PNW gardener progress? - Page 2

jwr6404 · August 1, 2011

Joe, Adapazari Squash is doing exceptionally well this year even though I had an initial concern with them. For about an initial 2 weeks I only had female flowers. I finally got a couple males and manually pollinated them. The Peppers are doing well except they're a little on the smallish side. The Mrs is eating the Jalepeno's and Bell Peppers. My German Johnson is a huge plant as well and now beginning to produce Greenies. Cosmonaut Volkov is working overtime producing and abundance of Tomatoes. Except for Kosovo this is the most productive plant I've grown. All in all I honestly believe this will wind up being my best gardening season ever. and I credit starting early and using the WoW's.

Jeannine Anne · August 2, 2011

jwr, that is very interesting about the WOWs, I bought about a dozen packets last year and then never used them, I totally forgot about them this year would you believe.. I will be finding them in time for next year for my squash.. thank you for reminding me. I am really pleased to hear they are working well for you.

XX Jeannine

salix · August 2, 2011

Jeannine - was much surprised (and delighted) to hear that you have skirret coming on in your plot. I have been interested in this veg since I read about it a few years ago and have had no luck in sourcing seed. Since it apparently originated in northern Europe, do you think it would stand a chance up here? If so, and if you have a half dozen seeds could we arrange a little trade later on in the season?

The potatoes are flowering, and Toro Dude has produced a huge spray of berries - they are slightly ovoid, so I suspect they may be diploid, will have to do some research. If you want some of that seed, just say the word. Am hoping that your gardens can avoid the LB scourge, at least until much later in the season.

JoeP · August 2, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwr6404

Cosmonaut Volkov is working overtime producing and abundance of Tomatoes. Except for Kosovo this is the most productive plant I've grown. All in all I honestly believe this will wind up being my best gardening season ever. and I credit starting early and using the WoW's.

JWR,

What is your source for Cosmonaut Volkov? I have seen it listed differently in different seed catalogs with respect to determinate v/s indeterminate and fruit size.

Glad to hear your garden is doing so well this year.

I finally got zucchini and summer squash. Besides lettuce and peas the zucchini are the first (later) summer vegetable we've had to eat.

Garlic is almost ready to pull, potatoes are full of flowers, Kentucky Wonder pole beans haven't even bloomed yet. Insuk's Wang Kong has had flowers for a while and now have a few small bean pods.

Melons and corn....I'm with Tania...meh. I should pull them and plant collards and swiss chard for fall harvest.

**carolyn137** · August 2, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeP

JWR,

What is your source for Cosmonaut Volkov? I have seen it listed differently in different seed catalogs with respect to determinate v/s indeterminate and fruit size.

Glad to hear your garden is doing so well this year.

I finally got zucchini and summer squash. Besides lettuce and peas the zucchini are the first (later) summer vegetable we've had to eat.

Garlic is almost ready to pull, potatoes are full of flowers, Kentucky Wonder pole beans haven't even bloomed yet. Insuk's Wang Kong has had flowers for a while and now have a few small bean pods.

Melons and corn....I'm with Tania...meh. I should pull them and plant collards and swiss chard for fall harvest.

About Cosmonaut Volkov.

Everyone who lists it in the SSE YEarbook says indet and those who mention fruit size say about 4-6 oz.

I looked at Tania's page for this one but forgot to transfer it to here but can go back and look as to the best places I think you might consider for seeds if anyone wants me to.

Cosmonaut Volkov, Clear Pink Early and about 20 other varieties were sent to SSE by their then contact in Moscow Marie Danilenko and I was asked to trial all of them, which I did.

I haven't grown it since the mid-90's but if I did I think I'd want to compare it with some other small indestructive, ahem, reds such as Kimberly, Moravsky Div ( especially), Bloody Butcher and the like.

jwr6404 · August 2, 2011

Joe
Purchased the Cosmonaut Volkov as a plant from Portland Avenue Nursery in Tacoma. I believe the plants cme from Territorial seeds as they're the largest supplier to the Nursery.

