Let's see those '09 gardens [Archive] - Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum

jjirons69

05-11-2009, 07:09 PM

C'mon Richard (tzaddi), I know you have one to share!

Here's mine so far this year. 12 hills of Poinsett 76 cukes (w/trellis), 120 yellow and white onions, 6 peppers (2 jalapeno, 2 mild jalapeno, 1 california and 1 chocolate bell), 5 hills of crook neck squash, 4 hills of straight neck squash, 2 pink brandywine tomatoes, 1 sweet 100 tomato, and 1 celebrity tomato. I'll rotate in some new squash plants in about 1.5 months, then another round at the end of August. Also have an herb garden with leeks, garlic chives, cilantro, red and green basil, dill, rosemary, thyme, and mints (chocolate, curly leaf, grapefruit, spearmint, Kentucky Colonel, and mountain peppermint). Thanks to Stewart (tech-ninja), my mojito appetite is demanding, so it pays to grow your own mint. The herb garden is in a 2' x 6' raised bed and the main garden is in a 15' x 15' raised bed (with rabbit-proofing). The plants are all mulched with grass clippings and compost, which works great BTW. I also toss in mulched leaf waste in the walking rows. All of this should help with the upcoming Coastal SC heat wave over the next few months.

It's a labor of love and my kids sure love those fresh veggies.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/Miscellaneous/garden051009.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/Miscellaneous/garden051009a.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/Miscellaneous/garden051009b.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/Miscellaneous/herb051009.jpg

marge796

05-11-2009, 07:58 PM

That looks great. Thanks for the pics.

:tu

Chris.......

ucla695

05-11-2009, 09:01 PM

Well done! Nice mix of veggies you have there. :tu Someday I'll get off the couch and get a garden going. :)

scooter

05-12-2009, 08:54 AM

Very nice garden.

TripleF

05-12-2009, 09:18 AM

Nice job Jamie! Very nice :tu

rizzle

05-12-2009, 09:53 AM

Look at Jamie go. Nice bro. Wish I had the space to do it.

:tu

jjirons69

05-12-2009, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the kind words, but we need some other gardens! Snap those pics!!!

BC-Axeman

05-12-2009, 12:17 PM

I tried to get a gardening thread going a while ago:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12838

I have updates for it. We just had our (hopefully) last frost a week ago. It looks like you are ahead of me.

tzaddi

05-12-2009, 01:15 PM

Thanks for the kind words, but we need some other gardens! Snap those pics!!!

I am working on getting some resent photos together for a post. Since the move I am all about container gardening :) Be back soon :)

Smokin Gator

05-12-2009, 01:22 PM

I am bummed... no garden for me this spring as we will be moving. I will have a fall garden though.

Yours looks very nice. Thanks for sharing.

jjirons69

05-12-2009, 04:19 PM

BC-Axeman

05-12-2009, 05:00 PM

I can't believe your tomatoes are so big already. Did you start them indoors?

tzaddi

05-12-2009, 08:33 PM

Chit, sorry Lance. Never saw your thread about gardens.

Let's ask one of the mods if they will "cornsolodate" the 2 threads and have the best of both threads.

So with the number of containers growing almost daily I am well into the second batch of "Actively Aerated Compost Tea". The basic recipe for this tasty treat is 4.25 cups of quality worm castings per every 5 gallons of de-chlorinated water (let the water sit over night). For every 5 gallons of water I feed my little microbe friends 1/4 cup of unsulphured molasses (feeds the bacateria) and another 1/4 cup of liquid kelp (for the fungi).

We are talking aerobic here, hence the active aeration title, provided by a Super Luft Pump model SL-38 @ 18 watts with a flow rate of 1.34 cubic feet per minute connected to 4 air stones. Where not brewing some stinky anaerobic fermentation here.

This year I have kicked it up a notch or two by adding a wee bit of "archaic bacteria" in the form of mineral dust and some mycorrhizae plus humic acid, yum!

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08173/web.jpg?ver=12421790810001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08147/web.jpg?ver=12421790530001

Can you believe this tobacco planting is going into it's 3rd season. That's right, it has survived 3 freezing winters and like a phoenix sprouts from the roots each spring.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08142/web.jpg?ver=12421790220001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08177/web.jpg?ver=12421790910001

Strawberries and some garlic, what a combo.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08149/web.jpg?ver=12421790730001

tzaddi

05-12-2009, 08:41 PM

The fig tree is getting bigger and bigger!

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08151/web.jpg?ver=12421790600001

Another tobacco holdover from last winter, already going to seed as it shares the ceramic pot with a fern. Other various plantings including artemisia, sage, oregano, astragalus, sweet grass, aloe vera.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08159/web.jpg?ver=12421790390001

The amaryllis are doing their thing and the olive tree cuttings I took last summer are starting to have new growth. I see a jade plant and hyssop. That there to the right is the grillin', chillin' & herfin station.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08168/web.jpg?ver=12421790470001

That's about all I got today. :)

Mark C

05-12-2009, 08:45 PM

I'll get some pics later, meanwhile here's what I've got:

3 tomatoes (sun gold, sweet million, cherokee purple)
3 cocozelle zucchini
6 rattlesnake pole bean

thyme (huge mess, had to cut back 2/3 to make room)
oregano (planted last year, really taking off nicely now)
rosemary (two large bushes, ~3' tall)
chives (3 bundles)
spearmint (died in the pot, dumped it over the side of the deck and now it's thriving)

I've got cubanelle peppers started from seed, but for some reason they took about 3 weeks longer to sprout than the other plants. I hope to plant two eventually. I've also got some basil (seeds came from Richard last year), but the first round all died in an early heat wave, need to get more started. Also forgot to get some italian parsley, need to grab some of that too.

WildBlueSooner

05-12-2009, 08:47 PM

HK3-

05-12-2009, 08:54 PM

Great pictures everyone! :tu

Got my stuff in the ground about a week ago. I noticed today that one asparagus crown has poked through! :dance:

What I have planted in my garden-
-red bell peppers
-green bell peppers
-yellow bell peppers
-cucumbers
-a few rows of sweet corn
-tomatoes
-Jersey Knights asparagus 3 yr crowns
-Mary Washington asparagus 2 year crowns
-Purple Passion asparagus 3 year crowns
-Basil

Going to be fun playing war with the deer and rabbits. :bx

jjirons69

05-13-2009, 06:25 AM

I can't believe your tomatoes are so big already. Did you start them indoors?

Planted them at 8" tall on 4/12. We had a few days of cool weather, but once it warmed up, they shot up. I plant them deep with only the top few inches sticking out.

HK3-

05-14-2009, 06:34 PM

tzaddi

05-15-2009, 11:24 AM

The amaryllis have started to open.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08191/web.jpg?ver=12424069840001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08200/web.jpg?ver=12424074480001

Not sure if this 3 gallon container can meet the needs of this growing garlic but we shall see.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08203/web.jpg?ver=12424069950001

The strawberries seem to be happy.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08204/web.jpg?ver=12424069890001

Taking this cilantro to seed.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100570/DSC08208/web.jpg?ver=12424069710001

HK3-

05-15-2009, 05:57 PM

Great pictures Richard! :tu

I planted a few more things in the garden today which caused me to run out of space. I am now out of room unless I till more ground up which I don't plan to do.

Todays addition includes-

-6X Habanero Peppers
-2X Banana Peppers
-2X Burpless Cucumbers
-6X Butternut Squash

Hope to make some kickass salsa when the time comes! I will save the Habanero salsa for a little work suprise. :r

DocLogic77

05-15-2009, 06:08 PM

I'm just growing herbs this year. BTW nice gardens guys!

HK3-

05-18-2009, 03:59 PM

Had an unexpected frost last night up here..... still waiting to see what the damage is. :(

tzaddi

05-18-2009, 04:42 PM

Had an unexpected frost last night up here..... still waiting to see what the damage is. :(

Sorry to hear that, hope all is OK and if not hope you have time to re-seed. We had triple digit temps over the weekend.

I am still figuring out the best location for my small worm farm since moving into this place and as a consequence I will need to start over in that arena. The high temps made the little farm a kill zone. Living and learning the gardeners life. :)

HK3-

05-29-2009, 08:40 PM

Garden updates-

The frost only ended up killing one butternut squash plant. :tu

Today I added a "big bomb" pepper plant? I've never heard of these before.
It was 1 1/2 feet tall and the lady gave it to me for .90 cents. It grows 2 inch diameter round peppers? Tag says gourmet peppers.... We shall see.

Sweet corn is up to about 4 inches tall now.

LasciviousXXX

05-30-2009, 09:15 AM

The pictures in this thread are GREAT!

Keep 'em coming bro's!

tzaddi

06-01-2009, 08:07 PM

The pictures in this thread are GREAT!

Keep 'em coming bro's!

Well all righty then…

Starting off, the red Amaryllis have bloomed.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08229/web.jpg?ver=12439065590001

The carnations smell like cinnamon.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08243/web.jpg?ver=12439065420001

Coriander AKA cilantro seed is coming along.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08251/web.jpg?ver=12439065550001

The Holy Basil AKA Tulsi, an adaptogenic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen) medicinal/culinary basil is coming along nicely.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08489/web.jpg?ver=12439065100001

My mojito spearmint is ready for action.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08491/web.jpg?ver=12439065290001

Dang this 5 photos per post limit means onto the next post.

tzaddi

06-01-2009, 08:14 PM

Figs are filling in.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08492/web.jpg?ver=12439065230001

Strawberries

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08494/web.jpg?ver=12439065780001

The olive trees I started from cutting almost a year ago are heading towards treedom. That little fellow in the foreground is a little volunteer tobacco plant I caught growing in another planter so now it has it's own little pot.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08500/web.jpg?ver=12439065490001

Speaking of tobacco, my three year old plant is making another good showing.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08508/web.jpg?ver=12439065390001

Rounding out this post are a few good looking leaves from that tobacco plant.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08509/web.jpg?ver=12439065720001

tzaddi

06-01-2009, 08:21 PM

In all of it's glory.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08511/web.jpg?ver=12439065180001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08515/web.jpg?ver=12439065350001

Another volunteer tobacco plant. Once you have grown tobacco they start showing up on there own after a while.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08518/web.jpg?ver=12439065680001

That's Leonotis leonuru (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonotis_leonurus)s growing center frame, to the left of the fig tree.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08497/web.jpg?ver=12439065850001

tzaddi

06-01-2009, 08:33 PM

I have been busy building a new Actively Aerated Compost Tea Brewer.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100576/DSC08256/web.jpg?ver=12436238620001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100576/DSC08274/web.jpg?ver=12436238680001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100576/DSC08310/web.jpg?ver=12436238130001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100576/DSC08387/web.jpg?ver=12436623090001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100576/DSC08478/web.jpg?ver=12438940030001

I am still tweaking the air lift pumps trying to get the most out of the 38 watt pump and air diffusers. Nothing like combining, Microbiology, plumbing, gardening and general fun.

