Viewing comments posted by TBGDN

This is one of my very favorite tomatoes. We planted late this year because of frost and freezes. However the plants have thrived and produced delicious fruit in spite of adverse conditions including drought and heat. Makes an excellent sandwich alone, or mixed in salads.

This is my first time growing Super Star onions. I am surprised they have done so well in spite of very hot, dry weather this summer. Super Star is an Intermediate Day Onion which the map shows to be just south of my geographic area. But with extended sunlight in July and August the plants were likely well satisfied with enough daylight. They have performed well without adequate rainfall. The taste is pleasantly sweet and juicy; making it an excellent salad onion or sliced on a good beef burger!

I remember these beans from childhood when my parents grew them in the vegetable gardens. They were (and are) considered Wren's Egg Fall (Autumn) beans since they mature much later in the summer. I was able to track down a seed source at the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center in Kentucky last January 2019. http://www.heirlooms.org/store...
My goal was to preserve a small supply of these seeds because there are so few heirloom seed suppliers available these days. My long story is that I was able to raise a few of the beans solely for that purpose. Today I picked several mature pods for that reason and took some photos as well. I am grateful to the people who preserve and generate heirloom seeds like these.

The day has come for the "verdict" concerning the qualities of this melon. I can only speak for myself and for my actual growth and taste test from garden to table. Others may have differing views. First, I was hoping for something really outstanding in taste. After three months of care I have now the final results for this melon. On a positive note the plants are prolific in growth and bearing fruits. They are very easily grown. The taste and aroma are very bland with very little flavor. The texture of the fruit is also bland with the consistency of a pear.

I am disappointed overall. While they look good in appearance, they are not what I have read concerning sweetness and aromatic qualities. I am adding photos in the database for interested gardeners.To sum up my comments, the sugar content and flavor just aren't there with this cultivar. I would not recommend it.

I've been waiting patiently for a ripened Charentais melon and the day has finally arrived. As stated previously, I watch closely how the seed catalogs describe their melons. I pay attention to their use of words like sugar content, sweetness, aromatic, flavor and texture. The length of time to maturity is important too.Then I base my decisions on how accurately those words fit the actual fruit. In this case I must give them a letter grade of "A" for their descriptive accuracy.

I picked my first melon this morning based on the number of days to maturity (90). I observed the skin's color of a light golden greenish cream. Then there is the smell "test" of sweet aroma. So far so good, but I needed to taste test. Having washed the melon and dried it with paper towels, I sliced into sections where more aroma was hiding. The final test was over the top when I tasted the sweet, honey-like flavor and smooth texture from the sliced pieces. Slices and cubes are now chilling in the fridge for snacks tonight. Photos are being posted in the database for interested gardeners and others.

This was another test melon for me in 2019. I was impressed by the descriptions in the seed catalogs therefore I decided to try it. After three months of waiting the day has come for the plain truth (at least in my opinion). The small fruits are mildly fragrant, but not noticeably so. They are roughly 3 to 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Seeds fill the center cavity leaving very little fruit after peeling. The taste and flavor are very bland, and short on "sweetness". After reviewing the information in the seed catalogs I can easily disagree with their assessments as to taste, flavor and aroma. Also the texture is not smooth, but more like that of a pear! On a positive note they are attractive and look nice in decorative arrangements. However I would not waste my time and garden space with them in another year.

I enjoy trying new plants in the gardens. As a long time fan of cantaloupes I have tried three "new" cultivars this year. They are new to me since I had not known about them previously. Having researched them I decided to try (Cucumis melo 'Charentais') this year. It is an heirloom originating in France in the 1920's and is considered one of the best melons "ever developed" because of its high sugar content and because it is highly aromatic when ripe. (These qualities are reported by the seed companies.) My plants are at the sixty day growth point since planting; and are filled with immature fruits and blooms. Many fruits are now 6 to 7 inches in diameter with lots of new blooms setting on. From my observations this looks like a very promising addition to the gardens. (Photos are in the data base.)

I plan to post another comment as the fruits ripen. I also plan to post photos. One thing I cannot post is the taste and aroma; but I can describe them when the time comes. There is nothing better than a dish of chilled cantaloupe chunks (with or without vanilla ice cream). Stay tuned for an upcoming final report.

I have always enjoyed melons since childhood. And now in my senior years I find myself growing and testing varieties that are totally new to me. There just aren't enough "life times" to know and try everything in the garden. So I have limited myself to three new melons this year. This one, (Cucumis melo 'Tigger') is the third melon new to me in 2019. In my own words I am surprised at the rapid growth rate and the vigorous spread of the vines. I had to tear out a row of lettuce just to give them room to spread. Their blooms are prolific with many blooms on each plant. The small fruits are about the size of baseballs and soft balls at this point in time August 12, 2019.

My primary reasons for growing these were because of #1 the "sweetness" factor as proclaimed in the seed catalogs; and #2 the "fragrance" and "aroma" of the ripened fruits also noted in the ads as well. This garden test is designed to satisfy my own curiosity. Taste and fragrance will be my final decision. I hope to post another comment when they have fully ripened.

At this time of year leaves of this hickory are brilliant in shades of golden yellow. Although not suitable for landscape trees they are gorgeous in natural wooded settings among mature species of other trees. My only tree was damaged by age and storms and had to be removed a few years back. I decided against replacing it because of the massive volume of hickory nuts produced in autumn. In natural wooded areas they are great for encouraging wildlife.

