Tomato – (hikebike)cookgardensew

July Garden Update

This post linked at: Simple Saturdays Blog Hop

The first tomatoes are in. Early.

The tomatoes have been in the cold frame for a few weeks now and are doing well. Yesterday I moved the rest of the cattle panel trellises into the garden and connected them with temporary zip ties to the t-posts. Today I will be using the metal connector wires to make sure they are solid.Continue reading “The first tomatoes are in. Early.”

Seedling Growth Update #2

The tomato seedlings were repotted almost two weeks ago and have been out in the cold frame since. They are growing steadily and heartily. Hopefully they will be hardened off and ready to go in the garden in a week or two once the weather levels out.

Seedling Growth Update

Chia (above) – I’m not sure what I’ll do with this. It was more of a last-minute idea to throw some chia seeds in the flat. A throwback to Chia Pets if you will. I think it needs a warmer climate than mine (Zone 5). I will see I guess! Kale – Growing quickly withContinue reading “Seedling Growth Update”

Tomatoes, Peppers and herb starts

The seeds are in the dirt! I took some time a week ago and cleaned out the seed starting trays and mixed together my mix (coco coir and worm castings). I used Apple Numbers to layout my trays and decide what to plant where. I planted the seeds, based on what I had leftover fromContinue reading “Tomatoes, Peppers and herb starts”

Seedlings (Gallery)

Seed Starting 2013

I started my first seeds of 2013 today. Since it is really early I just did tomatoes and peppers. There are nine starts each of eight varieties – four each of peppers and tomatoes. They are: Arkansas Traveler Tomatoes from Heirlooms Evermore Riesentraube Tomatoes from Baker Creek Amish Paste Tomatoes from Baker Creek Double RichContinue reading “Seed Starting 2013”

Canning Mishap

I am canning tomato sauce this afternoon and just had my first mishap. I loaded the last jar (a short pint jar) in and lowered the basket into the almost boiling water. Then “plumpf.” Said jar then did a backflip, losing it’s bottom and much of the contents in the process. Boo. So now whatContinue reading “Canning Mishap”

Canning Tomato Sauce using the Omega 8004/8006 Juicer

With the bounty of tomatoes from my garden and those of our families I have been looking into canning. I have already canned tomatoes in their own juice, but I realized that we go through quite a few cans of tomato sauce each month making pizza and spaghetti and a few other dishes. I decidedContinue reading “Canning Tomato Sauce using the Omega 8004/8006 Juicer”

Sunday Harvest

We spent this beautiful Sunday morning out in the garden. It began with an impromptu hornworm spotting that turned into a full on hornworm massacre. I think we killed at least 10. Yuck. They are so big and gross and are able to blend in so easily right in front of your eyes! Once weContinue reading “Sunday Harvest”