What have you done today in the Garden?

It was time to plant toms out in the greenhouse. Before that, however; it was time to paint-up the glass house to protect my toms.


job done, then to wash out and dry the application cloths:


I noticed that the Swiss chard and beetroot were up.

 

Thank you Daniel.

Your squash varieties sound interesting! I'm growing Blue Hubbard, Golden Hubbard, Gold Nugget Buttercup ( my fave - a little productive bushy plant with multiple tasty 'one dinner' sized squash.), Tromboncino, Spaghetti, Mashed Potato, Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato and Baked Potato. And I think a Banana Squash for Angus' food. They are sweet and I can make many of his meals from one squash.

I changed up my Tomatoes this year, in part for my daughter. She and I are in love with the meaty ox heart shaped Amish Paste tomatoes. I primarily grew those this year, as well as a beef steak and a Big Beef Hybrid. I was a little late to the garden party this year so I went with the favourites and familiars. Next year I have a list of new varieties to try.

I am in the same boat with such an early warm spring. My frosty nights are very unpredictable and still heavy right now. So I know I should wait a few more weeks.....but.......

 

I like the winky face. The stripes are a good idea! Congratulations on getting your tomatoes in today!

 

Thanks Mel. Like a blacksmith, I had to strike while the iron was hit…so-to-speak.

 

"Strike while the iron is hot and sparks fly everywhere !!

 

Wow! Looking really good, Sjoerd! You are the tomato star (and strawberries, too).

Wow, Mel! That's a squash paradise!

I thought about pink banana but I'm using a smaller space now. Galeux d' Eysines makes a big one, not as big as pink banana though. I'm trying Canada Crookneck and Butternut Rugosa for the first time, because they are similar yo Butternut which does poorly in my garden. But with hotter seasons now? Who knows. Also giving Buttercup a second chance.

I like the Prolific Golden Straightneck for summer squash, and it's bushy.

 

More Rhubarb today

Tetters is making it into jam

 

Thanks Daniel, I'm very excited to get started!

Well I didn't get the seeds planted today. Some things came up and I didn't get to it. I did find a Mr Stripy tomato start. I usually save the seeds from year to year, but I must have thought I did but didn't.

I if it doesn't rain tomorrow I'll plant the seeds I had planned to plant today.

All the gardens and everything look so nice!!

 

Potting up and lots of pinching out at the moment!!!

Potted up the remaining Petunias this morning, detangled and potted up the Cleome...they could've gone out into the borders really but as we have a couple of nippy nights coming up I didn't want to shock them too much. Also potted up the last of the Snap Dragon cuttings too. Windy out but toasty warm in the greenhouse thankfully.

Plan on sowing some more salad this afternoon.

 

Just general "garden housekeeping" today. Pruned off more wisteria unwanted growth, the same for the quinces on the side fence. Tied up more clematis growth and put some stick supports in one or two rose tubs. No trace of aphids, lily beetle or much black spot. Just one rose. I removed a few leaves and gave it a spray.

It's a quiet day, but might get a bit noisier a bit later. Our crescent has been closed off, because round the other side, they are having a VE Day anniversary celebration street party.
I was invited, but I turned it down, as I'd already been to a VE Day street party.

That was an "original one," back in 1945. I was only five, but I do remember it outside my parents' home in South London. There was cake, lemonade and jelly and custard. That made an impression on me. As other than basic food stuffs, such "luxuries" were very short at the time.

 

That Canada Crookneck looks good! I'll check that out for next year. The neck reminds me of the really long Butternuts. That's why I'm trying the Tromboncino again.

I have a hard time with Butternut as well. I tried two varieties last year that are for shorter colder growing seasons with no luck. Hybrid Butternut Frisco and Waltham Butternut.

I'm mulling over trying Bush Delicata, but having never eaten one I'm not sure what to expect. Have you grown this one?

I only let my Banana squash give me two fruits and then I kept it pruned. I considered not growing it also, but the sheer volume it produces in one squash makes it worthwhile for me. Netty warned me last year about the real estate it requires. It I had let it go it would have taken over the whole patch with vines. Crazy prolific vines.

I'm trying the Saffron Yellow and Gold Rush summer squash this year. I'm new last year to yellow summer squash, but what I had last year was very tasty. Not as prolific as the regular Zucchini's? I'm not sure if that was just me. Your Golden Straightneck as Prolific in the name! Must be a winner!

 

I loved seeing your Wisteria photos.

A very memorable party for you DHR.

 

Cut down a very old lavender bush that was slowly dying and replaced it with a new one, planted another lavender somewhere else.
Hubby cut the front lawn and i asked him if he could not cut the daisies in it, so he left them.

Checked the jparkers website and i can order spring bulbs to come in the autumn, haven't worked out how many but it will be a lot.

 

I tried growing it but it was in an "afterthought" area and I admit I didn't give it great care. It didn't do well. Probably my fault.

I like the ones better than the green zucchinis. More flavor but still mild. Not as watery, I think. But each variety is different. I grew the Prolific before. It wasn't as prolific as the green zucchinis, so I didn't wind up feeling guilty about not using them all. Plus, green zucchinis are sneaky and hide under the leaves until they are bigger than a schoolbus. The yellow ones show up better.

I might have to try tromboncino next time. Still the Canada Crookneck has "Canada" in its name, so I hope it can hander cooler weather / shorter season.

 

I did some weeding as well as mowed and strimmed the grass paths.