Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, Sept. 6

From Sharon (willow's apprentice)

Hi
Hope you are feeling better.
When I moved to MD, I had to give up my extensive gardens. Although my condo opens up to a common area, it gave me a small terrace instead of a balcony so I had some room and sunlight but needed to try and make the space more private. The previous owner left me these tall planters. Did veggies last year but decided to forgo for flowers. Still need to get some annuals but pleased so far.
Planted a peony last year which didn't flower and this year only gave me one, but a pretty nice one.

Yes, it is nice! The whole garden is nice!

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

From a cousin:

Best peach tree ever!

2012. Peach trees generally have a productive life of about 15 years max.

Ah, Nature

The workaholics of the animal kingdom. They are always doing. https://t.co/ArDaBpDY5n
— Derek Columbus (@columbus_derek) September 5, 2025

Featured Flowers

Hi Katy -
Happy Fall! Beautiful weather here. The beach roses are still blooming along the mid-Atlantic coast. Thanks, as always, for the Gardening, Puttering, & Nature thread.
Maybe it is not a true beach rose. Maybe it is a knockout rose that's been planted at the beach and thrived. Plants along the shore need to have a high tolerance for wind, salt, sea spray, etc.
The Pilot

I was wondering if they might be rugosa roses. There are wild single types and double cultivars. They usually have wrinkly leaves and large hips.

Yes, I think you are right. From what this article says, it would make sense for rugosa roses to be grown at the beach. It said they can tolerate less than ideal growing conditions and the color matches as well.
Thanks for finding this article and sharing it.
One more thought -- you mentioned the large hips. The yellow rose (which was not as "showy" as the pink one) seemed to have large hips. They looked like berries.

Here's another article with close-ups of some lovely refined Rugosa hybrids.

The hips of Rugosa Roses have been used to prevent scurvy in wartime, and can be used to make jam or jelly.

They have invasive roots. You may be able to find plants grafted to less invasive rose roots, or you can grow in containers. Here's a pdf on their invasive qualities, from Alaska. Alaskan native roses are discussed, too.

There are some attractive miniature and miniature climbing Rugosa hybrids with beautiful long sepals, and their thorns are not such a problem because they are smaller. But this is a Rugosa shrub bred by Ralph Moore, whom I met and talked with a couple of times.

Sunflowers

Courtesy Farmer Rex:

Indiana man's giant sunflower plant approaching world record

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- An Indiana gardener said his sunflower plant is within a foot of breaking a Guinness World Record -- and it's still growing.
Fort Wayne man Alex Babich's sunflower surpassed the U.S. record last week when it reached 26 feet and 8 inches tall.

Thanks, Farmer Rex! See you on the Hobby Thread!

Gardens of The Horde

What's growing in your garden? Got punkins yet?

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, Aug. 30

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 01:15 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 01:34 PM (+qU29)

2 Grow rutabega!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at September 06, 2025 01:36 PM (13bBv)

3 Just had a rain shower and see my gutters are clogged, so heading up on the roof next.

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 01:36 PM (+qU29)

4 Read an interesting article about how yams are misclassified as vegetables when they are really animals, possibly of extraterrestrial origin.

Posted by: I Yam Serious at September 06, 2025 01:37 PM (4VMNo)

5 My only gardening is my field of fucks. And you can see how that's going.

Posted by: Barren wasteland at September 06, 2025 01:38 PM (TbWk/)

6

Nice Beaver!

Posted by: Frank Drebin at September 06, 2025 01:44 PM (LxiOy)

7
I would love to have giant sunflowers on the side of my boring house (big empty bland wall) but with my red thumb, I know they wouldn't grow. I've considered painting them on the wall.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 06, 2025 01:47 PM (lCaJd)

8 Hearing thunder but sun just came out, off roof at least

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 01:49 PM (+qU29)

9 Hot & dry here. It's been a chore to keep my container garden moist enough to remain attractive.

Posted by: JQ at September 06, 2025 01:53 PM (rdVOm)

10 Love that top photo of Sharon's peony but the center part reminds me of a little Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors.

Posted by: JTB at September 06, 2025 01:55 PM (yTvNw)

11 I've considered painting them on the wall.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia

What a great idea!

Posted by: JQ at September 06, 2025 01:57 PM (rdVOm)

12 I need Kindltot's help. I was in Red Cloud NE yesterday, at Willa Cather's childhood home. The front yard had two plum trees, loadedwith plums. I grabbed a couple of handfuls. I think these are the native plums and want to see if I can get them to sprout. Any tips on how to start them?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 06, 2025 01:59 PM (kUxzU)

13 Notsothoreau--

Here's a page you may find interesting:

tinyurl.com/2stmx974+

Posted by: JQ at September 06, 2025 02:03 PM (rdVOm)

14 At the local farmers market this morning the folks we get eggs and cherry tomatoes from had some beautiful herbs in soil, not already cut. I got some dill. Going to try transplanting it to a big pot. Cool weather is when I think of making pickles and fermenting veggies. I would love to have fresh dill to include. Dried works but fresh is preferable.