If you want to see the progressive construction & testing photo gallery for this project go to this link.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi#100576&view=mosaic&sel=0

Here is a link to a little movie I had fun making the other day, showing the brewer in action… before I added the nutrients and compost.

http://homepage.mac.com/tzaddi/iMovieTheater137.html

I think you will need a QT plug-in for your browser to view it.

That's it for the garden today!

HK3-

06-01-2009, 08:34 PM

Love the wonderful vibrant colors in your photos. The bright color of the amaryllis makes me think of a sexy broad with that color lipstick and heels on. Man I'm a sicko. :D:r

Figs! Nothing like fresh figs. :tu

+ I fed all of my plants the other weekend. What a difference that makes. Everything is starting to take off with the warm weather and constant watering. I will take some pictures this weekend.

Asparagus has grown up and out into a little trees. Maybe next year I will be able to eat some.

tzaddi

06-01-2009, 09:06 PM

Love the wonderful vibrant colors in your photos. The bright color of the amaryllis makes me think of a sexy broad with that color lipstick and heels on. Man I'm a sicko.

I hear you loud and clear and that is what nature has in mind 2B sure. You would have been hypnotized by the perfume that the Angel's Trumpets (Brugmansia) gave off in the atrium in the evening last October. If you ever get a chance to take in it's fragrance on a fall evening I highly recommend it.
http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100343/DSC04393/web.jpg?ver=12439114380001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100343/DSC04390/web.jpg?ver=12439114430001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100343/DSC04384/web.jpg?ver=12439114470001

Good to hear that your plants are eating well. :)

Looking forward to seeing that update when you get around to it.

BC-Axeman

06-08-2009, 07:39 AM

Three gophers trapped in one evening! I'm up to 18 this growing season. Well on my way to beat lat year's record of 23.

LasciviousXXX

06-08-2009, 07:41 AM

STILL an awesome thread :tu

HK3-

06-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Some photos of my plants that are starting to do something-

Some of my asparagus that I am letting go to seed this year. The little guys just keeping popping up everyday now.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture255.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture257.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture258.jpg

HK3-

06-08-2009, 03:51 PM

One of my many stalks of sweet corn growing
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture260.jpg

One of my poblano peppers
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture261.jpg

One of two of my first sweet banana peppers
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture272.jpg

HK3-

06-08-2009, 03:53 PM

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture273.jpg

My first "big bomb" gourmet pepper
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture274.jpg

With all the rain we got today and more coming tonight I'm sure everything will start producing now
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture275.jpg

The Poet

06-08-2009, 03:59 PM

My garden was doing great - until the sheriff ripped it up.

jquirit

06-08-2009, 05:02 PM

HK3-

06-09-2009, 04:41 AM

BC-Axeman

06-09-2009, 10:22 AM

Copied from my other thread:

What I started out with on 3-30-09

http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09a.jpg
I tilled it that day but we were still getting freezes so it all grew back.

Then on 4-20-09 I had dislocated my shoulder so my wife tilled it again.
http://130.94.224.229/share/gardentill09.jpg
Still getting hard frosts at that time.

5-12-09 tilled again, built rows and I made a new irrigation system which works very well.
http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09b.jpg

Wife and granddaughter planting. I forgot all what is in there.
http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09c.jpg

That was 4 weeks ago. The weeds were taking over so we got out the mini-tiller and tilled between the rows. I will take a new picture to show what a huge difference there is already.

hotreds

06-09-2009, 10:29 AM

:hf

smokeyandthebandit05

06-09-2009, 10:44 AM

:hf

:tu:tu:tu:tu I love the sight of this!

smokeyandthebandit05

06-09-2009, 10:46 AM

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=2867&d=1244564972

:tu:tu:tu:tu I love the sight of this!

BC-Axeman

06-10-2009, 09:42 AM

http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09d.jpg

L -> R, T -> B:
Peppers & eggplant, bok-choy, string beans, carrots and lettuce.
Tomatoes, onions, squash, radish.
Cucumbers, corn with pumpkin at the ends, potatoes.

The grapes are going strong this year. We have had a very mild spring so far. Usually summer weather starts a month ago.

tzaddi

06-10-2009, 01:40 PM

My soon-to-be roommate and I want to start up a garden, but this whole AACT and other stuff is way over my head! The soil out here is heavy clay so we'll be going with either a raised bed setup (for the time being) or maybe a container system. Haven't quite decided yet. It will be one of those "trial by error" adventures.

As with so many other things, just jump in where you can. Success can only be measured by your own enjoyment and edification. A garden can be as small a container or acre upon acre. My experience using AACT has only a been a few years, it was a leap of faith to start, seemed so complex. I understand more now than then and with the help of friends. My passion is fueled by curiosity and the need to know more about the soil. If anyone would like to know more about making compost tea PM me and I will do my best to answer your questions.

L -> R, T -> B:
Peppers & eggplant, bok-choy, string beans, carrots and lettuce.
Tomatoes, onions, squash, radish.
Cucumbers, corn with pumpkin at the ends, potatoes.

The grapes are going strong this year. We have had a very mild spring so far. Usually summer weather starts a month ago.
Lance, the new watering system looks good and I like the garden location, seems to lend itself to gravity watering from rain water collection

First Strawberry.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08547/web.jpg?ver=12446622940001

How long can these eggplants hold out in these 3 gallon containers?

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08554/web.jpg?ver=12446622320001

Mojito ahoy!

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08556/web.jpg?ver=12446622510001

Basil

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08557/web.jpg?ver=12446622810001

Figs & Blue Agave

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08560/web.jpg?ver=12446622860001

tzaddi

06-10-2009, 01:46 PM

The 3 year old tobacco plant continues to amaze.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08537/web.jpg?ver=12446622260001

As do the voluneers.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08550/web.jpg?ver=12446622580001

Some good looking soil fungi

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08625/web.jpg?ver=12446622670001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100591/DSC08603/web.jpg?ver=12446622900001

HK3-

06-11-2009, 10:33 AM

Picked up a few more Asparagus plants yesterday while down in Indiana. Got three 3+ year Mary Washington crowns that already have 2 1/2 foot ferns on each.

Also, I noticed that all of my asparagus seeds are coming up! I will take some new pictures this weekend if the weather is decent. :tu

BC-Axeman

06-12-2009, 12:34 PM

I'm up to 22 gophers trapped or shot this year. Two more to break last year's record. :D

HK3-

06-12-2009, 12:49 PM

I'm up to 22 gophers trapped or shot this year. Two more to break last year's record. :D

What's your poison? 22-250, 17, 223?

BC-Axeman

06-12-2009, 01:03 PM

What's your poison? 22-250, 17, 223?
Diana. .177, 1100fps
I use Victor and Macabee traps.
Poison bait rarely works, civilian gas never does. Pro gas works very well. Flooding uses too much water and only works on level ground.

tzaddi

06-12-2009, 01:20 PM

I'm up to 22 gophers trapped or shot this year. Two more to break last year's record. :D

Dude, make yourself a gopher skin cape and you reign supreme over your garden. You shall be legend.:banger

BC-Axeman

06-12-2009, 02:08 PM

Dude, make yourself a gopher skin cape and you reign supreme over your garden. You shall be legend.:banger
:hmThey do have nice soft fur...

HK3-

06-13-2009, 06:39 AM

Diana. .177, 1100fps
I use Victor and Macabee traps.
Poison bait rarely works, civilian gas never does. Pro gas works very well. Flooding uses too much water and only works on level ground.

You shoot them with a BB gun? No kidding..... learn something new everyday.

BC-Axeman

06-13-2009, 09:25 AM

You shoot them with a BB gun? No kidding..... learn something new everyday.
Pellet rifle. You can not shoot BBs through it. I can hit them in the head from 50 yds. Open sights. ;)

adampc22

06-13-2009, 09:41 AM

not a very good pic there guys but that is my garden i was smokeing in a storm under a parosol
http://i43.tinypic.com/16a3cpu.jpg

HK3-

06-13-2009, 11:14 AM

Picked my first sweet banana pepper today.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture.jpg

tzaddi

06-13-2009, 01:34 PM

Picked my first sweet banana pepper today.

Looking good! How are you going to consume that one? Salsa additive? Enjoy the fruits of your labor my friend. :)

HK3-

06-13-2009, 09:37 PM

Looking good! How are you going to consume that one? Salsa additive? Enjoy the fruits of your labor my friend. :)

I think I will just chomp into it like a carrot. :dr Wassup doc!

HK3-

06-16-2009, 03:30 PM

Picked three more sweet banana peppers today and ate them in a salad. :dr

I noticed a Pablano pepper and a purple pepper getting ready for picking.

The tomatoes are forming but none are red quite yet.

Asparagus is still popping up slowly but I'm still holding back.

I see some of the cucumbers and squash are flowering so that means more veggies soon.

That's my update. :)

jjirons69

06-16-2009, 03:47 PM

Pictures soon.

It's rained 10" in Charleston in the past 6 weeks. My garden has been suffering. I have managed my first double fist-sized tomato, a 5 gallon bucket of squash (tossed out as many that had rotted), 3 nice cukes, and my Early Jalapeño bushes are FULL of nearly mature peppers. The herb garden is growing like a weed (which they are). I can hardly keep up with it. Fresh veggies and fresh herbs are a summertime treat.

jjirons69

06-16-2009, 07:46 PM

Here we go. I get home, it's rained nearly another inch. Since May 11, we have nearly 11.5 inches. That's crazy. It gets hot as hell, then boomers roll in during the evening and at night. I should have planted rice!!

I forgot to mention my onions in the last post. They have really struggled with the wet garden. I lost nearly all my yellow onions. The whites are still growing...big and tasty. I chop up the small white bulbs and green tops and saute with butter and a little oil and salt/pepper. So freaking good! Also, thanks for everyone's pictures. They bring smiles to my face. Richard is a photo guru. He make's a simple flower look like a masterpiece!

