Hepburn
06-26-2007, 10:08 AM
(http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=54088)
moonrise May-07-07 07:44 AM
Newbie Gardener
After our little adventure in hydroponic gardening this past winter, which failed miserably, we finally managed to get some veggie/herb seeds started outside. Our jalapeno plants (started indoors then transplanted outside) already have l'il 1-1/2" long peppers on them already!
Anyway, I was wondering if someone could give me some tips on how to store the veggies. I don't have a clue how to "can" anything (I'd love to learn, though!), but I'm paranoid about food poisoning. :ignore: In the meantime, maybe I can freeze the extra stuff?
Here's what we've got planted. Of course, most of the plants are just seedlings at this point, but my basil is already harvest-able. ;)
Sweet corn (Morning Star hybrid) - pretty sure I can freeze these
Several kinds of peppers (jalapeno, habanero, scotch bonnet, etc.)
Oregano - I figure I can dry it and chop it up like you get in the spice section at the store :D
Basil - Same as above, but I've already got some in the freezer (I read that online somewhere)
Little Fingers Carrots - freeze 'em?
Tiny Tom Tomatos - These are the only ones planted so far, but I've got some regular tomato seeds on order. Ideally I'd like to try to make some homemade spaghetti sauce. Neither of us eats "straight-up" tomatoes, so ... :rolleyes:
Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas - ??
Tom Thumb Lettuce - ??
Chinese Baby Corn - ??
Minnesota Midget Melon - supposed to be like a sweet muskmelon
Pearl Onions and White Lisbon Bunching Onions - ??
Broccoli - freeze?
Burbee Bibb Lettuce - ??
White PattyPan Squash - ??
Round Zucchini Squash - ??
Dixie Hybrid Squash - ??
Okra - on order, not planted yet, but the only way I'll eat it is fried*, so I assume freezing is okay?
Pinto Beans - I'm not growing any, since they're $.99 for 2 pounds (dry) at Aldi, but are they okay to freeze after they're cooked?
*I try to fry foods as little as possible, both for health reasons and because it's so messy!
If you're wondering why some of these are the miniature variety, it's because our back yard is pretty much non-existent. Our little "garden" consists of a bunch of containers on a deck, some flower bed-type semi-raised areas surrounding the deck, and some semi-raised 8' long x 3 deep "step" planters on the side of a 45-degree hill (hard to explain). We don't really have a decent flat area for growing anything. :(
I've Googled some of these veggies, but thought I'd ask here too. I trust y'all more than some random Google search!
I've got some other herbs on order ... dill, parsley, thyme, cilantro, sage, rosemary, savory (strange name!), majoram, tarragon, ...
Oh, and when a recipe calls for a "bay leaf", what is that exactly? Something I can grow? (Stop laughing!!) :roflmao: :o I've seen dry bay leaves, but I would assume they mean a fresh leaf, since most recipes say to remove the leaf after cooking. A dry leaf would just crumble.
Also, any recipe tips? I'm aiming for "Once a Month Cooking", so any recipes would be greatly appreciated. :)
I feel like SUCH a newbie! :o :) I wish I'd paid more attention to my Papaw's gardening methods, but unfortunately I can't ask him now >>kicking myself<<.
goodworks4music May-07-07 08:26 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by moonrise (Post 469979)
...
Pinto Beans - I'm not growing any, since they're $.99 for 2 pounds (dry) at Aldi, but are they okay to freeze after they're cooked?
Yes, you can freeze them. Measure or weigh them into quart bags so that they match the recipes that you usually use them with. Again, flatten the bags and freeze as a thin, flat bag instead of a round clump. They freeze faster, store stacked, and are easier to thaw. Don't drop them on your toe, though... the corners are very sharp!
Quote:
Oh, and when a recipe calls for a "bay leaf", what is that exactly? Something I can grow? (Stop laughing!!) :roflmao: :o I've seen dry bay leaves, but I would assume they mean a fresh leaf, since most recipes say to remove the leaf after cooking. A dry leaf would just crumble.
dry... they won't crumble unless you are beating them with a spoon! :eek: They are generally used in soups and such... simmering...
I've never heard of anyone wanting to can or freeze lettuce... Instead, don't plant it all on the same day! Plant a little in the spring.. maybe plant some every 2 weeks or so. Plant a little in late summer for a fall harvest. I don't think most Bibb lettuce produces very well (or tastes very good) in the hottest part of summer. Other varieties are more "heat tolerant", like the small clumps (not compact heads) of "oak leaf" shaped lettuce. I remember Bibb lettuce being the earliest spring lettuce.
that's a long list, Moonrise... others here will surely come to your rescue... I know there are OMC experts here...
Meya May-07-07 08:53 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Lettuce doesn't freeze well at all. It's mostly water, and turns to mush if you freeze it.
Canning can be something to try, but the work involved and the amounts needed to make it worth your while can be staggering. Initial cost of buying the tools can be large as well. I used to can tomatoes with a friend, but we bought the tomatoes. We didn't save a dime, but the flavor was much better. We added spices, onions, celery, and green peppers. It made a great base for homemade spaghetti sauce. Our last adventure was 6 bushels of tomatoes. It took us 25 hours start to finish. No way I'd do that again, and that was with 2 pressure canners going. We didn't realize until after we had them all in the jars that they had to run through the canner within 24 hours or they would spoil.
My mom used to grow tomatoes and just freeze them in freezer bags after cutting them in fourths. They were fine for cooking, but not for "plain eating".
I wish I could have a small garden here, but our back yard gets little to no sun at all. We have no side yard to speak of, and the front yard is tiny and gets very little sun as well. I've thought about trying "container" gardening for tomatoes and squash, but haven't followed up on reading about it. My next 3 weeks are FULL, then after the wedding I hope to get some "me" time.
goodworks1 May-07-07 07:26 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
A lot of that stuff can be frozen, but if I were you I'd just take it as it comes...
Eat everything you can FRESH and when you are overwhelmed with something, ask away about what to do with the extras.
For instance, after I cook a large winter squash I often freeze part of it in one cup portions to use during the winter or spring for 'pumpkin' bread or pies... (Not sure what Dixie Hybrid Squash is...)
