Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, Dec. 31

Happy New Year's Eve! Today we're going to be looking forward toward next season's gardens by looking back toward what we have learned in past threads.

I have ordered some seeds to supplement those I already have. How about you?

Well, here we go:

September 2, 2017:

Hello, gardeners and those who wish this weekend that they knew a gardener.
Maters for a BLT
Above, one of the best uses for a big garden-fresh tomato. Say a Cherokee Purple, Stump of the World, Dr. Neal, Neves Azorean Red or J.D.'s Special C Tex. Do you have a favorite BLT tomato?

A BLT is not a well-dressed bacon sandwich. A BLT is a tomato sandwich, seasoned with bacon. From this basic premise, all else follows. Indeed, a better name for the BLT might well be the Tomato Club, for it is the perfect tomato, not the bacon, that is the rarest, the most ephemeral, the most singularly delicious ingredient. A BLT is not a democracy. It is not a committee meeting. It is a dictatorship, and the tomato is King, Queen, and Supreme Leader. In the BLT universe, the Prime Directive is that all other ingredients shall be at Her Majesty's service, their only role to prop her up and enhance her best qualities.

Taters for a Tater Salad
A couple of weeks ago, we posted a photo of Gordon's blossoming blue potatoes. Don't know if he has harvested any. Do you have a favorite potato for potato salad?
One of the signs of the Labor Day Weekend around here is when mayonnaise goes on sale. Many pros recommend russets for mayonnaise-based potato salad dressings. How about you? Any Yukon Gold fans out there?
Of course, fingerlings and other "waxy" potatoes are renowned for potato salad, but I wonder if they are better for the warm, German-style salads? Anybody got a favorite recipe? . . .
I like garden potatoes that are in the awkward stage between new and storage potatoes for vinaigrette-style potato salads. I like awkward-stage garden potatoes lightly mashed with garlic and butter, too.

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

CATALOGS are not all the same

Well, for most of us, it's Dream Time as far and gardening is concerned. Ready for a walk on the wild side? If you don't need to plant your tomato or pepper seeds (or other seeds) right away, and Baker Creek doesn't have enough choices (heh), you might be able to save a little money by taking a chance at the Croatian Seed Store. They have a very wide range of open-pollinated seeds. Lots of tomatoes bred in Eastern Europe (both for outdoor and greenhouse culture) were outstanding for non-hybrids, as breeders had to keep using open-pollination while Western seed companies turned to hybridization.

They have a large variety of seeds from the international Dwarf Tomato Project, which bred short-internode indeterminate tomatoes, such as Wild Fred.

And they have woolly tomatoes from around the world. I grew some woolly tomatoes once. One of the old, pale "peach" varietes. They were fun. Work has continued, apparently.

And they have a lot of the heirlooms you have heard of. And even more you haven't heard of. It's fun just to scroll through them. Peppers are kinda fun, too. Sweet peppers are divided from the hot peppers and are separated by color.

If you would rather stay stateside, Victory Seeds also carries the Dwarf Project Tomatoes. Their Woolly Tomatoes are mostly integrated into the yellow/orange/pale category. Less variety than the catalog above, but that may be a feature rather than a bug for some folks.

The Seeds 'N Such Catalog has a special through Jan. 2, and they have already run out of a few items. I appreciate that, for hybrid tomatoes, disease resistance is listed with the photos of the tomatoes. They have a lot of open-pollinated varieties, too. Some of the varieties shown as "bulk" also have options for smaller packets. If you decide to order from them, they have 'Summer Dance' cucumbers and also 'Just Right' turnips (fall only).

If you have problems with disease in your tomato patch, this catalog may be a good option for you. The guy who runs it has experience in the "big boy" catalog business.

Skyway Hybrid Tomato VFFFNTswvTylc
( $3.99 packet size 5 seeds or bulk sizes)
78 days. Our best beefsteak type if bothered by tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus or apex necrosis virus, three diseases that plague Southern growers striving for large fruit size and top quality. Vigorous healthy plants yield attractive red fruits that are moderately ribbed and weigh 8 to 12 oz. Determinate.

You can also search by individual diseases, particularly "late blight". You can also do this at Pinetree.

Speaking of the Big Boy catalogs, if you are shopping at Burpee this year, their old Sweet Tangerine Hybrid might be a better bet than their new feature, Vivacious.

