Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, August 31

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Got guests in the back yard? Serving anything from the garden?

About the photo above:

This iron kettle has been in my family for several generations, mostly used indoor to hold kindling . I don’t have a fireplace and I don’t hang on to magazines so I drilled some holes in the bottom. The first couple of years I planted flowers directly in the kettle and, of course everything got fried because , duh, metal gets really hot in full sun. This hibiscus is in its original nursery container, and sits in a bucket. Still, I have to water it every other day, leaving at least an inch of water in the bucket. I love the red throat. The flowers are 5” across.
Liz953

I love it!

It's a holiday weekend. Time for a little humor.

Checking out the lawn while you're in the back yard? A bit of amusement for Labor Day, from The Compost Gardener. The Lawn According to God. It starts:

GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.  
St. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.  

GOD: Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?  
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.  

GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.  
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.

Read the rest at the link. Heh.

Yard and Garden Visitors

Garden Equipment

Big equipment

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

A surprise from Popular Science, with recommended herbs to grow indoors:

Fresh herbs can elevate a dish by adding a flavorful punch that dried ones can’t replicate, making culinary masterpieces a breeze, and enhancing your space. If you lack outdoor space or wish to grow herbs indoors, you’re in luck. They’re among the easiest plants to grow as long as you provide them what they need. 

from The Famous Pat*

This year’s ribbons from the Western Idaho Fair. More entries, fewer ribbons. (There’s always next year!) But I still win ribbons for my carrots every year - yellows got a 1st place, “Largest Carrot" got a 2nd place, short oranges got a 3rd place, and “Best Novelty Vegetable” plus a 1st place went to a 4-tailed yellow carrot I nicknamed “Hand of Buddha”.

Congratulations! Sounds like lots of fun. After a lot of work!

By-Tor made homemake street tacos using his homegrown habaneros. SPICY!

If you're not up for habaneros, Allrecipes has bacon jam recipes and also peach salsas.

Ah, Nature

Hoya bella

Llittle white stars!

The beautiful bloom of the Hoya Bella almost seems computer generated.pic.twitter.com/HTGUrbEKEy
— Figen (@TheFigen_) August 28, 2024

Adventure

Our friends went kayaking again, and this time saw the horses. A group has been trying to get them removed from the Salt river:

Yesterday, we took another kayaking excursion down the Salt River, where we witnessed the gorgeous Salt River Wild Horses. With ancestry tracing back to Spanish settlers in the 1600s, over 300 of these wild horses roam freely along the lower Salt River. It is quite a sight to see.

Gardens of The Horde

From Neal in Israel:

Gorgeous.

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, August 24

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 01:33 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at August 31, 2024 01:40 PM (fwDg9)

2 Pictures are great!

Posted by: Eromero at August 31, 2024 01:41 PM (o2ZRX)

3 Apparently we have Armyworms in our yard and need to spray it asap.

Posted by: Piper at August 31, 2024 01:42 PM (aT5K/)

4 I am getting a few cucumbers every day in spite of the local deer population, but while dozens of large green tomatoes have had only a small few turn red. Have had ripe Anaheim peppers and eaten those buy ones on plant now are still green but good size.

Posted by: Skip at August 31, 2024 01:43 PM (fwDg9)

5 My neighbor gave me two tomato plants that I dutifully planted in May and have nurtured. I now have 16 big tomatoes hanging from the limbs but they are not turning red. How much longer?

Posted by: Diogenes at August 31, 2024 01:45 PM (W/lyH)

6 Horsies added.

Posted by: KT at August 31, 2024 01:53 PM (xekrU)

7 Good looking trucks.

Posted by: Eromero at August 31, 2024 01:53 PM (o2ZRX)

8 I usually am trying to save tomatoes left on vines when frost happens around Halloween or shortly after, same with Anaheim peppers. But should have had some red tomatoes more than have

Posted by: Skip at August 31, 2024 01:53 PM (fwDg9)

9 They start to turn white on the bottom before they turn red. They will ripen inside if needed

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 31, 2024 01:54 PM (MpVUb)

10 By-Tor's peppers are gorgeous. Makes you want to take a bite. Not a good idea.

We've been using Anchos in place of raw green bell pepper. They don't seem to cause the same tummy upset.

