Saturday Gardening Thread: Pre-Christmas Buffet [KT]

Hello, Horde! It's been a crazy week, I couldn't come up with a theme. So today, a Gardening Thread Buffet. Let's start some inspiration from a virtual tour of Christmas displays at botanical gardens, like the Longwood Botanical Gardens below.

More things to do with all that winter squash and pumpkin

Several of our favorite Gardening Thread Commenters grew and stored (processed or not) winter squash and/or pumpkin from the garden. Last night, I did some quantity cooking for a church Christmas party. Made one of my favorite holiday party recipes, Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce. It is adaptable to home-processed pumkin. Use a generous 1 1/2 cups of puree in place of a 15 oz. can. I usually make a double batch in an 11 x 15 in baking dish. I leave out the golden raisins (allergic to sulfites). Other recipe notes will appear in the comments.

The Nichols Garden Nursery catalog features an unusual selection of recipes, along with seeds, plants and gift items. They are in the Pacific Northwest, where squash and pumpkins are popular in the garden. The savory Unsweetened Pumpkin Tart is a nice way to use some of that extra winter squash if you're tired of sweet stuff.

Garden Gifts

Nichols (linked above) has gifts for gardeners, brewers and winemakers who may want to give some garden gifts to others. Anybody making infused oils, jelly, jam, or other garden goodies as gifts? Here are Three gifts any gardener will treasure. The site promises 'horticultural how-to and woo-woo'. What do you think?

Garden Miscellany

Last week in the comments, Paul A'Barge included a link to a gardening site that looks useful. Well organized. Check it out.

PJ Media posted a piece on a children's army recruited to fight an enemy as dangerous as the Germans in WWI, the California Ground Squirrel. When we first moved to our present location, there were vacant fields all around, including one next door, where ground squirrels and pocket gophers ran wild. Our dear departed dog Snickers bit a huge chunk out of the bottom shelf of a cabinet in the garage trying to get to one of those squirrels. Dug long tunnels, too. We thought about sending him to engineering school.

Anyway, I thought the children's army thing was interesting.

Gardens of The Horde

Still picking pomegrantes here, and persimmons from our friend's house. Anything going on in your garden? Have a wonderful week.

As dangerous as the enemy in Europe?

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:50 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First?

Posted by: 1921 C DRUM at December 10, 2016 12:50 PM (zwsnd)

2 Collards and cabbage in and growing. They like the cold weather....

Plus with the collards you just clip and go and they keep on growing.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 10, 2016 12:55 PM (5VlCp)

3 Oh, nice pic of Longwood Gardens. This year I think we're heading down the road a bit to Winterthur for their Christmas display as well.

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:00 PM (jkmtt)

4 And then after Longwood's Christmas display is done, comes the annual Orchid show and sale.

These events make the winter palatable.

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:01 PM (jkmtt)

5 Longwood and Winterthur are both excellent destinations - we like making a three day weekend and adding the Central Market in Lancaster, PA. Kennet Square and the Chadds Ford area offer a good base of operations!

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:06 PM (Sfs6o)

6 What happened? Where'd the comments go?

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:09 PM (Sfs6o)

7 Pomegranates are done. Citrus coming in. Cabbage, cauliflower and fava beans looking good. I enjoy this time of year in So Cal where I don't have too much to do w gardening but just enough to keep it interesting. I think I will just put cover crops in the raised beds this week and really kick back.

Posted by: keena at December 10, 2016 01:09 PM (RiTnx)

8 THAT was weird! Everything disappeared!

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:09 PM (Sfs6o)

9 Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:06 PM (Sfs6o)

Where is home base for you?

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:10 PM (jkmtt)

10 Can't see the garden today-- we've had a few inches of snow since Thursday.

It certainly *looks like Christmas* now! And I love it! (Well, except for while driving, of course)

Roads don't look too bad right now. Should probably go do some shopping before sundown.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at December 10, 2016 01:11 PM (044Fx)

11 Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:09 PM (Sfs6o)

I think open blogger was fixing the link to the Longwood site.

