EarthBox Forum

EarthBox Chat => My EarthBox => Topic started by: gardendoc on June 02, 2020, 11:12:42 am

Title: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: gardendoc on June 02, 2020, 11:12:42 am

I'm going to start posting images and sharing my experiences in the summer garden. I'm an avid heirloom seed saver. Here's how I bag to protect against cross pollination

Title: Re: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: gardendoc on June 10, 2020, 11:42:37 am

Here's a nice hand of heirloom tomato BHN968 I picked this week

Title: Re: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: shrinkrap on June 13, 2020, 06:14:11 pm

That seems impressive,  especially on June 10th. Where are you gardening?

Title: Re: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: gardendoc on June 14, 2020, 06:56:49 am

Ocean Springs, MS

Title: Re: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: Texas.Micky on August 10, 2020, 08:53:18 am

Tried to grow heirlooms from seed. No seedlings survived yet.

My boxes are at friend's yards/patios in Austin and Dallas this year.

Fall garden still going in Austin, some Basil, Rosemary, Catnip, Mint, in Dallas.

Title: Re: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: Askmeoffers7 on August 21, 2020, 07:06:00 am

I've had EBs for about 7-8 years, then 5 years, and now I'm gone. This year, I have more BER than I've ever seen on my plants before AND I diligently gave them the "snack" 1x week from when they were 2 feet tall and just as blossoms started. Now I know it's not a guarantee ... Yet I 'm optimistic ... :P

First, is anything too late? I have 9 good plants with plenty of green tomatoes. Others look good so far (e.g. a combination of BER and non-BER on the same plant). One or two rotted before blushing. I think it's Brandywine. It seems to me late this season, I just have to deal with it / cut off the poor ones. What if it's not too late? Is this once I add some kind of lime? Secondly, the cause? In VA, it was pretty hot and humid. I have began late this year, planting in late May instead of mid-May. I do use variations I haven't used before, including Early Girl, Big Boy, and Celebrity. (And Mortgage Lifter and Brandywine, but they're behind). I used Jersey Boy in the past. Maybe because of all three???

Title: Re: gardendoc's 2020 Summer Garden
Post by: gardendoc on August 21, 2020, 09:36:07 am

The main line defense against is the initial dolomite pre-plant. If you're starting backup after several years and using new growing mix then BER will be more prevalent and should decrease in following years. The snack only keeps calcium in a readily available form, not as a BER cure. Planting late doesn't allow the plant to develop a root system that can tolerate the hot temps and water demand and leads to BER. It will get better