Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Dec. 16

Happy December everybody! Above, a nice arrangement given to the human mom of our Swiss guide dog, Gioia. Sending any flowers this Christmas?

Here's a close-up of the roses:

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

It's finally Fall here in AZ, with the apple tree turning colors and losing its leaves.
Nan in AZ

Apples are usually not the most spectacular of fall foliage trees, but the fruit makes up for that. The falling of the leaves is a sign of good things to come. The blossoms are pretty, too! To reduce size by pruning, prune while dormant.

I recently made a double batch of the Green Beans with Tomatoes from Pioneer Woman Cooks for a church party. A switch from green bean casserole with soggy canned onion rings. You can use garden produce, but this time I used store-bought ingredients. You don't need your most delicate, delicious green beans or tomatoes for this recipe. There are other recipes for those. I think of this recipe as more of a "Putting Things By" recipe. The ingredients are all things you can keep on hand.

This is a perfect dish for taking to a buffet, because you can take it in a slow cooker (6 qt. for double batch) or big electric skillet (no oven or stove top necessary).

So, I used 8 cans of green beans (14.5 oz.), 4 cans of stewed tomatoes (14.5 oz., not whole tomatoes), 2 medium onions, 12 oz. of bacon and 1/4 tsp. cayenne. For a double recipe, you also have the opportunity to use a food service sized can of green beans (6 lb. 5 oz., 101 0z.) plus one additional 14.5 oz. can of beans. I've done that before.

Onions and bacon

With green beans and tomatoes

Don't skimp on the cooking time. Good left over, too.

Art

Carol of the Field Mice
Inga Moore
The Wind in the Willows

Puttering

Adventure

Kids visiting deer in Texas. Might not seem like an adventure to you, but it was to them.

Gardens of The Horde

What's going on in your yard or garden?

Have you done any decorating?

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure 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, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Dec. 9

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 01:24 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 My garden got rain yesterday.

Pansies are blooming nicely, in between episodes of the squirrels digging them up.

Posted by: Emmie at December 16, 2023 01:30 PM (Sf2cq)

2 Is this thing still on?

Posted by: KT at December 16, 2023 01:30 PM (rrtZS)

3 That recipe looks good - I might have to try it!

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 16, 2023 01:31 PM (q3gwH)

4 Hi, Emmie! Didn't know that squirrels liked pansies, but they're edible for people.

Posted by: KT at December 16, 2023 01:31 PM (rrtZS)

5
I gave up on my holly bushes and I've planted bougainvilaieiais. One of them is barely making it. I have ten red thumbs.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at December 16, 2023 01:33 PM (lCaJd)

6 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Rearranging garage, tractor in back, snow thrower in front, fixed a old snow shovel as steel edge was beat and put a aluminum edge on it. 2nd one I did, might not last years but will be good for awhile

Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 01:33 PM (fwDg9)

7 Beautiful floral arrangement to start the thread.

My cousin is retired from her work as a flower grower on the Italian Riviera. When I visited her, I'd look at the greenhouses and wonder where the flowers eventually landed. I'd imagine them gracing the table of some Swiss family's dinner.

Posted by: kallisto at December 16, 2023 01:34 PM (dCxaZ)

8
Man, those roses are amazing.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at December 16, 2023 01:34 PM (lCaJd)

9 Finally had to admit that I can't keep up with yard maintenance along with everything else I'm doing. Hired a couple of guys to clean the place up, mostly pulling out dropped leaves and pine needles.

They're on day 2. Too bad for them they bid it as a fixed price job.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 16, 2023 01:34 PM (dZVON)

10 Blonde Morticia at December 16, 2023 01:33 PM

Sorry you're having problems. Don't give up!

Posted by: KT at December 16, 2023 01:35 PM (rrtZS)

11 And took out pale of compost material earlier and dog it into pile, it's cooking now

Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 01:36 PM (fwDg9)

12 4 Hi, Emmie! Didn't know that squirrels liked pansies, but they're edible for people.
Posted by: KT at December 16, 2023 01:31 PM (rrtZS)

They like to bury pecans and black walnuts underneath my pansies.

Posted by: Emmie at December 16, 2023 01:37 PM (Sf2cq)

13 "Kids visiting deer in Texas. Might not seem like an adventure to you, but it was to them."

