Trying Something New This Year... (post here)

[ducks4you]

Another thing I planted last year was Jerusalem Artichokes. I planted them in different areas out in the field behind my house, since I hear they are pretty invasive in the garden. I forgot to harvest them this fall

LOL

I planted some about 5 years ago and I have never harvested them.

They are next to the garage and they work so well at keeping the invasive weeds out of that area, I just let em go. It is nice to know, though, that I have some spare food in easy reach if I need it

Exactly!!!

DITTO!!!!

 

[digitS']

I think those who decide to try bok choy will be happy they did. I like the green-stemmed varieties .

I went back and deleted 1 variety of squash on that earlier post. The clincher was that I forgot that it was a variety of Kabocha and not a Hubbard. Gosh, if it doesn't mean more than that to me - better not bother with it.

A friend provided me with some seeds and I've sent off an order which amounts to part of the tomato line-up. New this year (and in addition to the Kimberley, Jaune Flamme, and Black Cherry, already noted): Market Miracle (Chudo Rynka), Buisson, Airdrie Classic, Orange Minsk, and Mr. Stripey.

That's 8 new varieties and there's no way that I'll follow my usual practice with 4 of each in the garden! I think I had 60 plants last year and this would be 32 shots-in-the-dark - more than half my tomato patch! Two each for some of these . . .

My tried-and-true varieties are waiting patiently for me to sow their seed. They are respected old friends .

I'll keep track of new veggie varieties ordered in 2010 on this thread. Since this was the 1st commitment, by way of a seed order, they may come in a little irregularly over the next few weeks. I hope that's okay.

Steve

 

[patandchickens]

WZ, I tried pineapple groundcherries last year and they were very good and easy and my 5 yr old LOVES them. However they wanted more heat and a longer season than we really have here, so I did not get an awful lot of crop. This year I will plant them all in big selfwatering containers on the (heat trap) front deck and hope to do better. In hotter climates they should do great. Sort of interesting shaped plants, very low and flat.<snip>

You are making me think they are related to cranberries more so then a cherry? Do you think?

No, they are tomatoes actually -- well, almost. Botanically, they are in the Solanum family, same as potatoes and eggplants and peppers too, but AFAIK ground cherries are most closely related to tomatoes and tomatillos.

The plants and flowers shwo the relation fairly clearly, and when you see the mature fruit in the dried calyx it looks just like an immature tomatillo. There is also a hint of tomatoey taste.

Try them! THey make good pies and preserves - I was bummed not to get enough to do that with, that's why I am getting serious about giving them Heat this summer

(e.t.a. - you do have to let them get DEAD ripe, totally golden-without-trace-of-green and falling off the plant (or already fallen!), to get proper flavor. Not all of them taste pineapple-y, that was just the particular variety I planted.)

Pat

 

[wifezilla]

Thanks for the tips! I am starting some now in my "grow room"

 

[Beekissed]

I am seriously getting into companion planting this year and expanding my use of green mulches.

Also building a much more sturdy perimeter fence for the garden, in an oval shape, so that I can plow a row around the entire perimeter and use the fence itself for trellising tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, etc.

I am also trying some new veggies for me such as chard, garlic, shoepeg corn for cornmeal purposes, and a large annual planting of everlasting type flowers for drying.

Going to use dormant oil on my apple trees before blooming.

And am finally going to get bees! :bee