We did not get a particularly deep snow, and most was melted today. Next several days will be warmer than this past week.
Focusing on housecleaning and getting ready for Thanksgiving for next week. Not much garden news going on this winter.
Hope everyone is doing well. Prayers up for all. Stay warm. God Bless.
Pinging the List.
The mango tree is flowering again.
So, just past Christmas we’ll have 700 to 1000 pounds of mangoes. (It’s a big tree)
My tomato plants did great this year.
First year I planted in pots so it was a gamble.
Even with 10 gallon pots the plants grew like crazy and produced enough yummy tomatoes for the neighborhood.
My only problem was the variety I planted. Beef Master is an indeterminate variety. I had forgotten how those things grow! Tomato vines everywhere!
Nice meaty tomatoes, great for burgers, sandwiches and biscuits.
Next year I go with a determinate variety.
My peppers I planted in an old flower bed.
Green, red and yellow Bell peppers and they were fantastic.
A neighbor stole most of the green peppers but I ended up with enough for myself, my mom and plenty stashed in the freezer for winter use.
I planted 4 banana peppers of an unknown variety. Those plants had to be staked as they ended up growing. 5 ft tall.
Plenty of good banana peppers for myself, my landlord and a neighbor.
I’m a pepper fanatic.
I put peppers on hotdogs, burgers, steaks. I even put peppers in mac and cheese!
Just thinking about it gets me hyped for next year. Can’t wait.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
I had a bunch of hanging file folders that were headed to the trash but had an idea. The metal pieces make good little sticks to hold up coverings for pot plants. The hooked ends don't poke through the coverings and you can use a twist tie around the hooks to hold the covering secure.
Since my knee won't let me garden outside, I'm going to try a makeshift mini greenhouse. I brought in a shelving unit from the garage and am going to divide it in half which will make two 3 shelf units. Have 2 clear shower curtains which will need to be attached to make a greenhouse. Thinking sticky Velcro. It will sit in front of a bank of west facing windows. And plant lights. Any suggestions?
Then there's keeping the kitties off.
Sorry I’m late again. We are still harvesting tomatoes from our little green house here in Eureka Ca. I’m late planting my vetch winter cover crop and the weather has been fabulous for this time of year. We may get our first rain Wednesday Lady Bender is cooking for 16 or 18 for Thanksgiving...
Hi, Thanks for the advice on using row covers for my carrots. We had three mornings of temps in the 20’s down here in Texas and my carrots made it through just fine with the row covers. I did use two layers to be on the safe side. Going to have to pull them in the next 2 weeks because I’m going to Colorado for the winter. I’m getting cold already just thinking about it.
CW
They say you can hasten ripening buy putting them, in a paper bag with a yellow banana, but we are in no rush. Should have enough to go into Dec. I gave some to a neighbor, and the ice cream truck driver - who loves them and he gave me a couple treats. Praise the Lord.
Quite a contrast of before and after (two different gardens):
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles. (Psalms 103:1-5)
I got ambitious this morning and cleaned off a spot in the kitchen garden for my garlic. Stuck a hundred or so cloves in the dirt and covered it up with compost. Getting the garlic planted by Thanksgiving is my goal every year. This time I made it.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my gardening friends! The only green thing in my garden that still looks good is a big patch of Italian parsley, and we have had 2 snow coverings and frosts - still alive. Enjoyed some green beans yesterday from the garden that I had lightly steamed and then vacuum sealed with my food saver. We have been doing this for years. They tasted just picked and cooked. This is one reason I garden - for the winter. Happy Holidays!
My 5 chickens are now 6, but they aren’t too happy about it! Dad was out for a walk and spotted a young hen wandering loose near a busy intersection. We’ve been trying to track down the owner, but no luck. So for now, she’s in a cobbled-together pen in the back garden. My 5 older hens are not liking this interloper, but as long as they’re separated, they can’t attack her.
I’m still shelling beans from this year’s harvest, and already researching what I want to grow next year. Seriously looking at quail as an additional cash crop. We’ll see.