The Survival Podcast Forum

Farm, Garden and The Land => Gardening and Agriculture => Show Us Your Garden => Topic started by: cohutt on January 07, 2013, 05:40:44 PM

Title: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 07, 2013, 05:40:44 PM: It is January now so here we go again.

Between wedding of my daughter, the holidays and two knock down viruses, December was a lost month for garden work and planning.

However, the hoop house seems to be doing just fine with minimal attention with temperatures falling into the mid-20s of late.

I had forgotten about the artichoke plant that had been covered some time back with row cover for an additional level of cold protection. One day last week I was out picking greens and checked what was going on under the row cover and was surprised and how much the plant has grown in the last 6 weeks:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/010320131.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/101320132.jpg)

(Also, I have two water barrels adjacent to the plant that really help retain whatever modest heat is available overnight)

You can also see the 18 month old kale stems I thought were dead that have come back to life; these are sending out enough new growth than I am concerned about the competition to the artichoke....

Who knew? I may have some serious chokes next spring. :)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Jeremy Downing on January 07, 2013, 06:25:31 PM: Your garden is my inspiration. Thank you.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Terroir Seeds on January 07, 2013, 07:09:59 PM: I love those photos, cohutt, with the artichoke still going strong and the kale coming back again! I will have to use this as an example of what can be done with fairly modest means - a hoophouse and not an expensive glass greenhouse. Great work, I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress this year.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 07, 2013, 09:20:36 PM: Thanks guys- I appreciate that people still enjoy the "progress" in my backyard adventure.

The hoophouse is about $50-60 of materials tops. Makes a big difference even for those plants that would survive outside of it.

Terroir, I've noticed with both kale and chard that the long "spent" stems/trunks of well picked plants aren't spent at all; given some time to recover they come back alive and sent multiple new side stems/leaf clusters. It is like having a half dozen young plants all drawing on a single root superstructure. Go figure- being lazy and somewhat curious sometimes pays off...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Nicodemus on January 08, 2013, 07:06:39 AM: It's always great to see a plant that you kind of relegated to the back of your mind thriving like that.

I look forward to a new season of following your gardening endeavors, cohutt! Your work is inspirational!
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LibertyBelle on January 08, 2013, 11:42:29 AM: Beautiful as always...even in the dead of winter. ;)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Terroir Seeds on January 08, 2013, 12:46:51 PM: I've seen the same "regeneration" effect work with cabbage as well. Cut the head a bit tall or "proud" on the stalk and leave the root structure with some leaves attached and a couple of weeks later you'll see baby cabbages sprouting up around the ring of the roots.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 08, 2013, 04:17:59 PM: Quote from: Terroir on January 08, 2013, 12:46:51 PM
I've seen the same "regeneration" effect work with cabbage as well. Cut the head a bit tall or "proud" on the stalk and leave the root structure with some leaves attached and a couple of weeks later you'll see baby cabbages sprouting up around the ring of the roots.

I think Jack actually talked about the mini cabbage regrowth once about 800 episodes ago lol

Along those lines I harvested a cabbage tonight to snack on as side dishes for the next few evenings. This is a good cabbage year here- the heads are very dense and well formed, ie perfectly round.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: ForgedPatriot on January 10, 2013, 07:42:56 PM: Thanks for posting all this! The wife and I are getting serious about it this year. we will be doing at least two square foot garden beds in the back yard this spring!
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 10, 2013, 08:04:15 PM: Quote from: ForgedPatriot on January 10, 2013, 07:42:56 PM
Thanks for posting all this! The wife and I are getting serious about it this year. we will be doing at least two square foot garden beds in the back yard this spring!

Be warned you can get a little carried away ha
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 28, 2013, 08:49:07 PM: this is the winter of cabbage abundance- 11 lbs this one is....

There are another 9 or 10 remaining

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0249.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Nicodemus on January 28, 2013, 08:56:20 PM: Fermented Sauerkraut!!! ;D
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Cedar on January 28, 2013, 09:39:19 PM: Quote from: Terroir on January 08, 2013, 12:46:51 PM
I've seen the same "regeneration" effect work with cabbage as well. Cut the head a bit tall or "proud" on the stalk and leave the root structure with some leaves attached and a couple of weeks later you'll see baby cabbages sprouting up around the ring of the roots.

I always cut an "X" in the top of the remaining stalk after I cut the main head off cabbage or cauli. It will produce 4 smaller ones which are JUST AS EDIBLE! *Yum*

Cedar
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 29, 2013, 04:49:33 AM: The "double split", I've been forgetting to do that thanks Cedar
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Terroir Seeds on January 29, 2013, 11:36:39 AM: I hadn't heard about that tip, thanks Cedar! I will have to pass this one along to our customers.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on January 30, 2013, 09:35:13 AM: I just got a new 3 gallon sauerkraut crock... that cabbage reminds me of the need to find some good cabbage to get it started :)

Very impressive, Cohutt1
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on January 30, 2013, 08:04:23 PM: Quote from: LvsChant on January 30, 2013, 09:35:13 AM
I just got a new 3 gallon sauerkraut crock... that cabbage reminds me of the need to find some good cabbage to get it started :)

Very impressive, Cohutt1
My mother has a half dozen and has decided that I need one for my first sauerkraut batch.

