Soaked the bed again today. Tied up the newest growth on my tomatoes. While doing so I noticed a few leaves with black, dead tips or edges:
It's only a few leaves and only minor damage to those leaves so far. I'd be happy to ignore it, but if it's a problem I want to address it ASAP. I posted this photo on an excellent garden site in hopes of some good advice. My googling turned up nothing that looks exactly like this.
It may just be overwatering. I want to water my lettuce every day, but I wouldn't have to soak the tomatoes at the same time. I'll back off on that while I hope for some expert advice.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
June 26, Friday
Watered the bed and picked some greens for my salad. Near dusk decided to plant the little bell pepper and eggplant seedlings I've been haphazardly nurturing.
Originally I started 3 little peat pods of pepper and 3 of eggplant. After some poor care and a vicious attack by a cat, whose identity is known to me, I ended up with 2 viable pepper seedlings and one eggplant. For several weeks they've been outdoors, near the garden but out of direct sunlight and on a shelf away from pests. They're really pretty small, maybe 3 pairs of leaves per tiny plant.
Tonight I pulled up 3 of my smaller lettuce plants, in the row furthest from the tomatoes, and replaced them with the seedlings. We'll see how they do. If they're not looking mighty vigorous in a week or two I may pull them up and replace them with nursery plants. I'm rootin' for 'em.
Counted 18 tomatoes on one plant and 3 on the other. There may be more. They're green and hard to spot among the thick foliage. Woohoo!
Originally I started 3 little peat pods of pepper and 3 of eggplant. After some poor care and a vicious attack by a cat, whose identity is known to me, I ended up with 2 viable pepper seedlings and one eggplant. For several weeks they've been outdoors, near the garden but out of direct sunlight and on a shelf away from pests. They're really pretty small, maybe 3 pairs of leaves per tiny plant.
Tonight I pulled up 3 of my smaller lettuce plants, in the row furthest from the tomatoes, and replaced them with the seedlings. We'll see how they do. If they're not looking mighty vigorous in a week or two I may pull them up and replace them with nursery plants. I'm rootin' for 'em.
Counted 18 tomatoes on one plant and 3 on the other. There may be more. They're green and hard to spot among the thick foliage. Woohoo!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Notes for 2010
- More beets. For the greens, natch.
- More carrots. I'm not going to get that many.
- Plant lettuce and mesclun elevated waist high. They don't need the depth and the bunnies won't git'm.
- Get peppers and eggplant in along with the tomatoes, around April 30. Start indoors or buy pots. Harvest earlier and extend season.
June 25, Thursday
Bed bone dry. Predicted overnight rains did not arrive. I'd hate to be a farmer. Gave the bed a good soak, found nothing amiss. That's it for today.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June 24, Wednesday
Got maybe 1/4 inch of rain overnight, but the top of the bed was crusty by late afternoon so I gave it a soak. The lettuce loves water, and I don't mind pampering the tomatoes. There are new little fruits on each plant each day, with plenty more on the way.
After mowing the front lawn and taking some well-deserved hammock time I decided to talk to my tomato plants and let them know how much I appreciate their efforts. While squatting over my carrots and wasting my time yapping to the tomatoes I noticed that the carrots still needed some serious thinning. I thinned them to clumps about 2 inches apart a couple of weeks ago, but today I saw that each clump comprised 2, 3, or more individual plants. Hated to do it, but I carefully eased out the extras and now have but one plant per clump. Brought the thinnings inside, rinsed them, and popped 'm in the fridge for use in my salads. The roots are still quite small and white-to-pale-yellow, but I tasted one and it did in fact taste carroty.
Before I mowed I raised the mower a notch to leave the grass a bit higher. The result was not good. The mower missed a lot of spots. Which made no sense to me until I realized that my mower adjustment raises only the back end of the mower body. I'm guessing this places the blades at an angle and makes them less efficient at buzzing all the grass. I may explore the geometry a bit more and make sure I can't raise the front as well. But for now I lowered the blade back to where it was doing a good job.
After mowing the front lawn and taking some well-deserved hammock time I decided to talk to my tomato plants and let them know how much I appreciate their efforts. While squatting over my carrots and wasting my time yapping to the tomatoes I noticed that the carrots still needed some serious thinning. I thinned them to clumps about 2 inches apart a couple of weeks ago, but today I saw that each clump comprised 2, 3, or more individual plants. Hated to do it, but I carefully eased out the extras and now have but one plant per clump. Brought the thinnings inside, rinsed them, and popped 'm in the fridge for use in my salads. The roots are still quite small and white-to-pale-yellow, but I tasted one and it did in fact taste carroty.
Before I mowed I raised the mower a notch to leave the grass a bit higher. The result was not good. The mower missed a lot of spots. Which made no sense to me until I realized that my mower adjustment raises only the back end of the mower body. I'm guessing this places the blades at an angle and makes them less efficient at buzzing all the grass. I may explore the geometry a bit more and make sure I can't raise the front as well. But for now I lowered the blade back to where it was doing a good job.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
June 23, Tuesday
Very hot and humid in my back yard today. Watered the bed and picked some greens for dinner. Now here's the good news. I counted at least 12 little tomatoes on one plant and finally spied the first tomato on the other. With many, many more blossoms on both plants. Whaddya think? July sometime?
