2012 Gardening Thread

[MOTU_Maniac]

My tomatoes went nuts because of the heat. They all turned red at once.

Yeah, right now mine are REALLY heavy. I am picking 12-15 each morning. I usually pick them before they are fully ripe (and let them ripen in the house), so that I don't lose them to insects and wildlife (birds, squirrels, etc.).

[Judith]

My cucumbers and tomatoes are doing really well. I always like to give away most of my extra produce to my neighbors and wife's co-workers. It makes me feel all warm inside

I'm sure they love it too.

Here are a few more pics of my garden. Hope no one is tired of seeing pictures. Since I don't have kids, my garden is my baby.

Hee hee hee nah, with as dismal as the heat has done to all our garden's it's nice to see one succeed.

Types of tomatoes are: Better Boy, Early Girl, Cherokee Purple Heirloom, and Husky Cherry Red.

I hope the Miracle Grow helps also

It's perking up that's for sure.

Why Better Boy and Early Girl? I planted Brandy Wine (Cherokee Purple also a favorite), Morgage Lifter (low acid, large, little seeds), and Roma (quicker yield).

The black caps came early here and ppl r worried there might b a lot of apples. I have one tomato plant and it isn't growing. Damn heat

I'm with you, my greens keep bolting on me.

[MOTU_Maniac]

Why Better Boy and Early Girl? I planted Brandy Wine (Cherokee Purple also a favorite), Morgage Lifter (low acid, large, little seeds), and Roma (quicker yield).

From the time I was 8 years old my family planted 2 acres of Better Boy, Early Girl, and Celebrity tomatoes on the farm. Starting in 2000, as an adult, I planted them in my own garden out of tradition (along with trying a few new varieties each year). Now, I plant them to feel close to my mom who passed in 2006.

I am really enjoying the Cherokee Purple. This is my first year with them.

I'm sure they love it too.

Hope so

Hee hee hee nah, with as dismal as the heat has done to all our garden's it's nice to see one succeed.

Thank you

It's perking up that's for sure.

Yay

[Judith]

That's a very sweet story, your mom would be proud.

[Dave-Man]

I just bought some strawberry plants a couple weeks ago. They actually produced some small berries. I'm not sure I can get them to do it again with the drought conditions though. You can sure tell where I water stuff in my yard - the grass is actually green around the pots.

[MOTU_Maniac]

Here is a picture of today's harvest consisting of: Yellow Squash, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, a few Green Beans, and 3 types of Tomatoes. Going to have Stir Fry for supper
Attachment 77433

That's a very sweet story, your mom would be proud.

Thanks. It's the little things

- - - Updated - - -

I just bought some strawberry plants a couple weeks ago. They actually produced some small berries. I'm not sure I can get them to do it again with the drought conditions though. You can sure tell where I water stuff in my yard - the grass is actually green around the pots.

I LOVE strawberries!!! We grew 5 acres of strawberries when I was growing up. We picked them for customers and had a U-Pick section. The first year you plant strawberry plants you want to pinch off all flowers before they turn into berries so that the plants use all their energy and resources to grow fuller, greener plants and runners. Then next year you will have a better abundance of fruit.

[Dave-Man]

I LOVE strawberries!!! We grew 5 acres of strawberries when I was growing up. We picked them for customers and had a U-Pick section. The first year you plant strawberry plants you want to pinch off all flowers before they turn into berries so that the plants use all their energy and resources to grow fuller, greener plants and runners. Then next year you will have a better abundance of fruit.

They didn't have any flowers on them when I got them. They already had some little berries. Don't know how they took care of them at the store. I tried growing some last year but some species of ant that seems to like my yard killed them.

[MOTU_Maniac]

Here are a few pictures of items I picked from my garden this morning. Wish the State Fair was this week because I just picked the last of my BIG, ripening tomatoes (and the State Fair isn't for another 3 weeks )

Corn, Peppers, Cucumbers, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, and 4 types of Tomatoes
Attachment 77660

Corn, Peppers, Cucumbers, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, 4 types of Tomatoes, and 2 types of Potatoes
Attachment 77661

[Dave-Man]

Wow. I wish my garden was doing that well. It has been mostly killed by the heat I think.

[MOTU_Maniac]

Wow. I wish my garden was doing that well. It has been mostly killed by the heat I think.

Thank you for the kind words

and sorry the heat is killing your garden

[MOTU_Maniac]

I know it's been a while, but I have been very busy in the garden as well as in the kitchen baking, cooking, canning, freezing, etc.

In the past few weeks I have:

~Canned 7 types of relish: Green tomato, hot dog, cucumber, corn, dixie, zucchini, and chow chow
~Canned 2 types of pickles: sweet and bread & butter
~Cooked/ Froze: Gumbo, Stuffed Bell Peppers, Ratatouille, Okra, Apple Pie, and Apple Breade

Here are just a few photos I would like to share....

6 types of relish and Bread & Butter pickles
Attachment 79010

Stuffed Bell Peppers (made in crock pot)
Attachment 79007

Vegetables picked: Okra, Green Beans, Eggplant, cherry tomatoes, slicer tomatoes, and Lima Beans
Attachment 79008

Vegetables picked: Eggplant, green peppers, slicer tomatoes, yellow squash, and zucchini
Attachment 79011

Ratatouille (made in crock pot)
Attachment 79012

[iron_pride]

The heat and drought here pretty much killed anythign I was growing. Tried a lot of peppers and rosemary and the pickings have been slim.

[MOTU_Maniac]

The heat and drought here pretty much killed anythign I was growing. Tried a lot of peppers and rosemary and the pickings have been slim.

My garden did surprisingly well despite the heat and drought. I was pleasantly surprised.