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:11 PM (jkmtt)

12 Hairyback Guy at December 10, 2016 12:55 PM

They taste best in winter, too.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:12 PM (qahv/)

13 Central Market in Lancaster is bigly good.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at December 10, 2016 01:13 PM (89T5c)

14 kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:00 PM

My Swiss friend is from the original Winterthur, a city in Switzerland. I stayed there for a while. I always think of it when I see a reference to the gardens here.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:13 PM (qahv/)

15 Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:13 PM (qahv/)

I did a search on it, looks like a slice of heaven on earth. What a nice memory for you to enjoy!

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:17 PM (jkmtt)

16 keena at December 10, 2016 01:09 PM

I used to think that January was the nicest time of year in Southern California when I lived there. Made sense that they used the Rose Bowl Parade to attract residents back in the day . . .

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:18 PM (qahv/)

17 Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:10 PM (jkmtt)
---------
I'm in Northern Virginia - Alexandria - just outside of DC. It's just a few hours drive but makes a mpnice weekend getaway.

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:21 PM (Sfs6o)

18 They taste best in winter, too.
Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:12 PM (qahv/)

Yup....they seem to have more sweetness to 'em cause of the cold I guess.

With plants like cabbage, collards and okra, you will always have a supply of veggies coming in.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 10, 2016 01:22 PM (5VlCp)

19 Mom used to make pumpkin spice roll. I wish I had her recipe. One of the things I realize is that every time someone dies, we lose knowledge. What was your great great grandmother's maiden name? That is your grandmother's mother. I can't ask my grandmother what her grandmother's maiden name was.

There are details and principles. When people die we lose knowledge. If someone you know has knowledge unique to them and you would also like to have that knowledge, I suggest rapid action on that score.

Posted by: Chelsea Manning at December 10, 2016 01:23 PM (0+srV)

20 Even Chelsea Manning knows that shit.

Posted by: davedavedavearf at December 10, 2016 01:24 PM (0+srV)

21 Was napping. Anyway in t-1he holiday spirt noticed another holy bush starting. Have no idea where they come from- but its the 2nd one I have found but its under a flame bush so it can't stay there. Wait till early spring maybe to dig it up and move it?

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 01:25 PM (5sOEp)

22 Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:21 PM (Sfs6o)

Check out Hank's for breakfast if you haven't already done so. It's where Route 100 crosses Rt. 1. Old timey diner restaurant.

Yup....they seem to have more sweetness to 'em cause of the cold I guess.

I haven't purchased parsnips yet because the word is they are sweeter when harvested after the cold sets in. Well this weekend, the cold has set in. Farmers' market, here I come!

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:27 PM (jkmtt)

23 The photo at the pumpkin bread link is not the pudding in the recipe.

If anybody has a party coming up and wants to make the pumpkin bread pudding, you could try my low-class alterations:

1. I have used Mexican rolls and regular (quality) white bread in place of the egg bread. Works out fine. I used a 24 ounce loaf for the double batch last night.

2. I substitute a can of evaporated milk and half a cup of milk for the half and half in the pudding. I use real cream in the sauce, though.

3. For a change of pace from the caramel sauce featuring dark brown sugar only, I use almost half white sugar and add some vanilla. Different flavor. Both are great. There will probably be some sauce left over for desserts other people brought to the party if you don't saturate the pudding with it first. It will go sugary when cooled, but can be reaheated.

People love it.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:27 PM (qahv/)

24 Haven't been to Longwood Garden at Christmas time in forever. It is the most amazing place then and in the spring.

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 01:33 PM (5sOEp)

25 noticed another holy bush starting. Have no idea
where they come from- but its the 2nd one I have found but its under a
flame bush so it can't stay there. Wait till early spring maybe to dig
it up and move it?

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 01:25 PM

Skip, do you mean 'Holly' bush? If so, then Yes! They transplant well (imo) when small.

Take it out carefully, along with some surrounding soil, to keep the rootball intact.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at December 10, 2016 01:34 PM (044Fx)

26 Again to Skip:

Yes, wait until spring!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at December 10, 2016 01:36 PM (044Fx)

27 An old friend of mine would make parsnip-fries:

Cut parsnips into sticks and deepfry, then sprinkle with brown sugar. Tasty!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at December 10, 2016 01:40 PM (044Fx)

28 kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:17 PM

The gardening feature that struck me the most in the area around Zurich was how often you saw hydrangeas from a train window.