A great tomato. The heirloom 'Tangerine' is not the same tomato. Not a bad tomato, but not the same. The hybrid does well in our hot climate. The heirloom is apparently highly nutritious but drought-sensitive. Trust the science.

March 28, 2015

Container Planting: New Big Dwarf (the inspiration for the Dwarf Tomato Project), Roselle Purple or Dwarf Wild Fred.
Short season or cool summer areas: Gregori's Altai, Pruden's Purple, Pink Berkeley Tie Dye, Soldacki, Goldie, Gold Medal, Chianti Rose, Bush Beefsteak F1 or New Big Dwarf.
Hot, dry areas (not the interior deserts, necessarily): Dr. Lyle and Stump of the World have done well for me. Others recommended for our area include Boondocks, Brandy Boy F1, Neves Azorean Red, Giant Belgium, Marianna's Peace, Jumbo Jim Orange or Mexico (not "Mexican Beefsteak").
Hot, humid areas: JD's Special C Tex, Indian Stripe, Dixiewine or Florida Pink. I know there are more.
Really big plants: Climbing Trip-L-Crop or Pink Climber.
Competitive tomato-growing: Last I heard, "Delicious" held the world record for the largest tomato - more than 7 pounds. Burpee introduced this cultivar in 1964 after years of selection from "Beefsteak" (AKA Crimson Cushion or Ponderosa Red). Delicious is reputed to hold its flavor when the nights turn cold in fall. This is probably a good thing, since it ripens late.
Other tomatoes promoted for competition include Big Zac F1, Goliath (open pollinated - not the hybrid lines) and Believe It or Not.

We've found more since then.

June 27, 2015:

Varieties and strains of Brandywine tomatoes. If you find a supplier you like, stay with it.

January 12, 2019:

Cumberland Astro checked in with tips and detailed notes on experiences with varieties he had grown in humid conditions.

Anybody grown Garden Gem? (Offspring of Maglia Rosa)?

January 19, 2019

Shanks for the memory with notes on Gran's superior beefsteaks, experiences with new varieties and great canned Early Girl tomatoes.

Plus Music. Topical again as rain is scheduled for today in the Valley.

December 5, 2020:

More catalog suggestions. If you live in a moderate or short-season climate, you might want to try Rose de Bern or Cosmonaut Volkov tomatoes.

Ah, Nature

SPOOKY TREE ... pic.twitter.com/iFhpp4P8bv
— ROBERT (@roberticu) October 31, 2022

Poor little birds.

Here are the Macaulay Library's Best Bird Photos of 2022

More birds:

In honor of the late Christine McVie, here's an old cover of "Songbird" that I dug out of the vault from 2013 (!), set to a slideshow of original bird pictures by my very talented teenage birding cousin. Enjoy!https://t.co/4JlirguSa9
— Bethel McGrew (@BMcGrewvy) December 27, 2022

Gardens of The Horde

My recent seed choices, from Tomato Growers Supply:

Three big pink or red beefsteak types:
Boondocks
Mexico
Stump of the World

Trivia: 'Stump of the World' has a religious connotation (Think Stump of Jesse).
This tomato is a parent of these dwarfs: Willa's Cariboo Rose, Wilpena, Rosella Purple and Rosella Crimson.

(Rosella Purple is reputed to resemble Cherokee Purple on a dwarf plant.)

Mexico

Small "black" tomato, usually looks perfect
Nyagous - Maybe I should have ordered 'Bulgarian Triumph' to go with it. It's a red cluster tomato. Love the name.

Wonder if my AAA Sweet Solano seed is still alive?

Oxheart:
Wes

Two stand-ins for Cherokee Purple or J.D.'s Special C Tex:
Indian Stripe
Black from Tula

Cherries:
Sun Orange Hybrid commentary here
Chocolate Sprinkles FNT (Thanks, Shanks)

Cucumber:
County Fair Improved Cucumber

They are supposed to send bonuses:

Early Prince Cucumber (commercial, extra female blossoms)
Black Plum Tomato and
Super Khi hot pepper (ornamenta/edible -Thai or Chinese).

I didn't see Dr. Lyle (a great beefsteak) offered in the catalogs I checked this year.

Anything going on in your garden or yard? Or are you in front of the fireplace reading catalogs?

Hope everyone has a nice weekend. Be careful on the roads.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden at g mail dot com

Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Week in Review

What has changed since last week's thread? Christmas Eve Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread

Excerpt from a comment by the famous Pat*:

Time to take that catalog, sit by the fireplace, and make Secret Plans for the Victory Garden. Everyone stay warm and Unconquerable out there!

