My Garden

[stehansen]

Could it be the beginnings of a tomato dynasty?

[vharrison]

Looking good!

[MasterBlaster]

Heinz and Hunts tremble at the sight of your vast crop!!!

[Mr. Sir]

WOW!!! Those are some HUGE tomato plants!


What are those little ones in the foreground? :P

[stehansen]

WOW!!! Those are some HUGE tomato plants!


What are those little ones in the foreground? :P


That, Mr. Sir is what they call potential!:lol:

[stehansen]

Ladies and Gentlemen fasten your seatbelts, the latest garden pictures are on-line now.

[MasterBlaster]

That's the longest Garter snake I've ever seen in my entire life. :drink:

[No_Bivy]

KING COBRA!!:\:

[stehansen]

Do the plants look any bigger?

[No_Bivy]

yep:D

[Reddog]

Do the plants look any bigger?

Yes, looks like about double in size or alittle more than that.:)

[Old Monkey]

You just can't beat home grown tomatoes. I think I am going to try canning this summer, prices are going up so much.

[sotc]

we can a little bit

[stehansen]

We used to can some. It's been about 10 years.

[xtremetrees]

Its official a gardening thread. Thansk steve, I'mm post photos later today.
After a life of soldiering this is one of the things I have missed and just now catching up on. Trying out corn (ill boost this thread then) but I learnt this week that you gotta have two rows of corn to pollonate each other. Kinda weird, I thought bees did that.

[Che]

I've got some 'Hard Rock', 'Roma', 'Pink Girl', 'Brandywine', and ONE tiny seedling from an old heirloom German tomato out in the greenhouse right now. Traditionally, they go into the ground on Derby Day...or ~May 10th.

[MasterBlaster]

Hey Che! :wave:

[stehansen]

I've got some 'Hard Rock', 'Roma', 'Pink Girl', 'Brandywine', and ONE tiny seedling from an old heirloom German tomato out in the greenhouse right now. Traditionally, they go into the ground on Derby Day...or ~May 10th.

If you guys are canning any of these, the Roma types will yeild a lot more stuff in the jar as the Ace type are composed of more water than the Roma types.

[Burnham]

Two inches of new snow on our garden spot this morning...:cry:

[stehansen]

Two inches of new snow on our garden spot this morning...:cry:

Well you guys make up for it by having longer days in the summer, right?

[Che]

Hey Che! :wave:

Hey Butch!! :wave: :D

[MasterBlaster]

:)

[Che]

If you guys are canning any of these, the Roma types will yeild a lot more stuff in the jar as the Ace type are composed of more water than the Roma types.

I agree, I can ONLY Romas and Hard Rock. I also 'deskin and deseed' them before canning:

I boil them for about 45seconds to a minute...plunge into cold water (I float some ice blocks to keep it cold)

each tomato, cut out the core from the top...stick your CLEAN finger into the tomato and mush around a little, holding on to the sides with one hand give the tomato a really hard shake into the sink. The seeds will come out. If you need/want them all off, repeat the procedure. Squeeze from the bottom, and the the tomato will POP right out of its skin (from the boiling)

I usually cut them in half just to make sure there is not ugly chunks of tomato rot and throw them into a quart jar to can.

[stehansen]

I agree, I can ONLY Romas and Hard Rock. I also 'deskin and deseed' them before canning:

I boil them for about 45seconds to a minute...plunge into cold water (I float some ice blocks to keep it cold)

each tomato, cut out the core from the top...stick your CLEAN finger into the tomato and mush around a little, holding on to the sides with one hand give the tomato a really hard shake into the sink. The seeds will come out. If you need/want them all off, repeat the procedure. Squeeze from the bottom, and the the tomato will POP right out of its skin (from the boiling)

I usually cut them in half just to make sure there is not ugly chunks of tomato rot and throw them into a quart jar to can.

You obviously know all the tricks.

[Che]

You obviously know all the tricks.

I get a little wacko about growing/canning tomatoes. I guess I really enjoy the whole process (most of the time) and 'fine tune' my procedure each year.

