Quarantine Vegetable Gardens

[LadyL]

I thought it might be - scrambled tofu for the win!
As for the storage of sweet potatoes, I’ve always thrown root veggies into the bottom drawer of the fridge - so should they be left out at room temperature?

everything I'm finding says yes to room temperature

The Best Place to Store Sweet Potatoes

 

[LadyL]

Today I learned! I knew about tomatoes, bananas and bread but have always kept ‘taters and onions in the fridge...
Thank you for the link.

and I always put tomatoes in the fridge lol

 

[PayrollNerd]

And the disclaimer for what should go in the fridge should say “unless you live in Florida.” LOL!

I do keep tomatoes, bananas and unripe pears on my windowsill. I have specific Tupperware containers for produce. They keep things fresh a lot longer. They are expensive but we waste a lot less food because they work so well.

 

[LadyL]

And the disclaimer for what should go in the fridge should say “unless you live in Florida.” LOL!

I do keep tomatoes, bananas and unripe pears on my windowsill. I have specific Tupperware containers for produce. They keep things fresh a lot longer. They are expensive but we waste a lot less food because they work so well.

are they just normal Tupperware containers?
I should do that since I'm always stressing about which produce to eat before it goes bad!

 

[PayrollNerd]

are they just normal Tupperware containers?
I should do that since I'm always stressing about which produce to eat before it goes bad!

Yes. Here is a link. Back when I was still working my friend had a party. This was 2-3 years ago. We both got them and love them. Every time I can’t find one, I get on to my kid, “where’s my produce dish?!” LOL!

FridgeSmart® 4-Pc. Set

 

[Gardener1850]

This is not a vegetable (LOL) but we harvested one of our cherry trees today and got a gallon ziploc bag full of cherries. The tree is small and it's the first year that we got to the cherries before the wildlife ate them all. There are still a ton on the tree we couldn't reach too, but this is enough for now. I'm going to make cherry pie filling.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

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[MimosaMornings]

I can’t remember if mirrors attract or discourage garden predators. In any event, your flip flops did a great job on the potatoes. I’m truly amazed, never having tried to raise potatoes. I had a few sweet potatoes go to pot, so to speak, so I’m going to pull them out of the fridge tomorrow and try to get them to grow. It sounds like you just cut up the potatoes into a few chunks, making sure there were eyes in each piece. Threw them into a pot, and as they greened up, you kept mounding soil around them. That’s it? Sounds too easy. Any other advice?
Oh, yes. Lol. The flip flops. There were a few pairs at CVS before the pandemic hit. By the time I went to get a pair, sold out. Really cute.
But I’ll be right back bc I’m going to check on mirrors and gardens. If needed as a deterrent, I had thoughts of several pieces of mirror, with a small drilled hole in each piece, strung together like a wind chime. Or a string of lights. One main line, with the pieces hanging down on separate threads across the entire length of the main string.

EDITED: Really, after doing some research, I remembered tin pie pans, strips of aluminum foil. Fake owl, plastic snakes, all seem like a waste of time and money. My favorite was the use of a disco ball.
But fool proof? The New Jersey gardener who’s husband put together a pen for guinea fowl. Chicken wire all around, including the ground. Pallets. And pots. It’s a major commitment but pays huge rewards, I bet.
We live two houses away from a nature area, so for us I’m thinking I’ll have to break down and build one. Or a series of little huts. Adding as the garden expands. The irrigation is in place bc of the lawn that used to be there, I’ll have to lengthen the sprinkler heads.

Guineas are LOUD. They make a racket, old school alarm system. JMO

 

[Midwestmom2019]

Yes. Here is a link. Back when I was still working my friend had a party. This was 2-3 years ago. We both got them and love them. Every time I can’t find one, I get on to my kid, “where’s my produce dish?!” LOL!

