Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, Dec 20

Spiral Potato Tree

Some of us might like a little brightening up this time of year. People put together more Christmas season things than we remember sometimes. For example, Fresno is usually considered to be part of Northern California and they have a famous "Christmas Tree Lane" which has been decorated by private homeowners for a hundred years. But I recently learned that even further north, there are community activities including a Creche Exhibit in Palo Alto, Christmas in the Park in San Jose and Dickens's Christmas Faire at the Cow Palace, Daly City.

Maybe we could be brave and do a little decorating at home, too.

Photos were only allowed in a small part of the Creche Exhibit, where organizations put up displays.

Lighted decorations at home can help people negotiate Northern California fog.

From the beginning of the month.

The evening fog looking more northward from outside our front door. We are in the fog during the day as it raises from the valley. Then settles back down there in the evening.
NorCal Sierra Foothills Lurker

And how about some light in that Alaska darkness? It's now the Winter Solstice, after this photo was taken on or before December 13:

Notice the sun. It won't get higher than that until the end of January.

Well, I could go for some lights in the garden there.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Continuing with our special feature on hazelnuts (one of those Christmas nuts) with 58Mikie! and his favorite book on hazelnut cookery. These nuts are versatile!

Roasting hazelnuts:

Something sweet:

And something you probably haven't thought of before:

Adventure

Neal in Israel sent us some gardening and adventuring photos, perfect for the Hanukkah and Christmas season. Saving photos from Poland and Israel for after Christmas. Starting today with Montenegro, which is across the Adriatic from the heel of Italy. Ever wondered about their music? Their Agriculture?

Well, Neal visited:

Katy, shalom,
I've been sitting on a bunch of photos for some time now, hoping there would be something wow! in the garden, but things have just continued on in a fairly routine manner. So I've decided to stop delaying and send on what I have in hand.
First, something historical: Back in July we visited Montenegro. As the name indicates, much of the country is covered by mountains, and we did a lot of driving on crazy, zigzagging roads. The country is also very well watered, and at least part of the forest cover qualifies as rain forest.
We took a jeep ride up a mountain, and reached areas above the tree line where plant life was confined to grass and low scrub. There were some nice, but very small, wildflowers there, which I tried to photograph. The size of the flowers pictured ranges from about a dime to quarter.

More later:

Fascinating.

Gardens of The Horde

Hi KT,
One of my coworkers gave me this little Christmas cactus last year. Never expected it to bloom again as I was supposed to move it outside when the temperatures changed to under 50 degrees ambient didn't get warmer than 60 degrees.
Here it is, blooming in time for Christmas, looking all pretty.

BifBewalski

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, Dec. 13

Any thoughts or questions?

I closed the comments on that 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 01:35 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Goid afternoon Greenthumbs and snow Bunnies

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 01:40 PM (Ia/+0)

2 Out gathering sticks from winds in the last day, at least no snow here

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 01:41 PM (Ia/+0)

3 There is a Robin in tje yard, wife saw it this morning and just saw one now.
Didn't get the memo to fly south yet

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 01:45 PM (Ia/+0)

4 My Marcato cookie press came with a recipe for chocolate hazelnut cookies. Very holiday.

180g butter; 70 g sugar; 1 egg; 1 tsp vanilla; 300g flour; 40-45 shelled hazelnuts, ground fine; 1-½ tsp cocoa powder; pinch of salt.

Cream butter and sugar well. Beat in egg. Stir in vanilla. Stir together the flour, hazelnuts, cocoa, and salt and stir into dough. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 350° for about fifteen minutes. Three dozen cookies.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at December 20, 2025 01:46 PM (EXyHK)

5 Calif cold, 56°, foggy. Rain forecast Christmas eve, Christmas day.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 20, 2025 01:53 PM (Kt19C)

6 Central Texas, 78° Christmas eve, 77° Christmas Day. Santa’s gonna come in a stagecoach when he visits… the hill country.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at December 20, 2025 01:56 PM (EXyHK)

7 I remember "high noon" where I lived in Sweden - it looked like early morning. The only time I'd see the sun was if I went to the grocery store down the street from the factory where I worked, to buy lunch.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 20, 2025 01:56 PM (w6EFb)

8 Fkr one who H8 winter, a white Christmas would be nice but not happening this year here.

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 01:57 PM (Ia/+0)

9 So glad to have left the tulle fogs behind, Grandparents lived in Visalia so we were there often.
Pretty tundra flowers!

