Farmer Dave's Garden Update
I just returned from purchasing a flat of petunias and am now awaiting Skylar's arrival so we can make it a project to plant them in the flower bed. What do I know about petunias? Nothing, the same as what I know about most flowers, plants, and vegetables. Still every year I manage to plant a variety of things. And, some actually grow. I studied these carefully- I always meticulously consider what I am going to plant. They are spreading plants that cover an area of two to three feet, and bloom all season. The guy at the garden shop gave me a couple of suggestions: use a quick-start planting solution to encourage beginning growth, and pinch off the old blooms to make room for the new. With my two brown thumbs I will give it a good try. The flower bed at the front of the house is in full sun and is under an eave, so that it gets very little rain, and thus I face an ethical dilemma. We are under a watering ban because of the drought. Neighbors are actually encouraged to submit the names of those they see breaking the law. Hefty fines are supposedly enforced. However, so many of these people have underground watering systems. And many are not going to allow their expensive homes and businesses to look shabby, thus many lawns are amazingly green in spite of the law. I've a feeling these include the homes of politicians, policemen, lawyers, and other enforcers. So, what should I do about my petunias? It would be hard for me to sleep at night, hearing the desperate although inaudible cries of the little guys who find themselves in my front yard, through no fault of their own. I'll not go into details, but simply proclaim myself to be pro-life when it comes to petunias.
Also, I have 22 vegetables in pots, nourished and growing, awaiting the soil to be sufficiently warm to be planted. Most are tomatoes, a favorite vegetable and one that I can actually grow with some success. While at Pine Mountain a couple of weeks ago I purchased some heirloom tomato plants. As best I can tell, "heirloom" means the plant has a funny name and will cost three times as much. These are Sungold and Cherokee Purple. Being heirloom, I can save the seeds and replant them every Spring- not that I'll actually do it, but it is theoretically possible. Also planted are some Early Girls, which produce fruit in about two months.
My friend George works very hard for the bragging rights of producing the first tomatoes of the year. He plants early and covers them from frost, and pours Miracle Grow onto the plants every day. I tell him that's a colossal waste. But, while my plants are still weaklings, his are thick and vigorous and starting to flower. And sure enough, around mid-May, he calls to tell me about the great tomato sandwich he's having for lunch- from his garden, and it sure is delicious, and he has a lot more coming, and how are my tiny little tomatoes coming along? That George really irritates me.
04.18.08 (10:46 am) [
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posted by:
B (
reply)
post date:
04.18.08 (9:09 am)
Well, there has been a lot of rain lately, so that's probably why those expensive houses' lawns are green. And I believe it's ok to do hand watering on occasion, so your plants should be ok. Call me when you get your tomotoes in, I'll come get some. Yum yum.
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
04.18.08 (9:57 am)
maybe you could put empty containers to catch water while you shower and then give that water to your plants! there, now that's a great idea! xoxoxo
posted by:
bipolarexpress (
reply)
post date:
04.18.08 (10:40 am)
i grow all my green stuff by seed. i only use my own compost that way i know it's safer to eat...
posted by:
squirrelzone (
reply)
post date:
04.18.08 (12:18 pm)
Kenny loves him some tomato samiches.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
04.18.08 (2:20 pm)
Sometimes the grass is always greener (and the tomatoes always redder) on the other side!
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
04.18.08 (4:55 pm)
petunias are the greatest flower in the world. they will grow under just about any conditions, spread more than you want and be bright and beautiful!! good choices PD.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.19.08 (12:56 am)
Tomatoes!
Looks like we'll have to get the tblog bus ready to roll and head down to Duluth GA for BLT sammiches.
I'll notify the driver and we can plan the route to pick up friends along the way. I'll bring the bacon. We'll have a jolly time.
See you when the mater's are ready!
:)
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.21.08 (6:03 am)
Mimi's suggestion is an excellent one.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:14 am)
Reply to: B
With all the recent rain, it is nice to see all the green grass. However, in dry times, it is pretty easy to see who cheats with the watering.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:17 am)
Reply to: mimi
But... I use a low-flow shower head- very little waste. I've thought about using a barrel to catch rainwater from off the house. But, that water is needed lesewhere, isn't it? We have a neighbor down the road who lavishly waters his large garden with well water. He has the legal right to do so, I guess, but still he is taking water from the water table. I'm not convinced it is a good thing.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:19 am)
Reply to: bipolarexpress
At first, I thought you had written that you create your own fertilizer, and I was thinking how gross! I'm glad I read more carefully. Your own compost- a good thing. Takes a little work, but worth it.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:21 am)
Reply to: squirrelzone
When the tomatoes are ready, you can have your choice or red, pink, yellow, and white tomatoes. Beefsteak or grape tomatoes. Come on by. But, no squirrels allowed- they tend to take one bite of the tomato while still upon the vine, and then move on to the next one. Not good. I'll set out my "humane" critter traps. I'll catch you, and release you at the park several miles from here.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:23 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Thanks. Skylar and I have been faithfully caring for our little flowers. Lots of fun.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:25 am)
Reply to: auntconi
Actually, the best tomatoes I have ever grown were in Michigan. The soil was rich and the climate just right. And, as I remember, I experimented with a couple of rows of sugar cane. They grew about 15 ft high, and were lots of fun. So, grow your own tomatoes!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:25 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Mimi is always right. Dang it.
posted by:
squirrelzone (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (7:34 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I always fall for those midevil contraptions. I've been relocated so many times I usually don't quite know where I am.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (12:15 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Well I will grow some 'maters ~ or enjoy the ones my son grows ... :)
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
04.22.08 (12:45 pm)
I am always envious of those who plant vegetables and flowers!!
posted by:
bipolarexpress (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (9:16 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I am pagan not heathen..lol ewww.. that would mean i'd use my own poo..ewwww that's nasty..lol
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:45 am)
Reply to: bipolarexpress
As nasty as it sounds, I'm sure it is being done by some hippie-lunatic-back-to-nature person. That describes you, doesn't it?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:46 am)
Reply to: rosietulips
I think everybody should grow some amount of vegetables or flowers. It doesn't take much, and is quite rewarding.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:48 am)
Reply to: squirrelzone
I've a few of your relatives running through the church attic even as I type. They sound loud and heavy and frenetic. The guy on talk radio says to put mothballs in the attic- squirrels don't like the smell, and will find somewhere else to abide. Do you like mothballs?
posted by:
bipolarexpress (
reply)
post date:
04.23.08 (10:48 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
more like a bored to tears home bound mom with nothing better to do..lol although I like the idea of being a hippie..that makes me smile
