Let's see those '11 gardens!

[BC-Axeman]

It's getting time to start gardening again.

This year I am going to be proactive against the tomato mites and I will balance the soil before planting. I have fully composted manure and ashes to add and will add kelp meal for the K (potash) too. We still get frosts here for another month or so.

Anyone else started?

[T.G]

While not exactly "garden", my pomegranate trees have leaves on them already and I just looked at my fig tree this morning, it's budding nicely for being a very young tree. Still a few months early for the lemon.

Planted some blackberry plants (one plant each: chester, olallie and triple-crown) a few weeks ago, but being bare root plants, I won't see any fruit off of them for at least another year.

Should probably start getting things in order for tomatoes and peppers.

[Smokin Gator]

We planted tomatoes and peppers yesterday. I hope to get the squash, cukes, and okra in today.

[HK3-]

Was at Lowes yesterday and they said we have a couple more weeks before they start getting stuff in.

[wayner123]

I am doing probably more than I should this year. I have also changed from a container to in ground garden. If I get anything this year, it will be by luck as I did not prepare the soil much at all. I have growing right now:

5 different melons: Charentais, Boule d Nor, Petit Gris de Rennes, Collective Farm woman, Oranglo watermelon

I also have two different squashes: early prolific and crook neck summer squash

I have some sweet corn and Kentucky wonder pole beans as well.

As for peppers, I got this weird mix of sweet peppers, so who knows what will come of them, and I also am growing California Wonder bells.

I am doing a few containers as well. Those will be Evangeline sweet potato's and Sayasume edamame soy beans.

My carrots are finally growing well, and I may do a some black seeded lettuce when that is done.

[LostAbbott]

Well it is still in the 40's here but I got Snow and snap peas in the ground last weekend. The Garlic is coming up and We also planted beets and north pole lettuce. Gonna get tomatoes started in a week or so...

[AUguy]

Was at Lowes yesterday and they said we have a couple more weeks before they start getting stuff in.

What state you in?

[hotreds]

mine are mostly under water.

[AUguy]

mine are mostly under water.


You in Jersey?

[Salvelinus]

I've got material for a new raised bed , going to be a long bed for lettuces.

Was just thinking about this thread from last year today. I've got at least two months before I can start putting anything in the ground. Probably start a few peppers in about a month. Lettuces, beans, and cucumbers a few weeks after that. We'll see what else I get an inkling to grow when I get to the seed store.

[chippewastud79]

You in Jersey?

Ohio, its been very very damp here. Lots of precipitation since the winter started. The river is well above flood stage. :td

[mmblz]

It's getting time to start gardening again.

With two feet of snow on the ground?
Must be some new technique!
:r

[HK3-]

What state you in?

Tennessee

[OHRD]

This is our first time having a go and we're pretty excited. We bought those planters that have like 50 small cubes of potting soil. We planted zucchini, onions, carrots, lima beans, peas, cantaloupe, and squash.

They are starting to sprout w/ stalks about 4 inches high - will try and post pics soon.

Any advice on the move from the little pods to the ground would be appreciated - thanks for the thread!

[BC-Axeman]

Any advice on the move from the little pods to the ground would be appreciated - thanks for the thread!
The biggest thing is to not leave any of the cube above ground level or it dries faster than the soil around it, otherwise they are easy.

[wayner123]

This is our first time having a go and we're pretty excited. We bought those planters that have like 50 small cubes of potting soil. We planted zucchini, onions, carrots, lima beans, peas, cantaloupe, and squash.

They are starting to sprout w/ stalks about 4 inches high - will try and post pics soon.

Any advice on the move from the little pods to the ground would be appreciated - thanks for the thread!

The biggest thing is to not leave any of the cube above ground level or it dries faster than the soil around it, otherwise they are easy.


Axeman gave good advice. Another thing I would add is to water well once they are planted or water the hole they are going into.

Which of the plants are 4" high already? I can't imagine the onions, carrots or cantaloupe is that high already.

[wayner123]

BTW, I added drip tape irrigation to the entire garden yesterday. It's a nice system but the connections had to be rigged in order to work properly. But it should add some much needed luck to my plans.

I also started a bucket with compost for compost tea. I hope it helps.

[jjirons69]

Great work there, Wayne!

I have ~100 yellow and white onion sets in the ground (a week now). Have crookneck squash starting indoors. I'll plant the squash, cukes, and pole beans by 3/19 or 3/36. The tomatoes and peppers will go in the week of 4/2 or 4/9.

[wayner123]

Great work there, Wayne!

I have ~100 yellow and white onion sets in the ground (a week now). Have crookneck squash starting indoors. I'll plant the squash, cukes, and pole beans by 3/19 or 3/36. The tomatoes and peppers will go in the week of 4/2 or 4/9.

Do you find it takes a while for the peppers to germinate? Mine have been running at 2 weeks before I see anything. I know it has to do with heat and all, but still 2 weeks seems a long time.

[OHRD]

Axeman gave good advice. Another thing I would add is to water well once they are planted or water the hole they are going into.

Which of the plants are 4" high already? I can't imagine the onions, carrots or cantaloupe is that high already.

You're right - they are the slowest to grow, onions and carrots are barely showing. The Zucchini and Lima beans are the allstars - one of the two (can't remember which) already has leaves coming up...

[wayner123]

You're right - they are the slowest to grow, onions and carrots are barely showing. The Zucchini and Lima beans are the allstars - one of the two (can't remember which) already has leaves coming up...

IME, onions from seed will take twice as long as the packet says. So if it's 110 days on the packets, you can bet they won't be ready till at least 200 days. It's best to start onions from plants. Also, did you make sure to get the correct day length onions for your zone?

Carrots take a long time as well. Not as long as onions, but they seem to grow quite slow when temps are below 65-70F.

Most likely the limas are showing true (second set) of leaves. Beans (legumes) are fast growers for me and really grow fast until they reach flowering stage. After that it's anybody's guess.

[OHRD]

This has been a blast to watch - our boys have loved it too. No idea if we got the right packet of onions - just whatever Lowe's had. We are in Middle GA...they are still inside but will go outside soon I guess - we've been having weather in the 70s here lately...

[wayner123]

This has been a blast to watch - our boys have loved it too. No idea if we got the right packet of onions - just whatever Lowe's had. We are in Middle GA...they are still inside but will go outside soon I guess - we've been having weather in the 70s here lately...

Check out the packet and see if it said what the onions were and I can try and tell ya if they are he correct variety for your area.

I started doing mine last year with my daughter and it's been fun. I have read and read and read a lot too. Asked some veteran gardeners around here their ideas too.

Lettuce with kids is always fun too. It grows very fast and does well in shade.

[BC-Axeman]

Knocked down the first layer of weeds. Spread a thin layer of ashes in all the boxes and worked it in. Got the manure in the back there ready to deal with.
http://fracstar.com/pics/garden0314a.jpg

[thebayratt]

I got a dozen or so of Lima beans comming up. About 50+ bush green been plants up. A few hundred carrot and oinion seedlings popping up. Got 5 cucumber vines and 4 bush cucumbers comming up. Just planted some asparagus in a new raised bed Tried soy beans this year for the first time; a few of them are sprouting up. I'm growing them to try and make some edamame.
Pics to come soon.

[wayner123]

I got a dozen or so of Lima beans comming up. About 50+ bush green been plants up. A few hundred carrot and oinion seedlings popping up. Got 5 cucumber vines and 4 bush cucumbers comming up. Just planted some asparagus in a new raised bed Tried soy beans this year for the first time; a few of them are sprouting up. I'm growing them to try and make some edamame.
Pics to come soon.

What variety are you growing?

[Skywalker]

Looking good, Lance!

In my garden: The soil is ready, but only the strawberry plants are growing (they survived the winter).

I will be planting soon!:tu

[Mr B]

Nice pics Lance. Jealous of the size of your garden space!
My back is not looking forward to working in the amendments.

[wayner123]

Nice pics Lance. Jealous of the size of your garden space!
My back is not looking forward to working in the amendments.

You should look into compost/worm tea. I don't have experience with it yet, but from what I have read, it should do wonders for less than stellar soils. It's much easier as well, until you can get your soil where you want it.

Here is a video on the comparison of tomatoes grown in "trash" soil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fol5i3u3CbY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[Smokin Gator]

Got my yellow squash, okra, and cukes in the ground. I put up an 18 inch chicken wire fence around the garden this year. We are letting our chickens free range a lot more know and they would love to eat these seedlings!! We went a little over board on the tomatoes this year. I may be canning lots of salsa and spaghetti sauce.

[thebayratt]

What variety are you growing?

Soybean Early Hakucho
Glycine max Early Hakucho

[thebayratt]

Left row is carrots. Back row is Lima beans. Rows 2-4 are green bush beans. The rest is soy beans.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190149_199168156775046_100000455893150_653282_6204 164_n.jpg

Fist half is vibe cucumbers. Trying out a new trellis idea also. The back half is bush style cucumbers. The 1st half is for the family, the last half is for me (to pickle).

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198284_199168213441707_100000455893150_653284_3188 771_n.jpg

Asparagus plot. New this year, was unaware it grows for about 10+ years, and you not supposed to harvest the first year.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196802_199168276775034_100000455893150_653286_4902 811_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/197888_199168250108370_100000455893150_653285_7748 263_n.jpg

[shilala]

I got my seeds, but my light stand is in a pile in the basement. I don't have a garden yet, and I can't get it laid out until I move the shed down to the bottom of the back yard.
Quite honestly, if I get a garden in this year, it'll be a miracle.
If I don't, it'll be the first time in 24 years. I'm sure we'll figure something out. I need to get a move-on.

[Mr B]

You should look into compost/worm tea. I don't have experience with it yet, but from what I have read, it should do wonders for less than stellar soils. It's much easier as well, until you can get your soil where you want it.

Here is a video on the comparison of tomatoes grown in "trash" soil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fol5i3u3CbY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL


Thanks for the link. I was following the Compost Tea posts form Richard (Tzaddi) last season. Will have to look into that.

[Mr B]

I got my seeds, but my light stand is in a pile in the basement. I don't have a garden yet, and I can't get it laid out until I move the shed down to the bottom of the back yard.
Quite honestly, if I get a garden in this year, it'll be a miracle.
If I don't, it'll be the first time in 24 years. I'm sure we'll figure something out. I need to get a move-on.


Scott, as a little encouragement, I missed a year of veggie garden 1 time in the 19 years I have been growing. It was the loneliest season my back yard has ever had lol.
I missed it so much. Try to get it going brother. You wont be sorry.

[wayner123]

Here is my effort so far this year. I just built the trellis today.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i133/wayner1234/2011%20Garden/IMG_7441.jpg

L to R:

First row: Orangeglo watermelon, Boule D'Nor, Collective Farm Woman
Second row: Charentais, Petit Gris de Rennes
Third row: Kentucky Wonder pole beans
Fourth row: early and crookneck squash, sweet corn
Fifth row: Sweet peppers, California wonder bell peppers



Here are my containers:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i133/wayner1234/2011%20Garden/IMG_7433.jpg

The grey and both pink/purple totes hold Evangeline sweet potato's.

The grey SWC (self watering container) in front holds my carrots. Which are taking FOREVER to grow. And the blue/tan SWC in the back are the Sayamusume soy beans.



Here is something I am very proud I even got to this stage:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i133/wayner1234/2011%20Garden/IMG_7453.jpg

Natasha Poppies

[thebayratt]

Plants are comming up quite nicely!



Cucumbers:
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205505_203940072964521_100000455893150_683892_2494 446_n.jpg

Beans:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208433_203940099631185_100000455893150_683893_7824 647_n.jpg

Carrots, Beans, SoyBeans, Limas on back row
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207133_203940122964516_100000455893150_683894_4679 461_n.jpg

Asparagus:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207625_203940146297847_100000455893150_683895_6284 312_n.jpg

The whole deal:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196981_203940176297844_100000455893150_683896_2269 674_n.jpg

[emopunker2004]

:tu

[BC-Axeman]

We still might freeze this week.