Works for me. :)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on January 31, 2013, 11:58:28 AM: a half dozen crocks or cabbages??? haha. Hope to see your review of your sauerkraut escapades...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 03, 2013, 08:11:54 AM: Quote from: LvsChant on January 31, 2013, 11:58:28 AM
a half dozen crocks or cabbages??? haha. Hope to see your review of your sauerkraut escapades...

Crocks. Cabbages-R-Us here @ cohutt's ;)

Update on things....

Cold Saturday here yesterday where it was close to 20 in the morning and never got much above 35 all day with only a few minutes of sun now and then. Sleet off and most of the day followed by what I call "liquid arthritis", ie rain when the temp is under 40.
Around noon I went out to the hoop-house to find something green to eat for dinner and found it to be a little too warm (and very humid), which never ceases to amaze me.... the two water barrels in one corner keep the artichoke plant growing without even a frost on it. So I opened the door for the balance of the day and the temp stayed well above "ambient" conditions outside and the humidity got better.
But i digress......

I decided to pull on the the remaining Bok Choi (joy choi) and combine it with other items from the garden (garlic, onlion, broccoli shoots) for a big stir-fry. This was super sweet and mild, no bitterness at all.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0250a.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0253.jpg)

Winter in Georgia is perfect for all cabbages.

Also I wanted to bake some sort of bread yesterday but didn't get started in time for any of my usuals. I figured a flatbread might be worth trying ( 2 hrs before dinner). I figured this qualifies as from the garden (sort of) since i added a tablespoon of fresh picked/ chopped thyme leaves from the icy outdoors at the last minute.

I baked for 6 minutes in 500 oven on preheated tiles; it turned out well- good stuff, but some turned into hollow blowfish (look at the one on the left lol) :

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0247a.jpg)

This stuff was simple an relatively quick; tonight we will stuff something or other in it and call it dinner. After the bread cooled, the puffed ones pressed down easily without damage and are perfect "natural" pockets, no need for slicing.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0248a.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Theswerd on February 04, 2013, 06:21:25 AM: Quote from: cohutt on February 03, 2013, 08:11:54 AM
... After the bread cooled, the puffed ones pressed down easily without damage and are perfect "natural" pockets, no need for slicing.

Do you think there might be a way to force that to happen naturally? Maybe fold the dough over in half and pinch the edges together before baking? I dunno if it would work, but it seems like something worth playing with. (Maybe if we used an olive oil coating on the inside to get them from sticking together... Hrm... drat, now the gears are turning.)

*edited for spelling
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 04, 2013, 06:36:02 PM: Quote from: Theswerd on February 04, 2013, 06:21:25 AM

Do you think there might be a way to force that to happen naturally? Maybe fold the dough over in half and pinch the edges together before baking? I dunno if it would work, but it seems like something worth playing with. (Maybe if we used an olive oil coating on the inside to get them from sticking together... Hrm... drat, now the gears are turning.)

*edited for spelling

the basic recipes usually call for it being cooked on a skillet and i saw a couple of notes saying it poofed on hot stones in the oven. so i think you are looking at the auto method. note the flatter ones opened easily too
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Roswell on February 06, 2013, 12:57:08 PM: Damn it Cohutt! You are at it again and making me feel like a sloth. ;D Seriously dude, you are a real inspiration. Keep up the good work my friend.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 06, 2013, 05:17:58 PM: Quote from: Roswell on February 06, 2013, 12:57:08 PM
Damn it Cohutt! You are at it again and making me feel like a sloth. ;D Seriously dude, you are a real inspiration. Keep up the good work my friend.

Thanks Ros- come see again sometime

Artichoke thriving in the hoop house

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0255.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0260.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 19, 2013, 03:11:27 PM: I went away for almost a week and returned to find my lettuce/ chard soil block seedlings doing very well. I flooded the trays the day I left and the lights are on a timer; the blocks were still moist today and the plants were noticeably larger.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130219_161236.jpg)

Funny, while I was out I worried more about these seedlings than work. Ha.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on February 20, 2013, 08:23:38 AM: Can't wait until I can try out my soil block maker...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Cedar on February 20, 2013, 09:22:06 AM: Quote from: cohutt on February 19, 2013, 03:11:27 PM
Funny, while I was out I worried more about these seedlings than work. Ha.

Do you find after you plant seed trays that you check on them every 20 minutes to see if they came up yet??? LOL. I do.