FridgeSmart® 4-Pc. Set

These are really nice bc they are clear. Older Tupperware, yes, yes, from the mid 70’s 80’s, still work like champs. Harvest gold, avocado green. Orange orange.
I don’t wash them in dishwasher bc I’m afraid the dry cycle will warp them. I’ve done that before. If you can remember to not dry, great that dishwasher safe. I really believe dishwashers keep colds and the flu away from my house. The detergent and high heat wash kills off anything related to sickness. I throw in sponges, cloth dish rags and things like that, every time I run a load. Sponges and cloths stay fresh and healthy.
If you can in glass jars, dishwasher does the trick. Jars, lids and rings all go in there before canning.

 

[CeeCeeCat]

These are really nice bc they are clear. Older Tupperware, yes, yes, from the mid 70’s 80’s, still work like champs. Harvest gold, avocado green. Orange orange.
I don’t wash them in dishwasher bc I’m afraid the dry cycle will warp them. I’ve done that before. If you can remember to not dry, great that dishwasher safe. I really believe dishwashers keep colds and the flu away from my house. The detergent and high heat wash kills off anything related to sickness. I throw in sponges, cloth dish rags and things like that, every time I run a load. Sponges and cloths stay fresh and healthy.
If you can in glass jars, dishwasher does the trick. Jars, lids and rings all go in there before canning.

Do you can? I really would like to can my tomatoes but when I googled it the word ‘botulism’ popped up, scaring me silly

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

DH and I went to Bordine's (nursery) yesterday for annuals and potting soil. The parking lot was packed, but many customers were outdoors where there are trees, shrubs, perennials, etc. Indoors it was crowded but most people wore masks (per Bordine's request) and kept their distance. I decided on pink dragon wing begonias for porch urn and wall planter, dark red geraniums for pots and urns on deck/patio. I usually plant vinca vine with the geraniums for a cascading effect but decided against it this year. Maybe the geraniums will do better without sharing their vessels with vinca We planted everything this morning, new plants have been fed and watered, quick cleanup, and put out our American flag for Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully, we will enjoy a beautiful Michigan summer, and my flowers will thrive. Red geraniums remind me of our annual trek to Mackinac Island where geraniums are prolific, particularly on the western side of the island.

Grand Hotel Mackinac Island - geraniums and clip-clops - The Traveling Gardener

I decided to heed the collective wisdom of the master gardeners here and won't be planting indoor herbs in jars. I didn't even venture into the "edible" section of the greenhouse. I will do what I've done for several years and buy a large basil plant at Nino Salvaggio's when they are available mid-summer, usually around July 4th (7-8" pots). They also have similar rosemary plants, but I don't use it as much as basil. I've been able to keep the basil growing for 2-3 months and use it frequently. I make pesto at least once a week, tomato basil pasta sauce, basil-infused olive oil, Caprese (Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella), sliced heirloom tomatoes with basil, etc.

I needed new floral shears and hoped to get them at Bordine's yesterday. I checked the brand name of the shears that I got at Bordine's about 20 years ago and hoped to get something similar. The brand was - drum roll - Corona! There were plenty of Corona pruning shears, loppers, etc. but no flower cutters, so I settled for a cheap pair that will do for now. There were several empty rungs on the Corona display, so they might have been sold out. I will check back later in the season.

I hope everyone here will have an enjoyable holiday weekend. It probably won't be a normal summer weekend for most of us, but I hope we can make the best of it. Be well.

 

[LadyL]

This is not a vegetable (LOL) but we harvested one of our cherry trees today and got a gallon ziploc bag full of cherries. The tree is small and it's the first year that we got to the cherries before the wildlife ate them all. There are still a ton on the tree we couldn't reach too, but this is enough for now. I'm going to make cherry pie filling.

yummmm!