People also had little garden plots, often with including tiny, ornate sheds, along the railroad right-of-ways.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:41 PM (qahv/)

29 Chelsea Manning at December 10, 2016 01:23 PM

You are so right. Sometimes we don't think about personal histories until it is too late.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:43 PM (qahv/)

30 As I said I was knapping and just woke up. Yes a Holly bush. The other is at end of my yard and have left it there though not in the best spot. It is 2 years old and about a foot high with a few leaves on it now..

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 01:44 PM (5sOEp)

31
Check out Hank's for breakfast if you haven't already done so. It's where Route 100 crosses Rt. 1. Old timey diner restaurant.
----------
Thanks kallisto - is that the place just north of Longwood - I think just past the fork that takes you to Winterthur? If so, it's great! We found that place sort of accidentally only in the last couple of trips up there.

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:45 PM (Sfs6o)

32 Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 01:45 PM (Sfs6o)

This is how it looks from the outside -

http://www.hanks-place.net/index2.html

Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:51 PM (jkmtt)

33 Personal histories are important, and I did mention that as an example, but my mind is really on pumpkin spice roll and the reproduction and eating of it.

Thanks.

Posted by: davedavedavearf at December 10, 2016 01:53 PM (0+srV)

34 So according to Weasel Zippers it is the Exxon guy for State

I can live with that.

Bye Bye Romney

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 10, 2016 01:54 PM (6bivb)

35 Tillerson?

Posted by: Phone of kari which, deplorably, features a headphone jack at December 10, 2016 01:56 PM (9xrzV)

36 The Stash to be Deputy Sec of State

Oh boy it get's better all the time

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 10, 2016 01:56 PM (6bivb)

37 Tillerson?
Posted by: Phone of kari which, deplorably, features a headphone jack at December 10, 2016 01:56 PM (9xrzV)

Yes

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 10, 2016 01:57 PM (6bivb)

38 As I said I was knapping and just woke up.
Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 01:44 PM (5sOEp)

Is this why they call it a knapsack?

Posted by: Phone of kari which, deplorably, features a headphone jack at December 10, 2016 01:57 PM (9xrzV)

39 I like the second photo at the "Longwood Gardens" link, from the conservatory in Tacoma. Didn't get to go to any garden venues like that when I was there last fall.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 01:58 PM (qahv/)

40 I'm still so disappointed my pumpkins didn't produce.

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 02:01 PM (5sOEp)

41 Napping, but you can take a nap on your knapsack.

I really shouldn't be allowed to have a tablet.

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 02:08 PM (5sOEp)

42 Posted by: kallisto at December 10, 2016 01:51 PM (jkmtt)
----------
Hmm.... I'm not sure that the one I'm thinking of. I think the place I mentioned is closer to Longwood and it's definitely on the other side of the road (I think).

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 02:12 PM (Sfs6o)

43 Well, having the three-season porch as a year-round greenhouse is a bust. I had thought it was insulated. Wife informs me it is not, which explains why any heat I send out there just vanishes. It's about 12 degrees warmer than outside, which is not nearly enough for Minnesota.

I had been looking into walipini gardening. This is a greenhouse set into the earth, so that just the windows letting in the light are exposed. Supposedly these are used in Peru or some South American place. Allegedly one can grow all year in one. I hadn't gotten far in the research, because I figured that the City of Lakes wouldn't let me install one. But apparently someone has built one, and it's working so far:

http://tinyurl.com/hrpu35s

The story says that when they built it, the city said they didn't need a permit. But when someone else in another part of town wanted to build, they were denied. Minneapolis is getting more friendly to this sort of thing; my front yard veggie garden gets a lot of interest from folks who like gardens, and none from the city inspectors.

I think I will insulate the porch over the winter in hopes of being able to have an early spring in it. As for the walipini, it looks like one should be prepared for drainage and probably interior retaining walls, as it can rain a lot here in a short time.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:13 PM (2W2AL)

44 @KT, LOL that's exactly why we live here now. My husband grew up on East Coast looking sadly at the Rose Bowl Parade on tv and seeing warm sun in January. So here we are.
The one thing I do regret is for all my years living in Philly, I never once made it to Longwood Gardens.

