Sometimes the garden plants itself. Sometimes … you just have to let it. Such is my perennial garden. I have spent years wanting it my way, plants only where I installed them in my offset groupings. This year no echinacea’s were pulled out, no salvias relocated, no pulling asclepias or replanting ballon flowers.
I wouldn’t care at all any more if the 4-foot-tall phlox wasn’t in the front row of things — get to the back please! Why is it winning? Two reasons: First, why not let them be? If I loved them here, I can love them there. Second, my hands are about shot. Years and years of pulling weeds and working with plants and now 14 years of baking — both intense pressure work, I can’t do both! Do you think the people waiting for my cinnamon rolls care about my weeds? Lol.
The plants that relocated most profusely are white swan echinacea, asclepias (butterfly weed), platycodon (balloon flower) porcelain vine, sweet autumn clematis, salvias, creeping thyme and tall garden phlox. Naturally, the weeds have always been self-locators, going any and everywhere! What about “mother earth” iris, why can’t she replant all over?
I am planning a new experiment on weed prevention. Until last week, I had never heard of “mulch glue,” have you? Seriously, a spray on glue to hold your bark or rock mulch in place? It got me thinking about spraying this on newly sprouted weeds in my pathways or edging around my boulders. Would it create a barrier to also stop the weeds from growing? Hopefully this week I will start the “weed glue” experiment in segments for comparison to non-treated areas. It sounds promising, so stay tuned!
Blossom end rot
A few of my friends are experiencing blossom end rot on their tomatoes. Don’t you hate that when it happens? Blossom end rot will appear as a dark spot, often leathery in appearance at the bottom of the tomato or even peppers. The bottom of the tomato is where the blossom had been attached, and the fruit formed behind the blossom. As the fruit develops, the blossom dries up and falls off.
Blossom end rot is a calcium/water issue. The plant needs consistent, even watering to take up the calcium it needs. No water … no calcium. The water/calcium that the fruit does receive enters thru the stem of course, and may never get to the bottom of the fruit before it runs out. Remove affected fruit, correct the watering and you are back in business.
Plants need 1-2 inches of water per week excluding rain applied in two waterings. A daily sprinkling is the WORST thing you can do for plants that are installed in a garden plot. They need a deep watering twice a week once they are established. Plants in containers will likely need daily watering as they drain faster and cannot search for water beyond the decorative pot! Also, applying a fertilizer that contains micronutrients would be great. Correcting the watering usually corrects the issue for blossom end rot.
This is my first year growing tomatoes in containers — and I am not impressed. But, it’s there or nowhere since the amaranth (resistant to everything) took over my vegetable plot! Can’t wait to try the mulch glue on it! It may be a moment of sweet revenge!
Living farm to table
Certainly, everyone has heard of “farm to table” restaurants, and “farm to table” events. Sounds so intriguing and cool — right? Well, if you are a gardener, farmer or a regular farmer’s market customer, this may already be your way of life.
You can shop at any farmer’s market and create your own farm to table meal … every day during the growing season! Not to diminish the “event” business, but it’s so simple to live it every day.
At the Mankato Farmer’s Market almost everything can be found to round out your meals or parties. Produce to include — salads and greens, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and endless other veggies. Condiments like jam, BBQ and hot sauces, herbs for dressing, honey and the fresh bread to put it on! Several vendors have beef, chicken, pork and bison ready for the grill. Choose from fresh baked pies, pastries and sweets for desserts.
Pick up eggs, scones, cinnamon rolls and some melons for brunch. Don’t forget the late-night snacks like fudge, caramels or kettle corn. Add a fresh bouquet of flowers from the one of the many vendors to brighten up your table.
Enjoying the freshest possible local foods while supporting your local grower/producers is a win-win!
Visit us at the Mankato Farmer’s Market! We are located at the Best Buy parking lot on Adams Street. Plants, honey, syrup, soaps, textiles, baked goods, crafts, woodworking, pies, coffee, jams, local raised meats and eggs. Our Saturday schedule is from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5:30 p.m.