Ha ha. I get a deer show like this all day, every day. They are the reason that my gardening desires are primarily fulfilled by reading this thread every week. There is a short list of things the deer won't eat. That's all that we have in our yard. But they are still fun to watch.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at December 16, 2023 01:40 PM (FEVMW)

14 What a pretty arrangement!

The raccoons won the birdfeeder battle and lost the war. They broke off the handle and now I can't figure a way to use a wire hanger without them being able to pull the cap off the feeder section. Therefore, there is no birdfeeder except an little cold mesh one with a tight screw-top. Only small clinging birds like chickadees and nuthatches can manage to get the seeds.

Someone with a heavy truck did a u-turn over part of my lawn, across my driveway, and over the neighbor's lawn. I'm not sure how to "repair" it because it compressed the soil but didn't rip up the sod.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 16, 2023 01:42 PM (fxCK2)

15 I think the green bean tomato dish is going to be used at Christmas. It sounds delicious!

Roses are beautiful.

Thanks for the gardening thread KT!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 01:43 PM (dVC29)

16 The lovely Mrs. TP is in decorating mode so stand back! She wanted some holly branches so out I went yesterday. We have a number of huge (20ft or so) bushes so I cut a pile of them for her.

At our place, it is the only thing the deer do not eat.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 16, 2023 01:46 PM (QG3cQ)

17 11 And took out pale of compost material earlier and dog it into pile, it's cooking now
Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 01:36 PM (fwDg9)

I have one of those double-sided tumbler composters. I'm not really impressed with it. It seems like I feed the thing all the time, and never get any dirt. Seriously--9 months over the fall and winter, with letting one side just cook without adding anything new (and it was just about full). In the spring, I dumped it into the garden. It was only half "dirt" and the rest still just garbage. Perhaps about a gallon of debris. I spin the thing faithfully. Meh.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 16, 2023 01:48 PM (OX9vb)

18 >>> 14
==
Someone with a heavy truck did a u-turn over part of my lawn, across my driveway, and over the neighbor's lawn. I'm not sure how to "repair" it because it compressed the soil but didn't rip up the sod.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 16, 2023 01:42 PM (fxCK2)

If this were a teewee show you could find the miscreants by identifying the tire tracks.

Are you thinking of putting up some kind of barrier to keep nitwits off your lawn?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 16, 2023 01:49 PM (llON8)

19 Why oh why am I cursed with bad bulb karma?

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 16, 2023 01:55 PM (Mzdiz)

20 18 Are you thinking of putting up some kind of barrier to keep nitwits off your lawn?
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 16, 2023 01:49 PM (llON

I recall that being a plot point in Repairman Jack. It involved metal spikes being hidden in a hedge and going into the underside of a car.

Posted by: NR Pax at December 16, 2023 01:58 PM (lXCUP)

21 Are you thinking of putting up some kind of barrier to keep nitwits off your lawn?
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 16, 2023 01:49 PM

I'm thinking of reflector sticks, if I can find the 3'-4' kind. If it's an Amazon or construction truck, that ought to be enough to dissuade them. A more permanent barrier would require moving them so far inward from the road, I'd be inviting people to park on the edge of my lawn.

Ah, life in a township!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 16, 2023 02:02 PM (fxCK2)

22 "Kids visiting deer in Texas."

In South Carolina, deer visit YOU!

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 16, 2023 02:02 PM (Mzdiz)

23
Just finished taking the garden wagon around to gather cuttings for my wife to make into... something or just cover the mantel. We have a 'volunteer' holy bush that suddenly appeared last year. No berries yet but I snipped a few cuttings. Last time I checked it was 55 degrees outside and quite nice for mid December in SE PA.

Not much of a chance of a white Christmas here, maybe (like last year) no snow at all again. Fine with me.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 16, 2023 02:04 PM (enJYY)

24 Remember that, after the caroling, the field mice are given mulled ale.

Posted by: Eeyore at December 16, 2023 02:06 PM (brAQZ)

25 If our field mice drank mulled ale, our cats would get drunk.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 16, 2023 02:11 PM (Mzdiz)

26 I spin the thing faithfully. Meh.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!

Sister had one, she didn't get any compost out of it.
She finally noticed the mice were getting in and eating all the kitchen scraps.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 02:12 PM (xuLET)

27 f our field mice drank mulled ale, our cats would get drunk.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 16, 2023 02:11 PM

And here, it would lead to drunk coyotes.

Oh, the Circle of Life...

