tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21064263769731095682024-02-22T07:38:02.404-08:00Simple Garden Made EasySimple garden techniques described in details so anyone can easily follow through on their end while sharing ideas and pictures on how the garden is progressing through out the year.Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.comBlogger415125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-41992640493160414182017-04-28T12:28:00.000-07:002017-04-28T12:28:30.858-07:00Seedlings and FlowersOnce again I've been too quiet, but it doesn't mean that I'm not gardening. If anything, I'm too busy really to blog. Lots of stuff to take care of every day and each day I fall farther behind. My house turned into a greenhouse with all the seedlings. When it's warm and sunny I get them out on the porch, but at night they come right back. So my floors are all covered with the seedlings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbD1KTKjaPI57GOmbKAgr6HQlOa3n-s-YSIEv5p-Ijw_eXBk1shCsevaxBDrOCWj_tq2e9vP9yfAMAAgWAdJE-8fL2b8a-BwmhmAmZQ0-Dyepj3ElCX8ONpesVtD31soh6VLb2xwrrKQ/s1600/seedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbD1KTKjaPI57GOmbKAgr6HQlOa3n-s-YSIEv5p-Ijw_eXBk1shCsevaxBDrOCWj_tq2e9vP9yfAMAAgWAdJE-8fL2b8a-BwmhmAmZQ0-Dyepj3ElCX8ONpesVtD31soh6VLb2xwrrKQ/s400/seedlings.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Some of them I'm really looking forward this year - melons for my hubby and watermelons for me. I just hope we have good summer for them as this area can swing either too cold or too hot and dry. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW-0qb7aUSQszTQ-be7uz63WnTU9XU29fVcBVehYmVc1tswRzxNZqx7_zXGjAoCgJJXGIS8JA0rVx7QoD88_JctVbwfcR_rIciHapZGA9rITDze2X5jrFI9erbmhR1NnqzZpjx2LoiIg/s1600/melons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW-0qb7aUSQszTQ-be7uz63WnTU9XU29fVcBVehYmVc1tswRzxNZqx7_zXGjAoCgJJXGIS8JA0rVx7QoD88_JctVbwfcR_rIciHapZGA9rITDze2X5jrFI9erbmhR1NnqzZpjx2LoiIg/s400/melons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And outside everything is in bloom. Cherries and Apples were blooming, tulips galore and lots of other flowers everywhere. </div>
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So there you have it. Once something new grows, I will try to keep you updated. For now, off to do some weeding!</div>
Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-65498802570101030282017-04-14T13:39:00.000-07:002017-04-14T16:04:52.219-07:00World of Tomatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tomatoes are very well known around the world and widely
grown in open areas, greenhouses, pots, allotments and go back in history all
the way to Aztec times when the word “tomate” were introduced to Spaniards and
to the rest of the world. Mention of
tomatoes brings happy memories of sun-warmed sweet and tangy taste of summer,
with wonderful aroma as you cut into the juicy globes for sandwich, layer it
with basil and mozzarella, or just pick a cherry variety for your salad. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Little known fact:</i></b><i> Tomato is actually a <b>fruit</b>, though we treat it as a vegetable, and it belongs to the
nightshade family Solanaceae. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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And with the Spring finally here, that means time to plant
your tomatoes inside under the grow-lights or on a sunny south-facing window
sill that will provide them with minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. If you
have grow-lights then 12-14 it is even better for the plants. Of course there is a big question of what
kind of tomatoes do you plant. Tomatoes come in many forms, shapes and colors
as well as multitude of flavors. There are hundreds to choose from, and there
are many festivals and fare dedicated to the this wonderful fruit, allowing
people to learn about different flavors and even sample some of these to decide
for themselves what flavor they like best. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So how do you know what to choose to plant? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE0IBP35Zd8dnh_OY3nRwNEcozmffEdhrMp2hduk4O44jHHLjDSs7JvGUZg0_Wy9etNUPnYwqpY0xnUjzOI7HucivVglobmGj53yQMjKL6DouoWQ5L3NHW1UQekW4zBgd5GVtQg9c9Ss/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE0IBP35Zd8dnh_OY3nRwNEcozmffEdhrMp2hduk4O44jHHLjDSs7JvGUZg0_Wy9etNUPnYwqpY0xnUjzOI7HucivVglobmGj53yQMjKL6DouoWQ5L3NHW1UQekW4zBgd5GVtQg9c9Ss/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></h2>
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Determinate vs Indeterminate varieties<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s focus on two main items first – <b>Determinate</b> aka Bush-type, vs <b>Indeterminate</b>
– vine type. Why is that important you’d ask? Because it would depend on how long your plant
produces. Do you want a short bush that flowers and produces fruit all at once?
