Anybody getting their gardens ready?
Submitted by martfuncher on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 03:35I've been tilling my gardens most of the day.
Getting ready to plant several kinds of beans/peas, tomatoes, peppers, some herbs, sunflowers, radishes, cucumbers, watermelons, muscadines...
=)
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Tomatoes
Susan,
Something to keep in mind with your tomato planting...you might not get great results with your tomatoes if you plant three different varieties close to each other...I mean, they'll grow, but if you intend to save the seeds, there is a chance that they will cross with each other and become hybrid, making it difficult to save the seeds with good results. I'm just growing Brandywine vine tomatoes in my garden.
The Retrocon
Hope for America, Ron Paul for President in 2008!
The Retrocon
Hope for America, Ron Paul for President in 2008!
How far apart is far enough apart
to limit any crossing?
I'm glad you mentioned this as I will be able to set them out soon. I could put some on the side and some out back....
Here is an excellent article on tomato cross-pollination..
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/tomato/2005025852004159.html
It states that generally you need at least 20-25 ft between varieties but that is not always enough depending on several issues such as wind, how aggressive the pollinating insects are in your area and the flower structure of the varieties involved.
Cross-pollinating doesn't usually mean you get will get "bad" tomatoes the next generation, they will just not be pure to what you started with, which can actually be a good thing if the result gives you tomatoes you like. The result might even end up more likable than the individual parents...
I can more than double the 20-25 feet
whew!
Thank-you for the advice and link! I love gardeners. I have never met a fellow gardener that doesn't enjoy teaching those around her/him. It's always been a terrific way to get to know your neighbors.
None of my "right-next-door" neighbors...
.. are into gardening even though I live in a rural area. They either have totally wild yards or yuppie grass and ornamentals only.
Susan, I had a hard time
Susan,
I had a hard time finding info on isolation distances for tomatoes.
Check this out: http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/tomato/2005025852004159.html
Hehe...
.. you beat me to that link. =P
I'm not quite sure...
...maybe someone else will have a better answer. This is my first season growing heirlooms, and I've been careful to only grow one of each type so I can save seeds. For some reason I remember 1/4 mile distance being for something, but I can't remember if it was tomatoes or not.
I'll try to remember to check my book and get back to this tomorrow, heading off to sleep now. If no one else has answered this, I will look it up tomorrow and post again.
Hopefully this will help you out some.
The Retrocon
Hope for America, Ron Paul for President in 2008!
The Retrocon
Hope for America, Ron Paul for President in 2008!
This thread always gives me a chuckle
when it pops up out of nowhere! I'm way late, just tilled and ordered seeds (from Seeds of Change) this weekend. Better than last year when I was too busy campaigning to plant!
What all..
.. are you growing?
This post has more responses than any other.
So will I am a hard die RP guy and study the news and government, I must say I love growing things I can eat.
My next experiment is growing in air.
You can buy misters that spray the roots and give plenty of oxygen.
Things grow in half the time!
You can buy all you need in any garden center although maybe not the pump!
My plan is to get solar cells to run it all.
Unfortunately, if you research it you tend to find references to marijuana growing where it seems to be popular.
I learned hydroponics in the service and used that in many countries to grow non traditional fruits and vegetables.
But in the backyard a raised bed is the best and easiest thing.
Buy some Hydrogen Peroxide on ebay (food grade which is 60% with no preservatives, - keep in the fridge). Spray the plants with a 5% to 10% and you will be amazed! Forget those pesticides and chemicals!
***************************************************
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrHmwiMgE74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01kcqKd2Tag
Watch and feel the power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***************************************************
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw6zhIiGCvg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrHmwiMgE74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01kcqKd2Tag
Watch and feel the power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hydroponics...
... does have spectacular results. From what I've read you can get 3 times the produce in the same space as conventional growing -- with no soil whatsoever.
The caveats being you are dependent on electricity and specialty equipment and supplies...
One Could Use the Capillary Effect
To raise the water instead of pumping it.
"Walls are stronger than the men that defend them."
Ghengis Khan
"Walls are stronger than the men that defend them."
Ghengis Khan
Most of the..
.. hydroponics systems I've seen lately (I'm no expert) have sprayers that keep the bare roots saturated with nutrient rich liquids and then re-pump the solution that drips off back through the system.
Has anyone tried these?
I'm wondering how well made they are and how many years use one could expect. I have heard positive things about upside-down gardening and it seems like a great way to garden in little spaces and/or add extra space.
www.gardeners.com/Gardener+s%20Revolution%20Planter/NewVeget...
Upside down gardening
I bought 2 of these this year from Gardener's Supply. I plan to try a tomato in one and a pepper in the other. I grow cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets and thought it would be fun to try a regular tomato and a pepper in these. Can also use them for cukes, etc.
That's how I am gonna grow
That's how I am gonna grow my tomatoes Susan... although I am using five gallon buckets rather than the apparatus you linked to. That does look sweet though, with the resevoir.
Three caveats....
1) Requires special soil mix
2) Should only use "determinate" tomatoes which tend to be smaller tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are determinate.
3) When fully setup, the hanging growers are REALLY heavy so be sure and get a strong hook and attach/screw it into a stud or beam.
Determinate tomato vines grow to a certain length then stop. Indeterminate tomato vines can grow 10-14ft...