Any thoughts or questions?

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway. And don't comment on the other old threads above!

Posted by: K.T. at 01:16 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs and Happy New Year

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 01:19 PM (xhxe8)

2 Tomato porn!

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 31, 2022 01:20 PM (D7cMO)

3 and dutifully called

Just came in from making another batch of charcoal, got lots of pine to get rid of so it's a byproduct.

https://youtu.be/E630wR0cP2M
Algal the Bard - The Final Countdown

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 01:21 PM (xhxe8)

4 I moved the rose bushes I transported from old house to new house from the garage to the yard today. Previously, I moved them out of the flower beds to the garage during the winter (they are in big pots) as the winter wind would freeze them. But here, I'm in a warmer freeze zone and I'm thinking they should be alright. The house and beds are protected from the wind. We'll see.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 31, 2022 01:24 PM (qoGsy)

5 At least Spooky Tree is dancing and not trying to kill you like the Womping Tree in Harry Potter

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 01:24 PM (xhxe8)

6 Charcoal!

Posted by: KT at December 31, 2022 01:28 PM (rrtZS)

7 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 31, 2022 01:30 PM (T4tVD)

8 Read the content. Think about the topics, listen to the music selection.

And see no comments when I get to the bottom of the post.

ROOKIE!

Thanks for the GT, KT!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 01:33 PM (6X8wp)

9 I found out this year that I can start tomatoes from cuttings, so I can buy ONE of each variety and plant the trimmed branches when I start pruning them up.

I tried to do a version of the tomato "trellis to make you jealous" system and unfortunately used Jute twine and PVC pipe I planed to use for my poly tunnels. Don't use Jute twine for tomatoes it isn't strong enough, and PVC is too bendy, use metal conduit.

I do adore the Cherokee Purple tomatoes, but I may have to get a different variety.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 31, 2022 01:33 PM (xhaym)

10 Of course, fingerlings and other "waxy" potatoes are renowned for potato salad, but I wonder if they are better for the warm, German-style salads? Anybody got a favorite recipe? . . .

This is my Grammi's/Mother's from my PA German side: (Use red potatoes)

2 C chucked potatoes, 2-4 slices bacon, 1/4 C each chopped onion, chopped green pepper, 1 egg, 2 T apple cider vinegar, S & P to taste, 1 T sugar, 2 hard boiled eggs.
Cook potatoes in salted water. Dice bacon and fry. When about half done, add onion and green pepper. Fry 3 more minutes. Beat egg and add to it vinegar, S & P, sugar. Add to bacon mixture and cook over med heat until it thickens a bit. Drain potatoes and combine with sauce and slices of one of the hard boiled egg. Garnish top with other (sliced) hard boiled egg.

This is adapted from Edna Eby Heller's Art of PA Dutch Cooking book.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 31, 2022 01:33 PM (qoGsy)

11 Charcoal!
Posted by: KT at December 31, 2022 01:28 PM (rrtZS)

biochar. Still can't figure out if all the charcoal I dug into the garden has done any good.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 31, 2022 01:34 PM (xhaym)

12 During the "big chill" last week we had 3 feeding stations for the birds. A typical feeder with generic seed, a Nyjer seed "sock" for the little guys and a suet cake for the woodpeckers. It took a couple days before the other, less desirable birds found them, then it was overwhelmed with doves, blackbirds and blue jays. Quite the show for a couple days.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 31, 2022 01:36 PM (Q4IgG)

13 Sounds like a great way to keep the birds fed Martini Farmer.

We have 2 13lb seed blocks out for the quail, dove, finches, and woodpeckers.
The blocks don't last long when the cold has caused all the bugs to hide/die.
I cast loose birdseed mix as well.
I counted 22 quail in at one time last week.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 01:40 PM (6X8wp)

14 Happy new year gardeners! I mentioned a few weeks ago I was having heart surgery. Well it's done, I'm home and have a new heart valve, 8 weeks of no lifting and the garden fun can begin!

