How does your garden grow?

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 5:31 am

Patsy Warnick;1313178 wrote: OK Gardeners Can you freeze Tomatoes?

Of course you can. They won't be good for anything bar cooking afterwards, though. You could possibly preserve them by drying or "tinning" them in kilner jars, although it would be a lot of effort for the £ involved.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:01 pm

I know the texture of them will change so they'll be good for sauce & soups.

I don't have to do anything prior to freezing them?

I hate to freeze them but I have so many.

Thanks

Patsy

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 5:37 pm

Patsy Warnick;1313297 wrote: I know the texture of them will change so they'll be good for sauce & soups.

I don't have to do anything prior to freezing them?

I hate to freeze them but I have so many.

Thanks

Patsy

Patsy, I froze mine last year, didn't do anything to them, just cut them up, they were very tasty in my sauce.

saramartin · Post by **saramartin** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 4:16 am

Check new plants and water as needed to keep the soil slightly moist. Gradually reduce the frequency, so you are watering thoroughly once a week in heavy soils and twice a week in sandy/rocky soils:-6

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 3:22 pm

I have noticed that I'm going to get an awful lot of African marigolds this year, from the raked-about seed heads of last year's flowers. There'll be a blaze of colour among the strawberries and runner beans. I bought some new seed this year, too. Bah. That'll learn me!

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:11 pm

Bill Sikes;1314383 wrote: I have noticed that I'm going to get an awful lot of African marigolds this year, from the raked-about seed heads of last year's flowers. There'll be a blaze of colour among the strawberries and runner beans. I bought some new seed this year, too. Bah. That'll learn me!

that's great, marigolds here a well know popular flower.

enjoy!:-6

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:16 pm

Beans are in, squirrells are assisting (Ahem) with the planting of the cucumbers and cougettes.

Anything could happen.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 5:43 pm

Clodhopper;1314396 wrote: Beans are in, squirrells are assisting (Ahem) with the planting of the cucumbers and cougettes.

Anything could happen.

isn't it grand having squirrels around?

put some 'blood meal' down, its good for the earth and squirrels hate it.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 3:42 am

isn't it grand having squirrels around?

put some 'blood meal' down, its good for the earth and squirrels hate it.

Hiya Odie.

Blood meal. I'll bear it in mind. They've worked out how to get inside the fruit cage I've put up over the veg patch.

I do like having the squirrels around, even though they are an invasive species and officially classed as vermin. the female who comes round has recently had her kitts (is that what you call baby squirrels?) judging by her change of shape, so hopefully I'll soon be seeing them in my garden. They are THE cutest things - a large tail with a tiny squirrel attached. You worry that if there's a strong puff of wind they'll just get carried away!

Tan · Post by **Tan** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 4:31 am

yaaarrrgg;1310509 wrote: I tripled the size of my garden this year. Aside from the usual vegetables, I'm going to try growing bhut jolokia. They are the hottest pepper in the world.

Bhut Jolokia pepper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I want some!

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:32 am

Patsy Warnick;1312149 wrote: I have tomatoes coming out my ears.......

I'll have to give some away to neighbors.

Nothing better than Home Grown - delish

Patsy

Crimony! How did i keep missing this thread?:-5

Get a dehydrator! They are great and don't cost much. I dried a bunch last year. garnished some with cupboard spices and this winter, chopped them up to throw on salads.

Which reminds me.... I'm trying the hanging guy again just because you promised I'd get lots. If I don't get something this year, you can expect it wrapped and on your doorstep for christmas!:p:wah:

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:36 am

Clodhopper;1314396 wrote: Beans are in, squirrells are assisting (Ahem) with the planting of the cucumbers and cougettes.

Anything could happen.

I love fried zucchini!:-4

And yes, I had to go look up 'cougettes'!:wah:

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:05 am

Odie;1314404 wrote: isn't it grand having squirrels around?

put some 'blood meal' down, its good for the earth and squirrels hate it.