You'll probably have trouble getting enough tomatoes for sauce from little varieties, but maybe not. The nice thing about freezing is that you can do small batches - and even do the blanching in the microwave, in some cases. I no longer believe in killing myself with food preservation (rather counterproductive if I'm not here to enjoy the food.... )
Ms. Chocolate May-08-07 12:02 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
If you don't get all the answers you need here ay OTWA, this site looked pretty decent:
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/vegetables/freezing.asp
Bay leaves come from the bay laurel tree. If you have a good nursery nearby you could ask them if your climate is good for growing laurel trees. If your climate isnt mild enough you may be able to grow them indoors.
Before we moved we had quite a few California laurels growing wild out back, and I would just pick leaves as I needed them. I also dried the leaves on an herb drying rack--no need to freeze.
Ms. C.
goodworks4music May-08-07 07:23 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodworks1 (Post 470105)
You'll probably have trouble getting enough tomatoes for sauce from little varieties, but maybe not....
Romas are about the smallest I have ever frozen whole... for future chili, stew, sauces, etc.
moonrise May-08-07 09:10 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Thanks everyone!
I'll post more as we go. As y'all can tell, there's so much stuff DH and I need to learn, that it's hard to know where to start! :roflmao:
The jalapeno peppers are almost 2" long now! :D (I'm amazed, because even my SILK flowers wilt! :o )
Thanks again ... I'll post updates as we (hopefully!) have more veggies come in. :)
goodworks1 May-08-07 11:09 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
When your jalepenos are ripe and you have WAY TOO MANY of them to use them fresh, you can just toss them into a zipper freezer bag and put them in the freezer. They'll be soft and mushy when they thaw, but they taste fine and work well in soups and most cooked recipes. I still have a few left in the freezer from last summer... I usually clean/stem them and slice them up while they're still half frozen.
sagemoon-cottage May-08-07 08:33 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Drying works very well for preserving foods too. There is an excellent book on the subject called, "Dry It, You'll Like It." I got my first copy back in the 70s. (Don't lend it out...you may never see it again!)
Amazon link for Dry It, You'll Like It http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0006W48AA/ref=sr_1_olp_2/102-3108054-1842563?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178681350&sr=8-2
Amazon has several editions available...you can get the book for anywhere from under $2 plus shipping to up to $15 plus shipping. Basically the editions are very similar...get the cheap copy you will be fine.
I like to both freeze and dry herbs. Both ways work well for me. There was a period of time though that I was living without a fridge or freezer. Food drying was my best friend then.
If your garden really takes off you could combine freezing and drying. Canning is great but it is HOT work!!!
Good luck!
A2
doobeedog May-09-07 09:16 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
OK found this post. I lost it earlier.
I would like to have a small garden with a few veggies. I have a spot in the back yard where the truck used to sit. It's still bare. It's not very big. But big enough for a few tomato plants, maybe some peppers and beans.
But it's a lot of work, digging and preparing the soil. I don't think I have the energy to do it.
Flutterbees May-09-07 09:38 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I planted some tomato plants in pots on the back porch.
I have 1 full size tomato bush & 2 grape tomato bushes.
We'll see how it goes.
I did some raised bed gardening back in the 90's. haven't done any in awhile cuz no time/energy etc.
Figured I could handle the tomato's in posts on the porch.
Already have 3 mid sized tomatoes on the full size plant.
Hazel
moonrise May-09-07 11:03 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
1 Attachment(s)
Here's what our deck looks like. It's not "quite" to scale, but it's very close. You can see how big our back yard isn't! It feels bigger than it really is, though, because of the woods (not our property, but there's no fence or anything).
I think we may put another 3-step planter beside the one that's already there (to the right of it). That'll give us a lot more planting room.
The blue text says "Goldfish Pond". It got fuzzy when I saved the drawing file. :rolleyes: The pond is built right into the deck. I'd take a photo, but at the moment it's badly in need of cleaning! :o We did have white marble rock all around it, but raccoons and possums keep getting on the deck and knocking the rocks in the water. :rolleyes: It had a fountain, too. The pump quit working, though. Maybe we can get it fixed back up soon, when DH has time. :)
The diamond shapes are stepping stones. DH made a sidewalk surrounded by landscape timbers that also form a retaining wall, of sorts. The stepping stones are nestled into pea gravels. Eventually we plan to extend the sidewalk on down to the driveway, and also around to the front of the house.
The swing is one of those canopy-type swings.
Our neighbor has tomatoes and peppers planted in some of those wooden half-barrels. His back yard is more level than ours, but it's very rocky. So he had to go with container plants too (tomatoes and peppers).
I'm anxious for the weekend to get here so we can work out there some more.
mommygonecrazy May-10-07 12:00 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I'm trying really hard to figure out how to get this set up this year. I'm hanging our tomato plants upside down-have the pole to do it, the buckets, etc. but cannot figure out how to get the pole "up". There are no trees close enough that will work, or anything. Well, might be some in the front-am going to measure this weekend to see.
Lisa-looking at your list makes me TIRED. I want a garden but can't do the work right now-we're still clearing out accumulated crap
moonrise May-11-07 05:24 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommygonecrazy (Post 470623)
I'm trying really hard to figure out how to get this set up this year. I'm hanging our tomato plants upside down-have the pole to do it, the buckets, etc. but cannot figure out how to get the pole "up". There are no trees close enough that will work, or anything. Well, might be some in the front-am going to measure this weekend to see.
Cool! Will any type of tomato grow upside down? It seems like I saw something in a magazine about it (an advertisement, I think).
ETA: Ah! I found an article about how to grow them. http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html
Quote:
Lisa-looking at your list makes me TIRED. I want a garden but can't do the work right now-we're still clearing out accumulated crap ;)
DH did most of the lifting and digging and stuff. I couldn't have done it myself. Whew! My knee gets wobbly just thinking about it!
....
DH "stole" a jalepeno pepper a little while ago. It wasn't quite "full grown" yet , but he just couldn't wait.
Maybe some of the other seeds I've got on order will get here today, in time for the weekend.
EATA: Hoooweeee! Fresh basil smells good, but boy is it STRONG! :D DH brought some more in a little while ago, and I could smell it before I even went into the kitchen with him. I washed it and hung it up to dry.
goodworks1 May-11-07 06:57 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Looks like a really nice deck/garden/yard, moonrise!
