It's not just the freeze, it's also decreased hours and intensity of sun that are going to slow down those peppers. I've been trying to pick off new flower buds for a couple weeks on the peppers, and picked all peppers Sunday.

My peppers have been growing, until now... Should have picked
the blossoms, help the peppers along. But they are done now...
Were you able to salvage the little ones? or just compost them.
I freeze my peppers. I think I tried the smaller ones before, but
thought they weren't worth the effort...

I did cover the plants with a light tarp tonight before dark. I'll
see what they look like in a couple days... The clear Plastic tarp
would have been a lot better... gotta make do with what ya can...

The very small ones are thin too, there just isn't much to them. They wrinkle up fast.

I still have my pepper plants here in the garden also. Not dead yet!!

Today I am pulling the last of the tomato plants. It really has been the best year ever for tomato plants.

I was leafing through Pinetree Seed catalog. I might try one of the 'blue' tomatoes, Indigo Rose, Blueberries or Blue Beauty. Rita, have you heard anything about these?
edited- I found your notes in the database, RIta, thanks!

sallyg said:I was leafing through Pinetree Seed catalog. I might try one of the 'blue' tomatoes, Indigo Rose, Blueberries or Blue Beauty. Rita, have you heard anything about these?
edited- I found your notes in the database, RIta, thanks!

I have found that the Blue Tomatoes are a great conversation piece. Some taste okay, others not so great. If your looking for great taste then usually you can do better. But if you want to impress your neighbors then go for it.

Got a little excited, Garlic has popped up in the garden! First year growing Music Garlic. Now getting ready to start planting flats inside!

I'm thinking of solarizing part of the veggie garden this year, Has anyone tried this?

Welcome Carl! I've never grown garlic before, but have been getting very interested to try. Congrats on yours

I'm going to start my tomato seeds pretty soon. I want to do peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce this year too. I'm going to try the lettuce in gutters hanging on the wall.

Terri--
Gutter-growing???HMMMMMM....
I have sections of my rain gutters sitting in my Shop.
What would you attach them to- to grow lettuce in the gutters?
Are you talking REAL aluminum gutters?
I would NOT ever drill holes in my siding to hang them up.

Would you be talking about sections of gutters attached to--say--an "A" frame
made from pallates? I can see that!
BUT--Not sure I would have the patience to wait for lettuce to grow to harvest
when I can get it really cheap at Aldis or Wallmart. Love those 'cubes" of Salad-lettuces.
Gita

I think Mariposa was the one who first posted this photo for growing lettuce in gutters, and I've kept it in my "ideas" folder. I will try something similar this spring.

I feel that could be a challenge depending on light/heat. I'd guess, best for morning sun. Be prepared to spray with the hose daily. Looks really cool.

There's a lot of information and videos available online for growing in gutter sections or anything similar.

Eric4home said:I'm thinking of solarizing part of the veggie garden this year, Has anyone tried this?

It is easiest if you have framed beds. The frame lets you cover them in plastic sheet and sealit up around the base. Mounds work well too.

On flat ground gardens, you need to make a trench like for setting in edging and bury the edges of the sheet.

One thing I've never decided on. Is is best to cover the soil with black plastic (for heat) and then support clear plastic above, or if clear plastic itself works better. I can convince myself that each one works better, LOL!

aspenhill said:Welcome Carl! I've never grown garlic before, but have been getting very interested to try. Congrats on yours

I'm going to start my tomato seeds pretty soon. I want to do peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce this year too. I'm going to try the lettuce in gutters hanging on the wall.

Gutters hanging on the wall... Outstanding interesting idea! Now I know how I am going to grow my strawberries... And in fact, with opposing angles of drainage, the water will drain all through the system!

aspenhill said:I think Mariposa was the one who first posted this photo for growing lettuce in gutters, and I've kept it in my "ideas" folder. I will try something similar this spring.

Oh, I see the angled gutter idea is already here. LOL! Great minds think alike...

Thanks Yardenman, I thought black rubber roofing would work best too. But most of the edu/coops recommend the thinnest clear you can get away with.

Park Seeds have free shipping today (no minimum) with code FREESHIP. So I ordered summer squash seeds. I do like to grow my zucchini and summer squash each season so I needed more seeds.

Pepper Seeds planted this morning. I will have 12 Shishito, 12 Fushimi and 12 Slim Pim. All are Japanese Pepper seeds from Kitazawa Seeds.

I ordered a Romano pole bean to try this year, after everyone saying how good and productive they are. Since I ordered a heirloom I should be able to save seed. I don't believe I've ever seen these where I yarden shop.