Cedar
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 20, 2013, 11:05:56 AM: Quote from: Cedar on February 20, 2013, 09:22:06 AM
Do you find after you plant seed trays that you check on them every 20 minutes to see if they came up yet??? LOL. I do.

Cedar
Ha not quite there yet. Give me time though.

I will obsess on some things one year and different things the next. I am not in control of my garden's destiny; I have figured out I'm just a pawn of nature's whims.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Downeastwaves on February 20, 2013, 12:27:58 PM: Enjoyed peeking at your garden. A bit of ground has appeared from its blanket of show after the rain last night...sigh...hope it is an early spring. I'm ready!
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 20, 2013, 05:19:37 PM: Thanks.

Snow. Ugh.
No thank you.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on February 21, 2013, 04:10:05 AM: Leeks-
I never paid much attention to them in the produce section but from the garden in the dead of (Georgia's) winter, nothing else comes close.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130209_0005.jpg)

Getting ready for a large batch of soup:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130210_0028.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on February 25, 2013, 09:02:55 PM: yummm.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on March 05, 2013, 07:07:17 PM: Spring is crashing down one me here; some of the greens in the hoop house are a little leggy and going to seed now

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/2013Feb27_0052.jpg)

I was surprised though when I pulled back the row cover from the artichoke plant:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/2013Feb27_0054.jpg)

Wow, who knew?
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Sweethearts Mom on March 06, 2013, 05:57:32 PM: looking forward to seeing your garden this year
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on March 06, 2013, 08:19:31 PM: Thanks. So am I :)

Some lettuce and chard blocks on the way out to the hoop house for transplanting

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/2013Mar04_0065.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Roswell on March 06, 2013, 08:53:51 PM: I am so jealous that you have artichoke!!! That is awesome!
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on March 06, 2013, 09:06:43 PM: Quote from: Roswell on March 06, 2013, 08:53:51 PM
I am so jealous that you have artichoke!!! That is awesome!

mrs cohutt agrees 100%
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on March 07, 2013, 07:37:20 AM: so great! Love the artichoke...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on March 14, 2013, 08:45:10 PM: The last two cabbage of the winter:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130314006.jpg)

and the largest artichoke (mrs cohutt whacks it tomorrow)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130314003.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on March 17, 2013, 07:20:48 PM: Unloaded and distributed a load of composted dairy manure all weekend.

This is a good fully composted batch, no "aroma". 30 or 40 wheelbarrow loads, haven't worked it into the soil yet though

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130317_0001.jpg)

Spring kale coming along nicely

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130317_0008.jpg)

Last frost date theoretically is still 3-4 weeks away, although we didn't get a freeze last year much past late Feb

Tomato cages all out and inspected, currently residing over the asparagus bed:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130317_0002.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Cedar on March 17, 2013, 08:46:52 PM: I get hungry everytime I see that artichoke!!!! :-\

Cedar
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on March 17, 2013, 10:48:28 PM: Quote from: Cedar on March 17, 2013, 08:46:52 PM
I get hungry everytime I see that artichoke!!!! :-\

Cedar

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130315_0006.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Cedar on March 17, 2013, 11:42:50 PM: That is gorgeous!!! and so edible looking. Like with real butter and minced garlic..

Cedar
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 03, 2013, 07:46:40 PM: (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130327_0019.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0045.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130402_0011.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130402_0005.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130402_0002.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on April 07, 2013, 09:13:03 AM: Wonderful... we are wondering what the middle photo is... And... have you had good luck with celery stalks like that in the past?
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 08, 2013, 09:56:39 PM: Quote from: LvsChant on April 07, 2013, 09:13:03 AM
Wonderful... we are wondering what the middle photo is... And... have you had good luck with celery stalks like that in the past?

Broad beans aka Fava Beans

First try with celery, time will tell.

Note that the onions about to flower are from grocery scallion bases replanted too
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 13, 2013, 08:26:37 PM: nature took a dump on my garden Thursday evening. As some previous pictures have revealed, I live in a downtown area of a medium small town.

The storms that rolled through Thursday around 6:00 created a micro-burst wind event that removed the roof of a nearby plumbing supply company and deposited in on my garden and fence as well as several trees over and around my lot. A lot of damage to the various structures I've spent the last 4 years putting up (both sheds, the bat house, fencing, beds, trellises all had damage).
This is what it looked like when the storm had passed- lots of work done Friday to assess damage and begin removal.
Overall, very lucky since the power lines snagged the big piece as it was heading to the back of my house and dropped it on the fence and garden instead. I was on the phone and had gone out in the sun room on the back of the house to see what the storm looked like when all hell broke loose. When I saw the roof come off of the little garage apartment behind me I hung up and scrambled to the basement steps- there was a burst of loud noised in the sudden wind surge then the power popped as the wires came down.

Crews worked all night to repair the lines and we were up again around 9 the next morning.

