2015 Gardens

[BenchCo Spydermade]

BCS,

Looking good!

What is your outdoor humidity where you live? How high and low have your temps been during the day and night close to Lake Erie? You live in the Cleveland area, right?

Are you watering your potted plants every day or every two days?

Keep up the good work!

Cate

Hey Catherine,

Weather has been pretty great for the garden this year. The weather in Cleveland varies greatly in any season and this year we've gotten a.lot of rain AND a good amount of sun. This spring/summer has been rainy, sunny, rainy, sunny. Just perfect for the plants! Humidity is usually pretty high,(84% this morn/according to phone.) but there are exceptions temps usually between 60 and 90 farenheit. Those will pro It has rained consistently enough I haven't had to water much except the plants that are further back as the rain doesn't always reach them. But it also depends in the plant. My tomatoes have filled their containers and need water every day, and I hope the same for my peppers soon enough. My trough seems to never get dry, so I have only watered it to flush and fertilize. It can get as high as the 100s mid summer, but that would be considered pretty hot.

 

[taldesta]

Things are progressing well over here. My cucumbers and clematis in particular have covered my trellises and I'm happy as a clam.

Not only still standing, but an oasis on your porch! :thumbup:

 

[taldesta]

Figs trees are totally loaded!

I plan on filling the whole 4x10 bed with root veggies later this season.

There are "hardy" Boston fig trees available here - first time I have noticed them generally for sale, even at the grocery store. They are rated for zones 5 to 9.

The foliage is very attractive and I am tempted, then I saw the figs posted here ... and am even more tempted. My thought is that, if I plant it in a sunny spot, sheltered from the NW, it might make it through winter. The locust tree I planted for shade in 2013 made it beautifully through its first winter, but really got knocked back this year. You know, when you plant, you get invested - they are like worrisome children

 

[taldesta]

My first tomato is starting to ripen I see a tomato salad in my future.

I keep meaning to ask what is that yellow flowering plant you have there? Also, good on having an attack rabbit to guard the tomato


Susan

http://vid1307.photobucket.com/albums/s600/TALDESTA/MVI_7182 BERRY PICKING_zpszgqatqgq.mp4

 

[22-rimfire]

Awe man! Sorry to hear that. Well hopefully karma will bring you a great harvest for your initial sacrifice to nature lol. I'm hoping this doesn't happen with the blueberries and blackberries I've had growing for almost a month with NO progress in ripening. When I put bird nets on them the berries poked right through so I just took the nets down.

Things are progressing well over here. My cucumbers and clematis in particular have covered my trellises and I'm happy as a clam.

If I lived in the city (you know, apartments or houses with essentially no real space), I'd be doing precisely what you're doing with the plants. It shouldn't be too much longer before the blue berries start to get ripe. The birds will let you know when they are ripe.

No big thing about the first tomato. There are many getting ripe now and it won't be long before I waste more than I use. Speaking of this, I think it's time for a big tomato sandwich on 12 grain bread. Always used wheat or sour dough, but I was at a staying at a hotel a week or so ago and tried the multi-grain bread; it was wonderful with real butter on it. Makes me hungry just thinking about that melted butter on toasted multi-grain bread. I like a few chunks though.... there is something about the chunks that make buttered bread better when you bite into it.

 

[22-rimfire]

I might add that I have really enjoyed this thread. Believe it or not, I actually go back to the beginning and re-read all the posts just for the enjoyment.

 

[taldesta]

Spark up those cigars, guys and gals, mum robin took a break this morning to give me a chance to snap buck naked (almost) triplets! I was quick like the Flash on a step-stool, got that feeling I was being watched ... or would be attacked ... so maybe not as clear as could be.

Invasives that I know, love and encourage ... sort of

Wild Strawberries - it's going to be one or the other. Shocking, I know, but I am going to have to choose between having lots of colour on the sunny side of the entry garden - OR - I am going to have wild strawberries. They are dwarfing the geraniums, nasturtiums, pansies, snapdragons and petunias that I have babied from seed. The strawberry tendrils are encroaching fast on everything else on this side. If the dogs discover the berries!