The compost pile:
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110404a.jpg



I'm hauling it two 5gal buckets at a time to top dress the boxes. I've already put ashes and 7-3-5 organic fertilizer in the boxes and raked it in.
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110404c.jpg



Look! An artichoke!
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110404b.jpg
It's about 1 1/2" around.

[HK3-]

Looking great fellas! :banger

Unfortunately I've decided to skip a garden this year but I will be watching ya'lls closely on here! :tu

[tzaddi]

Thanks for the link. I was following the Compost Tea posts form Richard (Tzaddi) last season. Will have to look into that.

I would be happy to share what I know regarding Actively Aerated Compost Tea. Clean de-chlorinated water, a healthy and diverse set of microbes contained in some quality compost, plenty of air, (2 lpm per gallon= aerobic) and a microbe (activator) food recipe)

I recently completed the design and construction of my first 30 gallon Brewer.
http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi/100913/DSC02783/web.jpg?ver=13013567430001

Here is a link to additional construction photos.
http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi#100913

As well a link to my friend and mentors page, containing links and information about said Tea.
http://reddingcomposttea.com/

With the new place here in Redding I have been moving slowly, having yet to establish my garden area.

It has been a while since I have participated fully but I will try and keep up. Fell free to contact me directly. :)

[Mr B]

Awesome Richard.

Great to see you posting again. Good luck w/ the new place.

I enjoyed one of your well-aged, Handrolled beauties a few weeks back. Simply awesome! Thanks again.

[thebayratt]

The Compost Tea seams like a great idea!

I got a new composter I made up with a load in there. Maybe I'll try to make some tea with it when its done.

[SvilleKid]

4 each of Big Boy, Better Boy and Rutger's Tomatoes planted. Looking for Roma plants. Not sure about peppers this year, lots left in the freezer from last year. A double row of Rattlesnake green beans. half a dozen rows of butterpeas. Two short rows of Okra (yes, it's really too early, but they will grow anyway). Eight rows of sweet corn. Two mounds each of straight-neck squash, zucchini and cucumbers (for pickling). Five long rows of purple-hull peas. Four rows of new potatoes, three rows of sweet Texas yellow onions. I have enough space left for the Roma tomatoes, half a dozen pepper plants if I change my mind, and sweet potatoes. I found some romaine lettuce seeds I didn't know I had, so I've planted twelve starter pods, will see what comes up, and if they will have time to mature before it gets too hot. Pictures would be pretty useless right now, just a big plowed patch is all it looks like! I did notice today that the new potatoes are starting to peak above the dirt!

Does the two blueberry plants I planted today qualify?

I'm strongly considering this fall making a raised bed area for asparagus, plus a raised bed for a herb garden. I've had a herb garden in the past, but the oregano eventually took everything over, and I had to kill it all off.

[shilala]

Well, yesterday I moved stuff in the basement and packed lots away in bins. It's looking good to set up my light stand and start my plants. :tu
I put some nice chemical fertilizer on the lawn the day before yesterday. Yesterday I beat plant feeder stakes in around the tree and our shrubs.
I have day-neutral strawberries growing here beside my desk, I'm going to pick up some composted cow poops today and I already dug out some SAP. I mix that stuff up to amend the holes, I wish I had some rhizomatic bacteria because this dirt is deader than dead. (New house, all the topsoil is actually the basement dirt, except for the stuff Lisa had them bring in, which is equally devoid of life.) I'll be planting these strawberry plants on the hot side of the house, against the foundation. I'm not sure if they'll make it. Time will tell.

[Skywalker]

Today was a good day in the garden:
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3354/009vai.jpg

[Mr B]

Great pic Darrell.

[BC-Axeman]

I have decided to go true Square Foot Gardening style this year. I have way too much garden for just us if it is as productive as they say, but I will make up for that by growing the space killing stuff like corn, squash and potatoes. I just have to get my wife into it. She likes to plant all the corn and lettuce and other timed harvest plants at once, so the all are ripening at the same time. 20 pounds of radishes, etc. The trick is to space the plantings out a couple of weeks at a time on those plants. She hates thinning, too. So I have to sneak out there with scissors and do the dirty work of killing innocent baby plants. I have her reading the SFG book now so maybe she'll come around. I haven't done true SFG at his house yet but that is what I planned when I built the boxes. I saw no reason to put in 4x4 boxes since I had the room. This should be interesting as a first attempt here.

[thebayratt]

Planted the garden the first or second weekend in March and I have already got a 1gal jug of green beans!

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218059_208871692471359_100000455893150_718116_2597 261_n.jpg

A good front came through and the wind did some damage on the beans. Lost two plants. Then two more plants were so top heavy, the stems broke off. But still doing good. I have Soy Beans now and probably pick them in a week or so.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215759_208871599138035_100000455893150_718111_8580 88_n.jpg


The Cucumbers are taking off up the trellis and the bush type cukes are doing ok.. not as "bushy" as I thought they'd be though.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/218127_208871622471366_100000455893150_718113_3063 69_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222079_208871645804697_100000455893150_718114_2085 525_n.jpg


The asparagus is comming along ok also.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222763_208871669138028_100000455893150_718115_3594 707_n.jpg

[jjirons69]

Do you find it takes a while for the peppers to germinate? Mine have been running at 2 weeks before I see anything. I know it has to do with heat and all, but still 2 weeks seems a long time.

Sorry, Wayne, never checked back to the thread. It does take peppers quite a long time. Two weeks is not unusual. The warmer you can keep them, the better (75-80F). By now, you should have plenty of peppers...hopefully.

Planted everything on 4/9. Here's the list:

4 - Celebrity tomatoes (2 to the hill)
4 - Better Boy tomatoes (2 to the hill)
1 - Sweet 100 cherry tomato
4 - crooked neck squash (3 to the hill)
100s of yellow and white onions
1 - monster jalapeno (5+")
3 - jalapeno (2 to the hill)
2 - California bell peppers (2 to the hill)
trellised Marketmore cukes (30-40)
trellised 2-3' asian cukes (15-20)
1 - volunteer cannonball pumpkin from compost this winter

Thanks to Shiala's post a couple years ago, I've quit tilling. I put all my lawnmower clippings and fall leaf grindings in the garden. Have been doing this for 2 years now. The mulch is 3" deep in areas. Keeps the plants moist, the heat down, keeps the walking areas free of mud, and contributes to tons of earthworms. It's also a breeze to weed, when one can manage to poke through all the mulch. Planting is a cinch, as the soil is always moist, dark, and rich. Now I just loan out my tiller.

Also have a 4'x4' compost bin (2' deep in mature compost) that has 10-15 grown potato plants. I tossed old Irish potatoes in it this winter and they've thrived into mature plants. They should be ready to harvest in about a month. Novel idea I'll do again next year!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/garden042411a.jpg

Onions have the mulch cleared back to prevent rot:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/garden042411b.jpg

My mint and leeks garden:

Spearmint
Kentucky mint
Chocolate mint
Curly Mint

Love those mojitos!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/garden042411c.jpg

Varmint guard dog and obsessive fetcher - Fritz

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/garden042411d.jpg

[wayner123]

Here is my row garden:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i133/wayner1234/2011%20Garden/IMG_7479.jpg

What I am most surprised at, is that I am getting anything to grow at all. Florida is mostly sand, and I barely did anything to remedy the soil before hand. I just keep adding compost tea and letting mother nature work.

As you can see, the early straight neck and the crookneck summer squash are already fruiting. I don't know how you guys get such large squash plants, but as long as mine keep producing fruit, I am ok with little green.

Almost all of my sweet peppers died. I don't know why, but I assume it was ants. Oh well, the bell peppers are doing ok right now.

You can't really see, but those pole beans are almost over my 7' high trellis. I am amazed at how those things grow.

My European melons are doing well now. It took a while for them to start growing, but they seem to grow an inch or more everyday now.

I'll have to get some pictures of my soybeans. I am not sure if they are going to survive. The entered the nitrogen fixing stage and seemed to have a hard time coming out of it. So we shall see.

[Mr B]

Great pics guys. I started digging up my soil this weekend and got rained on. Will have to waint until next weekend.

[shilala]

Well, I decided not to put the plant lights together and not to make plants this year. I just don't have anywhere to plant and have bitten off way more than I can chew for this Spring.
I might stick a few tomato plants in somewhere, but that's it. I'll plant my strawberry plants if it ever stops raining.
Later this summer, after I have the shop built in the garage and have the deck built, I can start building terraced beds in the back yard. Or something.
I'm not even ready to think about it yet, to be honest.
I'm sure gonna miss having a garden. I'll het her in next year, though. :tu

[jjirons69]

4 each of Big Boy, Better Boy and Rutgers Tomatoes planted.

Cliff, I love those Rutgers tomatoes. Used to plant them from seed years ago and they did very well. They produced huge yields for me and were quite good. I've since run out of seed and got away from raising from seed. Best of luck.

[jjirons69]

Well, I decided not to put the plant lights together and not to make plants this year. I'm sure gonna miss having a garden. I'll get her in next year, though. :tu

You better!!! I sent you enough seed to feed Pharaoh's Army!
Always next year...

[wayner123]

Cliff, I love those Rutgers tomatoes. Used to plant them from seed years ago and they did very well. They produced huge yields for me and were quite good. I've since run out of seed and got away from raising from seed. Best of luck.

I have started all my plants (with the exception of the sweet potatos) from seed. Do most of you all start from a plant or from seed? That might be why mine seems to take a lot longer. Well.. that and the FL heat.

[jjirons69]

For years I started my peppers the first week of Feb and my tomatoes in the middle of Feb. Both of these were indoors under bright fluorescents keeping the enclosure around 82-85F. I try to plant around my birthday, 4/9. The plants usually are 4-5" for peppers and 6-8" for tomatoes by then. This year and last I bought both already growing as I didn't have room or time to mess with seed. Everything else is started in the garden (cukes, beans, squash, lettuce, carrots, mustard, etc.). I did plant squash in cups this year to get a few weeks ahead of the planting date. The squash vines borers come around in May and June and usually take my plants out when they're hitting their best. I was lucky last year and made it until mid June. The heat starts weakening them by then anyway. I also buy onion and collards as plants. My fall garden has had various lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, curly leaf mustard, broad leaf mustard, and brussel sprouts started from seed. Plant lots of them in rows (small seeds) and thin once they start going.

[shilala]

You better!!! I sent you enough seed to feed Pharaoh's Army!
Always next year...
I added them to the megaton of seed I already had, and the 100 bucks worth I bought this year when I was still gonna plant.
If I can ever get all my seed in one place, I'm gonna put it all in a five gallon bucket with a lid. I'm tired of boxes and bags inside of boxes and bags, it just ain't workin out. :D

[BC-Axeman]

I added them to the megaton of seed I already had, and the 100 bucks worth I bought this year when I was still gonna plant.
If I can ever get all my seed in one place, I'm gonna put it all in a five gallon bucket with a lid. I'm tired of boxes and bags inside of boxes and bags, it just ain't workin out. :D
Mix them all together, cast them to the earth and grow a surprise mystery garden!

[jjirons69]

Wayne, here's a couple of shots from a few years ago. I went through a heirloom tomato phase and grew 40-50 different types. I gave them away to folks at work, friends, and had my dad's garden stacked. Heirlooms don't cross-pollinate retaining specific seeds is quite easy. I ran into some really good tomatoes!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/tomatoes06a.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/tomatoes06.jpg

[AUguy]

Svillekid, those rutgers are great tomatoes. I grew one 2 years ago and had so many tomatoes I could not give them all away.