Removal underway.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Storm/DSC_0078.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Storm/DSC_0055.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Storm/DSC_0025.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Storm/DSC_0084.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: bdhutier on April 13, 2013, 11:21:40 PM: Man, that really sucks!! Looks like your beds are diffused throughout your yard, so at least that mitigated some of the damage. Hopefully things aren't too screwed up... :-\
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Nicodemus on April 14, 2013, 07:07:50 AM: That stinks, cohutt. I'm glad that you, the family and the house are alright.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: MIZZOU_RAH on April 14, 2013, 10:35:08 AM: Glad to hear that everyone is safe and accounted for! The plants will grow back even after a roof falls on them, but you all might have had a harder time with that! Everything will be back thriving in no time.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 14, 2013, 01:38:18 PM: I can barely move today but the roof is off the front section now, sawed up and @ the recycler. I had a roofer who did some work on the damage behind me offer to remove it all if he could have scrap/salvage rights. Deal.
I told him he would have to start that afternoon and take it off a piece at a time without damaging the plants. I worked with him for several hours friday afternoon/evening and was satisfied I could trust him while I was gone Saturday.
The place was spotless when i returned last night and this morning i ran power to the back for him to juice his bigger sawzall as he takled the stuff wrapped around the tree in the back. He's out now making good headway.
Boy I was lucky....
In the front, minor damage to a couple blueberry plants and one artichoke. some soil that had fresh compost worked in ahead of the season was compacted but since fixed. The fence is a little whacked but repairable.

Sadly the bat house was throw 50 feet and the two 2" galvanized poles were bent to around 45 degrees before separating. I don't see getting it repaired and up again this year if at all.

The blackberries and trellis got kneecapped by the same cable that cut down the bat house and I figure I lost 50% of the production from them (based on my unofficial forensic analysis, both of the large sections of roofing hit the power lines and the back one dragged it over my back section like a 4000 lb tensile strength kite string. The back section looks originally to have been approximately 180-100 x 30-40ft, the front one near my house around 50x40. That power cable would have cut someone in half. Not that I would have been out there though....)

Struck a deal with a salvage guy working at the business where the roof was (until thursday evening) and he's going to give me some salvaged 5-v roofing he has so i can repair the shed roofs with "aged" ie rusted panels that match.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Storm/DSC_0053.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Storm/DSC_0048.jpg)

Like I said, pretty lucky overall.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 20, 2013, 09:56:34 AM: I have done the unusual and accepted gifts of rhizomes etc from some local master gardener friends who have been after me re: "everything you grow doesn't HAVE to be edible"...

Some iris put in around a stump last summer are giving us some beautiful flowers and a nice aroma floats through the garden these days. Some were decapitated by the power line that swept the garden but the survivors' bud stems are chest high now.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0101sml.jpg)

I figured I'd let some of the scallions from a meal winter before last bloom too- still a few days from hitting it though

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0097sml.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Sweethearts Mom on April 21, 2013, 03:29:04 PM: I am sure sorry about your storm damage. I hope you have filed a claim for this. keep in mind that your own hours for debris clean up can be claimed as well.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 22, 2013, 05:11:53 AM: My deductible is such that it wouldn't be worth it. Stinks in this case but I've saved $$$$ long run keeping it high since I'm insuring against what would have happened it it had flown into my house.

This weekend I rebuilt the blackberry trellis in a design that can take more tension on the wires; I also made a couple more beds (one of them is done and in this pic) and braced the back fence. I discovered one of the posts had cracked at the concrete line and was just sort of propped. In the background you can see the new post that anchors a cross brace 2x6. This, along with the two already inline on the back section, will support heavy duty trellis lines.

The asparagus bed (behind blackberries with 2x4s stacked on it) has the remnants of the bat house base on the end; note the 2" galvanized poles bent to 45 degrees. ouch.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130421010.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on April 27, 2013, 05:35:04 AM: "Bay Laurel"

Last year my sister shared some dried bay leaves from her "bay tree" that were exponentially more flavorful and aromatic vs the McCormick ones. I shouldn't have been surprised...
After some research I learned I probably just a little too far north for long term survival outdoors (ie in the ground as a tree or bush). The good news is they do pretty well in a pot, so I'm in business with a new (tiny) "tree" of my own:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130421014.jpg)

Mrs cohutt continues to be spoiled by a steady harvest of gianormous tender artichokes

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130419018.jpg)

The the remaining portions of the decapitated blackberry vines are literally covered up with blooms, so I it looks like they survived the damage just fine:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130419017.jpg)

Planting most of my summer stuff this weekend, weather permitting. Two weeks late maybe, but I have an excuse this year lol
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 07, 2013, 09:01:40 PM: Blackberry bird netting frame:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130507_195401.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130507_195050.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Theswerd on May 08, 2013, 08:31:56 AM: Cohutt, I wanna say thanks for these threads you put up. It will be a long (long long long) time before I have any land where I can do real gardening myself, but seeing your handiwork is a real encouragement.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 08, 2013, 07:38:29 PM: Theswerd,

Thanks for taking the time to post that. I appreciate the encouragement as much now as I did in June 2009 when this little journey started.

