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...]
My Wife: The Mulch-aholic
My wife is a Mulch-aholic. I have gone to their meetings, and there is no cure. It’s an illness caused when your mother didn’t let you play in the dirt as a 4-year-old. Each spring, Lowe’s brings in 2 tractor trailer loads of brown mulch – one for Nancy and one for all the other gardeners in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Mulch-aholics ofte try to hide their sickness. Rather … [Read more...]
New Garden Toy: A Cucumber Trellis
I am chomping at the bit to start digging in my garden. I have planted a few peas, beets, onion sets and lettuce, but I must bide my time before the summer garden goes in. Still, that doesn’t stop me from buying garden toys, and I have a new one – a cucumber trellis. I have found that most cucumber vines like to climb if there is something nearby to cling to. They’re up and at ‘em like Jack … [Read more...]
Twist Tiller: A Great Garden Tool
I discovered a great garden tool this week, one that I have had in my shed for 4 or 5 years and never used. It’s a Twist Tiller that I gave Nancy for a birthday present since she probably does more gardening and tilling than I do. I tried it once, the first summer, but the ground was sunbaked, and it seemed like too much work. But when I planted this spring, I decided to give it another go as … [Read more...]
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