Gardening, Home and Nature Thread, Oct. 25

Happy Week before Halloween!

From The Famous Pat*

This is the right side of my front porch. The pumpkin, I bought from the neighbor kids. The green pair are immature butternut squashes (might as well make use of them). The other item grew on a zucchini vine, which grew out of the bottom of a compost cage - that was its mother, but it was apparently fathered by a pumpkin last year. I don’t know what to call it - a zookapumpkin? A pump-zini?

What do you think, Horde? Interesting front porch!

I bought succulent cuttings sold as an assorted lot back in May. I planted them in gritty soil, watered them once in awhile, but basically left them alone all summer. They looked to be well rooted, even actively growing by now, and I finally decided to plant them out. I now have my fingers crossed--again--to see if these new pots take root!
First picture is the initial planting, second shows the new pots.
Lirio100

Great details! Fun plantings!

What is this?
When I transplanted this aloe, thought I needed a big pot. Turned out the root ball was actually pretty tiny but was rewarded with a baby plant. Saw this the other day and thought it was another offshoot but Yikes!
Looks like so,e bizarre mushroom. Anybody seen anything like it?
Sharon (willow's apprentice)

Anybody know?

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

From Pat*

We had a good harvest of poblano peppers from our 4 plants! I already cut up the smaller/oddly shaped ones and froze them for casseroles. These will make easy-to-stuff chiles rellenos. The longest is about 7 inches.

Also from Pat*

This single Yukon Gold potato really weighs one pound, 4.8 ounces! Too bad I couldn’t have had this one ready for the Western Idaho Fair...

Wow!

Ah, Nature

Bear taking a pumpkin from a home's front porch during Halloween

pic.twitter.com/bBSnpmB8UR
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) October 17, 2025

Late Season Flowers

Autumn dahlia cutting patch 🍁🍁
I think we’re going to get frost Thursday, in which case it will probably be over for another year. We’ll see. I think I’ve already had an extra 3 weeks this year 👍💐 pic.twitter.com/qqBxxbqQOD
— Garden Brocante (@GardenBrocante) October 20, 2025

Some would say clashing colours, but I say, lovely to see them growing in my garden in the middle of October 🌸 pic.twitter.com/H728kGFNGG
— Garden Brocante (@GardenBrocante) October 15, 2025

A different chrysanthemum variety. I think I got this one off the Waitrose dead shelf last year!! pic.twitter.com/HljI0OF5jr
— Garden Brocante (@GardenBrocante) October 19, 2025

Gardens of The Horde

So here we are 3 weeks into October, with even migrating hummingbirds long gone, and this clematis decided it was time to pop a flower. Temps got down to 38 the other night.
Miley

Beautiful!

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, Oct 18

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 01:32 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at October 25, 2025 01:32 PM (+qU29)

2 hello!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:33 PM (RuTUS)

3 I put this on the tech thread and it has more relevance here (language warning!):

@beyondreasdoubt
17h
Time for my annual posting of my all-time favorite:

"It’s Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers"

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/
its-decorative-gourd-season-motherfuckers

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:36 PM (RuTUS)

4 Haven't finished all the text or Miley's photo yet. Just switched to Windows 11 and it's giving me fits.

Also, hubby has fallen among cut-throats in hospital. He's okay but wants to come home.

Updates in a few minutes.

Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 01:36 PM (7vIsy)

5 Nice photos!
Can't wait to find out what The odd white puff ball is!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 25, 2025 01:39 PM (9/P2y)

6 This is first nood I didn't get to announce in a very long time, had someone at the door second I posted.

Posted by: Skip at October 25, 2025 01:41 PM (+qU29)

7 Ack! The Thing in the guava(?) plant looks egglike!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:41 PM (RuTUS)

8 guava(?)-->aloe

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:42 PM (RuTUS)

9 Made chili yesterday with starter 3 ripe Anaheim peppers and one green but soft. Chard them in charcoal grill and pealed them. Picked 2 more yesterday yesterday just starting to turn ripe so picked them and overnight really Turning red.