Jeannine Anne · August 2, 2011

Hi Salix.

I sowed all the skirret but I do need to get some more. The last lot came from Amishland which I am a bit cautious of but I have found a supplier in Germany and have orderd from them along with some other perennial veggies I was looking for.I only ordered a few days ago so I am not sure when they will arrive but I di order two packets so there will be lots to share if you want to wait.

Great news about the spuds, mine got in very late due to the flooding but they are coming on well,some did not grow though but overall most did. A few took ages to break the surface so doubt they will mature but may give me mini tubers I can save for next year, the seeds would be super.

I am starting a perennial veggie bed and am collecting stuff for it. I have some Daubenton kale cuttings en route as we speak and am keeping my fingers crossed that they make it as it doesn't put out seed.

It is quite interesting.

I can't help you re how th skirret will grow there as this is my first time growing it but it is supposed to be as hardy as parsnips.

XX Jeannine

JoeP · August 3, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolyn137

About Cosmonaut Volkov.

I haven't grown it since the mid-90's but if I did I think I'd want to compare it with some other small indestructive, ahem, reds such as Kimberly, Moravsky Div ( especially), Bloody Butcher and the like.

Carolyn,

Thanks for the clarification. Territorial listed it as determinate and may be the only seed catalog that did. Funny how one typo can create doubt.

I'll be very interested to see the end of season reports to see what people think of their varieties (especially in my PNW climate). I find myself wishing I had planted more short season varieties and fewer long season ones. I thought I learned that lesson last year but...next year will be different!

There seems to be alot of traffic on here about Maravsky Div. It seems to be well liked by many. There I go again thinking of my 2012 grow list in 2011.

Bubba · August 3, 2011

A little late in posting tomato results so far. Here goes:

San Marzano and Cherokee Green were both huge plants but neither of them had set any fruit up until last Friday. Each plant had lots of flowers and despite my best efforts couldn't get any fruit set. They both had prime spots in the garden and their size was blocking sun from other varieties that were setting fruit so I pulled them both.

Paul Robeson has done quite well with a handful of tomatoes at the breaker stage, heavy fruit set with several others golf ball sized.

2 pink Brandywines both with fairly heavy fruit set with quarter to half dollar sized greenies.

Sunset Red Horizon has good fruitset with quarter to half dollar sized greenies.

Black Krim has 3 tomatoes close to breaker stage with fair fruitset on the rest of the plant.

Cherokee Purple has 6-8 golf ball sized fruits with fair fruit set.

1884 has really surprised me. Planted in the worst location but has lots of tomatoes ranging from golf ball sized to quarter sized.

For such a poor spring and early summer I am happy with what these plants have done so far. I plant in a raised bed that has a cover that i have to remove after the plants reach 30" tall that allows me to plant a little earlier than most in my area. I planted out the last week in April.

Hopefully the rest of the summer/ early fall resembles the weather pattern we have had the last couple of weeks. Good luck!

Bret

hill60 · August 16, 2011

I am finally starting to harvest tomatoes from my garden. Considering how early I started them this is really late. The rest of the veggies are coasting along now that we have a bit of warmth.

Jeannine Anne · August 17, 2011

We have been eating Sungolds for a week or two but still mostly are green, squah are running late and spuds are way behind. Roll on Spring.

XX Jeannine

Tania · August 17, 2011

We finished potato harvest (thanks to my younger son doing all the digging!), it was pitiful compared to the last year.

Pole beans started to produce young and tender pods last week - they are way too late!

Cucumbers are going very strong. I picked a 5 gal bucket today, and half a bucket yesterday and the day before.

Eggplants did not set a single fruit yet

Winter squashes of maxima type are doing very well, lots of fruit set, but C.moschatas are doing very poorly (not even blooming yet). Both were planted at the same time. I think moschatas are not liking the cool weather.

My mother-in-law planted more radishes 2 weeks ago, and they are looking very good. I also planted some Russian carrots in the large containers (where I had my tomato plants), I think I may have a chance of getting some baby carrots in the fall.

