Now We're Getting Somewhere!
By Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
United States
June 12, 2008 8:10am CST
If you've followed any of my discussions, you know I'm doing some container gardening this year.
My tomato plants have taken off and are about 3/4 of the way to the top of the tomato cage now, and my husband is drooling, at the ready with his fork, jar of mayonnaise, and can of tuna.
My cucumbers are coming along nicely too. The plant that I had in the little child's refrigerator got quite a bit taller, seemingly overnight, and has flowered.
I took this photo a few days ago so you can only see the one flower, but it now has several more. I put three other plants into a small space in the ground and one of those plants now has at least three flowers, and another just had one pop open this morning.
This is the first time I've tried the bush variety, so I'm anxious to see what I get when they actually start bearing fruit.
I've got beans coming in everywhere, and snap peas should flower soon, I hope. Will update on other discussions, I'm sure.
So what about you? Is your garden doing well? Are you harvesting anything yet?
9 people like this
21 responses
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
12 Jun 08
We are already picking cherry tomatoes and they are so good. i have teenie weenie little cucumbers and a bumper crop of really hot peppers. onions are coming up but looking puney. Blueberry bushes are all leafed out. getting good rains so that is helping out.
1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
12 Jun 08
We are actually growing dwarf variety blueberries and we have them in containers.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Oh, I wish I had blueberries! That's one of the first thing I want to add when we finally get our own place. I have so many fond memories of picking blueberries as a kid and mom making blueberry muffins.
I've got loads of flowers coming on my cukes, so it won't be long before I see babies sprouting from them. There have been a few butterflies and small bees around them, so pollinating shouldn't be a problem, and I know how to do it if they don't get the job done.
1 person likes this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Glad you are having success. The only thing that is doing anything is the cherry tomato plant that I bought already started. I have it in a container and it is growing everyday. The one's that I have planted from seeds hasn't even begun to sprout, so at this point and time since it has already been several weeks since I planted them, I don't think they will sprout. I will be on vacation next week and I think I will take a day and go buy some starter plants such as cucumbers, peppers, and maybe a few other plants. I am so dissappointed that my seedlings haven't sprouted!
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Was it tomato that you planted?
What did you plant it in, seed starting medium, garden soil, plain ol' dirt in the yard?
If you've not seen anything sprout in several weeks, I agree that you probably won't.
It's not too late to start some things yet. Don't give up!
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I start a lot of my stuff indoors around March or so. They are starting to bloom finally. Except my bell peppers and banana peppers don't look so well.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I planted squash, cucumber, peppers, spinach in seed planting medium. I planted them in 3 oz plastic cups. I would have thought that I would have seen something spouted by now. I do have some seeds left so I may start over and try it again.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I'm jealous! It's too early here to be harvesting much of anything but radishes. My tomato is just now beginning to flower and the cucumber is about two inches high. Beans came up good, but seem to be growing slowly now. I think it's the weather; we've had some very cool nights. The beets (such as they are) are doing well. The birds kept eating the greens when they were small, so many of them didn't make it. Squash isn't up yet, except for a couple of volunteers in the compost. I don't have a clue what they are - squash, melon or pumpkin. They all look the same at first.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
My tomato plants are doing awesome. I started them at various times, and two are huge but no flowers yet. I have three more in the ground, and two more in buckets (I gave two to my husband's brother yesterday, who stopped by to help us with an electrical problem).
Bear in mind that I started everything in the house, with the exception of the snap peas. Since the bunnies ate the other bean plants I had, I only have a few that have beans right now, so won't have enough for even a meal.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I started mine in the house, too, but lost all three tomato plants. The last one I dropped and it never recovered, so I just bought the plant. I only have one tomato, in a five gallon bucket. It's about 10 inches high. I don't need many tomatoes since I have sauce from last year yet and there's just me, so I can't eat that many.
