GMG Green Thumb Club

[Irons]

Surprised PD, I have never thought the need to protect tomatoes with netting. I do plant marigolds between them as they are supposed to afford some protection. I think it's a bit of old wives tale but does look nice. The crop this year is high but the fruit are small. They resemble bunches of grapes rather then toms but taste sweet.

Bit of a disaster with marrow. We decided to have for dinner last night chilli con carne and marrow. I had two available, I noticed how hard to slice and the second was the same. Dumped both in compost bin as they would not have been nice to eat. I think what has happened is due to watering every day the fruits have grown OK but the high temps we have experienced has baked them. We had chilli con carne with courgettes instead. Oddly they were fine. 

This year's onion crop. The red onions were from sets. The white, Bedford Champion and Alisa Craig plus banana shallots were from seed sown around February this year. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Surprised PD, I have never thought the need to protect tomatoes with netting. I do plant marigolds between them as they are supposed to afford some protection. I think it's a bit of old wives tale but does look nice. The crop this year is high but the fruit are small. They resemble bunches of grapes rather then toms but taste sweet.

Bit of a disaster with marrow. We decided to have for dinner last night chilli con carne and marrow. I had two available, I noticed how hard to slice and the second was the same. Dumped both in compost bin as they would not have been nice to eat. I think what has happened is due to watering every day the fruits have grown OK but the high temps we have experienced has baked them. We had chilli con carne with courgettes instead. Oddly they were fine. 

This year's onion crop. The red onions were from sets. The white, Bedford Champion and Alisa Craig plus banana shallots were from seed sown around February this year.

Impressive onion haul there Irons!  How do you manage to store them so that they don't go bad 'til you're ready to use them?  And sorry to hear about your marrows being a flop this year.  Surprised to hear that your tomatoes are small.  Are you trying a different variety this year?  Or doing something differently re fertilizing them?

I only have a few tomato plants, and I think partly because the weather is so hot and dry that more "critters" are being tempted to dig into them (for moisture and seeds) that I've given in and covered them.  It's not the best arrangement (due to garden setup, I can't put my metal stakes very far away from the plants.  I think that the stakes are 6 feet tall.  Used a rubber mallet to pound them in, then used black plastic bird netting to surround the circle (hooking the net onto the hooks on the stakes.  I then put a bunch of landscape pins into the ground to (try) and secure the netting at ground level and then flopped the extra netting over the top of the plants into the center of my tomato ring.  Will make it a pain to weed, feed, and harvest tomatoes, but so it goes.

Fingers crossed here!

PD

[Szykneij]

The hot and terribly dry weather here has created a challenge, but the garden is doing well. I had a huge early cucumber harvest that's now slowing down and the tomatoes are currently at their peak. Just recently, I noticed some critter damage and the trailcams I put out show I've got a skunk and a raccoon visiting (as well as a stray cat that I don't think is bothering the vegetables.) Since I tend to plant way more than we can use ourselves (neighbors get frequent deliveries) and the varmints tend to only go after the low hanging fruit, it's not a major concern.
  Luckily, our water comes from one of the largest reservoirs in the state, so no watering ban as of yet. I do need to irrigate way more frequently than usual, though. I'm hoping and praying for some rain.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The hot and terribly dry weather here has created a challenge, but the garden is doing well. I had a huge early cucumber harvest that's now slowing down and the tomatoes are currently at their peak. Just recently, I noticed some critter damage and the trailcams I put out show I've got a skunk and a raccoon visiting (as well as a stray cat that I don't think is bothering the vegetables.) Since I tend to plant way more than we can use ourselves (neighbors get frequent deliveries) and the varmints tend to only go after the low hanging fruit, it's not a major concern.
  Luckily, our water comes from one of the largest reservoirs in the state, so no watering ban as of yet. I do need to irrigate way more frequently than usual, though. I'm hoping and praying for some rain.

So what do you do with all of your cukes?  Do you plant any pickling varieties?

And no squirrels and chipmunks visiting?!    I'm suspecting that they are the culprits in my garden.  Do many folks in your local area neighborhood have veggie gardens S?  Wondering what the raccoons have in terms of choices:  restaurants? homeowners garbage? or?