Sister in law has a lot of squirrels and this one she calls Fat Boy because he hogs all the food, refusing to let the others get near the feeder. She had her son build 4 feeder trays for the others, which we'll install today. It's fun to watch them. I din't have squirrels in the desert in Cal.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:08 am

Zapata;1314496 wrote:

Sister in law has a lot of squirrels and this one she calls Fat Boy because he hogs all the food, refusing to let the others get near the feeder. She had her son build 4 feeder trays for the others, which we'll install today. It's fun to watch them. I din't have squirrels in the desert in Cal.

that's cute, Fat Boy!:wah:

they are fun to watch, I have two here that chase each other from one yard to another.

my sunflower feeder is squirrel proof, but they still try and end up hanging upside down.:yh_rotfl

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:34 am

And yes, I had to go look up 'cougettes'!

:o Just noticed I misspelled "courgette". :wah: So you did very well to find it!

The dehydrator sounds a nifty little gadget. Never heard of it before! Works on both herbs and fruit, I assume?

Hmm. Do they come cat sized? Too many cats around here...

rgmoore · Post by **rgmoore** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:06 pm

I got my roses as usual and this I will try to add some tomatoes. I envy on people posting about eating fresh tomatoes out of their own garden. Its just wonderful reading those posts and i want to try it too. I want to make that feeling of eating what you had planted and sowed. :-6

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:13 pm

my beefsteak tomatoes are growing extremely fast for having planted them a month ago, tons of buds and tons of tying the long thick stems up.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:29 am

Beans are hurtling out of the soil and up the canes. Red flowers bursting out of buds. Cucumbers are climbing the string as if terrified of worms. The courgettes say, "You think this is something? You ain't seen nothing yet!" The peppers and chilli are staying quiet. Seem happy, just quiet. Cue Jaws music...:-3

Borage is a real bumble bee fuel stop. Thoroughly recommend.

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:46 am

Clodhopper;1315598 wrote: Beans are hurtling out of the soil and up the canes. Red flowers bursting out of buds. Cucumbers are climbing the string as if terrified of worms. The courgettes say, "You think this is something? You ain't seen nothing yet!" The peppers and chilli are staying quiet. Seem happy, just quiet. Cue Jaws music...:-3

Borage is a real bumble bee fuel stop. Thoroughly recommend.

What do you mean 'climbing the string'?

off to google......:p

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:48 am

Clodhopper;1315598 wrote: Beans are hurtling out of the soil and up the canes. Red flowers bursting out of buds. Cucumbers are climbing the string as if terrified of worms. The courgettes say, "You think this is something? You ain't seen nothing yet!" The peppers and chilli are staying quiet. Seem happy, just quiet. Cue Jaws music...:-3

Borage is a real bumble bee fuel stop. Thoroughly recommend.

That sounds lovely:-6 Oh, please post some pics of your garden Clod......I'd love to see it.

I have pavers and no more garden. But, I did plant tomatoes in the upside down holders and now have flowers on them. Guess I'll have tommos in July.

I'm going to plant strawberries in the upside down holders when I have time.

My basil, rosemary, oregano, hot peppers, thyme and tarragon are looking great also.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:21 am

What do you mean 'climbing the string'?

:wah: I don't think you'll have much luck with google.

Apparently the way to grow cucumbers is to pinch out the new growth after the seventh leaf and encourage the side shoots that develop to climb up string or canes or netting. The plant has special gripping tendrils that curl round anything they contact. Mine haven't even waited for me to pinch out the new growth - they are grabbing the string I have artfully arranged and heading skyward!

I'm no expert gardener or anything. Only been doing this a few years. But it seems to work!

KE: Sorry, don't have the relevant technology to take photos and post them here. It's a small garden, and the vegetable patch is even smaller. Fun though - and the fresh veg is veeeery tasty.

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:04 pm

My beans were all flowering mid week here. I figure they will be in prime picking condition while I'm away.

