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They’re Back! Zucchini season


2013
05.20

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The management and care of home grown zucchini

small zucchini

Space saving summer squash. Container grown zucchini from Renee’s Garden. photo courtesy Renee’s Garden

People are paying premium prices for squash blossoms at Farmers Markets. If you grow zucchini, (or any summer squash) you have access to one of the most popular summer food trends anywhere.

Stuffed, fried squash blossoms are a gourmet delight. It also solves the problem of too many zucchini. Eat those gorgeous flowers before they become a squash problem.

I have a gazillion recipes for zucchini on Pinterest. My favorite is chocolate zucchini cake. I sprinkle the top of the cake with mini chocolate chips before baking. I make two cakes in 8” square foil pans. One to eat as soon as it is cooled. When the second cake is completely cooled, cover it with foil and put it in the freezer. It’s a no-frosting-needed kind of cake. Perfect for picnics, the foil pan makes it very easy to bake and take.

You’ll have to try to believe it, but the zucchini pickles are great.

For all the joking about squash gone wild, I honestly have never had too many zucchini. I love it and only plant what I and the neighbors will eat. Then there are the squash vine borers that will suddenly end the steady supply of zucchini.

Save any extra seed by taping the packet closed or put it in a ziplock. Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place until next year.

Renee’s Garden has a little bush variety that can grow in a container. They have a quick return when you order seeds. There’s still time to grow a zucchini or two.

Obligatory zucchini joke

I have good news, and I have bad news. 

One day two zucchinis, were walking together down the road. They stepped off the curb and a speeding car came around the corner and ran one of them over. The uninjured zucchini called 911 and helped his injured friend as best he could.

The injured zucchini was taken to emergency at the hospital and rushed into surgery. After a long and agonizing wait, the doctor finally appeared. He told the uninjured zucchini, “I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is that your friend is going to pull through.” “The bad news is that he’s going to be a vegetable for the rest of his life.”

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Why are my superbells dying?


2013
05.17

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Posted in Look for this plant, My Gardens, My Homeplace, Ozarks Travel Examiner, Trials | No Comments »

photo PBH

Cherry Star Superbells photo PBH

 DYING PLANT ALERT

Why are my superbells dying? I water them every other day…they always seem to be dry?
They are in a hanging container that lets them drain well.

I live in California and they receive full sun all day.

Please help.

Thanks,

Blanca

Hardy and steady blooming plus these bloomers are self cleaning.

Hardy and steady blooming plus these bloomers are self cleaning. Photo by Patsy Bell Hobson.

My gardening friend, this is what I think.

Of course, I can’t see the problem, but my guess is that your container is too small or you should add some organic matter to the soil. Something like peat moss, core, grass clippings, shredded news paper. In CA, you should not have to water every other day.

The soil does not seem to have much water holding capacity. If, when you water, the water goes straight through the hanging basket, the water is not being absorbed by the soil or basket liner. That’s good, it tells us that the problem is:Proven-Winners-Logo-116x150

A. Too many plants in too small of a space.
B. poor quality soil mix.
C. You need a better and probably a bigger basket.

So, decide if you want fewer plants in your basket or, buy a bigger basket for all the flowers (Or divide the flowers making two baskets.)

Don’t give up on the Superbells, I have some that have overwintered and lived to bloom another year. They serve me well when other flowers are suffering the summer heat.

Soil quality it is important to give your plants the best season- home. So invest in a good soiless potting mix. I usually mix my own. But some times it’s just easier to buy

Organic Container Mix from Gardeners Supply loaded with peat moss, perlite. They also have a self watering variety that might solve your problem.

I am a great believer in starting with a good base of moisture holding, well draining potting soil.In my gardens I’m replacing peat with core. It’s cheaper, more readily available and a good environmental choice.

PWSupertuniaWatermelon

Watermelon slice was a butterfly magnet last spring. Photo PBH.

My advice is to start all over. Using the plants you have. Giving then a better or bigger root space will allow them to thrive.

Please let me know of your success and how you solved the problem.

Getting these reliable Superbell bloomers off to a good start and you will  have summer-long success. Patsy Bell Hobson in SE Missouri. email: Patsy64068@yahoo.com

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All about cherry tomatoes


2013
02.22

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Posted in My Gardens, Oh Grow Up!, Ozarks Travel Examiner, Plants From Seed | No Comments »

I love Tomatoes

If you have room for just two tomato plants, make one a regular and the second one a cherry tomato. Skip the giant tomato and choose a 6-8 ounce tomato that is a heavy producer. Those giant, 2 or 3 pound tomatoes are few and far between.

My new favorite cherry tomato is the yellow Sun Gold. They are a sweet little tomato.

Tomato Sun Gold

1 ounce cherry tomato. photo Patsy Bell Hobson

Here is it’s baby picture: it is  the one in the middle.