Posted by: JTB at September 06, 2025 02:04 PM (yTvNw)

15 That pumpkin with all the succulents is spectacular. There's something about succulents with their subtle colors and huge variety of shapes that I find interesting.

Posted by: JTB at September 06, 2025 02:08 PM (yTvNw)

16 Still getting cucumbers growing out of my ears, been a sham to waste most of them

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 02:09 PM (+qU29)

17 Our last measurable precipitation was 8/14. We had .13 inch.
Our soil isn't just dry, it's dusty.

Posted by: MkY at September 06, 2025 02:10 PM (cPGH3)

18 There's something about succulents with their subtle colors and huge variety of shapes that I find interesting.

Like boobs.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at September 06, 2025 02:11 PM (rh3Pd)

19 Still can't decide on a privacy hedge plant. Still considering the wax leaf privet. Anyone else have that plant? I was concerned that it can be toxic.

Posted by: polynikes at September 06, 2025 02:12 PM (EYmYM)

20 Looks like that will help, JQ. Thanks! I think these are what they call sand plums. I have both red and yellow ones. They should grow fine here. I do have a damson plum that continues to grow after a year.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 06, 2025 02:12 PM (kUxzU)

21 18 ... "There's something about succulents with their subtle colors and huge variety of shapes that I find interesting.

Like boobs."

Hmmm! That would explain a lot about me.

Posted by: JTB at September 06, 2025 02:13 PM (yTvNw)

22 Nice lanai, Sharon!

Beautiful shade of pink on that peony.

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 06, 2025 02:15 PM (kpS4V)

23 Alex Babich is originally from Chernobyl. No wonder he has a mutant strain of sunflower.

Also, I LOL'd at the term "extreme gardener".

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 06, 2025 02:19 PM (kpS4V)

24 Planted some autumn-colored pansies around the garden, and in the urn by the door a bright orange celosia, pansies, and a black-leafed sweet potato trailing in front, which the deer munched down in record time.

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 06, 2025 02:25 PM (kpS4V)

25 https://www.reddit.com/r/maybemaybemaybe/

Scroll down to thrill ride/boobs

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at September 06, 2025 02:37 PM (BCx5I)

26 2012. Peach trees generally have a productive life of about 15 years max.
_______________________

I remember how disappointed I was when I learned this years ago. I always assumed fruit trees are perpetual. I've since learned you can eek out another 5 to 10 years beyond 15 years if you are meticulous in their care. The main things being pruning to assure proper sunlight on the fruit, fertilizers (it takes two to three different ones), insecticides, and great drainage. If you do those things, your fruit production will be extended somewhat.

On a positive silver lining to this truth, it gives you a chance to try other types of peaches when you ultimately start a new sapling. Lots to choose from...and all with a distinct "personality."

Posted by: Orson at September 06, 2025 02:37 PM (dIske)

27 a friend of mine gave me a reaper or scorpion (i forget- hot) chile plant he germinated in february. buncha white flowers turning to fruit not yet golf ball sized. looking forward to the green turning red yellow orange and growing menacing whips. they'll go in the fall hot sauce with habaneros and anything other bounty i receive. it needs alot of taming down before being edible.

Posted by: cmeat at September 06, 2025 02:40 PM (LgQ89)

28 I'm attempting to root some boxwood cuttings.

They're not dead yet, LOL. Cut/prepared them 3 weeks ago, but still waiting for new growth.

Posted by: JQ at September 06, 2025 02:41 PM (rdVOm)

29 Have a few big Anaheim peppers but very green

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 02:42 PM (+qU29)

30 I tested something out this year that you might find useful next year:

If you grow carrots, tomatoes and bell peppers (which a lot of people do as a staple of veggie gardens), save your coffee grounds and sprinkle them around the plants. Not too thick, but mix it in with the topsoil. You will be amazed at how hardy the plants become (as well as productive). Those veggies love acidic based soil, and instead of jamming up your garbage disposal with the grounds, give your plants a snack.

This, also, works on flowering plants like Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and even roses. Just make sure the plant thrives on acidic soil, and go nutz.

Posted by: Orson at September 06, 2025 02:49 PM (dIske)

31 Lovely garden, sharon!

I have no skill for gardening, but my SIL gave me an extra tomato plant this year. I figured if I got one edible tomato it would be a rousing success.

I bought a cheap trellis box from Amazon and put it on my patio right after Memorial Day. So far, I've had 2 very small but delicious tomatoes. But when I went to check the plant this morning, I counted TEN tomatoes growing! This is a miracle considering my gardening incompetence. Next year I may expand operations to 2 tomato plants.

