A pleasant find (maybe)-early volunteers

checkerkitty · January 2, 2013

Hello everyone! This morning I decided on doing a little winter garden work. I'm still about 8 weeks or so from my plant-out date and my garden areas are looking a little neglected. As I was moving cages around and pulling a few weeds, I noticed some small tomato plants, or at least what look exactly like small tomato plants, in three different places. I also found some pepper volunteers in a pot that held a hot pepper last summer. I found another tomato that was almost 3 feet long and sprawled on the ground along with some pots. I think that is a Matt's Wild judging by the size of the fruit. I even found some fingerling potatoes growing in a small compost area.

So, my question is, has anyone else had volunteers pop-up in winter like that? I'm in zone 8b, so we're not talking super frigid weather, although we have hit 26-28 degrees a handful of times. I'm not sure when that large cherry started. It may be a holdover from the fall that I didn't see. I've never had volunteers this early before. Should I pull them for disease-fighting purposes? My biggest problem is usually spider mites but I don't think they would overwinter on these guys. I'm tempted to at least keep the peppers. Maybe I'll put them in their own pots and bring them in for future freezes. I'd appreciate any advice.

Christy

Redbaron · January 2, 2013

I have had collards actually sprout and grow UNDER the deep snow! Boy oh boy were those great collards that spring!

If it were me, I would just build a little teepee or cold frame of some kind that can be quickly set up and covered with plastic if a strong cold front threatens a deep freeze. Should work, and if it doesn't you are out nothing.

In the mean time, just build em a nest of loose straw. It's like an extra thick mulch to go around them like a donut.

Redbaron · January 2, 2013

I have had collards actually sprout and grow UNDER the deep snow! Boy oh boy were those great collards that spring!

If it were me, I would just build a little teepee or cold frame of some kind that can be quickly set up and covered with plastic if a strong cold front threatens a deep freeze. Should work, and if it doesn't you are out nothing.

In the mean time, just build em a nest of loose straw. It's like an extra thick mulch to go around them like a donut.

checkerkitty · January 3, 2013

Thanks Redbaron for the suggestions! Just checked the weather forecast and we are in for some really cold air tomorrow night. I know what I'll be doing in the morning

.

January 2, 2013	#1
checkerkitty Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 239	A pleasant find (maybe)-early volunteers Hello everyone! This morning I decided on doing a little winter garden work. I'm still about 8 weeks or so from my plant-out date and my garden areas are looking a little neglected. As I was moving cages around and pulling a few weeds, I noticed some small tomato plants, or at least what look exactly like small tomato plants, in three different places. I also found some pepper volunteers in a pot that held a hot pepper last summer. I found another tomato that was almost 3 feet long and sprawled on the ground along with some pots. I think that is a Matt's Wild judging by the size of the fruit. I even found some fingerling potatoes growing in a small compost area. So, my question is, has anyone else had volunteers pop-up in winter like that? I'm in zone 8b, so we're not talking super frigid weather, although we have hit 26-28 degrees a handful of times. I'm not sure when that large cherry started. It may be a holdover from the fall that I didn't see. I've never had volunteers this early before. Should I pull them for disease-fighting purposes? My biggest problem is usually spider mites but I don't think they would overwinter on these guys. I'm tempted to at least keep the peppers. Maybe I'll put them in their own pots and bring them in for future freezes. I'd appreciate any advice. Christy

January 2, 2013	#2
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	I have had collards actually sprout and grow UNDER the deep snow! Boy oh boy were those great collards that spring! If it were me, I would just build a little teepee or cold frame of some kind that can be quickly set up and covered with plastic if a strong cold front threatens a deep freeze. Should work, and if it doesn't you are out nothing. In the mean time, just build em a nest of loose straw. It's like an extra thick mulch to go around them like a donut. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

January 2, 2013	#3
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	I have had collards actually sprout and grow UNDER the deep snow! Boy oh boy were those great collards that spring! If it were me, I would just build a little teepee or cold frame of some kind that can be quickly set up and covered with plastic if a strong cold front threatens a deep freeze. Should work, and if it doesn't you are out nothing. In the mean time, just build em a nest of loose straw. It's like an extra thick mulch to go around them like a donut. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

January 3, 2013	#4
checkerkitty Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 239	Thanks Redbaron for the suggestions! Just checked the weather forecast and we are in for some really cold air tomorrow night. I know what I'll be doing in the morning .