Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Loretta Buckner on August 18, 2011 at 8:47am

I never thought of using peanuts as a cover crop! In NC it was always soybeans, sorghum...maybe black-eyed peas--I'll have to ask my dad (if I can get a word in edgewise--he's mainly only talkin chickens these days...) ;-) I'm doing pumpkins for the first time this year too! I'll let you know if I end up with too many seedlings of anything--I'm still establishing my perenials, so haven't done much with seeds yet.

Awesome suggestions, Vicki!

Permalink Reply by vicki on August 18, 2011 at 8:37pm

I'd love to hear how your pumpkins are doing!  I think our biggest problem will be keeping the humidity from molding them.  I planted them in different areas just in case they didn't like one area they make like another better.  I am so hoping to have pumpkins in my yard for Halloween or Thanksgiving.  I wish you lived closer I'd give you peanut seeds.  They come up so fast.

 

Permalink Reply by Andy Karpinski on August 19, 2011 at 8:54pm

I've been growing black eyed peas for five years now.  They have been my most successful and consistent crop.

 

I have some seminole pumpkin plants growing.  They are native to Florida and more of a squash.  So far no fruit are forming.

 

I've been emphasizing perennial vegetables this year.  I'll probably still plant some annuals in the holes in the landscape, though I haven't decided what yet.  Most of my summer stuff is still doing well.

Permalink Reply by Loretta Buckner on August 20, 2011 at 8:06am

Planting in different spots--smart, Vicki-- I think I'll try that. I'm also doing some wire cage-type frames to get the plants up off the ground. Andy, where'd you get your seminole seed? I was reading about those and wanted to try, since they are native...
Do you have asparagus? Trying to think of perennial veggies...

Permalink Reply by vicki on August 20, 2011 at 2:26pm

If you do asparagus buy plants.  It takes years to get your first crop if you seed them yourself.  Fresh picked asp. is nothing like that hard stuff you get in the grocery store! 

 

Andy K-  Do you have any Seminole pump. seeds?  I've heard they grow well here but have never been able to find any seeds. 

 

Loretta-those vines get very long I think I'm going to ty just pile the mulch under them to keep them off the ground and see how that does.

 

Permalink Reply by Andy Karpinski on August 20, 2011 at 11:27pm

I got my seminole pumpkin seeds from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.  There are a number of places that sell them if you search on the internet.  It may be too late in the year to plant them now.

 

I also tend to plant stuff in various places in the yard.  I also tend to mix them with other plants to see what's compatible.  I seem to have less insect problems when I mix plants and plant them in different areas at the same time.  I know I have a lot of predator insects (wasps, ladybugs, etc.) in my yard.

Permalink Reply by vicki on August 23, 2011 at 9:08am

My cousin in law is an awesome grower and he recently told me when he transplants his tomato plants he buries 80% of the plant.  Does anyone else do this?

 

Permalink Reply by Andy Karpinski on August 23, 2011 at 9:50pm

I haven't transplanted tomatoes before.  I always grow from seed.  But I need to move my plants from where they presently are since I need that space for a solar oven/food dehydrator I'm building.

 

I have heard that you are supposed to bury a significant portion of the plant when you transplant tomatoes.  So I'll be trying it sometime in the next couple weeks.

Permalink Reply by Cory Brennan on September 21, 2011 at 9:03pm

I always bury tomatoes, they need less water and get going faster. I just leave the top three leaves on. I've been starting a lot of perennial cuttings mainly right now but will be planting soon - gotta go thru my seeds to see what I have. Tomatoes, greens, stuff like that for annuals, but I'm focusing more on perennials too. Cowpeas are great cover crop - so easy to grow, I also use pigeon pea (more of a permanent fixture). Have been wanting to try peanuts, thanks for the feedback on them!  Would love to exchange cuttings at some point with people - maybe we could have a transition meeting and bring cuttings/seeds?