Posted by: KarlHungus at December 31, 2022 01:41 PM (zB2xb)

15 This year, the XO and I will be getting our tomatoes from the local farmers markets. We now live in an apartment without a balcony or a patio. Last year, we got all of our tomatoes from farmers markets, too. We only planted one tomato plant and it was slow. We moved October 1 which is when the damn plant finally began to turn out ready to be picked tomatoes. #1 son dropped by the house every evening to grab what he could, which was good for him since his tomato plants got eaten by the raccoons and rabbits.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at December 31, 2022 01:41 PM (z7W9M)

16 Reading catalogs, here. Largely buying peppers and greens. I haven't had much luck with tomato seeds or with eggplant, so I buy the little plants.

I might try victory seeds, but have ordered from Burpee and Park.

Posted by: CN at December 31, 2022 01:42 PM (Zzbjj)

17 I just ordered some Rutgers 250 seeds from rohrerseeds.com - they are supposedly the original Rutgers with the tang that my MiL loves.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 31, 2022 01:42 PM (Mzdiz)

18 We always used russet potatoes in our family's potato salad. Don't know where the recipe came from, but my mom's grandma was German so it might have started off as a German potato salad and morphed. This recipe is approximate as we never measured anything, except the ingredients for the marinade, and the marinade batch size might be doubled/tripled depending on how much salad we were making.
Boil several potatoes (4-6) in their skins and after they've cooled enough to handle, peel them and then slice them about 1/4 inch thick (like fat poker chips). Make the marinade which is 7 TB oil, 2 TB vinegar, 1 TB lemon juice, and 1 tsp salt. Shake this up pour it over the sliced potatoes and toss; refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours so the potatoes soak up the marinade. They should be damp but not swimming. Add diced red onion, diced celery, and chopped hard-boiled egg; mix and add salt & pepper to taste. Lastly add a couple TB of mayonnaise, added sparingly as the salad will already be wet from the marinade, it's just enough mayo to hold the thing together and add some more flavor. Drizzle on more marinade for more tang if you like.

Posted by: tankascribe at December 31, 2022 01:43 PM (rcloO)

19 "Best Bird Photos"
Why isn't there a Best Small Bird Recipe?
Or is this the wrong thread?

Posted by: GWB at December 31, 2022 01:44 PM (sE2Ux)

20 MiL swore by red potatoes for potato salad

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 01:44 PM (xhxe8)

21 I think it's time for me to take inventory of the seeds I've got, so I can start to plant the garden. There will be lots of tomatoes for sure - maybe 60 plants. I usually get a dozen plants from a local nursey for a head start. The rest will be sown by me.

I highly recommend Terra Cotta - it was a free seed packet from Baker Creek and was a big hit. When I ordered some fancy morning glories, they sent me a free mini berry tomato that sounds fun for snacking.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 31, 2022 01:46 PM (Mzdiz)

22 Der Papst Benedikt ist tot.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at December 31, 2022 01:48 PM (e+csY)

23 Nothing says love like a BLT.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 31, 2022 01:49 PM (anj39)

24 I'm home and have a new heart valve, 8 weeks of no lifting and the garden fun can begin!
Posted by: KarlHungus

Welcome back and congrats on the successful surgery!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 01:49 PM (6X8wp)

25 Nothing says love like a BLT.
Posted by: Diogenes

Yup.
Those bacon slabs look a bit on the crunchy side, don't you think?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 01:50 PM (6X8wp)

26 Doing only herbs and pollinator plants again this year.
Working on the soil right now: I have five 4x8 raised beds in the garden.

Today I dug up about nine inches off the top of half of one, and semi-Hugeled it. Put down the collected tree blow downs cut into pieces, prunings, dried garden debris, covered them with part of the compost material and replaced the dirt.

The original bed I did with tree trimmings when we moved in is one of the better ones.

Whole Seed Catalog is one of my guilty pleasures. Never ordered anything from them, but love to read it.
The diversity- the good kind- always cheers me up.

Another good one I get for fun is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Here in TX we're just on the western edge of their region.

Posted by: sal: tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum at December 31, 2022 01:54 PM (wE246)

27 Eat so many during mater season, you OD. I have the aquaintenance of a former Tomato Queen of Jacksonville Texas. Still beautiful after all those years, makes a superb tomato sandwich, or mater samich.

Posted by: Eromero at December 31, 2022 01:56 PM (eo57b)

28 The best thread to end the year. Have a a great new one, KT!

Perhaps the spooky tree is really a Boogieing Tree. So misunderstood.