Wilson's English Ivy is cold hardy in Zones 5a/b, but may still be damaged somewhat in harsh winters or in exposed locations. I bought this cultivar in a "10-pack" with the express purpose of introducing it to climb on large mature oak trees. It has, after many years, done that real well, and has covered the trunks of two large trees up to a height of 20-25 feet. It has also withstood winter temperatures down to -20F with bone-chilling winds with no major damage. It can spread out at the base of trees and grow into grass. However, a shovel can be used to keep lateral growth in check around the tree base. Foliage is attractive year round, but is a fresh dark green in summer months.

I originally posted these comments at Dave's Garden back on March 11, 2006 when Dave & Trish were still at the helm over there. While taking some pictures this morning I realized there was no entry for me at NGA. Therefore I went out and took a few close up photos of the leaves and vines. I will post them here on October 11, 2017; 11 years after my original post at DG.

Today marks the date for picking my first ripe Pride of Wisconsin cantaloupe (September 26, 2017). I had planted these late because of cold, wet, frosty weather in April & May. I knew then that I was taking a chance for enjoying any home grown melons. However, I am happy to report that my first one was picked yesterday (Tuesday) and I am happy with the results. The flesh is a golden deep orange color; and is surprisingly juicy and sweet. Also I am posting pictures in the database for it. I am saving seeds for next year too.

This cultivar was introduced in 1923 by the St. Louis Seed Company; and seeds were sold in the 1940s and 1950s by Burpee and others. It is considered an heirloom variety well worth growing. I am sold on the easy growth and development, as well as the delicious taste and sweetness. I believe it requires 85+ days to maturity which seems about right for mine which were planted late in mid-June.

This is my first year growing 'Pride of Wisconsin' cantaloupes. With such a cold wet, spring my seeds were planted late. My hopes for any fruits were minimal due to late planting and abnormally cold, wet and frosty spring weather. At this point (August 30, 2017) I have several young fruits in the 1 to 2 pound range developing. I am hoping for good September weather to finish their ripening.

This is my first year growing Red River onion plants. I ordered them from Texas in April, and was unable to plant them until the first week in May because of cold, wet, rainy weather. Soil was too wet for tilling, therefore the delay. Normally my onions are in the soil by the second week in April if not sooner.

Even with bad weather all of my onion plants seemed no worse for delayed planting, and many grew into larger than average size bulbs. This hybrid variety is said to keep in storage from 3 to 5 months when properly stored. "Properly Stored" are the key words; meaning well cured, dried & ventilated in non-freezing conditions. A good root cellar is most helpful for storing ("remember well-ventilated").

This comment is from my own words, and is not intended as advice to others.

This year was good locally for onion crops. Copra is the mainstay in my onion patch, being an all-around good onion for cooking, soups, stews & grilling. What's more, it keeps through the winter when cured and stored properly. I've kept them successfully over winter through March into April. This year produced large, firm onions, with the largest weighing 1 pound 2.8 ounces. I might add they add a nice zingy flavor to grilled burgers.

I got these plants on sale at the local farm store in late spring. The cost was something like .50¢ for four plants! That was a smart investment for .50¢ since these three tomatoes in my photo would easily sell for $1.50 at the market! It is a first time growing these moderate size fruits for me, but I wouldn't hesitate planting them next year! The semi-pink flesh is very appetizing and dresses up any salad.

This is my first year raising Homestead tomatoes. I found the plants on sale in late spring at very low cost; something like 4 plants for $1.00. They have more than repaid me with their large firm fruits and delicious taste. A dollar well spent!

I am not a "specialist" in any one genus of plants. However, with my limited knowledge of Hemerocallis I find they form an important anchor in many perennial gardens. One of the very best for me is Janice Brown. It is a good looking daylily, easily transforming any drab corner of the garden. And it requires minimal care as long as the drainage and soil are fairly good. She withstands some of the worst possible weather conditions, ranging from bitterly oppressive winters to suffocating, humid, scorching summers. I highly recommend this cultivar for difficult climates similar to mine.

I had grown Pink Girl in the past and found the fruits to be attractive in their subtle pink skin color. They are average in size for me, usually 4 inches in diameter and weighing up to 10 to 11 ounces: Just right for salads or eating right off the vine! This year I bought two plants at a local nursery and added them to my tomato patch. They have done well in spite of adverse weather including nearly continuous rainfall in June and July. They make a good snack any time, especially chilled.

I ran across this plant at a local Amish garden center in late spring. It was the only one left on the shelf, and the label 'Sweet Heat' caught my eye. Being curious, I brought it home and planted it in the row with other bell peppers. I watched it grow, and it seemed to stop growing at about 14" tall and about the same spread. There were lots of buds and blooms. I picked the first peppers on July 26th, and they are the ones I posted pictures of today, August 3, 2015. They are very colorful, but the taste is what I had waited for! I expected them to be hot, but I was pleasantly surprised with a mild, tangy flavor, suitable for salads or for eating raw. I liked them so much that I ate the one pictured above. They are crispy, juicy, and delicious! The size of the fruits is about 4+ inches in length. I am glad I found this last plant at the garden center. I had noticed that Burpee Seed Company had the seeds available in early summer.

This is my first year growing this F1 hybrid. It is similar in size and shape to the hybrid 'Roma'. It is also a deep red in skin color with reportedly (from several sources and the plant label itself) twice as much lycopene than other cultivars. Lycopene is said to be a powerful antioxidant, supporting healthy immune function of the body.