Yard was flooded after work, so here's the shot from the porch. There must be 200 flowers on my cukes. The next 3 weeks are going to be fun!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/jun1.jpg

I tried to zoom in a little. Minimal bugs, no rabbits, really not much damage other than the overly wet soil. I figured fungi and mold would be rampant, but KOW, it's alright so far.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/jun2.jpg

The first tomato picked yesterday. Should be fully red in the next couple of days. Gotten several dozen Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes so far, also.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/jun3.jpg

Here's a shot of my gauge. It was reset by my neighbor's kid on 5/11/09.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/jun4.jpg

HK3-

06-16-2009, 07:59 PM

Great looking garden! I can't believe all the rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kgoings

06-16-2009, 10:59 PM

Love the tread! Thinking I might start a garden too!

BC-Axeman

06-17-2009, 07:39 AM

I'm still waiting for sunshine and warmth. We are projected to have two days, then back to cool and cloudy. My garden is in slow motion. :(

HK3-

06-21-2009, 05:58 PM

Got lucky as shite today... I was driving home down the back roads today and saw a whole flat of plants fly off the back of a truck way up ahead. The guy never stopped so I pulled over and noticed they were all hot banana pepper plants and 8 squash plants! Jackpot! I threw them in the truck and headed home to throw them in the garden. :D

After planting them I grabbed the camera so I could post some updated photos.

Purple Peppers are starting to get some size to them.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture291.jpg

And the poblano peppers are growing nicely also.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture293.jpg

Starting to get some tomatoes.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture294.jpg

HK3-

06-21-2009, 06:01 PM

My cherry bomb peppers are growing so slow.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture295.jpg

Some of my asparagus ferns.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture296.jpg

Still getting lots of spears popping up.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture300.jpg

HK3-

06-21-2009, 06:02 PM

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture299.jpg

HK3-

06-22-2009, 10:37 AM

Bump for the garden photos. Let's see some updated pictures. :hf

tzaddi

06-22-2009, 10:42 AM

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture299.jpg

That is a fine plot of land!

HK3-

06-22-2009, 10:44 AM

That is a fine plot of land!

The soil here is amazing. The whole neighborhood used to be a vinyard and in the fields some of the old vines are slowly growing back. I'm thinking about digging a few up and planting them along my white fence there.

tzaddi

06-22-2009, 10:52 AM

The soil here is amazing. The whole neighborhood used to be a vinyard and in the fields some of the old vines are slowly growing back. I'm thinking about digging a few up and planting them along my white fence there.

Looks like it has great drainage and just enough red (iron) clay, a good match for top mulch.:)

BC-Axeman

06-22-2009, 10:53 AM

HK3-

06-22-2009, 10:57 AM

We just harvested all the radishes and gave the lettuce a complete cut and got WAY too much lettuce and radishes. My cherry tomato plant disappeared into the ground and I got my record tying gopher a day late. The sun has been out so maybe we'll start getting some squash. We need to figure out what to replant in the radish row now.

Man that's terrible about the gopher. I have been seeing a lot of deer tracks in my garden but haven't noticed any damage yet. I may have to fence the garden in before it's too late.

BC-Axeman

06-22-2009, 11:05 AM

Man that's terrible about the gopher. I have been seeing a lot of deer tracks in my garden but haven't noticed any damage yet. I may have to fence the garden in before it's too late.
DEER! Quick! They can reduce your garden suddenly to nubs in one night. I'm surprised you saw tracks and no damage. They don't spare me. Every year before this one they have gotten to the grapes and ate every leaf and shoot off the plants. They grow back weaker. This year the dogs have been keeping the deer away.

HK3-

06-22-2009, 01:56 PM

DEER! Quick! They can reduce your garden suddenly to nubs in one night. I'm surprised you saw tracks and no damage. They don't spare me. Every year before this one they have gotten to the grapes and ate every leaf and shoot off the plants. They grow back weaker. This year the dogs have been keeping the deer away.

Too bad garden season and deer season dont happen at the same time. I would like to show them my appreciation for tromping around in my garden. :D

BC-Axeman

06-23-2009, 01:09 PM

Update.
The terracotta boxes are going to get screen put under them so I can plant some artichokes.
http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09e.jpg
There seems to always be some orchid blooming.
http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09f.jpg

tzaddi

06-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Lance, things are coming along nicely. I am interested in those terra cotta boxes. Where would one get such an item and how much? Thanks.

BC-Axeman

06-23-2009, 06:17 PM

I am interested in those terra cotta boxes. Where would one get such an item and how much? Thanks.
Sorry Richard, I don't know. They came with the house 10 years ago and they looked old then. Those four were unused at the time and there are 10 more in a different area with roses in them. you might look in a decorative stonework place.

MrsSledn

06-23-2009, 08:08 PM

Some awesome pic's in this thread!

Sledn and I used to plant bigger gardens every year. Then stopped.

This year, we planted a small garden. Our 6 year old, really wanted one.

2 Big Boy tomato plants
2 green bean plants
2 peanut plants
6 strawberry plants
4 pepper plants. Wes picked em out, so hot peppers I am sure.
2 cilantro

We have already picked 5 or 6 green beans. There are 3 or 4 more out there ready now.

The peanut plants were eaten up by some varmit.

Tomato plants are growing nicely as are the strawberries. Pepper plants are getting there.

Lil Sledn loves it. He goes outside every morning to see what's new.

I just did the weeding tonight, so I will take some pics and add them in the morning.

HK3-

06-23-2009, 08:48 PM

Very nice garden Lance! :tu Never done artichokes before so I'm really looking forward to learning this process and seeing how yours grow.

Mrsledn- Varmits! Arrrrrrrg! :D Looking foward to seeing your pictures.

MrsSledn

06-24-2009, 09:54 AM

Okay, so it's a HOT one out there already. But I took some pictures.

Temp on the deck at 9:30am. And yes, it's friggin hot out there...
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05036.jpg

Nothing too outstanding like some of your gardens. But for our little family of three, this should be good. It was a challenage for me having a garden this small since Sledn and I had some huge gardens in the past.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05037.jpg

One of our strawberries that are changing color already.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05038.jpg

A couple tomatoes. Still babies.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05039.jpg

Green Beans are growing really well. Just wish there were more of them.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05040.jpg

MrsSledn

06-24-2009, 10:03 AM

Post number 2... LOL

The Peanut plants that some varmit chewed up. Although there was a sign of hope this morning. Some flowers are blossoming on one of them.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05041.jpg

New flower garden Sledn and I put in this year.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05042.jpg

Another new, little, area we put in this year. Hummingbirds and butterflies like it.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05046.jpg

View of the deck all decked out... It's time to cut the grass too!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05044.jpg

The famous gazebo that was crushed in the winter from the heavy snow. Wes was able to fix it. Great thing! So many memories of all the BOTL and SOTL throughout the years having a great time under there.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/CCasper75/DSC05047.jpg

HK3-

06-24-2009, 10:47 AM

Great pictures Cathy. Thanks for sharing. :tu

jjirons69

06-24-2009, 11:10 AM

Man, I love this thread! Awesome job out there, folks. Gardening is time consuming, but the benefits are so much greater.

Bandwidth be damned, here goes some shots from this morning. I'm off today and was doing some yard work and kept thinking, this would make a pretty pic, so inside to grab the camera.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g2.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g3.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g4.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g5.jpg

jjirons69

06-24-2009, 11:11 AM

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g6.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/g7.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/f1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/f2.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/f3.jpg

jjirons69

06-24-2009, 11:11 AM

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/f4.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/f5.jpg

MrsSledn

06-24-2009, 11:33 AM

Thanks Harold.

Jamie, Awesome shots!

HK3-

06-24-2009, 05:16 PM

Looking at that picture.... I can smell the Magnolia flower all the way up here! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. :)

hotreds

06-24-2009, 08:28 PM

Growing like crazy with all the rain!

HK3-

06-24-2009, 08:36 PM

Growing like crazy with all the rain!

Very nice!

I hear it's supposed to be "knee high by the 4th of July." The corn across the street from us is already waist high! Must be a good year.

GoodFella

06-24-2009, 08:41 PM

wow guys that is some nice plants. the only thing im growning is 1 roma and 1 mint plant. next up is maybe 1 bell pepper and a cucumber. only my girl and i so we dont need much and the mint is for mojitos duh:r i keep them in pots so i can put them out and bring them in

HK3-

06-24-2009, 08:46 PM

hotreds

06-25-2009, 10:18 AM

Very nice!

I hear it's supposed to be "knee high by the 4th of July." The corn across the street from us is already waist high! Must be a good year.

Yup- much higher than that. But, was planted earlier than many other fields I've seen. Next pic I'll hafta have Mrs hotreds stand in the field for some perspective.

BC-Axeman

06-25-2009, 10:48 AM

Gotta start 'em young...
http://130.94.224.229/share/helper.jpg
3 years old.
http://130.94.224.229/share/lilgardener.jpg

MrsSledn

06-25-2009, 12:46 PM

Lance, those pics are too CUTE! My 6 year old loves "his" garden so much!

kaisersozei

06-28-2009, 11:09 AM

Getting some nice blooms on our daylilies. Doesn't quite qualify as "gardening," since I haven't done anything to these plants since putting the bulbs in the ground a few years ago. But that's my kind of gardening!

A Chicago Apache:
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/ChicagoApache.jpg

And two unknown varieties (I think the first might be a Holy Moses.)
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/NotSure.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Swordlily.jpg

jjirons69

06-29-2009, 10:25 AM

Nice, Gerard. And, yes, you're right. Putting bulbs in the ground a few years ago is not gardening. This is your one pass. Now go get them hands dirty.

HK3-

06-29-2009, 07:45 PM

Nice flowers Gerard :tu

HK3-

07-01-2009, 04:36 AM

Did a little weeding in the garden yesterday evening after work. Looks like I may be picking a boat load of jalepenos and hot banana peppers by the weekend. A few more asparagus spears have come up while some have wilted and died before even turning into ferns. Also noticed three beef steak tomatoes that may turn red by the weekend.

Anyone got any updates?