A few years ago I cancelled the snowplough contractor due to expense and started taking care of the long lane with my walk-behind snowblower. Not only did I save 3 - 4 hundred dollars a year ... but I also saved the time in spring it would take to rake and wheelbarrow the aggregate the plough would scrape off the lane and deposit on what I call the terrace hill and grass below.


The hill ...

This hill is now growing beautiful crown vetch ground cover with pink flowers - that needs no trimming ... and milkweed in abundance.

When friends offer invasive plants that I like, I plant them at the base of the hill. They generally spread downhill, so if they get too out of control, the mower takes them out. If I like them, I mulch downhill from them, remove the mulch when they go to seed ... and they have fertile ground bared to move further into the lawn. Some migrate uphill as well - like bee balm, brown eyed susans, wild roses.


Major mistake last year. I had finally won the fight to remove the highly invasive gout weed (snow on the mountain) from one perennial garden. I replaced it with creeping Jenny. Boy, did it creep!

I plan to share this bounty with neighbours

 

[Catherine_Montana]

Hey Catherine,

Weather has been pretty great for the garden this year. The weather in Cleveland varies greatly in any season and this year we've gotten a.lot of rain AND a good amount of sun. This spring/summer has been rainy, sunny, rainy, sunny. Just perfect for the plants! Humidity is usually pretty high,(84% this morn/according to phone.) but there are exceptions temps usually between 60 and 90 farenheit. Those will pro It has rained consistently enough I haven't had to water much except the plants that are further back as the rain doesn't always reach them. But it also depends in the plant. My tomatoes have filled their containers and need water every day, and I hope the same for my peppers soon enough. My trough seems to never get dry, so I have only watered it to flush and fertilize. It can get as high as the 100s mid summer, but that would be considered pretty hot.

You have had pretty good weather from what I can tell from your report.

Outstanding weather for growing things!

Take care.

Cate

 

[Catherine_Montana]

I might add that I have really enjoyed this thread. Believe it or not, I actually go back to the beginning and re-read all the posts just for the enjoyment.

Cool! Me too. I love the pretty pictures too.

Since you mentioned tomatoes and bread... I like different types of bread too. I like real butter too.

I like tomato sandwiches only I use M. W. on them or once in a blue moon - a good mayo. I like salt and pepper on them and thinking about it now makes my mouth water.

Cate

 

[Catherine_Montana]

Spark up those cigars, guys and gals, mum robin took a break this morning to give me a chance to snap buck naked (almost) triplets! I was quick like the Flash on a step-stool, got that feeling I was being watched ... or would be attacked ... so maybe not as clear as could be.

Invasives that I know, love and encourage ... sort of

Wild Strawberries - it's going to be one or the other. Shocking, I know, but I am going to have to choose between having lots of colour on the sunny side of the entry garden - OR - I am going to have wild strawberries. They are dwarfing the geraniums, nasturtiums, pansies, snapdragons and petunias that I have babied from seed. The strawberry tendrils are encroaching fast on everything else on this side. If the dogs discover the berries!

A few years ago I cancelled the snowplough contractor due to expense and started taking care of the long lane with my walk-behind snowblower. Not only did I save 3 - 4 hundred dollars a year ... but I also saved the time in spring it would take to rake and wheelbarrow the aggregate the plough would scrape off the lane and deposit on what I call the terrace hill and grass below.


The hill ...

This hill is now growing beautiful crown vetch ground cover with pink flowers - that needs no trimming ... and milkweed in abundance.

When friends offer invasive plants that I like, I plant them at the base of the hill. They generally spread downhill, so if they get too out of control, the mower takes them out. If I like them, I mulch downhill from them, remove the mulch when they go to seed ... and they have fertile ground bared to move further into the lawn. Some migrate uphill as well - like bee balm, brown eyed susans, wild roses.


Major mistake last year. I had finally won the fight to remove the highly invasive gout weed (snow on the mountain) from one perennial garden. I replaced it with creeping Jenny. Boy, did it creep!

