Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, Oct 18

I've saved some spring flower photos from Neal in Israel. I like these. Above, an Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) that seems fitting today. Below, a dark hollyhock to attract some critters.

Such great photos!

I think that those hollyhocks would work well behind Eden Brothers Old Rose Dahlia Mix for later in the season. The hollyhocks might re-bloom.

Those are sold as tubers, but also look for flowers you can sow in October for spring bloom at that site. Check your hardiness zone.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Somehow, I missed these photos from 40 Miles North back in July:

Today I harvested a couple of my nectarines, and they were fantastic! There are a few still growing on the tree:

My big vine has grapes. My small vine does as well.

I have a few figs growing nine feet in the air:
...and it looks like I will have some blood oranges this year:

Fantastic! The nectarines sound wonderful. Let us know if you got any figs before the critters got them.

Puttering

I found a site where memes are accompanied by recipes:

low carb pumpkin crisp

Modify according to your preferences. An almond and pecan topping sounds nice.

Gardens of The Horde

40 Miles North also sent us some azalea photos:

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? Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, Oct. 11

Any 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 01:26 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 01:29 PM (+qU29)

2 Picked 4 Anaheim peppers this morning, 2 ripe 2 green, should make chili soon with them.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 01:30 PM (+qU29)

3 Today's nature encounter - mowng down enough weeds to be able to get to the ash trees that fell this year.

Thanks China, the ash borer was a great gift.

Other than that, it has been a glorious autumn. Colors are in full swing. We are blessed.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at October 18, 2025 01:34 PM (8AONa)

4 I am losing old maples, one 20 feet from house is barely 1/4 left green.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 01:35 PM (+qU29)

5 Leaves just starting to change here in se Pa

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 01:35 PM (+qU29)

6 Beautiful fall day today, warm and partly sunny. Gonna repot my mums (under attack from groundhogs) and dig up some caladiums to store for the winter.

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at October 18, 2025 01:36 PM (kpS4V)

7 Beautiful photos.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 18, 2025 01:39 PM (IYIYn)

8 KT and all who sent in photos,
Thanks. Those flowers are magnificent. I can stare at them for hours.

Posted by: JTB at October 18, 2025 01:42 PM (yTvNw)

9 Haven't seen a hummingbird in a week. Safe to say, the season's over, so I'll wash the last two feeders and put them up over the winter.

It's 82 today, with a nice breeze and leaves fluttering down. Temps this week are expected in the low 40s overnight, though.

Still getting some tomatoes. It was a late start.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 01:42 PM (w6EFb)

10 I envy 40 miles north for those yummy crops!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 01:43 PM (w6EFb)

11 I had to take the bottlebrush photo out. It has a demon.

Posted by: KT at October 18, 2025 01:43 PM (7vIsy)

12 I have garlic and shallots arriving today to plant. And I have a lot of green tomatoes! The planr sat there for a month after transplanting, then went crazy last month. Supposed to be 38 tonight, so will put some row cover on it. Trying to give it a bit more time.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 18, 2025 01:45 PM (kUxzU)

13 I planted some dill this year but didn't do anything with it. I did harvest some seed, as folks on FB wanted some but didn't show. I noticed yesterday that I have little dill starts in that bed.

I am waiting for leaves to fall, to cover the beds for the winter.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 18, 2025 01:49 PM (kUxzU)

14 For those in the northern Virginia region I got some nasty news yesterday. Merrifield Garden Center in Gainesville is probably the largest in the area and has been sold. It will close before the end of the year. To make it worse, it's been sold to put in another damn data center. As if the area isn't lousy wth them already. 38 acres of what is plants and supplies, beautifully shown, will be replaced by more gray, lifeless boxes. Bah!!

The place always has a nice selection of small or dwarf plants suitable for terrariums and bottle gardens and similar indoor settings. I was planning to start some of those this winter. Looks like I'll have to move up the schedule. This is a loss for the whole area.