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 16, 2023 02:13 PM (fxCK2)

28 f our field mice drank mulled ale, our cats would get drunk.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 16, 2023 02:11 PM

And here, it would lead to drunk coyotes.

Oh, the Circle of Life...
Posted by: NaughtyPine

Here it would be a battle between the coyotes or the owls getting sloshed.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 02:14 PM (xuLET)

29
It's been my experience - living on a street that is supposed to have a cul-de-sac but doesn't - that when heavy trucks leave a dent in the lawn it will pop back up again eventually. Probably within a month, if you worry about it a lot, or a mere 30 days if it doesn't worry you too much.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 16, 2023 02:16 PM (enJYY)

30 I think Sloshed Coyotes used to be the name of a female line dance group that performed around Amarillo.

Posted by: But I'm not really sure at December 16, 2023 02:20 PM (NBVIP)

31 You need more nitrogen if you want compost. Easiest way is to add some fresh animal manure. It has to heat up to turn to compost. You likely need more bulk too.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 16, 2023 02:22 PM (L8hCM)

32 Hmmm...not mulch discussion on the gardening thread today.....guess all the mice are sloshed...

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 16, 2023 02:25 PM (wQBfH)

33 I cleaned up a few weeds around the yard while burning some household trash. That is all the winter gardening I ever manage.

That is a tasty looking recipe. I wonder if it would work with 1 to 1 on the tomatoes and beans and heavier on the bacon and onions for a small family sized meal.

Posted by: PaleRider at December 16, 2023 02:29 PM (3cGpq)

34 You could add alfalfa hay or pellets for more nitrogen.

Best compost I ever made was when we had rabbits. All the straw went to a big pile, surrounded by chicken wire fencing. It was amazing to see it steaming. When it cooled, my husband turned the outside stuff into the center. It was full of thousands of red worms. If I were healthier, I'd have rabbits just for fertilizer.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 16, 2023 02:31 PM (L8hCM)

35 Yeah I think you could make a smaller batch of it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 16, 2023 02:32 PM (L8hCM)

36 When we moved it this place had huge clumps of aloes. They were taking all the water and killing the natives as well as ornamentals. We've slowly getting rid of them, filling the garbage containers twice a week. We only have one 6ft circle of them left. They'll be gone by New Years.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 02:32 PM (+kJbH)

37 If I were healthier, I'd have rabbits just for fertilizer.
Posted by: Notsothoreau

And the hasenpfeffer, don't forget the hasenpfeffer!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 02:34 PM (+kJbH)

38 Kids visiting deer in Texas. Might not seem like an adventure to you, but it was to them.
-----
Ah. Another opportunity to shamelessly tout one of my Christmas favorites, 'The Holly and The Ivy', King's College:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7eHtDtZ7hs

A month or two ago, very early on a Sunday morning, I chanced to look down into the back yard, and there nosing about was a doe with three yearlings. In the hazy greyness it made for a very evocative, very calming moment.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 16, 2023 02:35 PM (XeU6L)

39 I'm back...had to finish making the dog food. Lucky boys get to eat for another week.

I don't put up a bird feeder, because it seems like it would just be a trap to please the cat. But I didn't pull up the sunflowers after they died, and the other day I looked out and they were covered with cardinals. The sunflower heads hang upside down, and the cardinals were perched on top, hanging over the edges to the get the seeds. Was cool.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 16, 2023 02:36 PM (OX9vb)

40
My experiment of growing indoor spinach is very less then impressive. Even with it getting six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day it is barely progressing.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 16, 2023 02:39 PM (enJYY)

41 When the apples drop from the trees and ferment in the orchard, you know that when it comes time to harvest a deer, it will be fat, delicious and drunk.

BOOM!

Steaks!

Posted by: Dr. Bone at December 16, 2023 02:41 PM (9v1kn)

42 My experiment of growing indoor spinach is very less then impressive. Even with it getting six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day it is barely progressing.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 16, 2023 02:39 PM (enJYY)

My outdoor spinach is doing ok--if we keep having 50 degree days all winter, I'll have spinach all year.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 16, 2023 02:44 PM (OX9vb)

43 Meyer lemons are coming in strong in SC. Tree in a pot outside, need to cover it nights this past week. Now ready for

Chicken piccata
Lemon cake
pferrenusse with lemon icing
Negroni Blanca twist

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 16, 2023 02:48 PM (nnp+f)

44 My experiment of growing indoor spinach is very less then impressive. Even with it getting six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day it is barely progressing.

