Lousy year in Michigan

kenny_j · July 25, 2013

I have had gardens almost every year for forty years, and I never remember as bad a year as 2013. Corn is ok, but stalks don't seem tall enough. Cucumbers look the best. Most tomato plants except for one potted and half a dozen dwarves in raised beds, look like Charlie Brown Christmas trees with 3-4 ornaments. Leaves are small and plants look thinned out, with many branches dead or dying. It is close to August, and I have yet to water an in-ground tomato plant . And the flavor is not up to snuff, tho there has been some improvement. Had 5 BW cowlicks, and the last 2 have had better flavor. Many varieties seem to have thick skin, do to lack of water reaching the plants from waterlogged, damaged root system. It can only get better, unless the rain starts up again.
Happy Surprises so far: Opalka!!!! Thank you Carolyn. I grew some two years ago that I got from Gary Ibsens site, and they were not Opalka. They were decent, but did not have the flavor claimed by many. Last year Carolyn recommended a vendor, was it Linda? , I have records somewhere!!! But I have gotten one so far, that looks like I thought they should, and the taste, especially from a damaged and unhealthy plant, was outstanding, never knew a paste could be soooo good off the vine. Sure hope I get some more for seed saving. Another surprise was Black and brown Boar , excellent taste. I grew Berkley Pink Tie-Dye last year that was about the same in flavor. The fruit of both seem to often split and crack and look unsightly on the top 3rd, but below that is excellent. Kimberleys out of my garden are not up to par on flavor, but my daughter has one that I put in a pot, and it is superb. I have one in raised bed so hopefully it will be great, it was one of the last planted, and is just getting ready to ripen, same for dwarves that are with it.

July 25, 2013	#1
kenny_j Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: holly michigan Posts: 380	Lousy year in Michigan I have had gardens almost every year for forty years, and I never remember as bad a year as 2013. Corn is ok, but stalks don't seem tall enough. Cucumbers look the best. Most tomato plants except for one potted and half a dozen dwarves in raised beds, look like Charlie Brown Christmas trees with 3-4 ornaments. Leaves are small and plants look thinned out, with many branches dead or dying. It is close to August, and I have yet to water an in-ground tomato plant . And the flavor is not up to snuff, tho there has been some improvement. Had 5 BW cowlicks, and the last 2 have had better flavor. Many varieties seem to have thick skin, do to lack of water reaching the plants from waterlogged, damaged root system. It can only get better, unless the rain starts up again. Happy Surprises so far: Opalka!!!! Thank you Carolyn. I grew some two years ago that I got from Gary Ibsens site, and they were not Opalka. They were decent, but did not have the flavor claimed by many. Last year Carolyn recommended a vendor, was it Linda? , I have records somewhere!!! But I have gotten one so far, that looks like I thought they should, and the taste, especially from a damaged and unhealthy plant, was outstanding, never knew a paste could be soooo good off the vine. Sure hope I get some more for seed saving. Another surprise was Black and brown Boar , excellent taste. I grew Berkley Pink Tie-Dye last year that was about the same in flavor. The fruit of both seem to often split and crack and look unsightly on the top 3rd, but below that is excellent. Kimberleys out of my garden are not up to par on flavor, but my daughter has one that I put in a pot, and it is superb. I have one in raised bed so hopefully it will be great, it was one of the last planted, and is just getting ready to ripen, same for dwarves that are with it.