Indeterminate, with long vines. This may be the first and the last tomato to come out of your garden this year.

Unlike heirloom tomatoes, an (F1) tomato will not reproduce the same Sun Gold tomato that came from the seed packet.

You can’t save seed from the Hybrid F1 (first generation) plants are the result of a cross between two varieties. To learn more about F1 tomatoes go to – What is an F-1 Tomato?

Free Cherry Tomato Plants

Every spring, dozens of little volunteer tomatoes show up in the garden. Usually they grow up to be cherry tomatoes.

Cherry tomatoes and saladette tomatoes keep producing even when there the big tomatoes are center stage.

Cherry tomatoes and saladette tomatoes keep producing even when there the big tomatoes are center stage. Photo: PBH

 

Cherry Tomatoes are first to ripen  

Include a cherry tomato in you garden this summer. Cherries are the first to ripen and continue producing all summer and until frost.

Cluster after cluster until frost.

Cluster after cluster until frost.  Photo: Patsy Bell Hobson

 

Cherry Tomatoes for Sun Dried Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are the first taste of home grown, vine-ripened tomato we get every year. As the big full sized tomatoes begin to ripen, the little cherry tomatoes are still heavily producing. I cut these tomatoes in half and put them in the food dehydrater.

These little cherries become the high priced, rich and red sun dried tomatoes you see in gourmet shops..

slice cherry tomatoes, place cut side up, dry them on low heat.

slice cherry tomatoes, place cut side up, dry them on low heat. Photo: Patsy Bell Hobson.

Please see my tomato growing tips, tricks, reviews on HubPages. Subscribe to get my garden HubPages and get the news first.

 

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Must see Branson at Christmastime.


2012
11.24

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Posted in Go Away, Ozarks Travel Examiner, Traveling | 1 Comment »

Branson is one big Christmas Card. All deorated in it’s holiday best, … Read More:

 5 must see Christmas events in Branson at Striped Pot.

Molly and Carter are the ships resident dogs. Learn more about the Titanic and the pets that were aboard when it set sail from London. Photo: PBH

There is always more to do and see in Branson than is possible. But if you do have time, stop by the Titanic Museum. Say Happy Birthday to  the ships’ dogs. Molly and Carter.

See the Titanic in it’s Edwardian Holiday best. Photo: PBH.

Buy Titanic tickets, see times and dates of special events. Your best price is through the Titanic Museum web site.

3 Best Christmas light displays:

  • Branson Area Festival of Lights. Through Dec. 31 at Dusk – 11 p.m.

 

  • Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights. Through Jan. 2 at Shepherd of the Hills Homestead

 

  • Holiday Light Tours at Ride the Ducks. Through Dec. 9 at Ride the Ducks – Splash’s Winter Wonderland

 

 

 

5 must see Christmas events in Branson at Striped Pot travel magazine.

 

For more holiday festivities, contact the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB .

 

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Been There


2012
11.01

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Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner | No Comments »

Despite days of back breaking sand bagging, I’ve seen the devastation of flood waters rising to the ceilings of homes.

I’ve seen the neighbor’s house literally blown away by a tornado that left my home standing.

Pay it forward.

You will never forget that desperate and exhausted voice saying “I can’t find my grandson,” or “I’ve lost everything.” It will haunt you.

How disorienting it is when every street sign in the city is missing. Or, when there is no phone, no electricity, no way to get help.

So, before dismantle big government FEMA, and before dismantal Obama Care, think about what you would do if there was no one to pull you out of the rubble and rush you to the hospital.

If suddenly you don’t even have a pair of underwear, or a toothbrush or any form of I.D.

You can’t find your pets, you can’t call your kids to tell them you are alive, you can’t afford to replace the car, even if there was a road to where  you used to live.

 

 

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Proven Winners Señorita Blanca™ Cleome


2012
10.26

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Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner | No Comments »

 Look for this plant

Sometimes called a spider plant. I think it looks like the floral version of fireworks. Grandmother had an older variety that was harder to grow. This Señorita Blanca Cleome is draught tolerant and easy care. No deadheading or pruning needed.

This cleome doesn’t have the odor of earlier varieties. There are no seed pods. Photo: PBH

You can read more and see the cleome at Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

This color works well in a cutting garden or butterfly garden. The white blooms allow other plants to glow. The pale lavender tint compliments all the flowers.

I would recommend this annual to others and I will buy it again. There are no seed pods dropping everywhere because the Señorita Blanca Cleome plant is sterile.

Señorita Blanca Cleome. Non stop blooms through the record breaking heat and now in to cool short days of fall. Photo: pbh

Señorita uses it’s energy to bloom continuously, instead of making seed. I’ll take that improvement any day. From spring to first hard frost, these soft colored flowers on sturdy stems bloom nonstop.

During our record breaking heat, the cleome held it’s own. Growth slowed but did not stop. The plants received regular water and occasional liquid fertilizer.