Thank you KT, and Merry Christmas to all!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 20, 2025 01:58 PM (kfTpm)

10 Daddy used to call hazelnuts "squirrel nuts" when he bought the bags of assorted nuts at Christmas.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 20, 2025 01:59 PM (w6EFb)

11 Daddy used to call hazelnuts "squirrel nuts" when he bought the bags of assorted nuts at Christmas.

I love hazelnuts, but they’re not designed to be easily eaten by humans. Even harder to crack than Brazil nuts in those assorted bags.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at December 20, 2025 02:01 PM (EXyHK)

12 And how about some light in that Alaska darkness? It's now the Winter Solstice, after this photo was taken on or before December 13:

Notice the sun. It won't get higher than that until the end of January.
---------
Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell." -- Bob Service

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 20, 2025 02:02 PM (XeU6L)

13 I got the charmingly old fashioned Shumway's seed catalog the other day. I can picture Zeke and Clarabelle poring over it and pondering Georgia Rattlesnake watermelons, Colossal Giant Red mangelwurtzels, and Box Car Willie tomatoes.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 20, 2025 02:04 PM (kpS4V)

14 For one who H8 winter

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 02:07 PM (Ia/+0)

15 "Notice the sun. It won�t get higher than that until the end of January."

What time of day was that taken? 'High' Noon?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 20, 2025 02:08 PM (b8EuQ)

16 5 Calif cold, 56°, foggy. Rain forecast Christmas eve, Christmas day.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 20, 2025 01:53 PM (Kt19C)

Where in Calif, Commissar?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 20, 2025 02:09 PM (b8EuQ)

17 Van nuys

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 20, 2025 02:13 PM (Kt19C)

18 I love those purple Christmas cactus flowers! I’ve got the more traditional scarlet.

Robins;I’m starting to see a couple here in East Texas. Although they should keep going south, we always have a few that hang around here all winter. I put out seed for them.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 20, 2025 02:14 PM (0anTZ)

19 If I get to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Alaska would rather go when there us a midnight sun

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 02:14 PM (Ia/+0)

20 Why are there dildos coming out of that blue thing?

Posted by: GWB at December 20, 2025 02:15 PM (6dwpD)

21 Those are big electrical insulators from Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory stuck in that tree.

Someone's about to have a very shocking holiday.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 20, 2025 02:16 PM (O7YUW)

22 “Feels like” 30 here on the beach. Cold wind blowing.

Sunrise at 7:55 am and sunset at 4:20.

Currently precipitating lightly.

Go Aggies!

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 20, 2025 02:18 PM (IhIKR)

23 Skip,
Go to Alaska.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 20, 2025 02:21 PM (IhIKR)

24 Well good afternoon, fellow garden and landscape nerds! I am happy to report that I am seeing the irises I planted are beginning to pop up, and all the leaves on the fig tree have conveniently fallen into the pond and gathered in the basket over the pump. Gotta get out and cut the fig back and do some winter (it's currently 70ish outside) maintenance.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 20, 2025 02:23 PM (3Ope8)

25 nurse she wants me to.
Tjey are here for Christmas but haven't seen them yet

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 02:24 PM (Ia/+0)

26 Where do they live, Skip?

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 20, 2025 02:24 PM (IhIKR)

27 I think it was a mistake to switch to Microsoft 11. What a pain to format photos.

Love the little wildflowers. How many do you recognize? Some are also garden flowers.

Posted by: KT at December 20, 2025 02:26 PM (7vIsy)

28 Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell." -- Bob Service
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 20, 2025 02:02 PM (XeU6L)

We used to recite a lot of Robert Service around the dinner table.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 20, 2025 02:27 PM (6Bc88)

29 Not in Anchorage but like most not terribly far .

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 02:29 PM (Ia/+0)

30 15 "Notice the sun. It won�t get higher than that until the end of January."

What time of day was that taken? 'High' Noon?
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 20, 2025 02:08 PM (b8EuQ)

Yes. It is 10:30 now and the sun is just thinking of coming up.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 20, 2025 02:30 PM (6Bc88)

31 Someone brought a beautiful Christmas cactus to hub's nursing home last month. It finally finished blooming and I took 2 cuttings off of it. (It's in a "public" area.)

I usually start plants in water, but these are in soil because it's different than my usual method. (And all of my other Christmas cacti have died, so whatever I *was* doing...was wrong. LOL.)

Posted by: JQ at December 20, 2025 02:31 PM (rdVOm)

32 29 Not in Anchorage but like most not terribly far .
Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 02:29 PM (Ia/+0)

Come up in July. Summer is why we live here.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 20, 2025 02:31 PM (6Bc88)

33 Put together the terrarium and other containers this week. Everything has survived, so far, except one tiny succulent I think I damaged while planting. The regular houseplants, nerve plants, hens and chicks, etc., have actually started to grow a bit. (Given my gardening skills, this is not a sure outcome.) A combination of natural light and a grow light seems to be working. I'm pleased at the colorful look. The planters seem to make the room brighter.

