Low Carb Garden 2006!

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

In brief, let it suffice to say homegrown is best!!!!

I believe you!

[Sashie]

Garden question

My son decided to pick some of my garden tomatoes before they turned red. They are green and quiet firm ACE tomatoes I think. My question is, do I throw them away? Can I eat them? Throw them in a paper bag will they ripen? LOL I'm totally lost here.
My other question involves Zucchini Squash. I have it growing out of a planter box, everything I have planted so far is growing veggies but this squash. I read in a book that some squash needs to be pollinated, but I'm not sure if it applies to this veggie or not? I don't see any flowers that look different. Like a male/female they all look the same to me. Will it eventually bloom on its own or is this a lost cause?

[sadie147]

Re: Garden question

I'm by no means a gardener, but i can tell you I can grow zucchini like crazy, and if i can anyone can! How long ago did you plant it and how big is the plant? Mine was a fair sized vine before it had any veggies. I did nothin special except water them. Are you growing them in a backyard? you mentioned they are in a planter box (not sure how well they do in containers). normally bees would pollinate them, if you are in an apt or a sheltered area and the bees can't get to them, that may be why? then you would have to pollinate them, but i have no idea how you do that.

Just some random thoughts from a useless gardener (but a good zucchini grower LOL)

My son decided to pick some of my garden tomatoes before they turned red. They are green and quiet firm ACE tomatoes I think. My question is, do I throw them away? Can I eat them? Throw them in a paper bag will they ripen? LOL I'm totally lost here.
My other question involves Zucchini Squash. I have it growing out of a planter box, everything I have planted so far is growing veggies but this squash. I read in a book that some squash needs to be pollinated, but I'm not sure if it applies to this veggie or not? I don't see any flowers that look different. Like a male/female they all look the same to me. Will it eventually bloom on its own or is this a lost cause?

[2big4mysize]

Re: Garden question

your tomatoes can be eatten as green ones cooked as a veggie or allowed to ripe but it will not get as sweet as it would have if it was vine ripened.

[Sashie]

Re: Garden question

I live on a military base so we aren't allowed to plant things in the ground. This base is abit different then the normal ones as we cant even plant flowers. I have everything in planter boxes, I planted them around Easter time, they are getting pretty big, but not HUGE like I think they would in the ground. I fertilize them along with my other plants. I haven't seen any bees around here as of late, we had some problems with a wasp nest so I had the guy come out and spray like 4 months ago. I'm allergic, however It has rained alot and such and it was awhile ago. I have a book that shows me how to "mate" them by touching the stems of the plant, one being a female and other being male but I don't see different flowers or stems inside them. I'm thinking I might have to buy bigger planters, they are kind of out growing what I have them in and are getting abit crowded.

Nice to know about the tomatoes, thanks! I'm hoping my plants don't get TOO big, or I'm going to be hauling them up to my in laws for some in ground loving I think next time ill look for something dwarven to grow.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Garden question

look for patio tomatoes or bush tomatoes even squash comes in bush style now.

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

Merged threads.

[boonie stomper]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

The squash usually do better given lotsa room. In a pot, you may get better results putting it next to a fence or something else to climb on, and give it extra food, water & sun. Pollination can be accomplished with a Q-tip - get pollen on it from one blossom then touch middle of another, get pollen from that one & touch middle of the 1st one, & then others the day they open. You can reuse the same Q-tip daily. Be sure the blossoms have just opened or they may fall off anyway. If so, you can eat them.

The green tomatoes - if they're close to full-size, put in a sunny window upside down till they ripen; stew the others.

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

Speaking of green tomatoes....About 7 years ago, our local newspaper had a recipe for a green tomato cobbler. It wasn't a sweet green tomato thing, like most of them are, but it was a savoury dish made with onions, garlic, herbs and the tomatoes. I've looked for a comparable recipe but can't find one...anywhere. I guess I'll have to do some experimenting this year.

[Heidi3]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

my garden is bursting my cherry tree has cherries ...my Asian pear has Asian pears...my figs are still attached ...rhubarb is not even slowing down ...strawberries are amazing ..and all my herbs are in full bloom and there are monarch butterflies enjoying the blooms...

unfortunatly the weeds are horrible on in the gardens that have not filled in and I have not had a moment to take care of them ...the grass has overgrown and everything needs weedeating

I am not going to do any container tomatoes, basil or peppers this year and have decided that this is not the place to grow them ..it is cheaper and more satisfying to just go pick them out at the farmers market! I have wasted so many years trying to get them to grow here and I give up!!!...I can grow most anything but them so why complain or fuss it is not worth it...maybe when I get back from the wedding I will try to find some epazote to plant again ..my plant did so well last year but did not make it through the winter...my passion fruit did however and should be blooming soon...my grapes have completely outgown the arbor that I thought would be the right size ...oh well they will have to sprawl and find a way because I did what I could ...

the berry plants all look good but have no berries and since I have moved them about 1000 times I am not suprised...maybe next year..I figure they are bird food anyway ...that is it for me

[boonie stomper]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

Wow Heidi! Your garden sounds fantastic! Could you post any pictures? What does epazote look like? In fact what is it?

[Heidi3]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

well it is messy and beautiful imho I have everything planted in with each other ..herbs veggies fruits and flowers I like to call it an "English garden" when I get back from Providence I will post some so you can see I wish everyone would actually!!!!

here is a link that tells about epazote ..it is a very unique herb and I love it in Mexican food http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/epazote.htm

[boonie stomper]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

well it is messy and beautiful imho I have everything planted in with each other ..herbs veggies fruits and flowers I like to call it an "English garden" when I get back from Providence I will post some so you can see I wish everyone would actually!!!!

here is a link that tells about epazote ..it is a very unique herb and I love it in Mexican food http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/epazote.htm

That's fantastic! I think those are the most attractive gardens, everthing growing in harmony, flowers to attract more pollinators and add color while all the veggies are just green; and heck, sometimes you can even enjoy the weeds.

I've got "English" too, but mostly herbs & weeds with scattered alliums, a lacecap hydrangea and tree stump in the center, and horseradish. Moved maters to front yard this year, as there is sunnier.

That epazote looks like good stuff to have. Does it really stop terrance & phillip from beans?

[Heidi3]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

LOL T and P!!!!! who knows I never had that issue

you post pics your garden sounds like mine ...I have the concrete conduits or whatever I want to make edging out of with bamboo in them ...to make a screen ..then I can put this clawfoot tub I have in the garden with hot and cold running water and bath right there in the midst of the butterflies ...my husband said he can plumb it I have a beautiful view... ok so it is not a hot tub with jets and crapp I think it will be most serene

[boonie stomper]

Re: Low Carb Garden 2006!

OMG, a claw foot tub in the garden?!! Pretty nifty, but watch out for those satellite cameras overhead