Would I be bogarting your thread if I described my planting procedures?

[xtremetrees]

Heres our onions and lettuce! Back left you can see our taters, done already leafed up at 30 days old.

[MasterBlaster]

Would I be bogarting your thread if I described my planting procedures?

Heck no, tell us. I've always wanted to try growing them upside down.

[Paul B]

Here ya go Boss:
http://topsyturvys.com/
http://us-f4-edit.store.yahoo.com/I/yhst-10021238557017_1990_2226637

[stehansen]

I get a little wacko about growing/canning tomatoes. I guess I really enjoy the whole process (most of the time) and 'fine tune' my procedure each year.

Would I be bogarting your thread if I described my planting procedures?

Describe away Che.

[Che]

I start tomatoes inside from seed, I grow them under shop lights in my laundry room....keeping the top of the leaves as close as possible to the light without touching. That keeps them nice and stocky.

When it's time to plant (after all danger of frost is past), I sink the plant into the soil up to the last whorl of leaves. If stem is long, I dig a hole with a slanted side to ease the plant up without breaking it (see image.) The stem will grow roots where ever it is touching soil, more access to water. I keep all the stems going in the same direction so I know where NOT to stake.

I water the hole, then fill with soil, gently packing. I stick a label with the variety name in next the the base of the plant. I push most of it under ground so it will stay put through the summer.

I wheelbarrow stacks of newspapers out to the garden, and lay them about 5-6+ sheets thick all around the plant. I cover this with around 3-4" of bagged grass clippings, since it's usually early in the season, there aren't too many weed/grass seed in it. This will keep the paper in place, blocking weeds and keeping the moisture levels consistant. Normally, I don't ever water throughout the summer. Once or twice if it's a REALLY dry season. I'm not exactly sure of how, but I've heard that water stress (too much or too little) is one of the culprits in blossom-end rot, seems it affects the Ca/Mg uptake (?) Just like mulching trees, I don't put the mulch right up to the 'trunk'....I leave a bit of room.

My tomato cages are big. They're made from thick metal fencing material we use to keep the cattle in the fields. Many heirloom plants are indeterminate, they will keep growing taller as long as the season lasts. They are heavy, most storebought cages will collapse under this weight. I try to put the cages out within a day or two of planting or it can be difficult to fit them around the plant.

I put a stake (usually a tobacco stick, remember this is Kentucky) just inside the tomato cage, on the side facing the direction the wind usually comes from. I will usually 'tether' them out before they get big enough to catch the wind and topple over.

I leave about 40" between the larger plants, a bit less for the determinate plants (Romas, etc.) If I'm planting a lot of different varieties, I usually attach a label to the cage also so I can tell who's who easily.

That's it. The next thing I do is pick 'em. I do can them. I can describe that too if anyone is interested. You need a pressure canner though.....water bath processing isn't recommended anymore 'cuz the newer hybrids are lower acid and it's not safe at low pressure.

http://www.maysacres.com/images/scout_romas.jpg

[stehansen]

When I grew tomatoes for Heinz blossom end rot was controlled by never letting the soil dry out. We usually had 2 120 acre fields and after the plants started flowering we would have about a 1200 gal/minute flow of water going in each field for about 6 weeks until there was about 10% ripes and then we cut the water off.
I take the easy road and buy plants and just transplant them into the garden about like you describe, except I just bury them as deep as I want to keep about the right amount of plant sticking out of the ground.

[Che]

What kind of tomatoes does Heinz grow, Steve?

[rumination]

Thanks Che! I miss gardening and look forward to getting back to it someday. Homegrown tomatoes are one of those things that just can't be beat. I think sugar snap peas straight off the vine is another one of my favorites.

[Paul B]

Che, careful of that tobacco, dont forget about tobacco mosaic virus!
Stehansen, I thought it was a calcium thing for blossom end rot.

isnt it 57 varieties that Heinz grows? wheres the 57 sauce :D

[stehansen]

What kind of tomatoes does Heinz grow, Steve?