I plan to share this bounty with neighbours

Aaawwwww! The baby birds were hatched/born - congrats to the Mother Robin, you and your land. Nature continues on it's wonderful cycle.

I love the lush greenery that you posted and it reminds me of my former state (GL region.) and back on the East Coast a LOT too.

Keep them coming! I am showing my husband this nice thread and pictures from all of you.

Take care, lady.

Cate

 

[22-rimfire]

My ripe tomatoes are hitting now. Picked maybe half dozen ripe maters today and already is more than we can use on a daily basis. Starting to give a way some....

 

[Catherine_Montana]

My ripe tomatoes are hitting now. Picked maybe half dozen ripe maters today and already is more than we can use on a daily basis. Starting to give a way some....

Very good! Yummy tomatoes.

Do you cook any tomatoes (Sauce, whole or partial pieces, or juice.) on top of your stove and freeze it instead of canning a whole bunch?

I used to do that quite often, back east, since my late husband and I liked to eat chili, spaghetti with sauce, soups, stews, etc. I liked to drizzle it on meat - beef, chicken, meatloaf, some fish, etc.

It was easier for me to make up a batch like that and, later on, I would heat up the cooked tomatoes from the freezer and ADD IN whatever I felt like making with my spices, meat or no meat, etc.

Cate

 

[22-rimfire]

No, I don't can tomato sauce or freeze them. Probably should. I grew up with canning and the hundred or so mason jars full of tomato sauce in the basement, but never carried on the tradition in my adult life. With 7 kids, spaghetti was a regular kind of meal. It still is actually, just not as many mouths to feed.

 

[LEGION 12]

My first tomato sammich of this year. What do you folks do with all your parsley I dried some made some pesto and still have a lot ?

 

[taldesta]

Both my tomatoes and I are green with envy! Just checked, my seeds were started on February 21st - both the "Jelly Bean" and the "Mortgage Lifter". Remembering the good old names for seeds ... like Early Girl, Better Boy, Big and Early, well, I knew what to expect!

Mind you, the plants are the best I have ever grown.

Legion 12, what is that yellow flowering plant you have?

Parsley ... mostly I dry it for soups, fish, chicken, interest in pasta and other salads. Very appealing as a sprig for presentation on a plate. Others may have more ideas. My favourite is the basil and I use it like lettuce on tomato sandwiches, with lettuce

That is one mouth-watering sandwich!

 

[22-rimfire]

That bacon on that mater sandwich? Bacon goes real well with maters. But I tend to do ham and swiss cheese.

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

That bacon on that mater sandwich? Bacon goes real well with maters. But I tend to do ham and swiss cheese.

No, that's BAKON I believe!

Legion, sammich looks good. I've got little tomatoes that don't go well in a sandwich but thats makin me want to grow bigger ones next year.

I have a lot of herbs, but not parsley. Basil, oregano, 3 kinds of mint, lavender chives, cilantro and thyme.

 

[LEGION 12]

Both my tomatoes and I are green with envy! Just checked, my seeds were started on February 21st - both the "Jelly Bean" and the "Mortgage Lifter". Remembering the good old names for seeds ... like Early Girl, Better Boy, Big and Early, well, I knew what to expect!

Mind you, the plants are the best I have ever grown.
I'm
Legion 12, what is that yellow flowering plant you have?

Parsley ... mostly I dry it for soups, fish, chicken, interest in pasta and other salads. Very appealing as a sprig for presentation on a plate. Others may have more ideas. My favourite is the basil and I use it like lettuce on tomato sandwiches, with lettuce

That is one mouth-watering sandwich!

I'm not sure what those flowers are when I bought them there was no tag and there was some white flowers with them only yellow one's now. No bakon on that sammich wanted the full tomato flavor. These flowers we're on my back porch moved them to a window sill . Secured them with bungee cords so they won't blow off. It's happened before.

 

[taldesta]

And who doesn't love the sunny, happy-face petunias in a window box! The purple ones are so lush and royal ... I use them a lot in my planters.

 

[Rupestris]

I've been meaning to post here for quite a while. Finally got a chance to get some photos.