I've decided to go with framed raised beds this year (still under construction); still working on the final planting list.
What is on everyone's plan for this season?
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Got my usual herbs in the planter- Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme.
Got my tomatoes in the Topsy-Turvies, all small tomatoes this year- sweet 100s and grape tomatoes. 3 total this year, should yield several 100 tomatoes.
Got a Pepper topsy-turvy going with Jalapenos, Habanero's, chili peppers, and hot banana peppers.
Got a strawberry topsy-turvy this year with 15 strawberry plants. We'll see how this does but I'm optimistic to get a good crop, I have plenty of sun.
Got my tomatoes in the Topsy-Turvies, all small tomatoes this year- sweet 100s and grape tomatoes. 3 total this year, should yield several 100 tomatoes.
Got a Pepper topsy-turvy going with Jalapenos, Habanero's, chili peppers, and hot banana peppers.
Got a strawberry topsy-turvy this year with 15 strawberry plants. We'll see how this does but I'm optimistic to get a good crop, I have plenty of sun.
None this year. There are too many deer around, and I am too lazy to build any type of barrier. Last year, I tried planting a variety of tomatoes, basil, and herbs, and none made it past July.
same suspects as usual, but different setup. I'm moving my herbs (thyme, basil, rosemary) to pots and the tomato plants to a sunnier spot. I'm behind schedule already. Hope to get them in the ground next week.
quote:Originally posted by grossie:
Got my tomatoes in the Topsy-Turvies, all small tomatoes this year- sweet 100s and grape tomatoes. 3 total this year, should yield several 100 tomatoes.
I'm trying one of these for the first time this year. The past few years here have been so dismal for tomatoes, I figure I have nothing to lose but my optimism. In fact, I just got done hanging it about an hour ago.
My main concern is, as always, how to keep the neighbor kids from stripping my peach tree when it ripens. Do you think punji sticks would send the wrong message?
I'm giving up on sage and dill this year. I get tiny white bugs on the underside of the sage leaves and I don't want to deal with them. Dill is a weed, but I still can't grow it. Maybe just rosemary, tarragon, and basil, in addition to tomatoes. The blight hit late in the season last year.
Basil and Rosemary in the hanging boxes on the balcony this year.
That's it that's all. Keeping it simple for the herbs we use the most.
That's it that's all. Keeping it simple for the herbs we use the most.
For some reason the zucchini and squash that I plant always develope a rot. I have no idea how to treat this, and it's unfortunate as I love zucchini.
Planted this year: tomatoes(3 varieties), lettuce, bell peppers, jalapenos, hot cherry peppers, cayenne, fennel, swiss chard (red), string beans, squash(god only knows why I'm trying again), green onions, basil, cilantro, parsley, cucumbers
Planted this year: tomatoes(3 varieties), lettuce, bell peppers, jalapenos, hot cherry peppers, cayenne, fennel, swiss chard (red), string beans, squash(god only knows why I'm trying again), green onions, basil, cilantro, parsley, cucumbers
Rosemary, sage, thyme, basil and some cilantro that I'm tossing in the towel on. We have too much shade for a full garden which frustrates me as I'd love to have one.
Right now (in various stages):
Beets (several varieties)
Tomatoes (several varieties - mostly heirloom)
Corn
carrots
Beans
radishes
zuccini
squash
peppers (bell and poblano)
herbs
fruit:
blueberries
blackberries
strawberries
nectarines
peaches
pears (not many, most fell off)
apples
red seedless grapes
lemons (Meyer and pink lemonade)
key limes (end of the big crop)
tangerines
Mission figs (a ways off)
To be planted:
okra
cucumbers
eggplant
Just had to pull up all of the lettuce/salad greens. It is too warm and they all bolted. Another season without apricots. Might be time for a shovel prune.
Beets (several varieties)
Tomatoes (several varieties - mostly heirloom)
Corn
carrots
Beans
radishes
zuccini
squash
peppers (bell and poblano)
herbs
fruit:
blueberries
blackberries
strawberries
nectarines
peaches
pears (not many, most fell off)
apples
red seedless grapes
lemons (Meyer and pink lemonade)
key limes (end of the big crop)
tangerines
Mission figs (a ways off)
To be planted:
okra
cucumbers
eggplant
Just had to pull up all of the lettuce/salad greens. It is too warm and they all bolted. Another season without apricots. Might be time for a shovel prune.
quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:
I'm trying one of these for the first time this year. The past few years here have been so dismal for tomatoes, I figure I have nothing to lose but my optimism. In fact, I just got done hanging it about an hour ago.
