2020 Gardening: digging up some new dirt on an old hobby

[NorthLoop 14180]

It's nice to have a little helper.

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

Aw, he’s already almost as tall as you!

[4th and 5 4914]

Quick Stop jumbos, scissor down the shell, devein, leave shell on!, olive oil, Tony’s BOLD CREOLE, lots of Fal butter. Quick cook on grill. 
 

It’ll change your life. 
 

 

[NorthLoop 14180]

2 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Aw, he’s already almost as tall as you!

That is me

[Both Tacos 1806]

Quick Stop jumbos, scissor down the shell, devein, leave shell on!, olive oil, Tony’s BOLD CREOLE, lots of Fal butter. Quick cook on grill. 
 
It’ll change your life. 
 
 

It's not gardening but I'll let it slide this time.

[4th and 5 4914]

I’m fucked up. This should be in fishing

[Both Tacos 1806]

I’m fucked up. This should be in fishing

Something that good looking can be left anywhere.

[4th and 5 4914]

11 hours ago, Both Tacos said:

12 hours ago, 4th and 5 said:

I’m fucked up. This should be in fishing

Something that good looking can be left anywhere.

Finished product. Three pounds boiled too. 

[mulletpelini 5210]

Clean your fingernails good.  Walked out to the raised beds today, tomato plants were drooping badly, almost looking as if they had been stepped on.  Haven't had this happen before.  They were not staked because they were only about a foot tall, but to attempt to revive them, I staked them.  Anyone else had this happen before?  

There was some wind, but I don't think that was it as we've had windier days than today.  One thing I can say about these particular plants is that they doubled in size in about a week and a half.  Possible they grew too fast and the stem is weak?

It's been hot here, but today was not an exceptional day, it's been hotter.

[NorthLoop 14180]

9 hours ago, mulletpelini said:

Clean your fingernails good.  Walked out to the raised beds today, tomato plants were drooping badly, almost looking as if they had been stepped on.  Haven't had this happen before.  They were not staked because they were only about a foot tall, but to attempt to revive them, I staked them.  Anyone else had this happen before?  

There was some wind, but I don't think that was it as we've had windier days than today.  One thing I can say about these particular plants is that they doubled in size in about a week and a half.  Possible they grew too fast and the stem is weak?

It's been hot here, but today was not an exceptional day, it's been hotter.

Could be either. My biggest tomato plant has to be watered twice a day or it gets droopy - mainly because it quickly outgrew it's pot and I don't have a bigger one to put it in. But one of the large branches on my cherry tomato plant simply broke under it's own weight the other day. Both have been growing very quickly in the last few weeks. 

[mulletpelini 5210]

I've been thinking about using a support over the top and stringing them so this might be the thing that puts that into motion.  Talked to my mom this morning, she said her plant did the same thing in the past couple days, and hers are not in the sun as much as mine, probably 2-3 hours less.  They look fine this morning though, we did get 3/4" of rain and 1/2" hail this morning, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

[Both Tacos 1806]

Could be either. My biggest tomato plant has to be watered twice a day or it gets droopy - mainly because it quickly outgrew it's pot and I don't have a bigger one to put it in. But one of the large branches on my cherry tomato plant simply broke under it's own weight the other day. Both have been growing very quickly in the last few weeks. 

Check out DIY wicking pots so you don't have to water as much.

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[4th and 5 4914]

Cage them

[4th and 5 4914]

today’s haul from the garden

[Both Tacos 1806]

My cucumbers have gone to shit. We went out of town for 5 days and came back to the cucumber plants basically dead. Looks like I had gotten powdery mildew and didn't catch it before we left. It rained while done so that didn't help. Vine borers got the rest of the squash and zucchini. Looks like I will be out in the garden tomorrow pulling up dead plants and getting ready for a fall garden. Really never have done a fall garden due to it coinciding with hunting season, but I'm going to give it a try this year. I grew some romaine in the spring and family like it sp going to go for some salad items. I want to do a bunch of peas and green beans. 

Tomato plants are going good except for two of them. Thinking it might be hornworm. I'm going to take a black light out tonight for inspection before it gets to others. I'm usually able to keep my tomato plants going into the fall for a second harvest. I just have to build the top section of the tomato cages so it is high enough for them to grow. 

I've been able to harvest 6 cantaloupes and 5 spaghetti squash this week, along with a bunch of okra. 

[cactusflinthead 27598]

On 6/24/2020 at 8:16 PM, Mrs Whiggins said:

I'm going to try and post a pepper pic and maybe one of the roses. I don't take the best pics. Here goes:

Here is a Don Juan Climber. It has a lovely scent. One of the favorite roses for scent is Chrysler Imperial. My husband loves that one and when it has a round of blooms I put them by his place at the dinner table.

 

Try Mr. Lincoln too. It's a lot like Chrysler Imperial. Those two are my absolute favorite Hybrid Tea red fragrant roses. Ginormous blooms.

