~Container Gardening~

I did some container gardening this year! I have 2 Brandywine Tomatoe plants , 1 Cucumber and 2 Tomitillo plants Growing. I also have a set of dresser drawers that are growing herbs, such as Cilantro,Spinach and Red Torpedo Onions. I also used the rest of that dresser and laid it on its backside and am growing  Radishes and Carrots. All has been going well! Although I have been a little frustrated with those Brandy Wine tomatoes. The plants are nice and green and full of foliage. Everyday I look to see if I have even 1 Tomatoe. Everyday like the last, ive been dissapointed. Until Today!!! Finally, one little gem of a Tomato!

I couldnt believe it, so I took a picture and decided I must blog about it! Ive Heard Heirlooms are difficult. Im sure it will be worth the wait! I cant wait to eat a BrandyWine! I just hope more Tomatoes are going to follow suit. What grows well in containers for you? Whats your favorite thing to grow in containers? Let me know.

Recycling is fun in a garden. You can get creative and skies the limit. Happy Gardening!

Fusarium Wilt!

I think My Tomatoes are sick! I am sadended. Good friends on Twitter tell me this is what it may be!

Fusarium wilt and Fusarium crown rot symptoms  begin as yellowing of older leaves. With Fusarium crown rot, the leaves often turn brown or black and eventually wilt. With Fusarium wilt, the yellow leaves turn downward and droop. Fusarium oxysporum, the cause of both diseases, is a common tomato fungus that lives in the plant's vascular system, which carries water from the roots to the leaves. To see if either of these diseases is present:

Check watering practices. Both over- and underwatering can mimic disease symptoms.

Check the roots. Discolored roots indicate root rot.

Cut the lower or main stem and look inside at the vascular tissue. Fusarium wilt causes a dark brown discoloration within the vascular tissue. Fusarium crown rot causes a rot or canker at the base of the stem and possibly a root rot.

Most tomato seeds or transplants are labeled with a code such as "VFN," "VFNA," "VFNT," etc. This indicates that the plants are resistant to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), southern root-knot nematode (N), early blight (A), or tobacco (tomato) mosaic virus (T). Verticillim wilt and root knot nematodes rarely cause a problem , but if you have had a Fusarium wilt problem in the past, it would be a good idea to choose a variety labeled 'F'. Do not plant tomatoes, potatoes or eggplant in the affected area for two or three years. No fungicides are labeled for control. and Fusarium crown rot symptoms  begin as yellowing of older leaves. With Fusarium crown rot, the leaves often turn brown or black and eventually wilt. With Fusarium wilt, the yellow leaves turn downward and droop. Fusarium oxysporum, the cause of both diseases, is a common tomato fungus that lives in the plant's vascular system, which carries water from the roots to the leaves. To see if either of these diseases is present:

Check watering practices. Both over- and underwatering can mimic disease symptoms.

Check the roots. Discolored roots indicate root rot.

Cut the lower or main stem and look inside at the vascular tissue. Fusarium wilt causes a dark brown discoloration within the vascular tissue. Fusarium crown rot causes a rot or canker at the base of the stem and possibly a root rot.

Most tomato seeds or transplants are labeled with a code such as "VFN," "VFNA," "VFNT," etc. This indicates that the plants are resistant to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), southern root-knot nematode (N), early blight (A), or tobacco (tomato) mosaic virus (T). Verticillim wilt and root knot nematodes rarely cause a problem in Colorado, but if you have had a Fusarium wilt problem in the past, it would be a good idea to choose a variety labeled 'F'. Do not plant tomatoes, potatoes or eggplant in the affected area for two or three years. No fungicides are labeled for control.

Tomatoes!

Finally! Tomatoes are hitting my kitchen daily! Which makes me so happy! We've been eating them off the vine! I have also been making many things with tomatoes. We have had them on sandwiches, made salsas, cooked them with squash and onion and so many other things! Theres just something about a fresh tomatoe! Im growing so many this year, more then I have ever grown before! Currently we are getting Early girl, Big boy, Sweet 100 cherry and My favorite Yellow Pear tomatoes! I have tons of Roma's, they are still green. Im still waiting on the tomitillos and the Brandywines. Next year I want to grow new types, any suggestions on your faves! I was hoping to can tomatoes this year, but they are not lasting long enough for that. By far the familys favorite Tomato recipe is the fresh Pico De Gallo. Which I am using 2 types of tomatoes. The Yellow Pear and the Early Girl! Happy Tomato Eating and Enjoy!

Green horned Worms!

OMG!!! So yesterday, I found the nastiest green horned worm ever! He is the biggest one ive ever seen. I almost missed him. I thought he was part of the tomatoe vine. But I got him and feed him to the chickens! My Big Fat Red Hen and My Rooster fought for it! The Fat Hen won. Shes was cackling up a storm! She was happy! Needless to say, I spent the next 2 hours on a Green Horned Worm hunt. That was the only one I found, so far. It is much harder to keep the critters out of an Organic Garden! Thank God for the Chickens, I love them so!