Thursday, August 23, 2012

Something to look forward to!

    Things are definitely winding down in the community plot. I've pulled all but one of the tomato plants after harvesting all the remaining tomatoes. Now the raised garden looks so empty. I have some chinese broccoli and bok choy seedlings that I started some time ago. I'm not sure if I want to transplant them in the raised garden though...I'm finding that controlling bug/bird damage is more challenging in ground compared to my little container garden. But space...space is an issue. I'll just have to think about it some more.
      There some exciting new developments at my balcony container garden. First, I started one zucchini (Dark green zucchini/Raven) in a 5 gallon container. It is having some problems with aphids, but I have been treating it with some soapy water and it seems to be somewhat in control. Overall it is a healthy looking plant.
Green Raven Zucchini in a 5 gallon container
And look-see. A little baby zucchini!
Little baby zucchini!
In another 5 gallon container, the surviving champion bush cucumber is doing well. I have to thank Carol for sending me the seeds!
Champion bush cucumber in 5 gallon container
As you can see, it is suffering from powdery mildew. I've been spraying it with baking soda solution...and I plan to go buy some Neem oil. If there are other solutions please let me know.
Little baby cucumber #1
Little baby cucumber #2
Despite the powdery mildew, there are some tiny cucumbers starting to fruit. So cute. There a whole bunch of little flowers so I hope I will be harvesting many more in the future. Thanks Carol!

11 comments:

  1. What is that next to the Champion bush cucumber in 5 gallon container Collard Greens ? Broccoli ?

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    1. Yes, they are collards. I have 3 containers of collard. I'm hoping they will go to seed sometime. Also, I like to have greens around.

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  2. I have used Lime Sulphur for powdery mildew on cucumbers, zuccinis and pumpkins etc. Need to use it as a preventative, but also works well for me for a mild case. Allowed for in organic gardening. No with holding period, however I leave for a couple of days to allow the sulphur smell to go away.

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    1. Hm. I'll have to look into that next year. My neighbors are really close to me so I would like to avoid things that have strong smells. The cucumber succumbed to the powdery mildew...unfortunately.

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  3. Does homestead, brandywine, mortgage lifter & chocolate cherry tomatoes taste good?

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    1. Last year I grew homested. I didn't like it but I've heard that many people like it. My homestead plant was not so happy so that could have attributed to the not so exciting taste. I liked both the brandywine and mortgage lifter. I didn't prefer one over the other so probably I would go with the mortgage lifter next year because it produced more tomato. I've never grown chocolate cherry but I've tasted it from the farmer's market. It was quite good. So far, from my garden my favorite is cherokee purple.

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  4. You could eat the zucchini flowers stuffed wit mozzarella cheese and basil and battered them and deep fried them and eat them with marinana sauce or pesto delicious!

    Louise

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  5. Quite a nice selection in such a small space - thanks for sharing.

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