A lot of hydroponics, in my experience, is simply the pursuit of finding out how to convince a plant that they're not planted in solid ground.

A plant, in the ground, pushes those roots down toward 55 degree earth. I really, really think that matters. To do it in a planter, or box, is a pain in the ass by comparison.

Only good results I've ever had was leaf lettuce in a very, very big planter. Kind of like growing grass.

Posted by: You Have Got To Be Shitting Me at December 16, 2023 02:49 PM (p+Efp)

45 When we moved it this place had huge clumps of aloes. They were taking all the water and killing the natives as well as ornamentals. We've slowly getting rid of them, filling the garbage containers twice a week. We only have one 6ft circle of them left. They'll be gone by New Years.

First year here we had a century plant bloom and die, as they do. Had to cut it into pieces to dispose of it. "Sawdust" went flying everywhere when the chainsaw hit the stalk. What I learned from that is if itching powder isn't made from century plant it should be.

Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at December 16, 2023 02:49 PM (daDOz)

46 My outdoor spinach is doing ok--if we keep having 50 degree days all winter, I'll have spinach all year.

Ever had old school relatives with a root cellar ? Or a simple basement - old school - where you opened the door, no HVAC connected, and you just walked down about ten or so feet ?

55 degrees. Fairly consistent.

Posted by: You Have Got To Be Shitting Me at December 16, 2023 02:54 PM (p+Efp)

47 Fat, delicious and drunk is no way to go through life, son.

Posted by: Mama deer at December 16, 2023 02:55 PM (NBVIP)

48 We did indeed send a flower arrangement to our best friends. (They also just became grandparents for the first time.) We are all long past the need for exchanging wrapped up gifts but we usually get a gorgeous wreath from them and we make sure they have some lovely color to go on their Christmas dinner table.

Posted by: JTB at December 16, 2023 02:55 PM (7EjX1)

49 To our complete amazement, we were able to get some oregano, thyme, and rosemary from the containers in the backyard. Must be pretty tough since they have survived too much rain, too little rain, and a number of nights in the 20s.

Posted by: JTB at December 16, 2023 02:59 PM (7EjX1)

50 I learned the I am worth $2.5 Million.

Posted by: Noah Bawdy at December 16, 2023 03:00 PM (QY5PN)

51 Cleaned out outbuilding gutters, should be good until spring hopefully

Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 03:05 PM (fwDg9)

52 Good afternoon Greenthumbs
Rearranging garage, tractor in back, snow thrower in front, fixed a old snow shovel as steel edge was beat and put a aluminum edge on it. 2nd one I did, might not last years but will be good for awhile
Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 01:33 PM (fwDg9)

How did you attach the aluminum ?

Posted by: JT at December 16, 2023 03:05 PM (T4tVD)

53 steel edge was beat and put a aluminum edge on it. 2nd one I did, might not last years but will be good for awhile
Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 01:33 PM (fwDg9)

How did you attach the aluminum ?
Posted by: JT

If he welded them together Skip is going to be a billionaire!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 03:09 PM (+kJbH)

54 53 and sunny, very little wind if any

Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 03:12 PM (fwDg9)

55 Large pop rivots

Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 03:14 PM (fwDg9)

56 Pansies are blooming nicely, in between episodes of the squirrels digging them up.
Posted by: Emmie at December 16, 2023 01:30 PM (Sf2cq)

Funny, blooming here, too.

Posted by: Senate Briefing Room at December 16, 2023 03:14 PM (AvFcs)

57 Sorry a bit OT

My parish is celebrating Simbang Gabi tonight at the 5 pm Mass. it's a Filipino novena of Masses celebrated at Christmas time. The children process in traditional Filipino garb carrying brilliantly decorated lanterns and singing in Tagalog.

It's so fun! Then there's food. Omg. The FOOD.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 16, 2023 03:15 PM (PujQp)

58 I have quite a bit of aluminum straps that are used to hand boards like a whiteboard, the two hooks together,

Posted by: Skip at December 16, 2023 03:16 PM (fwDg9)

59 Even during the slow gardening time of year, the photos KT has in the thread are so beautiful. That close-up of the roses is spectacular. Now to figure out how to paint those delicate, blended colors. It would help if I had any idea how to approach it.

