Post by DebTheFarmer on Jul 28, 2014 1:31:22 GMT -5
In an effort to really start doing more landrace breeding and up my seed-saving game, I'm trying to post more (and read more) on here 
Last year I had some successes with watermelons and artichokes. This year my melons are pathetic little things that I don't think will make anything.
Artichokes are doing ok. Earlier buds than last year. Some of the purple varieties have really strange buds and I don't think I'll be planting them again.
July 16
They don't overwinter here. I have to start from seed in February and plant out at the end of April to vernalize.
3 types of sprouting broccoli are growing - Early White, Early Purple and Calabrese. So far only the Calabrese has produced anything, and it's only the central head on a couple of plants. There's probably close to 100 plants total (all 3 types). I'm hoping they start producing soon… They were all started early and transplanted out at the end of May. Big plant! No shoots...
For the third year in a row I'm attempting to grow chickpeas.
Year 1 I planted them the same time as regular string beans. Big bushes, pods full of air.
Year 2 had big bushes and no pods.
This year I have tiny bushes and PEAS! Growing Black Kabuli and Winnifred's Garbanzo this year.
July 26
My chefs want them but I think I'll be saving the bulk of the harvest as seed for next year.
This is my first year growing lentils. My aunt has grown them for a couple years now, a common large red. I have Black Beluga, Le Puy Green, Crimson Red (small red).
They seem to be filling out nicely. The Crimson Red seems to be the earliest.
(July 21)
Peas have been producing nicely this year. These are Calverts, a French heirloom.
Some can get pretty big! (July 18)
A mess of coloured snow peas (July 18)
Would love to add red pods to these if anyone has seed they're willing to share!
Next year I want to try crossing a purple/blue pod with a sugar snap. The blue pods only seem to be good as a really flat snow pea or a soup pea. Would like a strain with a more edible pod, like the yellow ones.
This is my second year at attempting to grow sweet potatoes. Last year they were in the field with a clear plastic ground cover. Wind kept ripping it up no mater how well it was buried and weighed down. They got ignored the rest of the season and still made tiny little "rats tails". So, I HAD to try again this year.
Put them in a raised bed this time. No plastic but the sides are high enough I can put a clear sheet over the box as a mini-greenhouse if there's a cool spell of weather. Expecting 27-31C here for the next week. Plastic won't be needed.
Checked under one of the bushes mid July…
SUCCESS! (so far)
Crimson Flowered Broad(fava) Bean. Growing to pick as edible flowers. Saved the bottom blossoms to go to seed. Seed is either green or brown (can't remember).
June 29
My little gardener was helping me put out tunnels this spring - May 23
Latest garden toy!
Found this cutie on the side of the house a couple weeks ago
Quail (for eggs mostly) hanging out in the clover
The following photos were taken one after the other, looking in different directions. June 25
Country living has it's perks.
Last year I had some successes with watermelons and artichokes. This year my melons are pathetic little things that I don't think will make anything.
Artichokes are doing ok. Earlier buds than last year. Some of the purple varieties have really strange buds and I don't think I'll be planting them again.
July 16They don't overwinter here. I have to start from seed in February and plant out at the end of April to vernalize.
3 types of sprouting broccoli are growing - Early White, Early Purple and Calabrese. So far only the Calabrese has produced anything, and it's only the central head on a couple of plants. There's probably close to 100 plants total (all 3 types). I'm hoping they start producing soon… They were all started early and transplanted out at the end of May. Big plant! No shoots...
For the third year in a row I'm attempting to grow chickpeas.
Year 1 I planted them the same time as regular string beans. Big bushes, pods full of air.
Year 2 had big bushes and no pods.
This year I have tiny bushes and PEAS! Growing Black Kabuli and Winnifred's Garbanzo this year.
July 26My chefs want them but I think I'll be saving the bulk of the harvest as seed for next year.
This is my first year growing lentils. My aunt has grown them for a couple years now, a common large red. I have Black Beluga, Le Puy Green, Crimson Red (small red).
They seem to be filling out nicely. The Crimson Red seems to be the earliest.
(July 21)Peas have been producing nicely this year. These are Calverts, a French heirloom.
Some can get pretty big! (July 18)
A mess of coloured snow peas (July 18)
Would love to add red pods to these if anyone has seed they're willing to share!
Next year I want to try crossing a purple/blue pod with a sugar snap. The blue pods only seem to be good as a really flat snow pea or a soup pea. Would like a strain with a more edible pod, like the yellow ones.
This is my second year at attempting to grow sweet potatoes. Last year they were in the field with a clear plastic ground cover. Wind kept ripping it up no mater how well it was buried and weighed down. They got ignored the rest of the season and still made tiny little "rats tails". So, I HAD to try again this year.
Put them in a raised bed this time. No plastic but the sides are high enough I can put a clear sheet over the box as a mini-greenhouse if there's a cool spell of weather. Expecting 27-31C here for the next week. Plastic won't be needed.
Checked under one of the bushes mid July…
SUCCESS! (so far)Crimson Flowered Broad(fava) Bean. Growing to pick as edible flowers. Saved the bottom blossoms to go to seed. Seed is either green or brown (can't remember).
June 29My little gardener was helping me put out tunnels this spring - May 23
Latest garden toy!
Found this cutie on the side of the house a couple weeks ago
Quail (for eggs mostly) hanging out in the clover
The following photos were taken one after the other, looking in different directions. June 25
Country living has it's perks.