Posted by: JTB at December 20, 2025 02:32 PM (yTvNw)

34 From Boise area: lows 28-48 F, highs 39-54. Christmas forecast is 41/55 and dry, but the rain may decide to fall on non-forecast days, so who knows. This has been an unusually warm autumn/early winter.

We've had some rain already, and we're due for a soggy week, so today, Husband did some pruning on the lilac row, and I raked leaves out of the drains along the street.

We still have some Johnny Jump-Ups blooming by the shed. And in the bed where I grew broccolini last year, the seed that decided to sprout in the fall - is still growing!

A Joyous Yule - Hannukah - Christmas (your pick) to all who celebrate!

(PS: In the "We wish you a Merry ONTmas" thread, I live in zone 1 - I am immediately defecting to zone 2.)

Posted by: Pat* at December 20, 2025 02:32 PM (W5PEE)

35 We used to recite a lot of Robert Service around the dinner table.
Posted by: tcn in AK
-----

That's great! Every time his name comes up, I mention that at one time I could recite The Shooting of Dan McGrew.

The best we got here is Carl Sandberg. Singing 'Eating Goober Peas' never elicits much positive response.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 20, 2025 02:34 PM (XeU6L)

36 My recollection of Scotland on New Year day it was really daylight about 9:30 to 3:30

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 02:35 PM (Ia/+0)

37 I had a thought (yeah, I know, I shouldn't try to hurt myself).

When you bring a military age man to your country and give him citizenship, you're hoping you get a monomaniacal, Commie-hunting human Terminator like Lauri Torni.

You'd settle for a guy like my grandfather, who was a good soldier in the old country, and then served Britain & America, and then moved here, and loved it.

You'll get Aztec poison peddlers, and Mahometan assassins, and Oriental spies.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 20, 2025 02:35 PM (BI5O2)

38 For one who H8 winter, a white Christmas would be nice but not happening this year here.

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 01:57 PM (Ia/+0)

Nor here. Sunny and 73F is forecast.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 20, 2025 02:35 PM (w6EFb)

39 That's great! Every time his name comes up, I mention that at one time I could recite The Shooting of Dan McGrew.

The best we got here is Carl Sandberg. Singing 'Eating Goober Peas' never elicits much positive response.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 20, 2025 02:34 PM (XeU6L)

One of the high schools in Anchorage is named for him.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 20, 2025 02:35 PM (6Bc88)

40 One of the high schools in Anchorage is named for him.
Posted by: tcn
---------

*!*

He once lived two doors down the street.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 20, 2025 02:36 PM (XeU6L)

41 Early pet thread update:

Allie the Calico Kitty Cat (the *Other* Cutest Little Cat of Them All) is curled up in my lap, taking a siesta.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 20, 2025 02:38 PM (ESVrU)

42 We had some unseasonable cold temps the last week or so. That brings some song birds to our area that only appear during really cold conditions: juncos (one of my favorites), and some sparrows and finches that spend most time in the Blue Ridge. Fortunately, I can see them in the yard from our garage. It's not heated but at least it keeps me out of the freezing winds and off icy ground. Their appearance is something I look forward to during each winter.

Posted by: JTB at December 20, 2025 02:39 PM (yTvNw)

43 39 That's great! Every time his name comes up, I mention that at one time I could recite The Shooting of Dan Magrew

One of the high schools in Anchorage is named for him.
Posted by: tcn in AK at December 20, 2025 02:35 PM (6Bc8

LoL, you reminded of a comical Agatha Christie movie from the 60’s, “Murder most Foul” where Margaret Rutherford to impress a theater director by reciting that one.

My favorite is the Cremation of Sam McGee.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 20, 2025 02:45 PM (0anTZ)

44 41 We've sort of adopted a calico Manx kitty. Sweet natured, but Della hates her guts. Since I can't imagine the hullabaloo that would ensue if we let her indoors, she's got a Sky Cube with warming mats on the back porch.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 20, 2025 02:46 PM (w6EFb)

45 (I may not make it to the Pet Thread in time to participate).

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 20, 2025 02:47 PM (w6EFb)

46 Crap, I didn't mean to post stuff about history/politics in the garden thread. Sorry about that.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 20, 2025 02:57 PM (BI5O2)

47 46 Crap, I didn't mean to post stuff about history/politics in the garden thread. Sorry about that.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 20, 2025 02:57 PM (BI5O2)

Penciling you in for later...