BC-Axeman

07-01-2009, 09:54 AM

Starting to get squash and cukes. Tomatoes are behind because of the cold spell. Corn is very tall but no tassels yet. String beans are getting big but no blooms yet. I have some tobacco from tzaddi's seeds but they are tiny still. A bad year for fruit here. The weather turned terrible just as everything was blooming. I have one pear, that's it. Not counting the persimmons, which bloomed later.

HK3-

07-02-2009, 01:57 PM

Cooked 8 hot banana peppers and 4 jalenpenos last night. Stuffed them with cream cheese, wrapped them with bacon, and covered them with cheddar cheese. :dr

All from the garden.

HK3-

07-09-2009, 07:32 PM

Garden update-
Cucumbers are starting to develop nicely
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture380.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture379.jpg

Got some nice asparagus spears coming up still.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture382.jpg

HK3-

07-09-2009, 07:34 PM

Thought this was kinda cool. The eggplants flowers are starting to develop spikes on them.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture383.jpg

jjirons69

07-09-2009, 09:44 PM

Harold, the eggplant bud is awesome! Never seen one so young in development. Thanks.

jjirons69

07-13-2009, 09:15 PM

I've put up 4 quart jars of jalapenos, cut into rings, and pickled with vinegar. Wore later gloves the entire time. Hot bastards! Plants still full of peppers. Squash have finally all but petered out. Planted 6 more hills of them this weekend. Tomatoes are still producing well, but slowed down a little. Cucumbers slowed a bit, too. Planted a few more hills of those this weekend. On a side note, I'm now on my 3rd batch of bluebirds this year. I've got two houses and only one house has ever been productive and it stays busy from early spring until. The side lifts up on it to clean and inspect. Here's a shot I took while mom and dad were foraging. i have no idea where they find all the insects I see them hauling back and forth. It's a miracle of nature.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1000892.jpg

HK3-

07-14-2009, 04:50 AM

Great picture Jamie! The robins under our deck had their second set of babies and they are all gone now. Amazing how fast the process is.

I ended up eat my first cucumber from the garden last night. Our season must be quite a bit after yours down in the Carolinas. Appears everything is about to hit it's prime here in another week. Still haven't gotten my first red tomato yet. Lot's of them but all are still green?

BC-Axeman

07-14-2009, 07:27 AM

Yeah, My tomatoes are set back by the coolness of the early season. The squash are overproducing. We are getting some great cukes. The corn is in tassels and seven feet tall. The string beans have flowers and will soon be overproducing. We can harvest lettuce by giving it a trim one more time maybe. A good year so far.
I trapped my 24th gopher for a new seasonal record. They are getting more scarce now. A good thing.

HK3-

07-16-2009, 07:40 PM

Went out in the garden this evening after work to pick 10 sweet banana peppers, 1 huge cuke, 14 jalepenos, 1 italian burner, and 1 hot wax pepper. Everything is starting to load up so I think it I will be picking lots here in the next few weeks. :)

Lot's of acorn squash and zucchini growing but not close to being ready just yet. I've got loads of tomatos but none have turned red yet. :mad:

I need to stop watching the pot waiting for it to boil. :r

GROW DAMNIT, GROW! :r

BC-Axeman

07-21-2009, 01:39 PM

This morning, just after the watering:
http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09g.jpg

And a Thompson Seedless vine:
http://130.94.224.229/share/garden09h.jpg

BC-Axeman

07-24-2009, 10:44 AM

We picked about 8 lbs. of string beans yesterday. The plants are getting ready for a second blooming.
Tomato plants are just sitting there with green tomatoes on them, not ripening.

HK3-

07-27-2009, 10:33 AM

I'm having the same problem Lance. Lot's of green tomatos but none are red.

Been picking he heck out of peppers, squash, cucumbers, and soon some corn. I will have to take an updated picture to post.

shilala

07-27-2009, 11:26 AM

I took a video cause I was too lazy to take pics.
I'm transcoding it and getting it ready to go to youtube. :)

shilala

07-27-2009, 11:55 AM

Here she is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBzOJ1gBuZQ)
It says it's still processing. I don't know what that means.

BC-Axeman

07-27-2009, 12:26 PM

That's great, Scott! Saw your herf porch in there too.

hotreds

07-27-2009, 02:14 PM

shilala

07-27-2009, 02:17 PM

That's great, Scott! Saw your herf porch in there too.
I'm just shocked it worked. :)

HK3-

07-27-2009, 07:43 PM

Here she is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBzOJ1gBuZQ)
It says it's still processing. I don't know what that means.

Scott, that is bad ars!!!!!!!!! Never thought to do a video man! Sweet garden! I'm stoked I got to hear your voice and see your place and plants! :banger

:)

That corn is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wo

MrsSledn

07-27-2009, 10:04 PM

Well my little garden was eaten up by the baby bunnies that have invaded our yard. They ate all the green bean leaves and vines. But left the couple green beans. They completely ate the peanut plants. Asd the strawberries get close to ripeness, boom, gone. LOTS of green tomatoes. Not a red one in site. Maybe one little pepper.

Bunnies even ate up all my morning glories, lily plants, etc...

First year we have had them around. As fun as they are to watch grow up on my flowers and veggies, it's annoying. LOL

jjirons69

07-28-2009, 09:44 AM

Garden is still doing well. Tomatoes and cukes are solid. I planted more summer squash and they're 1 foot tall. My peppers have done better than any I can ever remember. I've put up a dozen or more jars so far.

tzaddi

07-30-2009, 11:31 AM

Eggplant
http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09116/web.jpg?ver=12489746600001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09341/web.jpg?ver=12489746560001

Strawberries
http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09053/web.jpg?ver=12489746700001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC08969/web.jpg?ver=12489746410001

Tobacco
http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09355/web.jpg?ver=12489746760001

BC-Axeman

07-30-2009, 09:20 PM

I think I can smell those strawberries!

tzaddi

07-31-2009, 02:00 PM

I think I can smell those strawberries!

Yep, you can :)

Oh, I forgot to post the link to a video I put together the other day showing the animated construction of my latest 5 Gallon Compost Tea Brewer.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi#100644/BrewerBuild

Give it time to load, no audio.

It's all about the microbes:)

Wait until I get the digital camera attachment for the microscope then you are really going to say :confused:

jjirons69

08-01-2009, 04:55 PM

My 5 year-old and myself sat on the patio today and cataloged the birds we saw on the feeders and in the lagoon behind the house. I, of course, had 2 smokes and a few beer. Here's our list:

Blue Jay
Common Grackle
Tuffed Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Brown Thrasher
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Crow
Mississippi Kite
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Snowy Egret
House Finch
Great Blue Heron
Double-breasted Comorant
Mockingbird

She sat there with the bird catalog and was thoroughly amazed.

BTW, we've harvested all the peaches from the tree. The wife has baked 4 cobblers (a couple for the neighbors) and we have 9 gallon bags in the freezer. I must have eaten 3 dozen peaches in the past couple of weeks. Nature took her 30-40% share, too (squirrels, jays, worms, bugs).

Mark C

08-01-2009, 07:34 PM

HK3-

08-01-2009, 07:55 PM

jjirons69

08-01-2009, 08:05 PM

Have any of you guys had trouble with bugs and zucchini? Something keeps eating mine. I have yet to find the culprit, but after the zuc's grow ~6" long, they start getting chewed up from the blossom end. I must have lost a dozen so far, only managed to pick one ripe fruit.

Mark, interesting problem. There are only a few insect culprlts and your description doesn't add up. I would bet a real animal: rabbit, squirrel, or raccoon. My problems have been with the vine itself. Those damnedable squash vine borers ruin everything, even when I spray and look for problems. Much like squirrels to your bird feeders, they have all day to plan their destruction, while you have hundreds of others things to worry about. Here's what I found for you to read:

Zucchini can be plagued with several different pests and diseases so you must inspect your plants for any signs. Cucumber Beetle is green and yellow; either striped or spotted. They eat the leaves of the plant so look for half eaten leaves. Vine Borers will bore into the vine near the base of the plant and chew right through it. Cut worms will attack your plants early in the season and cut them off right at the base of the plant. Spider mites and aphids will show up on the undersides of the leaves and they will eat the leaves.

Good luck, brother. I've yet to see in my 40 years a squash or zucchini plant die of old age. Sad but true. Just planted a dozen more squash and the bugs are already testing me. Neither can grow in a greenhouse as they need pollenators. They're cheap at the grocery store this time of year. ;)

BC-Axeman

08-01-2009, 08:45 PM

We have to pick our squash at 8-10 inches (about three days growth) or we just have too much squash. They can get really big and still tasty but who needs 100 lbs of squash a week. The first frost melts them to the ground.

Marks problem sounds like a furry critter is getting to them. Sure it's not blossom-end rot? You would see teeth marks from a critter.

GoodFella

08-01-2009, 09:05 PM

jjirons69

08-01-2009, 09:22 PM

tzaddi

08-01-2009, 11:22 PM

Hi Ya, Rob! Long time, no see, Brother. You have anthracnose. It's a common disease with plants. Do a little research. I use Daconil to treat any and every fugus, rust, leaf spot, etc. Works good. Get it at Lowes or Home Depot. Not water soluble, so shake like hell before spraying.

I came across an interesting treatment/food for fungus earlier this summer. I mix 100 grams of dried/powdered Equisetum arvense added, horsetail, with 2 liters of water brought to a boil and simmered 30 minutes, then allowed to cool/rest for at least a few days in a large jar(s) with a loose fitting lid. It can be diluted using 1 part horsetail to 2 parts water and applied as a foliar or root soak .

Although I did not have anything greater than powdery mildew on some crimson sage, Salvia spathacea ground cover this year I have made it a regular staple of my fertilizers and compost additive.

IMHO Equisetum arvense is one of those rare plants many people (have) are familar with and has an interesting back story relating to it's survivability and perseverance.

"Equisetum is a "living fossil," as it is the only known genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, which for over one hundred million years was very diverse and dominated the understory of late Paleozoic forests. Some Equisetopsida were large trees reaching to 30 meters tall;[2] the genus Calamites of family Calamitaceae for example is abundant in coal deposits from the Carboniferous period."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum)
"This plant also has a very high diploid number - 216 (108 pairs of chromosomes) - which is roughly 5 times greater than the human diploid number (46).
—Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum_arvense)"

Equisetum (horsetails) is the sole remaining genus from a group of primitive plants that were abundant in the Carboniferous period. Today Equisetum is a dominant understory plant in boreal and mixed forests, although the inset shows it can also colonize disturbed sites. I am continuing work to characterize fungi associated with Equisetum roots, in order to better understand their role(s) in forest soil microbial ecology.
— http://www.usask.ca/biology/kaminskyj/arctic.html

Since I am not growing any commercial crops and my family doesn't currently depend on me to grow stuff I have the opportunity to explore soil biology.