Posted by: keena at December 10, 2016 02:15 PM (RiTnx)

45 The Christmas cactus is in full bloom. I have some basic photos of it so I can use it as a model while learning to sketch and use watercolors. Fortunately, no one except Mrs. JTB has to see the attempts.

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 02:16 PM (V+03K)

46 As for Hank's Place, any place that offers a 14-oz ribeye for $17.99 is automatically added to my places to visit list.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:17 PM (2W2AL)

47 We visited Longwood for the first time this summer. It really is amazing. The Italian water garden was an especially neat thing to stroll up on.

Hershey was another visit a day before. Their garden started because he wanted a few roses for his wife IIRC. The butterfly exhibit shouldn't be missed, btw.

Posted by: 16 paranoia filled days later at December 10, 2016 02:19 PM (5kqPn)

48 Hershey has beautiful gardens. Great for the summertime.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at December 10, 2016 02:24 PM (89T5c)

49 46 As for Hank's Place, any place that offers a 14-oz ribeye for $17.99 is automatically added to my places to visit list.
Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:17 PM (2W2AL)

That sounds great

And what a nice garden thread. The problem it is 9 above with 5-7" of the white stuff on it's way. Gardening is done for sometime

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 10, 2016 02:27 PM (voOPb)

50 Some of my favorite displays at Longwood are the orchids and desert plants.

Posted by: Weasel at December 10, 2016 02:31 PM (Sfs6o)

51 A change in tradition here at Chateau JTB. We usually put up a small artificial tree with some of our favorite decorations accumulated over the years. Since it's just the two of us, no need for a big tree. This year the tree and decorations are buried behind a lot of stuff in the garage. Instead, we got a dish garden at the florist of various house plants. Nothing fancy but they all have the same growing conditions and require only low to medium light to thrive: pothos, maranta, and several others.

When the holidays are over, I'll repot them for the appropriate window sills.

If this becomes an annual thing, We'll surround the plants with decorations. I'm already under orders to work on hand carving a cr�che for next year. The ones we grew up with either disappeared/disintegrated or went to other family members.

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 02:31 PM (V+03K)

52 Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:13 PM

I think your porch project is worthy even if it doesn't keep plants from freezing in the dead of winter. A few weeks added at either side of summer can make a difference.

There are specialists (mostly in alpine plants) who keep greenhouses cold in winter, as well. The greenhouse just provides protection from the harshest weather.

I have seen plans for fancy underground greenhouses in Wyoming. Our church helps people make basic types described in your link in places like Peru. Don't think they are doing anything in the states.

Maybe we should include this topic in a future post.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 02:33 PM (qahv/)

53 @49: The problem it is 9 above with 5-7" of the white stuff on it's way. Gardening is done for sometime

Yeah. But there's a reason the gardening catalogs arrive in early December. We're at 13 degrees and expecting 3 to 6. Which reminds me, I need to go out and start the snowblower.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:34 PM (2W2AL)

54 Hershey is one place I never have gone to.
And MisHum there is plenty at Longwood outside but most of the Christmas magic is in greenhouses where its quite nice.
It was around 27 this morning and not getting much above freezing here.

Posted by: Skip at December 10, 2016 02:35 PM (5sOEp)

55 JTB,

We will be looking forward to the results of your artistic efforts when you are happy with them.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 02:35 PM (qahv/)

56 Huh, KT. I had not thought about Alpine plants.

According to the Star Tribune article, it's quite warm in the walipini here. They're harvesting tomatoes. I'm tempted to take my Netatmo weather station over there and see how the temperatures chart out.

I'm tempted to just dig one and make it look pretty, and see if the city inspectors even notice. But since the wife is a city inspector, and she's not blind, they probably would.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:40 PM (2W2AL)

57 Imagine a PSA like this today:

"Children, we must kill the squirrels to save food. But use poisons carefully."

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 02:43 PM (qahv/)

58 Our biggest mistake with both Longwood and Hershey was thinking that one day would be enough for each. If you go to either, plan on spending the night and approaching it casually.