Posted by: Skip at October 25, 2025 01:46 PM (+qU29)

10 I like those googly eyed pots, lirio.

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at October 25, 2025 01:46 PM (kpS4V)

11 4 hubby has fallen among cut-throats in hospital
Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 01:36 PM (7vIsy)

cutthroat
noun
1 (dated) a murderer or other violent criminal: a disreputable squad of thieves, cut-throats, and deserters.
2 (also cutthroat trout) a trout of western North America, with red or orange markings under the jaw.

Either way, good luck, K.T.!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:46 PM (RuTUS)

12 Autumn is in full swing here. Leaves committing suicide all over the place. But there are still some rose bushes with a few healthy blooms. Might be because we have not had a hard freeze yet.

Today is cool and rainy. I love rain.

Posted by: Pug Mahon Knows Stuff at October 25, 2025 01:48 PM (0aYVJ)

13 In the top photo, the horseshoe is upside down.

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:49 PM (RuTUS)

14 I am going to harvest the green tomatoes and beans. We should get a frost on Thursday and it's just time. I will likely dig the potatoes and carrots. I have shallots and garlic to plant and straw to put on the beds

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 25, 2025 01:49 PM (kUxzU)

15 Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:36 PM (RuTUS)
---/

Did you get the coffee mug?

Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at October 25, 2025 01:50 PM (kpS4V)

16 I been getting late Anaheim peppers from my mini greenhouse. If it could change location to better sunlight I am sure it could do better

Posted by: Skip at October 25, 2025 01:50 PM (+qU29)

17 The pots are off Etsy, I thought they looked like weird plant pots suitable for weird plants. I did do three other, more traditional pots too. I actually didn't expect so many of the cuttings to take root.

Posted by: Lirio100 at October 25, 2025 01:50 PM (ky7/T)

18 15 Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:36 PM (RuTUS)
---/

Did you get the coffee mug?
Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at October 25, 2025 01:50 PM (kpS4V)

Haha! No. I'm fairly clean-language-like.

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:51 PM (RuTUS)

19 Also, was in Newton KS yesterday. Took the dog to a small park. Next to a creek was a huge D'Anjou pear tree! This was as large as the cottonwoods around it. I took one pear and will see if I can get the seeds to sprout.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 25, 2025 01:52 PM (kUxzU)

20 I've been weighing getting in to succulents, but am worried about trying to grow them over the winter because they don't get enough light. I have a couple of S facing windows that would help, but have to persuade the wife that I need to take over another window. A grow light is another possibility. I have all the gritty soil I need. Anyway, this place looks really interesting as a source:

MountainCrestGardens.com

Posted by: Archimedes at October 25, 2025 01:52 PM (E8hOS)

21 from the previous thread:

"One of my lefty social media friends posted one of those stupid 20-second "stories" that last for 24 hours on the theme of a lefty discussion group centering on the "monsters" of the world wearing well-tailored suits."

Does anybody know what those "stories" are? That's new to me.

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 01:59 PM (RuTUS)

22 Mountain Crest is very good, I've gotten several plants from them. The plants are packed well and arrive in good condition. I grow mine in a south facing window with a grow light that extends the hours of light but not all succulents need a ton of light. A search for low light ones turns up several.

Posted by: Lirio100 at October 25, 2025 02:01 PM (ky7/T)

23 Afternoon all.
Very cold here for this time of year. Only 39 this morning. Last year this time I was still swimming in the outdoor pool at the Y.
Succulents really don't need much to thrive. I have them in a west facing window so they don't get any sun til ,ate bit still do okay. That giant aloe is mine. If anyone knows what that crazy mushroom is, let me know.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at October 25, 2025 02:03 PM (t/2Uw)

24 These are the beans I planted. (the filet beans did nothing). They just took off at one point and are still trying to outgrow my little trellis. The story behind them is great.

https://tinyurl.com/2ws3t63x

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 25, 2025 02:05 PM (kUxzU)

25 Dear #13 m,
The horseshoe is set in that direction in honor of the Mother who gave birth to us all.
-Pat*

Posted by: Pat* at October 25, 2025 02:07 PM (E1/Hp)

26 Poblano caption from Pat*:
We had a good harvest of poblano peppers from our 4 plants! I already cut up the smaller/oddly shaped ones and froze them for casseroles. These will make easy-to-stuff chiles rellenos. The longest is about 7 inches.

