The Vegtable Garden Thread

[rusty_tlc]

It's the damn finches around here. They're no problem most of the year. But as soon as it hits triple digits, they turn on my veggies.

We get that, but just the ornamental succulents like sedum, and just one variety. They leave everything else alone.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I think I'll plant beets where I pulled the garlic out.

 

[surfpig]

Coming along... Picked half a dozen zukes already, a few beans yesterday and a couple of cherry
Tomaters.

 

[TXLX100]

Nice. My tomatoes are going crazy right now. I didn't think they liked a ton of water, but all the rain and plant food I gave them must have worked.

 

[BrotherRob]

Nice. My tomatoes are going crazy right now. I didn't think they liked a ton of water, but all the rain and plant food I gave them must have worked.

In my experience, maters need a pretty good amount of water. Then again, we have single digit humidity.

 

[BrotherRob]

We get that, but just the ornamental succulents like sedum, and just one variety. They leave everything else alone.

I have several flowering plants and trees, so the hummingbirds amass in my yard in the summer. Occasionally they get pissed at the finches and go after them. It's good entertainment, like watching a miniature dogfight.

 

[rusty_tlc]

To much water will cause the fruit to split, allegedly. Like Brother rob the humidity here is so low it's never been a problem for me.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I have several flowering plants and trees, so the hummingbirds amass in my yard in the summer. Occasionally they get pissed at the finches and go after them. It's good entertainment, like watching a miniature dogfight.

We get a pair that claim our trumpet vine and drive off any other hummingbirds. It is exactly like watching a WWI dog fight.

 

[BrotherRob]

To much water will cause the fruit to split, allegedly. Like Brother rob the humidity here is so low it's never been a problem for me.

I've always understood that splitting is caused by to little water. To much water can cause calcium deficiency and lead to blossom end rot.

 

[TXLX100]

I've always understood that splitting is caused by to little water. To much water can cause calcium deficiency and lead to blossom end rot.

I heard a large increase in the amount of water can cause splitting. Like if you are just hand watering every other day, then it rains everyday for a week.

 

[surfpig]

I heard a large increase in the amount of water can cause splitting. Like if you are just hand watering every other day, then it rains everyday for a week.

THIS. They like consistent watering but if they're kind of dry then it dumps, they'll split.

 

[splitshot]

rabbit got one of my tomatos...gunna hafta go wabbit haunting

Lorena Bobbitt has been sneaking in my chili patch as well. I have nothing but stumps.

 

[FLATU8ER]

Damn it Bobby

 

[BrotherRob]

THIS. They like consistent watering but if they're kind of dry then it dumps, they'll split.

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/a/Why-Do-Tomatoes-Split.htm

Yep, it's a little of both. Splitting is caused by a big increase in water and prevented by keeping them well watered.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I've always understood that splitting is caused by to little water. To much water can cause calcium deficiency and lead to blossom end rot.

I did extensive research on blossom rot, we battled it. One cause of blossom rot is a build up of salts in the soil, which binds the calcium up. The cure for us was to water heavily to leach the salt out of the soil and amend it with calcium, I used bone meal.

<edit: never mind>

 

[BrotherRob]

I did extensive research on blossom rot, we battled it. One cause of blossom rot is a build up of salts in the soil, which binds the calcium up. The cure for us was to water heavily to leach the salt out of the soil and amend it with calcium, I used bone meal.

<edit: never mind>

I did extensive research on blossom rot, we battled it. One cause of blossom rot is a build up of salts in the soil, which binds the calcium up. The cure for us was to water heavily to leach the salt out of the soil and amend it with calcium, I used bone meal.

<edit: never mind>

Read that too. Makes me wonder if a little gypsum or soil sulfur would help. The only maters I've ever had issues with are romas.

 

[rusty_tlc]

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/a/Why-Do-Tomatoes-Split.htm

Yep, it's a little of both. Splitting is caused by a big increase in water and prevented by keeping them well watered.

Read that too. Makes me wonder if a little gypsum or soil sulfur would help. The only maters I've ever had issues with are romas.

Salt build up is a big problem in Nevada for all plants. I can't remember the details but Gypsum has negative long term issues. I don't think sulfur has any negatives. I add cheleted Iron to everything since most South Western soil is deficient.

 

[BrotherRob]

Salt build up is a big problem in Nevada for all plants. I can't remember the details but Gypsum has negative long term issues. I don't think sulfur has any negatives. I add cheleted Iron to everything since most South Western soil is deficient.

Here too. Both soil sulfur and gypsum neutralize salts. I've heard sulfur is a better choice but it's several times the money. Gypsum is also a life saver for breaking up caliche.

I've heard of people using vinegar in gardens but that's always scared me. A little diluted lemon juice might be a cheap and dirty solution.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I'm really glad we don't have caliche here, delt with that in Vegas and it sucks.

 

[TXLX100]

I joke that our ground is caliche. It's probably only 25% of what caliche is, but it is an absolute pain to dig in. Every stroke of the shovel and tamping bar is a rock. Accordingly, I have raised beds. Easier to control the soil and soil quality that way.