Setting Out

After Tony plowed, the ground was broken up, moisture brought to the top and it was the perfect time to set out the cucumbers, squash and tomatoes.  When plowing, he decided to plow up the okra.  We did not get a good stand.  If you'll remember back mid-April when we planted it, I said that we normally don't plant the okra this early because it is not warm enough.  I was right.  Okra likes heat and ours did not do well.  Okra was a plant brought over from Africa so you can imagine the conditions that it needs to grow.

Every year we plant an abundance of tomatoes.  This year is no exception, we set out 25 plants.  The only thing different is that Jerry, Tony's brother, set them out.  Tomatoes can get all sorts of diseases.  The blight, the rot and then there are worms that will eat them.  People have different ways to prevent this from happening.  One thing we started doing is adding lime.  Not A lime, but lime powder that is a source of calcium.  You mix it with the soil so that it will be absorbed through the roots.  Because the ground was soft from plowing, Jerry dug the holes, carefully spaced them so that they can be caged later, and added lime to the soil and mixed it up. Then he set the tomatoes from the container on top of the mixture and covered the roots.  He also sprinkled a little lime right on top of the ground just for good measure.

Tomatoe planted 5/12/11

We planted the cucumber, squash and tomatoes on the row right next to the beans.  Squash and cucumbers spread out when they grow and require lots of room.  And if you keep the vegetables picked, squash and cucumber will continue to bear until the plant dies.  So, potenially we can give everyone we know a "bait".  The thrill of watching something grow is what drove Tony to set out these plants from seed in peet pots.  He put these pots in the house, next to a sunny window (in my utility room).  Over the last month, they grew enough that they were ready to be put out.  Granny said she thought they should be a little tougher.  We'll see!  Jerry set these out when he planted the tomatoes.  And he gave them plenty of room!

Squash and cucumber 4-20-11



4-30-11

Cucumber 5/12/11