The Endzone Garden Thread

[Souce]

The cat is ready to harvest.

 

[VolNExile]

I planted that, but it ain't putting out fruit like that. Mine are like minis. Not sure why my fruits are small. the plant is vigorous. The flavor is there.

The first few weeks’ worth were on the small side, but then they fattened up. No idea why. Our weather has been so weird that I’m amazed I got anything at all.

Most tomatoes stopped flowering a month ago in the high heat, so what more I’m getting is just what’s on the vines.

I can’t imagine being a farmer, with all the uncertainty. I’d go broke and crazy; don’t know in which order.

 

[VolNExile]

The cat is ready to harvest.

Haha, that was last year. The tomato trellis was my Fancy Experiment this year!

 

[82_VOL_83]

So next door neighbor gave me a cantaloupe that was as big as a volley ball. I dried about 50 seeds. Going to see if it was a hybrid maybe next year.

 

[GordonC]

Centennial on the right....Better Boy to the left



Closer look at the Centennial....several tomatoes in there, and all about 4 inches across




The second Centennial with German Pink in front



Two "new ones" I started from suckers. I have no idea what they will be, but hope there will be some late tomatoes from these



I still don't know what happened with the pack of seeds I got that was supposed to be Osmin basil a couple of years ago. I decided to let this bolt (@Behr) thinking they looked like the Thai when they germinated. I have no idea, but they don't have the purple flowers like the other Thai. The ones on the left are Genovese from seeds, and the ones on the right are what was labeled "Osmin." We are eating the leaves on salads, though, so they're good.


I've told this story here, I think. A friend of mine found some seeds under his parents' old farmhouse in Asheboro, NC, and sent me these seeds a while back. I want to see what they look like finally, so I started a few. It is supposedly a very old variety of a white vining okra, and the pods are still tender at a foot long. I don't know. The old-timers here at the local co-op told me a few years ago they had heard of these but never seen. I have no idea what I am going to do with them.

 

[VolNExile]

Centennial on the right....Better Boy to the left
View attachment 481381


Closer look at the Centennial....several tomatoes in there, and all about 4 inches across
View attachment 481382



The second Centennial with German Pink in front
View attachment 481383


Two "new ones" I started from suckers. I have no idea what they will be, but hope there will be some late tomatoes from these
View attachment 481384


I still don't know what happened with the pack of seeds I got that was supposed to be Osmin basil a couple of years ago. I decided to let this bolt (@Behr) thinking they looked like the Thai when they germinated. I have no idea, but they don't have the purple flowers like the other Thai. The ones on the left are Genovese from seeds, and the ones on the right are what was labeled "Osmin." We are eating the leaves on salads, though, so they're good.
View attachment 481386

I've told this story here, I think. A friend of mine found some seeds under his parents' old farmhouse in Asheboro, NC, and sent me these seeds a while back. I want to see what they look like finally, so I started a few. It is supposedly a very old variety of a white vining okra, and the pods are still tender at a foot long. I don't know. The old-timers here at the local co-op told me a few years ago they had heard of these but never seen. I have no idea what I am going to do with them.
View attachment 481387

Pic 2 does look a lot like Celebrity! How’s the taste?

— I like that you were able to grow them in a container. I won’t have room in next year’s garden bed (I’ve already planned out what I’m planting), but it’s intriguing to think of growing a disease-resistant hybrid in a big container on the deck.

 

[GordonC]

Pic 2 does look a lot like Celebrity! How’s the taste?

only a couple so far...we like them a lot
very firm, but not too firm....the last one we cut were afraid it was not ready, but it was....and not a lot of seeds either, but the pics of the Centennial I have seen show lots of seeds
very sweet
great for sandwiches

 

[GordonC]

So next door neighbor gave me a cantaloupe that was as big as a volley ball. I dried about 50 seeds. Going to see if it was a hybrid maybe next year.

youngest daughter's mouth wells shut (highly allergic), and my wife doesn't like cantaloupe
I'm going to get one tomorrow, I think. I miss eating cantaloupe.

 

[GordonC]

Pic 2 does look a lot like Celebrity! How’s the taste?

— I like that you were able to grow them in a container. I won’t have room in next year’s garden bed (I’ve already planned out what I’m planting), but it’s intriguing to think of growing a disease-resistant hybrid in a big container on the deck.

one of the mistakes I always make (dangit) is not trimming enough of the lower branches back to let air circulate
I do this every year I grow them

 

[VolNExile]

one of the mistakes I always make (dangit) is not trimming enough of the lower branches back to let air circulate
I do this every year I grow them

I trellised mine, pinching back suckers to 2-3 stems (well, mostly; turn your back for a week and they’re off) to help circulation, but still was hit hard. But I love not having that jungle of tomato vines taking over the back yard.

Like this:

 

[GVF]

I trellised mine, pinching back suckers to 2-3 stems (well, mostly; turn your back for a week and they’re off) to help circulation, but still was hit hard. But I love not having that jungle of tomato vines taking over the back yard.