If any of you guys are in the north east when do you plan on planting your gardens? I sell veggie and herb plants up here and it has been a terrible year due to weather so far. My sales are down about 55% off of last years sales so far so I would like to know what the die hard gardeners are planing on doing this year. Looks like this weekend is going to be nice so maybe we will have some people getting their hands dirty in the next few days.

Oh yeah, if any of you gardeners are in New Jersey it would be in your best interest to send me a pm :)

[AUguy]

Jamie, you are planting three great varieties of tomatoes. I wish more people realized how good those celebrities are!

[thebayratt]

I sell veggie and herb plants up here and it has been a terrible year due to weather so far.

Wow, sorry to hear that!

I've gotten 2 gallon jugs slap full of green beans in the last four days and got more to come. We have had great weather, just no rain. I have a sprinkler, soaker system on a timer thats been keeping the plants alive. We had about a 1/2" of rain yesturday; thats been it for a month+.
Ya'll get cold weather issues, we got heat issues in the south... looks like we should meet in the middle to grow.

[BC-Axeman]

Once our rainy season ends we get no rain until next one. 6 months with rain, 6 months without. Our biggest problem is late frosts. Later every year lately.
We are growing 8 different tomatoes this year (one is sungold, mmm...). My wife is crazy. Watch her come home with three sixpacks of squash plants.

[wayner123]

Wow, sorry to hear that!

I've gotten 2 gallon jugs slap full of green beans in the last four days and got more to come. We have had great weather, just no rain. I have a sprinkler, soaker system on a timer thats been keeping the plants alive. We had about a 1/2" of rain yesturday; thats been it for a month+.
Ya'll get cold weather issues, we got heat issues in the south... looks like we should meet in the middle to grow.

What kind of green beans are you growing?

[jjirons69]

Jamie, you are planting three great varieties of tomatoes. I wish more people realized how good those celebrities are!

Went through a period of nothing but heirlooms - most are not disease resistant. That was my biggest issue. I plant in the same areas every year and the heirlooms started suffering. That and I had less time to grow from seed. Been with Celebrity for a few year - good yields, good taste, hardly any (if any) problems with rots or diseases.

[wayner123]

Heirlooms don't cross-pollinate retaining specific seeds is quite easy. I ran into some really good tomatoes!


Jamie, I have never heard or read the bold text above. I do know that tomatoes are self pollinating, but they can still cross pollinate should a bee, butterfly, etc fly onto one and then another variety.

[shilala]

I just went and bought some trees and shrubs and composted cow poop.
I put in a weeping cherry and some kind of goofy pine tree earlier. Now I got two cultivars of spiraea, a boxwood, and a dwarf pygmy quadruple-split japanese maple of some sort. It's odd. More bushy than tree-sy.
I got a dozen bags of poop to poop up the front flowerbed that's full of bushes. I don't know what you call a flowerbed that has bushes in it. An "architectural element" maybe?
I got some more poop for my strawberries that I haven't planted yet, too. It won't quit raining long enough to improve the soil, so they still live beside the desk here on my floor.
I got a bag of weed and feed to kill these weeds in the lawn. I live in a development now and am actively ensconsed in a grass war with the neighbor. Mine will look way better than his inside another month, cause I'm a turfgrass growing sumb1tch of the first order. :D
It's nice to have a little yard so I can play these games. It sure is a departure from the farm, though. I'm not sure what I think yet. When I have my garden back, then I'll be happy. :)

[HK3-]

Well, change of plan for me. Appears that some of last years fallen maters left seeds behind that decided to sprout this year. :banger Counted five plants yesterday that were about 6+ inches tall already. :D

[jjirons69]

Jamie, I have never heard or read the bold text above. I do know that tomatoes are self pollinating, but they can still cross pollinate should a bee, butterfly, etc fly onto one and then another variety.

That is true, Wayne. Tomatoes are most likely to self-pollinate before cross-pollinating - most blooms will have self-pollinated themselves before they even open. I think the rate is something like 5% or less, with even lower percentages given space between plants and lower numbers of different varieties. Most of us home gardeners don't bag our open-pollination blossoms to prevent crossing. IMHO, I would suspect the rates are less than 5% for most of us. Sorry for the confusion.

[jjirons69]

Well, change of plan for me. Appears that some of last years fallen maters left seeds behind that decided to sprout this year. :banger Counted five plants yesterday that were about 6+ inches tall already. :D

Gotta love volunteers, Hal! (well some of them)

Word to the wise - cosmos - I planted a $1 packet of orange cosmos two years ago ('09) in the edge of my garden so my daughter would have flowers. I let a few volunteers come back last year for her to enjoy. I pulled up 20 6" high plants this weekend! No more cosmos for me. It'll take 2 or 3 more years to completely eradicate them.

[Ahbroody]

My wife and I are taking our first crack at this. I dropped a little over $100 so far, but that's building a 10ft by 5ft box and filling with garden soil mix. Planted our stuff yesterday. Doing lettuce, squash, zucchini, Greenbeans, some different peppers and broccoli. Setting up tomatoes separately. If it goes well we will do a second box next year.

The boy had fun planting things the girls were bored quickly.

[wayner123]

My wife and I are taking our first crack at this. I dropped a little over $100 so far, but that's building a 10ft by 5ft box and filling with garden soil mix. Planted our stuff yesterday. Doing lettuce, squash, zucchini, Greenbeans, some different peppers and broccoli. Setting up tomatoes separately. If it goes well we will do a second box next year.

The boy had fun planting things the girls were bored quickly.

Sounds like a great start. In the future, if you continue to do this, you may want to build the beds less wide. It will make keeping up with things a LOT easier and you won't have to stretch or step on your soil.

[Skywalker]

Today was a good day in the garden:
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3354/009vai.jpg

We planted...
zucchini,
cherry tomatoes,
yellow bell pepper,
sweet banana peppers,
jalapeno peppers, and
An avocado tree.

Strawberries survived from last years planting!

[Ahbroody]

Sounds like a great start. In the future, if you continue to do this, you may want to build the beds less wide. It will make keeping up with things a LOT easier and you won't have to stretch or step on your soil.

Yeah we thought about that, but where its located you can reach in from all sides so its not bad. We have a corner house so we have a long side run that we don't use much. It already had sprinkled so Just centered the box on the sprinkle.

[thebayratt]

What kind of green beans are you growing?

Snap beans / green beens.

[wayner123]

Snap beans / green beens.

Do you know the name of them? Blue Lake, Contender, etc?

[AUguy]

We planted...
zucchini,
cherry tomatoes,
yellow bell pepper,
sweet banana peppers,
jalapeno peppers, and
An avocado tree.

Strawberries survived from last years planting!


Are those Bonnie Plants?

[thebayratt]

Do you know the name of them? Blue Lake, Contender, etc?

I want to say Contendor or Tendergreen from Ferry Morse, but will have to go find the package to make sure tomrrow for ya.

[Average Joe]

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww44/samiam513/e7d7bcef.jpg

First fruit!

Still waiting on the strawberries, squash, cucumbers and peppers. Everything but peppers look like they are getting there.

[shilala]

First fruit!

Still waiting on the strawberries, squash, cucumbers and peppers. Everything but peppers look like they are getting there.

Congratulations!!! :D
Don't eat them yet!!! ;)

[whodeeni]

Wayne, here's a couple of shots from a few years ago. I went through a heirloom tomato phase and grew 40-50 different types. I gave them away to folks at work, friends, and had my dad's garden stacked. Heirlooms don't cross-pollinate retaining specific seeds is quite easy. I ran into some really good tomatoes!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/tomatoes06a.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/tomatoes06.jpg

Jamie i was going to ask you used heirloom seeds while reading an earlier post you made, then I came across this qoute! I bought a big thing of heirmloom seeds in '07 from a site called www.survivalseeds.com pretty interesting read. (Based on your experience of buying heirloom seeds was this a good deal or not?) (Thanks in advance for your opinion!);)

I'm not sure if the canister is in my garage or not. I really don't have a lot of downtime, but i'm thinking i could maybe mess around with this on weekends. My Father always had gardens when we were growing up, and we used to help him maintain them until we became teenagers. I honestly don't remember most of those lessons anymore, but it can't be that hard to pick back up i'm sure.

[HK3-]

Did some transplanting of the random tomato plants yesterday. Put the cages on them afterwards. Also put up a big trelis for my wisteria to grow up onto.
Wife and I hit the market yesterday and picked up a wide variety of basil plants to put in pots by the pool. Love me some fresh basil!
She bought a rose tree also?.?.... Kinda weird looking.

[jjirons69]

Jamie i was going to ask you used heirloom seeds while reading an earlier post you made, then I came across this qoute! I bought a big thing of heirmloom seeds in '07 from a site called www.survivalseeds.com pretty interesting read.

The link is a bust - asking for login/password, etc.

[BC-Axeman]

I finished plumbing the PVC for the irrigation yesterday. Now the watering can be automated. I recycle PVC that has been used for many things before. It's starting to get a lot of unions in it. :D
Nothing in the ground yet, but that should change by the end of the week.
I'm planting one box with perennials. Mostly berries, maybe asparagus if it grows here. Everbearing strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, so far.

[OLS]

Planted some blackberry plants (one plant each: chester, olallie and triple-crown) a few weeks ago, but being bare root plants, I won't see any fruit off of them for at least another year..

For God's sake get those things in containers. Blackberries are a horribly invasive and difficult-
to-control "weed". Once they get a good foothold, they will spread and put stickers where you
don't want em.

As for my gardening, too much shade in the area where gardening is safe. And too many idiot dogs
to trample everything. If I planted in the sun, it would be in the "front yard" where every idiot
neighborhood scumbag would just steal all the produce or vandalize the garden itself. SO I
must live vicariously through you guys' photos.

[HK3-]

For God's sake get those things in containers. Blackberries are a horribly invasive and difficult-
to-control "weed". Once they get a good foothold, they will spread and put stickers where you
don't want em.

As for my gardening, too much shade in the area where gardening is safe. And too many idiot dogs
to trample everything. If I planted in the sun, it would be in the "front yard" where every idiot
neighborhood scumbag would just steal all the produce or vandalize the garden itself. SO I
must live vicariously through you guys' photos.

I was doing some work in the front yard yesterday while a lady passed with her dog roaming in everyones yard pissing on everything. I hollered over to her, "Is that your dog?" She replied, "yes." I hollered back, "Did you know Tennessee has a leash law?" She replied, "no."
Idiot.

[BC-Axeman]

I finished plumbing the PVC for the irrigation yesterday. Now the watering can be automated. I recycle PVC that has been used for many things before. It's starting to get a lot of unions in it. :D

Pic:
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110501a.jpg

[jjirons69]

Nice Arties, Lance!

My squash are loaded. I figure I'll get 25-30 in about a week. Saw some cherrie tomatoes about marble-sized. Peppers are flowering. Also dug a few potatoes from the compost bin.

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

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/squash1.jpg

[thebayratt]

I finished plumbing the PVC for the irrigation yesterday. Now the watering can be automated. I recycle PVC that has been used for many things before. It's starting to get a lot of unions in it. :D
Nothing in the ground yet, but that should change by the end of the week.
I'm planting one box with perennials. Mostly berries, maybe asparagus if it grows here. Everbearing strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, so far.

Thats what I want to try out next year. Run PVC pipes and a few sprinklers/drips for better water control. That and make another 10x20' addition to my garden.


I have gotten about 4+gallons of snap beans. I got 2gallons, the nieghbors got a gallon each and I probably got 3-4more gallons left growing.
My carrots are about pencil thick and 3" long.
The cukes have umpteen blossoms and minis showing up.
The Lima beans have tons of bloom and a few beens popping up.
The Soybeans will be picked either the end of this week or next week.

[Ahbroody]

Going to transplant the tomatoes today. Wife wanted them in individual containers. Got everything today.

[wayner123]

I want to say Contendor or Tendergreen from Ferry Morse, but will have to go find the package to make sure tomrrow for ya.

