State of the Garden – Planning for Fall July 20, 2010

Normally, I’m a sloppy gardener – I don’t plan ahead very well, I just plant whatever strikes my fancy at the time.  I’m horrible at labeling and not much of a rule follower.  In an effort to get a little better about that, and make sure I have available garden space in the upcoming months for the things I really want to be eating, I sketched out the current state of the garden.

july garden

I have not decided whether to plant more tomatoes for Fall, but will leave the Celebrity in as long as it continues to produce tomatoes.  The tomatoes in the 4×8 bed are on their way out, and I’ve left them in because the cucumbers are using them as a trellis.

The Three Sisters Garden should be done by late October, so I’ll reserve that garden space for onions to be planted in December.  That was easy.  The watermelon should be ripe in another 3 weeks or so, by mid-August.  I need to put a Fall Crop of something in that space, that will be ready before onions go in.

Potatoes get planted in August, so I think I’ll reserve the West 4 feet of the big bed for those.  It has been resting for about 3 weeks.  I’ll need some space for lettuce and broccoli which need to be planted in August as well.

So much to think about!

Tomatoes Three Ways and Seed Potatoes July 18, 2010

I’m on the fence about planting a Fall Tomato crop, because of the pestilence from the now ending Spring tomato season.  It is a major annoyance and so destructive to have so many stink bugs and leaf foots.  But, nothing compares to a fresh tomato, and that is pretty compelling.  The difference in a fresh and store bought tomato is so obvious to me now, I’ve been eating around tomatoes in restaurants that don’t taste homegrown.

So, I’ve been processing my own garden tomatoes to make them last. Last night, I made a cooked sauce, with onions and garlic, and froze it, for later, when we can’t get or grow tomatoes.

Cooking tomatoes for sauce

Simmering them down

Smooth Tomato Sauce

I processed the cooked tomatoes with the emulsion blender, for a smooth sauce.  It is totally unseasoned, for now.  I can season it when I use it this winter.  It is in the freezer.

Today, I went to the HOPE Farmer’s Market to look for lettuce.   Much to my surprise, there was Ben from Salt and Time – I had forgotten he was at that market, and I hadn’t been there for a while.  Johnson’s Backyard Gardens had loads of San Marzano Tomatoes still, so I bought 2 boxes full to split with my serious pizza making friendChristian. I decided to process most of these raw, and began running them through the food mill.

Box-o- San Marzano Tomatoes

So, a couple or three hours working them through the food mill, and I think I’m set for winter.

Raw San Marzano Sauce

The few tomatoes I have yet to process are going to be run through the food processor with a pepper or two, and maybe a bit of cucumber, salt and pepper, and will be a Bloody Mary before this day is over.  I”m feeling pretty good about the state of tomatoes.

A bit of exciting garden news – I’ve been looking for seed potatoes all over, to plant in a couple of weeks for a winter crop.  I have not had much luck, but today, I found Yukon Gold potatoes at Johnson’s Backyard Garden and have them stored in a cool dry place until time to plant.  No potato grow bags this time around, these have a reserved spot in the garden.

Potato Grow Bag Experiment March 21, 2010

As part of my challenge to grow more of my own food, I planted potatoes this year in Grow Bags, to free up that space in my raised gardens.  I was skeptical that it would work, but so far, it appears to be going well!  Here is the update:

Growing Potatoes in Bags

February Planting Guide, Zone 8 January 31, 2010

Crop                    Days to maturity

Asparagus         2 years to production

Beets                    55-65   After feb. 15th

Broccoli              60-80  after feb. 15th

Cabbage               65-80  I have to call BS on this one.  Mine has been in the ground over 100 days and no cabbage heads

Carrots                  70-80

Collards                55-70

Kale                         50-70  I recommend Dinosaur Kale

Lettuce                   60-85  I like Black Seeded Simpson, Butter Lettuce, and Buttercrunch

