Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Put up 6 jelly jars, 2 pint jars, and one quart jar of sliced jalapenos today. Vinegar, a little water, and salt. Already have about as many from last month. I have none from last year and have two pints jars left from '07 that are eating well. My plants this year have been phenomenal! They're 3' tall and still full of flowers. I ass is going to end up hating 2009!! :D

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Finally caught a pic of the little suckers that are eating my zuc's!

Innocent looking little guy:
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1689762_n.jpg

Caught in the act!
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._3380110_n.jpg

That second pic is the inside of the half-eaten zucchini you can see in the first pic. This one is unusual in that he hollowed out the center. Most of the others I've seen disappear were eaten radially from the outside in.

Anyone ever have this problem before? Know how I can stop it?

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

F'ing slugs!!

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/slugs.html

http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/slugs.html

Never had to battle them, but have always heard about using beer as a weapon.

Good luck!!

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

It's a weed here, brother. :)
I can take you to a ditch 5 minutes away from here and you can fill up a green garbage bag full of future mojitos.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Beer in a frisbee will make them all gone in a week. :)
A few frisbees carefully deployed is all you need. Slugs stay under rocks and stuff here. They very seldom make a problem in the garden.
It always amazes me the differences a little change in latitude makes.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

slugs gotta eat too.:tu

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

They can have what's Caesar's. :D

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

:wo

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

roffles :D

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

No slugs here... (knock on wood) It's the japanese beetles that keep raping the leaves of all my plants! That seven dust seems to keep them away for a little while. :gn

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

My Dad used to pour some cheap beer in a tin and put it out in the garden. For some reason the slugs were attracted to it. They'd die a slow and happy death. :)

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

I use liquid sevin in a sprayer at 1/3 strength.
Takes about ten minutes till the dead japanese beetles rain off the fruit trees.
It's hard to get the dust on them. A sprayer takes less time and it's a zillion times more effective.
Try it out, Hal. You'll be really pleased. :)

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

i have yet to treat it. i kind of said skrew it, if it want to die let it. so i pushed it out in to the yard (its in a pot). Now its growing new stems. the spoted leaves are dead/dying. its looking much better and now i think i will go and get the treatmeant for it. i cut the water back by 50% before giving up then it went to crap. i just waterd it for the first time in a while today. Thanks for the info.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Japanese beetles and liquid Sevin (or even dust) is a lethal combination. I spray my fruit trees and use the dust on my beens. Put the dust in an old piece of panty hose. Just shake over the plant and wa-la, soon to be dead beetles.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

your making my mouth water thinking about eating this. I love to just munch on some every once in a while. I cant eat to many jalapenos but a few now and then are good.

I went out and got some 7dust and the anti fungal stuff. Can i put them on at the same time? How offten shoudl i put both on?

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Sevin is the Bayer Company's trademarked name for the insecticide Carbaryl.

To our international friends Carbaryl is illegal in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Angola.

"Bee" careful as Carbaryl is acutely toxic to honeybees, destroying colonies of bees foraging in an area where the chemical has been applied. ;)

Do any of you remember the Bohpal, India Disaster on December 3, 1984 that killed 8-10 thousand people in 72 hours? You guessed it, that plant was manufacturing "Sevin". Very sad as it is estimated that 25,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.

You guys be careful out there.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Come on, Rob! I know it's not manly, but read the directions! :D

And yes, you can apply both at once. I often mix the two together and knock them both out at once.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

:r i kind of looked. it did not say any thing about mixing them. I think, i did any way, i noticed some yellowing on my tomato plant at the bottom leaves. i freaked a little and went out and got the stuff and put it on both plants. i got about 10 tennis ball size romas growing on my plant all green. i cant wait. These 2 plants are my first temp at growing on my own.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Completely missed this thread. First off you guys have some great gardens an I'm very jealous of them. Thanks for all the pictures and the video Scott.

Going to keep my eye on this one.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Thanks for the tips, I'll set some beer out for my slimy little enemies tomorrow.