Which direction is North on your diagram?
moonrise May-11-07 07:22 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodworks1 (Post 470860)
Looks like a really nice deck/garden/yard, moonrise!
Which direction is North on your diagram?
Thanks! North is towards the left. The deck gets sunlight in the mornings until mid-afternoon. The right-hand side of the deck is in the sun a little longer. Hopefully that'll be enough sunlight, 'cuz there's not really any other place we can put our "garden".
goodworks1 May-11-07 08:31 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Ah, good!
Yes, you definitely have to work with what you've got!
Are the trees/woods far enough away to not cast shadows for very long in the morning?
Jalapenos can be used at any size, as I'm sure your dh found out. I'm not sure, but I think you can tell the maturity by the size of the seeds inside. Last year was the first year I planted a jalepeno (sp?) plant, but I just put one in the ground yesterday for this year. (Our last frost day here is sometime this next week...although today sure doesn't feel anything like cold weather.)
Trish May-27-07 12:28 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Sweet corn (Morning Star hybrid) - pretty sure I can freeze these
We either freeze them in the husk in a plastic grocery bag or take the husk off and freeze them in freezer zip lock bags, make sure that you soak them in salt water first before freezing to remove any little critters.
Several kinds of peppers (jalapeno, habanero, scotch bonnet, etc.)
We either freeze them in freezer zip lock bags or dry them and store in glass jars.
Oregano - I figure I can dry it and chop it up like you get in the spice section at the store
Never grew this, but drying is good
Basil - Same as above, but I've already got some in the freezer (I read that online somewhere)
We like to dry this and store in glass jars.
Little Fingers Carrots - freeze 'em?
We usually eat these fresh, because we don't grow enough to store away.
Tiny Tom Tomatos - These are the only ones planted so far, but I've got some regular tomato seeds on order. Ideally I'd like to try to make some homemade spaghetti sauce. Neither of us eats "straight-up" tomatoes, so ...
We can all our tomatoes other than at the beginning of the season when we make salads. We make the spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, alot of salsa, whole tomatoes and tomatoe juice.
Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas - ??
We freeze these in freezer zip lock bags.
Tom Thumb Lettuce - ??
We eat this fresh only.
Chinese Baby Corn - ??
Never grew these.
Minnesota Midget Melon - supposed to be like a sweet muskmelon
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement.
Pearl Onions and White Lisbon Bunching Onions - ??
We freeze these in freezer zip lock bags, peeled/chopped.
Broccoli - freeze?
We freeze these in freezer zip lock bags after soaking them in salt water to remove any critters and cut them up in pieces.
Burbee Bibb Lettuce - ??
We eat this fresh only also.
White PattyPan Squash - ??
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement.
Round Zucchini Squash - ??
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement. My mother-in-law makes zucchini cookies and then freezes the cookies in ice cream pail buckets.
Dixie Hybrid Squash - ??
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement.
Okra - on order, not planted yet, but the only way I'll eat it is fried*, so I assume freezing is okay?
We freeze these in zip lock freezer bags, cut up in pieces.
Pinto Beans - I'm not growing any, since they're $.99 for 2 pounds (dry) at Aldi, but are they okay to freeze after they're cooked?
Never grew these either.
ladytoysdream May-27-07 12:30 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I would love a regular garden again, but would not be able to keep up with the weeding.
So I am trying containers this year. We have 3 regular tomato plants with blossums and some tomatoes already starting. Then 2 smaller tomato plants that will just have to play catch up. I got them from a guy with a greenhouse, when we bought some flowers from him this year. For $ 2.00 each for the big three plants. Then I just bought 4 regular green pepper plants and put them in another huge pot. We have some pumpkin plants out back in the regular ground. Hubby wanted them that way so we got pumpkins for us and the grandkids. We also planted some sunflower seeds and hope to get some plants this fall, that the birds can harvest themselves. We have a huge variety and big numbers of wild birds at the feeders.
goodworks4music May-27-07 07:59 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Round Zucchini Squash
You can also grate these and put them in zip freezer bags... 2 cups per bag (or whatever fits your favorite zucchini cake/bread/cookie recipe. We don't bother to peel them but of course we do cut out any bad spots. We like the green color!
Flutterbees Jun-05-07 05:08 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
3 Attachment(s)
got a few pics of my "garden" (LOL!)
Left to right
my "full size" tomato plant that had 3 tomatos on it when I bought it.
both tomato plants-full size on left grape tomato on right (actually there are 2 grape tomato plants in that pot) the grape tomato plants are about 5"7"
unripe grape tomatos.
the grape tomato plant has tons of buds/baby tomatos. the full size one aparently didn't take the transplant well. it lost all it's buds, & seemed to have stopped growing. I just noticed when I went out it has finally put out a few more buds & has some new growth.
I'm amazed at the size of the grape tomato plants...wonder what they'd do if the had MORE room?? I wasn't expecting them to get anywhere near this big.
doobeedog Jun-05-07 07:27 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Your tomatoes look great!
I haven't planted mine yet. Hopefully they won't croak before I get around to planting them.
doobeedog Jun-07-07 03:55 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
How is your gardening going?
My poor tomatoes are still not in the ground. I think I am going to put them in the front yard flower bed. I don't think it gets enough sun but if I don't do something with the poor little plants they are going to die!
My Hibiscus are finally coming back after the freeze.
I picked up some Martha Washington Geraniums (sp). The last group froze.
I need to get them into their pots too.
I've always wanted an Avocado tree. But I don't know. I figure by the time it gets fruit, I will no longer be around.
I did a bit of trimming in the front yard. I used a hand saw and cut back some of the Yuccas. I do a bit each week. One of these days I will see the results.
I have a few trees I would like removed. But that's not going to happen. It cost too much $$$.
moonrise Jun-09-07 04:09 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Wow, those are some nice-looking 'mater plants!
Our little garden is doing fair, overall.
One kind of squash is doing well, but the other kind is doing so-so. I think it's because of the lack of rain. We've been watering everything, but I'm still not sure the squash plants are getting enough. They're thirsty l'il guys! Could be the sun beating down on them, too, I suppose. They're both blooming right now, but I don't see any little squashes yet.