Posted by: Pat* at October 25, 2025 02:08 PM (E1/Hp)

27 25 Dear #13 m,
The horseshoe is set in that direction in honor of the Mother who gave birth to us all.
-Pat*
Posted by: Pat* at October 25, 2025 02:07 PM (E1/Hp)

Oh! When I was little, I learned that, when turned that way, the luck "ran out"!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:08 PM (RuTUS)

28 Potato caption from Pat*:
This single Yukon Gold potato really weighs one pound, 4.8 ounces! Too bad I couldn’t have had this one ready for the Western Idaho Fair...

Posted by: Pat* at October 25, 2025 02:08 PM (E1/Hp)

29 I actually didn't expect so many of the cuttings to take root.
Posted by: Lirio100 Congrats they all look great and cute too!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at October 25, 2025 02:10 PM (9/P2y)

30 Welcome back, K.T.!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:12 PM (RuTUS)

31 I transplanted this aloe ... Saw this the other day and thought it was another offshoot but Yikes!
Looks like so,e bizarre mushroom. Anybody seen anything like it?
Sharon(willow's apprentice)

It looks like an egg sac to me.

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:16 PM (RuTUS)

32 If anyone knows what that crazy mushroom is, let me know.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)

Flowerpot parasol, perhaps? I get those in potted plants. They aren't harmful to the plant.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 25, 2025 02:16 PM (KEwlz)

33 I'm going to see if my grandkids would want one of the novelty pots. Succulents are undemanding and might be good for a first time.

Posted by: Lirio100 at October 25, 2025 02:18 PM (ky7/T)

34 Can you get it thru your thick gourd that winter is coming?

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at October 25, 2025 02:20 PM (Om+DK)

35 I would have been lucky if 1 plant took root

Posted by: Skip at October 25, 2025 02:21 PM (+qU29)

36 flowerpot parasol = yellow mushroom, looks like from photos online

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:25 PM (RuTUS)

37 About the cut throats: Hubby had surgery on his neck yesterday.

He was loopy all day yesterday. Had to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Dogs not sure what to think.

Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 02:27 PM (7vIsy)

38 34 Can you get it thru your thick gourd that winter is coming?
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at October 25, 2025 02:20 PM (Om+DK)

Squash it!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:28 PM (RuTUS)

39 Love Miley's clematis.

Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 02:30 PM (7vIsy)

40 37 About the cut throats: Hubby had surgery on his neck yesterday.

He was loopy all day yesterday. Had to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Dogs not sure what to think.
Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 02:27 PM (7vIsy)

That is a lot to juggle! Hope all's well.

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:34 PM (RuTUS)

41 KT, thank you for all you do. I don't know how you and the rest of the COBs manage to turn out threads and essays on a regular basis while juggling everyday life.
❤️🌸🌺

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at October 25, 2025 02:41 PM (t/2Uw)

42 From Boise area: lows 37-50 F, highs 50-72. We have "fall rains" today. We had our first hard frosts on Sun. and Mon. overnight, so the last tomatoes, zucchini, and basil are dead. We harvested the butternut squash and poblano peppers.

I already cut up the B-grade poblanos and froze them for casseroles. We're canning tomato sauce today - only a few jars. There are more tomatoes in the freezer, which we'll get to another time.