If I can do it, I will assure you that anyone can.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 08, 2013, 08:28:42 PM: Mizuna puts out a jillion seed pods. wow

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130503_0013.jpg)

sort of like arugula seeds but more of them.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130503_0008.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on May 09, 2013, 07:55:17 AM: Are you planning to save the seeds? Looks like you have a bumper crop.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 10, 2013, 05:37:48 AM: Quote from: LvsChant on May 09, 2013, 07:55:17 AM
Are you planning to save the seeds? Looks like you have a bumper crop.

Yes-

Done it with arugula before and will do it every year from now on. It is so easy.... once the pods start to brown and dry out I pull the whole plat and let it finish drying under shelter. The pods tend to explode if touched once they are dry, so I tend to have lots of volunteers along the way, wherever the plant has been either growing, in transport or drying. These tend to be quite robust survivors and are the source for next year if they are tucked in a corner slightly out of the way. Basically I've turned it into a somewhat encouraged weed, like cilantro.
The mizuna was a survivor out of a mesclun mix last fall that I just never got around to dealing with. Turns out it is very hardy, very productive and terrific salad base as well as stir fry green. A fellow blogger in Australia says hers survived the 100+ degree heat wave this past summer and is as good in warm weather as cold, so I'm hoping this will become my summer salad base this summer here in sunny (hot) Georgia.

Happy to share if you'd like some (same offer for anyone else too).
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on May 16, 2013, 07:15:45 AM: Yes, I would love some seeds! I imagine our hot weather here would also be suitable...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 18, 2013, 08:02:37 PM: The blackberry bird netting contraption is done and almost invisible from the house once painted-

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0186.jpg)

Still behind, trying to put stuff back together and at the same time catch up with my summer planting. Weather hasn't cooperated so far this year.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on May 19, 2013, 11:22:34 PM: Beautiful. Maybe it could double as a batting cage? (after the harvest) haha.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 29, 2013, 05:39:47 AM: Batting cage- eureka!

;)

The oddity of my garden continues as I am trying watercress in one of last year's rice paddies; I'll keep one as rice (tip: it drops enough seed to pretty much reseed itself as volunteers.)

I lifted this from a local spring creek and it is taking to its new home in just 24 hours....

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/05282013004.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/05282013001.jpg)

closer:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/05282013003.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/05282013002.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: AverageDude on May 29, 2013, 06:27:55 AM: Awesome photo. Have you found a way to control mosquitos in your ponds?
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on May 29, 2013, 08:31:48 AM: You have the most interesting things in your garden, Cohutt. I'm trying loofah this year. I got some seeds from a friend in 2010 and wasn't sure they would germinate (2 moves in the meantime), but was happy to see sprouts in my garden this morning.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 29, 2013, 04:14:20 PM: Skeeters:
Not a problem. The little ecosystem in the main pond eliminates them when they land to lay eggs. Lots of water striders and diving beetles, both of which apparently love mosquitoes. I have a lot of dragonfly nyphs as well, and I am sure they take care of their fair share. In the paddies I sprinkle a little of the dunk granules initially and haven't had an issue once established.

Loofahs: Get them once and you'll have them every season. Trust me lol. Once they start putting out fruit you can eat them when they are small zucchini sized. Cook and eat the same way you would zucs, they just seem to have a little more moisture content. Once fruit starts setting you will have plenty.

I have two new gourds this year- the giant bushel basket ones (hopefully giant anyway) and apple gourds. Why? Why not....
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 29, 2013, 08:09:39 PM: Quote from: AverageDude on May 29, 2013, 06:27:55 AM
Awesome photo. Have you found a way to control mosquitos in your ponds?

A follow up on this ....

I took the picture below at the end of April; I was trying to get some shots of tadpoles but wasn't particularly pleased with the results so I trashed all but this one as it was taken just as a diving beetle was making the final move on a female mosquito that was busy laying eggs.

The tadpole I was shooting was nibbling at the surface (1).

The mosquito was busy laying eggs (2)

The beetle was moving quickly up from below to nail the mosquito (3)

While i was still looking though the lens, in a fraction of a second after this frame snapped I saw the beetle snatch the mosquito and immediately return to the depths below. I remembered to look for it when reviewing the pics on my pc and sure enough, the beetle was in the frame.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/20130426_0012crp.jpg)

I thought it was pretty cool, the first time I had witnessed a beetle on the hunt. However, Mrs cohutt was much less intrigued when I showed it to her ;)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on May 31, 2013, 07:19:29 AM: I have never seen that... very cool Cohutt. I look forward to trying the loofah... did you trellis them?
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on May 31, 2013, 12:32:49 PM: Quote from: LvsChant on May 31, 2013, 07:19:29 AM
I have never seen that... very cool Cohutt. I look forward to trying the loofah... did you trellis them?