I can grow basil like a champ.
Other things that are doing well: DH's jalapenos, the baby corn, the peas.
Things that are doing fair: The regular corn, the carrots, the lettuce, a couple of other kinds of peppers.
Things that didn't even sprout, or barely sprouted, or sprouted and got eaten: :mad: onions (something ate them), broccoli (something put holes in the leaves - bugs?), oregano (never sprouted), melons (barely sprouted), some regular-sized tomatos (never sprouted).
We finally finally finally got some much-needed rain yesterday, and everything perked right up. They obviously liked the rain water better than water-hose water!
snowyegret1 Jun-09-07 06:00 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
A hint on growing tomatoes: They need lots of water early in the growing season, and dry later. If it's too wet, the fruit splits.
Herbs: Eat fresh until before first frost, then cut and dry or freeze.
Lettuce: Fresh. Let it flower, and it should self sow so you have another cool weather crop. Here in Pa, it bolts around June, but I see it coming up again in Sept.
Peas: Freeze, if you have any that don't get eaten first.
doobeedog Jun-15-07 03:18 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I finally got the plants in the ground. Poor little guys already have fruit on them.
I need to pick up a tomato cage for them before they get too large. And something to block the area so my tortise doesn't feast on them.
Pic 1 tiny bell peppers
Pic 2 tiny tomatoes
Flutterbees Jun-15-07 03:23 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
razen, sazen, #$%** some little fur critter STOLE one of my 'maters, carried it out by the wood pile & ate about ¼ of it......and left it on the ground.
Thought it was a squirrel, but upon thinking about it was probabbly a coon or opossum..would have had to have been a LARGE squirrel to carry it out back.
I picked the last red one (would have liked to let it stay on the vine 1 more day, but wasn't taking any chances!) That bush has 2 more SMALL green tomatoes & tons of buds. Guess I'll have to get some mesh to keep the critters out.
doobeedog Jun-15-07 03:26 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I just read your post about growing the tomatoes upside down. That sounds interesting. My mom tried growing them in the straw bales but that didn't work for her.
doobeedog Jun-15-07 03:33 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Thought it was a squirrel, but upon thinking about it was probabbly a coon or opossum
I'm sorry about your tomato.
I didn't think about critters. I do have squirrels and opossums. And the kids next door, their basketballs travel over the fence a few times a day. I tried to put the plants far enough back to avoid the basketballs.
goodworks1 Jun-15-07 03:40 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Something is eating all my plants! And the worst part is I can't even SEE it...
First the cantaloupe plants I'd started. Then the basil. Now the parsley...
Chomp. Chomp. :(
I've sprayed with pyola (sp?)...
Nothing seems to help...
Anyone have ideas?
Even weeds are being eaten this year....
I thought there would be cicadas this week, but I've neither seen nor heard any...
moonrise Jun-16-07 07:56 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
DH finally pulled up our pathetic-looking broccoli a little while ago, and planted some Chinese baby corn in its place. The broccoli was just stems and hole-y leaves that were more holes than anything. I'm thinking it might've been some kind of bug(s) that ate it, because I don't think a rabbit or squirrel would leave lace-like holes. :shrug: We planted some more broccoli seeds in containers on the porch. The critters don't seem to bother anything there.
He also re-planted some of the other seeds that never came up or got eaten, and filled in some empty patches.
I don't know what to make of the squash. It gets wilty, then perks up. Wilty, then perks up. It's blooming (big yellow/orange flowers), but so far there's only one tiny squash growing.
I keep thinking that it's something we're doing wrong, seeing as how this is the first time we've ever tried to grow anything, but our neighbor is having a hard time getting his plants to grow, too.
DH's jalapenos, the basil, and the Chinese baby corn are still growing like CrAzY, though! He's got more peppers than he can eat. The one he ate this morning just about set him on fire! We harvested a whole armload of basil earlier. I washed it and hung it up to dry.
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 08:14 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
My parsley was finished off by whatever is eating it. I'm starting to realize that the 'eating' only happens at night...
Yeah, we have some leaves that have the lace-like holes also... Perplexing...
I'm thinking your squash maybe needs a heavier soaking of water than it's getting - try watering less often, but deeper, so the roots will grow down rather than across near the surface. Anyother way to get the water down deep is to sink a large can with holes in the bottom (and the lower sides, if needed) a foot or less from the base of the plant and fill it with water regularly.
Are you freezing or pickling those extra peppers? Either one is really easy...
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 09:54 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Earwigs!
That's what's eating my plants...
They are really bad this year...
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/eduresources/bad1/card1.htm
from these pages at the University of Illinois pages...
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/eduresources/good/guysframes.htm
(click on bad guys... )
Flutterbees Jun-16-07 12:42 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
found out from Dh it wasn't a critter that stole my 'mater, it was a bird. Apparently got it off the vine, pecked it up & left it on the porch. Dh tried to throw it over the fence but didn't cute make it & it bounced off the fence back to where I saw it by the woodpile.
Guess I'll have to get some netting to put over them. My grape tomato plant has about 100 grape tomatoes on it, with about that many more buds.
I saw a blue jay out there about a week ago eyeing the plants & I told him to leave my 'maters alone....guess he doesn't listen well........
Flutterbees Jun-16-07 12:43 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Moonrise, you probably need to water them more. When I did watermelons a few yaers back they drank a ton of water. I ended up watering them a couple of times a day one they got blossoms
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 01:17 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
My MIL hangs multiple aluminum pie pans in her garden to scare away the birds.
They blow around and shine/sparkle plus they bang together and make an irritating noise. The noise is why I haven't tried it...
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 01:34 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I think Flutterbees is right about watering a lot for melons/squash of all types.
Those guys who grow those prize winning HUGE watermelons and pumpkins water I lot, I've heard. (And fertilize extra too)
I usually use my cucumber plant to guage when the rest of the garden is just past the point of needing a drink... It's the first to wilt...
mommygonecrazy Jun-16-07 02:43 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I know it's suggested to hang old shiney cds you don't use in a garden. Also, the noise thing is good for animals that hate noise Maybe some kind of wind chime but not cute noise
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moonrise May-07-07 07:44 AM
Newbie Gardener
After our little adventure in hydroponic gardening this past winter, which failed miserably, we finally managed to get some veggie/herb seeds started outside. Our jalapeno plants (started indoors then transplanted outside) already have l'il 1-1/2" long peppers on them already!