Finished mowing the back and finally hit the back with the string trimmer. Also discovered one possible reason why my basement has been taking on water. This is the status of some of my gutters:
Saw the gutter full of samaras (maple seeds) when I was on the roof last month trimming branches. There's no soil to speak of, maybe just some blown-in dust and shingle grit. Yet the little buggers grow. I'll get them out when the weather's a little more temperate.
Finished mowing the back and finally hit the back with the string trimmer. Also discovered one possible reason why my basement has been taking on water. This is the status of some of my gutters:
Saw the gutter full of samaras (maple seeds) when I was on the roof last month trimming branches. There's no soil to speak of, maybe just some blown-in dust and shingle grit. Yet the little buggers grow. I'll get them out when the weather's a little more temperate.
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22, Monday
Well it appears to have been nearly 2 weeks since my last garden post. I haven't kept up. But I stand ready today to thoroughly summarize the events of that lost era. Let's start with a current photo:
In this pic I've just finished staking the tomatoes higher. I've also pulled all the mesclun from beneath the tomatoes. It had mostly gone to seed and in any case wasn't getting much light. I left the one radish plant that survived, not for radishes but for the leaves.
There are nasturtium and marigold blossoms, and in general all seems well. I decided to pick enough lettuce to complete my evening salad, along with a few stems of parsley and a few radish leaves, and here was the result:
You don't really get a sense of how high it's piled on the plate. I have to say, it made for a delicious salad. The parsley and radish added bursts of strong flavor to the lettuce and mesclun mix.
As for other goings on, we've had more than enough rain (4.5 inches over Thursday and Friday nights). Imagine a pool 4.5 inches deep across the whole lawn! That's a lot of rain, and some of it did end up in my basement. Nothing a mop and a dehumidifier can't handle. Happens at least once each Spring.
The rabbits continue to feast on my garden, and they continue not to do much damage overall. One marigold seems to be missing all it's blossoms, but the others are in fine fettle. Here's one of my nasturtiums:
One plant has a half dozen or so little green tomatoes, along with plenty more blossoms. The other plant still has only blossoms, but quite a lot of them. Now, for the first time, I'm starting to be a nervous parent. The loss of a little lettuce is not tragic, and I wouldn't be terribly disappointed if my entire crop of leeks failed, but I really want to be eating these tomatoes! ASAP. So far, it looks like putting them in early may pay off. Mmmmmm.
In this pic I've just finished staking the tomatoes higher. I've also pulled all the mesclun from beneath the tomatoes. It had mostly gone to seed and in any case wasn't getting much light. I left the one radish plant that survived, not for radishes but for the leaves.
There are nasturtium and marigold blossoms, and in general all seems well. I decided to pick enough lettuce to complete my evening salad, along with a few stems of parsley and a few radish leaves, and here was the result:
You don't really get a sense of how high it's piled on the plate. I have to say, it made for a delicious salad. The parsley and radish added bursts of strong flavor to the lettuce and mesclun mix.
As for other goings on, we've had more than enough rain (4.5 inches over Thursday and Friday nights). Imagine a pool 4.5 inches deep across the whole lawn! That's a lot of rain, and some of it did end up in my basement. Nothing a mop and a dehumidifier can't handle. Happens at least once each Spring.
The rabbits continue to feast on my garden, and they continue not to do much damage overall. One marigold seems to be missing all it's blossoms, but the others are in fine fettle. Here's one of my nasturtiums:
One plant has a half dozen or so little green tomatoes, along with plenty more blossoms. The other plant still has only blossoms, but quite a lot of them. Now, for the first time, I'm starting to be a nervous parent. The loss of a little lettuce is not tragic, and I wouldn't be terribly disappointed if my entire crop of leeks failed, but I really want to be eating these tomatoes! ASAP. So far, it looks like putting them in early may pay off. Mmmmmm.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June 9, Tuesday
Rain predicted for tonight, so no watering. Pulled some weeds, harvested some greens for lunch, and also harvested a couple of entire lettuce plants that were impinging on my carrots.
Realized I could put a simple screen around my garden bed to keep the rabbits out. The frame is already about 9 inches high; another foot or two should do it. Need to build something sturdy enough to withstand wind and rabbits but easy to remove each day. Must think.
Mowed half the back yard. Got in a little hammock time. Trimmed the dead iris stalks in front and pulled out last year's dead foliage on same (a little late). Harvested all the daisies that were volunteering in one of my front flower beds, then pulled up the daisy plants. The cut daisies look nice by my TV.
Realized I could put a simple screen around my garden bed to keep the rabbits out. The frame is already about 9 inches high; another foot or two should do it. Need to build something sturdy enough to withstand wind and rabbits but easy to remove each day. Must think.
Mowed half the back yard. Got in a little hammock time. Trimmed the dead iris stalks in front and pulled out last year's dead foliage on same (a little late). Harvested all the daisies that were volunteering in one of my front flower beds, then pulled up the daisy plants. The cut daisies look nice by my TV.