Rain just turning to sleet in my garden. The succulents love being indoors, as does the ridiculously tiny begonia (a seedling that I thought was dead and then it revived in the compost). It blossomed and is thriving in the kitchen window.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 31, 2022 02:00 PM (/+bwe)

29 And thank you KT!

Posted by: Eromero at December 31, 2022 02:01 PM (eo57b)

30 At least Spooky Tree is dancing and not trying to kill you like the Womping Tree in Harry Potter
Posted by: Skip

That's right. Totally safe.
Now, come stand a little closer.
C-l-o-s-e-r…

Posted by: Spooky Tree took whomping lessons at Hogwart's at December 31, 2022 02:01 PM (9J956)

31 Burpee's old OP Quarter Century has been recommended for containers in the low desert. Don't know if they even sell it anymore, but you can get it from other vendors.

Posted by: KT at December 31, 2022 02:02 PM (rrtZS)

32 fixed my own nic for me

Posted by: Spooky Tree took whomping lessons at ~~Hogwart's~~ Waffle House at December 31, 2022 02:04 PM (9J956)

33 Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 31, 2022 01:42 PM (Mzdiz)

Rohrer's is the only catalog I get, due to my purchase of Victorian Pansy seeds a couple years ago. I took one look through it this year, got some ideas for flowers/herbs on the sunny side of the house, but nothing definite yet.

I'll probably just stick to planting easy seeds for a cutting garden.

Posted by: kallisto at December 31, 2022 02:07 PM (z3nvJ)

34 From the autobiography of Rogers Hornsby (the last man to hit .400 in the National League):

"People ask me what I do in the winter, when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I look out the window and wait for spring."

Which is what I'm doing now - that, and planning the 2023 edition of the garden.

A question: Have any of you had success growing melons in zone 6?

Posted by: Nemo at December 31, 2022 02:09 PM (S6ArX)

35 Did some internet searching for 'authentic Itallian tomato' canning recipes. I did process a case of sauce that is excellant. Ball Blue Book toamto canning recipes simy use too much salt and the added lemon juice is not necessary. I used 'Giant Oxheart' from Totally Tomatoes and 'Cipolla's Pride' from Johnny's Seeds.

Posted by: Hidden nick due to shame. at December 31, 2022 02:11 PM (3Or4S)

36 Happy New Year eve all.
I mostly lurk here during the day, but I so appreciate this thread!
This past year I have been trying my hand at growing indoors.
I mostly use growlights and a big sunny window.
I haven't had to buy lettuce all year. Also many peppers, which I have no success with outside.
Best of all - tomatoes! Got some Black Krills for BLTs tonight. Lots of dwarfs and cherries coming in. Pretty exciting 😃

Posted by: COMountainMarie at December 31, 2022 02:13 PM (Mbq/6)

37 Posted by: Hidden nick due to shame. at December 31, 2022 02:11 PM (3Or4S)

all I remember from when mom and other family members made jars is to keep skimming the foam off the top of the simmering tomato puree, until there's no longer foam. And to drop 2-3 basil leaves in each jar before you pour in the liquid.

Posted by: kallisto at December 31, 2022 02:15 PM (z3nvJ)

38 fixed my own nic for me
Posted by: Spooky Tree took whomping lessons at Waffle House

Now that right there is funny!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 02:15 PM (6X8wp)

39 Wondering if there are any cherry tomatoes i could plant here in Apache Junction, and then eat off before I go home in April?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 31, 2022 02:15 PM (tkR6S)

40 Why I don't try my beloved herbs indoors I have no idea. The sweet basil I get yearly is supposed to be for indoors.

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 02:16 PM (xhxe8)

41 Posted by: COMountainMarie

A rare daywalking sighting!

Congrats on the indoor gardening!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 02:17 PM (6X8wp)

42 Wondering if there are any cherry tomatoes i could plant here in Apache Junction, and then eat off before I go home in April?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Best if they are planted in August and then you can pick them all winter (as long as we don't get a killing frost, which is rare).

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 02:18 PM (6X8wp)

43 Seeds:
When the better half buys flowers for inside she always gets sunflowers and sunflower mixes.

Seeds and Such has a plethora of sunflower choices.
I just don't know if I'd be donating the effort to the mice, squirrels, and javalina...

