Straw bale garden pics (plus)

[NorthTom]

I think those may be the third and fourth pictures of Kibits on the internet, that is one hard tomato to find any information on.

[livinonfaith]

$7.50-$10 per bale? Yikes!!

Around here, the local Home Depot or Lowe's sells them for around $4.50-$5.00.

But I checked Craigslist and found a farmer a couple of towns over, (who sells to Home Depot and Lowe's) and he had them for $2.50 each if I would come and pick them up. You should have seen the inside of his wheat straw barn. Thousands of bales stacked all the way up to the rafters. They had to unload them in such a way that the bales formed stairs to the upper levels. Very cool!

Even after I factored in four or five gallons of gas for the two trips, it was only about $3.00 per bale, which was worth it.

No, I wouldn't do it either, if I had to pay that much per bale.

[livinonfaith]

Originally Posted by NorthTom

I think those may be the third and fourth pictures of Kibits on the internet, that is one hard tomato to find any information on.

I got my seeds from Amishland last fall and planted them last November. They didn't really do anything for a long time, but once I moved them out to the green house and the days started to lengthen, they really took off.

The plants are pretty small. The largest is less than three feet and the smallest is maybe 18"? I'm kind of amazed at the beautiful trusses of fruit on these guys. There is almost as much fruit as foliage. There is finally one that is starting to turn, so I'm getting kind of excited about tasting them.

If this one has any kind of decent taste, I'll probably keep growing them, just because they throw out so many tomatoes for their size. I've never had any tomato do this well.

Don't know if it is the variety or I'm just finally getting the hang of this gardening thing!

[NorthTom]

Mine are just starting to flower, let us know how they taste!

[Annie]

I am so impressed with your garden, your fruit trees and everything you grow. Of course you live in a wonderful part of the country where it doesn't get to 110 in the summer and you have the cold winters to kill off the bugs. We didn't even get a freeze this past winter and that is why I was able to plant in Feb. Now everything will probably be dried up by the end of July. Annie

[livinonfaith]

Originally Posted by Annie

I am so impressed with your garden, your fruit trees and everything you grow. Of course you live in a wonderful part of the country where it doesn't get to 110 in the summer and you have the cold winters to kill off the bugs. We didn't even get a freeze this past winter and that is why I was able to plant in Feb. Now everything will probably be dried up by the end of July. Annie

Thank You!

Normally, I would say you are right about the weather here, But these last several summers we have had a lot more days above 100 and much fewer cold days.

Last year it was so hot and dry that the fig trees almost died. Finally started lugging buckets of water across the yard, just to try to keep them alive. This year I've already purchased a longer hose to reach that area of the yard if it gets that bad.

I'm also afraid we are going to have a really bad insect season due to the warm winter. The ticks are already much worse than I've ever seen them and I'm picking off tomato hornworm eggs left and right.

I do feel good about this season, though, if only because I've also gotten most things going a little earlier than normal.

Here's to all of us and lots and lots of produce!