Anyway, I was wondering if someone could give me some tips on how to store the veggies. I don't have a clue how to "can" anything (I'd love to learn, though!), but I'm paranoid about food poisoning. :ignore: In the meantime, maybe I can freeze the extra stuff?
Here's what we've got planted. Of course, most of the plants are just seedlings at this point, but my basil is already harvest-able. ;)
Sweet corn (Morning Star hybrid) - pretty sure I can freeze these
Several kinds of peppers (jalapeno, habanero, scotch bonnet, etc.)
Oregano - I figure I can dry it and chop it up like you get in the spice section at the store :D
Basil - Same as above, but I've already got some in the freezer (I read that online somewhere)
Little Fingers Carrots - freeze 'em?
Tiny Tom Tomatos - These are the only ones planted so far, but I've got some regular tomato seeds on order. Ideally I'd like to try to make some homemade spaghetti sauce. Neither of us eats "straight-up" tomatoes, so ... :rolleyes:
Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas - ??
Tom Thumb Lettuce - ??
Chinese Baby Corn - ??
Minnesota Midget Melon - supposed to be like a sweet muskmelon
Pearl Onions and White Lisbon Bunching Onions - ??
Broccoli - freeze?
Burbee Bibb Lettuce - ??
White PattyPan Squash - ??
Round Zucchini Squash - ??
Dixie Hybrid Squash - ??
Okra - on order, not planted yet, but the only way I'll eat it is fried*, so I assume freezing is okay?
Pinto Beans - I'm not growing any, since they're $.99 for 2 pounds (dry) at Aldi, but are they okay to freeze after they're cooked?
*I try to fry foods as little as possible, both for health reasons and because it's so messy!
If you're wondering why some of these are the miniature variety, it's because our back yard is pretty much non-existent. Our little "garden" consists of a bunch of containers on a deck, some flower bed-type semi-raised areas surrounding the deck, and some semi-raised 8' long x 3 deep "step" planters on the side of a 45-degree hill (hard to explain). We don't really have a decent flat area for growing anything. :(
I've Googled some of these veggies, but thought I'd ask here too. I trust y'all more than some random Google search!
I've got some other herbs on order ... dill, parsley, thyme, cilantro, sage, rosemary, savory (strange name!), majoram, tarragon, ...
Oh, and when a recipe calls for a "bay leaf", what is that exactly? Something I can grow? (Stop laughing!!) :roflmao: :o I've seen dry bay leaves, but I would assume they mean a fresh leaf, since most recipes say to remove the leaf after cooking. A dry leaf would just crumble.
Also, any recipe tips? I'm aiming for "Once a Month Cooking", so any recipes would be greatly appreciated. :)
I feel like SUCH a newbie! :o :) I wish I'd paid more attention to my Papaw's gardening methods, but unfortunately I can't ask him now >>kicking myself<<.
goodworks4music May-07-07 08:26 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by moonrise (Post 469979)
...
Pinto Beans - I'm not growing any, since they're $.99 for 2 pounds (dry) at Aldi, but are they okay to freeze after they're cooked?
Yes, you can freeze them. Measure or weigh them into quart bags so that they match the recipes that you usually use them with. Again, flatten the bags and freeze as a thin, flat bag instead of a round clump. They freeze faster, store stacked, and are easier to thaw. Don't drop them on your toe, though... the corners are very sharp!
Quote:
Oh, and when a recipe calls for a "bay leaf", what is that exactly? Something I can grow? (Stop laughing!!) :roflmao: :o I've seen dry bay leaves, but I would assume they mean a fresh leaf, since most recipes say to remove the leaf after cooking. A dry leaf would just crumble.
dry... they won't crumble unless you are beating them with a spoon! :eek: They are generally used in soups and such... simmering...
I've never heard of anyone wanting to can or freeze lettuce... Instead, don't plant it all on the same day! Plant a little in the spring.. maybe plant some every 2 weeks or so. Plant a little in late summer for a fall harvest. I don't think most Bibb lettuce produces very well (or tastes very good) in the hottest part of summer. Other varieties are more "heat tolerant", like the small clumps (not compact heads) of "oak leaf" shaped lettuce. I remember Bibb lettuce being the earliest spring lettuce.
that's a long list, Moonrise... others here will surely come to your rescue... I know there are OMC experts here...
Meya May-07-07 08:53 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Lettuce doesn't freeze well at all. It's mostly water, and turns to mush if you freeze it.
Canning can be something to try, but the work involved and the amounts needed to make it worth your while can be staggering. Initial cost of buying the tools can be large as well. I used to can tomatoes with a friend, but we bought the tomatoes. We didn't save a dime, but the flavor was much better. We added spices, onions, celery, and green peppers. It made a great base for homemade spaghetti sauce. Our last adventure was 6 bushels of tomatoes. It took us 25 hours start to finish. No way I'd do that again, and that was with 2 pressure canners going. We didn't realize until after we had them all in the jars that they had to run through the canner within 24 hours or they would spoil.
My mom used to grow tomatoes and just freeze them in freezer bags after cutting them in fourths. They were fine for cooking, but not for "plain eating".
I wish I could have a small garden here, but our back yard gets little to no sun at all. We have no side yard to speak of, and the front yard is tiny and gets very little sun as well. I've thought about trying "container" gardening for tomatoes and squash, but haven't followed up on reading about it. My next 3 weeks are FULL, then after the wedding I hope to get some "me" time.
goodworks1 May-07-07 07:26 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
A lot of that stuff can be frozen, but if I were you I'd just take it as it comes...
Eat everything you can FRESH and when you are overwhelmed with something, ask away about what to do with the extras.
For instance, after I cook a large winter squash I often freeze part of it in one cup portions to use during the winter or spring for 'pumpkin' bread or pies... (Not sure what Dixie Hybrid Squash is...)