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 31, 2022 02:21 PM (6X8wp)

44 You can't buy seeds during COVID. 'Cuz I said so.

Posted by: Guvna Witchmer at December 31, 2022 02:24 PM (DhOHl)

45 I also got the Terra Cotta from Baker Creek, very pretty tomato. After exhaustive searches for years these are the seed companies I order from and find the most unique. Utill I get my seed saving 100%

Sustainable Mountain Agricultural
www dot heirlooms dot org
Lots of tomatoes and southern beans.

Greatlakesstapleseeds dot com heirloom grains, beans and squash.

Adaptiveseeds dot com

Refining fire chilies www dot superhotchilies dot com

Territorialseed dot com

Victoryseeds dot com

Posted by: KarlHungus at December 31, 2022 02:25 PM (zB2xb)

46 Yesterday was a good day. The R. H. Shumway seed catalog arrived. I love the illustrations they use instead of photos. Some of them look like etchings done a century ago. It makes for fun browsing.

Posted by: JTB at December 31, 2022 02:29 PM (7EjX1)

47 I buy a lot from Adaptive Seeds and Kitazawa Seeds. I have so many seeds in fact, that I'm going through them this weekend. I am going to mail some off to my stepson. I told him he can pass along anything he doesn't want to grow. I bought them a small greenhouse a few years back and they still use it to start seeds.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 02:30 PM (uz3Px)

48 Off shamefull sock. Am not ashamed of the gardens. Oh, and will cut back on amount of hot pepper i grow this year. 100 plants is about 30 too many!

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at December 31, 2022 02:31 PM (3Or4S)

49 well, yesterday was payday, which means this weekend's adventure and anachronda's stochastic homestead is balancing the checkbook and paying bills.

Posted by: stochastic kulak anachronda, usu class of '86 at December 31, 2022 02:32 PM (edU/H)

50 KT and y'all. Thanks for all the seed catalog suggestions. They are always fun to investigate. And I'm glad I had lunch before seeing that top photo and all those tomatoes. Damn! They look nice.

Posted by: JTB at December 31, 2022 02:32 PM (7EjX1)

51 I'll have to check out Kitazowa, new to me

Posted by: KarlHungus at December 31, 2022 02:32 PM (zB2xb)

52 From the last thread:

I don't know where you got that I live in W Virginia.

I don't.

Posted by: Pork Chops & Bacons

It was a failed attempt at humor.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 31, 2022 02:33 PM (c4D+R)

53 Glad to have you back with us, KarlHungus!

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 02:34 PM (uz3Px)

54 Off shamefull sock. Am not ashamed of the gardens. Oh, and will cut back on amount of hot pepper i grow this year. 100 plants is about 30 too many!
Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at December 31, 2022 02:31 PM (3Or4S)

I fermented my extras at the end of the year, I stuffed them into quarts and dumped an 1/8 cup of salt in each jar (both of them)
I lost one jar to mold because I was fishing out peppers for pizza, but the other one I blended in the brine together with garlic, basil and dried tomatoes and it turned out a wonderful hot sauce.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 31, 2022 02:36 PM (xhaym)

55 Ate Our last green zebra tomato yesterday.. They lasted in the garden till Nov.

Posted by: It's me donna at December 31, 2022 02:36 PM (bs+z0)

56 Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 02:16 PM (xhxe

I bring my thyme plant indoors for the winter. This year I added a parsley plant to keep him company. They don't really enjoy their indoors time too much, but they survive and sometime around mid-March, they get back outside where they belong.

I don't have growlights or anything, just keep them near a sunny window.

Posted by: kallisto at December 31, 2022 02:36 PM (z3nvJ)

57 I also have some seeds from Sustainable Mountain Agriculture. They have mostly southern bean varieties. Bonny Best is a good variety of tomato, if you want one with the old tangy taste.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 02:36 PM (uz3Px)

58 Thanks to everyone for catalog suggestions!

Posted by: kallisto at December 31, 2022 02:38 PM (z3nvJ)

59 I grow tomatoes every year. I'm partial to Early Girls and Better Boys. Both work well for the sacred king of all sandwiches.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 31, 2022 02:38 PM (DhOHl)

60 Kitazawa has Asian varieties. They do a few regular varieties, but Asian is their focus.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 02:38 PM (uz3Px)

61 Mrs. JTB uses waxy red potatoes for her German potato salad in the recipe passed down in her family. They do a better job of absorbing the vinegar mixture. And they taste damn good.

