Tomatoes, Squash, Eggplant, Onions, Beets... and this forum

[tanstaafl72555]

I did not raise veggies or have gardens in most of my married life. I was working very hard and long hours to start businesses, and just gave myself to work. I raised about 30 or so tomato plants last year and was surprised at how delighted I was to give care and consideration to them, and how (I know this sounds weird) "tender" I felt towards them. Plus the maters were fabulous. I ate tomato sandwiches, and had them for breakfast and dinner every day, gave many away.... etc.

This year I decided to put in only two raised beds, and got a VERY late start, due to Carole being out of town and other factors. I just got the fill dirt in, then covered with two feet of topsoil/compost mix, and had to do seedlings rather than seed plants. I picked up some scraggly tomato plants, some squash, eggplant, onions and beets. I was planning to do all "organic" with no phosphates, but these were the runt tailings of the greenhouse and looked in BAD shape. I gave them a little miracle grow (I know, I am a bad person), watered them, and sat back to see (also staked and made small trellises for the tomatoes and squash).

WHAT A DELIGHT to go out this a.m. and see those things standing up and reaching for the sun, the bright squash flowers all yellow, and even tiny eggplants! I see that I have been unwise in not doing this over the years. There is something just wholesome, good and life giving to tending plants. I think part of it is the awareness that life itself is outside my purview, and I am just a bystander to a greater power than myself who makes these things happen. Part of it is seeing what my hands have participated in. It is a family thing and we are all excited and anticipating good things, if we can keep the deer and squirrels out.

Reading over the above, maybe I am just weird in feeling this stuff, but I don't care. It is a happy and good thing.

I think I enjoy the homesteading, beekeeping, livestock/husbandry, etc parts of this forum more than any other. I especially liked the one of the pond reclamation (I have a small pond across the road from my house that I plan to try to purchase in the upcoming year).

Thanks to all for this part of the forum and the people who contribute. It is my favorite section in here.

 

[Darkhorse]

It’s an awesome feeling eating the food you grew.

 

[Grits]

Man has a connection the dirt. We're made from it. It it satisfying to see something grow from the ground. Adam was told that by the sweat of his brow would the ground produce for him to eat until he returned to the dirt.

In my own life I had to cut a tree down that was growing directly under a power line in town. A small part of me died when I told the tree trimmers to take it to the ground. I was tired of them butchering the tree every time they trimmed it.

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[chiefjason]

Going to pull carrots for dinner here in a bit. Trained up the tomatoes. Got a couple cukes almost ready. Will be frying up some fresh picked banana peppers too, for the second time this year. I really enjoy gardening. Unfortunately ours will be smaller this year.

 

[turkeydance]

well, bad news.
we gave up several years ago.

here is why: our crops matured at the EXACT same time as our neighbors.
we ended up trading tomatoes for corn and peppers and carrots and...whatever.
so, NOW we ACCEPT all of their overstock and they are happy to oblige.
we have no garden, no tiller, no fertilizer, no stakes, no weed-killer, etc.
we have wonderful neighbors.

 

[Grits]

well, bad news.
we gave up several years ago.

here is why: our crops matured at the EXACT same time as our neighbors.
we ended up trading tomatoes for corn and peppers and carrots and...whatever.
so, NOW we ACCEPT all of their overstock and they are happy to oblige.
we have no garden, no tiller, no fertilizer, no stakes, no weed-killer, etc.
we have wonderful neighbors.

There are other things to swap with the neighbors. A mess of fresh fish, a tenderloin of venison, and other such goodies. It is sad we live in a world where this is not the norm for folks.

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[Get Off My Lawn]

We’re excited. Built a 16’ x 4’ raised bed this year, only have grown jalapeños and cayenne on the past. We’re growing tomatoes, squash, herbs and peppers: fish, sugar rush, jalapeño, poblano and chocolate habaneros.
Never was fond of maters, until I had a Cherokee Purple. I decided right there and then then that we’re growing maters.
I’ve also never seen these evil ones before. They eat and crap fragmented poop grenades.

If you’ve got a black light, they really show up at night.

 

[chiefjason]

We’re excited. Built a 16’ x 4’ raised bed this year, only have grown jalapeños and cayenne on the past. We’re growing tomatoes, squash, herbs and peppers: fish, sugar rush, jalapeño, poblano and chocolate habaneros.
Never was fond of maters, until I had a Cherokee Purple. I decided right there and then then that we’re growing maters.
I’ve also never seen these evil ones before. They eat and crap fragmented poop grenades.
View attachment 134511
If you’ve got a black light, they really show up at night.
View attachment 134513

Tomato horn worm. Kill it. Kill it now.


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