Spring/Summer Gardens

L

luisa_calif

Well-known member
84 here today and the tomatoes are In the ground. Bought a packet of whole cilantro in the Mexican section of the market and had more than filled my spice jar so I planted a few. Can’t hurt, right? Harvesting boatloads of Italian arugula right now. Yum! Last year it lasted until late summer. I never had to buy lettuce all season. Except when we had guests ‘cause not everyone likes a salad of Just Arugula. Wusses !

 
Hi Lisa, which part of CA are you in?

I have not looked at the long term weather to make sure the nights are going to be warm enough. Sometimes I plant to early here in the upper Sacramento Valley and I get stunted plants for a few weeks. Our frost date here is April 15th. I have one San Marzano tomato plant so far, that is still in the pot, but outside on the patio and doing well. I need to get it into the garden beds. Want to pick up my other tomato plants this weekend.

 
In Vacaville, and you? My DH likes to get an Early Start.

He built himself a hot box and starts lots of seed in there. But this year he planted the tiny tomato plants in the ground too early and they got chomped. So we got starts at the store to replace the ones that didn't recover. Last year we planted the wrong kind for canning. They were tiny Romas (1.25 in) and it took peeling 32 for One Friggin' Pint. So I made gazpacho out of the rest and gave lots away. I am Totally out of canned tomatoes so I am desparate for more.

 
IN Redding Luisa...weather is so unpredictable because of mountains on three sides of us

Never know when the temperature might drop suddenly. You should be ok in the Vacaville area.

 
Planted my tomatoes last week

(seedlings) and they seem to be doing well. Also planted green beans, cucumbers, several types of Italian squash, 3 types of kale, spinach, beets, carrots, basil and parsley. Dug up my old herbs too and replaced them with new ones: sage, thyme, oregano, tarragon, marjoram, etc. Looking forward to the harvest. smileys/smile.gif

Oh, and I'm in Pleasant Hill....about 45 minutes from you Luisa, if you still live in Vacaville.

 
Yep, I do still live in Vacaville.

We are down-sizing our vegetable garden this year due to water-issues. Pretty much just tomatoes. Garlic was our over-winter crop and will come out in June.

 
Now all you ladies have made me want to get my tomato plants in

quickly. I have lots of herbs that are doing well. I am picking Swiss Chard, Red Russian Kale, lettuces, radish, arugula, cilantro and parsley (both are starting to bolt) and I also have two Brussels Sprout plants but they are slow getting started and not sure if they will take the heat. Tried them once before and I had millions of aphids....threw them out.

 
21* here right now. but, it's crystal clear and beautiful. new herbs coming up in the Aerogarden

tomato seeds started indoors. end of May for outside.

 
Does anyone grow garlic chives? I have a nice patch of them

love the odor when I am cutting the flat leaves. What are your favorite uses?

 
Yes, I have them but I'm not a fan. One of my neighbors loves them

though so I keep them for her. Hey, she's 93 and if it makes her happy why not? I really wish she would think about not driving though....

 
uses and a warning

Uses: pretty much any place you would use garlic and parsley; especially good in fried rice, scrambled eggs, potato salad, and meatloaf

Warning: they are invasive! The flowers are pretty and last a long time but be sure to remove them before the seeds are mature. They can be very difficult to remove once they are established.

 
I too gave up on growing artichokes -- wayyyy too many aphids. Apparently why

artichokes are such a crop heavily sprayed with pesticides. smileys/frown.gif

 
Tomatoes are perfect to grow in drought times (dry farming anyone?). Voluntary rationing

has been requested by our water company....they asked for a 15% reduction. So we're saving water as much as we can. The tomatoes will be very happy with not much water smileys/smile.gif

Good luck with your garden, Luisa.

 
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