They are Kudzu and will climb 20 feet up into a tree.

On your next door neighbor's property.

I know this first hand lol

This being said, they do just fine on the ground. When they start drying though they tend to come out with a more uniform color inside if they hang. This might not matter there but in the hot humid hills of N GA it does.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on June 01, 2013, 06:50:12 PM: Sounds exciting :)

The weather is so harsh here (high heat, high winds, unremitting sun and extreme dryness) I'm hoping a smaller wire tomato cage structure will work for me... will let you know how it goes! I look forward to both trying them out in the skillet and shower (at different stages, of course).
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 07, 2013, 04:38:44 AM: I've been busy as h#ll trying to catch up with the season.
In the meantime, the last of the storm damage from april has been addressed as my neighbor had bobcats and bucket trucks in her back yard a few days ago. The result, even more sun for my garden. one of the two massive remaining oaks had to be removed along with a couple of leaning hackberries.
The rice and watercress paddies are oriented pretty much due east, so you can see that I have truly "full" sun in most of the back portion of the garden now.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0704-1.jpg)

back to work.....
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 10, 2013, 05:10:54 AM: a basket of plums or a close up of a thornless blackberry?

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0751.jpg)

Correct, blackberries ;)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0725.jpg)

Last of the garlic is out too

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0746.jpg)

Still waiting on summer here ........ by now things should be much further along (but they just aren't).

At least some of the coneflowers are blooming

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0740cc.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on June 10, 2013, 09:55:28 AM: Love those photos... esp. the closeup of the blackberry :)

I harvested the garlic here, too... drying it out (doesn't take too long here) on the back patio in the shade.

We've discovered we love, love, love Brussels sprouts. Where did you get your seeds for your last crop? I seem to remember them being very pretty... Isn't it almost time to start planting for the fall crop? (It's definitely summer here... 105 degrees here today).
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 10, 2013, 04:25:02 PM: I have some type from Johnny's and a parks or burpee pack back there. The ones I had a couple years ago were a hybrid from a local seed & feed (my assistant's family runs one up in the next county.) Last year, nobody who was supplied by Bonnie had any sprouts and I screwed up and missed starting seeds in time
I plan on starting mine indoors towards the end of the month subject to revision after some double checking.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 12, 2013, 08:38:27 PM: basils (Oregano and thyme in the background of the second pic)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0786.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0779.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 20, 2013, 05:15:18 AM: Wet.

Last year we had 20.38" of rain ytd here vs long term "normal" of 28" +/-.

So far in 2008: 41.45

Slow go, too much of a good thing for the summer plantings to really get growing.

So far this year:

Blackberries are slowing way down but my modest raspberry patch is coming on with the early crop.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0776-1.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0747.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0782.jpg)

Blueberries are about ready to start picking. Apparently stinkbugs (leaf-leg type) enjoy doing the deed on almost ripe ones too, yuk)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0762.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0757-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 22, 2013, 09:51:25 AM: Blackberry flush has peaked but a few are still ripening every day or two. The good news is a lot of these later ones are big juicy monster blackberries

A couple just too big and pretty to eat without a photo:

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0793-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on June 26, 2013, 05:13:44 AM: Rainbow chard

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0773-1.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0772-1.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0775.jpg)

raspberry jam wanna-be
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0805.jpg)

"Envy" soya

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0821.jpg)

Watercress project coming along

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0823.jpg)

Asian long beans

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0819.jpg)

View of new wide open sky in the background; all the east/southeast trees were removed from my neighbor's property after two separate storm damages. the tall wall of trees had been uninterrupted from those still standing all the way around to the left out of the picture. several hung over my yard from the east. no more... hello sunshine

unfortunately I am realizing how nice it was in the summer to have some shade during the first half of the day in the summer. no more.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0810.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on July 07, 2013, 06:29:20 PM: Rainbow chard, standing on its head in the rinse bucket

(http://cohutt.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/rainbowchard.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Rosesandtea on July 08, 2013, 07:00:20 AM: Beautiful garden! I have long gaps in coming to TSP forum but your garden threads are what I always hunt for first thing!
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on July 08, 2013, 09:04:36 PM: Quote from: Rosesandtea on July 08, 2013, 07:00:20 AM
Beautiful garden! I have long gaps in coming to TSP forum but your garden threads are what I always hunt for first thing!

