Growing/sharing/learning to garden: 2023

[Lady tehMa]

It is not 2023 yet, I know.

But this is about doing those things in 2023. Which we really can't do until it is spring. But we can talk about it.

What prompted this is I got my 2023 Veseys Seeds catalogue. 156 glossy pages of dreams.

Maybe I will try growing cauliflower this year.

When does everyone start their plants? I may try starting some myself this year.

[Bsuds]

We tried Cauliflower last (this) year. Tasted horrible and all went in the compost.

[Babba_not_Gump]

I have some planters on our balcony. A couple of months ago I put some garlic in. Here's hoping.
As for next year, I have my name in for a community garden.

[rustled]

Lady tehMa, I grew cauliflower when I lived "up north". We used to start most plants (including cauliflower) indoors and "plant out" pretty much everything right after the May long weekend.

My grandmother-in-law lived in the North Okanagan at the time, and she told me we could grow lots of things she couldn't grow because it got too hot for them, cauliflower being one of them. She showed me all kinds of gardening tips and tricks, like how to keep cauliflower heads from yellowing by using a clothespin to clip some of the longer leaves from their base up over the heads (keeping the sun off them).

After Grandma moved to the Okanagan, she had no success with brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, and had given up on all of them. But that was 40+ years ago. There may be different varieties available now, and you might be able to plant them in a shady part of your garden for a late harvest, OR start them much earlier and harvest before the heat gets to them.

I'd sure be interested in hearing whether others have been successful, and how they do it!

[Catsumi]

The last time I grew cauliflower with success was in Kamloops with sun only until noon, shaded but bright rest of the day.

Now, here in Vernon with full sun baking a poor soil dry, no shade whatsoever, has led to failure.

Covering the heads with a layer of nylon curtain (or Remay if you are rich) shades them just enough and also keeps out those cabbage butterflies.

Just thinking of all those gorgeous lettuces that I grew, gave away or used as root shade for tomatoes, how I wish I had them now!

[Catsumi]

Just a little reminder for folk who work outside amongst the thorns, sharp instruments and dig in the soil. If your last tetanus shot was 10 years ago, time to get it again.

No one wants lockjaw.

[Lady tehMa]

LOL - I got one this year after tripping over a chunk of wire fencing. Always good to have, especially if you are as clutzy as I am.

And it is good to note when you get it; apparently, if you have it too soon (say, 5 years into the 10) it will hurt like H-E-double hockey sticks. . .

I read that somewhere (don't remember where) and then mangled myself. Couldn't remember how long between, but I was certain it was more than 5 years. I still braced myself when I got the shot. It was okay (as okay as shots get, that is), hurt but not overly.

[Catsumi]

I have an Immunization Card that I’ve had for years, so handy to refer to. I thought everybody had them?

[Bsuds]

I have an Immunization Card that I’ve had for years, so handy to refer to. I thought everybody had them?

I have had so many shots that there isn't a card big enough to list them all.

Every time the Ship I was on went oversea we seemed to get more shots.

[Lady tehMa]

My garlic is up! And not just an inch or so, in some places it's 3 inches tall!

And I'm going to need every clove - my daughter decided to use about a third of my remaining (stored) garlic to make a garlic confit.

[SuperMom]

I do not have green thumbs, but I am really wanting to try growing some tomatillos as they're hard to find locally and I love to make salsa verde. I have a large yard with the notorious Glenmore clay. Anyone have any experience, tips or tricks?

[Babba_not_Gump]

I do not have green thumbs, but I am really wanting to try growing some tomatillos as they're hard to find locally and I love to make salsa verde. I have a large yard with the notorious Glenmore clay. Anyone have any experience, tips or tricks?

I grew them not too many years ago. Treat them a bit like tomatoes and our climate is great for them. They love the heat.
I had two plants and that was more than we needed.

[Lady tehMa]

I do not have green thumbs, but I am really wanting to try growing some tomatillos as they're hard to find locally and I love to make salsa verde. I have a large yard with the notorious Glenmore clay. Anyone have any experience, tips or tricks?

I never had much luck, in my Rutland clay (amended) but I am terrible for crowding plants.

[normaM]

cauliflower does best growing in the early Fall.. start the seeds inside during the Summer

[two_shoes1mit]

Does anyone know where to get Escalator Zucchini seeds?