Are You Growing Any for the 1st Time Ever? - Page 4

kath · February 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerShawn

Thanks for the suggestion, Jeannine. I'm thinking I might use some of those cone-shaped wire tomato cages. Would that work? Or what trellis alternative do you suggest? Just how tall will they get, anyway? I have two sizes of cages.

(I've got several of the tomato cages, but will likely do a Florida Weave for the tomatoes.)
Shawn

If we're talking about the Zucchetta Rampicante Tromboncino squash, I grew it for 2 years because of its resistance to the squash vine borer. The vines were the most rampant sprawling uncontrollable things ever! I tried to trellis them with a 15' long setup that was 5' high and they completely engulfed it and got away, despite my pruning- the vines easily reached 12-15'. The fruits were curvy even when trellised- got no straight ones. They were very good all the way up to 18" which was the limit I gave them, but I didn't try using them as winter squash because I read that they weren't so good that way. So just be ready- they need a LOT of room!

Kath

stormymater · February 6, 2012

Orach. Orach Purple Passion. It & some crazy amaranth. I want tasty greens in the summer when the sun beats most of the greens I like to death. We'll see.

FarmerShawn · February 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

If we're talking about the Zucchetta Rampicante Tromboncino squash. . .

Kath

Well, that'll teach me to try to respond in the middle of the night when I should be abed. Because rat tail radishes were on my mind, I mistakenly assumed that's what Jeannine was talking about in her post. It sure makes a lot more sense to trellis long squash than radishes!

Sigh.
Shawn

Jeannine Anne · February 6, 2012

Funny, sorry to confuse you. I grew rats tail about 4 years ago they grew about 30 inches high if I remember right..Prince Charles in the UK adopted this species from HSL so a few of us grew it to promote it.

Kath is quite right about how the squash grows. I grew it on a trellis arbour and the squash hung down from the roof part. They will make winter squash if fully mature but they sure do like to go!!

XX Jeannine

Tormato · February 6, 2012

New for me will be potatoes from seed, and artichokes. The artichokes may be a humbling experience.

Gary

nicky · February 6, 2012

I'm the same - TPS & artichoke, also Eggplant!

ScottinAtlanta · February 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormato

New for me will be potatoes from seed, and artichokes. The artichokes may be a humbling experience.

Gary

Artichokes for me, too. I have no idea what they look like when they fruit. Is it one stalk or several?

Father'sDaughter · February 6, 2012

This year, of the 14 tomato varieties I'll be growing, all are new to me except for two. Oh, and that's not counting the dwarfs.

I'm also giving chard and Kale a try for the first time.

I'm sticking with the same varieties of most other vegetables, but I am trying different sweet Italian red peppers--Russo da Appendere, and for carrots, I just had to buy a pack of Paris Market--they look so cute!

And, I have two new garlic varieties over-wintering: German Red and Spanish Roja.

I still can't believe I'm growing that many tomato varieties. When I first joined here, I only had five on my list...

marc_groleau · February 6, 2012

This year I'll be trying heirloom tomatos for the first time
Moskovich
black Cherry
Sweet Orange Cherry
Cherokee Purple
Mr. Hawkins
Russian Big Roma

Last year I planted my first asaparagus bed. The results have yet to be seen.

Tormato · February 7, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

Artichokes for me, too. I have no idea what they look like when they fruit. Is it one stalk or several?

One stalk or several?

I have no idea.
Thanks for verifying that I'm in over my head.

Nicky,

I forgot, eggplant here also. And, spelt (if I spelt it right).

Gary

nicky · February 7, 2012

No Spelt for me. That looks very odd doesn't it 'spelt!' Hmm...

Yes, I have absolutely NO idea what an artichoke plant looks like. I have seen them pickled & in the produce section of the market. But I know nothing at all about them! I also have no idea what I will do with the harvest (if I get one). Artichoke & Asiago dip I guess!

I'm off to read up on Artichoke plants/planting!

kath · February 7, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

Artichokes for me, too. I have no idea what they look like when they fruit. Is it one stalk or several?

I grew a few plants in the 1980's and as far as I remember they looked like this picture:

nicky · February 7, 2012

Wow Kath - what a gorgeous plant! I may be growing more Artichokes

Thanks for the picture - that wasn't what I expected at all. I think I had them slotted in somewhere near my radish & beetroots. They are going to need more room - and a bit of research!

kath · February 7, 2012

The picture is from Google Images, not my garden, but the plants are quite big- as I recall they were at least 3' tall. Fun to grow but not very productive for the amount of food they produce compared to the space they need.

nicky · February 7, 2012

That Asiago & Artichoke dip & the fun of growing something odd may be worth the space! Maybe I should find a spot for them in the flower beds. I have a feeling that they would be a conversation piece amongst the flowers!

February 6, 2012	#47
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	Orach. Orach Purple Passion. It & some crazy amaranth. I want tasty greens in the summer when the sun beats most of the greens I like to death. We'll see.

February 6, 2012	#49
Jeannine Anne Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,553	Funny, sorry to confuse you. I grew rats tail about 4 years ago they grew about 30 inches high if I remember right..Prince Charles in the UK adopted this species from HSL so a few of us grew it to promote it. Kath is quite right about how the squash grows. I grew it on a trellis arbour and the squash hung down from the roof part. They will make winter squash if fully mature but they sure do like to go!! XX Jeannine

February 6, 2012	#50
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	New for me will be potatoes from seed, and artichokes. The artichokes may be a humbling experience. Gary

February 6, 2012	#51
nicky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 600	I'm the same - TPS & artichoke, also Eggplant!

February 6, 2012	#53
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	This year, of the 14 tomato varieties I'll be growing, all are new to me except for two. Oh, and that's not counting the dwarfs. I'm also giving chard and Kale a try for the first time. I'm sticking with the same varieties of most other vegetables, but I am trying different sweet Italian red peppers--Russo da Appendere, and for carrots, I just had to buy a pack of Paris Market--they look so cute! And, I have two new garlic varieties over-wintering: German Red and Spanish Roja. I still can't believe I'm growing that many tomato varieties. When I first joined here, I only had five on my list...

February 6, 2012	#54
marc_groleau Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 444	This year I'll be trying heirloom tomatos for the first time Moskovich black Cherry Sweet Orange Cherry Cherokee Purple Mr. Hawkins Russian Big Roma Last year I planted my first asaparagus bed. The results have yet to be seen.

February 7, 2012	#56
nicky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 600	No Spelt for me. That looks very odd doesn't it 'spelt!' Hmm... Yes, I have absolutely NO idea what an artichoke plant looks like. I have seen them pickled & in the produce section of the market. But I know nothing at all about them! I also have no idea what I will do with the harvest (if I get one). Artichoke & Asiago dip I guess! I'm off to read up on Artichoke plants/planting!

February 7, 2012	#59
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	The picture is from Google Images, not my garden, but the plants are quite big- as I recall they were at least 3' tall. Fun to grow but not very productive for the amount of food they produce compared to the space they need.