"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
...
Dee Dee wrote:
"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message

Interesting to read your postings. Wondering what zones you are both
in?
Did I overlook?


I'm in zone 5.


I also forgot my biggest tip: Seedlings, not seeds. We planted the
beans from a seed packet. Everything else, tomatoes, parsley, basil,
eggplant, and celeriac, we bought as 6 packs when they were a few inches
high. We tried seeds early on, and in theory they should work, but it
wasn't much fun.


--Lia

I forgot to mention that too. The beans, beets and parsley were seed.
The rest seedlings.

MoM

Melba's Jammin' wrote:
Sky wrote:
How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?

I'll bet the people at rec.gardens.edible would have good information.

Most who post there not only know little about gardening they know
little.

Sheldon

In article ,
Boron Elgar wrote:

On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:41:10 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
wrote:

In article ,
Sky wrote:

How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?

I'll bet the people at rec.gardens.edible would have good information.


Ah hell, they've been taken over by a bunch of politico-loons lately.
I can barely read the froup.

Boron

It's happening many places. Too bad. The computer places where I get
help are really good; answers are helpful, discussion/disagreement is
not ugly.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com - story and
pics of Ronald McDonald House dinner posted 6-24-2007

Julia Altshuler wrote:

Sheldon wrote:


"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message

You don't say where you're located or what zone you're in. That makes a
difference when gardening.


So what.

With annuals (which includes most all veggies) the growing zone rarely
makes much difference... veggie seed packets all say "sow when danger
of frost is past" (for most that leaves about half the year for
growing). Growing zone matters with perennials, for severity of
winter temps.

Your information is correct, but the original poster asked for tips with
the implication that she was having trouble growing some vegetables. It
helps to know what you're dealing with when troubleshooting. It's a
little like the posters we sometimes get who ask what's going wrong with
a recipe-- without telling us the recipe. It was possible that the
problem had to do with too much water, too little water, too hot, too
cold, etc.

--Lia

As the OP, I was inspecific on purpose. I wasn't really asking for help
with my garden (that's another newsgroup, I know), but was sharing a
description of what garden I do have. Alas, I wasn't as articulate with
my OP as I should've been. Sort of like cooking something up and only
using part of a recipe

I'm disappointed with my tomatoes, happy about the strawberries, and
will have fun with the other few edible plants and herbs I do grow
seasonally.

I can't wait for the tomatoes to come in BLTs and sliced 'maters'
will be so good when the fruit comes right off the vine. Now, if only
those 'furry-tailed' and 'long-eared' rats would quit stealing my summer
fare!

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

MOMPEAGRAM wrote:

"Sky" wrote in message
...
How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?


Sky, who's trying to make that brown thumb green

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

We plant each spring and sometimes in fall. I have a raised bed so the
rabbits don't get at it but the earwigs are bad this year. We planted
tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, squash, red peppers and garlic. I usually
keep parsley in the garden but the raised bed doesn't seem to support the
sage and other herbs. I get lots of voluntary tomato plants from the year
before. They are just starting to ripen now. The zucchini hasn't
produced very well. Oh and beets. We had a small crop of those and green
beans. The garlic is out and drying. Can't give you too many hints
because we just plant and water.

MoM

Now that's a summer garden! I can imagine all the good things that get
cooked up with the selection of that fare One thing about raised
beds that's really nice, one doesn't have to bend down as far to
harvest. I'll make raised beds next time I do some 'serious' garden
revamping (after I win that lottery g).

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

One thing about raised
beds that's really nice, one doesn't have to bend down as far to
harvest. I'll make raised beds next time I do some 'serious' garden
revamping (after I win that lottery g).

Sky


DH does the gardening and the raised beds are about a foot + up.

You couldn't raise them far up enough for me -- ;-))
Dee Dee

"Boron Elgar" wrote in message
...
(clipped)
I'll bet the people at rec.gardens.edible...

Ah hell, they've been taken over by a bunch of politico-loons lately.
I can barely read the froup.
Boron

A new word of the Day! politicoloons! I love it.
"The politicoloons in both countries led the world to holocaust.
Edrena

"Sky" wrote in message
...
Dan Abel wrote:

In article ,
Sky wrote:

How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?