Thank you. :)

Howz your garden these days?
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on July 30, 2013, 08:25:47 PM: Summer= Heat = Growth =typically over-crowded cohutt garden

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1206.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on August 04, 2013, 10:22:44 AM: Love it... my little garden is also doing fairly well (for a small, beginner's patch) this past month. I'm actually starting to see tomatoes, squash, loofah's, peppers, purple hull beans, etc. starting to produce. Squash and peppers are doing best...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on August 04, 2013, 03:38:18 PM: Quote from: LvsChant on August 04, 2013, 10:22:44 AM
Love it... my little garden is also doing fairly well (for a small, beginner's patch) this past month. I'm actually starting to see tomatoes, squash, loofah's, peppers, purple hull beans, etc. starting to produce. Squash and peppers are doing best...

I'm jealous re: squash.

My yard seems to host or attract vine borers like no other. This is how I came to eat some baby loofahs; look and tase similar to zucs just not quite as firm. Vine borers leave the gourds alone...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on August 05, 2013, 07:46:21 AM: I'm guessing the good luck is due to the fact that nothing has been growing out here for such a long time there aren't the normal pests. I had trouble with vine borers in TX, too.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Greywolf27 on August 06, 2013, 03:16:48 PM: Looking good Cohutt!

Been quite some time since I have checked up on your progress. My sweetie and I got engages at the beginning of the year, we bought a house at the end of last year and so far have been working on our 1/2 acre. I forgot how much work you had put into your produce. As has been stated time and again, you are an absolute inspiration.

GW
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Durf on August 06, 2013, 05:33:44 PM: Looking good Cohutt! That rainbow chard looks amazing. I just planted some and if it turns out half as good as yours, my 7 and 4 year old daughters will be truly impressed with the cool colors. I really like the way you have incorporated so much yet still have it looking really nice.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on August 06, 2013, 07:06:54 PM: Thanks GW and Durf.

I'm well settled into the cycle now that I have it almost built out adequately. That being said, this was one heck of a face-plant for me in several areas. Doofed up and had virtually no lettuce all winter, couldn't get squat started in any meaningful way this spring. It is slowly catching up but compared to past years I'm not having a great year so far.
It has been humbling in that it has swatted down my cockiness a bit; when I started in 2009 I knew very little and worked to learn. In the past year I sort of coasted and assumed I had it all figured out and the slackness hurt me.

It is definitely still, and always will be, a learning experience.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: BassManNate on August 08, 2013, 08:38:47 PM: Quote from: cohutt on August 06, 2013, 07:06:54 PM
Thanks GW and Durf.

I'm well settled into the cycle now that I have it almost built out adequately. That being said, this was one heck of a face-plant for me in several areas. Doofed up and had virtually no lettuce all winter, couldn't get squat started in any meaningful way this spring. It is slowly catching up but compared to past years I'm not having a great year so far.
It has been humbling in that it has swatted down my cockiness a bit; when I started in 2009 I knew very little and worked to learn. In the past year I sort of coasted and assumed I had it all figured out and the slackness hurt me.

It is definitely still, and always will be, a learning experience.

The way I find I can overcome the slacking off is constantly looking for something drastically different. Like this year, I'm trying ground cherries (going to grow lots of these next year!) and the Styrian Hulless Pumpkins. Those pumpkins were hard to get started because the seeds are so fragile. Also trying watermelons for the first time this year. Just gotta keep it fresh with something out of left field every year.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: MIZZOU_RAH on August 08, 2013, 08:57:07 PM: Quote from: cohutt on July 07, 2013, 06:29:20 PM
Rainbow chard, standing on its head in the rinse bucket

(http://cohutt.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/rainbowchard.jpg)

Cohutt, do you have any tips on cooking chard? I've had great success growing it this year! I keep cutting and cutting and cutting and it keeps on coming back no matter how hot, cold, rainy, or dry it gets. I love this about it, as I can't get spinach to grow very well and lettuce is prolific for about 2-3 weeks before going to seed in the Missouri heat. However, aside from cutting up the stems in stir fry, I haven't found a good way to cook it that my wife and I both enjoy. I didn't like it cooked in oil like spinach and the stems can make stir fry very pungent if I add too many. What do you do? I hate having all this abundance and nothing to use it for!
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on August 09, 2013, 04:59:19 AM: Yeah, I hear you on new things, it keeps the curiosity up which keeps the attention span up lol

Ground cherries- I planted Aunt Mollie's in 2010 and nature has planted them every year since, although they have moved from the original area to the back edges of the yard. Mrs cohutt never really warmed up to them as a planned planting en masse but now that we have "wild" ones we both snack on them and sort of consider them "pet plants", not really sure where they will appear each year. They earn their spot as volunteers, if they sprout they stay ;)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on August 15, 2013, 05:08:43 AM: bushel basket & apple gourds coming along

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1030_1.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1028.jpg)

soybean "envy" /edamame

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1022.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1030.jpg)

First eggplant I've ever grown. Man the flea beetles love the leaves of this thing

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_0998.jpg)

Slow start but harvest is steady now

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1023.jpg)

Although my spacing this year is so tight I have to step outside the fence just to change my mind (ba-da-bing)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1034.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on August 15, 2013, 07:28:18 AM: I'm very jealous of your beautiful tomatoes... I bought plants at the local HD this year (no chance to start my own during construction), and so far 75% have come up with that curly-leaf fungus. I'm getting ready to rip out another plant.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on August 24, 2013, 07:06:05 AM: Cool August so far, tomato and Asian long bean production has ramped like it is mid September. geez, more feet of beans on the vines than there are feet of vines now.