[4th and 5 4914]

14 hours ago, Both Tacos said:

My cucumbers have gone to shit. We went out of town for 5 days and came back to the cucumber plants basically dead. Looks like I had gotten powdery mildew and didn't catch it before we left. It rained while done so that didn't help. Vine borers got the rest of the squash and zucchini. Looks like I will be out in the garden tomorrow pulling up dead plants and getting ready for a fall garden. Really never have done a fall garden due to it coinciding with hunting season, but I'm going to give it a try this year. I grew some romaine in the spring and family like it sp going to go for some salad items. I want to do a bunch of peas and green beans. 

Tomato plants are going good except for two of them. Thinking it might be hornworm. I'm going to take a black light out tonight for inspection before it gets to others. I'm usually able to keep my tomato plants going into the fall for a second harvest. I just have to build the top section of the tomato cages so it is high enough for them to grow. 

I've been able to harvest 6 cantaloupes and 5 spaghetti squash this week, along with a bunch of okra. 

That’s frustrating. I plant cukes at staggered times and in different places to try to avoid this issue. 
 

Also I have given up on squash and zucchini, the vine borers get them every time. 
 

I grow what grows good here.

Spring: tomatoes, peppers, cukes and okra in the summer

Fall and winter: plant broccoli and collard greens, then pull them and plant potatoes on Valentine’s Day. I grow lettuce in flats and harvest as baby lettuce

Late night snack last night: salmon cake with home grown purple Cherokee tomato, home grown purple basil, goat cheese, EVOO, fresh cracked pepper and truffle salt

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by 4th and 5

[cactusflinthead 27598]

Have y'all ever tried using a piece of lumber to catch squash bugs? A thin piece up next to the base acts as a trap. They congregate under there in the heat of the day. Stomp them flat or otherwise reduce their numbers. 

[Both Tacos 1806]

Have y'all ever tried using a piece of lumber to catch squash bugs? A thin piece up next to the base acts as a trap. They congregate under there in the heat of the day. Stomp them flat or otherwise reduce their numbers. 

I've heard of it being done but haven't ever tried.

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[Both Tacos 1806]

I got a load of horse manure this morning for composting ($10 for them to load trailer) and this afternoon I got about 70 bales of hay for mulch/composting ($50 for the load). The hay got rained on so the farmer can't use it for feed.

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[cactusflinthead 27598]

12 minutes ago, Both Tacos said:

I've heard of it being done but haven't ever tried.

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My grandmother had a piece of shiplap by every mound. It was a fun activity to go hunting them. 

 

That's a lot of pre-compost and mulch there for not a lot of dough.

Edited July 11, 2020 by cactusflinthead

[4th and 5 4914]

Tonight home grown tomatoes and purple basil and mozzarella

 

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by 4th and 5

[Walden Ponderer 12639]

21 hours ago, cactusflinthead said:

Have y'all ever tried using a piece of lumber to catch squash bugs? A thin piece up next to the base acts as a trap. They congregate under there in the heat of the day. Stomp them flat or otherwise reduce their numbers. 

Out of roughly 10 years gardening in the Brazos Valley, I had good pumpkins maybe three times because of the damned Squash Vine Borers -- I'm looking good so far (They're still just a couple of weeks old, but my plants are coming on strong) and I'm crossing my fingers hoping that maybe they just don't like my new digs, because I'm using the same seeds I've always used.

[Both Tacos 1806]

Working on the compost today. It's a hot one out there.

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[swraith 345]

Props to you for gardening and composting in 100 degree summer. I am done till cooler weather arrives.

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

Thanks @cactusflinthead for the rec on the Mr. Lincoln.  I may check it out if I dig any new beds. I've run out of space with what I've got now.

I'm in maintenance mode for the most part: keeping things alive. One tomato plant is fairly done, the cherry tomatoes are still producing as are the cucumbers and peppers. The eggplant is growing very slooooowly but I got them in late. I'm at the point where I usually just water and prune.

I'm very fond of morning glories. Some folks don't like them (they reseed everywhere) but I've never had a problem just yanking them up if they appear in an inconvenient place, and they don't seem to end up in the lawn since I grow them in the flower bed or a large pot. We have these growing on the patio. They wilt in the afternoon and perk right up in the morning full of blooms. The fat bees love them.

[mulletpelini 5210]

On 7/10/2020 at 6:13 PM, 4th and 5 said:

Cage them

I will fight you

[4th and 5 4914]

Cage fight?

Scroll up bro, I'm the champ!

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

My bell pepper plants that had been flowering are now dropping and otherwise unhealthy for some unknown reason. 
 

my tomatillo (pictured) looks great and has flowers everywhere but no fruiting yet. 

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

Do you have bees around? We have lots of flowers around and that seems to draw the bees over to the vegetables.