As I have heard more than once. "You must have a lot of time on your hands." :) For it it's like going back to school at 55 but being home schooled:dance:

BTW I really enjoy popping in and reading how you all are doing with garden/family/life :)

HK3-

08-02-2009, 07:11 AM

shilala

08-02-2009, 11:00 AM

I always used to load my backpack sprayer with sevin and fungicide.
Mix the stuff 1/3 of what the bottle says.
It's WAY more than enough to do the job. :tu
I spray my plants right before a rain. Always have. I always do it in the late evening, too.
That's cause plants open their millions of little mouths at night to breathe.
It allows the fungicide to enter the plant and become systemic.
It works 10,000 times better that way.
Then the next day it rains, medicine is in their system, and all is well. :tu

jjirons69

08-02-2009, 11:13 AM

i have been growing mint and romas for a little bit now. both have been doing great. One day i looked at the mint and it seemd a little spotted and now with in a few days it seems like its sick. leaves are browning and falling off. its almost has leopard spots on most of the plant. Any ideas any one. the romas are doing great.

Also, Rob...if the leaves are turning yellow and falling off, watch your watering. Herbs like dry feet, so if the ground is really wet or moist for too long, the mint tends to "drown".

HK3-

08-02-2009, 06:06 PM

Seeing all these great picture I thought I would post some new ones.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture448.jpg

This is one of my Cherry Bomb pepper plants. Lot's of peppers waiting to turn red.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture451.jpg

These are my habaneros that seem to be growing pretty nice!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture452.jpg

HK3-

08-02-2009, 06:08 PM

Purple pepper have been doing very well. Eaten quite a few so far.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture453.jpg

These eggplants are growing so slow. Hope I get to try one before winter sets in.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture454.jpg

Have quite a few of these different variety of bell peppers. I ate one today like an apple. :)
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture456.jpg

HK3-

08-02-2009, 06:12 PM

These are one of my three Italian Burner plants. These bad boys have been growing really fast and are fairly warm.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture457.jpg

One of my four jalepeno plants. I think next year I will plant a lot more of these! They grow just as fast as you can pick them and they are great to eat. I have been stuffing them with cream cheese, then wrapping them with bacon and putting them on the smoker for 1 1/2 hours! :dr
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture458.jpg

This tomato plant has gotten out of hand. You can see where it grew upward and managed to pull the cage out of the ground.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture459.jpg

HK3-

08-02-2009, 06:15 PM

A different angle-
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture460.jpg

These are my zuccini, cucumber and acorn squash plants.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture461.jpg

Mark C

08-02-2009, 07:07 PM

I tried to find a few good examples of the half eaten zucchini's I'm plagued with, but right now there don't seem to be any. I've got my fingers crossed. I don't think it's a furry critter problem, in the 5 yrs I've lived here (new development), I've never seen a single rabbit, squirrel, or other furry critter anywhere in the neighborhood.

Rotted zucchini. This is what's left of one of the zuc's that got eaten before fully ripe:
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs136.snc1/5813_764956953033_6205133_43347011_1981354_n.jpg

Another:
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs136.snc1/5813_764956958023_6205133_43347012_4634211_n.jpg

Cucumber Beetle. I've got a few of these guys on the plant, and seen 'em on my tomatoes too, but they don't seem to be causing any trouble:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs136.snc1/5813_764956963013_6205133_43347013_4679667_n.jpg

Stink bug. Found these guys in the plants too, but again, don't seem to be causing a problem:
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764956968003_6205133_43347014_6096720_n.jpg

The whole zucchini plant. Should I prune these in any way, or just let 'em go nuts? It's my first year for these.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764956972993_6205133_43347015_1583191_n.jpg

More coming after I get the baby back to sleep.

HK3-

08-02-2009, 07:20 PM

That plant is huge!!!!!! Nice work! :tu

Mark C

08-02-2009, 07:27 PM

Herb garden, chives, oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and a few marigolds for good measure:
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764956982973_6205133_43347016_3928762_n.jpg

Cherokee Purple. I tried growing these years ago, didn't go well at all. Much better results this year, probably almost all thanks to the automatic watering timer.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764956987963_6205133_43347017_6247074_n.jpg

Sun Gold, they're really little balls of candy on a vine. They grow like weeds, takes a lot of time pruning to keep them anywhere close to manageable, but sooo worth the trouble.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs136.snc1/5813_764956992953_6205133_43347018_5822404_n.jpg

Cocozelle zucchini. I'm hoping this one will be the first I actually get to pick before the boogie man chews it up.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764957002933_6205133_43347020_7426772_n.jpg

Rattlesnake beans. The plants on the right were nearly destroyed by japanese beetles while I was out of town for two weeks. For some reason or another, they never bothered the plants on the left.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764957007923_6205133_43347021_8090516_n.jpg

Mark C

08-02-2009, 07:27 PM

Spearmint, aka 'future mojito'. I tried growing this in pots for a few years, never took well. Two years ago I dumped the 'dead' pot over the side of the deck in a dark, damp shady spot between my house and my neighbor's. I was shocked the following year when a big ol' patch of mint popped up.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764957012913_6205133_43347022_6803368_n.jpg

Mark C

08-02-2009, 07:29 PM

That plant is huge!!!!!! Nice work! :tu

I actually planted 4 or 5 there. Most died. One of them is still a tiny little thing, just a few leaves, but looks like it's getting ready to bloom. That monster is just a single plant.

HK3-

08-02-2009, 07:33 PM

I actually planted 4 or 5 there. Most died. One of them is still a tiny little thing, just a few leaves, but looks like it's getting ready to bloom. That monster is just a single plant.

It's a beast! That thing should be putting out like a $5..... oh nevermind. :r

Great looking plants. :tu

Also I noticed your tomato has a dark crack in the very top. Not sure if you know this or not but you should pick them fairly quick when they get those cracks in the top. What happens is the water settles in that crack and rots the fruit sometimes before you ever get to eat it.

tzaddi

08-02-2009, 08:32 PM

Everyones photos look great.

A Lone Ripe Fig

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100683/DSC09578/web.jpg?ver=12492634760001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100683/DSC09585/web.jpg?ver=12492634990001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100683/DSC09589/web.jpg?ver=12492634400001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100683/DSC09592/web.jpg?ver=12492635480001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100683/DSC09597/web.jpg?ver=12492634920001 (http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi#100683&view=mosaic&bgcolor=black&sel=26)

jjirons69

08-02-2009, 09:23 PM

You guys rock!!!! Richard, that fig is the bomb!!

Mark, that is by far the biggest zucchini I've ever seen. Squash vine borers get them around here.

Great job, guys!

HK3-

08-03-2009, 04:19 PM

Bump for the garden thread. :D

Mark C

08-03-2009, 04:32 PM

Also I noticed your tomato has a dark crack in the very top. Not sure if you know this or not but you should pick them fairly quick when they get those cracks in the top. What happens is the water settles in that crack and rots the fruit sometimes before you ever get to eat it.

Did not know that, thanks for the tip, I'll have to introduce that tomato to my belly later tonight!

jjirons69

08-03-2009, 05:22 PM

Did not know that, thanks for the tip, I'll have to introduce that tomato to my belly later tonight!

Tomato...meet stomach...y'all play nice now!

tzaddi

08-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Tomato...meet stomach...y'all play nice now!

or… get in my belly! :)

jjirons69

08-06-2009, 10:37 PM

Mark C

08-07-2009, 06:13 AM

Finally caught a pic of the little suckers that are eating my zuc's!

Innocent looking little guy:
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs136.snc1/5813_766755493743_6205133_43423306_1689762_n.jpg

Caught in the act!
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_766755503723_6205133_43423308_3380110_n.jpg

That second pic is the inside of the half-eaten zucchini you can see in the first pic. This one is unusual in that he hollowed out the center. Most of the others I've seen disappear were eaten radially from the outside in.

Anyone ever have this problem before? Know how I can stop it?

jjirons69

08-07-2009, 07:39 AM

shilala

08-07-2009, 08:22 AM

It's a weed here, brother. :)
I can take you to a ditch 5 minutes away from here and you can fill up a green garbage bag full of future mojitos.
Spearmint, aka 'future mojito'. I tried growing this in pots for a few years, never took well. Two years ago I dumped the 'dead' pot over the side of the deck in a dark, damp shady spot between my house and my neighbor's. I was shocked the following year when a big ol' patch of mint popped up.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs156.snc1/5813_764957012913_6205133_43347022_6803368_n.jpg

shilala

08-07-2009, 08:24 AM

F'ing slugs!!

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/slugs.html

http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/slugs.html

Never had to battle them, but have always heard about using beer as a weapon.

Good luck!!
Beer in a frisbee will make them all gone in a week. :)
A few frisbees carefully deployed is all you need. Slugs stay under rocks and stuff here. They very seldom make a problem in the garden.
It always amazes me the differences a little change in latitude makes.

G G

08-07-2009, 08:30 AM

slugs gotta eat too.:tu

shilala

08-07-2009, 08:35 AM

slugs gotta eat too.:tu
They can have what's Caesar's. :D

G G

08-07-2009, 08:42 AM

They can have what's Caesar's. :D
:wo

shilala

08-07-2009, 09:02 AM

:wo
roffles :D

HK3-

08-07-2009, 10:52 AM

No slugs here... (knock on wood) It's the japanese beetles that keep raping the leaves of all my plants! That seven dust seems to keep them away for a little while. :gn

ucla695

08-07-2009, 01:50 PM

That second pic is the inside of the half-eaten zucchini you can see in the first pic. This one is unusual in that he hollowed out the center. Most of the others I've seen disappear were eaten radially from the outside in.

Anyone ever have this problem before? Know how I can stop it?

