Gardening, Home and Nature Thread

I haven't been paying enough attention to the posts of Don in Kansas, and his Soggy Times (which at least were posted in October) have some great photos, going back into summer.

Usually during Kansas summers the problem in the garden is not enough water. Once in a while we get a wet summer, though, and this year’s has been the wettest I can remember. We got heavy rain nearly every week, often three or five inches at a time. It’s still happening; it’s only Tuesday, and already this week an inch and three-quarters has fallen. The problem is compounded by topography. I live in one of the flattest areas of one of the flattest states, and there’s very little slope in my yard. Insufficient moisture can be remedied with a hose, but a surplus is not so easily dealt with. Some of the plants in my garden like all the water, as do weeds and mosquitoes. Others don’t. I’ve been experimenting with dryland plants, which often do well out in the prairie, and everything looked happy and vigorous back in June. But the rains never stopped, and I’ve lost a number of species I had high hopes for.

For those interested in Penstemons: species native to Kansas did fine with all the rain. P. strictus and P. barbatus also look healthy despite the downpours. I’ll have to wait and see on the others.

Below, a few snapshots from summer. More at the link above.

Also check out Don's recent Tunes of the Day and ghost story (sort of). He has good taste.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

From By-Tor:

I found a Key Lime tree, known as Mexican lime tree in California, at work, that had dropped a grocery bag worth of fruit on the ground.
Fifteen minutes of squeezing yielded a full quart of fresh lime juice.
Good for Key Lime pies, obviously, but also marinating meat, putting in drinks( ginger ale and 7-Up for me) and making limeade.
I’m thinking with an acid content of 5% it should stay good in the fridge for awhile.

Anybody have a favorite recipe for Key Lime Pie? Another favorite Key Lime recipe?

For some of those with a winter growing season (check locally), Spinach 'Monstreux de Viroflay' (Baker Creek). A cool season crop elsewhere, too.

Ah, Nature

A tiny friend:

More of a Spring picture than a Fall one but I keep forgetting to send it. For size reference, that's jeans denim weave.

Oddbob

Could be laying eggs in our stucco by this time of year.

Adventure

Friends saw mountain goats while hiking in the Superstition Mountains.

Elsewhere in Arizona:

Gardens of The Horde

Hi K.T. -

I'm ready to turn the calendar page to November, but my climbing roses are still putting out buds and blossoms like it's summertime. Even the "pinkie winkie" hydrangea blooms continue to hang on and provide a nice pop of color for the garden.

Cheers,

The Pilot

Love those late flowers!

Hi KT,
Hope you are both as good as God can make you!

Attached is a dewy spider web looking all sparkly in the loofah patch (one is ripening on the left).

Miley

Thanks.

The spiders have done art!

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. 25

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.

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Only thing I grew is fat.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 01, 2025 01:23 PM (noY81)

2 Only thing I grew is fat.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 01, 2025 01:23 PM (noY81)

You and me both!

But I did manage to kill an orchid, although to be fair I got it to bloom three times!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at November 01, 2025 01:25 PM (n9ltV)

3 I don't want to get on the cart.

Posted by: CBD's orchid at November 01, 2025 01:27 PM (XQo4F)

4 Raining and windy here on the beach.

Coffee
Kitty
College football

I’ll go for a walk later. Maybe.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 01, 2025 01:27 PM (mT+6a)

5 Afternoon all.
Those photos are gorgeous. Especially like the purple one.
I had to cut off all the green foliage left from my lilies because they were literally covered in teeny tiny bugs. I may have to dump the soil in the planter but waiting for the first freeze to deal with it.
My Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter cactus covered in buds. Yes it blooms for about 5 months.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at November 01, 2025 01:32 PM (t/2Uw)

6 1 Only thing I grew is fat.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at

November 01, 2025 01:23 PM

Instead of a green thumb, I too am quite adept at having a greasy thumb ... and the results therefrom.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 01, 2025 01:34 PM (HlyYF)

7 Question for tomato growers:

I only did a single tomato plant this year. It kept blossoming, but never set any fruit.

