Nearly that time again.

[Kathleen]

Thanks for the great ideas. I plan to replant some of the colder weather plants in mid-August!

Tonight we assembled some tomato towers and watered. With the very warm weather, the plants were starting to droop when I have just missed one day of watering!

I work late tomorrow or I would be running to water again. Poor little plants!

Container gardening: I've never been able to make it happen. Houseplants die on me too. :/

 

[DaveSoMD]

Thanks for the great ideas. I plan to replant some of the colder weather plants in mid-August!

Tonight we assembled some tomato towers and watered. With the very warm weather, the plants were starting to droop when I have just missed one day of watering!

I work late tomorrow or I would be running to water again. Poor little plants!

Are you mulching around the plants? If you add a layer or straw or even newspaper and grass clippings, that will help hold in the moisture and keep the root cooler and the temperature more stable.

 

[tinlizzie]

If my tomatoes were in a planter container I'd change the soil so I could fertilize and nourish the plants.
kades

My pot is one of those big black plastic tubs that was left over from a root-balled tree. It holds a lot of dirt, so I was hoping not to have to buy bags of soil (there's nothing but sand in the yard) to replace it all; but I have to ask myself why waste the time & energy of replanting if I don't do it right. Thanks for the nudge, kadesma.

If I rinse the tub with a weak bleach solution is that sufficient to do a number on the little soil gremlins?

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Are you mulching around the plants? If you add a layer or straw or even newspaper and grass clippings, that will help hold in the moisture and keep the root cooler and the temperature more stable.

Okay, I understand now why I can't grow anything successfully. It takes more than planting and watering when I remember...

 

[Leolady]

Are you mulching around the plants? If you add a layer or straw or even newspaper and grass clippings, that will help hold in the moisture and keep the root cooler and the temperature more stable.

That is what I do. This is last year's garden, cause I haven't gotten around to taking photos this year.

 

[FrankZ]

CW, I'm pretty sure there was a kohlerabi slaw recipe on here somewhere that sounded pretty good. We usually just eat them raw in sticks.

The rest of the gardens have--garlic, 6 kinds of tomatoes, 4 kinds of peppers, kohlerabi, beets, turnips, cucumbers, 2 kinds of squash, canteloupe, eggplanta and around 10 herbs, and probably more I've forgotten already.

I grilled the kohlrabi from the garden, little olive oil and kosher salt on it. Not bad, but I think I like them raw better.

 

[CWS4322]

When my parents lived at the Lake (Lake of the Woods), one of their dear friends had a very nice garden. I would go to the Lake for the month of August. This friend of theirs grew kohlrabi. We'd go there for cocktails (I loved their misson oak furniture), but I also loved the thin slices of kohlrabi with salt, pepper, and EVOO. I introduced my DH to kohlrabi--my fav is purple, but I can't seem to distinquish a difference between the green and the purple. A much under-apperciated veggie here in N.A. When I eat it, I am always reminded of Pete (he died of a heart attack in the early '90s, way too young) and "August" at the lake. Maybe that's why I like raw kohlrabi. It reminds me of a dear friend and simpler times.

 

[kadesma]

My pot is one of those big black plastic tubs that was left over from a root-balled tree. It holds a lot of dirt, so I was hoping not to have to buy bags of soil (there's nothing but sand in the yard) to replace it all; but I have to ask myself why waste the time & energy of replanting if I don't do it right. Thanks for the nudge, kadesma.

If I rinse the tub with a weak bleach solution is that sufficient to do a number on the little soil gremlins?

Goof girl now to get off my fanny and get busy,
kades

 

[blissful]

I grilled the kohlrabi from the garden, little olive oil and kosher salt on it. Not bad, but I think I like them raw better.

I'll try some new things with kohlrabi......this year. What I like best about them is the texture. They are crispy crunchy moist, almost like water chestnuts.

 

[sparrowgrass]

Hmm. Nematodes, huh? This bears researching with the locals hereabouts -- it would probably be smart to inquire at the county extension office.

Thanks, all.

Dear tinlizzie,

It is always smart to talk to your your county Extension office!! We even know about stuff other than gardening/canning!

Yours sincerely,

Sparrow, Extension Specialist since 2001

(4-H mostly, but I am also a Master Gardener)

 

[Dawgluver]

My pot is one of those big black plastic tubs that was left over from a root-balled tree. It holds a lot of dirt, so I was hoping not to have to buy bags of soil (there's nothing but sand in the yard) to replace it all; but I have to ask myself why waste the time & energy of replanting if I don't do it right. Thanks for the nudge, kadesma.