Signed 'the barrel'

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 20, 2025 03:04 PM (b8EuQ)

48 In before the Tolkien nerds turn this into a literature thread.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at December 20, 2025 03:06 PM (nljXp)

49 17 Van nuys
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 20, 2025 02:13 PM (Kt19C)

Didn't realize you were so close - I'm in O. C.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 20, 2025 03:07 PM (b8EuQ)

50 My poor postage stamp of a lawn is being dug up nightly by raccoons or possums looking for grubs

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 20, 2025 03:22 PM (9ipOP)

51 San Franpsycho they have done there call for digging, Right?
There are utilities buried

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 03:29 PM (Ia/+0)

52 I got some $9.00 Ribeye.

Posted by: Boss Moss at December 20, 2025 03:32 PM (fBbkm)

53 It hasn't yet been cold enough here to kill any but the most delicate of plants.

I've got perfectly healthy snapdragons growing out between the bricks in my patio, and blooming. Not sure what they hope to accomplish by doing so, since it's too cold for anything to pollinate them...

And we got dandelion gone to seed. Third crop this year.

If I weren't doing other things, and had gravel on hand, it would almost be warm enough to lay more path in the back yard.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 20, 2025 03:32 PM (C0Nlv)

54 I'm just happy it's almost the solstice and there'll be more light.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 20, 2025 03:34 PM (C0Nlv)

55 Merry Mithras to all.

Posted by: Boss Moss at December 20, 2025 03:35 PM (fBbkm)

56 54 I'm just happy it's almost the solstice and there'll be more light.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 20, 2025 03:34 PM (C0Nlv)

Anybody have any fun solstice plans?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 20, 2025 03:35 PM (b8EuQ)

57 Shame is 2 months of colder weather

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 03:36 PM (Ia/+0)

58 Getting a lot of fairly low altitude fighter jet manoeuvers today.

Posted by: Boss Moss at December 20, 2025 03:37 PM (fBbkm)

59 NO PET THREAD NO PEACE!!!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 20, 2025 03:37 PM (Kt19C)

60 I got a low altitude helicopter flight over my house today.
Of course I only live 6 blocks from the hospital with CareFlight service, so that’s not very unusual.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 20, 2025 03:40 PM (0anTZ)

61 Skip if they chew into the wires I'm ok with that

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 20, 2025 03:41 PM (9ipOP)

62 PET THREAD IS NOOD

Posted by: Skip at December 20, 2025 03:44 PM (Ia/+0)

63 Hello all.

I can identify some of the Montenegro flowers, top to bottom:
1) scabiosa
2) oleander
3) I don't know
4) some type of thistle?
5) dianthus? or coreopsis?
6) bluebell is probably a type of Spanish bluebell...I grow them in the spring from bulbs

There is one clematis that looks like the bluebell, altho it is a vine (Stand by me)

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 20, 2025 04:08 PM (WONhk)

64 ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 20, 2025 04:08 PM

so many things are called bluebells. I think it might be a bellflower.

Posted by: KT at December 20, 2025 04:19 PM (7vIsy)

65 KT...bellflowers or campenulas are bigger blooms and bloom later for me...much taller plants.

The Spanish bluebells I have, altho a paler blue, bloom with spring bulbs or shortly after. I could be wrong. The photo initially reminded me of the clematis I mentioned.

Regardless, to find all of this blooming wildly is very cool. Probably from the wind seeding from very old gardens in the area.

I only plant perennials mostly, as they return and give me more for my buck. Or reseed. This past year I was bust for bachelor buttons and need to start those again. I like English type gardens.

My flowers, under my David Austin rose monsters, are wild and free like a cottage garden. Mostly because once it gets hot they are on their own.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 20, 2025 04:31 PM (WONhk)

66 I would post photos but have never figured out how to without giving myself and area away. I now live in the Intermountain West and plant with abandon vs our 30yrs in Florida.

I must remain Secret at all times.

I honestly could not tell you why, but it is a long established habit based on the computer science nerds and wizards that are my family.

My grandmother was a master gardener in the Deep South, and taught me flowers from her knee.

Without flowers, music, art and grandchildren I would find my life quite dull!

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 20, 2025 04:35 PM (WONhk)

67 KT...you are probably right. The blue flowers do look larger than my bluebells. But more tight than my bell flowers (I have light blue and white and they spread a lot).

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 20, 2025 04:36 PM (WONhk)

68 ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 20, 2025 04:31 PM

There are some creeping campanulas. I think some are even invasive.

Posted by: KT at December 20, 2025 04:43 PM (7vIsy)

69 It would never occur to me to make a public spiral potato Christmas tree.

Posted by: KT at December 20, 2025 04:44 PM (7vIsy)

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