Or do you want to have it spread out production through summer until the frost?
If you’re planning to use your tomatoes for sauce for example, you would need a
bush variety like Roma or plum-type like San Marzano, an Italian heirloom –
excellent choice that’s commonly used in products such as pasta sauces, salsas
and ketchup . Bush tomatoes are also
more commonly grown in the containers on a patio or a deck for those who don’t
have a lot of space. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On another hand, if you want your tomatoes to produce enough
for picking fresh for eating, salads and sandwiches, then vining tomato may be
a better choice. Indeterminate or “vine”
tomato plants will keep growing up up to 8 feet high, and will keep producing
until the frost. It usually requires sturdy supporting cage or a stake to tie
down plant. Plant will produce few
flowers and fruit at first and will continue to produce pending no obstacles
like disease or frost. It can be trimmed and maintained as shorter plant if
needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Heirlooms vs Hybrids <o:p></o:p></h2>
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There are hundreds of varieties of both bush and vining type
available in the market, and it’s important to know what is best for your
region and your taste buds. Many are “heirlooms”, meaning they’ve been
growing without mutation or human manipulation for many decades. It takes at
least 50 years for a variety to get tag “heirloom”. They tend to be very flavorful and great
tasting, but can be difficult to grow and require more attention from the
grower. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A “Hybrid” tomato plant means someone had it modified or
cross-pollinated with another variety to produce specific type of fruit. Most
of the market varieties are “hybrid” because producers want a shelf-stable,
uniformly round and predictably red fruit. In many hybrids, the original intent was to eliminate issues like cracked green
shoulders, or make it disease resistant to counter Blight or Blossom End Rot in
plants. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Various cultivars<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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You should also consider what type of tomatoes do you want
to grow, as they come in many cultivars with the most common being:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> Beefsteak</b> – Large tomatoes,
often reaching 4” in diameter and most commonly used in sandwiches. They tend
to have thinner skin and shorter shelf-life.
With heirloom beefsteaks such as Brandywine, or hybrid Big Beef one can
grow a wonderful tasting tomato. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> Plum/paste/sauce</b> – these are usually grown for low water and
thicker meat to use for sauce or canning purposes. They are mostly oblong or
“pear” shape, and also come in heirloom varieties like San Marzano and 10
Fingers of Napoli, Jersey Devil, or
hybrid Big Mama or plain old fashioned Roma tomato. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> Cherry</b> – small and round, often much
sweeter than larger varieties and great for snacking and for kids. Again many
choices are available from hybrid
Sweetie and Sungold with high sugar content, to Black Cherry heirlooms one can
have great selection to grow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> Grape</b> – smaller and oblong
shape variation of a plum tomato but tends to be a bit sweeter. Tends to grow
in large clusters, grape like format. Some of the varieties like Juliet can be
used in both fresh eating and canning and sauces. It is also favorite with kids as they have sweeter than slicer
flavor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> Slicing</b> aka “globe” – usually
used in growing for commercial sales and mostly available in hybrid varieties such as Early Girl and 4<sup>th</sup>
of July.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> Pear</b> – the name speaks for itself, as it
is shaped as pear and can be small like Yellow Pear, or large like San Marzano
and Japanese Trifele. These also tend to
produce large quantities of very sweet tomatoes, and favorite with children and
adults for snacking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And also many variations of Oxheart shaped that is heavy in
meat and strong flavor, Campari and tiny
Tomberries that can be grown as novelties and for fun with kids as good
container tomato. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All packets of seeds or plants already sold in marketplace
also show how early or late each variety will take to mature from time of
transplanting, and can be early in July, mid-season August and late varieties
September. Gardeners should be aware of the days listed as it will help
understand when to expect tomato harvest and not be disappointed that frost
killed them before tomato have become fully ripe. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The variety name may also be followed by several letters. These letters
indicate if that particular variety is resistant to certain diseases. The
letter V indicates resistance to Verticillium wilt, F resistance to Fusarium
wilt, N to nematodes, and T to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. It is highly recommended
to choose varieties with resistance to diseases, especially verticillium and
fusarium which may be problems in your garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Rutgers Recommended Varieties<w:sdt citation="t" id="-598717374"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span>
CITATION Pet03 \l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--> <span style="font-weight: normal; mso-no-proof: yes;">(Peter Nitzsche, 2003)</span><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Season<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Variety<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Days
to Maturity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Vine
Type<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Disease
Resistance<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Fruit