I'm trying to grow tomatoes this year again, but alas have not had much
luck.
snip
Zone 5. Sorry I forgot to mention that. I'm a half-hazard (haphazered?
NWOTD g) as a gardener. I transplant the whatever-seedlings
willy-nilly all over the place here and there and watch them grow - or
not grow! At least I know to provide water when it's dry ;

Glad to know the problems with my tomato aren't related to "brown thumb
syndrome." G. Next year, I'll look for some of those "Early Girls"
and try those out.
snip
I just wish the tomatoes would come in. I've had a yen for freshly
sliced tomatoes right off the vine from the garden with a dollop of mayo
on top sprinkled with some paprika! And then, perhaps some pesto with a
zing of cayenne. Store-bought stuff just isn't the same. Farmers'
markets come close, but to me it's not the same as from my back yard (or
side or front yards too g).

Sky, the serious gardner ------ NOT!

If you're in Zone 5, you've experienced wide swings in temperatures this
spring and early summer Late June and all of July were blazing hot.
Tomatoes do not set blossoms when the nights are cool or the days are too
hot. I'm too lazy to get up to get the exact temps for you, but it's
something like day temps over 85F and night temps below -- oh, heck, I just
can't remember. I'm in Zone 5 and in order to combat this problem with
temps that we have every year, I grow really big plants from seed so that
when I put them in the ground they are ready to set a first crop before the
temps get too high. Then my tomatoes experience a lull and begin setting a
second crop as the sun shifts and the backyard gets cooler in the afternoon.
I suggest that you buy individual tomato plants that come in gallon or
larger pots for better success. My one cherry tomato plant this year is 7
feet wide and over 12 feet tall. My regular tomato plants -- Park's
Whopper -- are planted in wire tomato cages made of concrete reinforcing
wire. The cages are 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide and the cages are set down
shoulder to shoulder.. The plants grow to the top and come back down again.
I also grow cucumbers (Sweet Success) in these cages. I've tried growing
cucumbers on straight fencing of the concrete reinforcing wire, but the
cucumbers seem to prefer the security of the cage. I also have my
cantaloupe growing in these cages. The trick is to turn the baby melon to
the outside of the cage before it develops and then make a sling of panty
hose to support it. The green, yellow and Roma beans are just about done --
mostly because the acorn squash and zucchini have overrun the bean plants.
That's o.k. as I have blanched and frozen enough beans to last us all
winter. My corn (Illini X-tra Sweet) is between 11 and 12 feet high and all
stalks have two ears coming on. I wish that I had started some broccoli
plants for fall planting. The spring planting of broccoli is just done. I
had forgotten how sweet fresh, home-grown broccoli could be -- absolutely
wonderful. I have Japanese eggplant in pots on the deck in the hummingbird
corner. They are lovely plants and produce so willingly in a pot. I've got
tons of jalapeno and Anaheim peppers. I'll chop and freeze a lot of them
for winter use. Parsley will be picked and frozen for winter tomorrow. The
basil was made into a slurry and frozen over the weekend. Other pot herbs
are thyme and rosemary and they come indoors for the winter. I don't grow
cilantro as it bolts too quickly here and therefore not worth the effort.
Even though it was a small garden this year, it has given us enough to put
away, eat fresh and share with neighbors. Produce development will slow
from now on as the sun has shifted enough so that the neighbor's trees block
a lot of sunlight from the garden.
Janet

On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:18:04 -0500, Sky
wrote:

How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?

Gardening tricks and hints are liable to change from season to season
and year to year.

Although basic ideas remain the same, organically enriched soil that
supports healthy plants, I have found that some things grow
wonderfully one year - or several years in a row and don't do well the
next. Yes, one must rotate crops, but his is beyond mere rotation and
often has to do with something quite simple - the weather.
Additionally, certain varieties will do better in some spots or soils
than others will.

I'm trying to grow tomatoes this year again, but alas have not had much
luck. I also have strawberries, grapes, cayenne peppers, basil, chives,
garlic, and oregano growing. In another area in my front yard, I
planted mint, taragon, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs are rather
ornamental (to me) and are nice alternatives to inedible shrubbery.

Ok...this is what I have out the

strawberries (scarfed by critters before they could be harvested)
blueberries (not a good year)
bush beans - 5 varieties
sugar snap peas
limas
broccoli
cukes (several varieties)
yellow squash
garlic (harvested already - that did very well)
tomatoes (about 10-12 varieties, from cherries to 2 pounders)
lots of lettuce
sweet corn
bay
rosemary (3 varieties)
basil (5 varieties)
dill
cilantro
sage
tarragon
mint (2 varieties)
oregano
marjoram
savory
parsley
radishes (3 varieties - well eaten will put more in later)
chives
jalapenos
thyme
oh, more herbs, I am sure


In the past, I've also grown cucumbers but didn't go that route this
year. I tried to grow canteloupes for two different years, but each
time those never grew more than a foot long before they succumbed to
some sort of mold or mildew. I think my "thumb" is more brown than
green!

