Gardening, flowers and veggies: 2013

[Queen K]

A weed? You claim to be a black thumb and you've got weeds growing? I was thinking come earlier March I should come on over and see if theres anything I can identify for you. Maybe see if you want "can't kill them sedums" for any areas, and just dig them out here and plant them there.

[Lady tehMa]

Hey normaM, what you need for your moongarden is white yarrow! I'll have some to spare this spring, and I believe QK might as well; and it is a plant that will survive black thumbs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium It does really well in sun and dry.

Lily of the Valley that I mentioned before is good for shade http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_of_the_Valley and smells just lovely. It too is black thumb resistant

[normaM]

Thanks Lady
Queenie - nope, just a bunch of weeds growing amongst the stones in the front
I planted nothing but sod when we moved
Just have to decide where to place the moon garden.

[grammafreddy]

Some place private, Norma - so you can dance nekkid in the moonlight

[normaM]

Ha oh I do that now total private back

[pbear]

Except for the satellites.......

[normaM]

LOL. * stops moonlight dancing*

[Lady tehMa]

Has anyone tried Wisteria Floribunda here? I am thinking of trying it this spring. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisteria_floribunda

[grammafreddy]

At the Keremeos Grist Mill I think they had Wisteria growing on twig trellises on the patio of the restaurant. I was thinking about planting Wisteria, too. I am Zone 5a here. I wonder what Keremeos is?

Another plant that climbs like that is Hops. Its rather a neat one, too. At the old log house in Cameron Park there is Hops growing along their fence.

http://www.ehow.com/how_10070621_grow-o ... -hops.html

This was taken Sept 3, 2009 ...

HOPS.jpg

[Lady tehMa]

Glacier, what were the names of the tomato varieties you favour? I'm particularly interested in the cherry tomatoes. I usually buy two sweet millions, I'm thinking of mixing it up this year.

[Queen K]

Living dangerously there Lady!

FYI, it's snowing/sleeting/hailing out there right now. Hence I'm inside. To think we wanted to have a garage sale at Mr. QKs house today!

I guess I'm not gardening today.

[grammafreddy]

Mrs Ogee had some grape tomatoes that were quite tasty. They are smaller than the Sweet Millions, which are a cherry tomato.

Have a look here: http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questi ... y-tomatoes

[pbear]

Love grape tomatoes as I find the the cherry tomatoes still need to be sliced in a salad - grape size doesn't. Call me lazy.

[Glacier]

Glacier, what were the names of the tomato varieties you favour? I'm particularly interested in the cherry tomatoes. I usually buy two sweet millions, I'm thinking of mixing it up this year.

I'm not much a tomato expert, but I think your best bet is to try everything at least once, and keep what works for you.

I like the sungold cherry tomato. Very nice flavour and an extremely prolific producer. It's the only variety that I've had success every single year, and it's one of the nicest flavours as well.

I also like the Brandywine, but my success rate has been less than stellar. Instead, I prefer to buy them as seconds at the farmer's market (they're only seconds because they have minor scabs). In my opinion they are one the best of tomatoes for flavour, but they tend to split, scab, and fall off easily.

I really like the Green Zebra. It's a good producer with good flavor.

I tried the Indigo Rose last year. The plant produced like crazy, but my tomatoes didn’t' start to ripen until mid September. The flavor is on the bland side, but give it a try if want. I live at 550m, but you might have more success at a lower elevation. If you do grow it, make sure you have lots of southern exposure. Maybe even place it near a rock wall. Note: the tomatoes will turn purple on the top and look ripe a month before they are actually ripe. If the bottom is still green, don't pick them.

I've grown the yellow pear tomatoes quite a few times now. They are prolific producers, but they are a bit bland. I like to pick them when they are slightly green for better flavour.

I grew Beefsteak for the first time last year. It's a good producer with average flavour.

[JLives]

I love Brandywines. I have grown them as my main tomato for the last few years but will diversify this year. They have an amazing flavour but are low yield. I intend to be doing lots of canning this year so I will try some others out.