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Vegetable Gardening Growing Tomatoes

November 2022 Veggie Tales

last year

Good morning-

Happy November!

It's a beautiful sunny day here already in the 60s. The leaves are just gorgeous, too.

How are things where you live?

Featured Answer

Michael Hilber

last year

I grow endive lettuce because it has a bit of a bitter taste. Here is a salad with with San Marzano tomatoes (all the heirloom are gone due to cold nights, some rain, but these Roma type are still on the vine and good) and some Melrose peppers and some yellow sweet peppers. some olive oil, vinegar and blue cheese dressing.

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Comments (89)

nandina
last year
As an old-timer here on GardenWeb I urge you to put this reading project on your winter calendar. Recent reviews of a newly published book were so interesting I ordered it from Amazon.

"THE SEED DETECTIVE by Adam Alexander, Uncovering the secret histories of remarkable vegetables."

This book is a treasure.... one of the most interesting horticultural writings published in many years. I leave those of you with an interest in vegetable growing to discover its well written wealth of information. Enjoy!
itsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
last year
Last week I finally got my garden tilled. I'm happy to have that done. Now I need to find a good weather day to get the garlic planted.
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I’ve received a Pine Tree Seeds and a High Mowing catalog so far. I’m hoping to order from Seeds of Italy this year. The only cool weather crops I plan to do this year are greens and potatoes (potatoes are really a summer crop around here, growing most of the summer, since I grow for storage...). Sun is just too limited in the early spring and fall. Summer crops do very well on my plot because of this, as my garden ranges from 6 hours to even 12 hours all summer long, but full shade by Oct. 1! The reason is that our property is bordered by a thick southern tree line. The sun remains good until it sinks just low enough, which is when it abruptly leaves!! I plan to grow lots of tomatoes....And I’m aiming for a 5lb per plant harvest goal from my taters this year. I met my 3lb goal this last year....I have a couple hundred pounds of potatoes in our crawl space haha. Margi, I’m pretty happy with the boots. I broke them in pretty well today, exploring the creek way out behind my aunt’s....My cousins and I traversed the bluffs, creeks, explored under some of the little country bridges, etc. I don’t know if I could wear a cheap pair of boots again....I treated them with beeswax this morning and any rain today mostly beaded up and ran off the boots. Dry feet! Normally my feet would be sopping wet in the rain....I love the high arch and heel of the logging/fireman style boot. It supports my feet so well. I’ve always struggled to find a shoe that fits my feet.
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Veggie Tales - April 1, 2022
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I finally got a break and got the cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower in and after planting 5 to 6 of each variety they added up to a lot of work. the Patterson and Walla Walla onions went in along with the copra I saved from seed. Put in a 70' row of Kennebec and burbanks before it rained and it was already 2 hours past due from the weather channel's forecast for rain. But I still had red pontiacs to plant and didn't want to get caught in the rain. I went shopping and still no rain so I checked Windy.com. they showed no rain coming for another hour! Got one row of red pontiacs in before the rain started and could of gotten the 2nd row in if I would of checked Windy first, but at least I got all the late potatoes in. I'm done with the weather channel and Windy is now my exclusive weather source. I've been comparing the two sources for 6 months and windy.com has been on the bullseye every time while the weather channel rarely hits the target. Windy shows it will stop raining Sunday at 5 PM.
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Veggie Tales - June 2022
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I finished weeding and turning the patch with the bean tripod and there's also room for a July tomato seedling. I went to seed the Emerite bean seeds and then remembered the wood ashes. I almost quit then but realized I needed to apply the ash before planting and then wanted to water it in. So I quit after spreading some wood ash. Will water this evening. I read in yesterdays local newspaper of a new community garden here in far suburbia. The gardens were opened June 14. So we drove over last evening. All fenced with a nice locked gate, but the soil! They excavated a hillside to make it level which left a steep bank maybe 8 feet higher on the high side. And they didn't save the topsoil. It's all subsoil. One person had a 5 gallon bucket with ugly clay clods which they apparently couldn't break up from the brick state. But 9 out of 10, ten by 12 foot, gardens are planted. It was reported that all were spoken for. They provide a tank of water, which was empty; and there was a pile of mushroom compost. I guess it's free. On a positive note there was a spring running under the fence and down the hill toward the road. It would make a very positive addition to have a free flowing source of clean water. Just dig a hole, let it fill. The spring is running during about as much of a dry spell as we ever get. I was considering donating one of my trays of tomato seedlings, but there was no one there and it's too hot to leave them.
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Veggie Tales - August 2022
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Comments (129)
I sliced the Garrison tomato by mistake. I meant to slice the Red Brandywine. But the Garrison tomato had black seeds on one side of the tomato, Some of the seed cavities looked very black. Most looked OK. I looked it up and the result is that the seeds were over ripe. Supposedly sometimes some of the black seeds will have sprouted inside the tomato. Some even have cotyledon leaves. This tomato was a little soft. Surprised me because my recent ripening tomatoes seem to be ripening very quickly. From blushing to ripe in maybe as quick as a week? But the black seeds could also be caused by blossom end rot or too much nitrogen. Or uneven watering. I discount the uneven watering because some folks grow tomatoes in the desert and if I never watered at all my plants would get more water from only rain water as what those folks plants get. I discount the too much nitrogen because the plants aren't all that tall, less than 6 feet. I think I'll sprinkle a little lime. They say you can eat these tomatoes. I tried the good side of the tomato. Wasn't a great tomato taste, but it was a tomato taste! If you don't hear from me.................
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vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
It's now official >>> Our first killing frost hit here this morning. Glad I picked VgQn some flowers yesterday. It's back to raking leaves today and yanking out the dead summer plants for the compost pile.
cindy-6b/7a VA
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Same here, vgkg. My basil is toast but that's the only frost sensitive plant I had growing out there. The other greens and parsley look fine.

