BT garden thread 2010 (Page 5)

After a few weeks of dirt conditioning and blending - compost, peat moss mixed all in and all the dirt lossened, I finally began planting.   seeded green beans, long beans, carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, collard greens, kale.    Put on a tinie zuccini that will take the place over by july, a few eggplants, a pepper.   Need more peppers (we like the variety - I bring them in to work and the ladies make me salsa!) tomatoes, and lemon cuccumbers, at the least. 

RE Heirloom tomatoes.  research which are right for your climate - I planted brandywines's last year, the plants were huge, but the fruit did not mature on time - I took the vines into the basement in the fall and got some.   I need a hybrid for a short growing season - I got some at the farmer's market last year that were bread for Fallon, NV.  I wish I saved seeds, because they were delish!

My current compost pile is HUGE.   The lunch room at work has a bin for coffee grinds and the banana peel or whatever people have - they save it for me, anticipating the bowls of extras by August.      Last week we had a Cinco de Mayo party catered - we ate the left overs all week.   By friday, the extra shreeded lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and onions went in with the coffee grinds.   Score.

For my tiny lawn, I was getting tired of firing up my old craig's list mower - it took me longer to get the thing started than actually mowing.  so I bought an old style push mower at a thrift store, but the grass catcher falls off - it is not the right size.    ticks me off.    so, perhaps the I need to employ the leaf blower/sucker I bought at a yard sale today.....  gotta get those clippings in the compost pile!

Sounds like a salsa commercial  - "peppers form New Jersey?!   Get a rope."

many of my plants froze recently.   need to start over.....

ok - I have consulted all local experts, and I can replant on Friday with minimal fear of frost again.   I am so jealous of those who can plant in april/may without fear of frost!

So - I hacked back my roses that were tearing the trellises off the house last winter.   And they are growing again!  yea!   However, I have yet to replace the trellises.   I looked at home depot and found boring stuff, and wood is silly here in the desert - I need metal!  I looked online and found some, but nothing I love.    any on line ideas?

I am considering contracting a local custom outfit to make me some to match my art deco house.

i have about half my garden in so far. 
(3) double rows of progress 9 peas.
(2) rows of sweet potatoes. (carolina rose and allgold)
(6) 15' rows of incredible corn.
(37) roma tomatoes. (planted a day after this picture was taken)
yet to plant - limas, beans, and more corn.
in smaller side garden - strawberries, blackberries, kenebec potatoes, lettuce, carrots, & spinach.

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A question for my fellow BT gardeners...

Do you separate tomato seedlings?  I have read some conflicting reports that either say it's possible and if done correctly will work, or just cut back the weaker ones and move on.   I am in the camp of trying to save them.  Some of the things I read said that tomatoes are pretty resilient and can take the separation, especially if you separate them will the roots in water.  I tried a couple yesterday, but just wondering if anyone has or hasn't tried this.