Veggie Growers Unite About This Page:

[Minnie Lor]

Hmmmm.... I wonder what and when you spray the apples? We have two apple trees and this last fall was the first time that we had apples. Lot's of apples. They were UGLY but really good once you cut the ugly off. I cut up 30-40 apples, soaked them in 7-UP, and froze them. We are having apple crunch made with them tonight.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Minnie Lor

Hmmmm.... I wonder what and when you spray the apples? We have two apple trees and this last fall was the first time that we had apples. Lot's of apples. They were UGLY but really good once you cut the ugly off. I cut up 30-40 apples, soaked them in 7-UP, and froze them. We are having apple crunch made with them tonight.

YUM! Isn;t the bugs and disease what makes the apples ugly?

[Minnie Lor]

I have no idea, Sandy. I didn't see bugs on them and there wasn't any holes. They just looked spotty on the outside. But the flesh was in perfect shape.

[klositis]

Easiest way to grow Tomoatoes......Get a square bale of hay, cut holes in the wide side of it, leave about 10-12 inches between. put potting soil in the bottom of the hole, water, place plant in that and coverup with more potting soil. Once your plants get tall enough to start leaning, brace up with a stick and tie plant to it, with white tshirt material. You can add some miracle gro to it also to get faster growth and bigger fruits. You can also use the hay trick with strawberries, cucumbers, and the like. This works well if you have limited space and can be done on a balcony.

[klositis]

I really dont know about the apple trees, but I bet you can find out at the local feed and seed store or even Lowes.
As far as keeping bugs off tomatoes, peas, strawberries, etc use 10% Sevin Dust, just sprinkle on the leaves, this will have to be redone about once a week. For the deer and other 4 legged creatures, this is not a pretty site but its cheap and it works. Take aluminum pie plates , punch hole in top of rim, run some twine thru that then tie to a pole and let the pie plates flop and fly in the breeze, Id say the pole/post needs to be about 4-5ft. Planting marigolds around the beds also helps with some afiads.

[klositis]

I'll post this and then be quiet for awhile!! Google "homemade pesticides" and there are places that have the recipies for all kinds of buggy, creepy, crawly things. Good Luck.

[mrsmac2001]

Originally Posted by Minnie Lor

Oooo, lots of good tips. Thanks Wyomom! Hopefully you and Lori will pop in to answer questions.

I will try to from time to time. I love gardening and watching all my hard work come to fruition.

[wyomom]

Originally Posted by Minnie Lor

Hmmmm.... I wonder what and when you spray the apples? We have two apple trees and this last fall was the first time that we had apples. Lot's of apples. They were UGLY but really good once you cut the ugly off. I cut up 30-40 apples, soaked them in 7-UP, and froze them. We are having apple crunch made with them tonight.

If you have bug issues with any blossoming tree or plant, the best thing to do is spray before the blossoms close and make fruit. The bugs get into the flower, close up...hence, bugs in fruit. Trees are not my forte, and if anyone out there knows more, please correct me.

For those of you who plan on planting fruit bearing trees, remember you need two trees to bear that fruit. They "mate". There is a certain distance in which you are to do this. Talk to a nursery that specializes in trees/shrubs. They are most helpful.

[wyomom]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

WHat a great idea! I have a great roasted tomatoe soup recipe.

My friend bought a few 2 dollar tomatoe plants and ended up with a HUGE crop. They were absolutely delicious!

I really need to spray my apple trees so the bugs dont eat everything also. I don't mind sharing with the deer, but not the bugs.

ooooh, I would love to have your roasted tomato soup recipe!! Sounds delish.

[Minnie Lor]

Originally Posted by klositis

Easiest way to grow Tomoatoes......Get a square bale of hay, cut holes in the wide side of it, leave about 10-12 inches between. .

That is a cool idea! I may do exactly that.

Originally Posted by wyomom

For those of you who plan on planting fruit bearing trees, remember you need two trees to bear that fruit. They "mate". There is a certain distance in which you are to do this.

I knew that but thought it was just for the variety that we had not all fruit trees. Learn something new all the time. We have two 'historic' trees. They were started from one of the original Johnny Appleseed tree which is now gone.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by wyomom

If you have bug issues with any blossoming tree or plant, the best thing to do is spray before the blossoms close and make fruit. The bugs get into the flower, close up...hence, bugs in fruit. Trees are not my forte, and if anyone out there knows more, please correct me.

For those of you who plan on planting fruit bearing trees, remember you need two trees to bear that fruit. They "mate". There is a certain distance in which you are to do this. Talk to a nursery that specializes in trees/shrubs. They are most helpful.

OK, I have an apple tree that does make apples even if it is only one. If I plant a pear tree will that work for mating or do fruits only mate with the same kinds of fruits?

[KathyL]

For those of you who lack garden space or spots to have big planters for tomatoes, the things that you see advertised to grow your tomatoes upside down, really work. DH and I have tried growing a few tomato plants like this each year, and they have been very successful. We find that they tend to dry out faster than tomatoes in the garden but other than that, no problems. We have purchased our "upsidedown planters" from a gardening catalog in the past...I will see if I can find the name of the catalog/website if anyone is interested.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by KathyL

For those of you who lack garden space or spots to have big planters for tomatoes, the things that you see advertised to grow your tomatoes upside down, really work. DH and I have tried growing a few tomato plants like this each year, and they have been very successful. We find that they tend to dry out faster than tomatoes in the garden but other than that, no problems. We have purchased our "upsidedown planters" from a gardening catalog in the past...I will see if I can find the name of the catalog/website if anyone is interested.

I'd be interested! Sounds a little like the hydroponics displays in The Land.

[jjj6689]

Originally Posted by wyomom

How fun would it be to post our garden pictures and show the progress over the summer!
Also, I love to can and vegi soup and salsa are always on my list. Perhaps we can share some favorite/new recipes that involve our crops.

I haven't tried veggie soup yet. Do you put meat in it? Do you have to use a pressure canner? I have a great tomato soup recipe that will make you never be able to look at Campbell's tomato soup the same.

I have a question about marigolds. Do I just plant them around the edges of my garden? We had way to many bugs last year and lost most of our vining crops(pumpkins, squash, zucchini)

[disneymom9092]

We have a garden too! I plant tomatos, green, red and yellow peppers, lettuce, yellow squash, zucchini, and broccoli. I also have an herb garden of parsley, oregano, mint, thyme, and basil.

I love Burpee for seeds and plants! Got the catalog already! And they ship when ready to plant!

I really go organic. I can't wait to try the pie plant thing for the deer! They are the worse for me! The marigolds work great for the bugs!