Posted by: JTB at December 31, 2022 02:42 PM (7EjX1)

62 Emmie, if you are here, I saw your comment about your peppers being inside and having little peppers on them. I have three pots of bell peppers inside. They are supposed to be big but are like the baby bells. I keep an LED light on them during the day, and if we get over 50 degrees and sunny, I set them outside. Several are turning red! Picked one last night and ate it--mmm.

Posted by: skywch at December 31, 2022 02:43 PM (uqhmb)

63 I didn't transplant my Italian parsley until some time in July. 20+ seedlings went into a 3 foot window box planter. There was no way I was losing them to frost, so I kept them in the garage until the Christmas Arctic weather arrived. It did actually drop to 30F in the garage when outdoor temps reached 7F, so before that I brought them into the bedroom. Time to move them back into the garage by the window. It's wonderful to have fresh parsley all winter.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 31, 2022 02:43 PM (Mzdiz)

64 Out of curiosity, has anyone heard if vegetable seeds will be in short supply this year? The last couple of seasons the seed supplies from the usual suspects seemed unreliable.

Posted by: JTB at December 31, 2022 02:48 PM (7EjX1)

65 I have had parsley grow for two seasons in my mini greenhouse, moles killed it eating the roots out from under it

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 02:49 PM (xhxe8)

66
I found the exactly perfect spot for a beefsteak tomato plant a couple of years back. A lunch bag filled with those suckers would have weighed 20 pounds. That BLT at top picture? One fat slice would have covered the entire sandwich.

Sure I grow a lot of cherry tomatoes for the wife, but I like a simple BLT with a single slice of the biggest, fattest, juiciest tomato there is.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 31, 2022 02:50 PM (enJYY)

67 Charcoal is done and in the bucket but went out to toss more pine on fire, was just foggy all day but starting to actually rain. Still must be in high 50s at least

Posted by: Skip at December 31, 2022 02:50 PM (xhxe8)

68 Nice, Notsothoreau, your in the PNW if I'm not mistaken right?

Posted by: KarlHungus at December 31, 2022 02:52 PM (zB2xb)

69 Nope, I'm in Kansas now. And I have to grow about 100% differently than what I've been used to. That's part of the reason I'm handing off some seeds.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 02:55 PM (uz3Px)

70 Making German Potato Salad today. It's a variation from the 1968 Better Homes & Garden Cookbook. Using russets today. Trick is not to over cook them or you'll Mashed Potato Salad.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 31, 2022 02:57 PM (ju2Fy)

71
Do not dispute the primacy of Bacon. Ever.

Getting ready to go out and grill chicken wings for the football fans.

Posted by: Auspex at December 31, 2022 02:59 PM (j4U/Z)

72 Happy new year to all the gardeners and putterers. Hope this veggie season goes better than the last one.

Posted by: JTB at December 31, 2022 03:05 PM (7EjX1)

73 Speaking of football, the Bama game got into garbage time very early.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 31, 2022 03:05 PM (DhOHl)

74 I listened to part of the Bama game on the way into town, I think Salty was hoping for more chances at victory drinks than KS is giving him.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 03:07 PM (uz3Px)

75 I'm just a spud boy looking for a real tomato.

Posted by: Wild Fred at December 31, 2022 03:10 PM (63Dwl)

76 I think we finally had enough rain that I can try digging in the ground here. I dug up the irises before the cold snap hit. I was not having any luck protecting them. So I have some plants in the laundry room that I'd like to put in the ground. It is supposed to rain a few times next week and temperatures seem mild.

I am still planning to go with straw bales for raised beds. I don't like raised beds, but I think anything I plant will need wind protection and something to keep the moisture in place.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 03:11 PM (uz3Px)

77 Not to despair, Salty can have "drown-his-sorrow" drinks. Don't see KSt coming back like KU almost did.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 31, 2022 03:12 PM (ju2Fy)

78 KSt wasn't doing too bad, until Bama did that 50 second play to a touchdown.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 31, 2022 03:14 PM (uz3Px)

79 From Boise area: Lows 27-41 F, highs 30-55 F. A warm front came through, and we had 2 different days with light rain.

Nothing to say about the garden, except that we wonder if we'll ever get any of the leaves shredded for compost - or are we doomed to be putting them in the garbage for months and months - and will part of the lawn die if we can't get the leaves off soon enough.

I haven't yet had the time to inventory the current seeds, decide what I might want to buy, or decide where to plant what. Well, we have lots of time yet... I *can* start fantasizing about the hyacinths and crocus, because they usually show their tips by the end of January.