Mustard                  50-60

Onions                     100-120  Patience required

Peas                         60-80  Plant until Feb. 15th

Potatoes                  70-90  I reccomend Red Lasoda, and Kennebec

Radish                       25-30  So fast!  Very rewarding

Spinach                     40-45

Turnip                       45-65

You can also plant blackberries now, which will be bare root plants that like to grow up a fence or trellis.  I think cilantro will still do well, but most of the herbs will start to be planted early March.  Just pay attention to the maturity dates if you want to plant tomatoes and peppers in the Spring, so that you have room for them.  Feel free to ask me anything.  If I don’t know the answer, I surely will make something up!  Kidding.

Potato Growing Alternatives January 30, 2010

Since I’m trying to keep my garden as productive as possible, I’ve been thinking of alternative ways to grow potatoes, rather than taking up space in any of my raised garden beds.  Potatoes are somewhat slow growers and the plants get quite large.  I had contemplated using really large pots or wine/whisky barrels, but I have too many things in pots already, they are hard to move around and I don’t really want to add barrels to my landscape for aesthetic reasons.  So, I just ordered 3 potato growing bags from Gardener’s Supply.  I’ve never grown anything in a bag, so the concept seems odd to me.  But, I’m all for experimenting.  I’ll pick up some seed potatoes in the next couple of weeks and get the spud project started.

Almost time to Plant Potatoes in Austin January 27, 2010

The seed potatoes are showing up at the local nurseries in bins and bags and baskets.  The most likely seed potatoes you will find are the Red Lasoda, and Kennebec which both do well locally.  I did see some “Wisconsin Potatoes” for sale in a bag at Lowes.  I can’t imagine that the corporate headquarters at Lowes, ponders what potatoes do well in each region and sends those potatoes to those regions.  I’d rather stick with what others before me have grown and had success with.  I have had success with both Red Lasoda and Kennebec.  Natural Gardener had potatoes a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve not been there since.  Buck Moore Feed and Supply usually gets them in as well as Callahans.  Many folks have success with potatoes they buy at Whole Foods, although I have not tried this.

If you do decide to try your hand at potatoes, you have lots of planting options.  If they are small, you can plant the whole thing.  If they are larger, just cut the potato into halves or quarters, making to leave an eye on each section, as this is what will form the roots.  The standard method for growing is to plant the potatoes in a trench 10-12 inches down, then cover with loose soil or compost.  Once the green plant appears above the ground 6-8 inches, add more soil right up against the stem.  You continue this “hilling” process for every 6-8 inches of plant.

While this is the preferred method, I just planted mine last year in my homemade compost and let nature take its course.  I would have had more yield than I did, had I followed the “rules” but I had more than enough for me and to share.

Since I’m attempting to rely more on what I grow in my own garden than before, I’m hestitant to plant potatoes in my garden, because they will be there well into the tomato planting season and they take up lots of room.  The plants get huge.  So, I’m pondering planting them in a very large container, and using the hilling method for increased yield.  I have not figured out what that container will be just yet, any suggestions?  I’ve heard that old tires work, but I’m not too excited about the aesthetic that tires will bring to my yard and I don’t really know what’s in old tires anyway.  Cinderblocks might be an inexpensive route, or a whiskey or wine barrel.

Plant potatoes mid to late February, into March, Zone 8.  For best harvesting results, don’t use a pitchfork.  I skewered several potatoes that way.

Still Time to Plant Seed Potatoes February 18, 2009

And Sledd’s on West Lynn still has 2 buckets of small red seed potatoes. Go get some! I planted mine in a raised garden, six inches down. I cut the huge ones in halves and planted the small ones whole. I had no faith in my potato growing ability, but more come up every day.

Seed Potatoes February 5, 2009

Sledd’s on West Lynn still has seed potatoes, I noticed yesterday. I think they are all red potatoes but there is a bucket of them still available. Its not too late to plant potatoes! With our clay soil a raised garden is best for the loose soil potatoes like.