March 25, 2015 - Seedling Pics

May 31, 2014 - Things Are Looking Great!

This Spring has been great for the garden - just the right mix of warm sunny days and cooler rainy days. We are well out of the risk for frost. Because of the weather, the compost, and maybe the extra space everything has with the new beds,  the plants are further along than last year. This is shaping up to be a good season!

I have noticed the bugs are starting to come out.  I've spotted a few aphids on the tomatoes but nothing to be too concerned about.  There also is no sign of the flea beetles on the eggplant - so far. 

 Here are a a few highlights:

Two deep purple/black tomatoes.  I think the fruit on these plants are going to be smaller than I expected - around 2-3"

 Bulgarian Carrot Pepper, this is the smaller of the two already on the plant.

 First Green Zebra Tomato is on its way.

 Two little zucchinis. Nothing on the yellow squash yet.

Overview

 The zucchini and yellow squash.

 The radishes and lettuce on the left, a row each of spinach and carrots, and then the eggplant and a few of the pepper plants.

Left to right: Old German, Indigo Rose, Black Krim, Goldie Yellow Tomatoes.  The Grape tomatoe is in the planter along the fence. 

 These are the plants from seeds: the Green Zebra on the left, and the other three are the Polverini Tomatoes.  The Polverini Tomatoes are several inches taller than the rest.

My herbs: Basil, Lime Basil, Purple Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Mace, Thyme, Cilantro, and Chives. The Oregano is doing great too, but its not in the picture.

 Bell Peppers started from seeds.  All looking full and healthy.

 Bush beans on the ends, and pole beans along the trellis

More bush beans on the ends and cucumbers in the middle along the trellis.  Amish Rob Pickle cucs and Murphy's big boys.

Finally the hot peppers. From left to right: Bulgarian Carrot, Hades Hot, Mystery Pepper, and the Shishitos.

May 11, 2014 - The Garden Plan

Tomatoes

1. Old German - Large striped orange/yellow fruit
2. Indigo Rose - Medium sized deep purple almost blue fruit
3. Black Krim - Medium  sized dark red fruit
4. Goldie Yellow - Large yellow fruit
5. Green Zebra - medium to smaller green and yellow stripped fruit
6. Grape - small red bunches
7. Polverini x 3 - an local heirloom plum, unique to Downingtown

Peppers:

1. Bulgarian Carrot - Orange carrot shaped, medium spice
2. Hades Hot - Cayenne, hot
3. ???  - The tag got lost on the way home, but my best guess is an Aleppo Pepper
4. Shishito - Spicy Japannese pepper
5. Grenada Seasoning - Not spicy version of Habenaro
6. Corno di Toro - Large horn-shaped sweet pepper
7. Carmen - Another roasting pepper
8. Golden Bell x 2 
9. Yellow Bell
10. Red Bell

Other Vegetables:

Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Eggplant, Pole Beans, Bush Beans, Cucumbers, Dragon Carrots, Watermelon Daikon Radish, and Spinach.

Herbs: 

Italian Basil, Lime Basil, Purple Basil, Greek Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Mace, Chives, and Cilantro.

May 10, 2014 - Everything Planted

Yesterday I took my annual trip to the West Chester Growers Market to buy what plants I didn't start from seed.  It was a good haul, and I seem to have gone overboard with the peppers this year.  The vendor for the Chile Spot has a very awesome list of chili peppers this year.  Last year I purchased the Grenada Seasoning pepper from him and was blown away by its unique flavor.  So I'm trying out a few more.

Here's the haul from the WCGM.

I had some help putting them all in.

 Here's a shot of the garden from the deck.  Then 4 new beds gave me more room to play with.

Chili Pepper and soon to be cucumbers/beans in the back, and squash and some peppers in the front.

Bell peppers and soon to be beans in the back, and all the tomatoes in the front.  The herbs are in pots in the corner.

May 4, 2013 - Growers Market and Garden

Thursday was the opening day for the first Downingtown Farmers Market. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the turn out was amazingly good - so much that most vendors sold out within 2 hours. I manages to get 4 tomato plants and 2 eggplants.

Saturday also marked the opening of the West Chester Growers Market where I purchased the rest of my plants. I'm all set now for the season and all but the peppers are in the ground.

  

Here's the line up this season: 

Tomatoes:

• Green Zebra
• Azoycha
• Sun Gold
• San Marzano x 2
• Cherokee Purple
• Juliet

Eggplant:

• Galine
• Orient Charm

Peppers:

• Italian Gourmet
• Grenada Seasoning
• Corno Di Toro x 2
• Italian Roaster
• Red Beauty x 2
• Early Sunsation

Other Vegetables:

• Yellow Squash
• Black Beauty Zucchini
• Sweet Burpless Cucumber
• Straight 8 Cucumber
• Green Comet Broccoli x 8
• Snow Crown Cauliflower x 8
• Spinach
• French Breakfast Rasishes

Herbs:

• Tricolor Sage
• Tarragon
• Italian Basil x2
• Rosemary
• Greek Oregano
• French Thyme
• Lemon Rhyme
• Dill
• Flat Lead Parsley