WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD MAY 10, 2013

Free Republic | 5/10/2013 | greeneyes

[tdscpa]

I like squirrels, too. They don't bother my garden, but provide lots of entertainment. They, and the wasps used to bother me, until I cut my pear tree down, and used it to smoke lots of chickens and a few turkeys.

Now, I enjoy watching them frolic in my neighbor's trees, and run around my yard on top of my shadowbox cedar fence on their way from their nest in one neighbor's trees to another neighbor's pear tree. Also, it's fun to watch them try to avoid attacks from the King-birds and occasional blackbirds that love to harass them.

I like them, but I also like to watch them run from their attackers. Cheaper, and more entertaining than subscribing to a PPV boxing match.

[greeneyes]

Watching them jump around in the trees is entertaining, but when they pick a green tomatoe, take one bite and throw it down - that’s almost a capital offense, if you get my drift.LOL

[tillacum]

The apron was ok, but I think the knife case was a dead give a way. You’re so funny.
Our community garden is beginning to produce. and some stealthy critters have been caught with sticky fingers in the strawberry and squash area. Today I’m going to put some newspapers under the squash and watermelon plants and rig up a frame for the cucumbers to climb. Our Kandy Korn plants are about 2 feet tall and the black eyed peas are tall.
Our wonderful city manager has set up a nice covered area for our Farmers Market. Life is good.

[tdscpa]

I have never had tomatoes eaten by squirrels. In really dry years, I have had birds drilling them for fluids. Since I put a pan down to collect my air-conditioner condensate to make a perpetual bird waterer, I have not had a problem with the birds and tomatoes.

They still occasionally pull up my newly transplanted onions though. Have not figured out a way to stop that.

[greeneyes]

They will usually get our tomatoes when ripe. So as soon as they get some blush of pink, I bring them in along with part of the vine, and let them ripen indoors.

However last year they weren’t even waiting for that, just went after the green ones.

[tdscpa]

I don’t think you need to, and I don’t take any part of the vine when I pick a tomato to ripen inside. They ripen just fine separated from the vine.

They also don’t need to be in a sunny windowsill. They will ripen just fine on your kitchen counter, far from any sunlight.

[greeneyes]

Yes, you can just take those tomatoes and put them on any old shelf or table and they will ripen. You can also take the ones at the end of the season and wrap them in newspaper to ripen, and perhaps still have some tomatoes in November and December.

However, at the end of the season, I cut the vines, strip the bottoma leaves and stick them in a pot, bring them indoors and let them ripen. Some of these will actually form roots and produce new flowers and tomatoes during the winter.

[tdscpa]

I have a heated greenhouse and grow tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts during the winter. I don’t try to prolong summer garden growth. :)

[greeneyes]

Well, that’s great. I am too poor to have a greenhouse that would allow year round growth, so if I didn’t prolong what I have, I wouldn’t have great tasting tomatoes.

That’s what is great about gardening. So many different ways to get the same result-great tasting food.