My Dad used to pour some cheap beer in a tin and put it out in the garden. For some reason the slugs were attracted to it. They'd die a slow and happy death. :)

shilala

08-07-2009, 03:24 PM

No slugs here... (knock on wood) It's the japanese beetles that keep raping the leaves of all my plants! That seven dust seems to keep them away for a little while. :gn
I use liquid sevin in a sprayer at 1/3 strength.
Takes about ten minutes till the dead japanese beetles rain off the fruit trees.
It's hard to get the dust on them. A sprayer takes less time and it's a zillion times more effective.
Try it out, Hal. You'll be really pleased. :)

GoodFella

08-07-2009, 07:19 PM

Also, Rob...if the leaves are turning yellow and falling off, watch your watering. Herbs like dry feet, so if the ground is really wet or moist for too long, the mint tends to "drown".

i have yet to treat it. i kind of said skrew it, if it want to die let it. so i pushed it out in to the yard (its in a pot). Now its growing new stems. the spoted leaves are dead/dying. its looking much better and now i think i will go and get the treatmeant for it. i cut the water back by 50% before giving up then it went to crap. i just waterd it for the first time in a while today. Thanks for the info.

jjirons69

08-08-2009, 08:17 PM

Japanese beetles and liquid Sevin (or even dust) is a lethal combination. I spray my fruit trees and use the dust on my beens. Put the dust in an old piece of panty hose. Just shake over the plant and wa-la, soon to be dead beetles.

GoodFella

08-09-2009, 08:50 AM

Put up 6 jelly jars, 2 pint jars, and one quart jar of sliced jalapenos today. Vinegar, a little water, and salt. Already have about as many from last month. I have none from last year and have two pints jars left from '07 that are eating well. My plants this year have been phenomenal! They're 3' tall and still full of flowers. I ass is going to end up hating 2009!! :D

your making my mouth water thinking about eating this. I love to just munch on some every once in a while. I cant eat to many jalapenos but a few now and then are good.

I went out and got some 7dust and the anti fungal stuff. Can i put them on at the same time? How offten shoudl i put both on?

tzaddi

08-09-2009, 11:46 AM

Sevin is the Bayer Company's trademarked name for the insecticide Carbaryl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbaryl).

To our international friends Carbaryl (http://www.grandcountywater.com/CarbarylInsecticideHazardData.htm) is illegal in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Angola.

"Bee" careful as Carbaryl is acutely toxic to honeybees, destroying colonies of bees foraging in an area where the chemical has been applied. ;)

Do any of you remember the Bohpal, India Disaster on December 3, 1984 that killed 8-10 thousand people in 72 hours? You guessed it, that plant was manufacturing "Sevin". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster) Very sad as it is estimated that 25,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.

You guys be careful out there.

jjirons69

08-09-2009, 12:36 PM

Can i put them on at the same time? How offten shoudl i put both on?

Come on, Rob! I know it's not manly, but read the directions! :D

And yes, you can apply both at once. I often mix the two together and knock them both out at once.

GoodFella

08-09-2009, 01:20 PM

Come on, Rob! I know it's not manly, but read the directions! :D

And yes, you can apply both at once. I often mix the two together and knock them both out at once.

:r i kind of looked. it did not say any thing about mixing them. I think, i did any way, i noticed some yellowing on my tomato plant at the bottom leaves. i freaked a little and went out and got the stuff and put it on both plants. i got about 10 tennis ball size romas growing on my plant all green. i cant wait. These 2 plants are my first temp at growing on my own.

Jbailey

08-09-2009, 02:10 PM

Completely missed this thread. First off you guys have some great gardens an I'm very jealous of them. Thanks for all the pictures and the video Scott.

Going to keep my eye on this one.

Mark C

08-09-2009, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the tips, I'll set some beer out for my slimy little enemies tomorrow.

I think I'll avoid the Sevin, just doesn't quite feel right to mix poisons with my dinner. The beetles weren't too bad this year, still have beans growin'.

jjirons69

08-09-2009, 07:16 PM

Here she is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBzOJ1gBuZQ)
It says it's still processing. I don't know what that means.

That's a freaking AWESOME garden, Scott!!! Somehow I missed the video posting when you put it up. You've really impressed me. I thought you were just a mad inventor with a bad back. ;)

MarkinAZ

08-09-2009, 08:40 PM

Sevin is the Bayer Company's trademarked name for the insecticide Carbaryl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbaryl).

Makes you want to crush one of their asprins and have it analyzed for contents...

MarkinAZ

08-10-2009, 08:06 AM

I'm not really into the chemicals, especially for residential and rural areas. There are numerous alternative/natural products available that really work well. For a start, you may try here:

http://www.gardensalive.com/

For example, I use a non-poisonous mint-oil based spray around the home for wasp. It shoots up to 20+ feet and takes em' out without any problems, and more importantly, no toxic chemicals that are going to linger or drain in to the surrounding areas.

It leaves a "fresh minty" aroma afterwards:D

jjirons69

08-19-2009, 10:11 AM

Time is both a friend and a cruel enemy. The garden gets plowed in this weekend. I still have half a dozen pepper plants that are producing heavily, which I will keep, but everything else is ready to go. Give it a couple of weeks, maybe mid-September, and the collard plants go in. Won't be long and the cool autumn breezes come to town (by cool I mean 70F :)). Lettuce to follow in late September/early October.

Had lots of delicious tomatoes and cukes this year.

shilala

08-19-2009, 11:11 AM

That's a freaking AWESOME garden, Scott!!! Somehow I missed the video posting when you put it up. You've really impressed me. I thought you were just a mad inventor with a bad back. ;)
I'm a Certified Master Gardener, Jamie, for what that's worth.
I used to help the Extension Office with the public, taking care of crops, orchards, farming, and domestic fowl. I gave away my farm when I got divorced.
I've created four or five cultivars (notably a purple sunflower) and invented a dark egg laying (hershey bar colored) chicken along the way, too. Made a lot of money from that stuff.
I used to be addicted to botany and genetics something fierce.
Now I just try to keep the fungus off my tomatoes, play cigars, learn about Christ, and make stuff out of wood. :)
I've invented a bunch of stuff along the way, too. Some have been very successful, some I never shared, some I'm still waiting to build.
I have about two dozen projects, inventions or systems in my head at any given moment. I never stop reading.
I kind of put everything aside while I'm trying to get my back fixed.

BC-Axeman

08-19-2009, 11:46 AM

If you added musician to that resume, Scott, I would have to say we were cut from the same mold. There never gets to be more time in your life.

I finally got some ripe tomatoes! The corn was spectacular this year. The string beans are blooming again. The potatoes were attacked by a (now dead) gopher and I don't know yet how bad. Never ending supply of squash. Cukes now and then. Three pumpkins. Good year so far.

shilala

08-19-2009, 01:08 PM

If you added musician to that resume, Scott, I would have to say we were cut from the same mold. There never gets to be more time in your life.

That doesn't even begin to outline the stuff I do. :)

BC-Axeman

08-19-2009, 02:07 PM

That doesn't even begin to outline the stuff I do. :)
Nor me :D
:r A.D.D. to the grave!:wo

jjirons69

08-20-2009, 06:07 AM

The potatoes were attacked by a (now dead) gopher and I don't know yet how bad.

Dead gophers are good gophers!! :tu

BC-Axeman

08-20-2009, 07:10 AM

Dead gophers are good gophers!! :tu
Number 25! I need a stamp for the side of my shed.:D

HK3-

08-20-2009, 12:44 PM

I am getting hammered with goodies since we have been getting this warm weather finally! This is what I picked today-
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture465.jpg

Blindjimme

08-20-2009, 12:48 PM

:dr :dr :dr :dr :dr

JohnnyKay5

08-20-2009, 12:55 PM

nice pickins!

HK3-

08-20-2009, 01:09 PM

:dr :dr :dr

nice pickins!

Someones gonna have a hot bum in the mornin! :( <---- me sitting at work tomorrow. :r

BC-Axeman

08-20-2009, 01:46 PM

Mmmmmmm, jambalaya comes to mind.

Mr B

08-20-2009, 05:16 PM

Nice harvest Harold

HK3-

08-24-2009, 08:25 PM

Picked 4 poblano and 6 bells tonight (along with 17 tomatos, 3 zuccini, and 1 cucumber)

Hollowed out and then stuff all the peppers with rice and taco seasoned beef. Topped them all with cheese and baked them at 400 for 20 minutes.

:dr:dr:dr:dr They were delicious!

jjirons69

08-24-2009, 09:15 PM

Awesome, Harold! That's why I love planting peppers. You get such a bumper crop and you have to find a use for them. Stuffed peppers remind me of my childhood and I still enjoy them today. I usually put the hollowed out peppers in boiling water for 30 seconds or so prior to stuffing. Then bake for 30 min.

jjirons69

08-24-2009, 09:21 PM

I'm a Certified Master Gardener, Jamie, for what that's worth.
I used to help the Extension Office with the public, taking care of crops, orchards, farming, and domestic fowl. I gave away my farm when I got divorced.
I've created four or five cultivars (notably a purple sunflower) and invented a dark egg laying (hershey bar colored) chicken along the way, too. Made a lot of money from that stuff.
I used to be addicted to botany and genetics something fierce.
Now I just try to keep the fungus off my tomatoes, play cigars, learn about Christ, and make stuff out of wood. :)
I've invented a bunch of stuff along the way, too. Some have been very successful, some I never shared, some I'm still waiting to build.
I have about two dozen projects, inventions or systems in my head at any given moment. I never stop reading.
I kind of put everything aside while I'm trying to get my back fixed.

+1 Scott! I wished you lived closer.

jjirons69

08-24-2009, 09:27 PM

Here's my till from yesterday. 3 jalapeno and 2 bell bushes left. Rather I say small trees. I'll slice these up and pickle this weekend.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/pepper1.jpg

This is why us southern folk can't grow a damn squash, squash vine borers. I've tried ever poison and trick on the Internet and nothing works. I planted 6 more hills today. Maybe the adults are gone by now. The only way I can get squash is to plant them early in the spring and hope a frost doesn't get them. The borers come in by June. This was one of two plants I have left. Now I only have one, but she's still healthy.

Lil' bastards!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/svb.jpg

tzaddi

08-24-2009, 11:08 PM

Here's my till from yesterday. 3 jalapeno and 2 bell bushes left. Rather I say small trees. I'll slice these up and pickle this weekend.