I think I'll avoid the Sevin, just doesn't quite feel right to mix poisons with my dinner. The beetles weren't too bad this year, still have beans growin'.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

That's a freaking AWESOME garden, Scott!!! Somehow I missed the video posting when you put it up. You've really impressed me. I thought you were just a mad inventor with a bad back. ;)

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

I'm not really into the chemicals, especially for residential and rural areas. There are numerous alternative/natural products available that really work well. For a start, you may try here:

http://www.gardensalive.com/

For example, I use a non-poisonous mint-oil based spray around the home for wasp. It shoots up to 20+ feet and takes em' out without any problems, and more importantly, no toxic chemicals that are going to linger or drain in to the surrounding areas.

It leaves a "fresh minty" aroma afterwards:D

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Time is both a friend and a cruel enemy. The garden gets plowed in this weekend. I still have half a dozen pepper plants that are producing heavily, which I will keep, but everything else is ready to go. Give it a couple of weeks, maybe mid-September, and the collard plants go in. Won't be long and the cool autumn breezes come to town (by cool I mean 70F :)). Lettuce to follow in late September/early October.

Had lots of delicious tomatoes and cukes this year.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

I'm a Certified Master Gardener, Jamie, for what that's worth.
I used to help the Extension Office with the public, taking care of crops, orchards, farming, and domestic fowl. I gave away my farm when I got divorced.
I've created four or five cultivars (notably a purple sunflower) and invented a dark egg laying (hershey bar colored) chicken along the way, too. Made a lot of money from that stuff.
I used to be addicted to botany and genetics something fierce.
Now I just try to keep the fungus off my tomatoes, play cigars, learn about Christ, and make stuff out of wood. :)
I've invented a bunch of stuff along the way, too. Some have been very successful, some I never shared, some I'm still waiting to build.
I have about two dozen projects, inventions or systems in my head at any given moment. I never stop reading.
I kind of put everything aside while I'm trying to get my back fixed.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

If you added musician to that resume, Scott, I would have to say we were cut from the same mold. There never gets to be more time in your life.

I finally got some ripe tomatoes! The corn was spectacular this year. The string beans are blooming again. The potatoes were attacked by a (now dead) gopher and I don't know yet how bad. Never ending supply of squash. Cukes now and then. Three pumpkins. Good year so far.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

That doesn't even begin to outline the stuff I do. :)

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Nor me :D
:r A.D.D. to the grave!:wo

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Dead gophers are good gophers!! :tu

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Number 25! I need a stamp for the side of my shed.:D

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

I am getting hammered with goodies since we have been getting this warm weather finally! This is what I picked today-
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture465.jpg

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

:dr :dr :dr :dr :dr

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

nice pickins!

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Someones gonna have a hot bum in the mornin! :( <---- me sitting at work tomorrow. :r

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Mmmmmmm, jambalaya comes to mind.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Nice harvest Harold

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Picked 4 poblano and 6 bells tonight (along with 17 tomatos, 3 zuccini, and 1 cucumber)

Hollowed out and then stuff all the peppers with rice and taco seasoned beef. Topped them all with cheese and baked them at 400 for 20 minutes.

:dr:dr:dr:dr They were delicious!

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Awesome, Harold! That's why I love planting peppers. You get such a bumper crop and you have to find a use for them. Stuffed peppers remind me of my childhood and I still enjoy them today. I usually put the hollowed out peppers in boiling water for 30 seconds or so prior to stuffing. Then bake for 30 min.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

+1 Scott! I wished you lived closer.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Here's my till from yesterday. 3 jalapeno and 2 bell bushes left. Rather I say small trees. I'll slice these up and pickle this weekend.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...69/pepper1.jpg

This is why us southern folk can't grow a damn squash, squash vine borers. I've tried ever poison and trick on the Internet and nothing works. I planted 6 more hills today. Maybe the adults are gone by now. The only way I can get squash is to plant them early in the spring and hope a frost doesn't get them. The borers come in by June. This was one of two plants I have left. Now I only have one, but she's still healthy.

