Heavy late summer rains often cause cabbage heads to split. One way to prevent splitting is to give the cabbage a little horizontal twist to crack the stem a little. This will limit the uptake of water and prevent splitting.
Archive for July, 2010
Twisted Cabbage
Thursday, July 29th, 201050% Off All Annuals
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
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Sledding Heavy
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010A child’s plastic sled is a great way to tow seedlings, tools and fertilizers around your garden. They’re also a great low-tech way to haul bags of soi9l amendments and, when production begins, to tow your harvest.
Making a Federal Case Out of it
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Did you know that the tomato stood trial in the Supreme Court? In an 1893 decision Nix v. Hedden the question was whether the tomato was a fruit or vegetable. A group of greens grocers sued the State of New York. The state taxed vegetables at that time, but not fruit. The grocers stated — correctly, botanically speaking — that the tomato was a fruit. Botanists consider it a berry. But the Court sided with the state. A later jurist explained the Court’s reasoning, “In common parlance tomatoes are vegetables…”
Meshing With Vines!
Monday, July 12th, 2010Black nylon mesh or netting, used to protect plants from birds, makes a great support system for vines, especially annual ones. When hanging the netting, don’t hang it from discrete points like screws or nails. Instead, staple it in position and then go back along the top edge with a 1×2 and screw it to the wall, pinching the entire top edge of the netting between the 1×2 and the wall. With the weight distributed, you won’t have to worry about the vine coming down. The great thing is that once the vine leafs out you won’t really see the netting. Another way to use it is to create a cylinder of netting around a growing vine. A lot of vines don’t like to be tied off, but the cylinder lets the vine grow up it while a t the same time containing it. When the vine dies back or needs pruning, take out your scissors and remove the unwanted growth in one fell swoop.
Rooting for Roots!
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Growers of giant pumpkins increase their foot mass by letting the vines grow out., then stripping the leaves off the first three or four feet nearest the base. They bury the exposed vine and create a second root system. Thus invigorated, the plants produce enormous fruits. The current record holder weighed in at 2020 punds. The same will work for tomatoes. And what else? You tell us!
Nonstandard Standards!
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Have you ever heard the gardening phrase “trained to standard”? This is a method by which you convert a woody vine into a small tree. Over the course of a few years simply eliminate all the side shoots, retaining a single shoot supported with a pole. When the shoot hits the right height — say seven or eight feet — allow the vine to branch out. Pinch the tip of the original shoot to promote lateral shoot growth. This summer, check out the alley behind the Ares Thrift Store on Spruce Street in Boulder. Across the alley there are two trumpet vines that look like trees. In flower they’re phenomenal!
Rain is Your Parade!
Friday, July 2nd, 2010The best time to weed is after a good rain. They pop right out! The best time to fertilize with granular fertilizer is right before one. The best water to use is rainwater, which when it falls has nitrogen in it. That’s why a good rain will green up your lawn faster than watering. If you live in a dry area, plant in furrows rather than raised beds, to catch the rain and facilitate irrigation. Tap water left standing out overnight will lose its chlorine, which is better for your plants.