Posted by: JTB at December 16, 2023 03:16 PM (7EjX1)

60 I learned the I am worth $2.5 Million.
Posted by: Noah Bawdy at December 16, 2023 03:00 PM (QY5PN)

Good for you! Now you can pay Ace for all the space you waste pimping your "warez".

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 16, 2023 03:17 PM (AvFcs)

61 >>> My parish is celebrating Simbang Gabi tonight at the 5 pm Mass. it's a Filipino novena of Masses celebrated at Christmas time. The children process in traditional Filipino garb carrying brilliantly decorated lanterns and singing in Tagalog.
It's so fun! Then there's food. Omg. The FOOD.
Posted by: nurse ratched

The wife just mentioned going tomorrow.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 16, 2023 03:18 PM (cOq4q)

62 43 Meyer lemons are coming in strong in SC. Tree in a pot outside, need to cover it nights this past week. Now ready for

Chicken piccata
Lemon cake
pferrenusse with lemon icing
Negroni Blanca twist
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov

Make preserved lemons!!!! Look it up. Easy peasy. Lemons and salt. Super clean mason jar. Let set in a cupboard forever. So good!!!

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 16, 2023 03:19 PM (PujQp)

63 Love the Maxine's cartoon. So true. And anything connected to Wind In The Willows, which has inspired some wonderful illustrations, is more than welcome. The caroling mice are adorable and I like the ivy growing over everything.

Posted by: JTB at December 16, 2023 03:21 PM (7EjX1)

64 62 ... "Meyer lemons are coming in strong in SC"

Hope they hurry up and arrive in Virginia soon. I've been keeping an eye out for them but not in the stores yet. For seasonal treats I just have to console myself with the abundance of pomegranates we've been enjoying.

I really should try that preserved lemon process and learn to use them. They are included in a couple of Middle Eastern cookbooks we have. As a lemon fanatic it would be appropriate to learn.

Posted by: JTB at December 16, 2023 03:29 PM (7EjX1)

65 pferrenusse
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov

Haven't had them since my mother made them much too long ago.
I loved them.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 03:36 PM (+kJbH)

66 It got quite here so I went and checked.

Nood Pets, a while ago!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 16, 2023 03:55 PM (+kJbH)

67 Pet thread yay pet thread!

Last night we let Daisy out to the newly fenced-in area, not realizing it had rained. Hilarity veritably did ensue.

Let her in by the bathroom door. She came in, miserable, wearing four mud golashes -clayey mud, grass, leaves, pine needles- you could build a hut out of that stuff. Door was shut so she couldn't track up the rest of the house, but the bathroom got splattered.

It was a titanic struggle as we tried to drag that terrified mass of muscle to the shower. By the time we had her front paws hosed off, she seemed to get the idea and let us do her back paws. Then began clean-up of mud-smeared carpets and mopping the concrete floor. Quite a dogastrophe! At least it was just her paws.

My PT would probably approve of the exercise I got.

Reassured her she's a good girl, wasn't her fault.

Back to walkies on the leash, until things dry out!

Posted by: mindful webworker - agin at December 16, 2023 04:07 PM (2he9d)

68 Oops. Uh...garden thread?

We need to add some sod.

Posted by: mindful webworker - arrgh at December 16, 2023 04:15 PM (2he9d)

69 From Boise area: Lows 28-37 F, highs 39-45. No rain this week. Air stagnation advisory in effect.

We got the tree lit and decorated. I got some cards mailed.

Husband got first batch of hard cider bottled. I made one batch of peppermint bark, and just started a second (lots of friends to give it to!).

Husband continues stuffing the trash with leaves - the large silver maple behind the house is all cleaned up now.

The broiler element fell off our oven last night - thankfully not into my casserole! I didn't know that with this model oven, I need to prop the door open when broiling... After researching, Husband thinks he can get the replacement part and install it himself.

(Prayers for all who have lost a loved one in December. It's the month Husband and I both lost our dads; and this year, my last surviving aunt has died...)

Posted by: Pat* at December 16, 2023 04:28 PM (td6Vu)

70 Delilah ? On No... What happened ? Did the puppies make it ?

Posted by: Joe Biden at December 16, 2023 05:05 PM (n2vyf)

71 Very late, but a gardening fork (potato fork) works wonders for fluffing up compacted grass.
Go outside the rut, get the tines in at around a 45 degree angle under the rut, fluff... repeat.

Posted by: MkY at December 16, 2023 05:07 PM (cPGH3)

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