It was down to 31 overnight.
John D Zn6a PIT Pa
last year
It got down to 33° here this morning.

Still no freeze here this fall. I can't believe it froze in both northern and southern Va; but not here! But it's only supposed to get above the twenties one morning in the next week.

Jack - Thanks for the report on the Emerald Crown broccoli. That convinces me on this variety.
cindy-6b/7a VA
Original Author
last year
Two of my neighbors saved their leaves for me and now my gardens are covered in about five/six inches of leaves! Love it!!
itsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
last year
Cindy - The leaves will just sit there all winter? Can't do that around here. Too much wind!
cindy-6b/7a VA
Original Author
last year
Margi - I have fencing around both gardens and one of them still has the netting in place over the top of the bed. It will stay there until snow brings it down. Plus, it's raining here so they are now all dampened down. The fencing stays in place all year(s).
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
We got another full inch of rain last night and today will be the warmest day (55F) for the next several days of mid 40's for highs and mid 20's for lows (Jan temps). Will stow away the rest of the outdoor hose reels, turn on all warming tapes, and shut all crawlspace vents. Will pick what needs picking in the gardens and add some protevtive measures for what remains to ripen up.
John D Zn6a PIT Pa
last year
The lettuce looks good poking up out of the inch and a half of snow we got yesterday. I was surprised that the snow laid.
cindy-6b/7a VA
Original Author
last year
We ended up with 1.2" of rain from yesterday. Surprised that it was that much.
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
^^^ Thx for reminding me Cindy, need to dump the rain gauges too before they freeze and break. I lose 1 or 2 every year that way.
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
last year
With 'winter' here I am glad I only have mulching the strawberries left that needs to be done. It may warm up in a few days band maybe there will still be some life left in the few things left.
John D Zn6a PIT Pa
last year
I had a fresh from the garden salad yesterday with dinner.

How about that snow in Buffalo. Already 36" in Orchard Park. Seems to me that they need some help with snow removal equipment and multiple crews per truck. Or maybe just the crews to relieve the local drivers.
Cindy 7 VA
last year
It was down to 28 here overnight. My lettuce, Swiss chard, and parsley still look good.

They are predicting 18 degrees for tonight. We shall see! It's windy out there right now.
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
A high in the mid 40's here today and a bit too wind/chilly cold to keep raking leaves, but maybe after lunch I'll give it a shot. Low 20's tonite down here Cindy, cold enough, ugh, but thankfully no 5' of snow, double ugh.
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
last modified: last year
Here's our persimmon tree after all the leaves have fallen and with 95% of the fruit already picked. We couldn't pick the top fruits (up 12' high) as you need to snip (not pull) each persimmon from the fruiting twigs. These persimmons are stubborn and won't let go easily without snapping the twigs where next year's fruits will form....

Once these remaining fruits soften up the birds will go after them. We picked around 250 so we don't need em'.
John D Zn6a PIT Pa
last year
I got my first seed catalog for 2023. Fedco seeds.
Cindy 7 VA
last year
So glad that we don't have that snow here!
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
last year
I got my first catalog...Twilley.
CA Kate z9
last year
last modified: last year
I didn't mean to be gone so long, but after a month with cold nights and me gone, I didn't expect there to be much left. I came back to find zucchini, eggplant and Poblano Peppers ready to pick. The baby winter squashs I left are now huge and pretty much fully grown. I guess my city side yard didn't freeze afterall.

The Meyer Lemons are ripe already, which is early for them. And, I picked-up about a dozen Mexican Limes off the ground with more hanging on the tree.

I did bring inside the potted young Pomello and two potted tomatoes. They will go out in the sun every afternoon on their rolling carts. I'm told this Valentine Pomello doesn't like the cold, but it managed to survive my absence.
Michael Hilber
last year
that's a good idea. frost has ruined most of my garden here in N Calif, down into the high 20's. Peppers I had not yet picked, some are partly mushy, maybe a few are still good. And the tomatoes, mostly lost but maybe a few of the san marzano can still be used. But if i had a few of these plants in pots, I could have even transplant a few into pots, and bring them in to avoid the freeze and put them back out in the sun, they could still be productive. There have been many very nice sunny days, even though night temperatures below freezing.

