OFFICIAL 2011 Garden thread

[sbcman]

This was our first year gardening and we've been happy with our meager little garden's results

10qt canned tomatoes
2 qt ketchup
5 qt corn
5 qt squash
5 qt zuc.
3 ripe watermelon (probably 9 that didn't make it)
Bunch of carrots (don't know how many, we've already ate them)
3 qt beans

Everything is done except the beans. I'm still able to go out about every third day and pick a handful. We've also got about 20 tomatoes in the kitchen, some ripe, some green, which are being ate on salads and hamburgers or else we fry the green ones.

This was sort of our "test run" to learn the ropes. Also our first time water canning with tomatoes. We're planning to go bigger next year, incorporate some fertilizer and purchase a tiller, Lord willing.

 

[grunt soldier]

my pole beans are still producing like crazy and i am basically done picking them lol. they have had such a tough string its not even worth eating. they were peeling well but not anymore and its just to much work lol. from now on i'm sticking to strictly stringless bush beans, they are so much easier and mine are now producing again.

my tomato's are growing like freaking crazy. i picked about 50 plus yesterday and made pasta sauce, they are covered in green and varying stages of ripe ones best year so far for sure. my potatoes are all dead except 2 plants but i'm going to wait until the end of summer to dig them up so they store better.

my watermelons and cantaloupes are going like gangbusters too. i have at least 20 cantaloupes on the vine and 4 watermelons that are ready to be picked. i have already harvested 3 lol. i'm going to end up trying to freeze some for juice later because i can't eat them fast enough.

on my last note my fermenting crock just showed up and i have 5 cabbages that need shredded and added for some amazing kraut

 

[grunt soldier]

20 lbs of kraut in the crock now for the 3-5 weeks wait lol

 

[DarkRose]

I actually have recognizable pumpkins growing now, apparently round 2 came along after the squash borer pest things, lol. Looks like I might end up with almost a dozen... Will have to get pics and post them up, huge difference from the last pics I posted, they've gone nuts!

 

[grunt soldier]

be careful i don't think the vine borer ever truly goes away. i got them in my watermelons and cantaloupes right now and its a daily battle.

 

[IndyMedic]

This was our first year for a potted garden. We have had been picking tomatoes steadily since the end of June and there still coming. Were still picking bell and Jalapeno peppers. and we had about a half dozen zucchini. We have been really happy so far with our yield.

 

[88GT]

AHA!!!! The green beans started producing again. I probably won't get enough to can, but if I can find room in the freezer, we'll have some for 4-5 meals, I hope.

Anybody want some jalapeno peppers. I can't possibly use all the ones my plants are producing. I think the fruit outnumber the leaves.

 

[grunt soldier]

88gt my green beans went crazy again also. i think i might have enough to can my jalapenos have also started producing like wild again. tomorrow i will be pickling them and banana peppers

 

[88GT]

88gt my green beans went crazy again also. i think i might have enough to can my jalapenos have also started producing like wild again. tomorrow i will be pickling them and banana peppers

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR THE GLOVES!!!!!!!!!!

says the gal who forgot and didn't wash her hands after chopping eight of them for the salsa tonight. I'm in hell right now, or at least my hands think they are.

 

[grunt soldier]

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR THE GLOVES!!!!!!!!!!

says the gal who forgot and didn't wash her hands after chopping eight of them for the salsa tonight. I'm in hell right now, or at least my hands think they are.

lol fortunately the heat doesn't bother me like that until i have to pee then it's serious. i'm one of those strange folks who can eat half a ghost chili and not die right away but i appreciate you looking out. also the best way i found to neutralize it is to make up a paste of backing soda, water, (and a bit of tobacco if you have some) otherwise baking soda and water paste, coat the hands and you should be ok after a bit. i found out the first time i did my ghost chili's after i cut up about 6 and my hands literally felt like they were in a oven.

 

[grunt soldier]

checked the kraut today and its getting there but not ready yet. hopefully in another 7 days or so

 

[DarkRose]

So here's my lil' pumpkins, neglected them this week with the horrid heat at work, the vines might perk back up a bit, but even if they don't, the pumpkins are almost full-grown (yes, 3" white pumpkins, lol.)

 

[Roadie]

Our little patio garden isn't doing too bad. I just made a batch of refrigerator pickled sweet peppers, and will have enough for another small jar in a few days.
We've been eating tomatoes at a decent pace, but the stand out is the basil plant! I have several quart baggies of basil in the freezer, and will have another baggie in a few days.
The dill died on us the first time I harvest, but the chives are troopers too.

Not bad for a few pots on the patio.

 

[CindyE]

I was really burnt out on my garden this year, it was not near as good as in the past. It looks like a disgusting mess now, and I usually get complimented on having a nice garden!
But now the seed catalogs are arriving, and I'm starting to plan for 2012.
Is it getting time to start a Garden 2012 thread?
I'm thinking about trying some different things...

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I was really burnt out on my garden this year, it was not near as good as in the past. It looks like a disgusting mess now, and I usually get complimented on having a nice garden!
But now the seed catalogs are arriving, and I'm starting to plan for 2012.
Is it getting time to start a Garden 2012 thread?
I'm thinking about trying some different things...

I have mixed emotions about this past season too. Really excited about next year though!

 

[Roadie]

Still using Basil, Dill and Chives from out lil patio garden. Way better than the dried stuff

 

[Ashkelon]

I am so sick of brussel sprouts and they dont freeze well. Wish the cold weather would set in.

 

[grunt soldier]

I had a great season. was it the best? definitely not but I still got some killer fresh veggies and peppers. hell I already started my 2012 garden

I put in 350 cloves of garlic. some great spicy varieties

 

[longbarrel]

Time to go in three months. Wall o waters. cold frames. Hoop houses. Time to get it all ready.

 

[clarky51]

Placed a big order for open-pollinated / heirloom seed over Chirstmas break. Last year was the fourth year I've done a garden solo. So far I have been doing a lot experimenting. 2011 went ok but we had a 36 x 50 garden but it wasn't big enough and I didn't space things out enough. Then my wife had a baby in June and we lost control to the weeds. So I bought a rear tine tiller in the fall and expanded the garden fence to 60 x 50 and built a garden shed. I can't wait for spring!