Size (oz)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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1st Early<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Quick Pick<o:p></o:p></div>
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62<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Determinate<o:p></o:p></div>
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V,F,N,T<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
4-6<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
2nd Early<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Jet Star<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
70<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Indeterminate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
6-8<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Pik-Red<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
70<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Determinate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
6-8<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Mid<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Floramerica<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
75<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Semi-determinate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
6-8<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Celebrity<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
72<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Celebrity<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F,N,T<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
6-8<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="4" style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Late<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Supersteak<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
80<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Indeterminate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F,N<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
12-16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Supersonic<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
80<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Indeterminate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
8-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Mountain Pride<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
80<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Semi-determinate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
8-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Ramapo<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
85<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Indeterminate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
V,F<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 4.5pt 2.25pt 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
8-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
Full list of most common varieties
can be found here: <a href="http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/SFFVegetables2.html">http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/SFFVegetables2.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Disease and pests of tomato world<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One very important factor for tomato growers is how
resistant one or another variety is to certain diseases, to minimize loss of
the tomatoes during growing season. All tomatoes vary very widely on this
topic, but let’s focus on the actual diseases with <b>resources available with
Rutgers Fact Sheets:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->{LB} Late Blight – <a href="http://extension.psu.edu/publications/ul215">http://extension.psu.edu/publications/ul215</a>
Late blight is the disease historically
associated with potatoes and the Irish potato famine of the mid-1800's. The
Late blight fungus can also infect tomato plantings. The disease will first
appear as greasy-grayish indefinite patches on older leaves and stems. These
spots enlarge in moist weather and may produce white fuzzy growth on the
underside of infected leaves. The fungus will also attack fruit causing a dark,
greasy colored lesion with a slightly sunken, rough surface on green fruit.
These lesions may enlarge turning the whole fruit brownish-black. Infected
fruit often remain firm. Severe infestations can cause the foliage to brown and
shrivel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Early Blight – <a href="https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs547/">https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs547/</a>
Early blight can infect tomato foliage
and fruit. On tomato foliage, Early blight first appears as circular irregular
black or brown spots on the older leaves of the plant. As these lesions enlarge
a series of dark concentric rings develop in the center of the spot creating a
distinct target pattern. Over time the tissue surrounding the early blight
lesions can yellow and cause the leaves to drop. Severe infestations of this
disease can cause 100% defoliation of the plant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">{V} Verticillium wilt – </span><a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS547" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Diagnosing and Controlling Fungal Diseases of Tomato in the
Home Garden</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->{F} Fursarium wilt – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs678/">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs678/</a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->{N} Nematodes – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/plantandpestadvisory/2008/ln0710.pdf">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/plantandpestadvisory/2008/ln0710.pdf</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->{A} Alternaria –<a href="https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs547/">https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs547/</a>
