Monday, 23 September 2019

It seems like every year, it is always something that is wonky.  This year it was a couple of things.  One was a major stink bug infestation. The  spring climate was different this year and apparently it was perfect for those little critters.  We have a local gardening show on the radio and every week, there were several calls regarding them.  These little green critters even made in onto the FB page of the show.  But this year I was better prepared for them because I already had a couple of homemade traps made from last year.

The other thing that was different is that I spent 4 weeks away during the peak of tomato season.  So the neighbors who watched the pets the first two weeks, really scored in the tomato department, as well as zucchini and cucumbers.  Then I left two of my adult children in charge for the last 10 days, and they managed to kill all of my flowers that were in pots on the deck, my basil, my squash, and my rosemary.  My peppers were hanging on by a thread.  Thankfully a different neighbor came and picked tomatoes  during that time because I knew my kids would NOT do that. 

In the spring, I neglected my tomato seedlings a little too much and several did not survive.  I ended up going to a local nursery to purchase my romas, and some other varieties.  This was a learning experience.  Now that the summer is over, I now know for a fact, (beyond any doubt whatsoever) that the Yaqui romas are by far superior to anything that is available locally.  The romas I purchased were so incredibly small.  They tasted great, but  the amount of fruits each plant produced paled by comparison.  

So Lesson #1:  don't neglect the little seedlings
Lesson #2:  Yaqui tomatoes rule.

The new determinate, Bella Rosa, that I tried this year, turned out great.   I'd plant them again.

I tried 3 new varieties of Green chilies.  I loved Sahuaro.  The were plentiful and of a decent size.  Numex Joe Parker and Big Jim did not impress me.  I will grow them next year and see if I get the same results.


The Lemon Drop hot peppers I'd definitely try again.  They were slow to start.  Patience is required though.  When all of my other pepper plants were needing to be  harvested, this one was not ready for that.  It was taking its own sweet time.  Eventually this little plant showed up to the party and it was a full on bush covered in these little green peppers that turned a beautiful golden yellow color.  They really were gorgeous.  And they weren't too  hot.  My son tried one right off the bush and he liked it.  

Here is also a note-to-self regarding petunias.  I love Tidal Wave Petunias.  They provide such a spectacular show every summer in my three tier planter.  I didn't have enough plants to fill my planter this year because of seed quality (a little more than half came up).  So lessons learned?

Lesson #3:  don't buy cheap seeds from an unknown seller
Lesson #4:  local nursery Wave petunias, are definitely NOT the same as Tidal Wave.  Such a dramatic difference.  
Lesson #5:  Don't leave adult children in charge of patio pots when I leave town.

So that wraps up my summer.  I will take pictures next year.  I need more pictures.