Ever find out what they were? I hate to be a bother about it, but that's an amazing yield and I would like to replicate it if I could.

[AUguy]

This is my entire garden until this summer.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=615&pictureid=5691

Just some sweet basil in my hotel room. I have way more than I will ever be able to use by myself. I think I am going to start drying some to save. I am fighting the flower buds. It seems like every time I turn around it tries to bloom.


In about 10 weeks I will be able to grow some tomatoes and peppers. The only problem is that by then the heat will really stress out the plants so I will not have great yields. Maybe next year I will be able to get a "normal" job so I can plant the garden I have been day dreaming about for the last several years.

[SvilleKid]

Sweet Corn, Tomatoes (6 varieties), Peppers (only 2 varieties this year), new potatoes, Green Beans, Butterpeas, Sweet Potatoes, Pink-eye purple hull peas, squash, zucchini, cucumber, okra, sweet Texas yellow onions. I think that about gets all in the pics.

[Mr B]

Nice pics. Totally jealous of the size of some of your yards!

[SvilleKid]

Nice pics. Totally jealous of the size of some of your yards!

LOL! With 6 acres total (maybe 4 in woods), the garden is a productive and tasty way of having LESS grass to cut/care for!:D

[Volusianator]

Damn, everytime I see this thread, I read it as, "Let's See Those 11 foot Gardens" and I think to myself, "is there some sort of special garden thats only 11'?

[gvarsity]

Love looking at the garden pics. Hopefully when the ankle biters are knee biters I'll have time to start a garden and they can help. Till then just do a CSA share for veggies and fruit.

[shilala]

I put three more bushes in out front today.
I also tore apart an old workbench and have 2-2'(?)x8'x4" frames that will work perfect for a micro lady garden.
I guess something is better than nothing, right? I'll find a spot to put them in the back yard and start filling them with poop and dirt. There's tons of silt that washed out of the empty lot next door, plus Lowe's is aching to sell me more poop, so I'm gonna run on over there after a bit and gank some poop.
I'm really thrilled to put in a zuchini and maybe a couple tomatos and some lettuce and cukes. Just enough for salads, ya know?

[ridenlive]

Currently under construction;s
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=9441&stc=1&d=1304817792http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=9442&stc=1&d=1304817820

[Fordman4ever]

not really a garden, but when you live in base housing its pretty much all you can do.

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m626/Earl_McCoy/2011-05-07_12-20-42_563.jpg?t=1304822851

[BC-Axeman]

not really a garden, but when you live in base housing its pretty much all you can do.

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m626/Earl_McCoy/2011-05-07_12-20-42_563.jpg?t=1304822851
Is that a tomato growing down through the bottom?

[Fordman4ever]

Is that a tomato growing down through the bottom?

Yep.

[BC-Axeman]

The dogs tore up all the newly planted tomatoes to get to the fish meal in the bottom of the holes. So I spent the day yesterday putting up a fence because we planted a lot more. Beans, peas (even though I think it's too late), melons, onions, cucumbers, squash, peppers, eggplant and more tomatoes is what I can remember. I have a lot of seeds to plant too. Carrots, more beans, corn, beets, bok choi and something else.

[SvilleKid]

The dogs tore up all the newly planted tomatoes to get to the fish meal in the bottom of the holes.

My mom has similar problems with the bonemeal for her flower bulbs. But it was squirrels that were digging up bulbs for meal, not dogs! Depending on where you are, it's probably NOTtoo late for re-plantings. You might need to use some sevin dust later on to limit bug damage and extend harvest times as it gets hotter. Just depends. Vine wasps for squash come to mind off the bat. Good luck!

[BC-Axeman]

We have had a long cold winter followed be a cold spring here. Everything is late.

[hotreds]

Still too wet!

[thebayratt]

The heat and lack of rain is starting to take its toll on the garden. We haven't had but a 1/4" of rain in a month or more. I picked another gallon of beans today. May have a gallon or two left growing, but I think thats going to be it on the green beens. I may plant a few more to see if they come up or not. May have a second run of beans.

[thebayratt]

Another gallon of beans and pulled a few carrots to see how they are doing.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/231056_212243985467463_100000455893150_741241_8396 42_n.jpg

Soybeans about ready to pick
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227609_212243998800795_100000455893150_741242_1799 065_n.jpg

A few of the cucumbers on the trellis
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227243_212244008800794_100000455893150_741243_7385 785_n.jpg

Lima beans are doing ok. Could use some more water.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228696_212244028800792_100000455893150_741244_3631 450_n.jpg

[wayner123]

The heat and lack of rain is starting to take its toll on the garden. We haven't had but a 1/4" of rain in a month or more. I picked another gallon of beans today. May have a gallon or two left growing, but I think thats going to be it on the green beens. I may plant a few more to see if they come up or not. May have a second run of beans.


Those soybeans are looking good! Mine look pretty bad right now.

If your green beans were Contender, I read that they will not continually produce like other varieties. Contender was made to fruit all at once for commercial harvesting. That is still a heck of a lot of green beans.

[shilala]

I'm not sure if I mentioned or not, but I may get a little garden in yet. I had some pressure treated frames from shelves that will work perfect. I'll have three more when I tear another shelving unit apart.
It won't be much, but it'll be more than I wanted to mess with. I might have to get you guys to all come over and dig them in. I'll supply the dirt, drinks, food and smokes. :D

[jjirons69]

Beautiful carrots, Shawn!

Wayne, planted Kentucky Blue pole and Blue Lake bush several times. Both produced very well, especially the pole. I planted a small, new row every 2-3 weeks and they keep putting out all season. Quite delicious and almost more than our family could keep up with. Shared them with the neighbors. Japanese beetles love them, too. ;)

[Mr B]

Finally got my stuff in the ground. It was a late spring here. Lots of rain and cold.

(1) Parks Whopper Tom.
(2) Lemon Boy Toms.
(4) Early Girl Toms.
(4) Celebrity Toms.
(12) Jalapenos
(8) Green Bells
(2) Orange Bells
(2) Green Zuks.
(2) Yellow Zuks.
(4) Hybrid Burpless Cucs.
(1) Habanero

and from seed:
Spinach
Butter Leaf
Carrots
Raddish (a little late, I know)

Basil
Chives
Strawberries

Pics to come later

[Ahbroody]

Nice.

[BC-Axeman]

Still fighting the dogs here. I will never, EVER, put fish meal in the ground again. That move is costing me a lot of money in fencing and reinforcement. I may have to go electronic next. Hours and hours of extra time spent that I could have been relaxing with a cigar. I need to find a "bad mood" icon to insert here.
On second thought, I could randomly trowel in a little fish meal in gopher holes around the field to distract the dogs.

[OLS]

So I spent the day yesterday putting up a fence I think some will hate me for this, but you know what costs the same as putting up a fence
and works better?? A little electric fence unit. You can get em at farm supply stores, and they
provide a very educational pop. Testing them is fun, too, haha. But if you hang little streamers or
cds from the shock wire, you can trun the shock unit off after a few pops and I promise you they
won't go near it the rest of the season.

[BC-Axeman]

Raddish (a little late, I know)


Depends on the radish type. You can grow radishes most the year. They mature so fast you can replant again and again.

[BC-Axeman]

I think some will hate me for this, but you know what costs the same as putting up a fence
and works better?? A little electric fence unit. You can get em at farm supply stores, and they
provide a very educational pop. Testing them is fun, too, haha. But if you hang little streamers or
cds from the shock wire, you can trun the shock unit off after a few pops and I promise you they
won't go near it the rest of the season.
Yep, that's next.

[Mr B]

Depends on the radish type. You can grow radishes most the year. They mature so fast you can replant again and again.

Lance, sorry to hear about your dog problems.

I am also planting the raddish's in an area that gets a little less sun than the rest of the garden so it should be fine. I hope.:)

[shilala]

I tore apart another big shelf and got me another two frames for the garden. If I get moving, I'll have a couple more. I'll have a nice little terraced thing going on. I'm stoked. :tu

[OLS]

Yep, that's next.

Best thing about the elctric fence is it has so many uses, well, all of them are teaching dogs a hard
lesson, but the wire is so cheap you can run that shizzle everywhere you want to control behavior
and man, does it work. Done training the garden gnomes, string some up off the fence line. The one
lesson I need to teach right now is the pond is not a pool for dogs OR a drinking fountain.

[Mr B]

I tore apart another big shelf and got me another two frames for the garden. If I get moving, I'll have a couple more. I'll have a nice little terraced thing going on. I'm stoked. :tu



:tu

[thebayratt]

Beautiful carrots, Shawn!

Wayne, planted Kentucky Blue pole and Blue Lake bush several times. Both produced very well, especially the pole. I planted a small, new row every 2-3 weeks and they keep putting out all season. Quite delicious and almost more than our family could keep up with. Shared them with the neighbors. Japanese beetles love them, too. ;)

Thanks

I like the idea of spreading out the planting a few weeks. I will try that next year or maybe this year if I get enough time for a second run of plants.


I myself had to put up fencing. Last year, I used wood 2x2s for posts but they rotted and the termites ate them. So I went with a metal t-post. They are more sturdier and I can use them over and over. I got a 25' roll of chicken wire that I strung out as tight as I could to keep the dogs out. The back part of the garden is bordered by chainlink, so that saved me some fence/cash.

[shilala]

I managed to turn up some dirt alongside the house for a garden. I'll turn up the whole side eventually and use some treated lumber to hold back the dirt.
I improved the dirt with composted poop and SAP, so it should grow stuff well. I'm excited to see how it goes. :D

[SvilleKid]

I managed to turn up some dirt alongside the house for a garden. I'll turn up the whole side eventually and use some treated lumber to hold back the dirt.
I improved the dirt with composted poop and SAP, so it should grow stuff well. I'm excited to see how it goes. :D

Put a barrier between the treated lumber and the garden soil. Some treated lumber has some really nasty chemicals that will leach into the soil. Just suggesting:2

[shilala]

I just dragged home 40 more bags of composted poop. I gotta go work.
Sville, I'm just using 2x4's and they'll be lower than the dirt. It's hard to explain how it's laid up, so I won't bore you guys. anyways, if the chemicals can defy gravity, they can have me. ;)

[jjirons69]

Think I'm going to plant some peanuts this weekend where my onions are now growing. Think the kids will like to see the process.

[BC-Axeman]

We're getting March weather in May.
I decided not to garden.
http://fracstar.com/pics/trinrobex3.jpg

[Skywalker]

We're getting March weather in May.
I decided not to garden.
http://fracstar.com/pics/trinrobex3.jpg

Good for you, Lance!:tu

[shilala]

If anyone would like to take a go at growing tobacco, I have tons of open-pollinated seed from last year.
There were three starting varieties, Havanah 2000, San Andres MX, and Perique. The Havanah did real well, the Perique was small, and the San Andres was very susceptible to sucking insects and scale.
A couple more generations and selection of this new outcross should yield an excellent northern variety. Select it where you live and you have a nice southern variety. Point being, the genetic diversity is there in these seeds, and that's what you want if you're gonna start and perfect your own cultivar. It's why I outcrossed and saved the seed.
Regardless of whether or not you want to use the tobacco, they are a GORGEOUS plant, take zero attention, and show tons of beautiful, fragrant flowers.
All plant magazine advertising aside, it's basically a weed, and it grows as easy and fast as a weed. Shade or full sun, it doesn't care. It's very tolerant of wet feet, but it likes dry, rock hard unamended soil best.
It's super easy to start, super easy to grow, and it's just plain fun. It's a very forgiving weed, for sure.

If any of you guys want some seed, just post here and send me a pm with your address. I can send seed in a little ziplock inside a regular envelope, it's no biggie at all. And it would be my pleasure. :tu

[Fordman4ever]

I'm down to try it. I don't really know anything about growing tobacco or what to do with it when its done. I'll probably have lots of questions. First one being, is Nebraska a good place to grow tobacco?