Like this:
View attachment 481413

That is some impressive work. I ditched the cages and did the box/weave with jute between plants & posts. I did not keep as heavily pruned as you have, but my tomatoes are doing way better than previous years.

 

[VolNExile]

That is some impressive work. I ditched the cages and did the box/weave with jute between plants & posts. I did not keep as heavily pruned as you have, but my tomatoes are doing way better than previous years.

Did you weave determinate tomatoes too? I’m still struggling with a way to control them. Even if they don’t get that tall (4’ maybe), they sure sprawl by July or so.

When I’ve used cages (purchased and home-made), I just wind up with a jungle inside and miss ripening fruit.

This year I drove in stakes and used twine and trellis clips to try to support them, but that did nothing at all once they hit 2 1/2-3’ tall.

Weaving looks interesting, but don’t the plants just get horribly squished?

(That was a photo from Johnny’s Select Seeds, by the way. My trellising looked more like a mass hanging, lol.)

 

[GVF]

Did you weave determinate tomatoes too? I’m still struggling with a way to control them. Even if they don’t get that tall (4’ maybe), they sure sprawl by July or so.

When I’ve used cages (purchased and home-made), I just wind up with a jungle inside and miss ripening fruit.

This year I drove in stakes and used twine and trellis clips to try to support them, but that did nothing at all once they hit 2 1/2-3’ tall.

Weaving looks interesting, but don’t the plants just get horribly squished?

(That was a photo from Johnny’s Select Seeds, by the way. My trellising looked more like a mass hanging, lol.)

Actually the plants do fine. I just run a new string horizontal, wrap a post, then on to hte next post, and come back down the other side. My strings ended up about 12-14" apart. Instead of an actual cross weave, I just went straight. If i needed to keep a plant from sliding/leaning over, I just tied a twist around the two strings and pulled together.

It would handle determinates well. They just wouldn't be as tall as the indeterminates. I used tall t-posts, but they max out aorund 5 ft once driven into ground. THe only mistake using this method is posts not being tall enough. But, I can zip tie taller poles to the t-posts and keep going. Lowe's sells pretty long 2" creosote type garden posts. I'm going to start buying a few along the way. Here's a link. THis is really so simple. I will prob do this from here on. The only cages I used were on my Dwarf tomatoes. They have more robust stems, but still ended up needing support. The production from my Dwarf tomatoes has been extremely impressive.

I've seen pics of people that used their wood fence like yours as the trellis for their tomatoes and just tied them to the fence and ran them horizontal as needed as they sprawled. Your way, or that one, you just have to keep adding clips and shortening your vertical string as they grow. Or if you went ahead and tied the vertical top to bottom you just kep wrapping the vine as it grows. If you move them to the fence, you utilize unused growing space, and free up your raised beds for other stuff.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/vide...ptHnTAYJLcv5mWFxD/cM/5lvu1/PqtRozRc+nz/X&tt=b

Some ways to maximize your yard and fence:
16 Ways to Squeeze a Garden Onto Your Deck or Patio | HGTV

 

[Behr]

Garden Thread, hottest Thread in the Zone this morning.

 

[VolNExile]

Actually the plants do fine. I just run a new string horizontal, wrap a post, then on to hte next post, and come back down the other side. My strings ended up about 12-14" apart. Instead of an actual cross weave, I just went straight. If i needed to keep a plant from sliding/leaning over, I just tied a twist around the two strings and pulled together.

It would handle determinates well. They just wouldn't be as tall as the indeterminates. I used tall t-posts, but they max out aorund 5 ft once driven into ground. THe only mistake using this method is posts not being tall enough. But, I can zip tie taller poles to the t-posts and keep going. Lowe's sells pretty long 2" creosote type garden posts. I'm going to start buying a few along the way. Here's a link. THis is really so simple. I will prob do this from here on. The only cages I used were on my Dwarf tomatoes. They have more robust stems, but still ended up needing support. The production from my Dwarf tomatoes has been extremely impressive.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=AwrFaz2kRf5iEKAszLQ0nIlQ;_ylu=c2VjA3NyBHNsawN2aWQEZ3BvcwMz?p=tomato+weave+method&vid=169365bf7d7d0371935613d401044362&turl=https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.658qszldEPDrc3xyy4NlnwEsCo&pid=Api&h=168&w=300&c=7&rs=1&rurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMyckhYHz-U&tit=Staking+Tomatoes+with+Florida+<b>Weave</b>+<b>Method</b>.+So+Easy!&c=2&sigr=NAtMPpNC392f&sigt=rkgFBnLjprax&sigi=soEZH9LXH5r4&fr=p:s,v:v&h=168&w=300&l=251&age=1593729901&fr=yhs-fc-2212&hsimp=yhs-2212&hspart=fc&type=fc_A30C76C6185_s58_g_e_d030122_n1009_c24&param1=7&param2=eJw1jUsOgkAQRK/SS0xM0z0flHAMV8awGGGECQNDBIPx9DaJ7t6rSqW60N6q+nJlIq2Nvh3rSVysFNwr0sRKiTQiygiEWag4oWKFyhpkvc86nyR+LYIvJzSmT4jR5RYJsi1MbdoWmFZgQqpAgsJU8C7MAdw8R7/5+xDW3OoT6gKyoV/HeIQYBg+db4Z0gKZ/ptHnTAYJLcv5mWFxD/cM/5lvu1/PqtRozRc+nz/X&tt=b

Oh, that’s what you mean by “box” weave! That makes a lot of sense for those bushy paste tomatoes. I’ll do that next year with the T posts. Thanks!