You'll probably have trouble getting enough tomatoes for sauce from little varieties, but maybe not. The nice thing about freezing is that you can do small batches - and even do the blanching in the microwave, in some cases. I no longer believe in killing myself with food preservation (rather counterproductive if I'm not here to enjoy the food.... )
Ms. Chocolate May-08-07 12:02 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
If you don't get all the answers you need here ay OTWA, this site looked pretty decent:
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/vegetables/freezing.asp
Bay leaves come from the bay laurel tree. If you have a good nursery nearby you could ask them if your climate is good for growing laurel trees. If your climate isnt mild enough you may be able to grow them indoors.
Before we moved we had quite a few California laurels growing wild out back, and I would just pick leaves as I needed them. I also dried the leaves on an herb drying rack--no need to freeze.
Ms. C.
goodworks4music May-08-07 07:23 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodworks1 (Post 470105)
You'll probably have trouble getting enough tomatoes for sauce from little varieties, but maybe not....
Romas are about the smallest I have ever frozen whole... for future chili, stew, sauces, etc.
moonrise May-08-07 09:10 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Thanks everyone!
I'll post more as we go. As y'all can tell, there's so much stuff DH and I need to learn, that it's hard to know where to start! :roflmao:
The jalapeno peppers are almost 2" long now! :D (I'm amazed, because even my SILK flowers wilt! :o )
Thanks again ... I'll post updates as we (hopefully!) have more veggies come in. :)
goodworks1 May-08-07 11:09 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
When your jalepenos are ripe and you have WAY TOO MANY of them to use them fresh, you can just toss them into a zipper freezer bag and put them in the freezer. They'll be soft and mushy when they thaw, but they taste fine and work well in soups and most cooked recipes. I still have a few left in the freezer from last summer... I usually clean/stem them and slice them up while they're still half frozen.
sagemoon-cottage May-08-07 08:33 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Drying works very well for preserving foods too. There is an excellent book on the subject called, "Dry It, You'll Like It." I got my first copy back in the 70s. (Don't lend it out...you may never see it again!)
Amazon link for Dry It, You'll Like It http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0006W48AA/ref=sr_1_olp_2/102-3108054-1842563?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178681350&sr=8-2
Amazon has several editions available...you can get the book for anywhere from under $2 plus shipping to up to $15 plus shipping. Basically the editions are very similar...get the cheap copy you will be fine.
I like to both freeze and dry herbs. Both ways work well for me. There was a period of time though that I was living without a fridge or freezer. Food drying was my best friend then.
If your garden really takes off you could combine freezing and drying. Canning is great but it is HOT work!!!
Good luck!
A2
doobeedog May-09-07 09:16 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
OK found this post. I lost it earlier.
I would like to have a small garden with a few veggies. I have a spot in the back yard where the truck used to sit. It's still bare. It's not very big. But big enough for a few tomato plants, maybe some peppers and beans.
But it's a lot of work, digging and preparing the soil. I don't think I have the energy to do it.
Flutterbees May-09-07 09:38 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I planted some tomato plants in pots on the back porch.
I have 1 full size tomato bush & 2 grape tomato bushes.
We'll see how it goes.
I did some raised bed gardening back in the 90's. haven't done any in awhile cuz no time/energy etc.
Figured I could handle the tomato's in posts on the porch.
Already have 3 mid sized tomatoes on the full size plant.
Hazel
moonrise May-09-07 11:03 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
1 Attachment(s)
Here's what our deck looks like. It's not "quite" to scale, but it's very close. You can see how big our back yard isn't! It feels bigger than it really is, though, because of the woods (not our property, but there's no fence or anything).
I think we may put another 3-step planter beside the one that's already there (to the right of it). That'll give us a lot more planting room.
The blue text says "Goldfish Pond". It got fuzzy when I saved the drawing file. :rolleyes: The pond is built right into the deck. I'd take a photo, but at the moment it's badly in need of cleaning! :o We did have white marble rock all around it, but raccoons and possums keep getting on the deck and knocking the rocks in the water. :rolleyes: It had a fountain, too. The pump quit working, though. Maybe we can get it fixed back up soon, when DH has time. :)
The diamond shapes are stepping stones. DH made a sidewalk surrounded by landscape timbers that also form a retaining wall, of sorts. The stepping stones are nestled into pea gravels. Eventually we plan to extend the sidewalk on down to the driveway, and also around to the front of the house.
The swing is one of those canopy-type swings.
Our neighbor has tomatoes and peppers planted in some of those wooden half-barrels. His back yard is more level than ours, but it's very rocky. So he had to go with container plants too (tomatoes and peppers).
I'm anxious for the weekend to get here so we can work out there some more.
mommygonecrazy May-10-07 12:00 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I'm trying really hard to figure out how to get this set up this year. I'm hanging our tomato plants upside down-have the pole to do it, the buckets, etc. but cannot figure out how to get the pole "up". There are no trees close enough that will work, or anything. Well, might be some in the front-am going to measure this weekend to see.
Lisa-looking at your list makes me TIRED. I want a garden but can't do the work right now-we're still clearing out accumulated crap
moonrise May-11-07 05:24 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommygonecrazy (Post 470623)
I'm trying really hard to figure out how to get this set up this year. I'm hanging our tomato plants upside down-have the pole to do it, the buckets, etc. but cannot figure out how to get the pole "up". There are no trees close enough that will work, or anything. Well, might be some in the front-am going to measure this weekend to see.
Cool! Will any type of tomato grow upside down? It seems like I saw something in a magazine about it (an advertisement, I think).
ETA: Ah! I found an article about how to grow them. http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html
Quote:
Lisa-looking at your list makes me TIRED. I want a garden but can't do the work right now-we're still clearing out accumulated crap ;)
DH did most of the lifting and digging and stuff. I couldn't have done it myself. Whew! My knee gets wobbly just thinking about it!
....
DH "stole" a jalepeno pepper a little while ago. It wasn't quite "full grown" yet , but he just couldn't wait.
Maybe some of the other seeds I've got on order will get here today, in time for the weekend.
EATA: Hoooweeee! Fresh basil smells good, but boy is it STRONG! :D DH brought some more in a little while ago, and I could smell it before I even went into the kitchen with him. I washed it and hung it up to dry.
goodworks1 May-11-07 06:57 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Looks like a really nice deck/garden/yard, moonrise!
