Peas and tomatoes

I am still picking peas - and the weather is still saying brrrr. Picked the broccoli head and am waiting on the shoots.

I had space where I planted my spring onions = only two survived - so I put in some basil and cilantro with them in that square. Two herbs that are so good fresh.

My one tomato I grew from seed is about 5 inches high and getting shaded from the peas and cabbage (which is taking forever to head up). Someone out there must be farther along with your tomatoes. I saw some really big ones at Armstrong and I am tempted to get some.

Speaking of Armstrong - they have worm castings (inside the store) and some pretty good looking composts (outside the store) available if anyone is looking.

I do not have any other summer things out. It seems like it takes longer to empty a square than I would have guessed. Still cannot make myself pull out a a square of lettuce or spinach when they are still producing.

So who here has a better start on summer? How tall are your tomatoes?

All of my peas froze or ? with the last cold snap in Corona. Tomatoes I bought are big and great looking. The ones from seeds are struggling. We need a good long hot snap for things to get going. My brocolli is there but not really giving a lot. The radishes are growing slowly as well as the onions. I may go to some type of a cover next year to keep it warmer for the young plants. The ground is not getting warm for the seeds to germinate. Surprising, sweet water melons are coming along well. The potatoes in the tube are growing (hopfully-lots of leaves on the part above the ground).

Just planted sweet peas again as well as lettuce. Now I have fence the areas because of the Bassett hound and the rabbits. Never ends. Even have to fence the minature Peach trees in tall containers as the Bassett likes Peaches.

It will all get better as thing warm up. Enjoy the time outdoors.
Bruce

My main tomato just broke the surface this week, so it's about an inch tall. It's inspiring!

My bush peas were knocked over in the rain yesterday. They'll come back up, though. No fruit yet.

My broccoli went to flower. I cut it the head off, got side shoots, and they are in flower. Everyone else's broccoli has a nice head. {Sigh}

My cabbage has a nice medium head, my cauliflower hasn't done a thing but get leggier. Same with the Brussels sprouts. But those things aren't summer veggies.

Bell peppers are as big as the tomatos. Lettuces, arrugula and spinach all need haircuts. Asparagus ferns are about 1.5' tall.

First planted celery is about 9" tall. That's exciting!

Strawberries are coming along. Picking several each visit. Many white ones on display.

Pole beans and bush beans are 4" or just breaking through. Squash is 4". Round one of carrots are 3" tall. Radishes were not ready on schedule. I inherited young beets and they are responding well to the transplant. So is the fennel. Today I planted 7" tall basil I got at Trader Joe's for $3; 6" box had 5 plants in it! Such a deal!

Still watching many seeds for germination. Except for succession planting every box is planted.

Chopper, are you too anxious for summer? Spring just started!

Ava

My biggest toms are probably about 8 inches & looking good. I have several extra cherry types if anyones wants some. Have to check which ones they are tomorrow as they have been outside hardening off for a while.

My cucs that I transplanted in the garden have died. I just bought a soil testing kit to check that bed as most plants in it are not doing as well as my other 3 beds.

Bell peppers look fine but are growing very slowly. Onions are taking off. Potatoes are doing well. Pole beans (the last of a package from last year) did not germinate well and someting is munching of the few that came up. I think earwigs as they have been eating holes in my romaine lettuce that is almost done(have been harvesting from it for maybe 2 mos).

I also have chard, kale, several lettuces, carrots and garlic growing. Also some corn, delicata squash and have tiny watermelon seedlings started. And a gypsy pepper I just bought at Lowes is out hardening off.

I plan on planting carrots and a few otherthings tomorrow.

AvaDGardner wrote:
Chopper, are you too anxious for summer? Spring just started!

Ava

Haha. Well, here in the Inland Vallley the temp can change hard and for good to the hot side - and that is actually more likely. So I want to be prepared. I am eyeing a square of well picked lettuce and thinking of putting something in there that is a summer crop.

The basil and cilantro I just put in took a real liking to the space and seem happy.

I picked the broccoli head and see shoots now. Not enough to eat, but not bolting.

Trying to be patient and let things grow in their own time. The hardest lesson this gardener has ever had to learn. Love hearing everyone's report. Gets me excited (cheap thrills, as they say)

What does 'well picked lettuce' look like?

Does it have a long neck?

AvaDGardner wrote:What does 'well picked lettuce' look like?

Does it have a long neck?

I think it makes pretty music.

Deb...had you had your coffee yet? You've lost me!

Picked...like a string instrument?

I have two cherry tomatoes. One's getting big and healthy with quite a few leaves. The other is slowly coming along behind it. With the major heat, we've put them where they could get morning light and shade in the afternoon. They get plenty of water in the morning. Maybe the egg shells and coffee grounds being added to them is helping. =d