There are not many tricks to the topsy-turvy, but I'll pass on what I've learned. 1)water every day (I have a drip irrigation system) 2)lots of sun- 6 hours or more is important 3)fertilize- plant in good potting soil & then fertilize throughout the season. If you do/have those things you'll grow a lot of tomatoes.
quote:Originally posted by grossie:quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:
I'm trying one of these for the first time this year. The past few years here have been so dismal for tomatoes, I figure I have nothing to lose but my optimism. In fact, I just got done hanging it about an hour ago.
There are not many tricks to the topsy-turvy, but I'll pass on what I've learned. 1)water every day (I have a drip irrigation system) 2)lots of sun- 6 hours or more is important 3)fertilize- plant in good potting soil & then fertilize throughout the season. If you do/have those things you'll grow a lot of tomatoes.
Thanks, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Quite a few different tomatoes, jalapenos, Thai Dragon chile, four different types of basil, oregano, two different thymes, and then the perennial fruit - lemon, orange, and nectarine.
Nothing in yet! Too cold. But will be starting this weekend as the weather looks to be great.
I do have over 80 varieties heirloom tomato plants started and ready to go out. Will plant lots of green beans as well and maybe some sweet corn. Squash/cukes and then see how much space is left.
Not doing one of my favorites..potatoes...nothing like fresh dug. Darn gophers ate almost all mine last year!!!
Most my herbs will be in pots.
Nothing like fresh produce from the garden.
I do have over 80 varieties heirloom tomato plants started and ready to go out. Will plant lots of green beans as well and maybe some sweet corn. Squash/cukes and then see how much space is left.
Not doing one of my favorites..potatoes...nothing like fresh dug. Darn gophers ate almost all mine last year!!!
Most my herbs will be in pots.
Nothing like fresh produce from the garden.
Waiting another week or so to plant the veggies to make sure we don't get a late frost; but some of the herbs make it through the winter here and we've already started cooking with the sage.
Here is the list so far:
Parsley
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Basil
Tomatoes (Sweet 100, Early Girl, Beef Steak, Plum) and I'll try a couple of Topsy Turvy"s
Bell Peppers
Lettuce
Fennel
Celery
Bob
Here is the list so far:
Parsley
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Basil
Tomatoes (Sweet 100, Early Girl, Beef Steak, Plum) and I'll try a couple of Topsy Turvy"s
Bell Peppers
Lettuce
Fennel
Celery
Bob
A bunch of different tomato plants, basil, rosemary, chive and taragon.
Going to try eggplant this year, along with some zucchini and butternut squash. If my yard wasn't the size of a postage stamp I would have a real garden.
The wife made a lattice top blueberry pie from our first harvest (OMG - Yum). Just picked another quart this weekend. The new anti-bird cages are increasing yields this year. Strawberries are awesome right now.
I wish that I could get the snails under control. They are having a field day with the peppers and dahlias.
We had a nest of Black Phoebes on the side of our house. Messy bastards, but the most voracious bug eaters I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the babies fledged and we are on our own with bug control.
Ocra, cantaloupe, and Japanese eggplant (ichiban) in as of this weekend.
I wish that I could get the snails under control. They are having a field day with the peppers and dahlias.
We had a nest of Black Phoebes on the side of our house. Messy bastards, but the most voracious bug eaters I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the babies fledged and we are on our own with bug control.
Ocra, cantaloupe, and Japanese eggplant (ichiban) in as of this weekend.
Blueberries already? Those won't be in season until mid July in Michigan. Cherries are in season around the 4th of July and peaches in mid to late July. This is about the right time to pick Rhubarb as well.
I wish we could do cherries here. Not enough chill hours for good ones, at least in my microclimate. The blueberries are full throttle now. Hopefully, they will continue to produce for a while. In about a month, we will have more blackberries than we will know what to do with.
quote:Originally posted by jqmunro:
For some reason the zucchini and squash that I plant always develope a rot. I have no idea how to treat this, and it's unfortunate as I love zucchini.
if they rest on the ground they will rot,
I'd lay plastic wrap for the fruit to rest on or hang it.
My best year ever for New Zealand spinach, I probably will be freezing many pounds worth.
Mmmmmmm! Frozen spinach!
I planted yellow tomatoes (mature early so we should have some before we leave this summer), rosemary, and filled in the rest with ornamentals.