Which direction is North on your diagram?
moonrise May-11-07 07:22 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodworks1 (Post 470860)
Looks like a really nice deck/garden/yard, moonrise!
Which direction is North on your diagram?
Thanks! North is towards the left. The deck gets sunlight in the mornings until mid-afternoon. The right-hand side of the deck is in the sun a little longer. Hopefully that'll be enough sunlight, 'cuz there's not really any other place we can put our "garden".
goodworks1 May-11-07 08:31 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Ah, good!
Yes, you definitely have to work with what you've got!
Are the trees/woods far enough away to not cast shadows for very long in the morning?
Jalapenos can be used at any size, as I'm sure your dh found out. I'm not sure, but I think you can tell the maturity by the size of the seeds inside. Last year was the first year I planted a jalepeno (sp?) plant, but I just put one in the ground yesterday for this year. (Our last frost day here is sometime this next week...although today sure doesn't feel anything like cold weather.)
Trish May-27-07 12:28 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Sweet corn (Morning Star hybrid) - pretty sure I can freeze these
We either freeze them in the husk in a plastic grocery bag or take the husk off and freeze them in freezer zip lock bags, make sure that you soak them in salt water first before freezing to remove any little critters.
Several kinds of peppers (jalapeno, habanero, scotch bonnet, etc.)
We either freeze them in freezer zip lock bags or dry them and store in glass jars.
Oregano - I figure I can dry it and chop it up like you get in the spice section at the store
Never grew this, but drying is good
Basil - Same as above, but I've already got some in the freezer (I read that online somewhere)
We like to dry this and store in glass jars.
Little Fingers Carrots - freeze 'em?
We usually eat these fresh, because we don't grow enough to store away.
Tiny Tom Tomatos - These are the only ones planted so far, but I've got some regular tomato seeds on order. Ideally I'd like to try to make some homemade spaghetti sauce. Neither of us eats "straight-up" tomatoes, so ...
We can all our tomatoes other than at the beginning of the season when we make salads. We make the spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, alot of salsa, whole tomatoes and tomatoe juice.
Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas - ??
We freeze these in freezer zip lock bags.
Tom Thumb Lettuce - ??
We eat this fresh only.
Chinese Baby Corn - ??
Never grew these.
Minnesota Midget Melon - supposed to be like a sweet muskmelon
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement.
Pearl Onions and White Lisbon Bunching Onions - ??
We freeze these in freezer zip lock bags, peeled/chopped.
Broccoli - freeze?
We freeze these in freezer zip lock bags after soaking them in salt water to remove any critters and cut them up in pieces.
Burbee Bibb Lettuce - ??
We eat this fresh only also.
White PattyPan Squash - ??
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement.
Round Zucchini Squash - ??
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement. My mother-in-law makes zucchini cookies and then freezes the cookies in ice cream pail buckets.
Dixie Hybrid Squash - ??
Store these in a cool dark dry place until you can eat them, like a basement.
Okra - on order, not planted yet, but the only way I'll eat it is fried*, so I assume freezing is okay?
We freeze these in zip lock freezer bags, cut up in pieces.
Pinto Beans - I'm not growing any, since they're $.99 for 2 pounds (dry) at Aldi, but are they okay to freeze after they're cooked?
Never grew these either.
ladytoysdream May-27-07 12:30 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I would love a regular garden again, but would not be able to keep up with the weeding.
So I am trying containers this year. We have 3 regular tomato plants with blossums and some tomatoes already starting. Then 2 smaller tomato plants that will just have to play catch up. I got them from a guy with a greenhouse, when we bought some flowers from him this year. For $ 2.00 each for the big three plants. Then I just bought 4 regular green pepper plants and put them in another huge pot. We have some pumpkin plants out back in the regular ground. Hubby wanted them that way so we got pumpkins for us and the grandkids. We also planted some sunflower seeds and hope to get some plants this fall, that the birds can harvest themselves. We have a huge variety and big numbers of wild birds at the feeders.
goodworks4music May-27-07 07:59 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Round Zucchini Squash
You can also grate these and put them in zip freezer bags... 2 cups per bag (or whatever fits your favorite zucchini cake/bread/cookie recipe. We don't bother to peel them but of course we do cut out any bad spots. We like the green color!
Flutterbees Jun-05-07 05:08 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
3 Attachment(s)
got a few pics of my "garden" (LOL!)
Left to right
my "full size" tomato plant that had 3 tomatos on it when I bought it.
both tomato plants-full size on left grape tomato on right (actually there are 2 grape tomato plants in that pot) the grape tomato plants are about 5"7"
unripe grape tomatos.
the grape tomato plant has tons of buds/baby tomatos. the full size one aparently didn't take the transplant well. it lost all it's buds, & seemed to have stopped growing. I just noticed when I went out it has finally put out a few more buds & has some new growth.
I'm amazed at the size of the grape tomato plants...wonder what they'd do if the had MORE room?? I wasn't expecting them to get anywhere near this big.
doobeedog Jun-05-07 07:27 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Your tomatoes look great!
I haven't planted mine yet. Hopefully they won't croak before I get around to planting them.
doobeedog Jun-07-07 03:55 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
How is your gardening going?
My poor tomatoes are still not in the ground. I think I am going to put them in the front yard flower bed. I don't think it gets enough sun but if I don't do something with the poor little plants they are going to die!
My Hibiscus are finally coming back after the freeze.
I picked up some Martha Washington Geraniums (sp). The last group froze.
I need to get them into their pots too.
I've always wanted an Avocado tree. But I don't know. I figure by the time it gets fruit, I will no longer be around.
I did a bit of trimming in the front yard. I used a hand saw and cut back some of the Yuccas. I do a bit each week. One of these days I will see the results.
I have a few trees I would like removed. But that's not going to happen. It cost too much $$$.
moonrise Jun-09-07 04:09 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Wow, those are some nice-looking 'mater plants!
Our little garden is doing fair, overall.
One kind of squash is doing well, but the other kind is doing so-so. I think it's because of the lack of rain. We've been watering everything, but I'm still not sure the squash plants are getting enough. They're thirsty l'il guys! Could be the sun beating down on them, too, I suppose. They're both blooming right now, but I don't see any little squashes yet.