Anthracnose fruit rot is a soil-borne disease that affects ripe tomato fruit.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #3c3b40; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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And don’t forget the bugs and common pests, such as: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cutworms – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS283">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS283</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Hornworms – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS226">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS226</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Aphids – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS230">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS230</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Whiteflies – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS240">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS240</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Red spider mite – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS235">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS235</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Potato beetle – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS242">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS242</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Stink bugs – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS245">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS245</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Tortoise Beetle – <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS292">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS292</a>
<a href="http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/tortoise-beetles-in-gardens/">http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/tortoise-beetles-in-gardens/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In addition to the
disease and pests, gardeners should look for signs of nutrient deficiency, such
as <b>Blossom End Rot.</b> Fact Sheet is
available on this topic on the web: <a href="http://extension.psu.edu/lackawanna/news/2012/blossom-end-rot">http://extension.psu.edu/lackawanna/news/2012/blossom-end-rot</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The blossom end of the fruit blackens and becomes
leathery. The problem is caused by a lack of calcium in the fruit due to
variable soil moisture conditions. Prevention involves keeping the soil evenly
moist. Mulches are helpful in this regard. Fruit is perfectly safe to eat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sunscald:</b> This appears as a white or yellowish
spot on the part of the fruit facing the sun. To minimize this problem, never
remove mature foliage from the plant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Catfacing:</b> Misshaped, severely deformed fruit,
more common on the large fruited or early varieties, resulting from incomplete
pollination of the tomato flower due to cold conditions when flowering. To
minimize damage plant tomatoes after weather warms, avoid using large fruited
varieties, and harden tomato transplants by limiting water, not by lowering
temperatures. Catfaced tomatoes are safe to eat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Fruit cracking:</b> May be expressed as either
concentric cracks around the stem end of the fruit or as radial cracks
radiating from the stem scar. Cracking usually occurs after a heavy rainfall
following dry conditions. Keep soil evenly moist and avoid fluctuating soil
moisture conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>All foliage, no fruit:</b> This condition usually
results from too much nitrogen in the soil, heavy rainfalls, or air
temperatures too high (90°F) or too low (55°F) causing flower abortion. Unfortunately, you only have control over the added nitrogen. Avoid using fresh manure or fertilizer with a high nitrogen content (more than three times the level of Phosphorus or Potassium
Gardeners can get more information on growing and diagnosing
their tomatoes on Rutgers web: <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs547/">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs547/</a>
and <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs678/">http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs678/</a></55></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So what will you choose to plant this year?</div>
Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-11395774567959707362017-04-05T18:07:00.002-07:002017-04-05T18:07:38.871-07:00Spring planting and seedlings updateIt's been another few long weeks, cold and pretty miserable on our part of the world. But finally snow has melted, first week with temperature above 40 during the day and lots of rain to wash out beds, trees and get things growing again. So how bad was that storm? Judge for yourself. My cold-frame was not really accessible for quite some time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDa3uMiaAYDWJdTI6MnWzBy6RpErskyKa6l12uTz-sWG_UZOti0-KPt0V6WfZAQOT3G0YwsRqRXcq4Na3lW6NNxJrSsicv38VZtd_H3P9-G2wqdSqExZRBsy6PQSRrQJGD4z66_XvSLAU/s1600/coldframe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDa3uMiaAYDWJdTI6MnWzBy6RpErskyKa6l12uTz-sWG_UZOti0-KPt0V6WfZAQOT3G0YwsRqRXcq4Na3lW6NNxJrSsicv38VZtd_H3P9-G2wqdSqExZRBsy6PQSRrQJGD4z66_XvSLAU/s400/coldframe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
But snow is gone, and first signs of life visible once again with first tiny flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquwDNgr197t-sFXA8x_hrrks4MbcGdLMxn-dGWbibnBi3jLGov2u9RW8rAlgWl8daszC4smJShC7WZMF3x-KNVFUeRw2batPkfgWexIXvc4m5MbL7rl2qrGOS9SO7JU6SJ1ay9x72DCo/s1600/daffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquwDNgr197t-sFXA8x_hrrks4MbcGdLMxn-dGWbibnBi3jLGov2u9RW8rAlgWl8daszC4smJShC7WZMF3x-KNVFUeRw2batPkfgWexIXvc4m5MbL7rl2qrGOS9SO7JU6SJ1ay9x72DCo/s320/daffs.jpg" width="192" /></a>
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And I even tempted Mother Nature and planted first few greens outside on one of the beds. It has some spinach, both regular and strawberry types, and some broccoli and cauliflower.<br />
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I grew them at home as seedlings and then transplanted outside after hardening off for about a week. <br />