Do tomato plants require another tomato plant for cross-pollination?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 01, 2025 01:35 PM (HlyYF)

8 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Still might be a few Anaheim peppers in my mini greenhouse
Should have started the annual leaf harvest today but did plumbing this morning.
Still might go out and at least make some piles

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

9 And I won't be happy until May

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

10 And just to let you know what KS is like, my area missed most of that rain. It's like I'm in a rain shadow.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 01, 2025 01:39 PM (Ws4YJ)

11 Anybody have a favorite recipe for Key Lime Pie? Another favorite Key Lime recipe?

no recipe for Key Lime Pie, however, I love love love to consume it!

coincidentally, I saw a video a couple days ago of how to make lime pickle, a condiment used in Sri Lanka. The channel owner is Rajiv Suvedra, he posts all kinds of arts and home-crafty things. He often demonstrates Tamil cookery, and the pickled lime is just the latest example.

It is not for those who like quick fixes or dishes that are easily prepared, there is a time factor involved.
The result is a sweet/hot condiment that can be used however one sees fit.

Posted by: kallisto at November 01, 2025 01:40 PM (dCxaZ)

12 But I did manage to kill an orchid, although to be fair I got it to bloom three times!

I do not know how mine have survived after the depredations I subjected them to this past summer.

Posted by: kallisto at November 01, 2025 01:40 PM (dCxaZ)

13 I like Rajiv's videos a lot! He does some interesting crafts stuff

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 01, 2025 01:41 PM (Ws4YJ)

14 Just got my garlic in this morning. Little patch of Musik, little patch of German Hardy. Soil just hit 50F, finally.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at November 01, 2025 01:45 PM (06Hmj)

15 13 I like Rajiv's videos a lot! He does some interesting crafts stuff

yes, he's pretty chill too, doesn't get into controversial topics, just sticks to the subject at hand

Posted by: kallisto at November 01, 2025 01:46 PM (dCxaZ)

16
Do tomato plants require another tomato plant for cross-pollination?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot

No They do set fruit with plant movement...

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 01, 2025 01:54 PM (DBbTi)

17
No They do set fruit with plant movement...
Posted by: AZ deplorable m

Amend that to flower movement, please!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 01, 2025 01:55 PM (DBbTi)

18 From Boise area: lows 32-42 F, highs 48-57. We were away on a final trailer trip for this year, so not that much to say. We did get the irrigation system blowout done. We'll be raking leaves very soon, as lots of them are down, and our trash company will only take bags during November.

We let our trail camera run while we were gone, to check on Collin the barn cat. He's definitely using the shelter we built for him - large cardboard box, thick insulation blocks as liner, with a waterproof, temperature-controllable heating pad underneath, and a fuzzy scrap of blanket for comfort. (Maybe this note would be better left on the Pet Thread, but caring for Collin is a part of our Yard Work, so I put this note here.)

Posted by: Pat* at November 01, 2025 01:56 PM (8frCa)

19 We ran some early errands this morning. Clear sky, bright sunlight and dry air. The autumn reds haven't been too good this year but the golden browns and deep yellows have been spectacular, especially with the sun shining through them. I pulled the car over a couple of times just to look. Glorious!

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 01:58 PM (yTvNw)

20 my area missed most of that rain. It's like I'm in a rain shadow.
Posted by: Notsothoreau

Rain shawdow? In Kansas? Too near the rockies?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 01, 2025 01:58 PM (DBbTi)

21 It's a rain desert.
Why do you live in a desert?

Posted by: Cue Sam Kinison at November 01, 2025 02:01 PM (XQo4F)

22 We need to dig our sweet taters before the first hard freeze (might be tonight), so my afternoon is taken.
So much for football n beer.
Cold enough to set new stands and change old ones.
Had a "do-able" shot on an 8 point this morning... crossbow rested on a porch rail... and forgot to take off the safety.
Grizzly old buck lives another day

Posted by: MkY at November 01, 2025 02:03 PM (q6tQZ)

23 Certainly could start leaf collecting, windy out so unless going with the wind it's difficult

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 02:12 PM (+qU29)

24 Leaves just beginning to fall here. A few cold snaps but no hard freeze yet. Soon!

I had a planter full of mixed coleus and 'black'-leaved sweet potato vine. Didn't take pictures while it was so lush and full looking, but did remember to take pics of the cuttings I took last week.