 

[VolNExile]

Garden Thread, hottest Thread in the Zone this morning.

View attachment 481598

Have you got any of your Peppers of Death going now? Can’t remember if you switched to growing in the winter.

 

[GVF]

Oh, that’s what you mean by “box” weave! That makes a lot of sense for those bushy paste tomatoes. I’ll do that next year with the T posts. Thanks!

Yeah, technically it's called a florida weave. Some people criss-cross between posts so that the main stem has crossed strings on each side to keep it from sliding over. It was just easier to me to run it straight down each side, then twist tie near main stems as needed. It all works the same. You do have to do that though, or they will end up lean to one post or the other. I am very satisfied with this Florida Weave. I've never had tomatoes this healthy at this time of August.

 

[GVF]

Oh, that’s what you mean by “box” weave! That makes a lot of sense for those bushy paste tomatoes. I’ll do that next year with the T posts. Thanks!

My step-son says they use the florida weave extensively in south florida and mexican tomato farms. He said its very efficient for them to keep up with massive quantities of plants that way. Some of the commercial growers he works with also use it.

 

[GVF]

@VolNExile

I know you're yard ain't tiny, but it is residential and limited. You should rethink and attack this off-season. You already have alot of materials in use. You just re-organize your layout. You could exponentially increase growing space, or re-claim grass.

Grow Tomatoes VERTICALLY 9ft up any Fence or Wall - YouTube

 

[Behr]

Have you got any of your Peppers of Death going now? Can’t remember if you switched to growing in the winter.

I kinda gave up, I mean I lost interest after I potted them. I check on them about once every 10 days. I have one White Devils tongue pepper and some blooms on the others.

 

[VolNExile]

@VolNExile

I know you're yard ain't tiny, but it is residential and limited. You should rethink and attack this off-season. You already have alot of materials in use. You just re-organize your layout. You could exponentially increase growing space, or re-claim grass.

Grow Tomatoes VERTICALLY 9ft up any Fence or Wall - YouTube

Actually, my yard IS tiny! The entire lot is only 0.15 acre, most of which is the big old Craftsman house and (some) front yard. My tomatoes are in a 4x14 bed, with a divider in the middle.

That’s how I grew the indeterminates this year - a 10’ tall trellis made of 10’ steel conduit slipped over rebar pounded into the ground. I used goofy white nylon rope (I have since found Serious Twine for next year) and trellis clips, and it was wonderful. I’ll never go back.

Cucumbers and sugar snap peas are also trellised.

This was back in mid-June, right after we put up the tomato trellis. I love it - I can take it down, store it, and move it to the next bed next year.

 

[GVF]

I'm fixin to strip my tobascos and get some hot pepper sauce put up to drizzle on gumboes and collards.

My son emptied a Franks Hot sauce bottle and fermented/brewed some thai dragon pepper hot sauce. Beautiful color. I sure hope I don't forget what's in that bottle.

 

[VolNExile]

I kinda gave up, I mean I lost interest after I potted them. I check on them about once every 10 days. I have one White Devils tongue pepper and some blooms on the others.

Probably a good idea with peppers. They don’t exactly sprint. Until suddenly, finally they do. At least that’s how mine always do.

 

[GVF]

Actually, my yard IS tiny! The entire lot is only 0.15 acre, most of which is the big old Craftsman house and (some) front yard. My tomatoes are in a 4x14 bed, with a divider in the middle.

That’s how I grew the indeterminates this year - a 10’ tall trellis made of 10’ steel conduit slipped over rebar pounded into the ground. I used goofy white nylon rope (I have since found Serious Twine for next year) and trellis clips, and it was wonderful. I’ll never go back.

Cucumbers and sugar snap peas are also trellised.

This was back in mid-June, right after we put up the tomato trellis. I love it - I can take it down, store it, and move it to the next bed next year.
View attachment 481611

You've done quite well for a small space. You've posted several pics of your stuff, but I haven't seen a full shot. You could add some trellising for some climber veggies on that fence side bed. You're getting quite a bit out of that space. I used to love watching Victory Gardens on PBS or whatever it came on. You're set up reminds me of what they might be doing with it.

 

[GVF]

Probably a good idea with peppers. They don’t exactly sprint. Until suddenly, finally they do. At least that’s how mine always do.

Ours have been sprinting for a bit. I already have sweet peepers picked out for next year that I'll be switching to. My okra is acting like it's in an iron man competition. It's pushing head high.