They are all the Roma type only more so. Practically no water inside and tuff as hell. You could take a ripe one and throw it hard against a wall and it wouldn't splatter it would only crack a little. They don't want to be buying water.

[Che]

Thanks Steve, I remember reading about a smaller round tomato that they developed, but that was a long time ago.

This new variety I've been growing for a couple years now is close to that. I liked the name "Hard Rock".....but it actually is a description. They did very well out in the garden, and they canned great. The taste was good, too.

No tobacco here anymore, Paul....just the 'sticks'. They had to be strong to hold all that tobacco, so they're really good for garden stakes.

I was going to just check my facts, but this was interesting so I'll link the whole page: BLOSSOM END ROT (http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Tomato_BlossRt.htm)

No peas here Leon....but I've got two "cattle panels" set up to trellis some half runner beans. They're a PITA to 'string', but they do taste the best, IMHO. I'll probably play with a picture of that set up too. I used it last year for the first time and it was wondeful.....no weeding or bending, just planting,picking,eating.

Butch....I don't know anything about those hanging contraptions, but growing a tomato plant in a half whiskey barrel outside is pretty easy. The barrels are big enough that it doesn't need daily watering....a big plus. Any big container like that with holes for drainage would work....get some good soil or compost from a customer, and add some old elephant poop from your zoo job and you'll be set.
:D

[MasterBlaster]

Elephant poo? I'll get right on that, lol!

[okietreedude]

hey che, I know ive mentioned this in the past, now im serious. I need some daylilys. I have a bed against my house, brick side, west facing. Could you throw me some suggestions? Id want a variety of color.

as for my garden, I was going to put in a pretty good size one this yr. I haveny really had one since i moved into this house 2 yrs ago. This spring, the wife says she doesnt want it where i was going to put it, but out 'behind the shed'. I think shell not water it and itll all die. I dont know, its not to late to say forget it. Messed up thing, I grow it and dont eat it. I hate tomatoes, peppers, squash, okra, etc. but I love the garden and the time growing it to give it away. Is that really weird?

[Che]

hey che, I know ive mentioned this in the past, now im serious. I need some daylilys. I have a bed against my house, brick side, west facing. Could you throw me some suggestions? Id want a variety of color.


Check out the pics on my website (http://www.maysacres.com) and email me (jetche3@yahoo.com). I'll be GLAD to help you out. :D

(IMHO....No, definitely NOT weird.)

[stehansen]

I should go out and put the wire cone things on my tomatoes, but I'm being lazy.

[TC3]

....water bath processing isn't recommended anymore 'cuz the newer hybrids are lower acid and it's not safe at low pressure.

I didn't know that ?
Your entire post was cool as hell, Che. Thanks for the info !
MAN, I love homegrown tomatoes !!!
Don't forget the fried green 'maters !


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[olyman]

tc3---tell me about fried green--i fixed them as a recipe said to, and thought they were absolutely tasteless-------------

[MasterBlaster]

I think the flavor's supposed to be in the batter.

[olyman]

thats entirely believeable,Butch---eat the batter--throw away the tomato!!!!

[stehansen]

Took this picture this morning.

[will]

Nice crop man, got any basil? ill bring the pasta!

[Che]

Looks good, Steve! I've never seen watering done like that....in between the rows. Does that encourage better root growth?

[MasterBlaster]

Does that encourage better root growth?

Yeah, 'splain that pleeze! :)

[No_Bivy]

What kinda orchard is that....Walnuts?

[stehansen]

Che and Butch, it is meant to water the plant without getting it wet around the base of the plant which will keep the weeds from growing around the base of the plant and also if there are any tomatoes touching the ground there they will be on dry ground and won't rot. We have to water like a son of a gun here compared to you guys because our weather is hot and our humidity is low in the summer, usually 20 to 50 percent.

[MasterBlaster]

Thank you, sir!

[Paul B]

thanks Google!