Posted by: JTB at October 18, 2025 01:50 PM (yTvNw)

15 >>>I am losing old maples, one 20 feet from house is barely 1/4 left green.
~~~~~

Skip, check for those damn lantern flies. They love maples. A neighbor lost four trees last year from them.

Posted by: IrishEi at October 18, 2025 01:52 PM (3ImbR)

16 BTW, the garden center I mentioned in comment 14 is a family run business and has been for decades. I don't blame them for selling as the price they'll get can fund several generations. But it's still a loss for the gardening community.

Posted by: JTB at October 18, 2025 01:54 PM (yTvNw)

17 I had a morning glory problem this year.

This is the first year I planted one, but it went in a pot. It didn't take too long for me to understand they do not like wet feet, they really need to be in the ground or in a super deep pot. So as leaves on the vine kept yellowing and dropping, I didn't really foresee getting any flowers from the vine.
August went, September ended, and still no flowers.

The other day I checked the top of the vine (it had climbed up my porch banister), and there are about 8 buds, one of them really big. So here they are, better late than never, but the nights are getting really cool so I cover them when the sun sets.

I would hate after all this anticipation for the flower buds to drop. I only need to see one, and I'll be happy.

Posted by: kallisto at October 18, 2025 01:57 PM (dCxaZ)

18 It's a beautiful day in my part of Canada. I should mow the leaves but there are so many more to fall. Some years, I've ended up mowing into December.

A guy sprayed the weeds about a month ago. I finally got around to cleaning that up after I cut these plants that grow every year on the side of the house.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 18, 2025 02:01 PM (Sco7b)

19 I think that those hollyhocks would work well behind Eden Brothers Old Rose Dahlia Mix for later in the season.

An inspired idea!

Posted by: Paco at October 18, 2025 02:14 PM (mADJX)

20 4 I am losing old maples, one 20 feet from house is barely 1/4 left green. - Skip

Is it just old age or is it disease? Or some kind of insect?

Posted by: Paco at October 18, 2025 02:16 PM (mADJX)

21 I brought my potted ginger and canna lilly in for the winter, as we've had frost and semitropical plants don't like that.

I feel bad for the ginger - I didn't put it out until late July, so its really didn't have nearly as long to sprout and grow as it would have liked.

Indoor temps are consistent, but the light is very low. The plants definitely prefer real sun.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 18, 2025 02:18 PM (i00+Z)

22 Paco that I am not sure of. Besides a woodpecker who visits often as it must be attracting bugs, do see others in surrounding areas also dying

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 02:27 PM (+qU29)

23 I'm checking our inventory of grow lights. I want some indoor plants in small arrangements, especially one with succulents and one with miniature African violets and similar. It's supposed to be a harsher than usual winter and our house offers few spots for natural light. It would be pleasant to have a small area set up for an indoor garden. If we get the amount of snow and ice forecast, it would serve as a reminder that spring will come eventually.

Posted by: JTB at October 18, 2025 02:33 PM (yTvNw)

24 Yard needs mowing... but it's a 4 hour chore and my arthritis is having none of it. But I did get some wood water seal on a few exposed spots around the backyard deck.

Storms are likely on the way tonight/tomorrow.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 18, 2025 02:39 PM (Q4IgG)

25 The Emerald Ash Borer has gotten to this area, and the Oregon Ash are starting to die. My plan is to replace them with Osage Orange which is about as hardy and tolerant of wettish soils.
My only gardening this week was to plant more garlic under a blanket of chips, pick my late bush beans, and reset my walkway pavers with a broader spacing.

I am filling the gaps between the pavers with a mix of sand and crushed limestone which seems to work to keep the weeds down. Having the pavers tight together lets the grass and weeds grow up and they are too tough to pull up

Posted by: Kindltot at October 18, 2025 02:47 PM (rbvCR)

26 Many of the Morons at TXMOME planted ammo seeds this weekend. We’re hoping for a bumper crop next year.

Posted by: Perfessor Sqiurrel at October 18, 2025 02:49 PM (/jGcj)

27 90% of the things I worry about never happen

WORRYING WORKS

haha! That's so naughty!

Posted by: m at October 18, 2025 02:52 PM (RuTUS)

28 This is a loss for the whole area.

Posted by: JTB at October 18, 2025 01:50 PM (yTvNw)

That's horrible news. I recall they were putting data centers along Rt 28 when I lived in Ashburn; surely much worse now.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 02:55 PM (w6EFb)

29