June 8, Monday
Went to Chicago to see the White Sox lose. They didn't disappoint. Rain gauge has about 8/10 inch. I'm told it mostly fell early morning, but the bed was still damp at 7 PM. Did nuttin'.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
June 7, Sunday
Finally got to staking my shaggy tomatoes. Here's the result:
[Click photo for better view.]
I used 3 stakes for 2 plants because the plant on the left has two vigorous main stems. Went 6 feet above the bed, as I've seen tomatoes that tall on TV. Taller even. With more fruit because of the height. So we'll see. After this was taken I went back and tied up some more of the branches shading the bed. Trying to show my greens some love.
The plan I'm following shows tomato plants after the greens are done for the Spring. I thought I'd put them in early to extend the growing season if possible. The bed's too small and crowded anyway. Next year I'll build one or two more beds this size.
Got some rain this morning but the topsoil was dry so I gave it a soak. Pulled some weeds and harvested greens for my salad. Took the largest leaf from each lettuce and mustard plant. Noticed some apparent rabbit damage (some chewed leaves) but not much. Later my neighbor told me she saw the family of 4 that lives beneath her deck feasting at my table. I haven't worked out how to use my pest cloth with the tomato stakes, so I poured urine on the outside of the frame and I'll hope for the best.
It's a 6-week birthday for my greens, so here's a current pic:
[Click photo for better view.]
From the front we have:
So far I could not be more pleased. Let's hope I can deal with the rabbits without having to stir up a stew.
[Click photo for better view.]
I used 3 stakes for 2 plants because the plant on the left has two vigorous main stems. Went 6 feet above the bed, as I've seen tomatoes that tall on TV. Taller even. With more fruit because of the height. So we'll see. After this was taken I went back and tied up some more of the branches shading the bed. Trying to show my greens some love.
The plan I'm following shows tomato plants after the greens are done for the Spring. I thought I'd put them in early to extend the growing season if possible. The bed's too small and crowded anyway. Next year I'll build one or two more beds this size.
Got some rain this morning but the topsoil was dry so I gave it a soak. Pulled some weeds and harvested greens for my salad. Took the largest leaf from each lettuce and mustard plant. Noticed some apparent rabbit damage (some chewed leaves) but not much. Later my neighbor told me she saw the family of 4 that lives beneath her deck feasting at my table. I haven't worked out how to use my pest cloth with the tomato stakes, so I poured urine on the outside of the frame and I'll hope for the best.
It's a 6-week birthday for my greens, so here's a current pic:
[Click photo for better view.]
From the front we have:
- Nasturtium and some scattered basil plants
- A row of tiny parsley
- 3 rows of lettuce
- Tomatoes, spinach, and mesclun (mustard and beet)
You can see some carrots on the left.
So far I could not be more pleased. Let's hope I can deal with the rabbits without having to stir up a stew.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 6, Saturday
Rainy afternoon. Left garden alone. Tomatoes are all over the place.
Managed to get the front lawn mowed after dinner. That's it!
Managed to get the front lawn mowed after dinner. That's it!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
June 4, Thursday
Gorgeous day, but I was working and ignored my garden and lawn again. Did thrust my finger into the bed and concluded it was moist below an inch or so. Let it go without watering one more day to encourage deeper roots. This may be good for the vegetables, but the lettuce may stop growing until I water. I'm not sure how deep lettuce roots go.
My front lawn is going to seed. FREE SEEDS!
My front lawn is going to seed. FREE SEEDS!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
June 3, Wednesday
Got tied up and forgot to do any gardening today. A late check of the rain gauge shows we had another 1-1/3 inches rain since Monday. The top of the bed is dry and cracked, but if there's no moisture at the roots we have a bigger problem than I know how to manage. In short, no watering needed.
Tomatoes still flopped over on the bed. I tied back the worst offender to a bracket on the frame with twine. That should be good until I get the stakes installed. The other is a little over-friendly with it's bedmates but is not lying on top of them, so we're good for a day or two.
It's been cool for June. High around 64 yesterday and today, low of brrrrrrrr 41 tonight. Tomorrow's high slated for 73 with nuthin' but sunshine, so remind me not to forget my gardening. Or mowing the front lawn.
Tomatoes still flopped over on the bed. I tied back the worst offender to a bracket on the frame with twine. That should be good until I get the stakes installed. The other is a little over-friendly with it's bedmates but is not lying on top of them, so we're good for a day or two.
It's been cool for June. High around 64 yesterday and today, low of brrrrrrrr 41 tonight. Tomorrow's high slated for 73 with nuthin' but sunshine, so remind me not to forget my gardening. Or mowing the front lawn.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June 2, Tuesday
Rain overnight and more on the way. I'll check the gauge tomorrow. Again, I ain't doin' nuttin'.
On closer inspection the tomato plants are both leaning over. Must stake them tomorrow.
On closer inspection the tomato plants are both leaning over. Must stake them tomorrow.
Monday, June 1, 2009
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