Lil' bastards!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...rons69/svb.jpg

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Your pepper abundance has me wanting to grow jalapenos next year. Great shot of the vine borer.

Hey check this out…

Quote:

Biological pesticides are an option. Insect-eating nematodes can be used to kill squash vine borers. A solution of the nematodes is injected into plant stems with a syringe when the holes of the borers are first seen. There are three species of insect-eating nematodes available commercially.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

:D

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~shunter/gopher.gif

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

I used to use a dry nematode preperation in every hole with every plant.
The company was from Pittsburgh and I can't remember what they were called.
They also offered a product that caused the roots to get all lumpy with nitrogen fixing nodules (the soil was VERY poor on top of that hill). I'd mix the two products with compost and absorbant polymer and throw a handful in every hole every season.
I've no-till gardened for years through Dewitt Sunbelt earth fabric.
The worms do all my tilling, and the soil in those gardens has improved dramatically over the years. The ex does nothing when she plants, and can still grow nice plants in those gardens.
I live in a river bottom now. All I ever had to do is roll out earth fabric on the grass, cut holes, and drill plant holes with my cordless and a bulb drill.
I just built a compost bin this year, and I'll have plenty of worm castings to add to the garden in the coming years, not that it needs improvement.
The flower beds alongside the house sure do, though. :tu

I liked the article you left, Richard.
"Learn the pest's life cycle" is the only way to kill bugs on anything, in my experience. :)

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Nice pepper pics!

Shame about the vine borers. I'll have to put up another picture of my zucchini jungle. The bush is ~5-6 ft diameter right now. Was slow going in Aug for some reason, but I've got plenty of squash on the way.

I'm kicking around the idea of growing garlic this year. Anyone have any experience there? Seems to be a lot of variety, what's the difference, and what do I want?

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Garlic is simple. Stay away from the Elephant type. Find one you like in the store and plant what you don't eat. It's what I did. Plant it Oct-Dec. It has to overwinter in the ground to develop cloves. It grows all year and is ready to harvest (in SC) around July. It'll send up a giant flower stalk, just break it as soon as it forms. The leaves will start to turn brown and die back. When half are dead, she's ready to pull. If you plant it in the flowerbed or yard, beware, it can get out of hand. I planted it in the corner of the garden and it was easily controlled. A doen plants will give you more garlic than you'll use all year. Pull it, tie (or braid) the leaves together, and hang to dry. Don't wash it until ready to use.

Google growing garlic!

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Thanks for the very useful info! :tu I plan to grow garlic for the first time next year so I can add it to my pickled eggs and pickled peppers as well.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

This afternoon, put up 5 half-pint jars and 6 pint jars of pickled, sliced jalapenos. In this batch I put a little salt and a little clopped garlic. This probably makes about 30 jars of peppers so far. I opened a jar from 7/5 and it's coming along nicely. Hot as hell, too!

As I commented in Andy's thread, My 5-year old daughter and I ripped up the garden, except for the pepper plants. We planted 6 hills of squash and 9 collards sets. We also planted some Cosmos and Forget-Me-Nots just because she wanted flowers. I'll stop by Lowe's on the way home tomorrow and get a few more flower seed packets just for her. She gave up a trip to the bowling alley with her mom and brother to help me in the garden. I can't tell you how that makes me feel inside. I'll get a picture in a week or two.

It was a great summer of '09. Now we turn the page...

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

I wish I had a garden. Maybe next year.

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

Cool. Thanks for the info - I' might try that later this year. How much sunlight does garlic need/like (full sun or partial sun?)?

Re: Let's see those '09 gardens
 

nothing much here for the garden as my growing area is limited by a few large trees blocking most of the sunlight, but here's what I have going:

6 Tomato plants - yellow pear, sweet-100, small cherry, large cherry, brandywine, early girl
6 jalepenos - for smoking my own chipotle peppers, only way to get them ripe enough (almost overripe) for this is to grow them myself
about 90 to 100 Thai chilies - going to try fermenting my own sauce with the peppers.

Plus a pommegranite tree, bay leaf and a metric asston of rosemary.

I have some photos somewhere...