Posted by: KT at August 31, 2024 01:55 PM (xekrU)

11 Serving anything from the garden?

Nope. Harvested nothing. All plants died or failed to produce. The only things left are basil and watermelon. Had nice sized watermelon with the large yellow spot on the rind indicating readiness to harvest and cut it open. White inside. Only the faintest pink around the seeds. I have four left. Waiting to see how those come out.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 31, 2024 01:56 PM (0eaVi)

12 Hoping for one last gasp with the 'maters.

My habanadas were a great addition to the pepper repertoire.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at August 31, 2024 01:56 PM (i3Nvr)

13 big congrats,*Pat

you’re my longtime very favorite garden thread poster!

Posted by: cherries are the best at August 31, 2024 02:02 PM (OMSrd)

14 Hell mouth by Thursday, 108° forecast for SFV, building from Monday and still hot through Friday.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at August 31, 2024 02:04 PM (IcZqk)

15 I started growing hoyas again after a decades long break.

When I was a teen I purchased a hoya carnosa at a garden center. I cared for it and it grew, threw out tendrils and looked just fine, but no flowers. When I left for college my mom said she'd care for it. I came home for Christmas break, and it had bloomed with pretty white/pink flowers. I think the plant liked her better.

Hoyas are addictive, almost like orchids. So far I have only 2 plants.

Posted by: kallisto at August 31, 2024 02:06 PM (dCxaZ)

16
My 'Big Ben' tomatoes that went in the ground more then two weeks before suggested planting date have done well. Big, 12" diameter output - enough to cover a slice of bread or toast. The cherry tomatoes did not like the early transplant and are still green on the vine. Another week or two hopefully. Good return from cucumbers, almost one daily. Zucchini decent return. I think a little rabbit may be lurking around cutting into their yield but I have yet to see him/her/they.

Corn bolted out of the gate and then drooped in 90 degree days. I need to rethink the location or install a drip hose next year. I did save the seeds so next year... neighbor has offered some land and now I have about 500 seeds. Definite maybe. New compost bin should be ready for next year. I hope to see the steam rise off it this coming winter.

So for a total of maybe 100 - 200 square feet of land required, and maybe $20.00 for seed, I'll procure more then $500.00 worth of fresh nutritious food. MAGA/MAHA.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 31, 2024 02:17 PM (RKVpM)

17 My neighbor has a big old flatbed, likely late 40s. I do love old pickups, even the ones from the 60s

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 31, 2024 02:17 PM (MpVUb)

18 Yesterday I planted two new fuschia "Blue Eyes" in blue-glazed pots for the shade garden. They look great together.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 31, 2024 02:18 PM (RIvkX)

19 I have Hoya that started as a few cuttings that a friend gave me. She worked in some fancy restaurant that had a few gorgeous specimens. She, uh, nipped them at closing time one night.... in '93.

Took 6 months to root them-- I really didn't know what I was doing-- never grew Hoya before. Took another 5 or 6 years for the plant to bloom!

It survives now, in the only spot available for it, and has not bloomed for at least 15 years. The leaves are pretty though.

Posted by: JQ at August 31, 2024 02:24 PM (njWTi)

20 I used to have a flowering hoya. Porcelain flowers, so beautiful and long lasting.

Every time I come across a ladybug, I think of dear Tim and smile. When I was planning his funeral with his brother, the director noticed a bug flying around the lamp hanging over the conference table. "I'm so sorry, I've never seen a bug in here before."

It landed on my hand, a ladybug. And stayed on my hand throughout the meeting. I considered it a message from Tim.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at August 31, 2024 02:26 PM (w6EFb)

21 Only gardening news today is our crepe myrtle. Last year we hardly had any blooms. This year, despite or because of the weather (not sure which), our brave little crepe is covered in blooms, the purple shade is like the glow of a deep red wine. Gorgeous. Wish I could take credit.