So anyhoot... you're all welcome to stop by and help yourselves. I can't stand when they get too big, I'd rather get them young.

That reminds me.. I transplanted a cactus someone sent me last year that hadn't done anything in the year I'd had it. This is what it did in the first month since I put it in a bigger pot...go figure:rolleyes:

Attached files

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:28 am

I can almost here the cactus giving a long sigh of relief. :wah:

I've got trouble with my beans. :-1 The flowers are dropping without pollinating. Don't know why. The rest of the plant seems perfectly healthy. Have only seen one bee go near the plants, but assume others must have, since the cucumbers appear to have pollinated. Any ideas would be appreciated...

ps: Unless it has rained watered almost every evening, fed every 10 days or so.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 4:19 am

My basil plants just died....bummer...forgot to water them yesterday.:-1

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:44 am

My beloved's cherry tomato bush is all bush and few tomatoes.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:33 am

I think I've got Might-have-beans, not Runner beans.

Cucumbers growing at an enormous rate, though! And first flowers appearing on the chilli plant. Or it might be a pepper.

I'm also trying to grow Basil. Some little shoots appearing, but at present so small I can't tell if they are Basil or weeds.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:07 pm

my two beefsteak tomato plants now look like bushes and I have tomatoes!:guitarist:guitarist

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:54 am

Looking at the way the flowers are falling off my bean plants, pretty soon the're going to be Sean Beans. Boooo.

On the other hand some of the weeds are definitely Basil. Yaaay!

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 5:21 am

Clodhopper;1320242 wrote: Looking at the way the flowers are falling off my bean plants, pretty soon the're going to be Sean Beans. Boooo.

On the other hand some of the weeds are definitely Basil. Yaaay!

what are Sean beans?

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 5:31 am

Sean Bean is an actor:

http://www.southessex.co.uk/bios/images/seanbean.jpg

And if the flowers keep falling off my bean plants - they will be "shorn" too! :wah:

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 8:26 am

Clodhopper;1320258 wrote: Sean Bean is an actor:

http://www.southessex.co.uk/bios/images/seanbean.jpg

And if the flowers keep falling off my bean plants - they will be "shorn" too! :wah:

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

You can give Sean Bean to me, I would have various things he could do for me.

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 9:29 am

I bought 2 beautiful basil plants, about 18" tall and bushy at Trader Joe's. $2.98 each. I gave one to my daughter. It's too hot now to put them outside but they are wonderful on the window sill.

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 9:36 am

Clodhopper;1320258 wrote: Sean Bean is an actor:

http://www.southessex.co.uk/bios/images/seanbean.jpg

And if the flowers keep falling off my bean plants - they will be "shorn" too! :wah:

Hmm. Sean Bean is verrry nice! Is he related to Mr. Bean, by any chance?

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:07 am

Zapata;1320284 wrote: Hmm. Sean Bean is verrry nice! Is he related to Mr. Bean, by any chance?

All Beans are from the legume family.:wah:

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:26 am

YZGI;1320292 wrote: All Beans are from the legume family.:wah:

I see. Thank you Izzy. And that would be the Legumes of North Carolina, I presume? Or was that LeJeune?

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 12:51 pm

With weeds and vines, and those darn elms, and skunks digging it up and a couple of pathetic cucumber plants....but the radishes are doing great! Well, it's my first try!:(

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 2:25 pm

Zapata;1320284 wrote: Hmm. Sean Bean is verrry nice! Is he related to Mr. Bean, by any chance?

I asked for him first eh?:yh_rotfl

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 2:27 pm

Saint_;1320311 wrote: With weeds and vines, and those darn elms, and skunks digging it up and a couple of pathetic cucumber plants....but the radishes are doing great! Well, it's my first try!:(

put down 'blood meal', animals hate the smell and its great for gardens.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 5:43 pm

(Primly) I'm sorry, Mr Bean is meant to be growing on MY plants. I be grateful if you'd all stop distracting him. I plan to parboil him. Distractions from other hemispheres are not helpful.