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And seeded some radishes, lettuce and more spinach. Also put some first peas but it might have been premature as we still get frosty nights. Hope they'll grow anyway because I'd love to have some fresh peas soon. <br />
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And at home I have some other seedlings minding their time. Bell peppers have taken off like weeds and growing nicely, lots of tomato plugs have been transplanted now into individual cells. Even few eggplants have started to grow really nice but have to remain sheltered until end of May.<br />
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So what are you growing this time of the year?
Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-72784895868160513382017-03-13T14:37:00.001-07:002017-03-13T14:37:12.743-07:00Spring or Winter?Is spring going to get here anytime soon? Tonight into tomorrow we're supposed to get buried in up to 2 feet of snow. Or maybe not. They can't seem to agree on the number. We got 4" on Friday and everything is still covered in snow. Which helped me find nice bear tracks this morning.<br />
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Of course all the cold weather and snow not stopping me from planting more seeds for summer. My large batch of Black Brandywine has sprouted and will be placed into individual containers in about a week or so, but the very long list of specialty tomatoes will wait until I get back from CA next week to be planted.<br />
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And I've planted some flowers to make my gardens pretty - hollyhock just woke up, and I also have snapdragons, asters, zinnias already growing.<br />
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Also woke up very early this year is my overwintering Hibiscus - my sister was staying with us in the Addition, so she cranked up heater to 70 and woke up my plants. Figs are awake and growing like crazy, and hibiscus is a happy camper.<br />
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So for now we'll bundle up, stock up on food and hibernate for another few days. Then off to sunny CA while my hubby takes care of my plants at home. </div>
Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-56667816449729121062017-03-03T13:18:00.003-08:002017-03-03T13:18:43.585-08:00First FlowersMother Nature is having a roller-coaster mood swings, with one day at 73 Degrees, and today at 10. But at home I have some of my plants waking up and starting to bloom. My citrus are in blooms, Hibiscus overwintering also decided to bloom early,
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And first Lenten Rose - Hellebore has opened up outside by the patio. First of many to come. We have pink, burgundy, golden lotus, and white spotted in varieties. Can't wait for them to bloom.<br />
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Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-84650374854879346552017-02-28T12:08:00.002-08:002017-02-28T12:08:59.896-08:00Seeding and Transplanting Peppers Once again spring is almost here and my house turns into a seedling house. Hubby is grumbling but happy knowing that he'll have yummy food later in a year. So far I've planted some of the peppers, brassicas and some zinnias. For peppers I did couple of methods. First one is to pre-sprout them on a wet paper towel covered in plastic (i used Ziploc sandwich bag). You can see in the second picture how the seeds were starting to sprout with white roots visible after couple of days.<br />
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After another day or so, I placed seeds that showed roots into planting cells filled with seedling mix. That mix will go into my seedling house under the lights to grow nice and strong.<br />
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You can see how it looked after another two days. They were very happy seedlings.<br />
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I also made a tray with several rows of peppers seeded without pre-sprouting them.<br />
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They didn't all come at once, and I noticed that the batch of seeds that i saved myself last year grew much faster. The ones I bought were at least two weeks behind.<br />
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So today I took out the clump that you see on the bottom right side and transplanted them into permanent growing cells. This is what they looked like after i was done with the transplants. Now I have two trays under the lights.<br />
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And you can see step by step video of what was done to transplant these peppers. I'll be doing that again next week for the next batch!<br />
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How are your preparations for spring coming up? ready to start digging and planting?Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-11115480109749683932017-01-24T11:52:00.000-08:002017-01-24T11:53:20.236-08:00Welcome to New Year!Yes, I've been gone for a while but did not vanish completely. The goal for the second part of the year was to rest and relax, away from everything that brings stress and enjoy my time off. And do what I wanted to do with my free time, if I felt like doing something. Summer was particularly nice. In that time I went to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154387330062710.1073741865.749122709&type=3">Vancouver</a> and enjoyed local scenery, the beautiful bay and tasted local foods.<br />
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Then there was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154574160187710.1073741868.749122709&type=3">Santa Rosa for Heirloom show</a> - awesome experience to be surrounded by so many varieties of veggies and fruit, and more importantly the people who really understood the need to preserve heritage and quality of our food. Did you know that there were so many varieties of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154577765642710.1073741871.749122709&type=3">watermelon </a>for example? Or hundreds varieties of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154577769462710.1073741872.749122709&type=3">tomatoes </a>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154574178832710.1073741869.749122709&type=3">peppers</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154574187827710.1073741870.749122709&type=3">eggplants</a>? Pictures can only show so much, but the real experience is something else. I was very happy that I got to spend a week with the show, volunteering with staff and learning so much about heirlooms.<br />