Thanks for the FYI's MF. I
Thanks for the FYI's MF.
I did get Cosmonaut Volkov's, which from your listing below says determinate. Everywhere else says they're indeterminate. I'll just keep them trimmed and of course eaten :). Maybe even tie the bottom back up to the rack... who knows, I'll figure it out.
I felt since they don't produce all at once, that indt. would be the way to go, to lessen the weight.
I did build my rack to handle the weight.
The grow light seems to be doing the trick that was recommended.
Could be a typo..
.. about Volko's being determinate from that link I posted. =P
Glad the grow-light is de-leggifying your plants... =)
My neighbor bought five...
and so far she's had no luck..actually the plants are growing in a twisted way like they're trying to reach down and around and up...It's almost uncanny that they know that upside down is an unnatural way for themselves to grow.
________________________________________-
"I have once heard that the ability to resist temptation is the truest measure of a mans character."
Dustin Hoffman to Steve McQueen
"Papillion"
That's what I've heard too...
I think those planters work best in more northern climates. It's too hot down here in the South and it's too hard to maintain the proper temperature and hydration. Although tomato plants like lots of sun the roots tend to stay much cooler in the ground than in a small bag hanging in the hawt missippi sun. ;)
Maybe they would work better with cherry tomatoes and in a place that gets a little shade during the very hottest parts of the day...
Ah Ha....I want to grow heirlooms so I can collect seeds
and the heirlooms are mostly indeterminate. I have starts of 'Brandywine'
'Marvel Stripe' and 'Green Zebra' going in a southern facing window and so far so good. I'm in the North so they really can't go out until next week at the earliest to be safe.
Can you think of an heirloom cherry tomato-determinate vine I could grow in one of these? I suppose I could just pick up a 'Sweet 100' but it won't be as much fun.
Also, I did a bit more looking and there is a 'Topsy Turvy' brand that doesn't have the wire cage around it....I notice they have a smaller pepper and medium size strawberry version available. Now I'm wondering which is the better product?
What is the special soil....lightweight? or ie) Miracle Grow Moisture Control?
Check out these heirloom determinates...
All of the following (plus more) are from http://www.heirloomseeds.com/tomatoes.htm :
#151 - ACE 83 days - Originally introduced by the Campbell Soup Company in 1953, the large vines are filled with firm 7 to 8 ounce tomatoes. Excellent canning tomato with nice red color and mild flavor. Determinate vines.
#O1037 - BLACK SEA MAN 75 days - This unique tomato has a rich, complex flavor as well as unusual coloring. The beautiful, chocolate-brown skin hides the delightful red and green middle. The 6-8 ounce potato-leafed fruits grow on short, compact vines. Determinate vines.
PKT. - 20 seeds - $2.50 - CERTIFIED ORGANIC
#O1039 - COSMONAUT VOLKOV 72 days - After seeing these beauties at a local tomato festival, we knew we had to learn more about them. The juicy red, luscious 8-10 fruits are perfectly shaped, and grow on short vines that remain healthy and vigorous when others have shut down. Named after the Russian cosmonaut, this variety will consistently produce a bumper crop of fruits with a rich, tomato flavor, even with areas with a shorter growing season. Determinate vines.
PKT. - 20 seeds - $2.50 - CERTIFIED ORGANIC
#1030 - CZECH’S BUSH 70 days – A Czechoslovakian heirloom from the Ben Quisenberry collection. This stocky, rugose leafed plant delivers high yields of 6 ounce, juicy red fruits with great taste. Determinate vines.
PKT. – 20 seeds - $1.50
#161 - FIRST PICK 60 days - A French variety popular for generations in the Baptiste family of Reims, France. The fruits are deep red, globe shaped and weigh 4 to 5 ounces each. This plant sets fruit in cool weather, providing tasty tomatoes sooner than other “early” varieties! Also does well as a fall crop, setting fruit in the cooler night temperatures. Exceptional flavor for an early tomato! First introduced in the United States by Heirloom Seeds. Determinate vines.
PKT. - 20 seeds - $1.50
#162 – GREEN ZEBRA 78 days – Very unusual variety! The ripe fruits are bright green with light green stripes. The 2-4 ounce fruits have a delicious,“real tomato” flavor. Very vigorous determinate vines.
PKT. – 20 seeds - $1.50
#O162 - PKT. – 20 seeds - $2.50 - CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Soil
I'm using organic potting soil for mine. You just can't use what is called garden soil - use potting soil.
Gardener's Supply..
.. recommends their "Self-Watering Container Mix" soil for the upside down planters.
http://www.gardeners.com/Self-Watering%20Container%20Soil%20...
Looks like..
.. I'm going to have to water my gardens for the first time this summer. Didn' get rain last night. Grrrr ;)
That's downright funny.
I still don't even have gardens to water. It is too cold here to plant anything outdoors, and my still-indoor tomatoes are 3 ft fall and blooming. Sheesh.
So hard to wait on that victory garden. So hard to wait for victory, period.
Geez!
When are you guys gonna get some spring? In July? ;)
Rain
In addition to the 3-1/2 inches Thursday night, a half inch Friday night, we just got 2 inches of rain this afternoon and it's still coming down. Wish I could send you some. Also it's cold here - 50's - pretty much unheard of in May (in Virginia, a little south of DC).