Buy a sack of potting soil, cut a few holes in it & put the cuke
seedlings in there. Stand back and watch them grow. Curcubits are
susceptible to fungal wilts (as are tomatoes, which is why it is nice
to move them around, too, or grow those that are bred for resistance)

I bought four varieties of tomatoes to grow; cherry tomatoes, beefeater,
an orange variety, and one heirloom. I'd have to go outside and look at
the 'spike labels' to remember their names. The cherry tomatoes are the
only ones doing alright. Hard to go wrong with those. But the other
varieties just don't want to produce for one reason or others!

Some varieties set later than others. When you buy seedlings, check
that on the label. Or grow your seedlings yourself. They don't set
easily in high temp, either.

One of the reasons, I think, are the 'furry-tailed' and 'long-eared'
"rats"!!! As Andy would say, "The BUMS!!!!" Those critters have nabbed
and pinched the tomatoes that set earlier in the season before they (the
fruits) even had a chance to tinge pink. If it were legal, I'd shoot
those buggers in a heartbeat!

Yes...between the squirrels, the chipmunks and the very destructive
groundhogs, we lose a lot. We also keep a have-a-heart trap out there
& relocate the groundhogs.

snip
My strawberries have also suffered due to those four-legged thieves!
And my grapes, too! The 'furry-tailed' rats scamper up the vines and
gnaw the individual grapes off at the cluster but don't eat them. The
uneaten grapes then fall to the ground where the 'long-eared' rats would
hop-to and relish the harvest they'd seldom get otherwise. I thought
I'd have to worry more about the Japanese beetles (JBs) this year like I
did last year, but that wasn't the case at all. The JBs completed
denuded my grape vines but left the grapes. Instead, I have grape vines
full of leaves, but my grapes were ruined by the 'furry-tailed' rats.

I pulled the grapes up last year. Too much effort for too little
fruit. I have roses there now.

And that is my garden so far, not counting all the flowers.

Boron

Janet B. wrote:

"Sky" wrote in message
...
Dan Abel wrote:

In article ,
Sky wrote:

How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?

I'm trying to grow tomatoes this year again, but alas have not had much
luck.
snip
Zone 5. Sorry I forgot to mention that. I'm a half-hazard (haphazered?
NWOTD g) as a gardener. I transplant the whatever-seedlings
willy-nilly all over the place here and there and watch them grow - or
not grow! At least I know to provide water when it's dry ;

Glad to know the problems with my tomato aren't related to "brown thumb
syndrome." G. Next year, I'll look for some of those "Early Girls"
and try those out.
snip
I just wish the tomatoes would come in. I've had a yen for freshly
sliced tomatoes right off the vine from the garden with a dollop of mayo
on top sprinkled with some paprika! And then, perhaps some pesto with a
zing of cayenne. Store-bought stuff just isn't the same. Farmers'
markets come close, but to me it's not the same as from my back yard (or
side or front yards too g).

Sky, the serious gardner ------ NOT!

If you're in Zone 5, you've experienced wide swings in temperatures this
spring and early summer Late June and all of July were blazing hot.
Tomatoes do not set blossoms when the nights are cool or the days are too
hot. I'm too lazy to get up to get the exact temps for you, but it's
something like day temps over 85F and night temps below -- oh, heck, I just
can't remember. I'm in Zone 5 and in order to combat this problem with
temps that we have every year, I grow really big plants from seed so that
when I put them in the ground they are ready to set a first crop before the
temps get too high. Then my tomatoes experience a lull and begin setting a
second crop as the sun shifts and the backyard gets cooler in the afternoon.
I suggest that you buy individual tomato plants that come in gallon or
larger pots for better success. My one cherry tomato plant this year is 7
feet wide and over 12 feet tall. My regular tomato plants -- Park's
Whopper -- are planted in wire tomato cages made of concrete reinforcing
wire. The cages are 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide and the cages are set down
shoulder to shoulder.. The plants grow to the top and come back down again.
I also grow cucumbers (Sweet Success) in these cages. I've tried growing
cucumbers on straight fencing of the concrete reinforcing wire, but the
cucumbers seem to prefer the security of the cage. I also have my
cantaloupe growing in these cages. The trick is to turn the baby melon to
the outside of the cage before it develops and then make a sling of panty
hose to support it. The green, yellow and Roma beans are just about done --
mostly because the acorn squash and zucchini have overrun the bean plants.
That's o.k. as I have blanched and frozen enough beans to last us all
winter. My corn (Illini X-tra Sweet) is between 11 and 12 feet high and all
stalks have two ears coming on. I wish that I had started some broccoli
plants for fall planting. The spring planting of broccoli is just done. I
had forgotten how sweet fresh, home-grown broccoli could be -- absolutely
wonderful. I have Japanese eggplant in pots on the deck in the hummingbird
corner. They are lovely plants and produce so willingly in a pot. I've got
tons of jalapeno and Anaheim peppers. I'll chop and freeze a lot of them
for winter use. Parsley will be picked and frozen for winter tomorrow. The
basil was made into a slurry and frozen over the weekend. Other pot herbs
are thyme and rosemary and they come indoors for the winter. I don't grow
cilantro as it bolts too quickly here and therefore not worth the effort.
Even though it was a small garden this year, it has given us enough to put
away, eat fresh and share with neighbors. Produce development will slow
from now on as the sun has shifted enough so that the neighbor's trees block
a lot of sunlight from the garden.
Janet