Posted by: screaming in digital at September 06, 2025 03:00 PM (16V99)

32 I worked in a commercial peach orchard with 25 year old trees. He was a master at it. The important thing, when pruning, is to keep the center of the tree open.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 06, 2025 03:07 PM (kUxzU)

33 Good afternoon all. Was reading out on the terrace and didn't see this til now. I sent that so long ago, will have to send an update. I ended up getting beautiful tiger lilies and day lilies and ow have a purple plant in blossom that attracts big bumblebees. I have added a couple of hydrangeas but don't think they'll bloom til next year.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 06, 2025 03:08 PM (t/2Uw)

34 JTB, dill doesn't transplant easily, but if it goes to seed early, it's best for pickles while still at the green seed stage.

It's easy to grow from seed if you want to use the feathery leaves in salads, with cucumbers, etc.

Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 03:09 PM (7vIsy)

35 Love the pumpkin full of succulents but what do you do when the pumpkin starts dissolve?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 06, 2025 03:10 PM (t/2Uw)

36 We had a man come by and ask us for some of our early pomegranates again, on the advice of his doctor after a heart attack.

Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 03:10 PM (7vIsy)

37 I'm trimming bushes.

Ughh.

They look better but some are still huge. Nice though.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at September 06, 2025 03:12 PM (jvJvP)

38 Admiral Moreel almost chose the beaver as the Construction Battalion mascot, but ended up with the industrious bee. SEABEES!

Posted by: Eromero at September 06, 2025 03:15 PM (BSsOZ)

39 Love the pumpkin full of succulents but what do you do when the pumpkin starts dissolve?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)

I can't really tell from the pic. I thought it was ceramic when I first looked at it. But I scrolled back after your comment, and now I'm not sure. Might be real, might be Memorex.

Posted by: mikeski at September 06, 2025 03:23 PM (nhCoE)

40 35 Love the pumpkin full of succulents but what do you do when the pumpkin starts dissolve?

Plant the whole thing with just a little pumpkin showing above ground, make some knife cuts or stabs in the shell of the pumpkin after planting.

Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 03:24 PM (7vIsy)

41 Pet thread is up.

Posted by: Somewhere South of I-80 at September 06, 2025 03:25 PM (89Sog)

42 35 Love the pumpkin full of succulents but what do you do when the pumpkin starts dissolve?

Or you could remove the sedums from the pumpkin (slice it open) and plant them in a clay pot.

Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 03:27 PM (7vIsy)

43 When I took a second look, thought it might actually be AI. Kind of too perfect. I have a succulent plant that gets petty little pink flowers but I can't seem to stop it from getting to leggy even when in a small pot. It roots really well in a glass of water so made up two little ones for my granddaughters. I should check and see if they survived.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 06, 2025 03:45 PM (t/2Uw)

44 I spent the morning canning plums and splitting firewood(humblebrag)

The best suggestion I have for sprouting plum pits is to put the dry pits in a ziplock bag with damp potting soil, and stick them in the crisper of the fridge for three months. This means if you are planning to plant in March, put them in the fridge at the end of December

(for those of you who don't know, the crisper is where you put your beer)

Like apple seeds they should start sprouting in that time. In the midwest you get good hard cold in the ground, but native trees should be fine with that. If you want to cover all eventualities you could put half in a bucket of potting soil buried in the back yard, and half in your fridge. Here I need to make sure that I get the right cold since some winters are warmish.

Domestic plums may or may not breed true from pits, it depends on a lot of things. Native fruits are pretty stable, I understand.

My fun experiment is that I am growing some peach trees from pits, and the three that sprouted this spring are over a foot high.

Posted by: Kindltot at September 06, 2025 03:46 PM (rbvCR)

45 KT, that's a great idea for the pumpkin.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 06, 2025 03:47 PM (t/2Uw)

46 We had a peach grow from a compost pile when in Stevenson WA. Really rocky soil too. Had one peach before we moved.

I'll see how these plums do.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 06, 2025 03:56 PM (kUxzU)

47 I'm going next Saturday to make a pumpkin succulent thing.

Posted by: lin-duh: I'm a woman and I'm offended! at September 06, 2025 04:43 PM (YobFY)

48 Sharon - Thanks for sharing the picture of the peony. Beautiful terrace... Pilot

Posted by: Pilot at September 06, 2025 05:06 PM (M+4Y9)

49 From Boise area: Spent the day at the range helping run an event.

Still harvesting green beans - losing 2 of the 6 ten foot rows to rust, might lose more later. Harvesting all types of tomatoes - no time to process them recently so some might rot before Monday. So few strawberries on the plants that I'm just eating them. Husband stripped the peach tree and we spent much of yesterday washing, boiling water dipping (easier skin removal), cutting up chunks, dipping in ascorbic acid solution (prevents darkening), and freezing on trays. Three pots of Russet Burbank potatoes harvested; haven't weighed them yet but we were disappointed in the yield. Pears and apples not ready yet, but there will be a very good crop.

Posted by: Pat* at September 06, 2025 11:48 PM (yE5LK)

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