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

Bees everywhere. We keep a lot of sunflowers around the front and back, have salvia and lupine which the bees love, and planted some marigolds in the garden as well. Plus when the yarro and sedum bloom. 
 

the squash and zucchini are going great, pulled the first of each yesterday. Have an eggplant about halfway there, and the tomato plants each have one or two green tomatoes even though they aren’t quite healthy (gave them a milk bath last week)

Edited July 15, 2020 by Pato del Muerto

[NorthLoop 14180]

My garden has become a haven for yellow jackets and red wasps now that it's the only place around to get water. Every day is a fun time going out there and watering. 

[mulletpelini 5210]

They're assholes but they're are probably doing more good than bad in your garden.  I lucked out where I put my raised beds theres a small bumble bee nest within 10 feet of them.  

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

 

On 7/15/2020 at 12:10 PM, NorthLoop said:

My garden has become a haven for yellow jackets and red wasps now that it's the only place around to get water. Every day is a fun time going out there and watering. 

My P-51 mosquitoes laugh at your wee stinging insects. The rumble of the swarm as they emerge from the garden every morning to commence strategic attacks with strafing high-pitched shrieks prior to rapid-fire armor piercing weaponry sends me running for cover.

[Walden Ponderer 12639]

On 7/15/2020 at 1:10 PM, NorthLoop said:

My garden has become a haven for yellow jackets and red wasps now that it's the only place around to get water. Every day is a fun time going out there and watering. 

They are able to pollinate your tomatoes. Regular ol' honeybees are not. I don't let wasps hang on the house, but I rejoice when I see them in trees or stumps around the property because they are one of the more prolific pollinators out there. Another plus of being in the country is that bumblebees are great at tomato pollination, too, but their favorite nesting ground is a pile of dead logs, of the sort HOA's tend to frown upon.

[NorthLoop 14180]

8 hours ago, Walden Ponderer said:

They are able to pollinate your tomatoes. Regular ol' honeybees are not. I don't let wasps hang on the house, but I rejoice when I see them in trees or stumps around the property because they are one of the more prolific pollinators out there. Another plus of being in the country is that bumblebees are great at tomato pollination, too, but their favorite nesting ground is a pile of dead logs, of the sort HOA's tend to frown upon.

They don't bother me as long as I stay zen. I'm sure I'll get stung at some point sticking my hand in the wrong spot at the wrong time, but I grew up in the country so it won't be my first rodeo.

[mulletpelini 5210]

15 hours ago, Walden Ponderer said:

but their favorite nesting ground is a pile of dead logs, of the sort HOA's tend to frown upon.

ah, well that explains the nest under my shed then

Edited July 21, 2020 by mulletpelini

[NorthLoop 14180]

Today's haul. I've been plucking the tomatoes as soon as they show any orange and letting them ripen on the windowsill. So far that's worked against the birds. 

 

 

[mulletpelini 5210]

When those peppers get that brownish tinge to them, they. are. AWESOME

[Walden Ponderer 12639]

Underside and decapitated, but this copperhead was still wriggling around without a head, and my cat decided that that was the perfect time to investigate. Not, you know, when it was actually in the squash patch hiding out amongst the weeds I'd been pulling, not two feet away from the damned thing.

[Sam Lin 3550]

Sounds like the cat is the smart one here. Pussy remains undefeated.

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

Seeing some spoils now. 
tomato plants went nuts the past few weeks with new growth and now they’re starting to fruit finally. Tomatillo is enormous and must have a hundred pods on it. Don’t know if each one becomes a tomatillo or not but it they do we will have sauce for a year. 

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

Those are some beautiful specimens right there. My peppers got the ick and I've had little yield for what I should. I think I treated them too late.

[mulletpelini 5210]

17 hours ago, Mrs Whiggins said:

Those are some beautiful specimens right there.

We have those same place mats as well, thank you.

[NorthLoop 14180]

Sneaky devil. Gotta keep a sharp eye out for these fuckers when you're inspecting your peppers. But hey at least he's balls deep in that pollen. Might be why each jap plant has like 15 peppers on it right now. 

 

 

[NorthLoop 14180]

Figured I'd make a few jars of salsa today. There's about 30-40 more of these still on the vine.

 

[miguelito 11252]

Nice!  My jap plant is putting out some short stubby ones, too.  Don't laugh.

 

And I'd rather have a wasp or 2 than the tomato hornworms that show up occasionally.  They look cool, but damn, they'll eat quite a bit before you even notice them. 

[NorthLoop 14180]

Back a few months ago when each plant was only putting out 3-5 peppers at a time, they were much bigger. I don't mind them being smaller if there's a ton of them. 

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

Those look good @NorthLoop. I didn't take a pic, but I made a cookie sheet full of jalapeno poppers last weekend. Those are a definite weakness of mine: bacon, cream cheese, a little heat from the peppers mmmmm tasty.

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

First cauliflower today. Steamed it and served it with a grilled pork chop with mushroom cream sauce. Good stuff.