Bio

The potatoes survived the last rain we had. They are starting to push up through the straw and are looking very healthy. With the warmer weather we are having now, the potato plants will grow fast.

We planted three different watermelons today and also planted our cantaloupe. The multiplying onions and cabbages are not all harvested yet, the garlic and the Elephant garlic is really starting to grow. We plant garlic and Elephant garlic here in September. We harvest it usually by June or early July.

Roger and I were able to plant two different kinds of tomatoes this week too. These are the tomatoes that came up from the compost pile. I do not know what kind of tomato they will make, or if they will even be any good. I can tell by the leaves on some of them that these are cherry type tomatoes. I carried these plants through the winter days here just to see if I could do it. I succeeded and then did not have the heart not to plant them in the beds. Just an experiment. It may turn out good or it may not. I will keep you informed.

My father in law (one of the best gardeners I have ever met) and I set out several more grape vines, blackberries, blueberries, and elderberries this past week. The strawberry plants were backordered from the supplier, and we are just waiting for them so we can plant the strawberry beds. They should have already been planted, but I guess we can plant them when they do arrive.

I have almost used up the compost we were able to get before the last rain set in. If it does not rain before Monday, Caroline and I are planning on getting several more loads to use in new beds. Within the next week we have to plant the corn, and peas. After I cut the cabbages this year, I let the small shoots grow and then selected the best one from each root and cut off all the other shoots. As a result we are now enjoying our second cabbage harvest. The second heads will actually make faster than the first heads did because of the established root system they already have. Two crops for the price of one. I like that.

For those that like to raise their own seeds but do not know what to plant them in here is a tip. If you have a place where people drink coffee in the styrofoam cups, (paper cups will work OK for this also, but styrofoam are better) get them to save the used cups for you. Wash them out, cut off the bottom and fill with seed mixture (for this I like 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 vermiculite). Pack the seed mixture in good, being careful not to break the cup. Turn the cups over with the bottom up. Plant your seeds in the seed mixture. When it is time to plant the young seedling, simply cut one side of the cup and peel it off or slip the entire contents out through the top portion of the cup. Since it is pyramid shaped, it will slip out easily. Most transplants will never know they have been moved. With the large amount of seed mixture in each cup, the roots will develop better and give the plant a better start in your garden.

Happy Gardening

Byron and Caroline Tumlinson

Cari-T Farm