Peppers are slow this year.

Melons are not going to happen. The slugs got the only two baby melons, and damaged too many vines. Very disappointing.

Ground cherries are doing surprisingly well, nothing ripe yet, but some fruits are pretty close. The plants are very healthy and lush - they seemed to have liked the weather...

dice · August 17, 2011

I have had a few Mini Gold cherry tomatoes. Small but tasty,
just a little bigger than a marble. It was not the earliest to set
fruit by far, but it was the fastest from set fruit to ripe fruit.

hoefarmer · August 20, 2011

Have been eating a few tomatoes since July 4th week. Have had enough to make 1 canner of tomato sauce and to share with friends. Earliest tomato was of course Willamette. Second was Pink Berkley Tie dye and Tolstoi. Third was Viva Italia and Champion. Last week Lemon Boy, Golden Rave, and San Marzano kicked in. Every one I have shared Pink Berkley Tie Dye with is raving over it, and I will definitely grow it again. I think I have had more tomatoes from it than any other.
Now if my peppers would get it in gear I would be so happy.

gtnate · August 20, 2011

The warmer weather that we have been experiencing in Seattle is definitely speeding things along in my garden. I have probably picked 2 pints of Sungold (off 1 plant), and have probably picked about 6 or 7 Stupice tomatoes (again, off 1 plant). I picked my first green grape tomato yesterday, and should have some Oroma paste tomatoes and Sophie's Choice within a week.

I'm also growing tomatillos, eggplant, and peppers. The tomatillos are off to the races; I have picked several and the plants are just loaded with ripening fruit. The eggplants each have quite a bit of fruit on them, but it is ripening very slowly, same story with the sweet peppers.

Finally, the cucumbers in my garden are doing really well, and my neighbor is starting to get some ripe Early Girl tomatoes.

I'm really hoping that we continue to get warm, sunny weather for the rest of August and September. If that happens, I believe that this could end up being a decent year for me (and this is only my second year of really putting a lot of effort into gardening!).

August 1, 2011	#16
jwr6404 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: University Place, WA Posts: 481	Joe, Adapazari Squash is doing exceptionally well this year even though I had an initial concern with them. For about an initial 2 weeks I only had female flowers. I finally got a couple males and manually pollinated them. The Peppers are doing well except they're a little on the smallish side. The Mrs is eating the Jalepeno's and Bell Peppers. My German Johnson is a huge plant as well and now beginning to produce Greenies. Cosmonaut Volkov is working overtime producing and abundance of Tomatoes. Except for Kosovo this is the most productive plant I've grown. All in all I honestly believe this will wind up being my best gardening season ever. and I credit starting early and using the WoW's. __________________ Jim

August 2, 2011	#21
jwr6404 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: University Place, WA Posts: 481	Joe Purchased the Cosmonaut Volkov as a plant from Portland Avenue Nursery in Tacoma. I believe the plants cme from Territorial seeds as they're the largest supplier to the Nursery. __________________ Jim

August 17, 2011	#27
Tania Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anmore, BC, Canada Posts: 3,970	We finished potato harvest (thanks to my younger son doing all the digging!), it was pitiful compared to the last year. Pole beans started to produce young and tender pods last week - they are way too late! Cucumbers are going very strong. I picked a 5 gal bucket today, and half a bucket yesterday and the day before. Eggplants did not set a single fruit yet Winter squashes of maxima type are doing very well, lots of fruit set, but C.moschatas are doing very poorly (not even blooming yet). Both were planted at the same time. I think moschatas are not liking the cool weather. My mother-in-law planted more radishes 2 weeks ago, and they are looking very good. I also planted some Russian carrots in the large containers (where I had my tomato plants), I think I may have a chance of getting some baby carrots in the fall. Peppers are slow this year. Melons are not going to happen. The slugs got the only two baby melons, and damaged too many vines. Very disappointing. Ground cherries are doing surprisingly well, nothing ripe yet, but some fruits are pretty close. The plants are very healthy and lush - they seemed to have liked the weather... __________________ Tatiana's TOMATObase