 

[LadyL]

well I planted zucchini and carrots today in pots but I didn't buy enough soil so now I have to wait until tomorrow to finish planting
I literally only bought enough soil for two pots LOL

 

[155etta]

We got snow last night. Quite a bit. And it'll get below freezing again tonight. I'm glad I only had my onions and peas planted and up so far. I'm also grateful to have a greenhouse. It's bursting though and I need to get things outside. Next Saturday it's supposed to be nearly 90 degrees. Crazy 2020.

 

[mickey2942]

Finished with my garden using the "Grow Bags". Two 10 gallon bags, use 1 large bag of garden soil. I used the dolly to haul each dirt bag from the garage. I have 9 bags planted. (We had to save one bag for the cat, she thinks it is a great toy.).

This is a small garden, mostly planted herbs, tomatoes, squash, peppers. Will see how it goes this year. It is east facing garden. I also signed up for Community Supported Agriculture, starts Friday. Once a week.

 

[CeeCeeCat]

Well, this is strange. When I planted the strawberries, I used a new container and a new bag of compost. I’ve been intrigued by what I thought - having no prior strawberry experience - were differently shaped leaves growing off them. Closer inspection today revealed two big tomato plants. Where did they come from, I wonder? Not that I am complaining


Gratuitous photo of William, artfully disguising himself as a marigold in the hopes the frogs will make themselves known. That corner of the garden, I’m just letting nature do her thing there. All sorts of plants and flowers are popping up and it’s providing excellent cover for the local wildlife.

 

[Midwestmom2019]

Do you can? I really would like to can my tomatoes but when I googled it the word ‘botulism’ popped up, scaring me silly

Face the fear of botulism.
Can with a pressure canner. Easiest way. They have super pots and quick pots these days. Read the directions. Follow exactly. Best canned veggies you’ll ever have. And I canned 40 plus years ago with old fashioned canner. Middle son inherited the setup a couple years ago. Away he went!

 

[CeeCeeCat]

My peas have pods!
Harvested another bucketful of potatoes earlier this week. I am curious about something. I’ve planted several types of potato - Yukon Gold, Cornish Earlies, new potatoes - yet everything I dig up is the same, smallish new potato-sized. Not complaining, just wondering how that happens.
Anyway. Toodling around the garden a few days ago, I thought ‘ooh that branch is black’ followed by ‘gah! Aphids’. Many, many aphids. I am determined not to use chemicals or pesticides, so ran to a gardening forum for advice. Turns out my most favourite insect in the world, the ladybird, is the answer. So I have ladybird food, a ladybird house and 25 ladybirds being delivered next week. Hopefully they’ll make themselves at home. When I was a child, ladybirds were everywhere - now, I don’t remember the last time I saw one. I hope they’ll be happy in my little safe haven...

 

[Trident]

What a wonderful thread, sorry I didn't find it before. I managed to get most of my garden in yesterday with a bit more for today. Unfortunately, the temp went down to 35 last night after being in the 80s most of the week. I hope I haven't lost anything.

Lots of good stuff here peeps, good tips, new ideas. Thanks.

 

[Kavya01]

My peas have pods!
Harvested another bucketful of potatoes earlier this week. I am curious about something. I’ve planted several types of potato - Yukon Gold, Cornish Earlies, new potatoes - yet everything I dig up is the same, smallish new potato-sized. Not complaining, just wondering how that happens.
Anyway. Toodling around the garden a few days ago, I thought ‘ooh that branch is black’ followed by ‘gah! Aphids’. Many, many aphids. I am determined not to use chemicals or pesticides, so ran to a gardening forum for advice. Turns out my most favourite insect in the world, the ladybird, is the answer. So I have ladybird food, a ladybird house and 25 ladybirds being delivered next week. Hopefully they’ll make themselves at home. When I was a child, ladybirds were everywhere - now, I don’t remember the last time I saw one. I hope they’ll be happy in my little safe haven...

Find COLD PRESSED neem oil online and mix it with water according to directions, then spray on plants with aphids in the evening. Organic, natural, neem oil , and works like a charm, just make sure the neem oil is COLD pressed, like cold pressed olive oil.