[shilala]

I'm down to try it. I don't really know anything about growing tobacco or what to do with it when its done. I'll probably have lots of questions. First one being, is Nebraska a good place to grow tobacco?
I chop it down and compost it when it's done. I save some seed, too. If you wanna cure it, it's a royal pita, and takes a lot of work.
Nebraska is as good as anyplace, I suppose.
You can start the seeds right in the dirt or start them indoors. They're easier than growing tomatoes and grow a lot faster. :tu

[Fordman4ever]

They're easier than growing tomatoes and grow a lot faster. :tu

My tomato aint doing to well. I think i got a diseased one from Ace Hardware. Guess thats what I get for buying a tomato plant at a hardware store.

[wayner123]

My tomato aint doing to well. I think i got a diseased one from Ace Hardware. Guess thats what I get for buying a tomato plant at a hardware store.

I think it's more to do with the large amount of roots that a tomato plant has and it's water requirements. Your setup doesn't look to provide the needed requirements. Not to mention it's growing upside down with other plants.

[wayner123]

I chop it down and compost it when it's done. I save some seed, too. If you wanna cure it, it's a royal pita, and takes a lot of work.
Nebraska is as good as anyplace, I suppose.
You can start the seeds right in the dirt or start them indoors. They're easier than growing tomatoes and grow a lot faster. :tu

Curing isn't all that difficult. There are a few good write-ups on it. Some people even use large foam coolers and wood dowels.

Here is one such article: http://www.victoryseeds.com/tobacco/backer_cultivation.html

If you didn't want to make cigars from it, you could chop it up and grind it fine to make cigarette, snus, chew, etc.

[shilala]

Cliff and Earl, your tobacco seed is on the way. :tu

[Fordman4ever]

awesome, thanks again

[Fordman4ever]

I think it's more to do with the large amount of roots that a tomato plant has and it's water requirements. Your setup doesn't look to provide the needed requirements. Not to mention it's growing upside down with other plants.

I did the same thing last year and the plant grew all the way to the ground and produced lots of tomatoes. I even had more herbs in the top last year. although, the plant from last year was much bigger when i planted it and already had a pretty healthy root system.

[wayner123]

I did the same thing last year and the plant grew all the way to the ground and produced lots of tomatoes. I even had more herbs in the top last year. although, the plant from last year was much bigger when i planted it and already had a pretty healthy root system.

Was it the same variety of tomato?

[Fordman4ever]

I don't think so. this one came with some tomatoes already growing on it and it was pretty much all Ace Hardware had left. It looked kinda sickly when i bought it too.

[HK3-]

Scott I will take you up on a few tobacco seeds. I've been watching you grow it every year and they do look pretty! :tu

Was out checking my garden yesterday and noticed a good size snake hanging out by it. He has a hole that goes under the edging of the garden. Not sure what kind he is but I'm sure he's killing critters! :) Going to take the camera out there in a minute to see if I can catch him out there today....

[thebayratt]

Grabbed some lima beens and another gallon of green beens today. There is a little left on the beens for growing. I pulled out a few plants that were "done" and planted another seed in its place, and those new sprouts are comming up already!!
Hopefully I can get a second round of plants out this year.

I also grabbed a 15" bowl full of soybeans for making edamame. I love that stuff!!

[Noodles]

Hi guys, newbie here. A week ago I planted a couple of tomato plants I got from Home Depot. Bad Idea?

Anyway I planted them in a plastic pot I bought from home depot. They are less than 5 gallons.

I am also planning to plant some peppers and eggplants this weekend. Is it too late for that?

I ordered a few of those 7-gallon smart pots so I can transfer my tomato plants and plant peppers and eggplants in them.

Any advice is appreciated.

[wayner123]

Hi guys, newbie here. A week ago I planted a couple of tomato plants I got from Home Depot. Bad Idea?

Anyway I planted them in a plastic pot I bought from home depot. They are less than 5 gallons.

I am also planning to plant some peppers and eggplants this weekend. Is it too late for that?

I ordered a few of those 7-gallon smart pots so I can transfer my tomato plants and plant peppers and eggplants in them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Good to see another garden hobbyist.

Where are you located. That will determine a great deal of what you can plant.

Also, I prefer SWC's for tomato's. They seem to need a ton of water later on in life. Here is a good method for making one: http://www.globalbuckets.org/

[Mr B]

Hi guys, newbie here. A week ago I planted a couple of tomato plants I got from Home Depot. Bad Idea?

Anyway I planted them in a plastic pot I bought from home depot. They are less than 5 gallons.

I am also planning to plant some peppers and eggplants this weekend. Is it too late for that?

I ordered a few of those 7-gallon smart pots so I can transfer my tomato plants and plant peppers and eggplants in them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Home Depot not a bad idea at all. That is where I get most of my veggies.
Make sure you have a "water catch basin" under the 5 gal pot. Those toms will suck down the water when planted in containers.

[Noodles]

Good to see another garden hobbyist.

Where are you located. That will determine a great deal of what you can plant.

Also, I prefer SWC's for tomato's. They seem to need a ton of water later on in life. Here is a good method for making one: http://www.globalbuckets.org/

I'm in Southeast Pennsylvania.

[jlaker]

I have a decent sized garden this year:

4 6 ft rows of green beans
4 6 ft rows of peas
4 5 ft rows of lettuce (2 of them are getting very close to pruning the outside leaves for salads)
3 bush beans
4 roma tom
10 tomatoes (celebrity, better bush)
4 jalapeno
2 serrano
16 green p
4 yellow p
2ft x 10ft "patch" of raspberries

Question: I know lettuce will do fine for a fall harvest since it is a little cooler, how about peas?

[wayner123]

I have a decent sized garden this year:

4 6 ft rows of green beans
4 6 ft rows of peas
4 5 ft rows of lettuce (2 of them are getting very close to pruning the outside leaves for salads)
3 bush beans
4 roma tom
10 tomatoes (celebrity, better bush)
4 jalapeno
2 serrano
16 green p
4 yellow p
2ft x 10ft "patch" of raspberries

Question: I know lettuce will do fine for a fall harvest since it is a little cooler, how about peas?

Depends on the variety of pea. If it's a snow pea type then it loves cooler weather. If it's a cowpea type, then heat is what you want.

[wayner123]

I'm in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Look for what zone you are in, and then google "planting guide" or vegetable planting guide for that zone.

[jlaker]

Depends on the variety of pea. If it's a snow pea type then it loves cooler weather. If it's a cowpea type, then heat is what you want.

It's a Spring/Sweet pea so I 'm guessing the would be good for the fall too

[BC-Axeman]

I have a decent sized garden this year:

4 6 ft rows of green beans
4 6 ft rows of peas
4 5 ft rows of lettuce (2 of them are getting very close to pruning the outside leaves for salads)
3 bush beans
4 roma tom
10 tomatoes (celebrity, better bush)
4 jalapeno
2 serrano
16 green p
4 yellow p
2ft x 10ft "patch" of raspberries

Question: I know lettuce will do fine for a fall harvest since it is a little cooler, how about peas?

Wareza pix?

[Noodles]

Look for what zone you are in, and then google "planting guide" or vegetable planting guide for that zone.

Looks like I can still do eggplants, peppers and carrots.

:noon

[Fordman4ever]

I got the Tobacco seeds from Shilala today. Gonna plant them some time this week.

[SvilleKid]

I got the Tobacco seeds from Shilala today. Gonna plant them some time this week.

That means I'd better check my P.O. box tomorrow. Bet mine are in also. I plowed a patch in the woods (old green field) yesterday for them. However, I think I'd better do some research. See if deer are prone to eat the plants. Especially since there are at least a dozen deer regularly in that area, plus a flock of 20 or so wild turkey.

Anyone have any insight into that possible problem?

[BC-Axeman]

It's hard for a garden to grow without sun. We hope to get some this year. At least one week straight, just to get things going. Normally we would be in summer already.
I think I have a nicotiana growing that I can set out for the deer and see if they want it.

[shilala]

Scott I will take you up on a few tobacco seeds. I've been watching you grow it every year and they do look pretty! :tu

Was out checking my garden yesterday and noticed a good size snake hanging out by it. He has a hole that goes under the edging of the garden. Not sure what kind he is but I'm sure he's killing critters! :) Going to take the camera out there in a minute to see if I can catch him out there today....

I sent you a pm, simple chronic. I need your address, a real one that works for a change. :tu

[Scothew]

Hey guys, havent checked into this thread yet, but figured i should since i had a question.

My wife and I have a small garden, about 20 stalks of corn, about a dozen mounds each of cucumbers and squash, 8 tomatoe plants, 3 jalapenos and 2 banana peppers.

I live in central AL so its hot and dry. How often should I water, and when should I? We've gone so far about 2 weeks now without rain, been watering every day or every other. I went for a bit without waterign over the course of about 4-5 days and didnt notice much growth, but now since watering daily definitely getting growth and also now have some tomatoes and jalapenos showing up. Just wanted to see what I should be doing watering wise.

Also One Jalapeno pepper is about 2.5" long, so wasnt sure when I shoudl pick it, if by letting it grow would stunt the growth of the plant itself, as its only about 8" tall.

Thanks!

I'll try to get some pics. We also built a herb rack on the back deck and have about 10 different herbs that we planted from seed over the weekend, already got basils sprouting. We had to redo all of them due to the sun baked and killed all our previous sprouts. Now I modified the rack to where it shaded the mid-day sun and i have a net over the front to sort of cut the amount of afternoon sun down.

[Noodles]

Am I in trouble? I am using Miracle Gro garden soil and just noticed a big No Container sign at the back of the package. I replanted my Tomato in one of those Smart Pots using MG garden soil. Should I replant using a different soil? Maybe one of those soilless or potting soil?

Please help.

[Mr B]

Am I in trouble? I am using Miracle Gro garden soil and just noticed a big No Container sign at the back of the package. I replanted my Tomato in one of those Smart Pots using MG garden soil. Should I replant using a different soil? Maybe one of those soilless or potting soil?

Please help.


You should be ok. Just make sure you have a water catch basin below the pot. The garden soil is pretty loose and it will not hold the water very well. I believe it is meant to mix with other soils to break them up a bit. I am using some of the MG Garden soil in pots and it has been fine so far.

[BC-Axeman]

Hey guys, havent checked into this thread yet, but figured i should since i had a question.

My wife and I have a small garden, about 20 stalks of corn, about a dozen mounds each of cucumbers and squash, 8 tomatoe plants, 3 jalapenos and 2 banana peppers.

I live in central AL so its hot and dry. How often should I water, and when should I? We've gone so far about 2 weeks now without rain, been watering every day or every other. I went for a bit without waterign over the course of about 4-5 days and didnt notice much growth, but now since watering daily definitely getting growth and also now have some tomatoes and jalapenos showing up. Just wanted to see what I should be doing watering wise.

Also One Jalapeno pepper is about 2.5" long, so wasnt sure when I shoudl pick it, if by letting it grow would stunt the growth of the plant itself, as its only about 8" tall.

Thanks!.
A DOZEN squash!!!
Pick it...more to come.
General watering instruction is frequent until the plant gets established then less often but more thorough. I look at each plant and make a decision based on what it looks like it needs. Everything you mentioned likes damp deep soil.

[Scothew]

A DOZEN squash!!!
Pick it...more to come.
General watering instruction is frequent until the plant gets established then less often but more thorough. I look at each plant and make a decision based on what it looks like it needs. Everything you mentioned likes damp deep soil.


What can I say, I love squash, so does the rest of my family. My wife and her mom love cucumbers, so thats why we planted so many of them.

So I should go ahead and pick the jalapeno eh?