Later, we'll be cutting apples and pressing cider. It was a crazy apple year, even better than '23 - we estimate 200 dry gallons of apples! - and that doesn't count the ones we picked early, for applesauce. Since we'll have so much cider from this year, we'll be trying various experimental hard cider batches to see what we might like best.

Posted by: Pat* at October 25, 2025 02:45 PM (E1/Hp)

43 When I was younger, I was never a big fan of squash but as I approach 29 years, I've learned to appreciate squash more and there are many that are quite tasty.

Gourdmet side dishes.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at October 25, 2025 02:46 PM (Om+DK)

44 Re the mystery squash above: Zukin

Posted by: Tuna at October 25, 2025 02:47 PM (lJ0H4)

45 39 Love Miley's clematis.
Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 02:30 PM (7vIsy)

This is a family blog!

Posted by: Gourd day to you, sir! at October 25, 2025 02:47 PM (TdYBy)

46 When we lived in MA, we always went apple-picking this time of year. I was surprised that here in NC, those kind of orchards are few and far between. Fortunately there is a local place that sells hot apple cider donuts, which were half the reason I went picking.

Posted by: Lincolntf at October 25, 2025 02:51 PM (vV6n9)

47
All my gardening today was done with a chainsaw.

Posted by: Auspex at October 25, 2025 02:53 PM (Y8DZL)

48 Observation: Our oak trees in the yard and neighborhood are usually loaded with acorns in the branches and in the yard. This year, zippo. Some years the crops are less than others but never this bare. I wonder if the squirrels are storing them against the predictions for a very harsh winter. They have certainly been active this month.

Posted by: JTB at October 25, 2025 02:55 PM (yTvNw)

49 Glad I checked back. Those photos are gorgeous. My encore azalea only has a couple of blossoms but it is the second time it's bloomed this year. Lots of buds. If we get a couple of warm days, might see more.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at October 25, 2025 02:55 PM (t/2Uw)

50 All this talk of apples, I went and cut one up to munch on!

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 02:58 PM (RuTUS)

51 49 Glad I checked back. Those photos are gorgeous. My encore azalea only has a couple of blossoms but it is the second time it's bloomed this year. Lots of buds. If we get a couple of warm days, might see more.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at October

Sharon!

What a great thing to see you last weekend! Walking and moving and shooting and laughing and DANCING!!!! Way to go, young lady!

We are in between squalls here on the beach. I’m ready for the inevitable power outage today/tomorrow. Too many leaves on the trees for a big blow. I’m certain branches will be broken. And they always find the power lines.

Posted by: nurse ratched at October 25, 2025 03:00 PM (mT+6a)

52 I like the porch collection. The hybrid reminds me of long pumpkin squash, which is an old-fashioned plant that winters well and gets sweeter over the months. I haven't sewn one in a long, long time.

I love dahlias. So do the various grubs and weird insects in the soil around here, which is why I don't grow them anymore.

My gardening this week consists of putting bulbs and tubers back into the ground. The squirrels forget that they don't eat garlic and daffodils, so they dig them up and leave them lying exposed to the elements.

I don't know if they'll eat sunchokes, but caught one red-pawed digging one up. I saturated the bed with critter deterrent. I hope the neighbors' birdfeeders distract them soon.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at October 25, 2025 03:01 PM (oQih4)

53 “This single Yukon Gold potato really weighs one pound, 4.8 ounces! Too bad I couldn’t have had this one ready for the Western Idaho Fair...”

******

You know what another word for potato is?

Retard apples.

That’s right, I said it.

Posted by: EFG at October 25, 2025 03:07 PM (rTBEW)

54 It's cooled a little faster at night than I was ready for--low 40's already. I finally gave in and brought in a couple of (very small yet) figs I had in pots. One is a white fig, the other is something called violette de bordeaux, supposed to be a very sweet fig.

Posted by: Lirio100 at October 25, 2025 03:09 PM (ky7/T)

55 The 'What Is This' plant is an Aloe Vera. We always had it growing in planters or just in the garden. It was the first thing we reached for if we burned ourselves, too - great stuff for burns.