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1085s.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1086.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1101.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1102.jpg)

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1093.jpg)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on September 17, 2013, 08:12:46 PM: Sweet potatoes with a couple more hills to go yet

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1254_1.jpg)

Been busy with this and other things, so not much updating lately.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on September 18, 2013, 10:30:07 AM: OMG. I am very jealous of your sweet potato harvest...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on September 18, 2013, 06:59:57 PM: two more buckets tonight and the harvest is complete. I weighed them all a minute ago

164 lbs

:)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on September 22, 2013, 12:11:02 AM: Maybe next year... I did just plant garlic today... hoping for a good harvest next summer. My rutabagas are doing great, too.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on September 22, 2013, 11:19:27 AM: too early for garlic here yet but I have my seed stock from last year ready as well as some new varieties to try here in the land of pretend winters (lately anyway)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: Cedar on September 22, 2013, 11:25:57 AM: Glad you said you had a late season too. Makes me feel a bit better about my garden this year.

Cedar
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on September 23, 2013, 05:40:40 PM: This was a goofy year for sure.
In July I really didn't think there was a chance in hell I would be sick of processing tomatoes by september.
I am, for the record. :)
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: LvsChant on September 24, 2013, 09:54:33 PM: I would love to be sick of processing tomatoes... we have virtually none. I have one remaining plant that gives us a few rather small tomatoes every few days, but certainly not enough to worry about storing... we're lucky if we have enough for salads. I think our climate here is a bit different than the climate in Georgia, even though we aren't really much north of where we lived there... but the altitude is higher and the dryness and wind makes a difference, too. Our local feed store said on/around Sept. 25 is the optimum garlic planting time around here.

I am continuing to get a nice crop of zucchini and peppers...
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: BassManNate on September 25, 2013, 06:17:19 PM: I'm planning on planting sweet potatoes for the first time next year but your pictures above have me a bit worried about storage. How on earth do you store those long enough to eat them without them sprouting all over the place? I suppose it's not the problem it is with regular potatoes since the whole thing can be eaten.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on September 25, 2013, 07:33:02 PM: Quote from: LvsChant on September 24, 2013, 09:54:33 PM
I would love to be sick of processing tomatoes... we have virtually none. I have one remaining plant that gives us a few rather small tomatoes every few days, but certainly not enough to worry about storing... we're lucky if we have enough for salads. I think our climate here is a bit different than the climate in Georgia, even though we aren't really much north of where we lived there... but the altitude is higher and the dryness and wind makes a difference, too. Our local feed store said on/around Sept. 25 is the optimum garlic planting time around here.

I am continuing to get a nice crop of zucchini and peppers...

You'll get it figured out, I know that much. :)

I am the only gardener I know of who can't grow Zucchini for $h!t. Vine borers. boo.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on September 25, 2013, 07:38:46 PM: Quote from: BassManNate on September 25, 2013, 06:17:19 PM
I'm planning on planting sweet potatoes for the first time next year but your pictures above have me a bit worried about storage. How on earth do you store those long enough to eat them without them sprouting all over the place? I suppose it's not the problem it is with regular potatoes since the whole thing can be eaten.
They will actually keep as well or better than regular potatoes imho.

They have just been curing up on the back porch. After a couple weeks (ie this weekend) they will be moved to the cooler, dark, dug basement where they should be good for months. I just need to construct a quick galvanized hardware cloth "cabinet" to keep the occasional vermin from nibbling on them.
Title: Re: Cohutt's Garden 5th Try (2013)
Post by: cohutt on October 20, 2013, 06:25:45 AM: the tasty fall stuff is doing well so far this season

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1339.jpg)

the kiwis first summer was a slow start but one of the 2 females and the male pollinator have put up pretty decent primary vines with a little assistance from me cutting off secondary growth every couple of weeks.
Sample:
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1345.jpg)

Okra was terribly late starting (cool wet soil until mid june = no germination) but once it started it did well. A couple of weeks ago we decided we had enjoyed as much okra as we cared to and i decided I'd let the plants do what they wanted until frost. The just keep growing (10, 11 + feet now) and putting our more pods, which left alone get big enough to tip the stalk. The apple gourd vines came back to life and is making an attempt to jump the fence into the okra "grove".

(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m284/cohutt/Garden%202013/DSC_1347.jpg)

first frost is still likely a couple or three weeks out but could hit at any time really.