GMG Green Thumb Club

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Sounds like you'll have quite a relaxing and shady garden there Irons! 

Any chance that your beans will recover now that the weather is improving if you are patient and give them some time?

Good luck with the tomato planting.  Need to get outside here soon myself (finishing a second load of laundry here, will make a quick breakfast and then outside for me).  I did stake all of my tomatoes and peppers yesterday (needed doing anyway but we were at risk for strong winds and possible hail...lucky, a bit windy, some rain--could have used more--and no hail).

Mandryka,

Have you thought more about what you want to plant in that hot spot?

PD

[Irons]

An exotic garden in deepest Surrey!

And out with the bubble wrap in autumn!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

And out with the bubble wrap in autumn!

I've been wondering how much covering up you'll be doing (meaning of your garden). 

Doing more stuff inside today; rather frustrating.  At least I've ordered the replacement parts for my multi-cutter (mostly used for weed whacking).  Boy, though, even repairing it myself, it won't be cheap! 

PD

[Mandryka]

Mandryka,

Have you thought more about what you want to plant in that hot spot?

PD

One of these

[Pohjolas Daughter]

One of these

So, you're thinking of a tower of jewels plant?

I found this info: 

How to Grow Echium The tower of jewels plant can survive temperatures below 20 F. (-6 C.) if given some protection but is generally a warm to temperate weather specimen. Cooler areas should try to grow the plant in a solarium or greenhouse. The best soil is sandy to gritty and a cactus soil works well for potted plants. Site the Echium tower of jewels in full sun with some protection from the wind. These plants are quite drought tolerant but superior tower of jewels care will include regular watering in summer to help produce a strong spire that doesn't tip over.

Link (auto-provided) Read more at Gardening Know How: Echium Tower of Jewels Flower: Tips For Growing Tower Of Jewels Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/tower-of-jewels/echium-tower-of-jewels-info.htm

How cold does it get on average during winter for you?

And apparently it grows on average from 5-8 feet tall.  Is this a different variety?  Or given really good conditions? 

PD

[Mandryka]

Mandryka,

Have you thought more about what you want to plant in that hot spot?

PD

Just bought a Buddleja colvilei

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Just bought a Buddleja colvilei

Neat!  Beautiful looking shrub!  I suspect that hummingbirds would like the flowers too.    Now are you going to be good and either you or someone else work in a lot of compost to loosen up your clay soil for it?    A pain, I know, but it will be happier in the long run.

Blissfully cooler here today.  I know, I know.  My peppers, eggplants and tomatoes prefer it hotter but I needed this break!  And less humid too. 

PD

[Irons]

Neat!  Beautiful looking shrub!  I suspect that hummingbirds would like the flowers too.    Now are you going to be good and either you or someone else work in a lot of compost to loosen up your clay soil for it?    A pain, I know, but it will be happier in the long run.

Blissfully cooler here today.  I know, I know.  My peppers, eggplants and tomatoes prefer it hotter but I needed this break!  And less humid too. 

PD

Tomatoes are surprisingly fussy for ideal growing temperatures. Anything above 27c (81f) they struggle, greenhouses go way above that. I am coming to the conclusion that even for moderate temperatures in SE England it is best to grow a blight resistant variety without cover.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Tomatoes are surprisingly fussy for ideal growing temperatures. Anything above 27c (81f) they struggle, greenhouses go way above that. I am coming to the conclusion that even for moderate temperatures in SE England it is best to grow a blight resistant variety without cover.

The weather has been so screwy around here lately--either really warm or really cold--I'm hoping that I don't get both early and late tomato blight!    So far, they're looking pretty good (knock on wood) with possible exception of one that is in a pot...due possibly to not enough water for a short spell?  Looks pretty good but has a few (lower)yellow leaves.  I'll go out early tomorrow and pinch them off and then apply some liquid organic fertilizer (and maybe some more compost).  More weeding to do.

How are your tomatoes doing so far Irons?  And what are you going to do with all of them?

PD

[Szykneij]

My tomato plants started off slowly, but after a heatwave a few weeks back, they took off. Most of mine are in pots and many have yellowing lower leaves because they're too close together at the moment so the bottom branches aren't getting enough sun. I'll be relocating them shortly. The ones in the smaller pots are plants I'll be giving away to friends and family.

[Irons]

My tomato plants started off slowly, but after a heatwave a few weeks back, they took off. Most of mine are in pots and many have yellowing lower leaves because they're too close together at the moment so the bottom branches aren't getting enough sun. I'll be relocating them shortly. The ones in the smaller pots are plants I'll be giving away to friends and family.

I cut off the lower leaves to allow the air to circulate through the plants.

[Irons]

The weather has been so screwy around here lately--either really warm or really cold--I'm hoping that I don't get both early and late tomato blight!    So far, they're looking pretty good (knock on wood) with possible exception of one that is in a pot...due possibly to not enough water for a short spell?  Looks pretty good but has a few (lower)yellow leaves.  I'll go out early tomorrow and pinch them off and then apply some liquid organic fertilizer (and maybe some more compost).  More weeding to do.

How are your tomatoes doing so far Irons?  And what are you going to do with all of them?