I probably could've spent an entire day in the museum. Lots to read and see, and a fascinating man. Gave sixty million dollars ($60M early 1900s dollars, btw) to establish a school for orphan boys.

Posted by: 16 paranoia filled days later at December 10, 2016 02:46 PM (5kqPn)

59 55 ... Hi KT,
Trust me on this: don't hold your breath waiting! I am still at the 'suitable for posting on the fridge' stage. (I have the desire to learn but little discernable talent.) If the drawings or carvings ever get good enough, I will send in photos.

And thanks for another great gardening thread. The Christmas gardens in the link are wonderful. Now to check out those gift suggestions. That begonia is gorgeous and the light weight hose (or two) could be useful.

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 02:47 PM (V+03K)

60 ""Children, we must kill the squirrels to save food. But use poisons carefully." "

IIRC, KT, they used to have this in the midwest with prairie dogs. There was a bounty; so much per pair of front paws. There was a lot of poison used, too, and nowadays folks in the Dakotas have to be careful with well water.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:47 PM (2W2AL)

61 51 Sounds like a great idea. We have a "fresh" tree again this year, too big and too expensive for our needs with one set of grandkids in Arizona and the other here but with multiple sets of relatives also here and therefore not likely to be opening any gifts at our house.
Maybe next year, a major rethink of holiday decor...

Posted by: antisocialist at December 10, 2016 02:52 PM (W2wn0)

62 Since you were talking about pumpkins, I hope it's okay to post this question.

I am a moron, and not of the good variety. I am making two pumpkin pies for something tonight, and halfway through the filling recipe I discovered that I am actually making four pies worth of filling. Sigh.

My question is: can I freeze the extra pumpkin pie filling? Anybody done that?

Posted by: bluebell at December 10, 2016 02:56 PM (sBOL1)

63 Upon further research, they're still fighting prairie dogs. Apparently some farmers will buy your ammo if you want to come and shoot them. They can do a lot of damage very quickly.

The bounty was per tail, not front paws.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:57 PM (2W2AL)

64
Longwood Gardens is among things well worth seeing in the vicinity of Chadds Ford, PA. Two others have been mentioned here at the HQ in recent weeks: the Brandywine River Museum of Art (for all fans of the Wyeths) and the Brandywine Battlefield Park.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Gob-Smacked Rage Monkeys (Suck It, NR!) at December 10, 2016 02:59 PM (BK3ZS)

65 I would, bluebell. Freezer-grade ziplocks, with air burped out. The worst that can happen is that it doesn't work well. It's not going to poison you.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 02:59 PM (2W2AL)

66 62 ... Bluebell, We freeze baked winter squash with no problems. I assume that would work for pumpkin pie filling as well.

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 03:00 PM (V+03K)

67 Hi gardeners. Pet Morons Nood

Posted by: L, Elle at December 10, 2016 03:01 PM (6IPEM)

68 We've only received one seed catalog so far: Pinetree. We usually have more by now. Maybe they are running late this year.

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 03:03 PM (V+03K)

69 Thanks, Gordon and JTB. I knew it wouldn't poison me, LOL, but I wondered how it would do being as it has the eggs and milk in it. I've frozen pureed pumpkin before, but never the whole mess.

It's either try that, or throw it out, so I'll give it a go in the freezer. Thanks!

Posted by: bluebell at December 10, 2016 03:03 PM (sBOL1)

70
Has anyone else here ever experienced contact dermatitis while handling squash. I am a huge fan of roasted acorn squash and have been since I was a kid.

About a decade ago, I prepared a baked butternut squash recipe. It called for baking the butternut squash and then peeling away the skin. My hands almost immediately became cracked and dried when I handled the baked product, a condition which lasted for several days despite thoroughly washing my hands and applying moisturizing lotion.

Since that incident, I have noticed that I developed a similar symptom set when handling acorn squash, but far less severe. I have experienced no difficulty to eat the cooked squash, the problem seems to be confined to handling the cooked skins. Any thoughts?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Gob-Smacked Rage Monkeys (Suck It, NR!) at December 10, 2016 03:15 PM (BK3ZS)

71 Krebs, that's never happened to me, but maybe there's some sort of enzyme or something that changes with heat? I have no idea, really.