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In between fall holidays, my sister and I went traveling through Australia coast starting with Sydney and up north from there, learning about local plants in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154800109477710.1073741874.749122709&type=3">botanical gardens</a>, and visiting koala in the nature reserve, loved the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.rottinger/media_set?set=a.10154831206207710.1073741877.749122709&type=3">architectures and local Chinese garden</a>, enjoyed afternoon teas, scroll through the golden beaches, gone fishing and much more. It was two weeks of paradise and the experience of a lifetime. Even managed to bring home some local seeds to try and plant here! <br />
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But more importantly, I've been spending more of my time interacting with local Master Gardeners, local garden community and the CSA farm. This is what really makes me happy. I can't picture myself going back to corporate world, so growing fruit and veggies, working with educating others, designing gardens is my future. At least it's my goal for 2017. Hope it will be a good one.Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-42180352635786472512016-07-18T08:50:00.002-07:002016-07-18T08:50:51.375-07:00Change is in the airWell actually it's a heat-wave that's in the air, making it very difficult to do anything outside. Some of the things still growing, like tomatoes and peppers, and berries are being picked. Not much of anything else. Not posting pictures either this time around. For now just going to focus on the clean up at home, and planting carrots and greens for winter. <br />
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On the other side of my life, more changes have occurred. I've decided to leave my current workplace and will take some time off to rest and take care of the house and at some point in the next few weeks will look for something else to do with my free time. This was a long time coming, and finally decision was made and this is my last week at work. I will miss my coworkers and my customers, but it's better for me in a long run. Will try to find something in the gardening world, or at least telecommute from home. Time will tell if this was a good choice. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-76938989585430294302016-06-20T05:20:00.003-07:002016-06-20T05:20:43.721-07:00Harvest mid-JuneHappy Fathers day to all "dads" - with two legged children and furbabies. We spent out weekend with my FIL on Saturday instead of Sunday. It's been very very hot in garden and I haven't done much outside. Got a new trimmer to tackle weeds, but it's a long process. In the large garden my hubby took a weed-whacker and cleared most of the beds and I'm starting to replant everything from scratch. Weeds just took over and killed off much of my plantings, and then groudnhog finished it off. So we wiped it all out and started again with new batch of tomatoes and peppers, some melons and cucumbers and squash. Potatoes and onions from spring planting remain. Then I had a chance to get into the small garden and pick some berries - red currants and gooseberry. And sadly found two baby groundhogs. "sadly" refers to the fact that one was already dead and another barely alive. As much as I hate having them in my garden it hurts my heart to see animal die and I don't wish to harm them. Unfortunately not all my neighbors think the same way and these babies clearly ate something laced with poison. <br />
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Anyway, life goes on. On a side note, I picked fresh garlic to see how the head is coming along, and it will need at least 3 more weeks. One thing that I stumbled on while we were out this weekend was this pillow - I thought it was a perfect slogan for me, so had my hubby pose for a picture to show it :)</div>
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And of course current "blooms" around the house and back yard are plentiful, with variety of lilies, aslstibe, begonia, and introduced this week were two pots of phlox. I try to stick to perrenials but once in a while will mix annuals for a kick of color. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0eS1SgYVbDYUd7Vs_2yV9TSVWXSYLWHF_d1Dib1eKrgLMAoBSW8hAIQ9Hhxl411NF9Ugp-iKzsimb9-jAFnU3NNmui8fVQiCbtMJFGoa8XVY3-Ji3nzuHY_P74OA9azcxTgylqNM9Nw/s1600/begonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0eS1SgYVbDYUd7Vs_2yV9TSVWXSYLWHF_d1Dib1eKrgLMAoBSW8hAIQ9Hhxl411NF9Ugp-iKzsimb9-jAFnU3NNmui8fVQiCbtMJFGoa8XVY3-Ji3nzuHY_P74OA9azcxTgylqNM9Nw/s200/begonia.jpg" width="120" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2ILzEEzBsFJm2pl60djhutNmPmvvjH39OdCz_Q2JXROzcYEDI42-KfYxWY0w5s59zKow49N9d3wou2B6TGqckgz-99IHAs_061QbROgmndLp82YCW7I1jwkrOP7yvkhWCvuhkTQlfCc/s1600/daylily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2ILzEEzBsFJm2pl60djhutNmPmvvjH39OdCz_Q2JXROzcYEDI42-KfYxWY0w5s59zKow49N9d3wou2B6TGqckgz-99IHAs_061QbROgmndLp82YCW7I1jwkrOP7yvkhWCvuhkTQlfCc/s200/daylily.jpg" width="120" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaXZgDeHip1U_uNB8SUobcUSiUFSvVZWVPQ_dSsQeXRtXa4HL9FE3yUVcQrWIIiEdXZboph0jdSz-u1CHbI1l4T0G1JcSmvtMRKvz8fmN0Y7g7TlFSIcUHphVBLmtyr83uuMOyRbAHnE/s1600/phlox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaXZgDeHip1U_uNB8SUobcUSiUFSvVZWVPQ_dSsQeXRtXa4HL9FE3yUVcQrWIIiEdXZboph0jdSz-u1CHbI1l4T0G1JcSmvtMRKvz8fmN0Y7g7TlFSIcUHphVBLmtyr83uuMOyRbAHnE/s200/phlox.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
