It was another busy week here at “Greg’s Garden Party”. My spirits have been lifted by the site of the season’s first asparagus shoots (see photo above). Mache season is almost at an end. Fortunately, we have Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce almost ready to pick. This variety prefers growing in the cool temperatures of early Spring so we start every
season with this old favorite
Ultra Early “Glacier” Tomato
Earlier this week I transplanted my “Glacier” tomatoes to six inch
pots. One very important tip that I’ve learned over the years is
to make sure that your tomato plants don’t ever get root bound, as
this will stunt their growth leading to lower production.
I picked up this valuable information from a booklet entitled
“Grow the Best Tomatoes” by John Page from Storey Publishing.
It’s only thirty one pages, but packed with great advice.
Last year, I ate my first Glacier tomato on June 8. Considering that I
garden in zone 6A, that is phenomenal. These tomatoes are a great way
to extend your tomato season and they taste pretty good for an early
season variety; for sure, better than store bought tomatoes.
Starting Hot Season Vine Crops
This week, I started nine different varieties of vine crops in 2″ soil
blocks. Here is the list:
GOLDEN GLORYyellow zucchini – We love the texture,color, foliage and productivity
SPACEMASTER cucumber- compact plant, nice production
RUSSIAN BROWN cucumber – I love the crunchy texture, my personal favorite
BARESE cucumber – This was a freebie from Totally Tomatoes – can be picked like
a traditional cucumber or allowed to grow as a melon – interesting!
SWEET GRANITE cantelope
AMY melon – lovely yellow exterior with sweet white flesh
METRO butternut squash – love this variety, quite prolific (14 squash per plant)
SUNSHINE kabocha squash – lovely orange/red color
CHARISMA pumpkin – nice Jack o’Lantern sized pumpkin
I started four seeds of each except for the pumpkin (5). By starting the seeds in the sun shed I will gain at least a couple of weeks on starting seeds out doors. This is the perfect use of 2″ soil blocks. When large enough, the plants will go out to the garden with minimal transplant shock; the best reason to use soil blocks in the first place.
I would love to hear from you about what you are growing in your
garden this year.
All the best,
Greg Garnache
A GREG’S GARDEN PARTY BREAKFAST.
