Yeah I saw it anney but subsequent posts on that thread raised a lot of good questions like type/form of the fertilizer used, N % of it, times of application, the fact that they were container plants not in-ground, etc. Timing of feeding is crucial with peppers in my opinion. I'm not saying above that they don't need feeding or that they don't benefit from it. Clearly they do. But care must be used in the N rating, amounts, and timing of it. I too disagree with the "no phosphorus needed" comments because tho it obviously varies from soil to soil, it has proven to be quite beneficial in my particular gardens over many years. I test my soil regularly but without getting a quality soil test one is only guesstimating at what their soil may need or not need. I also think it is important to keep in mind that gardening and soil improvement is an ongoing continuous process, not an annual process. With the exception of N which depletes quickly, much of the nutrients applied to a garden this year - depending on the form used - while perhaps not used by the plants this year, are readily available in the soil next year. Obviously this isn't meant to justify huge blanket applications of fertilizers - compost yes, fertilizers no - but a judicial balanced application at the proper times is truly a "good thing". ;) JMO Dave

Silvia, you always have good advice and I learn so much from it. I am sure I've waited too long for the asian cabbage. Now I can only eat so much per week. I have 4 or 5 left. I will just have to cut them up finely so noone can see the holes! I cannot let them go to waste. Corrie and Tom, I will have to work on insulating my containers or putting them in a little more shade. Tom, I had some curled leaves and I did think thrips, but sadly, I think the real reason I sprayed them is because they are next to the tomatoes and they got backsplash. Also, when you have just a little more spray left.... I guess that's a bad mistake. I will think twice next time. Corrie, I will continue to try different types. I will look for elongated and frying types next. Hi Denise! My tomatoes are ripening also, but they are much smaller than I thought they'd be. Last night we sampled the first ones and tonight we'll have more. Pretty good, pretty good, even though small. Anna

As always, you were absolutely right. I tell ya, I'm tickled to get through an entire season with some production and know kinda what happens with a few varieties of veggies. Watching the growth patterns and gaining insight to spacing needs. And especially knowing how they react to the soil as is. Most of my stuff wasn't amended. They did well! The not knowing is what drives me crazy. And these will come easy in the spring. Yay! and it's really awesome to know me.. where I get lazy, what's ridiculously difficult for me to handle and finding ways to make it easier. I'm winter sowing to see if I can get some things to come up on their own since I have plenty of mulch and good dirt. I really hate starting indoors. I'm certain I will have a bunch next spring, but the more I can reduce the happier I am. It's truly amazing how we're all different. In the beginning I was like "ooh.. she's doing this. I must!" But, in reality, I need to let a bunch of things go to seed that would drive you batty, but only because I'm happy to forage them for the bunnies. Next year I'll have the molokhia, alfalfa, lambsquarters, varieties of amaranth, Austrian peas and some other natives. Funny ... I don't mind weeding but hate starting seedlings. Weird. I was speaking of pepper jelly to my son last night. We started reminiscing over those wonderful Yukon Gold potatoes that came out of the garden. It is so awesome to see the kids get so excited. But those potatoes... were awesome. We agreed to expand the potato bed and put in "bunches and bunches and I'll help you keep them watered, Momma!" hehe

Each year I grow more varieties, this year it's over 50 different kinds, and only a few make the list every year. I'm not up to superhots yet, as a matter of fact, this is the first year I'm even growing habaneros, so my favorites may change as my heat tolerance increases. One of the ones that always makes the list is Alma Paprika. Love the thick, sweet,juicy flesh, with a hint of heat. A few others that I brought back again this year were Aji Yellow - nice citrusy heat, Chilhuacle Rojo - made a great mild-medium paprika, Cosa Arrugada (similar to a Friggitello or Friarello) for sweet paprika, Black Hungarian - beautiful ornamental with a jalapeno type heat, Patio Red Marconi - a compact roaster type that I use as a bell substitute for cooking, and Sandia - a NuMex chile. There are always Jalapenos on my grow list, but each year I try different varieties. This year, it's Biker Billy, Jaloro, and TAM. I'm also trying a different variety of Serrano this year. Oh, and some type of Ancho/Poblano is usually on the list as well. I've only had a few varieties to ripen so far this season, but one that I think I'll grow again from this year's list is Aji Chinchi Amarillo. It's smaller and not as hot as the Aji Yellow, but what it has going for it is that it is prolific, and early. It was the first variety to ripen this year, and it is crunchy, citrusy, and the heat on the first few pods has been maybe around the level of a jalapeno. Peppermeister, I also do a pepper seed exchange each year on this forum, but I usually do it in late winter/early spring. Hope you will join us next time! Bonnie