My soil is decent, some decent top soil, but after taht it turns to that good southern red clay. If I didnt till it up, its hard as a brick. I dont know if thats good for moisture or bad. I know if you dig down, the soil is always damp but still hard.

[BC-Axeman]

Clay keeps the water from draining and it's hard for roots to work through. You don't want your plants sitting in water. As long as the topsoil is more than a foot deep the clay may work to your advantage by allowing you to water less. In sandy soil the water passes right through it and dries too fast. Lots of organic material (compost) fixes everything, sand or clay.

[jjirons69]

The jalapeno will start corking. Look it up. It looks like stress marks on the skin of the pepper. It's ready then. It'll cork before it turns red. Water when you think it's required. Stick you finger in the soil. If dry, time to water. If you notice wilting, time to water. With these hot days you will have wilting, especially cukes, and there be plenty of water. Don't kill them with kindness, but don't let them thirst to death either. I'm in the same boat. We've gotten 0.25" rain in 3-4 weeks. I've been drenching the garden every other day or every second day. I also mulch with dried grass clippings. Once it gets really hot (especially humid), growth will slow. Best of luck.

[Scothew]

Clay keeps the water from draining and it's hard for roots to work through. You don't want your plants sitting in water. As long as the topsoil is more than a foot deep the clay may work to your advantage by allowing you to water less. In sandy soil the water passes right through it and dries too fast. Lots of organic material (compost) fixes everything, sand or clay.

Im not sure how much top soil I really have, i dont think its a foot honestly. Most of it was pulled to the part of the property next to me when it was initially cleared off years ago.

[BC-Axeman]

Im not sure how much top soil I really have, i dont think its a foot honestly. Most of it was pulled to the part of the property next to me when it was initially cleared off years ago.
Sounds like what I started with, except our "clay" is a really fine grained sand, like powder, sometimes called "mudstone" here. I finally gave up on it and built boxes. I would go with Jamie's advice, above. That's about how I do it, too.

[wayner123]

Am I in trouble? I am using Miracle Gro garden soil and just noticed a big No Container sign at the back of the package. I replanted my Tomato in one of those Smart Pots using MG garden soil. Should I replant using a different soil? Maybe one of those soilless or potting soil?

Please help.

I may be wrong, but I believe that warning is because MG garden soil has uncomposted cow manure in it. That is what I have found in my experience. It also does not drain well at all.

When growing in containers, it really is a whole different ball game on what type of soils are used. You should do some reading over at the gardenweb container growing section.

[Mr B]

Sounds like what I started with, except our "clay" is a really fine grained sand, like powder, sometimes called "mudstone" here. I finally gave up on it and built boxes. I would go with Jamie's advice, above. That's about how I do it, too.

We have real bad Adobe clay here. about 13 years ago I ended up building a 13' x 4' raised bed also. Anything I cant fit in there goes into pots.

[Noodles]

I may be wrong, but I believe that warning is because MG garden soil has uncomposted cow manure in it. That is what I have found in my experience. It also does not drain well at all.

When growing in containers, it really is a whole different ball game on what type of soils are used. You should do some reading over at the gardenweb container growing section.

I ended up mixing garden soil with potting mix. Hopefully it is a little better. I don't want to replant them again for fear of shocking the tomatoes. I might do another tomato with all potting mix on another smart pot. Fingers crossed.

Uncomposted cow manure is bad for container? What will happen to the plant?

[wayner123]

I ended up mixing garden soil with potting mix. Hopefully it is a little better. I don't want to replant them again for fear of shocking the tomatoes. I might do another tomato with all potting mix on another smart pot. Fingers crossed.

Uncomposted cow manure is bad for container? What will happen to the plant?

The dangers of uncomposted manure in a closed container are, harmful bacteria and as the manure is composting... heat.

[Average Joe]

Hey guys, havent checked into this thread yet, but figured i should since i had a question.

My wife and I have a small garden, about 20 stalks of corn, about a dozen mounds each of cucumbers and squash, 8 tomatoe plants, 3 jalapenos and 2 banana peppers.

I live in central AL so its hot and dry. How often should I water, and when should I? We've gone so far about 2 weeks now without rain, been watering every day or every other. I went for a bit without waterign over the course of about 4-5 days and didnt notice much growth, but now since watering daily definitely getting growth and also now have some tomatoes and jalapenos showing up. Just wanted to see what I should be doing watering wise.

Also One Jalapeno pepper is about 2.5" long, so wasnt sure when I shoudl pick it, if by letting it grow would stunt the growth of the plant itself, as its only about 8" tall.

Thanks!

I'll try to get some pics. We also built a herb rack on the back deck and have about 10 different herbs that we planted from seed over the weekend, already got basils sprouting. We had to redo all of them due to the sun baked and killed all our previous sprouts. Now I modified the rack to where it shaded the mid-day sun and i have a net over the front to sort of cut the amount of afternoon sun down.

Small garden my #@$. That's a dang nice size garden! I am in south-central AL so I feel your pain on watering. What I do is pull back some mulch and feel to see if it is wet or not. I normally water at night or early morning.

I am pulling squash and cucumbers left and right, with tons of tomatoes sitting on the plant green as a leaf. I was hoping to have 'mater sandwiches by now but I am stuck with everything but! Peppers are nice though.

[SvilleKid]

Small garden my #@$. That's a dang nice size garden! I am in south-central AL so I feel your pain on watering. What I do is pull back some mulch and feel to see if it is wet or not. I normally water at night or early morning.

I am pulling squash and cucumbers left and right, with tons of tomatoes sitting on the plant green as a leaf. I was hoping to have 'mater sandwiches by now but I am stuck with everything but! Peppers are nice though.

OK, Scott..... I'm in middle Alabama also. The spell of non-growth you went thru was after the tornados??? That'd be my guess. It was due to the cold weather that followed. I went thru same thing here. As to watering, it depends on how deep you water, how you mulch. If you have good mulch to keep in the water, and you water heavy, you can probably go 3-4 days without watering, easy. I do not have mulch, can't find a suitable medium.

Squash, Zucs, tomatoes, melons and the such need lots of water. A good judge, stick your finger into the soil an inch deep. If it is dry, water.

Contrary to Joe's method, do not water at night, if you can help it. Water in the morning is the best plan. Watering late inthe evening and/or night can lead to blossom end rot on many veggies, especially tomatoes, squash and Zucs. Watering tomatoes starting at high noon, in the hot, hot sun is a big cause of tomatoes splitting the skin on the vine. The cold water on the hot skin does it. Tomatoes are susceptible to several issues if they "go to bed" with wet leaves and fruit, so water in the morning, the plant dries before nightfall. A good plan for most of the leafy plants you might be growing.

Good luck, ALL!

[Noodles]

The dangers of uncomposted manure in a closed container are, harmful bacteria and as the manure is composting... heat.

I've done some reading and it seems they don't even recommend using Miracle Gro potting mix. They the chemical fertilizer in it is too strong for tomato.

Damn.

[SvilleKid]

I've done some reading and it seems they don't even recommend using Miracle Gro potting mix. They the chemical fertilizer in it is too strong for tomato.

Damn.

Most Miracle Grow non-specific plant food and soils are heavy in nitrogen. Nitrogen + tomatoes = strong vine and leaf growth, weak fruit growth and fruit drop before they are ready. At most, I will use a 8-8-8 rating on my tomatoes. If they start to grow too fast without fruit, you can add some wood ash (I save ash from my fireplace for this) to the soil around the tomatoes, and water it in good. This will offset the effects of too much nitrogen (it'll take a week or so). If you already have viable plants in the soil, try the ash remedy. You may can still salvage them.

[wayner123]

Contrary to Joe's method, do not water at night, if you can help it. Water in the morning is the best plan. Watering late inthe evening and/or night can lead to blossom end rot on many veggies, especially tomatoes, squash and Zucs. Watering tomatoes starting at high noon, in the hot, hot sun is a big cause of tomatoes splitting the skin on the vine. The cold water on the hot skin does it. Tomatoes are susceptible to several issues if they "go to bed" with wet leaves and fruit, so water in the morning, the plant dries before nightfall. A good plan for most of the leafy plants you might be growing.

Good luck, ALL!

I never knew that was a cause for BER. I had always thought it was from a low concentration of calcium in the fruit.

[wayner123]

I've done some reading and it seems they don't even recommend using Miracle Gro potting mix. They the chemical fertilizer in it is too strong for tomato.

Damn.

The fertilizer that comes in the potting mix is so low it's not even worth mentioning. Miracle Gro potting mix has had great results for some people. You really should take a look here: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/contain/ if you plan to use containers. That place is a wealth of knowledge.

[jjirons69]

Gave a big handful of squash to my neighbor yesterday evening. Those babies are putting out like mad. It's easy to say I'll have my fill of squash this year. Also have a couple jalapenos ready to pick. Tomatoes are filling in nicely, too, with many greens ones on the vines. No cukes yet, but plenty of flowers.

[BC-Axeman]

Still cold and cloudy here.:(

[wayner123]

Gave a big handful of squash to my neighbor yesterday evening. Those babies are putting out like mad. It's easy to say I'll have my fill of squash this year. Also have a couple jalapenos ready to pick. Tomatoes are filling in nicely, too, with many greens ones on the vines. No cukes yet, but plenty of flowers.

How many and what type of squash did you plant?

[shilala]

I never knew that was a cause for BER. I had always thought it was from a low concentration of calcium in the fruit.

It's a good way to get all sorts of fungal infections, too. Take it with a grain of salt, Wayner. We're talking doing this repetatively.
There's nothing wrong, and it's actually great, to do a leaf feeding of Miracle Grow at night. That way the plants will suck the goodness right in when they respirate.
It's a good way to "push" the plants, but only if necessary.

BER is also stress induced. Too little water for long periods, too much water for long periods, wet feet, sunscald, just about any stress you can imagine will do it.

The best way to get it is an eternally wet growing season. It's nothing that spraying with fungicide won't hold off. You have to be proactive, though. Constant rain? You're gonna have fungus. Fungus will be the stressor, then you got BER.
If you spray faithfully, you'll beat the rot. When we had the great blight here a few years ago, everyone pulled their plants. I had the best crop ever.

I ised to use a 1/4 mix of Sevin and Fungicide all year long, only halting a couple weeks before harvest of whatever stuff we were growing. It kept the bugs and problems to near zero.
Mind ya, that might not work everywhere. It's food for thought. Every different zone has their own problems and their own ways of fixing them.

[Mr B]

Still cold and cloudy here.:(



Rained up here most of the day too.

[BC-Axeman]

Having your garden planted but in suspended animation is a drag. I hope the plants are saving it all up for a growth spurt when the sun comes out and it warms up in a week or two.

[Mr B]

Having your garden planted but in suspended animation is a drag. I hope the plants are saving it all up for a growth spurt when the sun comes out and it warms up in a week or two.


Ya and on the other hand, I welcome the rain too.

[Noodles]

I saw a first glimpse of tomatoes this morning. Tiny little green tomatoes peeking and teasing me.

:noon

[SvilleKid]

Ya and on the other hand, I welcome the rain too.

Rain = Good

Wind with the rain = Bad!!

[Scothew]

My garden was thirsty! I got a feeling its gonna be a long hot summer.

[HK3-]

Plants are looking like they are growing a little slow this year.... May have to give them a boost with the miracle grow.

Scott- Got the tobacco seeds! Thanks brother! :tu:noon

[BC-Axeman]

My garden was thirsty! I got a feeling its gonna be a long hot summer.
Not here, we're forecasted to have a week of rain. Very rare for this area. Plus no warm up in sight for the near future, according to the long term outlook. I turned the irrigation system off for now. /sigh/

[jjirons69]

How many and what type of squash did you plant?

Common crooked neck summer squash. 4 hills with 2-3 plants each. Picking 4-12 squash per week for weeks now. Squash vine borers are usually the demise to my plants, but so far, so good. I'll snap a picture in the next couple of days.