"Furrow Irrigation: Irrigation method in which water travels through the field by means of small channels between each groups of rows. "

:D

[Che]

Che and Butch, it is meant to water the plant without getting it wet around the base of the plant which will keep the weeds from growing around the base of the plant and also if there are any tomatoes touching the ground there they will be on dry ground and won't rot. We have to water like a son of a gun here compared to you guys because our weather is hot and our humidity is low in the summer, usually 20 to 50 percent.

I may have to re-think my setup. When the romas start ripening, many drop. Often they'll rot before I can pick them up. Great timing, I was going to plant them tomorrow. Thanks Steve!

I'm going to do some googling myself (thanks for the keywords, Paul)....I wonder if that method of watering would be helpful in my daylily 'garden'. I don't like overhead watering, but there's too much foliage to water close to the plant otherwise.

[Frans]

In Steve's area, they irrigate the stone fruit orchards with that type of irrigation method.

[stehansen]

What kinda orchard is that....Walnuts?

No Bivy that is the neighbor's almond orchard. It is 6 years old and that's about all I know about it, except that the almonds are very tasty and my wife always yells at me for eating them when they are in the winrows. Last year they had such a big crop that some of the trees just leaned over with the weight and uprooted. He would drag them to the edge of the orchard and call me to dispose of the tree.

[okietreedude]

Well, got my way and the garden is going where i wanted it to go.

Worked on it most of the day. I meant to take pics and forgot until well after the fact.

I started out w/ a sod cutter cutting out the grass. came in w/ my skidder and picked up the sod, transferring some to some bear spots in the yard and the rest will go to fill in a hole in my truck yard. Started working w/ a rototiller. WHAT A BITCH! There is a silver maple not too far away and the roots i encountered were amazing. I had to stop after each pass and pull out the roots. Ive been back over it once and will make a couple more passes tomorrow trying to get up the roots that are free but down in the soil.

Im planning on getting the plants in the ground tomorrow, then bringing home a truck w/ chips in it later in the week.

On the planting list: 11 tomatoes (3 jet star, 2 better boy, 1 grape, 1 bradley pink, 1 black krim, 3 yellow), 12 peppers (3 green bell, 3 yellowbell, 3 jalapenos, 3 habeneros), 3 crimson sweet watermelon, 1 pumpkin, 3 butternut squash, 3 acorn squash, 3 marketmore cucumbers, 3 green zucchini. Id also like to put in some green beans and okra, but not sure Ive got the room. The plot is about 22x20.

The pink and krim tomatoes were on sale for 25 cents at the store. Thought, what the hell, they may not be any good, but then again....

And the funniest thing....I wont eat ANY of it! (unless i find room for the beans.)

[MasterBlaster]

Cool, post some pics when there's something to see!

[Che]

I've always wanted to try growing them upside down.

I was at the dentist's AGAIN this morning, the dental assistant told me that she tried planting those upside down tomato bags last summer. She said they did 'ok'.....but the ones they planted in the 5 gallon white buckets did alot better.

She figured it was the larger volume of soil available to the plant. Not only was there more room for the roots to grow and more soil to hold water longer, but the reflective white and extra soil around the roots probably helped the heat issue.

I'm going to try it, I can spare a feed bucket...got lots. :D

She says they just cut a hole in the bottom and threaded the small plant through and then filled it with soil. I think I might put a coffee filter around the upside down stem where it comes out of the plastic to make sure the soil stays where it should.

She said the buckets did fine watering every other day.

[xtremetrees]

Stehansen we done got 5 tomatoes. yall got any yet?

[okietreedude]

Heres the garden pics.

1) the garden after 4 tilling pics. I first cut out the sod, then hit it w/ the tiller
2) Plants before planting
3) fence going up around to keep out the dog
4) Son Logan on the skid loader w/ a load of roots that came out of the ground
5) Finished fence w/ plants in ground
6) tomatoes
7) peppers
8 ) squash, cucumbers, pumpkin

[okietreedude]

Ive also got okra planted along the fence behind the bball goal. Planted as seed so its not up yet. hopefully by the end of the week.

[stehansen]

Stehansen we done got 5 tomatoes. yall got any yet?