You call that a small garden!?! Your garden sounds very lovely and
plentiful. I can imagine all the recipes that could used for the
scrumptious fare. Summer season is so nice . . . and flavorful

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

"Sky" wrote in message
...
Janet B. wrote:

"Sky" wrote in message
snip
You call that a small garden!?! Your garden sounds very lovely and
plentiful. I can imagine all the recipes that could used for the
scrumptious fare. Summer season is so nice . . . and flavorful

Sky

Summer cooking is the ultimate fun -- everything at your fingertips and all
fresh, ready for the cook to use inventively.
Janet

"Boron Elgar" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:18:04 -0500, Sky
wrote:

snip
Although basic ideas remain the same, organically enriched soil that
supports healthy plants, I have found that some things grow
wonderfully one year - or several years in a row and don't do well the
next. Yes, one must rotate crops, but his is beyond mere rotation and
often has to do with something quite simple - the weather.
Additionally, certain varieties will do better in some spots or soils
than others will.

Amen!!! From year to year, even though the variety is the same, the success
will vary, the taste will vary. All the gardener can do is get them off to
a good start and then the rest is up to weather, insects and varmits.
Janet

snip
Boron

"Sky" wrote in message
...
How many RFCers grow seasonal gardens for fresh produce? What do you
try to grow? Any special tricks or hints (for whatevers)?


Sky, who's trying to make that brown thumb green

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

We plant each spring and sometimes in fall. I have a raised bed so the
rabbits don't get at it but the earwigs are bad this year. We planted
tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, squash, red peppers and garlic. I usually
keep parsley in the garden but the raised bed doesn't seem to support the
sage and other herbs. I get lots of voluntary tomato plants from the year
before. They are just starting to ripen now. The zucchini hasn't
produced very well. Oh and beets. We had a small crop of those and green
beans. The garlic is out and drying. Can't give you too many hints
because we just plant and water.

MoM

Having been away for a few days I was delighted to see 4 almost ripe
tomatoes today. I planted 8 plants and they all appear to be thriving.

No problem with the usual herbs in my zone 6. - parsley, thyme, basil,
marjoram; rosemary.

elaine

On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 17:42:32 -0600, "Janet B."
wrote:


"Boron Elgar" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:18:04 -0500, Sky
wrote:

snip
Although basic ideas remain the same, organically enriched soil that
supports healthy plants, I have found that some things grow
wonderfully one year - or several years in a row and don't do well the
next. Yes, one must rotate crops, but his is beyond mere rotation and
often has to do with something quite simple - the weather.
Additionally, certain varieties will do better in some spots or soils
than others will.

Amen!!! From year to year, even though the variety is the same, the success
will vary, the taste will vary. All the gardener can do is get them off to
a good start and then the rest is up to weather, insects and varmits.
Janet

snip
Boron



Janet, it is *so* nice to see you posting with regularity.

Boron

"Boron Elgar" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 17:42:32 -0600, "Janet B."
wrote:


"Boron Elgar" wrote in message
. ..
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:18:04 -0500, Sky
wrote:

snip
Although basic ideas remain the same, organically enriched soil that
supports healthy plants, I have found that some things grow
wonderfully one year - or several years in a row and don't do well the
next. Yes, one must rotate crops, but his is beyond mere rotation and
often has to do with something quite simple - the weather.
Additionally, certain varieties will do better in some spots or soils
than others will.

Amen!!! From year to year, even though the variety is the same, the
success
will vary, the taste will vary. All the gardener can do is get them off
to
a good start and then the rest is up to weather, insects and varmits.
Janet

snip
Boron



Janet, it is *so* nice to see you posting with regularity.

Boron
Thank you. I'm feeling fairly good generally these days. Still haven't
gotten into the bread baking thing again but I'm planning on taking it up
again.
Janet