Thursday, April 20, 2006

What's Growin' On: 4/20/06



Realization Of The Day:
Rocks do not compost well.

Into The Ground:
--2 Arkansas Traveler tomatoes.
--11 VFN tomatoes.
--1 replacement San Marzano tomato
--13 of my favorite sweet red peppers, Aconcagua. Seeds saved from my best peppers last year, originally purchased from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, who says that they are "very large, long frying peppers up to 11" x 2-1/2". Tall plants give good yields over a long season, and the fruit is very sweet and delicious. Named after Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina." Click here to see some of last year's beauties.

Miscellaneous:
--Since raised beds topped with thick layer of manure/barn hay (yes!), dropped a large scoop of compost into each planting hole just to make sure tender roots didn't get burned. Can't believe I never thought to do this before (probably because root burn has never been a problem), as it should be very good for the plants in general.
--Glad I covered new plantings last night as temp was 48F this morning.
--Spotted first grasshopper of the year hopping through my newly planted tomato bed.
--Spotted definite mole damage in the onion bed.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Susan,
    I stumbled upon your two blogs tonite while googling tomato problems and wow! What a goldmine! I am looking forward to reading all about your kitchen gardening when I have a free moment here and there. I have my own sunlight-challenged garden here in California, but it's my therapy and I enjoy it. Keep up the great posts! Sandy

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  2. Oh, and I have tasted ravioli in green garlic butter at a my favorite Italian restaurant in Santa Cruz. Delicious!

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  3. Hmm, wonder if it's alright for a gardener to be green (as with envy)? It's a month from plantable season here - and last night my tomato flats spend their first night out ~ sheltered in their plastic greenhouse. (okay, truth be told, I simply forgot to drag them in - got busy around dinner time and the day slipped away)
    As an old Italian, I'd say you're onto something with your interplanting of garlic - but urge you to toss in some basil here and there and some oregano too. (hence, picking your dinner salad is a one stoop stop - requiring only the merest drizzle of olive oil inside the kitchen) I also grow the short little Corsican Mint as a sort of ground cover/insect repellant thru the garden -- although invasive, it doesn't compete too advidly, stays short and smells nicely when you tramp over it --- but most importantly, the bugs seem to hate it enough to avoid anything growing in it's midst.
    Thanks for you wonderful daily farm pictures -- a city girl can dream thru your pics. Ny only personal contact with a sheep was once at an art show when I volunteered to help do a shearing demo; and I still have the scar on my shin. I'll stick to spinning, weaving and knitting the product of an anonymous sheep, thank you. I appreciate their byproducts, but would rather keep a respectful distance. In my head however, I live a farmgirl life. (what's the old line, many a slip between cup and lip -- or something)

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  4. I love gardening for food! Yes, rocks do not compost well. I have had several times when a rock has mysteriously appeared in my compost or garden somehow. I am thinking my youngest daughter does it as she is the rock girl! She is 6 and ornery but loves to garden. Can't wait to read more.

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