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Sounds good. quite an accomplishment. There is alot of worry over salmonella. You will be able to enjoy tomatoes with no worries. Good for you. Enjoy your veggies. I have no green thumb. So sitting here a bit envious.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
12 Jun 08
I always start my tomatoes from seeds that I have saved! It's my way of keeping the heritage strains that I grow.....growing! The simplest way that I have found....fill a glass with water, add seeds with the mucous coating...as sooon as the top of the water looks like it is fermenting, drain the seeds....place them on a paper towel & gently rub. Then I place the seeds at 2-3" intervals on a single sheet of paper towel! Store in a air-tight container. Come spring, cut the paper towel in strips, use a sterile starter mix (can sterilize soil in oven @ 250 degrees) place strips (with seeds) on soil, cover slightly, mist & place on top for fridge for bottom heat! Voila, usually sprout in 5-6 days! Mist daily....do NOT overwater to avoid root rot..& fungus!
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I've never done this sort of thing before either, and most people say not to bother starting tomato from seed because you'll set yourself up for failure.
I just read a few things on the internet and gave it a go. I can't wait until I get big, juicy beefsteak tomatoes to show everyone how it 'can't be done'.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
12 Jun 08
my neighbors & i have 7 tomatoes, 4 peppers & 4squash planted. i am really enjoying watching them grow. i can't get down to plant anything so was thrilled when they said we'd do it together. i bought the plants & they planted. i have i pepper that i could pick but i'm letting it grow some more. have littl green tonatoes. i'm like your husband , can't wait, i love them, eat them 3 times a day when i have them. i hope we all have a good one,
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I get so much enjoyment watching mine grow and tending to them like a mother hen. God's work even with plant life is amazing, isn't it?
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Jo, he is just wonderful! I am working on updating his blog right now, so check back in a little while. I think you'll like what you see!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
12 Jun 08
yes it is. i never had the time when i worked to fool w/anything. but since i had to retire for health reasons i have flowers in pots & everyone is so surprised. my aunt told me one ime i had a black thumb instead of a green one. hope christoper is having a ggod day. by the way my name is jo.
@violetdreams (658)
•
12 Jun 08
Hi
For the first time this year we decided to try to grow our own veggies... we invested in a greenhouse, bags of compost and loads of seeds (figured I could use the left overs next year too...? if they are still OK).
We planted and waited, and were blessed with loads of healthly looking plants - we have :
Tomato
Peppers
Pumpkin
Potato
Garlic
Beans
Spinach
Lettuce
Cauliflower
Carrots ... and
Cucumber.
I think that about covers it - more than enough you'd think!
All going along swimmingly and then the chickens got into the potato plants and now they are all falling over!
And then our land lady told us we have to move!!! I think we are going to end up moving before the plants are ready so either we leave them behind, uproot them or try to transplant...
What do you think? I just don't know.
Violetdreams
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Oh no, that's terrible! Do you think you could get them into containers of some sort? I can't imagine all that expense and work and having to leave them behind.
@violetdreams (658)
•
12 Jun 08
Luckily I had a feeling something like this might happen so when we planted I did plant many of them in pots/containers and the others are in bags of compost - none are in the ground.
They may be a bit difficult to move and we may loose some of the plants...? but hopefully at least the ones in the pots will survive (carrots, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries - and hopefully we will be able to move some of the bags with the smaller plants successfully.
Guess only time will tell.
Violetdreams
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Oh, if they're not in the ground, you should be able to do it. I hope you can save them!
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I have noticed a lot of apples are forming on one of my trees. I also noticed a few blossoms on my cukes starting. My strawberries are forming now as well. the only thing I have picked so far are gree and yellow salad onions. I am in Minnesota and most things won't be ready till July at the earliest as I start mine from seeds mostly. I have a few tomatoes formed as well. Now we just need some heat and sunshine to assist in these things ripening dang it.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Jun 08
We have had only 2 days of 80 or higher temps so far. Normally that should be about 15 or more. Oh well, time will tell I guess.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
We've definitely had the heat and sunshine, along with LOTS of rain. Fortunately we've had a few days to dry out first, as we're expecting more.
That should set off another growth spurt. The cukes added quite a bit of height after the last big rain.
1 person likes this
@WebMann (4731)
• Canada
13 Jun 08
Excellent. It's always nice to see results from your hard work.