[Scothew]

Not here, we're forecasted to have a week of rain. Very rare for this area. Plus no warm up in sight for the near future, according to the long term outlook. I turned the irrigation system off for now. /sigh/

just looked at my forecast, mid-upper 90's all week, into triple digits next week, with showers not forecasted till tuesday (on the day its supposed to hit 100.) Guess im gonna be watering a good bit in the mornings.

http://local.msn.com/ten-day.aspx?q=Adger-AL&eid=161481848&zip=35023

[BC-Axeman]

just looked at my forecast, mid-upper 90's all week, into triple digits next week, with showers not forecasted till tuesday (on the day its supposed to hit 100.) Guess im gonna be watering a good bit in the mornings.

http://local.msn.com/ten-day.aspx?q=Adger-AL&eid=161481848&zip=35023
I feel like I'm in Canada or something:

http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=95006&wuSelect=WEATHER

[Noodles]

I see some very small white insects on the soil of one of my tomato. They look like they are small spiders. Are they aphids? I have a marigold in between my tomato. It's suppose to take care of these. Not sure what to do.

[wayner123]

I see some very small white insects on the soil of one of my tomato. They look like they are small spiders. Are they aphids? I have a marigold in between my tomato. It's suppose to take care of these. Not sure what to do.

Here is a good pic of tomato aphids:

http://growninthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/tomato-aphids.jpg

Is this what yours looks like?

[BC-Axeman]

I use marigolds too. Aphids are green. Do you have a camera that takes macro pictures?


Edit: Simulpost!

[Noodles]

Here is a good pic of tomato aphids:

http://growninthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/tomato-aphids.jpg

Is this what yours looks like?

The white ones looks like it. But they are very very small. Like grain of fine sand small. I'll have a look under the leaves when I get home tonight.

[Ahbroody]

Raining here today off and on its been cold. This has just not been a great season so far. Lettuce and tomatoes are doing okay, but some other things are growing slow.

[jjirons69]

We've had exactly 1/4" of rain in 4 weeks at my house, if not longer. My neighborhood, as well as most of the city, looks like it's been sprayed with Agent Orange. You can definitely tell who has lawn sprinklers. I've been doing the manual sprinkling twice a week and hitting the worst spots every other day. Plus, the garden has been getting an "every two day" soaking. No rain in the foreseeable forecast. My water bill is going to be huge.

[jjirons69]

Called my dad - going to help him harvest 4 rows of potatoes this weekend. His rows are probably 40 yards long. We'll end up with a truckload of red and irish potatoes. I'll end up passing them out to folks at work and friends of ours. We've never ate them all. Saturday afternoon we're replanting the rows with Valencia peanuts. I'm bringing a large handful back to put in my garden. I need something else to water.

Below are some squash from Friday and today, plus a few sweet 100 cherries. I also snapped some pictures of the garden. Those japalenos are huge and still growing. I'm still eating pickled ones from last year.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040823.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040824.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040825.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040826.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040827.jpg

[shilala]

Hey guys, havent checked into this thread yet, but figured i should since i had a question.

My wife and I have a small garden, about 20 stalks of corn, about a dozen mounds each of cucumbers and squash, 8 tomatoe plants, 3 jalapenos and 2 banana peppers.

I live in central AL so its hot and dry. How often should I water, and when should I? We've gone so far about 2 weeks now without rain, been watering every day or every other. I went for a bit without waterign over the course of about 4-5 days and didnt notice much growth, but now since watering daily definitely getting growth and also now have some tomatoes and jalapenos showing up. Just wanted to see what I should be doing watering wise.

Also One Jalapeno pepper is about 2.5" long, so wasnt sure when I shoudl pick it, if by letting it grow would stunt the growth of the plant itself, as its only about 8" tall.

Thanks!

I'll try to get some pics. We also built a herb rack on the back deck and have about 10 different herbs that we planted from seed over the weekend, already got basils sprouting. We had to redo all of them due to the sun baked and killed all our previous sprouts. Now I modified the rack to where it shaded the mid-day sun and i have a net over the front to sort of cut the amount of afternoon sun down.

On the watering...
You water when the plants tell you to.
They should wilt in the heat of the day. That's natural. It's fine, and it's what they do.
By late evening they should bounce back and be nice and full. That means they have plenty of water and don't need to be watered at all. If not, they should be back by morning, for sure. That's fine, too.

If not, it's time to water.
Try to use soaker hoses. They're the best because they don't wet the plants, just the soil. They can be targeted right at the roots. If you have to use a garden hose with a nozzle, realize that you can spray with a garden hose for an hour and you've accomplished next to nothing. You'd think it's a lot of water, but it doesn't remotely compare to an hour of good, soaking rain.
If you have to go the "spray the leaves" way, sprinklers are great. Leave them on for a few hours and they'll soak the ground the way you want. The bar type that waves back and forth is my favorite because you can adjust them to the exact pattern of your garden.

When you're wetting the plants every day, you're inviting fungus and stress. You really help the bugs out, too. It's really not a good thing at all, and it's not what you're shooting for.
A good way to hold your water in the ground is to spread out a couple layers of newspapers. Really. At least in the rows where you walk. They'll mold right into the dirt, let water through, and dry during the day. They stay put once you have them watered in, too. You can till them in and they're good for the soil. It's a good way to recycle, as well.

Don't sweat it if you still have to water every other day, but realize it's best to water longer and less days. Try to do something to hold the water down, even if it's just oat straw, newspaper, or some other good mulch that's not full of weed seed (green grass clippings are not a good choice, it's way too much free nitrogen and you'll grow giant, leggy plants with little or no fruit). Heck, you can use stones and bricks and anything you can get for nothing in the rows. Be resourceful. If you come up with a cool idea, please share, I'd love to know what you came up with.
I'd suggest landscape fabric in the rows, but it's black and the last thing you need to do is generate more heat. Straw or newspaper would be my first choice.
Hope this helps!!! :tu

[shilala]

We've had exactly 1/4" of rain in 4 weeks at my house, if not longer. My neighborhood, as well as most of the city, looks like it's been sprayed with Agent Orange. You can definitely tell who has lawn sprinklers. I've been doing the manual sprinkling twice a week and hitting the worst spots every other day. Plus, the garden has been getting an "every two day" soaking. No rain in the foreseeable forecast. My water bill is going to be huge.
We generally have 11" of rain here to this point of the year, Jamie. This year we've had 36". It's insane. It's just stopped raining yesterday, and it's supposed to rain tonight.
I fertilized the grass just in case it does, cause it isn't supposed to be a whole lot. I wanted to get one last dose in before the rain quyits and we have to water the lawn the rest of the summer. :D

On a planting note, I pulled a dead bush, moved one, and planted three new ones tonight. Lisa is gathering up flowers and they'll go in soon. Still no garden, but I'll have one as soon as the sidewalk guys get done, which should be soon. :tu

[jjirons69]

We generally have 11" of rain here to this point of the year, Jamie. This year we've had 36". It's insane. It's just stopped raining yesterday, and it's supposed to rain tonight.


You send me 3-4" of rain, I'll send you 100 sq ft of gardening space, complete with compost and mammoth earthworms.

[BC-Axeman]

You send me 3-4" of rain, I'll send you 100 sq ft of gardening space, complete with compost and mammoth earthworms.
Careful what you wish for...
Just sayin'.

[jjirons69]

Careful what you wish for...
Just sayin'.

True that. Let's just say we could use a little rain, weekly, spread out over the summer.

[Scothew]

On the watering...
Hope this helps!!! :tu

Great advice, thanks!

I need some advice on my herb rack though on the form of a heat problem. i made a wooden rack, its open air, with a tin cover over it to keep rain from beating down on my herbs. Its on my back deck, which gets afternoon sun from mid-day on. I put some netting across teh front so to difuse the sun some. Most of herbs have sprouted, but i htink the heat we've gotten is building up and hurting them a bit. My established mint plant definitely is noticeable downward slide since the past two 95+ degree days.

Should I move the rack to where its in a more shaded area, or should I try to put a fan or something under there to move teh air under it more since im afraid the tin roof is holding in the heat and causing the temps to go that much higher.

Thanks again in advance, as you can tell I am new to all of this plant stuff. Just something the wife and I got a wild hair to try and do.

[jjirons69]

I'd remove the tin roof. I've always planted my herbs in full sun, full rain. When they're first sprouting, the rain may be a little hard on them, but within a week or more, they should be able to handle themselves. Babysit them - bringing them in during rain showers until they get big enough. The oppressive heat can also weaken them. The problem with putting them in the shade is they grow leggy and lose rigidity.

[Mr B]

Its just pouring rain here! We have not seen a full couple of days of sun in weeks. My plants look like runts.

[Scothew]

I'd remove the tin roof. I've always planted my herbs in full sun, full rain. When they're first sprouting, the rain may be a little hard on them, but within a week or more, they should be able to handle themselves. Babysit them - bringing them in during rain showers until they get big enough. The oppressive heat can also weaken them. The problem with putting them in the shade is they grow leggy and lose rigidity.

I had them in full sun first time around, and it killed all the sprouts within a day. Thats why i built a shade type rack.

Im stumped as to what I should do.

[Ahbroody]

Its just pouring rain here! We have not seen a full couple of days of sun in weeks. My plants look like runts.

Pretty much the same here.

[Average Joe]

My peppers are doing well. So well I have started freezing every day! Cucumbers and squash have been devastated by the heat. They don't like this 100 degree weather. Tomatoes have been holding full size green tomatoes for almost a month now. Nothin happening with them.

I think year 2 of Alabama gardening will just be peppers. I think I'll grow enough to have them frozen for year-round treats.

[SvilleKid]

My peppers are doing well. So well I have started freezing every day! Cucumbers and squash have been devastated by the heat. They don't like this 100 degree weather. Tomatoes have been holding full size green tomatoes for almost a month now. Nothin happening with them.

I think year 2 of Alabama gardening will just be peppers. I think I'll grow enough to have them frozen for year-round treats.

I generally plant large pepper crops no more than every 3 years. Takes about that long to use up all I have frozen from last big crop. Lots of tomatoes, but I can a lot, plus salsa most years. Thinking about making my own tomato sauce and canning it this year. Most peppers I grow seem to freeze whole just fine!

[hotreds]

beans beginning to sprout!

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp539%3B6%3Enu%3D3292%3E%3B78%3E732%3E WSNRCG%3D364858%3C7%3C532%3Bnu0mrj

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp5398%3B%3Enu%3D3292%3E%3B78%3E732%3E WSNRCG%3D36485842%3B932%3Bnu0mrj

[jjirons69]

Still no rain, not a drop, not even a cloud hinting of rain. It's been 7 weeks since we last got rain and that was 0.25 inches. Strangely eerie in the neighborhood, hardly any lawnmowers on the weekend. All the grass is brown in non-watered areas. The grass boarding the highways is dead. It's the saddest I can ever remember. Just to save my grass investment, I've been watering with a manually sprinkler twice a week and I've cut my grass once in 2 months. It's crazy.

The squash are all done. The vine borers finally got them. I'd had my share of squash anyway. Still lots left in the frig. Starting to get tomatoes and cukes. Peppers aren't far behind. I've got some GIANT jalapenos maturing. I'll take a shot of the first I pick. It's gonna be a burner!

Nice looking beans, Hugh. Soy?

[BC-Axeman]

We have been getting sun for a change. Still not warm. I took some pictures.
Zukes, mellons, yellow onions, leeks, a tomoato and some cukes in the fore.
White onions, beets, carrots, bok choi and cukes next box back.
Heirloom tomatoes in the back box.
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110613a.jpg

Beans, radish, sugar peas, lettuce, beets and stray stuff that just grew.
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110613b.jpg

Potatoes!
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110613c.jpg

Corn, berry box to the right, star squash in the fore, and 'chokes.
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110613d.jpg

[jjirons69]

Potatoes!
http://fracstar.com/pics/20110613c.jpg

You can almost hear those taters growing, aye, Lance. They look good. Should have a nice haul!