I'll have to go out and look but I don't think so.
I went and looked and I do have a few. Ladies and Gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, my tomatoes. I put a little nitrogen fertilizer in the furrow a week ago or so and watered it in.

[Old Monkey]

Ha, we just put ours in the ground a couple of weeks ago.

[Che]

Mine got planted last night....just in time for today's rain.

[stehansen]

You can catch a little more time up in the summer being further north than me OM. Che, you'll just have to be a little later. :( I have been in the midwest a few times and it seems like a greenhouse in the summer with the humidity. Plants love that. People, not so much.

[sotc]

Plants love that. People, not so much.

westerners any way:)

[stehansen]

PIcture from today. I planted some sweet corn to the right of the tomatoes last week.

[darkstar]

NICE looking good

[okietreedude]

Picked our first tomatoes today. 3 grape tomatoes. also picked about 7 jalepeno peppers and 3 yellow squash.

here are some updated pics.
tomatoes
bell peppers (these are yellow bells, not ready to pick yet)
acorn squash
butternut squash
jalapenos
the plants now
some cannas along the back fence

[stehansen]

Looking good treedude. I've probably picked a couple of tomatoes off of each plant. I'd take some pictures but I have weeds and I want to represent but alas am too lazy. So I'll just tell you about it.

[stehansen]

Here you go. The last picture is of an orange tree I planted a few months ago. It's showing a little stress from the 112 degree day we had the day before yesterday. It gets the afternoon sun reflecting off the building behind it too.

[Skwerl]

... I'd take some pictures but I have weeds and I want to represent but alas am too lazy. So I'll just tell you about it.

LMFAO!!! :lol::lol::lol:
Keyboard.. monitor.. diet Coke..

[MasterBlaster]

Here's the results of some gardening I was forced to cease and desist. :(

[NickfromWI]

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[MasterBlaster]

I've seen that done with a 5 gallon bucket, it works.

[stehansen]

There you go Nick. No excuses now. Don't even have to pay for it all at once. Butch, did you try that excuse "I was just doing a little gardening and, voilà there they were, big as day. What are they anyway"?

[stehansen]

LMFAO!!! :lol::lol::lol:
Keyboard.. monitor.. diet Coke..

Sorry Brian. Be sure to use the anti-static cloth on the monitor.

[MasterBlaster]

What are they anyway"?


Fresh Indo. :/:

[CurSedVoyce]

Tried engineering a gravity fed system this year for our garden just for the heck of it. See if I can save on some electrical as we have to pump the water to get pressure. Eliminate one pump ie: have to pump from well then pressure pump. Works good so far. Eliminated the emitters also by simply making small holes with a thumb tack first every 18-24 inches, then every foot. I regulate pressure to each zone by valve on the poly. All fed by recycling 1" well pipe that was pulled from the well last year and replaces (threaded 1" PVC Sched 80). All that was wrong with the pipe BTW was it was pulled of being restricted by iron and magnesium deposits. Let it dry out for a season and bang pipe, all of it came out.. HEHEHE. Fill the 3000 gallon tank at night (off peak) and run system during day as needed. Also as we all make wood chips with what we do, added those over the poly to help hold in moisture. Got a load of horse manure the other day in trade (and have some back hoe time comming too) for dropping some trees. Garden doin good, already made a saute with squash and peppers , japanese eggplant and such. Some fresh greens (beet, turnup, kale etc) for a nice salad. Yellow pear tomatoes. Yummy. We still planting :) Staggering some crops.
Note: Poly came from a vineyard removal I did last year... Heck it was just going to the dump anyway. :)

[sotc]

man nick, your video is as annoying as the banana phone!:D

[okietreedude]

heres tonites haul.

yellow peppers, cucumbers, a couple okra, red bell peppers, a lemon cucumber, habenero peppers, red jalepenos, bunch of grape tomatos, some reds, a yellow, 2 pink (in the back), and some black krims.

pic #2 is the difference in color of a traditional red and a black krim. The mrs says there is a taste difference. I wouldnt know, i dont eat them.