offer myself as a guinea pig. 🤔

Posted by: kallisto at October 11, 2025 03:30 PM (DeRoy)

55 There are a herd of deer that roam around here, don't notice much destruction

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 03:35 PM (+qU29)

56 But no impatiens. And boy would I love some volunteer impatiens

Posted by: kallisto at October 11, 2025 03:27 PM (DeRoy)

All of this began with 2 plants between hostas. They spit the seeds far and wide. Then the volunteers spit seeds far and wide. There are still babies coming up in the pebbles.

Almost entirely full shade. We made an efforts to water them along with the hostas, which really need water in the hot summer.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 03:36 PM (w6EFb)

57 PET NOOD

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 03:37 PM (+qU29)

58 NOOD

go pet the pets!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 11, 2025 03:38 PM (ULPxl)

59 I wish I knew which varieties are edible, because Mother Nature has been sending me a smorgasbord. One of them bloomed to the size of a dinner plate. I wanted to eat it so bad but neighbor said I shouldn’t offer myself as a guinea pig. 🤔

Posted by: kallisto at October 11, 2025 03:30 PM (DeRoy)

Search for online resources. I still have my mushroom handbook from Sweden. Recognize the different undersides, the mycells, the color of the spoors (place on white paper and cover with a glass). You can probably find out what's to be found in your area and the type of environment it's likely to grow in. Mushroom hunters love to discuss it.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 03:39 PM (w6EFb)

60 Spores, arrrgh!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 03:40 PM (w6EFb)

61 55 There are a herd of deer that roam around here, don't notice much destruction

Posted by: Skip at October 11, 2025 03:35 PM (+qU29)

The neighbors says there are four eight-point bucks crusing around, and he has big plans for them.

I found out recently that if the ground is dry enough, an electric fence is useless.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 03:42 PM (w6EFb)

62 The insect eggs are inside the little bumps on the leaf. The insect, I believe these are aphids, secrete a chemical that mimics the plants growth hormone that causes the leaf tissue to grow these bumps. The insect is protected inside the bump.

These are common on some species such as Hackberries and are called nipple galls. There is a wasp that causes round nearly marble size galls on oak leaves.

Hope this helps.

Posted by: Fritzy at October 11, 2025 03:47 PM (2GIh1)

63 Oh, the galls don't really help the plant, but doesn't really hurt it either.

Posted by: Fritzy at October 11, 2025 03:49 PM (2GIh1)

64 Thanks for the suggestions Miley!

🙏

Posted by: kallisto at October 11, 2025 03:49 PM (DeRoy)

65 Last year I counted 60ish deer when they herded up in the lot across the street from me. My yard is a buffet too. Apples, Lilacs and pears. I've even tried a greenhouse for gardening and they just pushed out the panels. I've given up trying to keep them out now and just leave the gates open. I see them as an emergency food source on the hoof. The one who frequents my yard would probably let me walk up and stab it in the neck.

Posted by: Reforger at October 11, 2025 04:04 PM (D89Gv)

66 Kallisto, Grok suggests trying MushroomExpert.com and ForagerChef.com.

Try iNatualist.org for AI-assisted identification.

I guess you'd better have your smartphone with you in the woods. I'd love to find out if it works. We sure have come a long way since I first began picking easily-identified species. One time we found champignons on the horse manure pile, and the Swede called his brother and asked him to call us in a while to see if we were sick. They were the real deal, passed the tests.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 11, 2025 04:58 PM (w6EFb)

67 From Boise area: lows 43-61, highs 64-84 F. A cold week upcoming, with possibility of frost - I'll bring my potted rosemary and Thai basil inside. We'll also need to harvest the poblano peppers and butternut squash. (HOA's irrigation water is now off.)

I still have green beans and tomatoes, but I suspect not for much longer. I did remove the 4 tomatoes in pots, as they weren't producing. I already planted my 5 garlic cloves in a pot, 2 inches deep, with some nice fertilizer, and lots of straw on top.

We stripped the small Golden Delicious tree, and squashed most of the apples for cider/hard cider, and squashed the final Seckel pears as well. We racked off the current batch of perry, which seems way too yeasty...

We've been working on cleaning the house exterior, by vacuuming off spider webs, then power-washing. I think we're 1/4 done now.

Posted by: Pat* at October 11, 2025 08:18 PM (NdwWH)

68 I harvested and pickled my jalapeños today. It didn't take long as I only had 2 plants and one didn't survive the damned grasshoppers.

Posted by: ChupaMe at October 11, 2025 11:01 PM (tL/ii)

Processing 0.01, elapsed 0.0165 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0062 seconds, 76 records returned.
Page size 57 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.