[thebayratt]

Still no rain, not a drop, not even a cloud hinting of rain. It's been 7 weeks since we last got rain and that was 0.25 inches. Strangely eerie in the neighborhood, hardly any lawnmowers on the weekend. All the grass is brown in non-watered areas. The grass boarding the highways is dead. It's the saddest I can ever remember. Just to save my grass investment, I've been watering with a manually sprinkler twice a week and I've cut my grass once in 2 months. It's crazy.

The squash are all done. The vine borers finally got them. I'd had my share of squash anyway. Still lots left in the frig. Starting to get tomatoes and cukes. Peppers aren't far behind. I've got some GIANT jalapenos maturing. I'll take a shot of the first I pick. It's gonna be a burner!

Nice looking beans, Hugh. Soy?

Its about the same here too.
We just had a few thunder clouds come through and it only drizzled for less than 5 minutes.... I have my garden on a 20min daily timer in the afternoon and the green beans are withering away due to the heat. There is a big Pecan tree shading them some, but not enough. The Cucumbers have died off or something got ahold of them, all but one is dead. May replant.
All of the soybeans are done, got all i needed. Planted some lima beans I had left over to see if they would come up; some are. A few of the dead green bean plants i pulled up and replanted more. The seedlings are about 6" tall in a few weeks.
Its going to be a hott summer down here!!

[hotreds]

Yup, soy beans! I like corn better, it creates a really nice fence, but, oh, well. Soy beans get almost knee high!

[Mr B]

Nice pics Lance. Thanks for sharing. Things are slow going here. All that late rain got a bunch of my tomato plants looking kinda funky. The sun is finally shining and the veggies are liking it. Will try to get pics soon.

[shilala]

Just this morning I finally got my garden ready. It's a 40'x3' piece against the house between the house and the sidewalk.
The big holdup was the sidewalk. We just poured it yesterday. :D
The plants are out there waiting, and I'll have them all in this evening. I'll be a bit behind, but not bad at all. I gathered some really nice plants at the co-op that will put me right about where I should be.
The weather this year has been far less than stellar. Really good grass growing weather, but not good for plants. I've got the grass doing really well, and put in three really nice beds for hedges and bushes and stuff, so the time wasn't wasted.
I'll try to get some pics when I get all planted and finished up. :tu

[Mr B]

Glad to hear it Scott

[shilala]

The garden is in. I still have to plant lettuce and other salad stuff. Beans and snow peas would be nice, but it ain't gonna happen.
I took pics, but I'm shot. I gotta grab some couch. I'll try to remember to post pics tomorrow. :tu

[jjirons69]

That's what happens when you're old...:D

[shilala]

Okay, here's some before and after shots. I wish I had pics from before I started working the dirt. It was awful.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/187140a0.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/b22c9c1c.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/27173731.jpg

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/f8b47195.jpg

[BC-Axeman]

Way to go, Scott!

[Mr B]

Lookin Good Scott!!

[jjirons69]

Read the paper - front page - the lack of rain. The airport has gotten 4.03 inches since March 15. That's 3 months! The normal level is a little over 11 inches. I know my house, which does not have an airstrip, hasn't gotten 4 inches in the past 3 months. Seems all the corn, cotton, and soybeans in the local farming areas are starting to kill over. Another week or two and it's a complete lose. The paper said much more and we'll be on par for the drought from 1986. Don't remember that, I was chasing teen-aged girls and probably damn glad the grass was dying and I didn't have to mow it. I've got two left feet, so I don't think a rain dance is in the equation.

[jjirons69]

Hallelujah!!! It's raining right now...right now!!! Thunder and lightning, too. What a joyous sound!! Thank you, Lord!

[Noodles]

How long before tomatoes ripen? I have this two fruit (for lack of better term) that showed up maybe 3 weeks ago. The size has remained the same for two weeks now. A few more fruit showed up since. I think I have about 20 of various sizes in my two plants showed up the last couple of weeks.

[wayner123]

How long before tomatoes ripen? I have this two fruit (for lack of better term) that showed up maybe 3 weeks ago. The size has remained the same for two weeks now. A few more fruit showed up since. I think I have about 20 of various sizes in my two plants showed up the last couple of weeks.

It can take weeks before they ripen. If you like the size, you can just pick them now and let them ripen off the plant. I can't tell a difference in taste.

BTW, I have abandoned my garden for the summer. Yesterday was triple digit heat. Only cactus grow in that type of weather. So I am seed saving and collecting more seeds for August, when I plan to do SFG.

[jjirons69]

Wayne, I wish I had some peyote seeds to send ya. ;)

[shilala]

How long before tomatoes ripen? I have this two fruit (for lack of better term) that showed up maybe 3 weeks ago. The size has remained the same for two weeks now. A few more fruit showed up since. I think I have about 20 of various sizes in my two plants showed up the last couple of weeks.

Fruit is right. Maters are fruit. You're right on the money, brother. Anything that flowers, is fertilized, then has a body that covers the seeds is a fruit. Beans, peas, punkins, melons, tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplant, cucumbers, apples, oranges, bananas, they're all fruit. It's the biological action I described that determines whether something is a fruit. (I simplified it a bit, but that's the gist of it.)

The first thing I'd say about the tomatoes you have is to just be patient. Two tomatoes on a plant is really nothing, comparatively. If there were 20 or so, that'd be something. I'm guessing the plant has to be real small, too. I don't know how long they've been in the ground, either.

That said, I'll tell you guys a trick that's super awesome...
If you've got a loaded, well-established plant and you want early tomatoes on the table, all you need to do is push a shovel through half the roots. Use some sense not to get the main leader (stalk). When you do that, it will stress the plant. It's immediate reaction will be to ripen the fruit in order to save it's species future by readying the seeds to drop, thus assuring it's survival through it's progeny seeds.
It works great, never misses so long as you make sure to get enough roots cut off.
I've never tried it with a small plant with two fruits, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work, theoretically. Being so small, with such a small root mass, I'd say it's more likely to just die before anything ripens.
On the other hand, if it survives (and it probably will with a little extra care), it'd probably catch right up to the other plants in a short time.

What I usually do with early greenhouse fruit is pick them off and chuck them. They just stall the plants cause it isn't time for fruit yet. I just picked all the little peppers off my pepper plants last night or the night before, cause they very much hold a plant back from growing. That's bad. :tu

[BC-Axeman]

I got my first harvest: radishes.
The bok choi is still small but it's starting to flower. :( I planted it in succession so I will see how later crops do.

[jjirons69]

I'm at work - I know my garden is wilted. Too damn hot for June!! Wind chill - 100F. August is going to feel like Venus!

Weather Report
Charleston, South Carolina
As of 3:15 PM on Monday 20 Jun 2011 (Local Time)
Clear Clear
100°F
Feels Like: 105°
Wind Chill: 100° Ceiling: Unl
Heat Index: 105° Visibility: 10mi
Dew Point: 66° Wind: 8mph
Humidity: 33% Direction: 270° (W)
Pressure: 29.87" Gusts: 16mph
Today's Forecast

[BC-Axeman]

That weather would be normal for us here but we haven't seen 100s yet.
You know, Jamie, there is such a thing as irrigation. Water is expensive here but everyone is used to it.

[wayner123]

That weather would be normal for us here but we haven't seen 100s yet.
You know, Jamie, there is such a thing as irrigation. Water is expensive here but everyone is used to it.

I thought I could save mine by upping the water, but it's still too hot for the plants to do well around here. Sweet potatoes, field peas and crop cover is about all that is growing well right now in this heat/drought.

[jjirons69]

I watered deeply yesterday evening. The garden is good and wet (and mulched). It's just this stifling heat and humidity causes stress on everything. Plants have problems transpiring under these conditions. Irrigation - whew! - I've spent more trying to keep my grass alive this year than I have in the last 8 years combined. We got 0.87 inches of rain last Wednesday night, but that's been it in 2 months.

I think I have 2 or 3 more squash to gather and it's it for them. I picked the biggest jalapeno I've ever grown (or ever seen) yesterday. Will post a picture of it later. Insane!

[jjirons69]

Here's the last couple of pics before the borers set in on the squash. Last nice haul.

Also, the last pic is that giant-azz jalapeno I just picked. I can't wait to bust into it.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040823-1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040824-1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040826-1.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040829.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/P1040830.jpg

[shilala]

Holee sh1t, Jamie. That jalapeno is a monster!!!
I'd stuff that mammajamma with sage sausaage and cheddar cheese and go to town. Maybe wrap it in bacon, too. Geez, I gotta quit talking, I'm gettin a chub.

[jjirons69]

This is from a "normal" plant. I bought 6 of them. I bought 1 plant labeled "Monster Jalapeno" and it has some freakin' monsters on it, too. I know I didn't mix them up, the Monster came is a special pot. I bet I could fit an entire string cheese stick in it. Almost like eating a stuffed bell pepper, but with some heat. I'm saving the seeds from this plant!!

That big pepper is in the middle picture on the bottom right side of the plant (prior to picking). You can see I'm gonna have some damn fine peppers this year.

[Fordman4ever]

Wow, that thing is amazing.

[Mr B]

That Jalapeno is a Donkey! I had some nice big ones last year called "Mucho Nacho". I forgot when I was buying peppers this year and just got the regular ones. Those big mamas are great for stuffing.

[Ahbroody]

Things are starting to pickup here.
Pulled some beans and a head of lettuce this morning. Peppers are squash and Tomatoes are starting to look good.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/ahbroody/IMAG0194.jpg

[BC-Axeman]

I'm getting zukes, squash, peas and bok choi now. The tomatoes will start bearing now that night temps have risen above 50. I have to find my camera and shoot some pics. The pumpkin plant is turning into a monster.

[HK3-]

All of my tomatoes are still green. I think any day now they will begin to turn red. Patiently waiting to make some fresh salsa. :D

[wayner123]

All of my tomatoes are still green. I think any day now they will begin to turn red. Patiently waiting to make some fresh salsa. :D

If they are the size you want, go ahead and let them ripen on the counter.

[HK3-]

If they are the size you want, go ahead and let them ripen on the counter.

Oh they are just the little things not anything big. The only plant that appears it may produce anything with size hasn't began to pop out any flowers just yet.

[Noodles]

A couple of tomatoes are changing colors. Any day now.

[hotreds]

Beans coming up!

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp539%3A%3A%3Enu%3D3292%3E%3B78%3E732% 3EWSNRCG%3D365%3A67%3C83532%3Bnu0mrj

[Scothew]

Geez that makes my little 20x20 garden look like nothing :p

I did get some cucumbers and tomatoes today. Heat is killing my tomatoes so I picked them green so id have a chance to use them before they split.

[Chainsaw13]

Spent the better part of a couple days creating new raised beds, then dismantling a couple I already had. Needed the space behind the garage for my sled trailer. Ended up with more actual planting space. :tu

Didn't plant anything other than garlic this year due to work travel. However, I have 4 tomato plants that reseeded themselves and doing ok. A couple have tomatoes on them already. One is actually growing in my compost heap. Guess which one is the biggest?

[mariogolbee]

Seeing all o this makes me green with envy. LOL! I just didn't have the time or money to get anything started this year. There's always next year! Then again, there are two little tomato plants coming up out of the compost pile. I may see if I can do something with those. We also still have most of our herbs from the past two years along with a chili plant that's still producing from last year. And there are plenty of flowers that have stuck around!

[Mr B]

Hey guys, what do you do to keep your Cilanto and Italian Parsley from bolting? Mine will always grow for about a month than go straight to bolt.
Any ideas? Right now they are in mostly full sun in my raised bed w/ my other veg.
I have thought about shading them w/ some screen??