7 Basil plants so far. Yaay!

I have a horrible suspicion that the only cucumbers I've got so far are the ones I pollinated myself. Don't ask.

(Clodhopper heads for the garden with an expression of grim determination...)

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 5:54 pm

Clodhopper;1320376 wrote: (Primly) I'm sorry, Mr Bean is meant to be growing on MY plants. I be grateful if you'd all stop distracting him. I plan to parboil him. Distractions from other hemispheres are not helpful.

7 Basil plants so far. Yaay!

I have a horrible suspicion that the only cucumbers I've got so far are the ones I pollinated myself. Don't ask.

(Clodhopper heads for the garden with an expression of grim determination...)

see what you don't understand is, I'm distracting him so he doesn't do any more damage to your beans.:sneaky:

7 basil plants, that's great!

I don't want to know about pollination.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 6:27 pm

(aghast) You mean he's now a Has Bean?

Oh no!

I'm pretty smug about my Basil, though. The seeds were waaaaaay out of date, so I just made a furrow in the soil and tipped 'em in. We'll see if I can keep them alive a little longer.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:45 pm

Clodhopper;1320386 wrote: (aghast) You mean he's now a Has Bean?

Oh no!

I'm pretty smug about my Basil, though. The seeds were waaaaaay out of date, so I just made a furrow in the soil and tipped 'em in. We'll see if I can keep them alive a little longer.

good luck, I hope they stay alive for you and don't forget the blood meal for your critters.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:22 am

Have to admit I'm not using the blood meal. I'm often out there in bare feet...I think I'll settle on threatening the squirrel with a high velocity haggis if necessary.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:22 am

Clodhopper;1320542 wrote: Have to admit I'm not using the blood meal. I'm often out there in bare feet...I think I'll settle on threatening the squirrel with a high velocity haggis if necessary.

ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!:yh_rotfl

Mustang · Post by **Mustang** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 11:57 am

Over the weekend, we picked zucchini and golden straightneck squash, cut them in half, marinated them in italian dressing and placed them on the grill. Fantastic! :-6

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:06 pm

Got back from Virginia yesterday and after I cut the grass, I hit the garden. First batch of green beans hanging there in perfect picking condition.:-6

Tomatoes all over the place, but green yet. Cucumbers and squash coming along nicely. I am starting to get a bit concerned over the pepper plants however. It may just be that it's been too wet for the peppers...:-3

Mustang · Post by **Mustang** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:50 pm

Picked more squash, some cucumbers and a couple green peppers today. Lots of tomatoes, but nothing ripe yet. Also been picking blueberries off our bushes.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:33 pm

Mustang;1321464 wrote: Picked more squash, some cucumbers and a couple green peppers today. Lots of tomatoes, but nothing ripe yet. Also been picking blueberries off our bushes.

I've never had cuc's nor green peppers from a garden, they must taste really fresh.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm blueberries and ice cream.:-6

Mustang · Post by **Mustang** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 3:34 pm

Odie;1321470 wrote: I've never had cuc's nor green peppers from a garden, they must taste really fresh.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm blueberries and ice cream.:-6

If you ever have the chance to eat a freshly picked cucumber and pepper, you'd notice the difference immediately and never by store bought again.

They're crisp and crunchy.

Blueberries and ice cream sound good Odie but I'm more looking forward to a fresh baked blueberry pie.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:15 pm

Mustang;1321476 wrote: If you ever have the chance to eat a freshly picked cucumber and pepper, you'd notice the difference immediately and never by store bought again.

They're crisp and crunchy.

Blueberries and ice cream sound good Odie but I'm more looking forward to a fresh baked blueberry pie.

my neighbours across the street grow cuc's, I must ask her for one when I take her some of my tomatoes.

See, now I want pie.:-5