I can grow basil like a champ.
Other things that are doing well: DH's jalapenos, the baby corn, the peas.
Things that are doing fair: The regular corn, the carrots, the lettuce, a couple of other kinds of peppers.
Things that didn't even sprout, or barely sprouted, or sprouted and got eaten: :mad: onions (something ate them), broccoli (something put holes in the leaves - bugs?), oregano (never sprouted), melons (barely sprouted), some regular-sized tomatos (never sprouted).
We finally finally finally got some much-needed rain yesterday, and everything perked right up. They obviously liked the rain water better than water-hose water!
snowyegret1 Jun-09-07 06:00 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
A hint on growing tomatoes: They need lots of water early in the growing season, and dry later. If it's too wet, the fruit splits.
Herbs: Eat fresh until before first frost, then cut and dry or freeze.
Lettuce: Fresh. Let it flower, and it should self sow so you have another cool weather crop. Here in Pa, it bolts around June, but I see it coming up again in Sept.
Peas: Freeze, if you have any that don't get eaten first.
doobeedog Jun-15-07 03:18 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I finally got the plants in the ground. Poor little guys already have fruit on them.
I need to pick up a tomato cage for them before they get too large. And something to block the area so my tortise doesn't feast on them.
Pic 1 tiny bell peppers
Pic 2 tiny tomatoes
Flutterbees Jun-15-07 03:23 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
razen, sazen, #$%** some little fur critter STOLE one of my 'maters, carried it out by the wood pile & ate about ¼ of it......and left it on the ground.
Thought it was a squirrel, but upon thinking about it was probabbly a coon or opossum..would have had to have been a LARGE squirrel to carry it out back.
I picked the last red one (would have liked to let it stay on the vine 1 more day, but wasn't taking any chances!) That bush has 2 more SMALL green tomatoes & tons of buds. Guess I'll have to get some mesh to keep the critters out.
doobeedog Jun-15-07 03:26 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I just read your post about growing the tomatoes upside down. That sounds interesting. My mom tried growing them in the straw bales but that didn't work for her.
doobeedog Jun-15-07 03:33 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Quote:
Thought it was a squirrel, but upon thinking about it was probabbly a coon or opossum
I'm sorry about your tomato.
I didn't think about critters. I do have squirrels and opossums. And the kids next door, their basketballs travel over the fence a few times a day. I tried to put the plants far enough back to avoid the basketballs.
goodworks1 Jun-15-07 03:40 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Something is eating all my plants! And the worst part is I can't even SEE it...
First the cantaloupe plants I'd started. Then the basil. Now the parsley...
Chomp. Chomp. :(
I've sprayed with pyola (sp?)...
Nothing seems to help...
Anyone have ideas?
Even weeds are being eaten this year....
I thought there would be cicadas this week, but I've neither seen nor heard any...
moonrise Jun-16-07 07:56 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
DH finally pulled up our pathetic-looking broccoli a little while ago, and planted some Chinese baby corn in its place. The broccoli was just stems and hole-y leaves that were more holes than anything. I'm thinking it might've been some kind of bug(s) that ate it, because I don't think a rabbit or squirrel would leave lace-like holes. :shrug: We planted some more broccoli seeds in containers on the porch. The critters don't seem to bother anything there.
He also re-planted some of the other seeds that never came up or got eaten, and filled in some empty patches.
I don't know what to make of the squash. It gets wilty, then perks up. Wilty, then perks up. It's blooming (big yellow/orange flowers), but so far there's only one tiny squash growing.
I keep thinking that it's something we're doing wrong, seeing as how this is the first time we've ever tried to grow anything, but our neighbor is having a hard time getting his plants to grow, too.
DH's jalapenos, the basil, and the Chinese baby corn are still growing like CrAzY, though! He's got more peppers than he can eat. The one he ate this morning just about set him on fire! We harvested a whole armload of basil earlier. I washed it and hung it up to dry.
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 08:14 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
My parsley was finished off by whatever is eating it. I'm starting to realize that the 'eating' only happens at night...
Yeah, we have some leaves that have the lace-like holes also... Perplexing...
I'm thinking your squash maybe needs a heavier soaking of water than it's getting - try watering less often, but deeper, so the roots will grow down rather than across near the surface. Anyother way to get the water down deep is to sink a large can with holes in the bottom (and the lower sides, if needed) a foot or less from the base of the plant and fill it with water regularly.
Are you freezing or pickling those extra peppers? Either one is really easy...
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 09:54 AM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Earwigs!
That's what's eating my plants...
They are really bad this year...
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/eduresources/bad1/card1.htm
from these pages at the University of Illinois pages...
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/eduresources/good/guysframes.htm
(click on bad guys... )
Flutterbees Jun-16-07 12:42 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
found out from Dh it wasn't a critter that stole my 'mater, it was a bird. Apparently got it off the vine, pecked it up & left it on the porch. Dh tried to throw it over the fence but didn't cute make it & it bounced off the fence back to where I saw it by the woodpile.
Guess I'll have to get some netting to put over them. My grape tomato plant has about 100 grape tomatoes on it, with about that many more buds.
I saw a blue jay out there about a week ago eyeing the plants & I told him to leave my 'maters alone....guess he doesn't listen well........
Flutterbees Jun-16-07 12:43 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
Moonrise, you probably need to water them more. When I did watermelons a few yaers back they drank a ton of water. I ended up watering them a couple of times a day one they got blossoms
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 01:17 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
My MIL hangs multiple aluminum pie pans in her garden to scare away the birds.
They blow around and shine/sparkle plus they bang together and make an irritating noise. The noise is why I haven't tried it...
goodworks1 Jun-16-07 01:34 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I think Flutterbees is right about watering a lot for melons/squash of all types.
Those guys who grow those prize winning HUGE watermelons and pumpkins water I lot, I've heard. (And fertilize extra too)
I usually use my cucumber plant to guage when the rest of the garden is just past the point of needing a drink... It's the first to wilt...
mommygonecrazy Jun-16-07 02:43 PM
Re: Newbie Gardener
I know it's suggested to hang old shiney cds you don't use in a garden. Also, the noise thing is good for animals that hate noise Maybe some kind of wind chime but not cute noise
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