If I rinse the tub with a weak bleach solution is that sufficient to do a number on the little soil gremlins?

I have had success with generic Clorox Cleanup spray. Hose and scrub pot, then spray. I use really big plastic pots for my tomatoes, and change the soil every year. I use the leftover soil in places where I won't be growing tomatoes. My cherry tomatoes have been so productive from two huge pots that I need to dehydrate them.

Miracle Gro has a new potting soil with water-locking crystals along with time-release fertilizer. I am trying it with my container vegetable garden this year.

 

[tinlizzie]

Dear tinlizzie,

It is always smart to talk to your your county Extension office!! We even know about stuff other than gardening/canning!

Yours sincerely,

Sparrow, Extension Specialist since 2001

(4-H mostly, but I am also a Master Gardener)

'Nuff said, Sparrowgrass -- will do. I might even learn something in the process.

 

[tinlizzie]

QQ!

I have had success with generic Clorox Cleanup spray. Hose and scrub pot, then spray. I use really big plastic pots for my tomatoes, and change the soil every year. I use the leftover soil in places where I won't be growing tomatoes. My cherry tomatoes have been so productive from two huge pots that I need to dehydrate them.

Miracle Gro has a new potting soil with water-locking crystals along with time-release fertilizer. I am trying it with my container vegetable garden this year.

Thanks for the tips. Yes, I bought a package of just the crystals at Lowe's to add to a fast-drying small bed in full sun. I can't tell much difference yet, actually; maybe I didn't use enough. The soil with crystals & fertilizer incorporated ought to be the cat's meow. What will they think of next?!?

 

[Dawgluver]

Thanks for the tips. Yes, I bought a package of just the crystals at Lowe's to add to a fast-drying small bed in full sun. I can't tell much difference yet, actually; maybe I didn't use enough. The soil with crystals & fertilizer incorporated ought to be the cat's meow. What will they think of next?!?

You need to make sure it is really well watered on first use. Otherwise the crystals actually can suck the moisture from the soil. I tried them years ago. They are the same product used in adult diapers and some kitty litter!

So far I have been happy with the Miracle Gro Moisture retention potting soil with fertilizer. Of course, we've had a lot of rain! Will have my first tomato in a day or two.

 

[Kathleen]

Are you mulching around the plants? If you add a layer or straw or even newspaper and grass clippings, that will help hold in the moisture and keep the root cooler and the temperature more stable.

I've not done that....maybe I will look into it this weekend. Thanks!!!

 

[DaveSoMD]

I've not done that....maybe I will look into it this weekend. Thanks!!!

Give everything a good watering then lay down your mulch and water that in well.

 

[CWS4322]

Despite everything that has been going on (the rain, work, Roz, etc.), we managed to mulch the smaller garden out here at the farm on Thursday. We use the "hay" from mowing. It works for us. We did put newspaper down one year, but we find that the grass cuttings work fine.

We have to put in some more beans (I like to stagger the plantings), onion sets, and more kohlrabi and peas. Now to start mulching the other garden...and wait for things to start to produce...

 

[Kathleen]

Okay, I am still struggling with weeds...because I never mulched the pathways and such. I know. I know.

I did have my first bounty today though! A red onion, a yellow onion, two cucumbers, a yellow squash, two servings of string beans, and our large cabbage. We have it in brine as I type in hopes of our own sauerkraut.

I think I planted the tomatoes too close together...I'll know next time.

I used the cucumbers and red onion to make cucumber salad with dill. Sauteed the string beans with basil and a bit of garlic. Very yummy!

I'm bouncy!

 

[DaveSoMD]

Okay, I am still struggling with weeds...because I never mulched the pathways and such. I know. I know.

I did have my first bounty today though! A red onion, a yellow onion, two cucumbers, a yellow squash, two servings of string beans, and our large cabbage. We have it in brine as I type in hopes of our own sauerkraut.

I think I planted the tomatoes too close together...I'll know next time.

I used the cucumbers and red onion to make cucumber salad with dill. Sauteed the string beans with basil and a bit of garlic. Very yummy!

I'm bouncy!

Congratulations!!!!!!

 

[Kathleen]

Shallots

I harvested and cured shallots this past week. They still need to "cure" so I braided them. The braid is very loose so unsure how well it will hold, but wanted to share my shallot harvest!