No watering restrictions--none?  That's surprising.  I would have thought that there would have been at least some limits in terms of when/how you could water.  Glad that your garden is doing o.k. though.  And that's very generous of you to share your bounty with your neighbors...lucky folks! 

PD

[Szykneij]

So what do you do with all of your cukes?  Do you plant any pickling varieties?

And no squirrels and chipmunks visiting?!    I'm suspecting that they are the culprits in my garden.  Do many folks in your local area neighborhood have veggie gardens S?  Wondering what the raccoons have in terms of choices:  restaurants? homeowners garbage? or?

No watering restrictions--none?  That's surprising.  I would have thought that there would have been at least some limits in terms of when/how you could water.  Glad that your garden is doing o.k. though.  And that's very generous of you to share your bounty with your neighbors...lucky folks! 

PD

Yesterday, my wife was dicing up cucumbers to try a new recipe for making sweet relish. The surplus tomatoes are turned into sauce or chili.

We have many squirrels, but they prefer raiding the bird feeders and apple tree and tend to leave the vegetables alone. We have no chipmunks.

The area I live in is somewhere between urban and suburban (the Boston skyline is visible from the end of my street.) There are a number of small gardens in the neighborhood, but few properties are as large as ours. I've created somewhat of a natural enclave in the midst of neighboring houses that pollinators and birds flock to. I have small shade and perennial gardens that provide nectar sources throughout the season. Thistle feeders and regular feeders are located at opposite ends of the property to give the little guys a break from the larger birds. I also have suet feeders and a peanutbutter feeder near the patio that is fascinating to observe.

There are nearby restaurants that raccoons probably find more appealing to raid. Luckily, we heavy heavy-duty trash bins provided by the city that do a good job of keeping scavengers at bay.

[Irons]

Impressive onion haul there Irons!  How do you manage to store them so that they don't go bad 'til you're ready to use them?  And sorry to hear about your marrows being a flop this year.  Surprised to hear that your tomatoes are small.  Are you trying a different variety this year?  Or doing something differently re fertilizing them?

I only have a few tomato plants, and I think partly because the weather is so hot and dry that more "critters" are being tempted to dig into them (for moisture and seeds) that I've given in and covered them.  It's not the best arrangement (due to garden setup, I can't put my metal stakes very far away from the plants.  I think that the stakes are 6 feet tall.  Used a rubber mallet to pound them in, then used black plastic bird netting to surround the circle (hooking the net onto the hooks on the stakes.  I then put a bunch of landscape pins into the ground to (try) and secure the netting at ground level and then flopped the extra netting over the top of the plants into the center of my tomato ring.  Will make it a pain to weed, feed, and harvest tomatoes, but so it goes.

Fingers crossed here!

PD

Onions grown from seed last longer then sets. They should last for a year at least. I plat them and then hang from hooks in a shed.
I agree conditions can encourage pests. Badgers love juicy worms but with the present bone-dry conditions with worms not to be had, badgers supplement their diet with sweetcorn. 
As for toms, I think it is down to climate not anything I do. There is nothing worse then having a crop wiped out by blight so I have a row of my favourite Crimson Crush and another for the first time, Mountain Magic. Both varieties are blight resistant. Also this year growing Tigerella and Golden Surprise. The latter I find impressive, new for 2022 and very sweet. I will grow Golden Surprise next year for sure.   

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yesterday, my wife was dicing up cucumbers to try a new recipe for making sweet relish. The surplus tomatoes are turned into sauce or chili.

We have many squirrels, but they prefer raiding the bird feeders and apple tree and tend to leave the vegetables alone. We have no chipmunks.

The area I live in is somewhere between urban and suburban (the Boston skyline is visible from the end of my street.) There are a number of small gardens in the neighborhood, but few properties are as large as ours. I've created somewhat of a natural enclave in the midst of neighboring houses that pollinators and birds flock to. I have small shade and perennial gardens that provide nectar sources throughout the season. Thistle feeders and regular feeders are located at opposite ends of the property to give the little guys a break from the larger birds. I also have suet feeders and a peanutbutter feeder near the patio that is fascinating to observe.

