In A Pickle

Or at least, that's where these squash are headed.

How Big Must A Container Be?

Asking how big a container must be for a tomato plant to reach fruiting stage is a little like asking how many licks it takes to get to the chewy center of a well known lollipop. The answer seems to be, it depends.

In the case of this Black Vernissage tomato plant, the answer is seven inches across by seven inches deep. That one could be grown in such a small pot is quite a surprise since this variety is considered to be indeterminate in nature. I placed the pot in the bottom half of a plastic gallon jug I had cut in half. This made it possible for a ready supply of water to always be available.

It's always nice to have an unexpected success in the garden.

گوجه فرنگی

Although the tomato is native to the New World, it has become global in its reach and its many variations have often returned to its home to delight many a palate. One such variety is Banjan Rumi, which first made its return in 1937 from the nation of Afghanistan. The name of this delicious variety actually comes from Persian(Farsi). So there is every chance that Iranians had a hand in helping develop this variation along with Afghan tomato lovers. I was fortunate to be introduced to this variety this year by the generous seed keepers at wintersown.org. I can't thank them enough for this unexpected gift that came in exchange for some seeds I sent to them.

At a time when Americans have been encouraged to think otherwise, it's good to know that something wonderful can come from Iran and Afghanistan.

Berry Interesting

Every once in a while I like to let one or two of my large containers sit out a season. I think the rest does them some good. Of course, Mother Nature never lets anything truly rest, does she? Everything is always in flux and life is always trying to break through at some level. So I shouldn't be surprised to find something growing in one of my large containers that remained unused this year. 

But what was surprising is that a wonderberry plant sprouted and is now producing fruit. I grew Burbank wonderberries in that container about two years ago! I can't quite figure out why no wonderberry plants sprung up last year, but are appearing now. It's downright puzzling. But as mysteries go, this one is quite easy to live with.

Children Of Abundantia

Presented for your consideration(clockwise from top left) Rumi Banjan tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, straight neck summer squash, banana peppers and Black Vernissage tomatoes.

Container Cabbage

I love growing cabbage in containers, especially when it produces a nice, solid head as this variety does. And unlike lettuce, cabbage doesn't bolt at the first sign of high temperatures. I harvested my first container cabbage today to use in a dish called cabbage jambalaya. I still have four more remaining and visions of soup, cole slaw and sauerkraut are dancing in my head.

Flowers I Love To Hate

 I have a real love/hate relationship with these flowers. Don't get me wrong, they don't make me sneeze or anything. They are really nice to look at and the red ones attract humming birds. The problem is that their appearance means that summer is more than half over. And that's something I'd rather not think about just now. Especially since the fruits of my labor are starting to appear in abundance.

Mutant Squash: The Next Generation

Last year I planted seeds from a bush delicata squash that produced large, ovoid shaped winter squash that looked nothing like a bush delicata should. This year I planted some seeds from those oddly shaped squash and this has been one of the results. I really can't believe how little they resemble the shape of their squash parent. And I can't help wondering how they will taste.

Bargain Bin Bounty

I've been planting summer squash for over a decade now, but I've never seen plants that are as consistently robust and prolific as the ones I've grown this year from these seeds I purchased at the end of last season in one of those 10-packets-for-a-dollar sales. It just goes to show that you never know where your greatest bounty will come from.

Can I Nudge You Into Getting Your Green On?

If you've never tried gardening, you really should give it a go. It's hard to think unpleasant thoughts when you're watching things grow.

Here are a couple of links to help you get started:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wintersown/

https://www.facebook.com/willemvancotthem?fref=ts