Comments on: The Continuing Saga Of My Growing Garden

By: Sayward

Sayward — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:47:29 +0000

@ Amy Petz – When I began the potato tire project, I looked into the chemical leeching issue. It seemed to me to be safe enough (I wouldn’t have done it otherwise!), but of course I always encourage anyone to do their own research and make their own informed decision. Don’t just take my word for it!

That said, I’ve been asked about it enough times that I’m thinking I’ll re-research the topic and put together an article. Probably over the winter, before next planting season. It seems like a good thing to have around, and I could certainly use the refresher. =)

I’ve considered the post on compostables as well . . . consider it noted!

By: Amy Petz

Amy Petz — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:07:11 +0000

Hello again Sayward. I was just searching your archives for “compost” and came across this one. I was going to grow potatoes in old tires a few years ago and a friend brought up the fact of all of the chemicals and oil used tires might have in them. I was wondering if this is something you addressed and if so, how? Also I am not sure if you have done one or not, but an article about what all is compostable would be neat. I recently read one on another site and was very surprised to see some of the things that are compostable. Thoughts?

By: Sayward

Sayward — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:07:23 +0000

@ Terry – Aw bummer to blight! I got hit last year with blossom end rot – so sad! But this year they’re all good, so you can hold out hope for next year. =)

@ me3 – Oh yes, there will be much documenting. Good luck with your greens, and the fruit that’s surely coming!

@ Dylan – Thanks for your thoughts. I follow a PNW timing guide to a tee, so I’m pretty confident my crops will all bear. We shall see!

@ Sam – Will we get domestic diaries again???

@ Joy – Well, there’s standard tomato cages in there too, but they’ve all grown up way past those already. I don’t quite know how they’re all standing up so tall – they’re a strong bunch this year! Yay for local organic seeds!

Sprouting tomato cuttings?? Okay, new project! =D

@ Kelly – Starts are totally not cheating! I wish I’d planted more heirlooms this year, but I was planting with canning sauce in mind. But heirlooms are sooo delicious. Next year!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:18:30 +0000

Beautiful!
I harvested my first babies (‘matoes!) the day before yesterday. I have about 8 different Heirloom varieties. I cheated though and went to Seattle Tilth to get the starts. :o)

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:37:12 +0000

Is your tomato support system as simple as it appears to be? Do they just figure out how to grow up into it and are thus supported?

Score on the free heirloom branches! It’s great that they save them. I made a bunch of new tomato plants one year by sprouting cuttings, just to see if I could. Fun stuff!

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:56:00 +0000

This week’s to-do list includes replanting our ENTIRE garden. Our tomatoes are all stunted and fried from the LA summer heat, and the only thing left that’s still doing well out of the lot of it is the rosemary. Last summer was our first garden effort, and we totally over planted everything.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:30:05 +0000

Well, we are all geeks of some sort, but tell me , just how high is a pygmy elephant’s thigh? I had always heard from the older farmers: ‘knee high by the fourth of July’. From the picture they look just short of two feet high. Unless those are super early varieties they will probably mature late Sept.(another old timey advice: “plant corn when the apple’s bloom”, usually early April around here)

Re: Shana’s input, I was going to say, next year don’t transplant pumpkins (squash,beans, spinach, beets, corn don’t transplant well, but seed easily, all cabbage family plants, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, eggplant etc. transplant easily and the tomato family needs the extra time growing under cover to get enough of a head start anyway), plant them by seed in mid-April and by now you will have monsters, You will be lucky to get full orange fruit of any size this year, (unless we have an amazing indian summer to follow this hot summer).

Final note; listen to Greg Brown’s song ‘Canned Goods’ today or tomorrow, starts off with the phrase “warm as a July Toe…..May….Toe”. Beautiful, timely and moving.

Way to grow, Sayward!

PS Your garden’s motto: “upward, onward and Sayward!”?

By: Shana

Shana — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:50:19 +0000

Im growing arugula, tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, peppers (maybe), lavender, pumpkins, romaine lettuce, and winter squash. Though I planted my pumpkins at the beginning of the summer and now they are out of control! You can see pictures on my blog. (www.rockstarknits.wordpress.com)

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:23:57 +0000

I see what you did there, if that is indeed an Oklahoma reference!
If it isn’t…well, you have a wonderful garden anyway!

By: me3

me3 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:13:17 +0000

I too am glad to see your garden progressing. I’m still stuck at the lots-o-green-but-no-fruit stage. I envy your ‘maters.

Please keep documenting this so we can all see what success looks like.