Jo, I didn't know marigolds help with rodents! Thanks... I'll have to remember that. I've seen a mouse once in the yard, so I'll have to do that as a precaution if I grow beans....
Your updates on your garden are delightful to read!!
Yes, I agree - I don't enjoy the hauling the hose part of watering, but it's definitely worth it to examine each plant and take account of their progress.
Thank-you for the tips on pruning! 3/4th sounds like a good idea.
Ara, ditto about the clumsy tomato plants.
I currently have three cages surrounding one plant that's decided to grow and then bend horizontally in every possible direction.
Thank-you for the pruning insight! I'm guessing that what I did to my container plant hurt it considerably. I was almost as ruthless with the ones in the ground, but they seem to have recovered to some degree. I'm a bit afraid to prune anything at this point.
Valia, yay about the blackberry jelly!!
I was wondering - what kind of preservative did you use? I've been wondering about various healthy types of preservatives, and have been interested in seeing what others have used.
Sooo, coming in to say that my garden is doing GREAT! Better than when I last posted, at least.
The tomatoes... my one heirloom tomato is doing wonderful. Something happened, and now it has more fruit growing than I can count. I'm so thrilled!! I need to get a picture of the leaves to ask you guys to help me find out if it's a Brandywine or not... It certainly has the "Amish heirloom" look, if you know what I mean.
Surprisingly, all my heirlooms did very well. My roma plant did not do that good (Though, I believe it's an heirloom, so I can just collect the seeds.). The Alicante is coming along nicely; one is ripening, and there are a lot of flowers on there.
My eggplant is doing beautifully. No fruit yet, but plenty of lovely flowers. I am forever loyal to the eggplant as a home garden plant - last year it was my only hope, as it's the only thing that produced.
The zucchinni is just... *le sigh* Didn't work out!
The plant was getting out of control, and a little bit gross with ants getting everywhere, so I had to cut it and try replant part of it... I have no idea. I put it in a very cramped-up spot, so that's probably the problem.
I got one okra! Eeep! It's exciting to see these things that you see in the market grow before your eyes. We sliced the okra up, put it in a few teaspoons of oil, threw in some caraway/ajwain seeds, turmeric, red pepper, and salt and microwaved it. It was good.
My other okra plant (the one that's at least 4' tall) has plenty of flowers and fruit-looking things. I looove okra, so I'm hoping to get at least a half pound of it so I can make a decent-sized dish.
I'm delighted to report that the peppers have taken off. I don't remember having this many blooms on the plants ever!
My watermelon is doing okay. No more growing other than the two. (I'm wondering if it was the trellis method, or just overall poor conditions.) But the two are growing in their hammocks like cute wee little babies. I'm going to get some pictures this week, once the weather gets a little more convenient to do so.