On thanksgiving the high is supposed to be 76F and the low 39

Tomorrow, Wednesday low 37 and high 71F

If frost hadn't ruined so many plants a few days ago they'd probably still be productive
RD Texas
last year
We got another 2 inches of rain here and the weather has been mostly in the 40s, so the tomato plants are still looking good-hopefully this cold snap won’t he a detriment to the flavor or texture of the tomatoes. I also got a couple seed catalogues-one on Saturday (Totally Tomatoes) and one today (Seeds n Such).
Cindy 7 VA
last year
I just planted 40 to 50 Egyptian Walking onions. Purchased them from two different sources so hopefully a number of them will survive. I used to have a good crop of them but for some reason they died out.
itsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
last year
I finally was able to plant my garlic a couple days ago. I need to connect a hose and give it a drink to get it going. It's been so cold for the last couple of weeks, but finally last night it actually didn't get below freezing. First time in maybe 10 days.

Good luck with the walking onions, Cindy.

This morning I pulled together the brine for my turkey breasts. It sure is nice to be able to run out to the garden and collect some herbs. The rosemary isn't looking great, but It should be fine for my needs now. I will use some sage too, and of course parsley. To round things out, I guess I should toss in some thyme, to make S&G happy. Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme....
HU-422368488
last year
last modified: last year
Just " HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Rick ( Okie whatever....)
CA Kate z9
last year
YES! Have a great day cooking and eating what you've grown.

Happy Thanksgiving!
RD Texas
last year
Happy Thanksgiving to all
Cindy 7 VA
last year
Happy Thanksgiving!!
itsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
last year
Happy Thanksgiving!
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
Happy Thanksgiving Hangover ;-)
A chilly rain here today. Yesterday I composted the remains of the cabbage, lettuces, and defunct flowers. There's still some broccoli side shoots to be had and with warmer nite temps ahead (40's) we should get more from them. The collards and carrots continue to look great and I finally planted that last row of overwintering spinach, though a little bit late. Turkey sandwiches are on the lunch menu today.
John D Zn6a PIT Pa
last year
Happy belated Thanksgiving to all. And Happy Black Friday. We're going out to cut a Christmas Tree at a small tree farm run by a retired teacher that we've going to for at least 15 years..
Cindy 7 VA
last year
We also had a little rain this morning but the majority of the day has been sunny and breezy. It was supposed to hit 60 but it didn't.

We'll be having Thanksgiving tomorrow so today I made the pies (pumpkin and pecan), homemade cranberry sauce, and the mashed potatoes. Yesterday I made the stuffing and green bean casserole. Tomorrow will be the turkey cooking day as my son and grandson will be here. My grandson loves turkey, or at least he did last year.
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
Raining again this morning, already have 1/3" and looking at the radar we'll probably end up with at least a full inch before it ends by late afternoon. The collards & carrots are the 2 main crops now, with 3 more smallish cabbages and broccoli side shoots holding on. Time now to take seed inventory and preps next year's order to fill the gaps. I'll be trimming the gardens down a bit more for next Spring planting, downsizing from mini-farm to micro-farm, or just plain old gardening ;-). Will still have the same crops but with more intensive planting and cut backs on certain space takers (sweet potatoes, corn, melons, etc)
PRO
Len NW 7a
last year
A belated Thanksgiving wish to all of you. Our house has been beset by RSV, beginning with 5 year old Madison 3 wells ago. She is down again and the rest of us have shared. Nasty bug.

The summer gardens are put to bed and cool weather seedlings are growing well. I had a varmit crop off two healthy cabbage starts grrr

For something different this winter in growing fava beans. They are in the ground so I'll do some photos next time I'm outside.
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
last year
I just sent in my first seed order of the season...to Fedco. Symphony cauliflower, Yaya carrot, and Incredible sweet corn.
vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
last modified: last year
Brrrrr, getting a cold rain today, already 2/3 inch and may top off at 1 inch. Picked some broc sides shoots yesterday and may get a few more, a predicted low temp ~25F on Friday morning. Time to put out the Xmas decorations, hope we didn't over do it...

nyuk
RD Texas
last year
Len, do you eat those Fava beans with a little Chianti? lol
RD Texas
last year

Chocolate Stripes
RD Texas
last year

San Marzano

Brandy Boy
RD Texas
last year

Brandy Boy
RD Texas
last year

Pruden’s Purple

Paul Robeson
RD Texas
last year

Dark Shekel
RD Texas
last year

Druzba

Celebrity
RD Texas
last year

George Detsika’s Italian Red

Sungold
RD Texas
last year

Paul Robeson

Pruden’s Purple

Big Beef
itsmce (zone 6b, Kansas)
last year
Richard - They all look so happy! I hope you have a good season.
leahikesgardenspdx
last year
I went ahead and started December (!) https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6327738/december-2022-veggie-tales#comments
RD Texas
last year

Cherokee Purple

Black Krim
RD Texas
last year

Watermelon Beefsteak

Jalapeno, Red Norland Potatoes and the outside containers have the just planted Egyptian Walking Onions

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