Posted by: JTB at August 31, 2024 02:32 PM (zudum)

22 Heidi is at a small rural church praying for our priest. She's also leaving a bag of zucchini in the pew for the brothers who do prayers right after her. It's zucchini season. Keep your car doors locked.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob at August 31, 2024 02:33 PM (SpgZO)

23 Ladybug > ladyboy

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at August 31, 2024 02:34 PM (IcZqk)

24 is like the glow of a deep red wine.

(Hic) Kamala! (Hic)

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at August 31, 2024 02:36 PM (IcZqk)

25 JQ at August 31, 2024 02:24 PM (njWTi)

Hoya does not like to be moved or transplanted.

Posted by: KT at August 31, 2024 02:40 PM (xekrU)

26 Hoya does not like to be moved or transplanted.
Posted by: KT

It's never been transplanted, since first potted after roots showed.

It hasn't been moved since I married hubby, 16 years ago.

Do Hoyas throw temper-tantrums for that long?

Posted by: JQ at August 31, 2024 02:42 PM (njWTi)

27 I have an African Violet that I almost threw out. It was down to a single leaf, the size of my little fingernail. I bought these special self watering pots and repotted it. It has completely caught up to my other one and is in bloom! I lost three as a result of the move. The pots are expensive but sure do a nice job.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 31, 2024 02:43 PM (MpVUb)

28 I'll discuss this more on tomorrow's book thread. For those interested, the 2025 Old Farmers Almanac came out last Tuesday. It's always a fun read. I'm not going to plant by phases of the moon (although I wonder if there is anything to it).
Anyway, just FYI.

Posted by: JTB at August 31, 2024 02:49 PM (zudum)

29 24 is like the glow of a deep red wine.

(Hic) Kamala! (Hic)
Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at August 31, 2024 02:36 PM (IcZqk)

‘Cause your eyes had a mist from the smoke of a distant fire…..’

Posted by: Eromero at August 31, 2024 02:57 PM (o2ZRX)

30 I have a surprising W to report. 3 years ago, I got the Arbor Society bundle of stick trees. Ambitious, since we had essentially no landscaping and clay soil. They've been sitting in pots since then. I'm talking maybe 2 quarts of soil, tops. Two crepe myrtles, two hawthornes, and one redbud are still with us.

The redbud was so, so sad, just clinging to life. We planted it out in the bed behind the back porch a few months ago, and it's really taken off. Redbud was Tim's favorite.

I still haven't decided where to plant the others. Maybe next year.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at August 31, 2024 02:58 PM (w6EFb)

31 The acorns have started to fall and the squirrels are scurrying about. The Hoya Bella is quite beautiful.

Posted by: Joyce at August 31, 2024 03:02 PM (rzwGB)

32 I have a creeping jasmine vine that seems to be dying no matter what I do. Water it, don't water it. It's about 80% brown right now.
Everything else is doing OK.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at August 31, 2024 03:09 PM (MeG8a)

33 I have bee weeds and yellow center sunflowers. After a short burst from the daffodils I didn't see any flowers in mom's old flowerbeds other than the iris. Its been a dry year and with no flowers showing I've watered just a bit to try to avoid killing the iris. Luckily the flowering weeds need very little water.

Posted by: PaleRider at August 31, 2024 03:10 PM (UKUm3)

34 27 ... "I have an African Violet that I almost threw out. It was down to a single leaf, the size of my little fingernail. I bought these special self watering pots and repotted it. It has completely caught up to my other one and is in bloom!"

I'm amazed at how resilient some plants are like African Violets and, I think, begonias. A bit of leaf and a few tiny roots can lead to beautiful, blooming plants. It's a wonder.

Posted by: JTB at August 31, 2024 03:11 PM (zudum)

35 One of the ads I get with my stupid phone games is for a plant ID and care app. Gives examples of adding curry, or cola, sugar water to various species to perk them up. Its not enough to make me want to try houseplants again or try to coax domestic flowers to survive but that one ad I do watch when it comes up, I like plants, just not enough to carve out time for them right now.