You put your nectarines in a cage so hard-working, undocumented animals can't eat them? You NAZI!

Posted by: Progtard Fuckwit at October 18, 2025 02:59 PM (rs4JW)

30 And just like that, now that the soybeans are off, we see turkeys roaming the field.

Don't take any helicopter rides, ladies.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at October 18, 2025 02:59 PM (8AONa)

31 2 Picked 4 Anaheim peppers this morning, 2 ripe 2 green, should make chili soon with them.
Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 01:30 PM (+qU29)

Picked them at a worksite?

Posted by: m at October 18, 2025 03:00 PM (RuTUS)

32 17 Posted by: kallisto at October 18, 2025 01:57 PM (dCxaZ)

This is the time of year when morning glories take over EVERYTHING if we allow it. The wild ones, of course, but also the Japanese ones that my brother planted a few years back. Striped purple and blue.

There are tiny sky blue ones scattered around the back gardens, maybe 1". Very cute. I've never seen them before.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:00 PM (w6EFb)

33 I am filling the gaps between the pavers with a mix of sand and crushed limestone which seems to work to keep the weeds down. Having the pavers tight together lets the grass and weeds grow up and they are too tough to pull up
Posted by: Kindltot at October 18, 2

Thanks for sharing your solution. My pavers are overrun.

I love the photos. Red is my favorite autumnal color.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 18, 2025 03:00 PM (gJoNf)

34 The purple and blue morning glories are Grandpa Ott's. There is a house down the road with a fence covered in Heavenly Blues. I'll try this next year.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 18, 2025 03:06 PM (kUxzU)

35 This week we're planting saffron crocus and a clump of white pampas grass. Mama specifically requested pampas grass (the big plumes). I hope she lives to see it.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:07 PM (w6EFb)

36 My my lead pile more manageable, cut everything up to hopefully no more than about 20 pounds or less. I have to have at least 600 pounds around. Biggest sheet was 4x7 feet, 1/8" thick. It comes in 1/16 and 1/8.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 03:08 PM (+qU29)

37 And, speaking of Otts, I use an Ottlite on my African violets. They seem to like it. My second miniature has died though. I think I'llreplace it with a standard in the spring. The standards are okay.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 18, 2025 03:09 PM (kUxzU)

38 I'm just wild about Saffron, she is just wild about me

Now you did it Miley

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 03:10 PM (+qU29)

39 34 Yes, we got some of those a few years back. Since MGs are so prolific (and cross-pollinate) you never know what will come up in the future. Check out Flying Saucer.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:10 PM (w6EFb)

40 m no out of my mini greenhouse

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 03:11 PM (+qU29)

41 38 Thanks for the earworm, Skip!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:11 PM (w6EFb)

42 I saw a flock of about fifteen turkeys at the lake. There are soybean fields at the other end of the lake but they like to hide out in the trees on this end.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 18, 2025 03:12 PM (kUxzU)

43 Lovely nectarines and azaleas, 40 Miles North!

Posted by: m at October 18, 2025 03:13 PM (RuTUS)

44 I'd like a greenhouse, big enough to make a nice place to hang out on sunny days in the winter and play cribbage.

And for seedlings, of course.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:13 PM (w6EFb)

45 I'd like a greenhouse, big enough to make a nice place to hang out on sunny days in the winter and play cribbage.

And for seedlings, of course.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:13 PM (w6EFb)

There is an abandoned greenhouse that a friend is using for a painting booth for his business. All I can think is that it would have been a great place to hang out in the winter, and it would have been a wonderful photo studio for doing portraits. It has lovely lighting.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 18, 2025 03:16 PM (rbvCR)

46 40 m no out of my mini greenhouse
Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 03:11 PM (+qU29)

Oh! Homegrown Anaheim peppers. How great!

Posted by: m at October 18, 2025 03:16 PM (RuTUS)

47 I spent last Saturday planting bulbs: My Story daffodils, two kinds of garlic, and Egyptian walking onions.

I also put in about 30 sunchoke tubars. That turned into a real job because there was bittersweet nightshade growing along the fence and hiding under the shade of rhubarb. The stems break off, the berries fall, and the taproot is a pain to dig up. But the sunchoke should take over (just have to make sure it doesn't bother the rhubarb)!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 18, 2025 03:17 PM (gJoNf)