Posted by: Dr_No at October 25, 2025 03:09 PM (ayRl+)

56 *looks at Yukon Gold potato*

Mother!!

Posted by: Brian Stelter at October 25, 2025 03:18 PM (PiwSw)

57 I had a giant puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea) pop up in my yard a couple days ago. Quite a surprise, looked and wondered where this big melon in my yard had come from. Nope, it was a ball made of mushroom material with no stem. Never saw one before.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 25, 2025 03:20 PM (WtEb/)

58 I had puffballs show up a couple of weeks ago. I am always surprised at mushrooms in KS

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 25, 2025 03:23 PM (kUxzU)

59 For those interested in feeding migrating butterflies, plant some stirfry greens. I have one plant still blooming and it was a hit with the Monarchs. Might have been a mustard but it has white blooms.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 25, 2025 03:27 PM (kUxzU)

60 Dogs not sure what to think.

Daddy go to vet?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 25, 2025 03:29 PM (lAGz0)

61 56 *looks at Yukon Gold potato*

Mother!!
Posted by: Brian Stelter at October 25, 2025 03:18 PM (PiwSw)

; )

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 03:39 PM (RuTUS)

62 I transplanted this aloe ... Saw this the other day and thought it was another offshoot but Yikes!
Looks like so,e bizarre mushroom. Anybody seen anything like it?
Sharon(willow's apprentice)

It looks like an egg sac to me.
Posted by: m

You'll have to transplant it to a bigger pot, but it should grow into a full-sized Pod Person.

Hopefully it's to replace the neighbor you don't really like, and not you.

Posted by: Halloween is coming at October 25, 2025 03:43 PM (nhCoE)

63 57 I had a giant puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea) pop up in my yard a couple days ago. Quite a surprise, looked and wondered where this big melon in my yard had come from. Nope, it was a ball made of mushroom material with no stem. Never saw one before.
Posted by: Tom Servo at October 25, 2025 03:20 PM (WtEb/)

It's an alien.

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 03:45 PM (RuTUS)

64 noodpets

Posted by: m at October 25, 2025 03:58 PM (RuTUS)

65 45 39 Love Miley's clematis.
Posted by: KT at October 25, 2025 02:30 PM (7vIsy)

This is a family blog!

Posted by: Gourd day to you, sir! at October 25, 2025 02:47 PM (TdYBy)

LOL! You never know what surprises life might provide, even if it's a sweet little flower

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 25, 2025 04:42 PM (w6EFb)

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This is the good news. It is actually possible for crypto fraud victims to get their money back after being scammed.
The secret is that you should just know where to find the right assistance for these scams.
I went through similar situation and i met a hacker who helped me out. be rest assured your lost or stolen funds will be recovered back to either your wallet or bank account depending on how you want to receive it. contact them here if you are in similar situation
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Posted by: Tyler adams at October 25, 2025 05:25 PM (WFXx5)

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Posted by: Makayla Clovin at October 25, 2025 05:26 PM (WFXx5)

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Posted by: Lindsey Vonn at October 25, 2025 05:27 PM (WFXx5)

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Posted by: Steve Kalfman at October 25, 2025 05:27 PM (WFXx5)

70 I am thinking that the thing in with the aloes is a toadstool; growing on some decomposing organic matter in the soil.

Posted by: History for the Win at October 25, 2025 05:37 PM (TWFDD)

71 Wussup with the 'helpful hints' BS in posts Nr 66, 67, 68, and 69? That stuff's trashmail, and reads like 'visit at your own risk' suckerbait. Makes no differents that each one's posted using a diff'rent name - they're still BS and shouldn't be trusted. Note that they all have diff'rent u'names, but they all end with '(WFXx5)'. Nothin' fishy there, eh ... ?

Posted by: Dr_No at October 25, 2025 05:48 PM (ayRl+)

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