We live in New Brunswick Canada and this weekend is the time we are going to be planting. We have a couple of raised beds we used for flowers last year but this year it's time to try growing some vegetables.
I have thought about container gardening and may try a few things this year as well.
This will also be our first year growing some herbs. I am planning to grow an indoor herb garden as well as outside. I should know what I am doing by the time fall hits so I can have herbs all year round.
This is our most exciting year since we bought our home three years ago. The first year for a vegetable and herb garden.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
13 Jun 08
Yes, I do get a lot of enjoyment out of it and they are truly my 'babies'.
Oh, do try container gardening - I guarantee you'll be hooked! I am renting here and hope to be in our own home by next year and be able to have a 'real' garden, but I will probably still do some things in containers too.
You can more them around so that they get the sun they need, etc, so in some ways it may actually be better than where you would be able to put them into the ground.
If you want to see how my little garden started out, please take a look at my blog.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I'm glad to hear that your gardening is going very well. Ours isn't doing too bad either. My tomato plants are really starting to grow now, but we do not have any tomatoes on them yet. We do have a few blooms though. My leaf lettuce is doing really good this year and my green onions are getting really tall also. I hope this is the best year ever for my tomatoes though. I can hardly wait.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
13 Jun 08
It seems everything of mine is coming together at the same time. Flowers on cucumber, some beans ready to be picked (others are just starting to sprout after the baby bunnies at the last batch of plants), sugar snap peas and tomato reaching for the sky, but no flowers or fruit yet. I don't think it will be long, though.
I'm anxious to see my tomatoes too, after seeing how well the plants themselves are doing. My luck they won't bear fruit, though!
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
16 Jun 08
I would love to container garden! Do you need very big containers? I might try this instead of trying to rototill. Weather has been too freaky this year to get a plant in and the man doesn't have time to do it. Got any tips?
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
16 Jun 08
I sure do have tips. I'm blogging about my container gardening, you can find the link on my profile page here.
I've got lots more to add, but you can see how I started. You can do it!
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I've got mine in pretty blue car wash buckets I found at WalMart for $1-$1.50
You can see what I've got going in my blog.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
13 Jun 08
Well I don't have much either since I don't have the space. I'm quite proud of what I DO have, though!
Still no tomatoes here either, not even any flowers. The two that I started first are quite tall, though, with nice thick stalks. I'm sure I'll see some flowering soon.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
12 Jun 08
I planted my garden the 2nd week in may. Typically here its not a good idea to really plant it til the last weekend in may as it still freezes at night until then. We have a VERY short outside growing season.
Some of my peas, onions, corn, radishes and lettuce are up but not the entire rows. I'm really hoping that more of them start coming up soon. I'm also hoping for some rain. If it doesnt rain this afternoon I'll stand out in my garden for a while and water all the rows...or purchase a sprinkler.
I wont get to eat much out of the garden til mid july and harvest in the end of august.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I got a good head start by starting everything indoors. The only thing I put directly into the ground was the sugar snap peas. I tried them indoors and only two did much of anything, so I didn't bother with more of them until I could sow directly into the soil. All are doing well, though!
I just took more pictures of my container garden and posted it in my blog with Christopher Robin, if you care to take a peek.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
12 Jun 08
I bet by planting them ahead of time inside they mature faster by the time you get them oustide.
I tend to forget I've planted seeds in things inside and thus..forget to water them. I did cheat this year and bought some prestarted onions tomatoes green peppers and lettuce
@ebookyoung (184)
• Nigeria
12 Jun 08
Though you don't usually respond to my discussions, I will still respond to this one that you are gardening all over the place..do you know what, I really envy you, know why, cos you have a husband who cares and with his help the sky is your stepping stone and the heavens another matter entirely, don't forget to post me one or two bowls of tomatoes at least I will thump my chest and say, "yeah, I have been adequately compensated!"
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Please don't take it personal if I don't respond to any of your discussions. I don't get them in email (way too many friends for that!), so I just cruise the site throughout the day and pick out those on the home page that I think I might want to read/respond to, not even knowing who wrote them.