This is why us southern folk can't grow a damn squash, squash vine borers. I've tried ever poison and trick on the Internet and nothing works. I planted 6 more hills today. Maybe the adults are gone by now. The only way I can get squash is to plant them early in the spring and hope a frost doesn't get them. The borers come in by June. This was one of two plants I have left. Now I only have one, but she's still healthy.

Lil' bastards!

Your pepper abundance has me wanting to grow jalapenos next year. Great shot of the vine borer.

Hey check this out…

Biological pesticides are an option.
Insect-eating nematodes can be used to kill squash vine borers. A solution of the nematodes is injected into plant stems with a syringe when the holes of the borers are first seen. There are three species of insect-eating nematodes available commercially. (http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2870/is-your-squash-bored-to-death)

GoodFella

08-24-2009, 11:22 PM

Number 25! I need a stamp for the side of my shed.:D

:D

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~shunter/gopher.gif

shilala

08-25-2009, 06:27 AM

Your pepper abundance has me wanting to grow jalapenos next year. Great shot of the vine borer.

Hey check this out…

I used to use a dry nematode preperation in every hole with every plant.
The company was from Pittsburgh and I can't remember what they were called.
They also offered a product that caused the roots to get all lumpy with nitrogen fixing nodules (the soil was VERY poor on top of that hill). I'd mix the two products with compost and absorbant polymer and throw a handful in every hole every season.
I've no-till gardened for years through Dewitt Sunbelt earth fabric.
The worms do all my tilling, and the soil in those gardens has improved dramatically over the years. The ex does nothing when she plants, and can still grow nice plants in those gardens.
I live in a river bottom now. All I ever had to do is roll out earth fabric on the grass, cut holes, and drill plant holes with my cordless and a bulb drill.
I just built a compost bin this year, and I'll have plenty of worm castings to add to the garden in the coming years, not that it needs improvement.
The flower beds alongside the house sure do, though. :tu

I liked the article you left, Richard.
"Learn the pest's life cycle" is the only way to kill bugs on anything, in my experience. :)

Mark C

08-25-2009, 07:22 PM

Nice pepper pics!

Shame about the vine borers. I'll have to put up another picture of my zucchini jungle. The bush is ~5-6 ft diameter right now. Was slow going in Aug for some reason, but I've got plenty of squash on the way.

I'm kicking around the idea of growing garlic this year. Anyone have any experience there? Seems to be a lot of variety, what's the difference, and what do I want?

jjirons69

08-25-2009, 07:40 PM

Garlic is simple. Stay away from the Elephant type. Find one you like in the store and plant what you don't eat. It's what I did. Plant it Oct-Dec. It has to overwinter in the ground to develop cloves. It grows all year and is ready to harvest (in SC) around July. It'll send up a giant flower stalk, just break it as soon as it forms. The leaves will start to turn brown and die back. When half are dead, she's ready to pull. If you plant it in the flowerbed or yard, beware, it can get out of hand. I planted it in the corner of the garden and it was easily controlled. A doen plants will give you more garlic than you'll use all year. Pull it, tie (or braid) the leaves together, and hang to dry. Don't wash it until ready to use.

Google growing garlic!

HK3-

08-25-2009, 08:37 PM

jjirons69

08-30-2009, 09:37 PM

This afternoon, put up 5 half-pint jars and 6 pint jars of pickled, sliced jalapenos. In this batch I put a little salt and a little clopped garlic. This probably makes about 30 jars of peppers so far. I opened a jar from 7/5 and it's coming along nicely. Hot as hell, too!

As I commented in Andy's thread, My 5-year old daughter and I ripped up the garden, except for the pepper plants. We planted 6 hills of squash and 9 collards sets. We also planted some Cosmos and Forget-Me-Nots just because she wanted flowers. I'll stop by Lowe's on the way home tomorrow and get a few more flower seed packets just for her. She gave up a trip to the bowling alley with her mom and brother to help me in the garden. I can't tell you how that makes me feel inside. I'll get a picture in a week or two.

It was a great summer of '09. Now we turn the page...

DPD6030

08-30-2009, 10:01 PM

I wish I had a garden. Maybe next year.

T.G

08-30-2009, 11:23 PM

T.G

08-30-2009, 11:29 PM

nothing much here for the garden as my growing area is limited by a few large trees blocking most of the sunlight, but here's what I have going:

6 Tomato plants - yellow pear, sweet-100, small cherry, large cherry, brandywine, early girl
6 jalepenos - for smoking my own chipotle peppers, only way to get them ripe enough (almost overripe) for this is to grow them myself
about 90 to 100 Thai chilies - going to try fermenting my own sauce with the peppers.

Plus a pommegranite tree, bay leaf and a metric asston of rosemary.

I have some photos somewhere...

HK3-

08-31-2009, 10:15 AM

Hit the garden last night for a picking. Managed to pick 70ish Jalepenos, 1 habanero, 8 Italian burners, 6 cherry bombs, a sh-load of tomatoes, and a handful of cukes and zuccini.

Hit the store yesterday and picked up a 12 pack of quart sized jars. Managed to fill 8 of them with just hot peppers. :dr :pn

Everything is starting to peter out except the gourds and squash plants.

tzaddi

08-31-2009, 10:36 AM

Some late arrivals.

The tobacco plants continue to seed themselves into other containers. I recently plucked another out and placed it into it's own container.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09869/web.jpg?ver=12517341220001

Here are two more that may or may not make a complete cycle this year but they certainly demonstrate the plants tenacity to carry on.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09872/web.jpg?ver=12517341400001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09873/web.jpg?ver=12517341300001

This years harvest while very limited continues to teach me about drying and curing.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC09889/web.jpg?ver=12517355850001

For those that are interested in my adventures in making compost tea here is a photo of the new brewer I completed last week along with a link to a gallery of photos showing off it's new air injector design and functionality.

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100687/DSC09836/web.jpg?ver=12516891410001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi#100687

It is great feeling to see everyones harvest, good job.

HK3-

08-31-2009, 11:02 AM

You have the coolest setup and I get the feeling that you are like a mad scientist when it comes to making that "tea"!

BC-Axeman

08-31-2009, 01:01 PM

tzaddi

08-31-2009, 01:39 PM

I have an earthworm composter that is going full speed now. Many thousands of earthworms eating kitchen waste and paper turning it into rich castings. At the bottom of the composter is a drain for the liquor that is like tea but probably not as rich as the aerated stuff Richard makes.

I use vermi-compost in my AACT brewers, about 4 cups per 5 gallons. The leachate you get from the drain on your vermiculture bin(s) is very similar. The brewer simply takes the good microbes from the vermi-compost and creates a "party scene" with plenty of food (molasses, kelp. etc.), water & oxygen. This multiplies their numbers into the billions before they are distributed on the plants & soil. A brew usually takes 24-36 hours.

Man those worms must love this time of year when they get to chow down on garden harvest waste from pulled plants, etc. :tu

jjirons69

08-31-2009, 02:40 PM

Hit the store yesterday and picked up a 12 pack of quart sized jars. Managed to fill 8 of them with just hot peppers. :dr :pn

Hal, Walmart had a good supply of all sizes. Around $6 for a dozen.

Mr B

08-31-2009, 04:56 PM

Richard, very cool set up you have there.

HK3-

08-31-2009, 05:08 PM

Hal, Walmart had a good supply of all sizes. Around $6 for a dozen.

:tu

Rabidsquirrel

08-31-2009, 06:31 PM

Our potting adventures didn't turn out well, except for the cherry tomatoes. Billions of the little buggers. The cucumber produced a mediocre amount of cucs, about 7, and then got powdery mildew. The squash also got it and died before anything produced.

The only successes we had were the string beans, basil, mint, and cherry peppers. The CP plant is on its way out though, I didn't realize it didn't have any drain holes and it filled up with water from a storm. Various flowers did well, namely the Celosia jumping up to over 3 feet tall. I was hoping for more color variety though, only the red seemed to make it. The hummingbirds love it though.

HK3-

09-07-2009, 01:37 PM

Still getting lots of peppers out of the garden. Picked up another flat of quart sized jars to fill. This is what I canned yesterday-

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture481.jpg

I also did two dozen jalepenos on the smoker yesterday. The method of stuffing them with cream cheese and wrapping them in bacon is #1 so far. :dr

shilala

09-07-2009, 01:46 PM

I might have told you about this already, Richard, but my neighbor used to keep a 55 gallon drum of moo juice between our gardens when I was a kid.
You just fill the drum with cow poop, add water, and enjoy. :)
It takes the mad scientist aspect out of it, but still cool. :tu

I just took an updated garden video. Gonna upload it now and post the link when it's done.
It's in HD, so it'll take awhile.

shilala

09-07-2009, 06:44 PM

Here's a link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAuSHuyEcNA) to see my garden the way she is today.

G G

09-07-2009, 06:53 PM

Nice video Scott, and lookin good bro.:tu

HK3-

09-07-2009, 07:36 PM

Great video Scott! :tu That fungus you spoke of wiped out my tomato plants in no time flat.

shilala

09-08-2009, 06:59 PM

Great video Scott! :tu That fungus you spoke of wiped out my tomato plants in no time flat.
I jumped on it early and saved half of my plants. I just picked two heaping five gallon buckets tonight, and not a soul in town has tomatoes. Literally.
If I continue to take care of them, and we get a week of heat, I should be able to get at least two more batches of spaghetti sauce.
I was trying to figure out what to have for dinner tonight, and with two big buckets of tomatoes in the kitchen, it wasn't too hard to figure out I was having tomato sammiches. :D

MarkinAZ

09-08-2009, 10:09 PM

BC-Axeman

09-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Another frikken gopher struck. This time it was starting on the carrots. Harvested them, about ten pounds. Traps are set. Die, gopher, die! No mercy.

shilala

09-09-2009, 07:30 AM

Thanks for the video tour of your garden Scott. Looks like you put in alot of effort on the black matte in the garden, but I'm sure it helps in retaining moisture for the plants. The tobacco plants look great on the border areas too:tu
The plastic is earth fabric called Dewitt Sunbelt. It lets water through and it lets air through, but it holds weeds down, holds moisture, and heats the garden. Last for years and years and years. I've never worn a piece out yet. It's easy to roll out and pin down. Almost effortless.
In the Spring I pressure wash it and the black cooks any soil-borne disease out of the dirt.
I've been using it for about 15 years. I have been no-till gardening for that long. I do a hybrid of square foot gardening/shilala gardening.
I use lots of compost, super absorbent polymer, and common sense.
You can't beat good dirt, though.
The dirt in my yard here in town (creek bottom flood zone) is incredible compared to the dirt on the hill where I used to live.