My go-to catalog is Territorial Seed Co. They have many organic seed options and heirloom varieties, if that's important to you.

(I always wondered what would have happened in Michigan, if I'd just grabbed a pile of seed packets and walked out with them - just plain shoplifted 'em. Trouble is, I was raised to be so damn honest, I would have felt compelled to drop money on the floor by the checkouts as I walked by.)

May our New Years crops all be bounteous and delicious!

Posted by: Pat* at December 31, 2022 03:25 PM (a9dTa)

80 I almost forgot! Husband got me a lovely sharp hori hori for Christmas!! (No, Moronettes, you cannot have him!, and I do not share!!)

Also, I'll be late next week, maybe even posting on Sunday - there's a rifle match that some of our students are participating in, and we'll be there all day, to be their moral support, and to help the match directors score as needed.

Posted by: Pat* at December 31, 2022 03:28 PM (a9dTa)

81 NOOD pets

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at December 31, 2022 03:29 PM (ZqJGw)

82 Not a seed kinda gardener, but I have soent a fair amount of time perusing perrenial bulbs for the upcoming landscape renovation. There will be herbs by the grilling area though. And apparently, there were sweet potatoes, okra, and squash in the upper terrace so I may have veggies this summer anyway.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 31, 2022 03:38 PM (TgNpw)

83 Pinetree is a good place to check if you want to try a bunch of different kinds of basil.

Posted by: KT at December 31, 2022 03:46 PM (rrtZS)

84 I grew Garden Gem for two years in Minnesota. At the time you had to get the seeds from UFla. It was a good producer that the ex liked a lot for the flavor. You can now get the seeds at commercial sites. But, if you go here:

https://tinyurl.com/2p83wytw

and donate $10, they'll send you the Improved Garden Gem and two others developed at UFla. Supposedly the Improved yields huge numbers of the snack size fruits, with the same flavor.

What made Garden Gem so good was it was developed to be a supermarket tomato that had good shelf life and very good flavor. But the supermarkets didn't want it. They would rather have a tasteless one they can sell for five cents a pound less.

The Italians adopted it as it is excellent for marinara.

Posted by: Gordon Scott at December 31, 2022 04:24 PM (HdopX)

85 What's 'taters', precious?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at December 31, 2022 04:29 PM (0hOvj)

86 Beautiful pet morons.
Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve. y'all!

Posted by: redridinghood at December 31, 2022 04:56 PM (NpAcC)

87 Oops wrong thread.....

Posted by: redridinghood at December 31, 2022 04:56 PM (NpAcC)

88 Hot Coffee!!!...here in the heart of the Dominion...it's Hanover tomatoes...big beefy!!!

Posted by: Qmark at December 31, 2022 05:18 PM (ttO/Q)

89 Gordon Scott at December 31, 2022 04:24 PM

Great update on Garden Gem and ways to get seeds of the next generation of cultivars!

Thanks.

Posted by: KT at December 31, 2022 05:50 PM (rrtZS)

90 Best tomatoes we ever grew, came from transplants purchased at a local discount store (sadly, no longer in business). Label said: Brandywine. Not 'pink brandywine' or 'red brandywine' ...just... 'Brandywine'

It produced some of the biggest, juiciest, most flavorful ("classic tomato" taste) fruit I've had since childhood.

One slice would fully cover a sandwich or burger.

Toward end of summer, though, they would split along the lobes. Oh well! Cut the damage out and eat them anyway...

Posted by: JQ at December 31, 2022 06:32 PM (o0Fxd)

91 We had Garden raised all sorts of vegetables then we would harvest them can or freeze them for winter my Mom planted the Eggplants, Tomatoes and Peppers Indoors then transplanted them outside when the weather was right put Hot Caps on then and thin Cardboard Collar to keep the Cutworms away one time a flack of small Birds flew into our Corn patch to feed on the insects there

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at December 31, 2022 06:51 PM (FLiOE)

92 A day late, but from north central Indiana it is recovery from the coldest weather we had over Christmas - minus 10 on one day. In late fall I got a small portion of my garden prepared for spring planting - radishes and lettuce in particular. The springs here have been cold and wet here - so I may get just one chance to get the planting beds ready, I'm prepped to take it.

Ad yes, the seed catalogs are coming hard and fast! A great thing about the new year.

Posted by: Black JEM at January 01, 2023 01:25 PM (UVyKP)

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