Luck plays an important part for backyard gardeners. Not only luck with the weather and timely rains, but the luck of the draw when planting seeds or young plants. I had room for 4 tomato plants this spring and wanted one to be a cherry-type vine for snacks and salads. I saw a plant at Cornerstone Nursery that looked healthy and had “cherry-something” on the sticker, so I bought it, … [Read more...]
Growing Tomatoes
(Slicer tomatoes) This year’s crop has already exceeded my pitiful tomato harvest for 2022. It was a bust. I planted tomatoes from seeds last year and the spindly plants never had a chance. This spring I went to the Corner Store Garden Center and bought my plants. I didn’t look at the variety, I just bought the ones that looked healthiest. Two of my plants are called Slicer Tomatoes … [Read more...]
The Rain in Spain
…..is now in Charlottesville. We went from no rain to all of Europe’s quota of rain in a matter of days. But’s who’s complaining? My garden has come out of hibernation and if you listen closely, you can hear stuff growing. Unfortunately, the grass has also noticed the rising rain gauge and is taking advantage, so when it finally lets up, the old mower will get a good work … [Read more...]
My Cucumber Trellis .
I bought my Cucumber Trellis early this spring. The plan was to set this beauty up and have multiple cucumber vines on each side of the trellis climbing the netting to deposit hundreds, perhaps thousands of crisp, green cukes for me to pick and for Nancy to can and make pickles. But there was some assembly involved and by the time I finished putting together the 100 or more parts, I had a much … [Read more...]
Peas to Please
Earlier this spring, I had a small, empty space in my garden, and I also had a pack of garden pea seeds that needed a home. I planted 2 short rows and put a trellis beside each row. The peas took advantage of the rain and warming sun and each and every one sprouted. They also followed the instructions and scaled the little trellis to produce blooms, then peas. I resisted the … [Read more...]
The First Tomatoes
There is something to be said about above ground garden plots. They produce the first tomatoes. While my in-ground tomato plants finally have a few small ‘maters, Nancy’s plants in her above ground garden cage have already produced vine ripened tomatoes. We plucked three, fat, red-ripe tomatoes yesterday. My Daddy once said that it didn’t really matter when you planted tomatoes, … [Read more...]
Some Assembly Required
When I have little or nothing to do, I often pay Mr. Amazon a visit and see what new and improved gizmos I can add to my collection. Earlier this spring, I saw a Cucumber Trellis that I simply could not live without. This six-foot tall piece of heavy-duty garden equipment would allow me to plant several hills of cukes on each side of the trellis, and of course the vines would then scale … [Read more...]
Little Adder Hummingbird Mint
We lost our one-year-old Hummingbird Mint plant to that frigid cold snap last Christmas. A hardy perennial, it didn’t survive that week of artic-like weather. This spring, we immediately searched for and found another and it’s in the ground now. Fellow gardeners, this is a plant you want to have. Though it attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds, we wanted it near our fishpond to draw in … [Read more...]
Tomatoes and Eggs
Doesn’t sound very appetizing, does it? That’s because you don’t necessarily eat eggs with tomatoes, you put the eggshells in and on the ground when you plant tomatoes. If you do, you’ll grow more and larger tomatoes and eliminate or reduce those black spots on the first fruits. I didn’t do well in chemistry, but I know that calcium, especially calcium carbonate, is a great additive to the … [Read more...]
When To Plant Tomatoes
Last week, within 2 days, we alternately turned on our air conditioner and then our gas logs. April weather can be strange indeed, which poses problems for back yard gardeners. Though the air may feel warm, the soil temperature may well be still too cool, and a sudden late frost is always a possibility. Planting tomatoes and peppers too early in cooler temperatures can cause stunted growth, … [Read more...]
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