What did you do in the garden today?

[Sally PB]

Laugh? Cry? I don't know which I should do!

 

[BReeder!]

Laugh? Cry? I don't know which I should do!

I'm in the same boat here in IL pretty much. I will plant in beginning of May (praying we don't get a week of downpours again that floods my garden). I can grow into early September for warm loving plants like tomatoes and and peppers. Cold hardy plants make it a bit longer.

 

[igorsMistress]

It's likely because the water table in those areas is extremely low. Areas like parts of Colorado and California are at risk of or already suffering extreme drought. Collecting rainwater and preventing it from replenishing the water table can speed up the problem. That said, you would think that collecting rainwater in closed vessels prevents evaporation loss and it would add to the water table once it's used. The problem there is much of it could go down drains from home use or get contaminated with pesticides and other chemical agents from the way it's used before entering the water table. With a low water table, contaminants would have a larger impact. The theory then is let nature take its course and stay out of its way.

AZ is in a drought but our community encourages us to collect rain water and use it.

 

[WthrLady]

Any specific reasons you like those two? I'm hard limiting myself to one variety, because I already know I'm planting Supersteak Hybrids, Black Krims, Cherokee Purples, and two different sauce varieties. And cherry. So I'm trying to do as much research as possible.

They are the old fashioned standby, hearty, proven as reliable tomatoes in the greater Ohio Valley Zone. Early girl is what I would pick if I had to pick of the two.
Cherokee purple was hit or miss for me as well as the Krims when I lived in Ohio.

 

[igorsMistress]

Oven quit working last night . So I put a new igniter in today . Always something to fix .

Nice that you’re handy that way!

 

[WthrLady]

Wow... I'm jealous! I get 100ish days, max, for tomatoes. Might be 120 days between last and first frost, but not reliable and chilly enough that 'maters won't do much.

I did find some very short season varieties that said 58-62 days. They're determinate varieties, and I'm going to plant them in "downhill" garden that can have much cooler nights than my "uphill" garden. Be interesting to see how they do; they're all new to me.

Ya I hear ya. We can get frost into June, and again into mid Sept. That's if the giant mutant hail or hurricane force winds and rain don't take it all out at critical times.

 

[Sally PB]

plant in beginning of May

In years past, Memorial Day weekend and the three days before were when I "put in" the garden plants. That way I had 6 days, and didn't put my coworkers through hell by being gone the week after.

Now that I'm retired, I can plant as the weather and temps dictate. But it's still usually the end of May for tomatoes and peppers. I'm excited about the uber short season tomatoes varieties I'm going to try this year.

 

[BReeder!]

AZ is in a drought but our community encourages us to collect rain water and use it.

Apposing theories... I'm not saying which is right or wrong.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Apposing theories... I'm not saying which is right or wrong.

Could be the different climate. They did have a guy in Oregon awhile back that saved enough for 20 Olympic swimming pools or something crazy like that. Around 13 million gallons.

 

[igorsMistress]

Good evening gardeners. I’ve had gas stoves and I must say, electric leaves a lot to be desired in comparison. I’m also trying San Marzano tomatoes, this will be my first year, picked them up on Amazon last fall. I trimmed a few herbs for the bunnies. The oregano is growing over the border and the strawberries look to be doing ok. I watered the shade garden and gave the ducks some peas and lettuce. Not much else happening, have a good night all.