Gardening tomatoes, herbs, and some veggies for 2012

[TXCraig1]

Craig,

Thanks for explaining how the weather around Houston is.    Sounds good to me.  Probably, next month sometime we will have our first freeze.  This morning I had to put a sweatshirt on to keep warm at home.  

Norma

It was cool here today too - only 91F.

[norma427]

I know what you mean, Norma. I grew up in Montreal, and then lived in Toronto before moving to CT 10 years ago. I started to lose my taste for winter when I quit skiing and playing hockey in my early 20's, and my tolerance for winter has gone steadily downhill since then (and that was a looooong time ago). I tell people I moved here for the weather.  But I never owned a snowblower until I moved here.

I was at the community garden today, and I don't know how much more I'm going to get from the tomato plants. The basil is pretty huge, and we'll process that once it gets a little colder. I think I'll use Bill's (I think) method of running it through the food processor with some EVOO and freezing it.

Barry

Barry,

I am glad that I am not the only one that doesn’t like cold weather.

I used to be out building snowmen, sledding, ice skating and other things most of the day and never minded it one bit.  Now I just shiver when I think of going out on a windy really cold day.  I still have to walk the dogs, but do bundle-up.  I also own a snowblower, but it broke down last year.  I need to get it fixed before winter really sets in.

Yes, when it even gets a little cooler and the days grow shorter in sunlight, it seems like not a lot grows but grass.  I also have a lot of basil I need to do something with soon.

Norma   

[bfguilford]

It was cool here today too - only 91F.

I guess if I had to choose between freezing cold and hot and humid, I'd probably take....   ... Door #3, Monty.

[norma427]

It was cool here today too - only 91F.

Craig,

Cool 91F

It was nice here later this morning and afternoon.  It really can't be seen well on this picture, but there were loads of bees, bugs and buttlerflies on these flowers right after lunch.  The insects only were on the flowers that were directly in the sun.  They are also getting ready for colder weather.

Norma
 

[norma427]

I guess if I had to choose between freezing cold and hot and humid, I'd probably take....   ... Door #3, Monty.

Barry,

I agree.  I also don't like working in the heat.  I guess I am hard to please.   

Norma

[Chicago Bob]

I guess if I had to choose between freezing cold and hot and humid, I'd probably take....   ... Door #3, Monty.

Too hot can be very uncomfortable....but too cold, goes to the bone...ya can't even think straight.
Brrrrr!

[TXCraig1]

I also have a lot of basil I need to do something with soon.

I've been thinking about making basilcello.

[norma427]

I've been thinking about making basilcello.

Craig,

If you do try to make basilcello, let me know how it turns out.  Sounds good.   

Norma

[dylandylan]

We're coming into spring down here in New Zealand, I've been raising seeds for a couple of months and this weekend I'm planting out the last of them into the glasshouse with one thing in mind... pizza of course.   I'll take pix as I go, but here's the plan.

[norma427]

dylandylan,

Looks like a good plan.  Will be looking forward to seeing your pictures. 

Norma

[bfguilford]

We're coming into spring down here in New Zealand, I've been raising seeds for a couple of months and this weekend I'm planting out the last of them into the glasshouse with one thing in mind... pizza of course.   I'll take pix as I go, but here's the plan.

I always thought that you need to plant garlic in late fall and have it over-winter.

Barry

[dylandylan]

Thanks Barry, I'm sure you're right.  I'm all enthusiasm and little experience!    I've grown plenty of tomatoes before, but not garlic.  Saw the garlic the other week at the garden centre and grabbed it.  They're in the soil now so I think I'll leave them there but perhaps lower my expectations about how well they'll do.

[dylandylan]

Early days yet, but a couple of pics of where it's at today.

[norma427]

Early days yet, but a couple of pics of where it's at today.

dylandylan,

Wow, that is a nice glasshouse.   

Norma

[pizzaneer]

Dylan, could you add a sketch of solar orientation to your initial diagram?   What are your usual seasonal temperature fluctuations? 
thanks
Brian

[Chicago Bob]

I wonder what Norma is cook'in up in the kitchen on this fine Sunday afternoon.....?   

[dylandylan]

I've added orientation to the diagram.  Unobstructed sun from North-East to about North-West, then the large tree you can see in the picture behind the glasshouse shades the last of the sun as it sets.    It's the southern hemisphere so the sun heads East>North>West.    The photo of inside the glasshouse shows you the shadows at about 10am, I reckon its getting about 6-7 hours of direct sunlight per day at the moment in early spring.

I've only just moved down here to Dunedin so I can't tell you first hand what the seasonal variation in temperature is.  Wikipedia climate data below.  As you can see, even in the height of summer the temperature is still quite low, hence I'm thankful to have the glasshouse.

[rcbaughn]

Wow what an awesome glasshouse. If I loved in an area that needed the extra heat that would no doubt probably be one of the nicest ones around. Thankfully though we live in Alabama and the summer heat does more than enough for our veggies. Sometimes too much.

[norma427]

I wonder what Norma is cook'in up in the kitchen on this fine Sunday afternoon.....?   

Bob,

Nothing, I was in Wildwood and Cape May, NJ all day. 

Norma

[Chicago Bob]

Bob,

Nothing, I was in Wildwood and Cape May, NJ all day. 

Norma

Well alright!     You deserved that Norma, an I hope you didn't hurt Wildwood too bad. 
Save some of that fun party town for when I make it there.....