Wacky December Weather

The weather in Wisconsin has not been normal.  Last year's warm winter seems to be carrying into this winter.  I realize it's early, and I am not one to complain about the lack of snow.  However I noticed that I had bulbs that were already starting to emerge in the garden.  Then when I visited my parents yesterday, I noticed some of my mom's bulbs were also starting to come up.  Seems the bulbs are just as confused as we are.  Last week Sunday we had our first real snow of the season, but looking outside today you would never know it.  Right now I see green grass and even some pansies still blooming.  There is a chance we could have a blizzard on Thursday, so those wanting a white Christmas might still have their wish granted.

Last week Sunday before the snow.

Monday after the snow.

This Sunday

Wintering over hostas in containers

Reposted from last year.  Since we received our first snowfall today (just a dusting) it's time for me to put my hostas in containers to bed for the winter.  Here's how:

Storing Hosta in Containers for Winter

Did you know that you can grow hostas in containers in Wisconsin?  Well you can.  I have successfully grown hostas in containers for many years.  The key to keeping hostas in containers is how you store them over the winter.  The most important thing is keeping moisture out of the pots.  You want to prevent freezing, thawing, and frozen, wet roots which will result in the roots turning to mush ultimately killing the hosta.  Here are my steps I follow:

1. I wait until a hard frost has killed off all of the hosta foliage.
2. Then I move the containers to the north side/ or a protected area outside where they will not receive a lot of light or precipitation.
3. I then push the containers together as an extra way to prevent moisture from finding it's way inside the container.
4. If you feel they still need further protection, you can cover the containers with leaves or straw.
5. Then it's time to wait until spring to move them.  I usually wait to move them until I start to see some sign of life.  

These are on the north side of the house, where the least amount of moisture and sunlight will get to them.  I push them together to help prevent moisture from getting in and freezing.  You can also cover these pots with leaves or straw for additional protection.

This one is not quite ready for storage.  I like to have all of the leaves die off before storing them for the winter.

What's still blooming Nov. 17th

Rain on dead hosta leaves

Who knew that even dead hosta leaves would look so cool with rain droplets?

Collecting and Storing Hosta Seeds

This video is from last year, but here's how to collect and store hosta seeds.

My Rant About Gardening Magazines

So with gardening season behind me, I actually have some time to catch up on reading gardening magazines.  I love seeing gardening ideas.  I will probably never give up on gardening magazines.  However, there is something that really annoys me about gardening magazines.  There is usually some kind of feature in the magazine where they list the top 10 plants for something, like the top 10 plants for shade.  However they always, and I mean always, list some plant that is extremely hard to grow or they don't list all the details about a plant.  They don't list details such as it takes 8 years to establish into the plant you see in the picture or this is an extremely close up picture of this plant it's really very small.  It always makes me worry about the inexperienced gardener who gives that plant a try based on that recommendation. Gardening is all about successes and failures, you learn as you grow.  I had a lot of failures in my own garden, but a lot of times I knew I was pushing limits such as hardiness zones.  When you are putting something out there for gardeners of every level you should disclose all the details about the plant.  It makes me wonder if they are making money off of nurseries by pushing some of these plants?  What is there reasoning for putting these hard to grow plants on their top 10 lists?  What are your thoughts?  I'd love to hear them.

Late Bloomers

While I was out planting the last of my bulbs today I noticed that there were still some plants that were flowering in the garden.

Fall Blooming Crocus

Nasturtium

Sedum

Anemone 'Party Dress'

Mum

Mum

Not a flower, but Japanese Maple leaves are a beautiful red.

Hosta 'Wily Willy'

Phlox

Impatiens

Monkshood

Martian Moonflower

Lobelia

Cold Hardy Pansy

Poppy Seed Torte - A Family Tradition

We are finally receiving the rain we've been waiting for since this summer.  So what better to do on a rainy weekend but bake something!  Growing up I spent a lot of time at family get togethers. My grandparents on my mother's side of the family had very large families and both were of German descent (although recently we've discovered one side of our family was really from Liechtenstein).  It wouldn't be a Guenther or Buechel family get together without a few food staples: German Potato Salad, someone's homemade pickles (sweet and dill), maybe some Pickled Beets, Brick cheese, and at least two kinds of Poppy Seed Torte.  Two kinds of Poppy Seed Torte you say?  Yes, two kinds!  One variety which my grandma was a master of was the one pictured above with the graham cracker crust, custard poppy seed filling, and a meringue topping.  There was also the variety one of my great aunts made with white cake and poppy seeds topped with a custard frosting.  Both were delicious, but my favorite was always my grandma's version.  So I finally decided I would give it a try.  I will admit I am no master of the meringue, but the torte turned out as delicious as I remembered it.

Here was the recipe I followed (not my grandma's recipe, but very close):

Poppy Seed Torte

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 melted butter

1 1/4 cups plus 8 TBSP divided

4 cups whole milk

4 TBSP cornstarch

4 TBSP flour (Next time I might leave this out completely and see what results I get)

1/3 cup poppy seeds

4 eggs separated

1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat over to 325

Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 cup of the sugar.  Reserve at least 1/2 cup of mixture for top of torte later.   Press remaining mixture into a 9x13 pan.

To make the custard filling: Mix 1/2 cup of milk in bowl with the cornstarch and flour until smooth and set aside.  

Carefully heat 3 1/2 cups of milk in a pan (or a double boiler, if you have one).  Add 1 cup sugar and the poppy seeds to the heated milk.  The slowly whisk in the cornstarch/flour/milk mixture and mix until smooth.  Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Cook until this mixture begins to thicken.  Whisk in the 4 eggs yolks and boil, stirring constantly, another 3-5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Pour onto graham cracker crust.

For the meringue: Beat eggs whites until they form stiff peaks.  Then add remaining 8 TBSP of sugar.  Spread mixture over the custard and sprinkle with remaining graham cracker mixture.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.  Cool and refrigerate before eating (unless you really like warm custard).  Makes about 20 servings.

ENJOY!

More Fall Colors

Morning Glories of 2012