PD

Same here PD. Weather all over the place. My favourite "make" is Crimson Crush and they make up the main crop. As an experiment I am trialling other varieties - Black Russian, Moneymaker and Gardener's Delight. In the greenhouse Black Russian shot up like a rocket, I have already pinched out the growing tip! At the allotment Gardener's Delight is twice the size of all the others including Crimson Crush, but oddly in the greenhouse nothing special.
In theory the greenhouse plants should crop first, but doesn't work out like that for me. At present they are running neck and neck.

From early August through to October I have grilled tomatoes on toast for breakfast each morning.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Same here PD. Weather all over the place. My favourite "make" is Crimson Crush and they make up the main crop. As an experiment I am trialling other varieties - Black Russian, Moneymaker and Gardener's Delight. In the greenhouse Black Russian shot up like a rocket, I have already pinched out the growing tip! At the allotment Gardener's Delight is twice the size of all the others including Crimson Crush, but oddly in the greenhouse nothing special.
In theory the greenhouse plants should crop first, but doesn't work out like that for me. At present they are running neck and neck.

From early August through to October I have grilled tomatoes on toast for breakfast each morning.

I'll have to look into your varieties Irons.    Grilled tomatoes sounds yummy!  Do you add any herbs, special seasonings, etc., to your breakfast dish?  And do you use plum tomatoes or slicers?

PD

My tomato plants started off slowly, but after a heatwave a few weeks back, they took off. Most of mine are in pots and many have yellowing lower leaves because they're too close together at the moment so the bottom branches aren't getting enough sun. I'll be relocating them shortly. The ones in the smaller pots are plants I'll be giving away to friends and family.

And wow!  That's a whole lot of tomato plants!  What do you do with them when they are coming in and inundating your kitchen Tony?   

And how nice of you to give some of your plants away too!  Very thoughtful!

PD

[Szykneij]

And wow!  That's a whole lot of tomato plants!  What do you do with them when they are coming in and inundating your kitchen Tony?   

And how nice of you to give some of your plants away too!  Very thoughtful!

PD

Tomato sandwiches and salad on the patio, so a lot of tomatoes (and cucumbers and peppers) never get through the door. My wife also makes a great sauce with them.

Before I retired, I used to bring in a tray of plants to work every morning and most were gone by the end of the day. I didn't adjust my planting this year, so I have a bit of an overload     Old habits die hard 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Tomato sandwiches and salad on the patio, so a lot of tomatoes (and cucumbers and peppers) never get through the door. My wife also makes a great sauce with them.

Before I retired, I used to bring in a tray of plants to work every morning and most were gone by the end of the day. I didn't adjust my planting this year, so I have a bit of an overload     Old habits die hard 

Oh, sweet!  And, oh dear!  One year I was able to give away a few plants to a local program for kids.  It was run in a town nearby and was for inner-city school kids in the summertime to teach them about how to grow plants, where there food comes from--and hopefully nutrition too.    You might try calling around.  Maybe calling your town or city hall?  Or YMCA, etc.?

Tomato Sandwichs sounds good!  What all do you like to add to it besides tomatoes?.  Once in a while, I love to have a BLT.  Another favorite--more for at dinnertime really, I love to make a platter full of some nice lettuce leaves, slices of fresh mozzarella topped with slices of various tomatoes, s&p, basil and sometimes fresh oregano and drizzle it with some good olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Let marinate at room temp for about half an hour before serving.

The local hothouse and heirloom tomatoes are quite good, so I've been using some of them to get an early tomato fix.     I'm starting to see some growing on my plants but it will still be a while.

PD

[Irons]

Salt and pepper, PD.

About five years ago a chap at the allotment spent a holiday in the South of France and came across a strange looking tomato plant. He cultivated it here in the UK and offered seeds to anyone who wanted them. All I do is take seeds from a fruit place them on a tissue and the following year they germinate without fail. The plant itself although large appears to be on its last legs, a weeping habit. The fruits are massive. I believe they are known in France as "Le Boeuf". If anybody would like some seeds drop me a PM and I will pop some in the post about September time.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Salt and pepper, PD.

About five years ago a chap at the allotment spent a holiday in the South of France and came across a strange looking tomato plant. He cultivated it here in the UK and offered seeds to anyone who wanted them. All I do is take seeds from a fruit place them on a tissue and the following year they germinate without fail. The plant itself although large appears to be on its last legs, a weeping habit. The fruits are massive. I believe they are known in France as "Le Boeuf". If anybody would like some seeds drop me a PM and I will pop some in the post about September time.

Am having trouble locating a French tomato just called "Le Boeuf".  Do you have any photos and/or further descriptions of it?  I did find one called "Coeur de Boeuf".

PD

[André]

Am having trouble locating a French tomato just called "Le Boeuf".  Do you have any photos and/or further descriptions of it?  I did find one called "Coeur de Boeuf".

PD

That's the one, I think. We have them here, too. They can be spectacular.

[Irons]

That's the one, I think. We have them here, too. They can be spectacular.

Thanks, that is the one.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Cool!  Thanks for confirming it.  I've grown one or two of those heavily "ribbed" varieties and another one that was heart shaped (with pointed end) before. 

It's hotter than Hades here (supposed to get close to 100 F today).  As a friend of mine likes to say:  "It's the surface of the sun outside now".  Glad that it's cooler in the UK....Roger's warming up now on Centre Court (Wimbledon).  😍  Yippee!  So happy here. 😁

PD