Sweet potato cuttings will root in water in less than 48 hours! Coleus... take longer.

Posted by: JQ at November 01, 2025 02:23 PM (rdVOm)

25
Wildlife moving down from the mountains to town for winter here in SW Wyoming.

They are eating what's left from summer in yards.

It is cool to see a moose walking around town.

Posted by: fourseasons at November 01, 2025 02:30 PM (3ek7K)

26 Key lime pie
One graham cracker pie crust
1/3 C key lime juice
4 egg yolks ( reserve whites)
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Bake crust for ten minutes or so
Beat egg yolks, juice and condensed milk until creamy, about two minutes
Pour mix into crust; bake at 350 ten minutes.

Merengue
Beat egg whites at high. As they get fluffy slowly add in about 2-3 T sugar, and a few drops of vanilla. When merengue is stiff and glossy, top pie and bake until very light brown.
Chill in fridge at least 3 hours before cutting to allow pie to set

Posted by: Kevin at November 01, 2025 02:38 PM (uuY8f)

27 Thank you for that recipe, Kevin!

Posted by: JQ at November 01, 2025 02:41 PM (rdVOm)

28 We let our trail camera run while we were gone, to check on Collin the barn cat. He's definitely using the shelter we built for him - large cardboard box, thick insulation blocks as liner, with a waterproof, temperature-controllable heating pad underneath, and a fuzzy scrap of blanket for comfort. (Maybe this note would be better left on the Pet Thread, but caring for Collin is a part of our Yard Work, so I put this note here.)

Posted by: Pat* at November 01, 2025 01:56 PM (8frCa)

Pat, check out the pet thread to see the shelter for our adopted stray

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at November 01, 2025 02:42 PM (w6EFb)

29 Had a "do-able" shot on an 8 point this morning... crossbow rested on a porch rail... and forgot to take off the safety.
Grizzly old buck lives another day
Posted by: MkY
------------
Heading out for the afternoon/evening hunt shortly.

Scampywife pulled the last onion out of the garden earlier in the week. And promptly ate it.

Posted by: scampydog at November 01, 2025 02:46 PM (YPm7m)

30 Key lime pie recipe looks great!

Posted by: KT at November 01, 2025 02:48 PM (7vIsy)

31 Question for tomato growers:
I only did a single tomato plant this year. It kept blossoming, but never set any fruit.
Do tomato plants require another tomato plant for cross-pollination?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 01, 2025 01:35 PM (HlyYF)

Not really. What they do need is cooler temperatures. I am told when it is too hot the tomatoes will not set fruit.
I am not sure what to do in that case besides rig sun cloth and spray water.

Posted by: Kindltot at November 01, 2025 02:53 PM (rbvCR)

32 Key Lime Pie

I separate one egg white from the others and beat thst until fluffy and fold into the condensed milk filling. It makes for a little lighter filling.
Can also be done with a regular pie crust, you just have to pre bake it until light brown. I like this better than Graham cracker crust.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at November 01, 2025 03:05 PM (t/2Uw)

33 Nice rack!

Posted by: Elrond Hubbard at November 01, 2025 03:05 PM (WQDw6)

34 Tomatoes self pollinate.
The flaps of a bees wings spreads the pollen.
You can also blow on the flowers

Posted by: Elrond Hubbard at November 01, 2025 03:07 PM (WQDw6)

35 KEY LIMES ... Key lime juice can be used to make Bill Smith's Atlantic Beach pie ... The crust is made from saltine crackers and, rather than a meringue topping, the pie is finished with whipped cream ... A nice recipe from Southern Living can be found on the internet.

Posted by: Kathy at November 01, 2025 03:08 PM (zuKcR)

36 [ smiles and gestures vigorously ]

Posted by: Gavin Newsom at November 01, 2025 03:09 PM (EaLNz)

37 >>Question for tomato growers:
I only did a single tomato plant this year. It kept blossoming, but never set any fruit.
Do tomato plants require another tomato plant for cross-pollination?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 01, 2025 01:35 PM

I go out early in the morning and give them all a good shake. Tomatoes are self-pollinators, so I figured this would be a way to shake the pollen loose into the blooms. I've had good luck doing this. I also compliment them on their lovely blooms and foliage and give them pep talks about fulfilling their tomato destiny.