I haven't spent as much time here the last few days either, as I've been updating the blogs and doing more research for my writing. It's hard to fit everything in anymore.
As for the tomatoes, if I thought they would make it to you without a mess, I would send them on!
@ebookyoung (184)
• Nigeria
12 Jun 08
Thanks ldj, was just kidding, anyway, it's good to hear that u are really busy. More strength to your wisdom.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Kewl! Now how about sharing some of those green beans with me please. None of mine came up along with 3/4 of the beets I've planted. Tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, carrots, peppers, and corn are all doing great, thou.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
If I had enough beans, I certainly would share, but unfortunately I don't have many at all since the baby bunnies got to at least 5-6 of the plants and I had to start over.
I've got four that have beans ready to pick, but that's not even enough for a snack. I have two others flowering, two others soon to flower, and about 5-6 more that are just sprouting out of the ground, so it will be a while yet.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
12 Jun 08
You must be having some decent weather. We have just recorded the 5 coldest days in June...EVER! My poor tomato plants have put on the brakes...only two with flowers. If I didn't have them in such heavy containers, I would move them to the green house. I have been covering them with newspapers at nite! Beans, peas, brassica's are loving this cold weather as well as the Kale, Lettuce's and mescluns. Really, it is so cold that I am still lighting the fireplace at nite...there goes my winter wood.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
We've had temps in the 80s and even 90s already, with lots of rain in between, so I guess it's what they've needed.
When we did have major downpours, I did have to move mine under cover sometimes, but I can lift them all with the exception of the large tub I've got a few bean plants in. I can drag it if I need to, though.
We're expecting more storms in the next few days too.
@snowy22315 (182085)
• United States
13 Jun 08
cool jarhead. i guess you really have a green thumb. My plants are getting bigger. I will probably buy some tomato cages soon. I have one pepper that is actually growing, and nothing else is blossoming yet. The garden has only been in about two weeks and i still dont have the onions planted so it will be awhile for me I think.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
13 Jun 08
This is my first attempt and doing anything like this, and it has been a labor of love. It's nice to go out and check them each day to see what's new - who has grown, who has flowered, etc.
I never would have said I'd have a green thumb, but I sure am proud of those tomato plants, especially since I don't even like tomatoes!
If you want to continue to see how my little garden progresses, go look at my blog and I think you can subscribe to get updates.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Jun 08
Ldyjarhead I am so envious. I just have a smallpiece of
soil where i could plant things but right now I am laid
up inside with of all things shingles.ouch and oh my.and
it just seems to go on and on. I was seriously thinking
of digging up my one thousand california weed patch and
planting something pretty instead and then I get waylaid
with shingles. oh well I will recover sooner or later.lol.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I have one word for you, my friend.
CONTAINERS
Everything you see growing has been done in containers. The only thing that I planted directly into the ground is a line of sugar snap peas alongside the house. I have three small bush cucumber that I put in a small, approx 1.5x1.5' spot on the corner, and three tomato cages on the other side of the snap peas.
Everything else is in containers. 3 large tomato plants each in their own bucket, 2 green/2 purple bush beans in a large plastic tub, two more beans each in their own bucket/can, a cucumber and three peppers in an old plastic child's refrigerator.
Go look at my profile and see my blog, then look for my gardening and Christopher Robin blogs.
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Hey cool!! I'm glad to see that your veggies are doing pretty well.
One July 4th, several years ago, I planted some tomato seeds. Needless to say, they did not do all that well since they were planted so late in the season. I think 2 or 3 plants grew out of all the seeds and had maybe only a half a dozen tomatoes each that were worth eating.
I can't have any garden here. But I plan to put a few potted plants out on the ledge across the front of the house. I also want to put out a few hummingbird feeders and bird feeders. I love to watch all kinds of birds and animals.
Shoot, I need to move out in the country !!!
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
You don't need room to have a garden! I'm renting here so everything you see that I'm doing is in containers.
Go check out my blog. I need to update it, but there are a few pictures there now.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I need to update my blog, but the one about Christopher Robin has a few pictures in it too.
He helped me water this morning.
