OT -- Any gardeners out there?

4Runner

I always heard "pinch off the suckers" but never have as I wasn't sure what was a sucker and what wasn't.  This really helps.

fishlessman

to burn last years growth or not. still a month away from planting. wasnt sure but did it anyways this weekend

Chubbs

tz666 said:

@Chubbs so do you weave the melon vine into that and let it grow up to keep it off the ground? I have tried melons before and my melons always rot on the bottom. I have 3 plants now planted

Yeah melons dont have tendrils like cukes but you can train them up by weaving them in and out. If they do grow on ground, rotate them every other day so one spot doesn't sit on the ground/moisture. 

Chubbs

tarheelmatt said:

Thanks @Chubbs !  I was still a little confused as to what to pinch off exactly.  I am pretty confident now what to pinch off.  

My plants are still young and I haven't examined closely yet, but I wonder when suckers start and when do you start pinching them (I assume early and when you see them).  

Yeah still early yet. The suckers I have removed so far are only an inch long. They get enormous if left alone. Just remember this is for indeterminate only. It is easier to get them when they are small like the sample pic. 

Chubbs

4Runner said:

I always heard "pinch off the suckers" but never have as I wasn't sure what was a sucker and what wasn't.  This really helps.

Yeah think of your body as main stem, your arm as a leaf and anything growing out of your armpit as a sucker. 

4Runner

Chubbs said:

4Runner said:

I always heard "pinch off the suckers" but never have as I wasn't sure what was a sucker and what wasn't.  This really helps.

Yeah think of your body as main stem, your arm as a leaf and anything growing out of your armpit as a sucker. 

I have been pinching off those suckers....for years now.  

tarheelmatt

Now I have to remember where I planted what.  I have Romas, German Johnsons, and Cherokee's.  

The Romas are the determinate ones of the bunch.  

Chubbs

tarheelmatt said:

The Romas are the determinate ones of the bunch.  

Correct. I grow a good bit of Romas and make sauce. Never grown the other two varieties. This year I went with Box Car Willie, Abe Lincoln, Mortgage Lifter, and Brandwine to join my Romas. This will give a nice variety of large beefsteak type, medium, and clusters. 

DoubleEgger

I bought some Romas that are indeterminate. Amish Paste Roma I believe. 

Chubbs

DoubleEgger said:

I bought some Romas that are indeterminate. Amish Paste Roma I believe. 

Nice! Can't get those around here because of our climate. Looks great though!

DoubleEgger

@Chubbs. Aren't you in Columbia? I bought mine at HD in metro Atlanta. We should be in the same zone. Do mine stand a chance of making it? 

Chubbs

DoubleEgger said:

@Chubbs. Aren't you in Columbia? I bought mine at HD in metro Atlanta. We should be in the same zone. Do mine stand a chance of making it? 

Yes I am. Interesting! I have never seen them and when I looked them up it said watch for sunscald in hotter climates. Appears there are less leaves than typical Roma which allows the leaves and fruit to get more sun. You should be fine. If they start to wilt just look into a way of shading it some. They are heirloom though so save the seeds!! If they are good you can keep them and have them every year

DoubleEgger

Good deal. My area isn't full sun so that should work. I ordered some insect netting so that will provide some light filtration as well. 

MaskedMarvel

Any thoughts on red mulch? I'm thinking of getting some from HD with their four for ten deal and loading it under the tomatoes and peppers....

tarheelmatt

MaskedMarvel said:

Any thoughts on red mulch? I'm thinking of getting some from HD with their four for ten deal and loading it under the tomatoes and peppers....

Honestly, I wouldn't put that around my plants.  I would think the dye would leech.  I would stick to natural stuff (pine bark, needles, hardwood mulch etc.).  Others may see differently though.  

I need to get a few bales more of pine needles to go on mine.   

Chubbs

MaskedMarvel said:

Any thoughts on red mulch? I'm thinking of getting some from HD with their four for ten deal and loading it under the tomatoes and peppers....

I would not use it unless they know the source of dye and wood used. Some use a vegetable based dye. Others will use chemicals. Even more important, where is the wood from. Most dyed mulch uses recycled wood. Some recycled wood contains arsenic but that is early 2000s and before. A lot of questions, so for me I shy away. I use organic compost around my plants. Go to a reputable landscape supply location and get a truck bed full for $35. Much safer and actually has more nutrients for your plants in my opinion. Your call though. Just my .02. 

DoubleEgger

Cedar mulch is a natural bug repellant. 

Chubbs

For those who are interested in "topping peppers". Here is an example from my own garden. I am not sure what order vanilla wants to posts pics today but the tall narrow plant was not topped. The shorter stockier plant with two main stems was one that was topped. This one will produce far more fruit and is stronger get to support it. Top those pepper plants!

theyolksonyou

Did my more mature plants yesterday. Some haven't split yet. 

Chubbs

theyolksonyou said:

Did my more mature plants yesterday. Some haven't split yet. 

I did mine when they were growing indoors. I took some small scissors and clipped off the top of the main stem and some smaller leaves. I waited until there were 5 or 6 true leaves (not cotyledons) and tried to leave 4 leaves. Worked well. The ones I topped are far more compact, bushier, and more sturdy. The size of the leaves alone shows the benefit. 

tarheelmatt

Mine aren't quite as large as yours, but I believe some could be topped soon.  I am eager to see the results.  

HDmstng

Tilled up my garden this past weekend and waiting to plant this weekend.  Skipped last year due to family commitments, but looking forward to getting my garden planted this year.  My son, 4.5 is looking forward to it as well.

My parents, aunts and uncles were/are all into gardening.

Found this about pinching tomato plants...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxj_O72SgZU

Chubbs

Thanks @HDmstng   I was trying to post something similar but could not get video to post. Any tips?

tarheelmatt

@Chubbs YouTube videos you only post the link in the body of your reply. 

Chubbs

tarheelmatt said:

@Chubbs YouTube videos you only post the link in the body of your reply. 

Cool, thanks. What about videos on my own iPhone?

theyolksonyou

The only way I've been able to embed the YouTube video is on the iPad I. HTML mode. Otherwise, only he link posts. Don't see that option on mobile   

tarheelmatt

Chubbs said:

tarheelmatt said:

@Chubbs YouTube videos you only post the link in the body of your reply. 

Cool, thanks. What about videos on my own iPhone?

I upload to YouTube then link....

Chubbs

DoubleEgger said:

Cedar mulch is a natural bug repellant. 

Yes it is. It also pulls nitrogen from the garden though. Not sure which benefit outweighs the downfall. 

NDG

Just want to say a quick THANKS b/c I have pulled lots of good info from this post.  When I get some time this weekend, I will upload some pics of my raised bed (herbs/lettuces) and pots (tomato/peppers/mint).

HDmstng

Glad they were helpful.  I've been thinking of doing raised beds since weeds always seem to be an issue.  Growing up my family always did in ground though and my dad had a Troy Bilt Horse tiller he bought new in 1973.  These were the BGE of tillers at the time.  It ran up until about 14 years ago when the engine blew and it sat outside for about 8 years.  I put a $99 harbor freight engine on it, cleared off some rust and replaced a couple of broken items, and it was up and running again.  After that, I did a full restore, replaced every seal and bolt, then had it powder coated.  Still have a few finishing touches, but I put it back to work.  But if I go raised beds, won't have much use for the tiller.