Posted by: JB Pritzker at November 01, 2025 03:10 PM (98kQX)

38 >>>@34 Tomatoes self pollinate. The flaps of a bees wings spreads the pollen. You can also blow on the flowers. Posted by: Elrond Hubbard at November 01, 2025 03:07 PM
====================
A battery-operated electric toothbrush can be used to vibrate tomato vine stems ... Either reserve a "retired" toothbrush head (rather than tossing) and dedicate it to gardening service, or enclose a still-being-used head with plastic wrap or a food storage bag.

Posted by: Kathy at November 01, 2025 03:16 PM (zuKcR)

39 A battery-operated electric toothbrush can be used to vibrate tomato vine stems


Kinky.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 01, 2025 03:19 PM (mT+6a)

40 Pets are up

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 01, 2025 03:23 PM (mT+6a)

41 16 Do tomato plants require another tomato plant for cross-pollination?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot

No They do set fruit with plant movement...
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 01, 2025 01:54 PM (DBbTi)

17
No They do set fruit with plant movement...
Posted by: AZ deplorable m

Amend that to flower movement, please!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 01, 2025 01:55 PM

It's Kansas, the wind blows almost constantly. I certainly see no shortage of pollinator insects. Yet I didn't grow a single tomato.

Perhaps I am just "gifted" that way?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 01, 2025 03:42 PM (HlyYF)

42 @Kathy on 35 - Another thumbs up for Atlantic Beach Pie.

Posted by: The Pilot at November 01, 2025 03:45 PM (M+4Y9)

43 Sweet potato cuttings will root in water in less than 48 hours! Coleus... take longer.

I have the same combo of Sweet Caroline ‘black’ sweet potato vine and coleus, they look atriking together when they fill out. I planted mine with white alyssum and impatiens, and some petunias and snapdragon volunteers filled in some gaps. The volunteers were in the pink and lilac range.

When the afternoon sun hits the black sweet potato vine, its true color of a deep garnet red is revealed.

Posted by: kallisto at November 01, 2025 03:47 PM (FLw1t)

44 Perhaps I am just "gifted" that way?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 01, 2025 03:42 PM (HlyYF)

Could be a nutrient deficiency, micro- or macro-, depending on what you're growing in.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at November 01, 2025 03:50 PM (06Hmj)

45 Not that close to CO. South, East and North of me were hit with the rain. I didn't check to the West. Clouds would split and we'd get just the edge of the rain.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 01, 2025 03:51 PM (Ws4YJ)

46 I have done that with the Key lime pie. You get a more mousse like texture. Can also do the same by beating in a cup of homemade whipped cream. I prefer the denser texture of the original.
You can also use regular limes if that’s all you have but it won’t be quite the same. It will still be tasty.
Using a regular pie crust in Key West will probably get you walked off the White St Pier.

Posted by: Kevin at November 01, 2025 04:56 PM (uuY8f)

47 The tall yellow flowers are a type of rudebeckia, nicknamed "outhouse" flowers. They used to grow them to hide the outhouse.

Posted by: S,Lynn at November 01, 2025 09:45 PM (kOIUR)

48 https://tinyurl.com/3ryhst96

Posted by: Don at November 01, 2025 10:28 PM (4JpKz)

49 Even though we've been covering the tomatoes for the last week or so, it finally got too cold for too long Tuesday night here at 6000 feet in AZ. Collected about 50 green tomatoes and pulled the plants.
We'll see which ripen (we'll eat those) and the others will get buried in the beds. Next year's plants will rise over their sacrifice.

Posted by: buddhaha at November 01, 2025 10:31 PM (Z4fPs)

(Jump to top of page)

Name: *

Email: *

URL:

Comments:

Processing 0.01, elapsed 0.0134 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0055 seconds, 57 records returned.
Page size 49 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.