Posted by: PaleRider at August 31, 2024 03:15 PM (UKUm3)

36 PaleRider--I saw that ad the other day and was totally WTF? What's the point in suckering people into doing such weird things. Maybe they work...but I doubt it.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 31, 2024 03:59 PM (FEVMW)

37 I know I'm late but so glad I decided to stop by.
Those yellow blooms are gorgeous. I live in a condo building and in front and on our terrace are a number of huge planters. I managed to get on the landscape committee and complained about the last year's plantings. With other members we made suggestions and they came out stunning including a number with those same yellow blossoms. I'll take some photos and send them in.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 31, 2024 04:08 PM (t/2Uw)

38 Bet those tacos are a bit spicy but they look Yum.
Very entertaining garden thread.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 31, 2024 04:10 PM (t/2Uw)

39 From Boise area: Temps bouncing around, highs 75 to 90, lows 50 to 65. More crappy air quality days.

Still watching the few remaining cantaloupes, and the pie-pumpkins. Mostly picking tomatoes, and occasional zucchini. We harvested 2 bags of russet potatoes today, just over 11.5 pounds. (The soil went into the asparagus bed, in the areas I've already weeded.) We still have 8 bags of fingerling potatoes to go. The 4 broccolini plants got a late start but did produce some florets - we'll plant more next year, starting earlier than I did this year.

The poblanos are a bust this year, only one flower and no fruit right now, and we'll probably get First Frost before the end of September. Sweet potato vines look good, and pots can be moved into the mini-greenhouse, to extend the season.

I should work more on gathering and drying herbs, and maybe pick up some garlic so I can try growing that.
(part 1)

Posted by: Pat* at August 31, 2024 04:31 PM (vtZQP)

40 JQ at August 31, 2024 02:42 PM

I don't know if hoyas throw temper tantrums, but my piano teacher had one on a wide window shelf and it fell off once. She left it where it fell for several weeks so as not to upset it.

Posted by: KT at August 31, 2024 04:36 PM (xekrU)

41 Dear #13 "cherries are the best",
Thanks for the compliment - it's been at least since Dec. 2016 I've been posting here, so I'm coming up on 8 years! (Possibly more; that's just when I started noticing that posting here was becoming a regular part of my Saturday.)

We started a 1 gallon size batch of chokecherry wine, but it will be months before we know if it comes out well. We have this year's frozen chokecherries we can steam-juice, and we could turn the juice into either more wine if it comes out well, or jelly/syrup if it doesn't.

Forgot to mention that 4 potatoes from our russets got nibbled by voles. We have to figure out how to bait them in such a way that quail or other wildlife doesn't get into the bait...
(part 2/end)

Posted by: Pat* at August 31, 2024 04:39 PM (vtZQP)

42 JQ at August 31, 2024 02:42 PM

They may need more light than most houseplants in order to bloom. A fancy nursery in Newport Beach had several massive ones hanging in a walkway, covered by a roof, but with no walls.

Posted by: KT at August 31, 2024 04:41 PM (xekrU)

43 My piano teacher's hoya was in a west window on an elevated shelf, with some protection from bright light (trees outside the house).

Posted by: KT at August 31, 2024 04:42 PM (xekrU)

44 I had a '64 chebby straight 6 truck with a choke that would start in -35 deg weather. Bald tires, bad brakes, flatbed - a thing of beauty.

Ran like a champion.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at August 31, 2024 06:46 PM (XGL1u)

45 Rick Bayless has a fabulous recipe for habanero hot sauce that uses carrots. It’s just like Marie Sharps hot sauce we loved in Belize and…hot as hell!!

Posted by: keena at August 31, 2024 06:50 PM (RiTnx)

46 7 Good looking trucks.
Posted by: Eromero

No way they can be 50 years old, the orange and white one looks just like my Dad's truck...

Oh wait!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ This year in Corsicana - again! ~ at August 31, 2024 06:57 PM (hOUT3)

47 Hoyas - The flowers look cool,but the smell is amazing. You can be sitting in the next room over and suddenly realize the flowers just opened.

Posted by: Diana Pool at September 01, 2024 08:01 AM (+VMll)

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