Just a thought on radishes. I planted some rather late but they came on beautifully and when I pulled them they were spicy but not woody at all. They were like the radishes I remember as a child. I'm planting more because I just NEVER see them in the markets here. They vanished from the stores about 3 or 4 years ago, for unknown reasons (except maybe the ones we could get were tasteless and woody and nobody would buy them). My husband won't care HOW hot they get -- anyone who eats that many jalapeno peppers won't fuss at a spicy radish! Can you buy radishes where you are???

With the act of saving your own seeds you are enhancing the adaptation of the plants. As well you are acquiring any horizontal genetic traits from that year's growing exposure. Plants have the innate ability to adapt. Plants can adapt to the soil, climate, pests and diseases. By selecting the best performers you are improving your seed stock. At some time in your seed saving effort you need to restrict the input of other sources. This localized selection process confirms the genetic traits already acquired. The saved seeds can only get better as you improve your selection criteria. After a few years you need to restrict the regressive nature of out-sourcing. Strive for a close system which must now can include your seeds. As you acquire the skills of saving you can add to the pool of traders. Offer your seeds so carefully garnished and perhaps invite trades for other varieties or species. Share the efforts as we preserve the heritage of heirloom seeds. Well done all you seed savers.

Hi Scarlet - Thank you and I am very sorry that your veggies did not turn well, we all learn after we failed and try not to make more mistakes again. I grow some some veggies in pots, always the tomatoes but they have to have room to grow unless they are the dwarf size and can be grown in a smaller pot and of course the red mulch is a big no. I don't put any mulch in the containers because I like to test the soil for watering and also with the humidity here it can create problems, You have to look for veggies that can be grown in containers, I had success with Renee garden seeds for containers. You can do well with peppers, herbs, lettuce, dwarf kale, some zucchini and cucumber varieties will need a bigger containers. Growing in the ground or raised bed is easier but sometimes not possible due to space or in case with the tomatoes and the nematodes. Don't give up and try to find better containers. I have some inexpensive plastic tubs and growing celery, parsley and cilantro, sometimes I do lettuce in them or start seedlings, all my containers have multiple uses. Hope to see you on the forum more often and asking questions, that is why we are her for, don't give up! Hi Becca - I hope that you solve the problem with the tomatoes, that is the main reason that I plant more than I need, something happened or they get diseased, I have other ones. With the weather and the bugs here it is not the easiest thing to do to grow healthy plants unless we are very careful and spray if we have to. Good to know that you are getting beans and greens, the other veggies will follow, broccoli and cauliflower take a long time. Try to get some transplants of a different tomato variety and put them in a different place if you can, to see if you have better luck, I plant heirlooms and hybrids for the same reason, something has to do well. Eventually you will get to know what does better in your conditions. Silvia

I took some pictures of my very humble garden. I picked a handful of beans today. Since I'm the only one who will eat them, it's enough for dinner! :) Here was my kale harvest: I've started lettuces, swiss chard, and spinach recently. Here's my "pot and patio blend" starting to come up. Sugar snap peas! Now this is something my kids will eat!!! Lots of baby tomatoes setting up!!! This is one of my Heatwave plants that I started way back in July and managed to keep alive until it was cool enough to bloom! I still have six of these and they are all full of fruit right now. I'm very pleased! Cauliflower, which isn't growing very much, but still looking healthy, so I don't know. Big beautiful brocolli plant. Sure wish it would put up a head. And this is a couple of my beefsteaks (I have nine). They aren't quite as full as the Heatwave, but they are getting there. Some of the beans that I didn't pick! :) Another baby squash. Maybe this will be the one that doesn't rot...have lost 3 for 3 so far. Well, not as impressive as most of the other photos, but I'm getting very excited about my tomatoes and learning lots. :) Becca