Come spring, look for this plant at independent garden centers. When designing your containers this spring, keep Señorita Blanca Cleome in mind to add height to any container, perfect for cottage gardens, butterfly and cutting gardens.

Blooms from spring to last frost. Photo:PBH

This plant was sent to me by Proven Winners for trial. In my zone 6A, southeast Missouri garden. Señorita Blanca Cleome showed no signs of disease or insect problems.

If you had a hard time getting cleome to grow, them give them another try. Proven Winners has a better cleome.

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Copia tomato


2012
10.18

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Season Finale

Very different looking  tomatoes when sliced. But all the tomatoes are slightly sweet and juicy. Photo: PBH

I am pulling the last of the tomato plants for the year. But before I do, I picked a half dozen Copia tomatoes.

No two are the same. Thin skinned. Easy to peal. Beautiful canned. Photo: PBH

For my zone 6, southeast Missouri garden, these tomatoes were mid to late producers. Copia was the last full size tomato that I picked. (It was also in the last BLT of the season.)

These tomatoes grow on big, sprawling vines. Place sturdy stakes or cages early.

Hub Pages has all the info on the beautiful and tasty heirloom.
Read More: Best and Beautiful Copia heirloom tomato.

I bought seeds at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Each packet contains 20 seeds. Save any extra seeds in a cool, dry, dark location. You should be able to use these seeds for the next couple of years.

A cross between’Green Zebra’ and ‘Marvel Stripe,’ both excellent heirlooms. Photo: PBH.

 

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Three blue vegetables for home gardeners


2012
10.18

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Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner | No Comments »

Dragon Tongue, eat fresh or leave on vine to fully mature for shelling beans. Photo: PBH

Dragon Tongue fresh tender snap beans. Close your eyes, and taste one of the best fresh snap beans. Prepare as you would any green beans.

To keep their color and tenderness, this bean is best served fresh. Excellent lightly steamed and served with chive or dill butter.

Rosa Biance eggplant, beautiful and mild flavored. No two look alike. Photo: PBH

Rosa Bianca eggplant is not bitter, an Italian heirloom eggplant. Creamy white teardrop shaped. Taste this eggplant and you will know why it has been around for generations.

The mild flavor of this eggplant is perfect for eggplant parmesean or vegetable lasagne.

Indigo Rose will be red on the side of thr fruit that is shaded and blue where it is exposed to full sun. Photo: PBH

Indigo Rose are very blue saladette size tomatoes. Very high in Anthocyanins.

Use fresh in salads, on kabobs or cut inhalf to dry (dehydrate)

The blue pigments, the Anthocyanins, are what makes the reds, purples and blues of fruits or vegetables. Anthocyanins have been linked to cancer fighting and anti aging benifits.

Read more about where to find these blue foods on My Hub Pages.

 

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Todays Harvest Basket October 12, 2012


2012
10.12

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Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner | 1 Comment »

Riesentraube cherry tomatoes, weighing about a half an ounce or 3/4 an ounce. Earlier this season they were averaging 1 to 1 and 1/2 ounces. I pulled up this tomato vine today, ending the tomato season for the year.

The beautiful bicolor Copia tomato was producing half pound fruits in my garden. Other gardeners bragged about one pound fruits. I will grow these again because they are meaty and have few seeds.

Sweet and mild red cheese peppers. Use them like you do bell peppers. They make cute little stuffers.

Read my Hub Pages review of Copia tomatoes. Best tomatoes from seed: Copia heirloom

Copia, bicolor, full, juicy tomatoes. Thin skins, few seeds and generally yellow with red streaks.

 

Copia tomatoes do not grow or look the same. These slices all came from the same tomato vine, picked the same day.

 

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Teamwork: annuals and perinnials


2012
10.12

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It would be hard to choose between annuals and perrenials. Either way would be more work and very limiting.  Annuals and perennials make a great team.

Frankly Scarlet daylily. A favorite easy care perennial. 4″ bloom, 24″ tall, Early-Mid Season + rebloom, a 2003 All-American Selection.

Eating locally and eating seasonally help us understand. When I first moved into our new house, the first thing I planted was asparagus. True, we would not benefit from this food source for three years. Every year after that and probably for as long as we lived there, this spring delacy would be ours to enjoy for years to come.

Until those whispy little asparagus ferns get bigger, there is plenty of sunshine in that garden to plant a few strawberry plants. Both asparagus and strawberries are considered perennials in my southeast Missouri USA garden (zone six)

A surprise to many gardeners, tomatoes are really a perennial. Well, not in my back yard. Where they are native, tomatoes are perennials. Most folks here in the U. S. treat them as annuals. At the first hint or suggestion of a frost, tomato plants just cry and die.

See The Hub Pages Report: Which is best? Annuals or Perinnials

I am glad that there are both annuals and perinnials. in my front yard, vegetable patch, patio containers.

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