There are nearby restaurants that raccoons probably find more appealing to raid. Luckily, we heavy heavy-duty trash bins provided by the city that do a good job of keeping scavengers at bay.

If you like the relish, do share the recipe. 

Back inside from watering.  Looks to be another toasty day here.  Tempting to grab a Rubbermaid plastic trash can lid and fill it with water for the birds, etc.  I do have a small birdbath that I regularly fill with water.  Caught some birds in it lately.  Alas, where it's located I can't normally see them in it.  By the time that I've heard them in there, they've flitted away.  Glad, though, that they are using it.

Onions grown from seed last longer then sets. They should last for a year at least. I plat them and then hang from hooks in a shed.
I agree conditions can encourage pests. Badgers love juicy worms but with the present bone-dry conditions with worms not to be had, badgers supplement their diet with sweetcorn. 
As for toms, I think it is down to climate not anything I do. There is nothing worse then having a crop wiped out by blight so I have a row of my favourite Crimson Crush and another for the first time, Mountain Magic. Both varieties are blight resistant. Also this year growing Tigerella and Golden Surprise. The latter I find impressive, new for 2022 and very sweet. I will grow Golden Surprise next year for sure.   

I would think that the red onions wouldn't keep as long?

I'll have to look up your tomato varieties.

PD

[Szykneij]

If you like the relish, do share the recipe. 

Back inside from watering.  Looks to be another toasty day here.  Tempting to grab a Rubbermaid plastic trash can lid and fill it with water for the birds, etc.  I do have a small birdbath that I regularly fill with water.  Caught some birds in it lately.  Alas, where it's located I can't normally see them in it.  By the time that I've heard them in there, they've flitted away.  Glad, though, that they are using it.



PD

I cooked hotdogs on the grill for lunch today and used the relish, which was delicious. Unfortunately, I grow the vegetables and enjoy the end product, but I'm clueless as to what happens in between. 

I'm glad you're putting water out for the birds. In weather like this, that's more important than feeding them.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I cooked hotdogs on the grill for lunch today and used the relish, which was delicious. Unfortunately, I grow the vegetables and enjoy the end product, but I'm clueless as to what happens in between. 

I'm glad you're putting water out for the birds. In weather like this, that's more important than feeding them.

Oh, nice!  Glad that you are enjoying the relish.  Is it one that you can can (jar) and preserve outside of a fridge?  Hint, hint:  you could ask the other half for the recipe (or a link to it)? 

So do you have a bird bath or what do you provide for your birds?  Just curious.  I've seen all sorts of homemade baths/solutions.

By the way, I'm tempted to joke to one of my neighbors that they go to their house for fine dining (bird feeders) and to mine for spa days. 

PD

[Szykneij]

Oh, nice!  Glad that you are enjoying the relish.  Is it one that you can can (jar) and preserve outside of a fridge?  Hint, hint:  you could ask the other half for the recipe (or a link to it)? 

So do you have a bird bath or what do you provide for your birds?  Just curious.  I've seen all sorts of homemade baths/solutions.

By the way, I'm tempted to joke to one of my neighbors that they go to their house for fine dining (bird feeders) and to mine for spa days. 

PD

Here is the recipe she used:  https://www.homestead-acres.com/ripe-cucumber-relish/

If you miss harvesting ripe cucumbers (which is easy to do) they turn yellow and aren't as good for salads. Luckily, they're great for making relish. I've heard if you let a single cucumber go completely to seed, the entire vine dies. I do my best not to discover if that's true firsthand.

I have two birdbaths located together. One is made of concrete and the other is faux terracotta. The concrete one is also a favorite of honeybees who drink from the shallow indentations at the water's edge.

[Szykneij]

Birdbaths in action.

You can tell by the 91 degree F temperature stamp why it's appreciated by the local feathered creatures.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Birdbaths in action.

You can tell by the 91 degree F temperature stamp why it's appreciated by the local feathered creatures.

Looks like the morning coffee group?    And I see that you are an exponent of using plant saucers for bird baths?     Heck, the birdies don't care!

Thank you for that recipe; I'll keep it in mind as the season progresses.