48 Last few ripe ones were mild hot, see if these are as well.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2025 03:22 PM (+qU29)

49 Posted by: Kindltot at October 18, 2025 03:16 PM (rbvCR)

I love structures like that. Oatlands plantation off Rt 7 in Leesburg, VA has a greenhouse built in 1810, still in use. One of the oldest still surviving in the US.

There's a Japanese maple growing in front of it that is taking over (probably the same age, if they live that long). It's staggeringly beautiful.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 18, 2025 03:27 PM (w6EFb)

50 Eliot Coleman has a book on the Four Season Harvest, with that sort of greenhouse. There are two beds and a paved area with a table and chairs.

I used to love going to the Conservatory in Spokane in the winter. Snow outside and wonderful plants inside

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 18, 2025 03:31 PM (kUxzU)

51 Pets are up!!

Posted by: m at October 18, 2025 03:31 PM (RuTUS)

52 I tried a little experiment this year. And, to be honest, I'm not sure how it's going. I planted Paw Paw trees. If you aren't familiar with them, you're forgiven. I didn't know what they were until I started researching them last year. They used to produce a popular fruit back in the day. In fact, it was the MOST popular fruit in the north east US. There is a reason it is now affectionally referred to as "the forgotten fruit."

The fruit is a little less than hand size, yellowish brown, and to be honest, doesn't look very appetizing. It carries a taste a little like a mixture between bananas, mangos, and pineapple. However, it's ugly. It doesn't really ripen well off the tree, and eating the skin or the seeds will likely put you in the care of a doctor.

But, I was curious. So I planted a handful of saplings (which weren't easy to find)...and well, they aren't dead yet.

They aren't fast growers either. We'll see what happens next year I suppose.

Posted by: Orson at October 18, 2025 03:32 PM (dIske)

53 >>>I closed the comments on this post

... "on that post" really; to help newbies from being confused.

Posted by: m at October 18, 2025 03:37 PM (RuTUS)

54 Orson at October 18, 2025 03:32 PM

Good luck with your pawpaws! You need at least two survivors to get fruit because they need cross-pollination.

The trees are hard to transplant, but planting seedlings is a gamble because some of the fruits may have overtones of turpentine.

There are recognized grafted varieties for good quality and flavor. Some of them are 'Pennsylvania Golden' 'Potomac' 'Shenandoah' 'Wabash' and 'Susquehanna'. If you get fruit on your trees and it isn't good, you might be able to top-work at least one tree with a recognized variety (using the other tree just for pollination).

Posted by: KT at October 18, 2025 04:10 PM (7vIsy)

55 Posted by: KT at October 18, 2025 04:10 PM (7vIsy)

Thanks so much. Good to know. I have a tendency to play around with fruit trees. I worked as kid in an orchard...and learned a lot (including Spanish

). Right now, I'm "babying" the saplings. They're healthy, and I planted six (all still alive). They grew out this summer, not up, which is odd for a young tree. We'll see what happens next year. If I'm trusting the place I got the saplings, all six are Allegheny variety.

Posted by: Orson at October 18, 2025 06:07 PM (dIske)

56 Orson at October 18, 2025 06:07 PM

You may need another variety too, or you could allow some branches from the rootstock to grow up, maybe.

Pawpaws are the host plant for caterpillars of the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly.

Posted by: KT at October 18, 2025 07:50 PM (7vIsy)

57 I bought my mom a holiday amaryllis. Then the woman I was dating saw glitter on my clothes. Now I have an imaginary stripper girlfriend named Amaryllis Glitter.

Posted by: Tmitsss at October 18, 2025 09:30 PM (T0KfM)

58 From Boise area: Lows 39-46 F, highs 55-64. Light frost has nipped some butternut squash leaves - yet not the poblano peppers.

Today we had 4-H friends over to strip our 2 big apple trees, learn how to make cider, and take apples/cider home, plus enjoy a small bonfire with s'mores! They worked for most of 4 hours, and there are still a LOT of apples left for us to sort - some to eat, some to make more cider (frozen for later hard cider brewing), some to give to our friends for their cows. We'd power-washed the deck so it looked decent for this event - when we decide to stop making cider, we'll have to do it again.

I was cleaning house for this event, so barely got out to the garden this week! I'll need to go check on tomato and green bean production soon. I did bring in my potted rosemary and Thai basil plants.

We brought out some frozen tomatoes to thaw - time to start making and canning tomato sauce.

Posted by: Pat* at October 18, 2025 10:24 PM (YMvAZ)

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