Garden update - week 6

[bearfan454]

Most of the tomato plants are over the top of the cages except for 2. One Early Girl just didn't take off like the other 2 did. I need to till real bad as you can see.



This Early Girl has about 20 small green tomatoes on it so far.



These 2 Sweet 100's have hundreds of yellow flowers and quite a few marble size tomatoes.



I need to get some twine and prop up the branches that have gone through and are hanging near the ground so I can till in between the plants.



The hot banana and sweet banana peppers are coming in now. These won't quit producing until September or later if I keep them watered.



These peppers really put out a lot.



In about a month I'm going to rig up some kind of sun screen so that the tomatoes don't completely burn up by the middle of July. That's what usually happens in years past. I'm looking for canning jars to be on sale fairly soon. This will be my first attempt at canning. Franmarz gave me an old recipe for pickled banana peppers that are crunchy because you use alum.

[spindrifter]

1. Whoa!

Those plants look outstanding. How long is your tomato season--i.e., will you do a second planting? Also, do you have tomato worms there? Just wondering.

[bearfan454]

2. You can get 2 seasons, but

one is plenty for me. I give away bagfuls of tomatoes to the neighbors, people at work, etc.

[wryter2000]

3. Wow

I've been so busy I hardly have anything going in the garden. Just my early girls and some peppers. Ironically, one of the things keeping me busy is writing a garden column.

[grasswire]

4. where the hell do you live, anyhoo?

You're about two months ahead of us in the Pacific Northwest.

[NJCher]

5. I had to check it

Texas. I had to know 'cuz he's so far ahead of us in the Northeast, too!

Bearfan, those plants look fantastically healthy.

It's encouraging and gives those of us in other parts of the country something to look forward to!




Cher

[bearfan454]

6. By the end of June

I will need to have some type of sun shield rigged up. We are in the 90's almost every day already. I've had several gardens that were completely burned up by mid July. If I can partially shield direct sun when it's in the 100's then I can make the tomatoes last until probably late September or even maybe October. The peppers love it hot. They can take the 110 heat index with no problem as long as they get enough water. I saw at Home Depot they have 6 ft by 20 ft sun screen that shields out 75 percent of the suns rays. It's $29.00 a roll. A 20 ft roll should take care of the tomatoes. I'll put it about 8 feet in the air with PVC pipe so the tomatoes will get the morning sun and be shielded in the afternoon. I checked it out already. The PVC pipe is only $1.25 for a 10 ft section 3/4 diameter. I can spring for that.

[NMDemDist2]

7. those are absolutely beautiful!

and i'll be interested in your canning experience as i may want to follow in your footsteps next year

[bearfan454]

8. I've talked to a lot of experienced canners.

Some say the water bath method is best. Others say the hot pack method is easiest and works good too. I know you have to boil the jars to sterilize them and then boil whatever you are packing and put it in piping hot and screw down the lid. It will make a pop sound when it seals. Sounds easy huh ? I'll try it.

[NMDemDist2]

9. it does sound easy and my MIL cans a lot so i'm sure she'll help out

too. but by all means please keep us posted

[wildeyed]

10. Here is mine.

and a close up of the tomatoes, which are already taller than I am.

[bearfan454]

11. Really nice tomato

What kind is it ?

[wildeyed]

12. Several varieties.

Sungold, which is a delicious yellow cherry, Sweet Baby Girl cherry, Bush Big Boy Hybrid, Red Lightning, which should have red and yellow stripes, and Branywine, supposedly the best tasting tomato in the world. I am not sure that I got the Brandywine in in time to fruit before the really hot weather hits. I may try your sun block system, if I have the time.

I also have a cayenne pepper, a small sweet pepper, can't remember the name, some winter squash, leeks, multi colored carrots and a french zucchini. This is my first year gardening in this location, but so far, so good. Everything is off to a great start and I haven't got too far behind in my watering yet. I put the garden as close to the water bib as possible so I would have little excuse to avoid the chore.

[eleny]

13. You might try checking thrift shops for canning jars

Around here, they start bringing out the canning jars this time of year. They sell them in large boxes for such good prices. Then, you'll only need to get the lids. Just check the jars for chips around the rims especially. I've had very good luck.

Congrats on the great garden! The tomatoes look fantastic.