I always wear nitrile gloves - I buy the big packs at Costco.

Posted by: bluebell at December 10, 2016 03:23 PM (sBOL1)

72 I've decanted my remaining pumpkin pie filling into two quart jars and two pint jars, with about an inch of headspace in each. We'll see!

Posted by: bluebell at December 10, 2016 03:39 PM (sBOL1)

73 Longwood is always amazing

Posted by: Deplorable votermom @vm on Gab at December 10, 2016 03:46 PM (Om16U)

74 Krebs, Never heard of such a thing. As bluebell said, maybe heat makes a difference. I don't handle the fresh baked squash, just scoop it out of the skin while in the baking dish. Handling the cooled shell for the trash never caused a problem. At least you can eat the delicious stuff without a problem. I LOVE!!! winter squash.

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 03:49 PM (V+03K)

75
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Gob-Smacked Rage Monkeys (Suck It, NR!) at December 10, 2016 03:15 PM (BK3ZS)

--

Wiki mentions it specifically
(delete space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Irritant_contact_dermatitis

Posted by: Deplorable votermom @vm on Gab at December 10, 2016 03:51 PM (Om16U)

76 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you...

Posted by: Insomniac at December 10, 2016 04:02 PM (0mRoj)

77 votermom, Thanks for the wiki link. I learn something from every gardening thread. Never had a problem handling winter squash. This may just be another way of saying I have the sensitivity of a rhinoceros. :-)

Posted by: JTB at December 10, 2016 04:10 PM (V+03K)

78 I think that anyone who loves gardens should see Longwood at least once. Ditto for Winterthur, for those who appreciate American furniture up to the Victorian era. But if you're going to plan a trip to Longwood and you may go only once, you might want to wait until they get their fountain renovation completed...that should be sometime this spring, I think.

Also worth seeing is Nemours, which is closer to downtown Wilmington, Del. It's like a European manor dropped into the US. And there's Rockwood, a Victorian mansion in the same general area. (Sheesh, I can't stop.) Finally, the Hagley Museum that includes the first duPont home.

Posted by: Nana at December 10, 2016 04:19 PM (oFtuc)

79 Deplorable votermom @vm on Gab at December 10, 2016 03:51 PM

Thanks for the squash contact dermatitis link. Squash also contains latex, and some people who are allergic to latex are also allergic to squash. Wouldn't be surprised if the latex were in the lower layers of the rind.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 04:33 PM (qahv/)

80 JTB at December 10, 2016 03:03 PM

I got another small catalog this week. Maybe some of the catalogs have given up on the Christmas gift market.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 04:34 PM (qahv/)

81 We've gotten Seed Savers, Totally Tomatoes and Johnny's. Wife says also Gurney's, and Territorial Seed. Also the EarthBox.

Posted by: Gordon at December 10, 2016 09:46 PM (2W2AL)

82 Interesting, Gordon. Maybe they start mailing in the north and move south. I got an Email from Totally Tomatoes.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 11:13 PM (qahv/)

83 I forgot it was Saturday! But there isn't much to say about gardening in southwest Idaho right now. Snow started on Tuesday, and everything is probably dead - I know the Johnny jump-up pansies finally succumbed, but I haven't been out to the garden to check the parsley, thyme, mint, and chives.

No more leaf-raking or burning, since the leaves are under a few inches of snow. The only things left to do for the year are related to apple processing. We have a few buckets of apples in the garage, probably enough for one more batch of applesauce canning, one batch of juice for jelly - then what's left will be used to test out the apple "scratter" and cider press. We actually did one quick partial batch of cider - excellent stuff!

Some nasty temperatures coming up - current predictions say it will be down near zero F in a week.

Posted by: Pat* at December 10, 2016 11:14 PM (qC1ju)

84 Whoa, Pat* - Cold! Hope it kills some pests.

Your thyme should still be fine now. Maybe some of your other herbs, too. Hope the snow offers some protection during the coming cold weather.

Posted by: KT at December 10, 2016 11:26 PM (qahv/)

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