We have an average sized suburban lot which is mostly dedicated to the antics of our three busy boys. The 15' x 25' area behind the garage was pretty worthless lawn, though, so I spent last year converting it into a vegetable garden. I threw some blackberries and blueberries in there for good measure, and planted some fruit trees around the yard. It's great to be able to give the kids organic fruits and vegetables straight from the garden, and even convinces them to eat things I don't think they would have tried normally (like collard greens). Can't wait for the fruit trees to swing into full production! ...
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| julia42's Buzz Mar 06, 2013 | |
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So the tomato numbers have been reduced to 24 this year, thanks to a cutworm (now squished).
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RoriTx
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2 months
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I didn't lose too many things to cutworms last year but I always seem to lose a tomato. |
| Your thoughts on tomato cages? Mar 05, 2013 | ||
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I just finished putting up all my tomato cages, and I'm about 7 short. So I'm in the market for some new ones, and I was hoping some of you folks might give me recommendations. I've tried the simple cheap round cages. I like that these are cheap and that they last, but they don't hold up my plants well unless I tie them... ...see more |
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Our friends' daughter is a horticulturist in NC and her husband made her tomato cages in various heights. Here is a picture and they would not be hard to make. ... more » |
YourGardenShow
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2 months
ago
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Hi Julia, here are some tomato cages Italian Style. We have a huge stand of bamboo so they cost us nothing and they last about five years each. |
danielpearce
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2 months
ago
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I put 6' stakes in when the cages get wobbly and it seems to work OK. |
| Lots of tomatoes again Mar 05, 2013 | |
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Last year I promised myself that I would only plant 15 tomatoes this year. Last year I planted 16 in ground and 9 in pots, and I had, well, quite a lot of tomatoes at harvest time. |
gailsgarden
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3 months
ago
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Haha. The same thing happens to me every year. And not just with tomatoes. I will end up with more than I need or can use of just about everything. |
SweetDomesticity
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2 months
ago
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I just love the variety that you have! Looking forward to seeing how they do! |
Liz
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2 months
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I can only laugh to myself when reading your post. Self control.....what is that to a gardener? I have a couple of the same varieties as you, but some of the names of the tomatoes you have chos... more » |
| julia42's Buzz Mar 04, 2013 | |
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I wish this website was so slow and quirky. I'd post a lot more...
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SweetDomesticity
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2 months
ago
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I know what you mean! I've had a lot of problems this fall/winter with posting. They do seem to be making progress on some upgrades and fixes, so hopefully they'll have some of those things sor... more » |
| julia42's Buzz Mar 04, 2013 | |
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All my tomatoes, basil, squash, and cucumbers made it through our little light frost this past weekend. Yay! and
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SweetDomesticity
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2 months
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Hooray!!! |
| Basil wouldn't eat the giant grasshopper for me. :( Mar 01, 2013 | |
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Clenram
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3 months
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Cute! |
SweetDomesticity
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3 months
ago
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Can't say I blame Basil - he's a big grasshopper! Love the close inspection,though - cute pup! |
julia42
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3 months
ago
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I'm sure he would be eating him if he were still jumping around. He eats every other bug in the yard. Umm, every other *thing* in the yard... and the house... |
| This guy was hiding in my head of lettuce. I sure am glad I noticed him... Feb 28, 2013 | |
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SweetDomesticity
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3 months
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Wow, he's huge! I'm glad we don't see them that big up here! |
julia42
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3 months
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And that's in February! I have these nightmare visions of him jumping out of my salad bowl into my hair... |
| Hosting a seed swap on GardenWeb - lots of seed Feb 28, 2013 | |
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It is fun! This was for a "Salad Swap" - so lots of lettuces, greens, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes... It's the second swap I've hosted - I did one for winter squashes, gourds, and pumpkins in the fall. |
SweetDomesticity
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3 months
ago
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How fun! |
Liz
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3 months
ago
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Julia, you motivated me to sort all of my seeds. I feel so organized! |
| I love this beautiful lettuce - "Grandpa Admire's". Feb 22, 2013 | |
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I love colorful lettuce! Does it taste as good as it looks? |
Clenram
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3 months
ago
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My chickens keep eating mine when it is about that size. I guess I better rethink free range. |
SweetDomesticity
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3 months
ago
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The colors are great! |
| Sad, cooked, Indigo Rose tomato plant. If you look closely, though, new... Feb 20, 2013 | |
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Bummer! But it looks hopeful! I planted Indigo Rose last year they did well in the heat and drought, so hopefully it will make a full recovery! |
| julia42's Buzz Feb 20, 2013 | |
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I tried out my fancy "Wall of Water" season extenders on my tomatoes last week when it was supposed to freeze. Learned a lesson - they weren't meant to be used in Texas sun. I frie
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julia42
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3 months
ago
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I fried my Indigo Rose and Purple Smudge tomato plants. I think Indigo Rose is going to pull through, though. Yay! |
SweetDomesticity
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3 months
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Oh no! Fingers crossed for a recovery! |
| New media added Feb 20, 2013 | |
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SweetDomesticity
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3 months
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There's that northern envy kicking in again! :) |
12Roses
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3 months
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It may just be harvest time...I take it you like salad a LOT. :) The phrase, "you could feed an army," comes to mind. I think they look great! Okay, maybe not an army, but a party of what? 4-6? or a bit more, maybe? |
| New planting Feb 20, 2013 | |||||
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tallulahshines
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3 months
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Hooray! I'm giving these a try too! Did you start them indoors or just throw 'em in the ground? lol! |
| New planting Feb 20, 2013 | |||||
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| New planting Feb 20, 2013 | |||||
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Where did you get your seeds? I am looking for some to plant in Houston. I have some cucuzza as a back-up, but really want trombocino. Have you grown it before? What kind of trellis are you using? |
HopeElevenhundred
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19 days
ago
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Thanks! I ended up ordered them online because I couldn't find them in Houston (even at Buchanans and SW Fertilizer). |