One thing that I do want to show is my little african violets that I keep at home - I sniped a leaf from a plant of my coworker two years ago and put it in water to root, and it's been growing beautifully. This past winter I had a whimsy of taking a seed of a pomelo that I was eating, and stuck it into the same pot and today I have a tiny seedling growing. Will see how well it will take. <br />
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So come and share how your gardens are doing this time of the year.Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-71667140929353051362016-06-15T05:03:00.000-07:002016-06-15T05:03:52.188-07:00First harvest in JuneNot much being picked in the garden, since a lot of stuff was lost to weeds. Groundhog paid a visit to my front garden again and had a nice lunch so the only thing that I'll have out of those beds are potatoes and onions. But I still have side garden that's producing so we have enough to eat. Been picking few strawberries for snack, some greens like spinach and arugula, mustard greens, and early scapes - it was really hot for two weeks and scapes came out much earlier than usual. <br />
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My fava beans are filling out nicely and I look forward to having some soon. And first color started to show up on my red currants so I will be picking them soon and making jam out of them. My hubby doesn't like to eat them as they are tart, but in jam they're pretty good. Also picked a bunch of thyme and hang it down in the boiler room to dry out for winter so I can have herbs for cooking.<br />
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Another thing I'm looking forward to is picking fresh gooseberries. They make a wonderful snack. And anticipation for much later in a year - persimmon! It's in bloom right now and I really hope the tree will not drop fruit.</div>
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Of course no day goes without visit from our deer - you can always count on seeing them in the back yard morning and evening.</div>
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Hope your gardens are growing nicely and enjoying the sunshine. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-12544154165852873632016-06-09T08:26:00.002-07:002016-06-09T08:26:46.589-07:00Back home and drowning in weedsCan I just say "holly cow blasted weeds!" now? How in the world did so many weeds grew and so tall in such short time? I didn't think i was away that long. Anyhow, here's the preview of what the outside of my garden looks like..<br />
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The inside part I'm too embarrassed to show. It will take me couple of weeks to clean it all up.<br />
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On another note, that NZ was awesome! So gorgeous, I can't even describe it. Highly recommend everyone to go there at least once in their lifetime. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-49990780044289238182016-05-17T05:39:00.000-07:002016-05-17T05:39:19.329-07:00Hello from Nice and off to NZ!I've been silent again, meaning I'm on the road once more. Yes at the busiest time of the year. Not kidding. And came home for whole 2 days before going out again. So what's on the agenda for this month? Well it started with work trip for Nice and 8 days later with mostly gray and rainy weather we wrapped up with a gorgeous view.<br />
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This was at the rooftop, but sadly I never made it to the actual beach. Just had to see the nice blue waters from above for few hours.<br />
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It really is that gorgeous there, even for short time it was worth the trip. But alas, couldn't stay extra time and enjoy scenery and had to come home. Why? Because there is another trip has been booked for past 6 month.<br />
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Can you guess where I'm going? Brownie points for first person who gets it right..<br />
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I'll give you a hint - it requires a VERY long flight. See ya on the flip side! :)Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-26165650757806305882016-05-02T11:28:00.000-07:002016-05-02T11:28:11.717-07:00Bye Bye Rose..One short visit with nice hoof-prints and my roses went "bye bye". Deer had a nice snack and now I'm tempted to have venison for dinner. Ok so not really going to shoot an animal but I am upset. Was really hoping they'd leave my patio alone already.
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I guess I'll keep experimenting with other pants to see if there is anything they don't eat. Of course my hubby loved the look of roses, so he want to get few more. Will see if they survive. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-52175006866528784422016-04-25T06:08:00.001-07:002016-04-25T06:08:53.433-07:00Another long weekendAnother busy weekend at home, mostly working on the back year, but did some planting in the garden as well. Sowed salad seeds, some radishes, more carrots, lima and fava beans, mizuna, dill, parsley, planted fingerling potatoes for my hubby as he loves them in salad, and some German Butterballs for me for young potatoes. And of course more flowers - some new lilies and dahlias were planted to make it a bit prettier in summer. And then of course more planting in the back yard around patio and ponds - a large bag of holyhocks, additional peonies and astibe, purple alissium, phlox, petunias and snapdragons, new guinea impatiens, freesias, and some succulants. Then we took over a dozen bags of mulch to spread all over the borders and it looks so much better! Here are some before and after to show how mulch really creates a nice contrast to plants, but the real reason is to avoid soil erosion and to give additional food for plants, as well as help retain moisture.
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In the big garden more varieties of the flowers opened up so here is a small collage of colors to enjoy.
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And lastly, a parting shot of my blooming apple tree - bees love visiting it, and I've been enjoying sitting next to it and just relaxing after a hard day.