I've always wondered what the Indians thought when they watched the crazy Europeans building their settlements (that turned into cities) on the best farmland in the world.
Then we go cut down trees and grow food on mountaintops at twice the effort in lousy soil.
There's no substitute for stupidity. :)

G G

09-09-2009, 07:32 AM

I jumped on it early and saved half of my plants. I just picked two heaping five gallon buckets tonight, and not a soul in town has tomatoes. Literally.
If I continue to take care of them, and we get a week of heat, I should be able to get at least two more batches of spaghetti sauce.
I was trying to figure out what to have for dinner tonight, and with two big buckets of tomatoes in the kitchen, it wasn't too hard to figure out I was having tomato sammiches. :D
My partner here at work grew some of the best tomatos last summer that I have ever had. I bet we ate 1000 tomato sammiches.:dr

BC-Axeman

09-09-2009, 09:57 AM

Die, gopher, die! No mercy.
Got it! Dead, gopher, dead! I had mercy. It was still alive so I put it out of it's misery.

Next year I want to put down a weed block like Scott's but I worry about the gophers setting up camp under it.

shilala

09-09-2009, 12:07 PM

Got it! Dead, gopher, dead! I had mercy. It was still alive so I put it out of it's misery.

Next year I want to put down a weed block like Scott's but I worry about the gophers setting up camp under it.
You can shoot right through it. :tu

jjirons69

09-09-2009, 07:30 PM

Nice video, Scott!

Nice jars of peppers, Hal!

You guys give me a smile all the time. I have a lot of BOTL (leaf) and BOTS (soil).

Scott, the blight, fungus, anthracnose, or other horrid disease almost made me not want to plant tomatoes this year. Had you ask me in December, I would have given a definitive 'no'. The past couple of years it's been horrible. I use Daconil and I sprayed them every 3-4 days in years past, but never could keep up with the eventual onslaught. I've had up to 24 plants in the past and suffered big losses. I use soaker hoses, no smoking near the garden, etc. But, as always, the spring bug bit me and I planted 4 this year. A couple of them got a little brown a month or so in, but I battled back. All in all, everything turned out pretty good. The 4 plants did well. I know you're suppose to rotate tomtoes, as well as most plants, to get away from the stuff, but my garden isn't that big. I'll get a shot of my peppers this weekend. Never had such robust and huge plants. They usually get some type of yellow leaf or leaf roll, but it's been gangbusters this year.

HK3-

09-15-2009, 02:34 PM

Went out of town for about a week and the garden was busy growing while I was gone. Looks like we didn't get any rain cause the leaves on everything were wilted and the lawn was brown. :(

Fired up the sprinklers in the yard and the garden yesterday evening when I got home. Not much to do since I'm home with some kind of virus.... may as well pick some peppers and work on doing some canning.

This was todays haul out of the garden-

Lots of jalepenos, hungarian wax, sweet banana, cherry bombs, and burners
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture484.jpg

Starting to get loaded down with more habaneros than I will ever eat
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture485.jpg

Here are a few zuccini that are probably only good for making bread with. The one on the far right weighed in at 4 lbs. 6 oz.! It's a beast!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture487.jpg

HK3-

09-15-2009, 02:35 PM

Different angle to show the diameter.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture488.jpg

I guess as long as the garden is putting out I will keep on posting. :D

kaisersozei

09-15-2009, 03:07 PM

Lots of jalepenos, hungarian wax, sweet banana, cherry bombs, and burners

Starting to get loaded down with more habaneros than I will ever eat
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll115/Lvmesum3zs/Picture485.jpg

Here are a few zuccini that are probably only good for making bread with. The one on the far right weighed in at 4 lbs. 6 oz.! It's a beast!

Sorry you're under the weather, Hal--but those vegetables look awesome! Let me know if you want a recipe for making hot sauce out of those habaneros. I'm jealous, my plants have never put out that many peppers!

jjirons69

09-24-2009, 06:54 PM

Chit, Hal! Those Habs could kill any virus you run across! Very nice. I eat pickled peppers at every meal. I have a jar on my desk at work. People think I'm an stupid.

Here's my fall/winter garden so far. The collards are growing well. The crooked neck squash are ready to flower. The peppers are still unbelievable. For reference, the rabbit fence is 18". The flowers are cosmos and nasturtiums that my daughter wanted to plant.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/fall1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/fall2.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/fall3.jpg

HK3-

09-24-2009, 07:39 PM

Dude those Jalepenos plants are HUGE!!!!!!

I have plenty more Habaneros to pick before the season ends! :dr:dr

shilala

09-25-2009, 04:51 PM

I should go shoot one more video before it's too dark out.
I told the ex she could have all my tomatoes. If she doesn't come get them tomorrow, I'll make sauce Monday.

HK3-

09-25-2009, 05:03 PM

I should go shoot one more video before it's too dark out.
I told the ex she could have all my tomatoes. If she doesn't come get them tomorrow, I'll make sauce Monday.

Please do shoot another video cause I like to watch them and I enjoy seeing your garden Scooter! :tu

pmwz

09-26-2009, 03:09 AM

unfortunately the growing conditions on my balcony are less that ideal. I still got more than enough . I have to grow more medium hot peppers next year and probably a couple of tomatos.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/pwienand/ST830378.jpg

BC-Axeman

09-26-2009, 09:38 AM

My year of production is about over. Everything that hasn't died off is slowing down. As the weather is still good I think either the soil is depleted or the daylight hours are affecting the plants. No matter. It was a good year except the gopher attack on the potatoes and the late tomatoes.

jcruse64

09-26-2009, 01:46 PM

Very small garden for us this year; just tomatoes and peppers. Tiller was down all spring and I set plants late. That ended up okay, as it was a wet. cold spring, and lots of folks early stuff did not do well. Our stuff is about done now.

One surprise; I had a volunteer tobacco plant in a flower garden. Some seedlings I started way too late last year did not make it, and I dumped everything in the flower bed. Had not noticed anything until we returned home from our Yellowstone trip over Labor Day weekend; there it was, getting ready to bloom!

kenstogie

09-26-2009, 03:02 PM

Great Gardens gentlemen!!

shilala

09-26-2009, 09:08 PM

Please do shoot another video cause I like to watch them and I enjoy seeing your garden Scooter! :tu
I got it done, Hal.
I just gotta upload it to youtube. I was just working on pics I took at the zoo today, just got home. If I don't pass out, I'll get her started uploading. :tu

HK3-

09-27-2009, 08:34 PM

I got it done, Hal.
I just gotta upload it to youtube. I was just working on pics I took at the zoo today, just got home. If I don't pass out, I'll get her started uploading. :tu

I'll be waiting. :tu

I hit the garden today for a picking. I managed to pick and pickle another quart of Habaneros (what am I going to do with all these freakin hot things?). I also picked a shload of Jalepenos, hungarian wax peppers and a few sweet banana peppers. Ever since my tomatoes croaked my two poblano pepper plants have been really working hard. I think by sometime next week I will have about 12 of those to pick and stuff. :dr

Also picked 2 cukes. I found a guy at work who loves butternut squash so I was able to unload about 9 of those on him.

Have a few gourds growing but the plants appear to be really struggling.

HK3-

09-29-2009, 04:29 AM

Still waiting for your video Shilala..... :su

shilala

09-30-2009, 01:08 PM

Here's the video, finally. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Qy8pXDAf0)
It took three tries to get it uploaded. I sure hope it works now. :)

HK3-

10-01-2009, 08:45 AM

Here's the video, finally. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Qy8pXDAf0)
It took three tries to get it uploaded. I sure hope it works now. :)

Another great video Scott :tu Looks like your garden is still producing lots of nice looking peppers! I cannot believe all of those damn tomatoes! :dr

I picked 16 bell peppers last night and stuffed them with rice and hamburger. I finished by topping them off with tomato puree. They turned out really well and I ate a few with tomales for dinner!

jjirons69

10-05-2009, 10:40 AM

Picked jalapenos from my 4 bushes yesterday. Final count, 182!!!! OMG! I gave some to both neighbors and will bring some to work. I can't pickle many more, running out of jars and room! Also harvested 23 bell peppers. Gave most of them away, too, as I still have half a dozen in the fridge.

Collards and squash doing very well, too!!!

BC-Axeman

10-05-2009, 11:47 AM

Frost is starting here already. Central coast CA it's suddenly unseasonably cold. I have shut the water off to the veggies now. The roses and lawn still get watered. It's about time to turn the garden under and get the green mulch going.

SmoknTaz

10-05-2009, 01:11 PM

This weeks haul, might have a couple more yields, summer is definitely over here!

http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu37/smokntaz/garden/DSCF0763.jpg

tzaddi

10-09-2009, 12:56 PM

Hey Scott, how is the Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) doing?

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC00152/web.jpg?ver=12551140340001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC00164/web.jpg?ver=12551140300001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC00154/web.jpg?ver=12551140260001

http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100667/DSC00146/web.jpg?ver=12551141530001

Pineapple sage is extensively used in Mexican traditional medicine, especially for the treatment of anxiety. Although scientific information about these medicinal properties is scarce, a preliminary study on mice found support for the plant potentially having antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4JCBW4T-4&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=7547a1072c539fa88a238c4c6366624f)

BC-Axeman

10-09-2009, 09:53 PM

Beautiful pictures. I like sage a lot. I used to pick the flowers and suck the nectar out like honeysuckle when I was a kid.

Mr B

10-26-2009, 05:40 PM

Awesome pics Richard

Mr B

10-26-2009, 05:45 PM

Protectors of the Veggies.
We captured a few spiders from the park near our house a few months back and brought them home. At the time the leg-span was about the size of a dime. They have since set up shop between my tomatoes and the bushes over my neighbors fence.
The leg-span is about the size of a silver dollar now. They take down full sized Yellow Jackets as seen in 1 pic. They have an awesome color pattern on both sides.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9ce07b3127ccef821fd957d2400000030O01AaM2TVm1ZsQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9ce07b3127ccef821fbc67d7400000030O01AaM2TVm1ZsQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9ce07b3127ccef821bd137d8200000030O01AaM2TVm1ZsQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9ce07b3127ccef820fecd9c9900000030O01AaM2TVm1ZsQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/