Will start my watering soon.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Have pondered (for a while now) as to how long does it take (if ever) for eggshells to break down and also how much calcium they do actually add to the soil and ran across this:

https://www.gardenmyths.com/eggshells-do-they-decompose-in-the-garden/

Any thoughts from others here?

PD

[Szykneij]

Have pondered (for a while now) as to how long does it take (if ever) for eggshells to break down and also how much calcium they do actually add to the soil and ran across this:

https://www.gardenmyths.com/eggshells-do-they-decompose-in-the-garden/

Any thoughts from others here?

PD

I don't eat a lot of eggs, but I've been throwing the shells from hard-boiled eggs that I do eat into my pots of tomatoes. I smash them into much smaller pieces than the author did, but probably not ground up enough to be beneficial as the article indicates.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I don't eat a lot of eggs, but I've been throwing the shells from hard-boiled eggs that I do eat into my pots of tomatoes. I smash them into much smaller pieces than the author did, but probably not ground up enough to be beneficial as the article indicates.

Like you, I've been adding eggshells to my compost.  Wondering now whether or not I should even bother?

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I thought that I'd post this here too (I had posted it under the weather thread), but at least on the UK's South East Water website, it looks like you can water your gardens if you have a fixed drip irrigation system set up (See their website for further details.).  It's on their Q&A section.  This might be the same in other regions which are imposing a temporary hosepipe ban?

One idea that I had:  If folks who have allotments were willing to set up fixed irrigation systems and signup for certain times, perhaps they could use the hosepipes there?  Just a thought.

PD

[Irons]

I thought that I'd post this here too (I had posted it under the weather thread), but at least on the UK's South East Water website, it looks like you can water your gardens if you have a fixed drip irrigation system set up (See their website for further details.).  It's on their Q&A section.  This might be the same in other regions which are imposing a temporary hosepipe ban?

One idea that I had:  If folks who have allotments were willing to set up fixed irrigation systems and signup for certain times, perhaps they could use the hosepipes there?  Just a thought.

PD

I was expecting a ban at any moment but a good downpour of over two hours today with continual rain along with a storm forecast tomorrow, maybe not.
The use of hosepipes or rather taps has been a problem at the allotments over this dry spell. You can't believe some people, they hook up the hose to a sprinkler and then get along with other stuff.
We sent out an email to all allotment holders that sprinklers cannot be used and hose held by hand only for a maximum of 20 minutes. That way everyone gets a fair crack.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I was expecting a ban at any moment but a good downpour of over two hours today with continual rain along with a storm forecast tomorrow, maybe not.
The use of hosepipes or rather taps has been a problem at the allotments over this dry spell. You can't believe some people, they hook up the hose to a sprinkler and then get along with other stuff.
We sent out an email to all allotment holders that sprinklers cannot be used and hose held by hand only for a maximum of 20 minutes. That way everyone gets a fair crack.

Wow!  That's surprising (to me anyway) that folks would use sprinkler.  Smart thing for the PTBs at the allotment to send out that email.

Have any folks there tried setting up drip irrigation systems?  Though for those to work properly it would require longer than 20 minutes and probably require some sort of a signup system.  Just a thought.  About how many people have allotments there by the way?  And if they do impose a hosepipe ban, how will you water your garden (allotment)?  Would you have to haul in water from home, or??

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

"Wonky-looking vegetables" on the way due to drought:  https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62575247

Have any of you (not just in the UK) been noticing any differences in the quality/taste/shape/size of either produce from your garden or locally?  Or shortages?

PD

[Mandryka]

"Wonky-looking vegetables" on the way due to drought:  https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62575247

Have any of you (not just in the UK) been noticing any differences in the quality/taste/shape/size of either produce from your garden or locally?  Or shortages?

PD

I think there may be some problems in wine production this year, someone I know was in the southern Rhône and commented that the vines are in a terrible state because of the dryness. I have a large ornamental vine, Vitis coignetiae,  which is suffering terribly and I wouldn't be surprised if it dies.

Apart from that I've noticed that my own fruit crops are excellent this year, I have a huge quantity of pears and apples, and even now, well before they should, they taste good.