August 17, 2011	#28
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	I have had a few Mini Gold cherry tomatoes. Small but tasty, just a little bigger than a marble. It was not the earliest to set fruit by far, but it was the fastest from set fruit to ripe fruit. __________________ -- alias

August 20, 2011	#29
hoefarmer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 110	Silverton Oregon tomato progress Have been eating a few tomatoes since July 4th week. Have had enough to make 1 canner of tomato sauce and to share with friends. Earliest tomato was of course Willamette. Second was Pink Berkley Tie dye and Tolstoi. Third was Viva Italia and Champion. Last week Lemon Boy, Golden Rave, and San Marzano kicked in. Every one I have shared Pink Berkley Tie Dye with is raving over it, and I will definitely grow it again. I think I have had more tomatoes from it than any other. Now if my peppers would get it in gear I would be so happy.

August 2, 2011	#17
Jeannine Anne Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,557	jwr, that is very interesting about the WOWs, I bought about a dozen packets last year and then never used them, I totally forgot about them this year would you believe.. I will be finding them in time for next year for my squash.. thank you for reminding me. I am really pleased to hear they are working well for you. XX Jeannine

August 2, 2011	#18
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	Jeannine - was much surprised (and delighted) to hear that you have skirret coming on in your plot. I have been interested in this veg since I read about it a few years ago and have had no luck in sourcing seed. Since it apparently originated in northern Europe, do you think it would stand a chance up here? If so, and if you have a half dozen seeds could we arrange a little trade later on in the season? The potatoes are flowering, and Toro Dude has produced a huge spray of berries - they are slightly ovoid, so I suspect they may be diploid, will have to do some research. If you want some of that seed, just say the word. Am hoping that your gardens can avoid the LB scourge, at least until much later in the season.

August 3, 2011	#24
Bubba Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: McMinnville Oregon Posts: 25	A little late in posting tomato results so far. Here goes: San Marzano and Cherokee Green were both huge plants but neither of them had set any fruit up until last Friday. Each plant had lots of flowers and despite my best efforts couldn't get any fruit set. They both had prime spots in the garden and their size was blocking sun from other varieties that were setting fruit so I pulled them both. Paul Robeson has done quite well with a handful of tomatoes at the breaker stage, heavy fruit set with several others golf ball sized. 2 pink Brandywines both with fairly heavy fruit set with quarter to half dollar sized greenies. Sunset Red Horizon has good fruitset with quarter to half dollar sized greenies. Black Krim has 3 tomatoes close to breaker stage with fair fruitset on the rest of the plant. Cherokee Purple has 6-8 golf ball sized fruits with fair fruit set. 1884 has really surprised me. Planted in the worst location but has lots of tomatoes ranging from golf ball sized to quarter sized. For such a poor spring and early summer I am happy with what these plants have done so far. I plant in a raised bed that has a cover that i have to remove after the plants reach 30" tall that allows me to plant a little earlier than most in my area. I planted out the last week in April. Hopefully the rest of the summer/ early fall resembles the weather pattern we have had the last couple of weeks. Good luck! Bret

August 20, 2011	#30
gtnate Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 88	The warmer weather that we have been experiencing in Seattle is definitely speeding things along in my garden. I have probably picked 2 pints of Sungold (off 1 plant), and have probably picked about 6 or 7 Stupice tomatoes (again, off 1 plant). I picked my first green grape tomato yesterday, and should have some Oroma paste tomatoes and Sophie's Choice within a week. I'm also growing tomatillos, eggplant, and peppers. The tomatillos are off to the races; I have picked several and the plants are just loaded with ripening fruit. The eggplants each have quite a bit of fruit on them, but it is ripening very slowly, same story with the sweet peppers. Finally, the cucumbers in my garden are doing really well, and my neighbor is starting to get some ripe Early Girl tomatoes. I'm really hoping that we continue to get warm, sunny weather for the rest of August and September. If that happens, I believe that this could end up being a decent year for me (and this is only my second year of really putting a lot of effort into gardening!).