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  1. OaklandCityFarmer

    cutting the bottoms off of tomato plants.

    It probably is the onset of a wilt, hard to say exactly without exhausting every last detail. :/ Although, it may be too much water, perhaps? However, most wilts can be somewhat controlled with a copper or sulfur spray. This will help keep the plant alive but will not get rid of the disease...
  2. OaklandCityFarmer

    Pumpkin Problem-No female flowers!

    Typically pumpkins (and other squash relatives) will produce a bunch of male flowers before they start to produce female flowers. Nature's way of attracting pollinators. Since you have already a female flower that started it may just be a fluke. I really wouldn't worry too much about it. How...
  3. OaklandCityFarmer

    cutting the bottoms off of tomato plants.

    Suckers are removed for mainly 2 reasons, size of fruit and to keep the plant in control. If you are concerned about the size of a plant and it outgrowing your cage or area that you have designated for it then you should remove suckers, both at the bottom and the crotch. This will keep the...
  4. OaklandCityFarmer

    Carrot buggers!

    Wireworms and carrot rust fly can do some nasty damage to root crops. Deep tilling in the fall and spring and even a spraying of Bt on the soil can help control them. Beneficial nematodes can also help when spray in the beginning of the growing season.
  5. OaklandCityFarmer

    Ants and corn

    I agree with bills that DE is an effective way to kill ants and a lot of other soft bodied insects. However, DE can kill pollinators and other beneficials and should be used with extreme caution. Even though something is approved for organic gardening it may still have negative impacts on local...
  6. OaklandCityFarmer

    What are "fall crops" ?

    I'm in zone 8b, although because of the amounts of blacktop, concrete and high rises it gets a bit warmer in the late season, and we really can't start fall crops until mid-October. Broccoli, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Radishes, Lettuces, Carrots (which should be started when the soil is still...
  7. OaklandCityFarmer

    Tomatoes - Tons of Blooms NO more tomatoes?

    Welcome to the Forum! I can understand your frustration and feeling overwhelmed but glad that you are keeping a positive attitude and being persistent. Folks are right when they say that temps are the biggest reason the plants are dropping flowers. Also, since they are planted in pots they...
  8. OaklandCityFarmer

    Life and Death of Zucchini

    I agree, it is time to pull it. They grow best in the summer heat and now that the summer is coming to a close in a lot of parts they should be replaced with something else. Good luck!
  9. OaklandCityFarmer

    Thread for Whining About The Weather

    Yesterday thunderstorms but very little rain. Today and most of next week normal weather. mid 70's in the day and low 50's at night. WE NEED RAIN! We are in a severe drought and the water district just keeps raising rates and cutting back usage. I've mulched more than I've ever mulched...
  10. OaklandCityFarmer

    pickling cuc ?

    I agree with bills on this issue. I think the biggest problem that you're having is lack of pollination, assuming they are very small. The window of opportunity is usually only 1 day. I really can't think of anything else that would cause this. You can take some male flowers and brush them...
  11. OaklandCityFarmer

    Pumpkin help

    For skim milk change the ratio to 1 part milk to 1 part water. Good luck!
  12. OaklandCityFarmer

    Myths

    My grandfather is half Yaqui Indian and has a lot of myths and legends. Some I remember. If you see an owl the night before you can't plant seeds the next day because the owl will tell the coyote which will come and steal your seeds. A caterpillar crawling up a tree in the morning means rain...
  13. OaklandCityFarmer

    Pumpkin help

    Just to add. I think that you pumpkins could benefit from a little warmth in the soil like others have suggested. You can help that out by mulching around the base, just not too close, to help increase soil temps. If squash vine borers have been a problem in the past then stay away from coarse...
  14. OaklandCityFarmer

    I love coleus.

    Me too! We did a nice planting on the side of the house in a shady spot and it came out beautiful this year. Very nice plantings!
  15. OaklandCityFarmer

    Tomatoe problems

    You could but they may not ripen correctly or you may lose flavor. If you have some that are starting to turn but are not developing blight than you should pick them and ripen them in a dark warm place preferably with other ripened tomatoes. A brown paper bag on a high shelf works well for this...
  16. OaklandCityFarmer

    Tomatoe problems

    If they are happening on the bottom then it's probably blossom end rot which can easily be fixed. Adequate and consistent watering is needed to avoid blossom end rot and calcium is also necessary. If you take a couple of eggshells and break them up and sprinkle them around each plant this should...
  17. OaklandCityFarmer

    squash borer

    I'm thinking that burying them wouldn't help too much especially since the larvae can overwinter in the soil. :/ I suggested on your other post that you may want to apply some Bt (if the Sevin) doesn't work. You can usually find this at the garden center under Foray or Dipel. It works great on...
  18. OaklandCityFarmer

    Clover in the garden

    I wouldn't be worried too much about it. It is usually easily managed in the garden (not so much for those who don't like it in their yard). A good tilling will usually get rid of most of it if it ever gets out of control. Remember though it can help with nitrogen it can also compete with your...
  19. OaklandCityFarmer

    Pumpkin leaves dying

    Bt could help if you can get it into the plants soon. Also for the plants that aren't infected yet you might be able to wrap the base of the plants in aluminum foil or kraft paper. Good luck!
  20. OaklandCityFarmer

    What's causing this with my Corn? 5 pics!

    It's good to see that your first crop turn out so well Jordan. Tell your grandma she knows her tomatoes! Pink Brandywine is one of my favorites!
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