I planted yellow tomatoes (mature early so we should have some before we leave this summer), rosemary, and filled in the rest with ornamentals.
better yet, they should be planted in a raised row or mound and do not let them get much past 8" or so. This way they will (1) be up off the ground; and (2) never get big enough to be so heavy as to "fall" to the ground. Besides, they are much better tasting and better texture when small. Be very careful using plastic as it will hold moisture when watered (or it rains) and if it gets hot will almost want to cook the outer portion of the squash.quote:Originally posted by g-man:quote:Originally posted by jqmunro:
For some reason the zucchini and squash that I plant always develope a rot. I have no idea how to treat this, and it's unfortunate as I love zucchini.
if they rest on the ground they will rot,
I'd lay plastic wrap for the fruit to rest on or hang it.
Our modest little garden, after a serious start-over at the paws of our Springer Spaniel (she was quite proud of her "work"):
Beets
Walla Walla Sweet Onions
Tomatoes (Early Girl)
Blueberries
Carrots
Radishes
Japanese Eggplant
Basil
Italian Parsley
Chives
Rosemary
We started two green bean plants and two snap pea plants, but they were literally stripped down in two days by slugs! I think I'll start over with those and try a little slug protection.
Beets
Walla Walla Sweet Onions
Tomatoes (Early Girl)
Blueberries
Carrots
Radishes
Japanese Eggplant
Basil
Italian Parsley
Chives
Rosemary
We started two green bean plants and two snap pea plants, but they were literally stripped down in two days by slugs! I think I'll start over with those and try a little slug protection.
quote:Originally posted by Board-O:
Mmmmmmm! Frozen spinach!
Since it is New Zealand spinach it won't start to bolt until at least August hence come November and December before heading to my winter home yes the frozen stuff will taste mighty fine. Until then fresh is best! I have already sent almost 30 pounds to my church's kitchen and to condo-bound relatives.
A favorite thing to use it is in a flatbread mixed with chives, onions, old cheddar cheese and diced potatoes. It is beyond words when freshly baked...
Article for dejected Habs fan
(that's Grossie)
Growing Vegetables Upside Down
Upside-down crops booming in popularity.
(that's Grossie)
Growing Vegetables Upside Down
Upside-down crops booming in popularity.
Three weeks plus without measureable precipitation here in northern MD - the garden hose is getting quite the workout. How are everyone's crops faring?
We've only done herbs the last 3 years since we finally came off the waiting list at the local CSA. My garden here at the office however has 4 different varietals of tomatoes, 5 varietals of peppers, zucchini, basil, cilantro, and sunflowers. Bring on the fresh pico?
We have a lot of fun with it though, and everyone in the office gets great enjoyment from it! Pictures on my Facebook in my mobile uploads for those of you who have me on there. -mJ
We have a lot of fun with it though, and everyone in the office gets great enjoyment from it! Pictures on my Facebook in my mobile uploads for those of you who have me on there. -mJ
I have started to pick cherry tomatoes, and the Early Girl, Better Boy and Lemon Boy are doing fine. Lost two each of Cherokee Purple and Green Zebra, and the last planting is still only doing okay. The weather here was far too mild late spring, and only recently have we had the run of high temps needed to really get tomatoos going.
Herbs are doing fine, but peppers are not, and the squirrels got all but two nectarines.
Weird weather.
Herbs are doing fine, but peppers are not, and the squirrels got all but two nectarines.
Weird weather.
quote:Originally posted by Dom'n'Vin'sDad:
I have started to pick cherry tomatoes, and the Early Girl, Better Boy and Lemon Boy are doing fine. Lost two each of Cherokee Purple and Green Zebra, and the last planting is still only doing okay. The weather here was far too mild late spring, and only recently have we had the run of high temps needed to really get tomatoos going.
Weird weather.
Just starting to get a few blooms on mine...
LOTS!!! With the 2 Hops test plots in N.MI and S. IL, we have 5 gardens in 3 states! 
At our house we have a raised bed w/ 15 Tomatoes(cherry,grape,Black Krim and ???) 3 different Bell's, 6 different Hot peppers, 8 cucumbers,Hops and a few herbs(all organic). Then 300 sweet corn acrossed the street where I tilled up his back yard. Loving it this year, knock on wood..everything is doing great!
At our house we have a raised bed w/ 15 Tomatoes(cherry,grape,Black Krim and ???) 3 different Bell's, 6 different Hot peppers, 8 cucumbers,Hops and a few herbs(all organic). Then 300 sweet corn acrossed the street where I tilled up his back yard. Loving it this year, knock on wood..everything is doing great!
Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Lavender, Tomatoes, Serrano Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Navel Oranges, Blood Oranges, Limes, Lemons and Pomegranates
Anyone ever let a jalapeno hang for long enough to have it go red? I just picked my first red one tonight- I'm not sure I can tell a flavor difference but it's pretty cool to look at. They say that jalapenos become a little more sweet but maintain heat when they're red. I know it's still hot (just ate a piece) but I'm not sure I can taste the sweet. It took 2-3 weeks past ripe for it to get red.
The Topsy Turvy for peppers is a definite do-again. I've picked a crap load of peppers of my 3 jalapeno plants, my Habanero peppers are now turning orange (prob get ~20 off the one plant), my hot banana pepper plant will easily yield 25-30 peppers, and the thai chili pepper plant is thriving too. Peppers love heat, even more than tomatoes!
The Topsy Turvy for peppers is a definite do-again. I've picked a crap load of peppers of my 3 jalapeno plants, my Habanero peppers are now turning orange (prob get ~20 off the one plant), my hot banana pepper plant will easily yield 25-30 peppers, and the thai chili pepper plant is thriving too. Peppers love heat, even more than tomatoes!
quote:Originally posted by grossie:
Anyone ever let a jalapeno hang for long enough to have it go red? I just picked my first red one tonight- I'm not sure I can tell a flavor difference but it's pretty cool to look at. They say that jalapenos become a little more sweet but maintain heat when they're red. I know it's still hot (just ate a piece) but I'm not sure I can taste the sweet. It took 2-3 weeks past ripe for it to get red.
The Topsy Turvy for peppers is a definite do-again. I've picked a crap load of peppers of my 3 jalapeno plants, my Habanero peppers are now turning orange (prob get ~20 off the one plant), my hot banana pepper plant will easily yield 25-30 peppers, and the thai chili pepper plant is thriving too. Peppers love heat, even more than tomatoes!
Used to work for a company that roasted peppers, including jalapeno's..and we only ever roasted red jalapeno's. Needless to say, end up taking home some raw reds too..and to me, a noticeable difference from green..though not nearly as much as with bell peppers as the heat hides both the "green" and ripe flavors to some extent. Certainly more noticeable if you aren't eating the seeds as well.
I'm sure you are right about the red vs green pepper. I actually sliced some of the red guy and put it on my burger tonight (jalapeno cheddar burger) and it was delicious.
My Topsy Turvey tomatoes seem to be doing no better than the normal ones I did last year. Lots of thick stalks and some blooms, but so far only one pea-sized fruit. Unless we have an Indian Summer, I think this year is again a bust.
No local corn this year either. I drove around Snohomish Valley last weekend, and the corn is still only about knee high. Should be at least 6' tall by now.
No local corn this year either. I drove around Snohomish Valley last weekend, and the corn is still only about knee high. Should be at least 6' tall by now.
Weird summer weather here - much cooler than normal. Peppers and squash are struggling. Tomatoes have been steady, but not as good as last year. Lemon boy and Orange oxhart are pretty tasty. We are also getting some corn, mission figs, green beans, Japanese eggplant, okra, cucumbers and nectarines. Cantaloupe is ripening up, but we only have about 4 so far. Starting to work on a plan for fall.
quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:
My Topsy Turvey tomatoes seem to be doing no better than the normal ones I did last year. Lots of thick stalks and some blooms, but so far only one pea-sized fruit. Unless we have an Indian Summer, I think this year is again a bust.
No local corn this year either. I drove around Snohomish Valley last weekend, and the corn is still only about knee high. Should be at least 6' tall by now.
Wow, what a different summer the rest of the country has had compared to you! Super hot with tons of plant growth here in the midwest. I understand the East coast and Southern parts of the country have had similar heat to us.
When growing tomatoes in a topsy-turvey it's important that you grow the kind that continue to bloom all summer, not the kind that bloom once (indeterminate vs determinate). The indeterminate varietals do much better as they continue to seek more sun and create more flowers throughout the summer. My plants will probably bloom until Oct when I pull them out. At that point the fruit's not any good, it won't ripen.
The raised bed boxes built this spring made a big difference. Weed control is manageable now, even with frequent periods of inattention. Of all the veggies, the eggplant by far has been the most productive with bell and banana peppers a close second. The tomatoes are coming on strong as well. We’ve been eating squash several times a week and there is no way I’ll be able to eat all of the onions. Canning and winter storage are in my future.
Even though I used tilled raised beds for years, the boxes with amended garden soil produced plants of enormous size; so much so I will have to cut way back on the amount of plants next year.
Even though I used tilled raised beds for years, the boxes with amended garden soil produced plants of enormous size; so much so I will have to cut way back on the amount of plants next year.