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<br />Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-46158646453890381322016-04-21T05:37:00.001-07:002016-04-21T05:37:32.101-07:00Yo-Yo weekAnother blow and another expensive damage. Mother Nature's mood swings is giving me royal whiplash. Bright and sunny day and all was perfect, until I got home and found one of my patio tables toppled over and the top laying tempered glass all shattered. Of course we had to order replacement to keep in the same set, but still stinks. Will I ever get to see people enjoying my backyard without damage?<br />
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And after that nice little "surprise" I got to watch a horde of deer once again prancing all over our area - and getting some nice treats from my neighbors. You have to look behind the cherry tree to see how many were snacking, but that gives you idea why they keep coming back day after day and on their way to the treats, demolish pretty much anything in their path which sadly includes my fruit trees and plants. <br />
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And as picture is worth the 1000 words, in the mimic of my baby girl and what she thinks of the deer.<br />
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On the happier note, more spring flowers are opening up and I'm enjoying some very nice pretties. <br />
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Bright colors of spring is really a treat, and even better part is that I know they'll keep spreading all over the area, so in couple of years I should have carpet of flowers. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-9736731696427295972016-04-19T08:58:00.004-07:002016-04-19T09:02:40.057-07:00When life gives you lemons... build a new Arbor. Sometimes you have to take whatever life and Mother Nature dumps on you and make best of it, or as much as it works out. Case in point my lovely gazebo that was blown out in freak wind storm and severely damaged - I didn't want to just toss it out. There had to be a way we could reuse some parts of it, and I really hope to salvage the intricate leaf-pattern sides. So my hubby once again stepped up and turned the broken pieces into an Arbor for the back side of the patio.<br />
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He still has to add footing and support it somehow so it's stable, but overall it's pretty much ready.<br />
Another item, that was a surprise this week, I woke up to see that not all blooms on my cherries have died off from the deep freeze and ice storm.<br />
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It's very ironic really, two cherry trees were planted the same day, were the same size 6 yrs ago, and one is much larger and healthier than another. The larger one kept much of the blooms in tact, whereas the smaller one damage is more visible - almost all blooms are gone and only few remaining opened up. But I'm still happy to see any blooms so will take whatever is left and hope to have actual cherries (pending no birds stripping them of course like last year). So when Mother Nature gives you lemons, do try to enjoy them in a nice lemonade :)</div>
Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-43577333277419906692016-04-18T05:05:00.000-07:002016-04-18T05:05:00.078-07:00Back Patio updateSun was shining, with gorgeous blue sky and 74 degrees all weekend long, so my hubby and I tried to take advantage of the good weather and do some work outside. For my part I finally got to plant potatoes (a full month later than normal), peas, radishes, salad, mizuna and mustard greens. Found some "volunteer" garlic that was not picked out last summer and separated bunches and transplanted into rows. Wasn't counting on it really, so if it grows then it's great, and if not no big loss as I have plenty planted last fall that's growing beautifully. Of course the weekend couldn't have gone without weekly pilgrimage to local Lowes for more supplies and for a weeping Japanese maple for the waterfall mound, and I spotted some beautiful roses so grabbed them as well. <br />
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They were transplanted into half-barrel containers with some white
alissium on the bottom and they are happily placed by the entrance of
the patio. When Alissium grows out and spread it will create a nice contrast to the planter and greenery of the rose, but even now it's not a bad view. Speaking of views, my hubby has been experimenting with lights options for the patio. <br />
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The idea behind it, is to have some visibility and definition of the place during the evening hours so when we have people over they won't be stumbling in the dark. That's on top of having candles of course as well. I think it's a bit too bright but I'll let him play with it to see how it will turn out. It really is getting together, with waterfall finally running, and stream is working, and even few lilies that were planted in the pond. Just a little bit more, some clean up and we're almost at the finish line.<br />
So overall it was a very busy weekend, but really productive and rewarding. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-55387110638047870672016-04-14T05:45:00.001-07:002016-04-14T05:45:10.855-07:00First TulipsCouple of warmer days and tulips started to show a bit of color. The main group is just budding up, but first early variety is always welcome and a joy to see.<br />
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And as you can see in last picture, few more white daffodils are also in bloom and making me happy. One thing that I wish I had less is weeds - they are everywhere and apparently no amount of ice can kill them and they take over everything. But now that it's nice and warm, I'm planning to spend my entire weekend in the garden clearing out beds of weeds and plant, plant and plant some more. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-46551733777469674532016-04-12T08:29:00.002-07:002016-04-12T08:29:57.752-07:00Splashes of ColorIt's not all doom and gloom on this side of the pond, and despite Mother Nature's wrath, we still get to see some flowers in bloom. My Daffodils were planted in groups with a mix of early, medium and late bloomers so even if the first got damaged the remaining are starting to get into full force. Slowly but surely other flowers are kicking in as well - more hyacints, grape hyacint, anemone, <span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow), creeping phlox - all slowly waking up and giving that little pop of color. </span><br />
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And I see more and more tulips waking up and getting ready to bloom - there is a bed in the front garden where the spring flowers are coming up in waves, and they're right behind the hyacints. I can't wait to see more of these beauties.</div>
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Of course it will take several years for all these bulbs to spread out and really fill in the space, but for now I get to enjoy them as they come in one at the time. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-21587502735048596692016-04-07T11:30:00.004-07:002016-04-07T11:30:56.386-07:00Deer meet apple seedlings.. and like it.This is what happens when local herd of deer find my apple seedlings that were planted last year around new patio... and before anyone asks, yes there is a netting that "supposed to" protect these trees. <br />
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So now my hubby is researching a way to keep the deer out. Since these are multi-draft trees they have each at least 4 varieties on the same tree and self-pollinate each variety, I really want to keep them safe. Mother Nature is definitely not cooperating this year. But it's ok, she's been good to me in past, so just have to work around this headache. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-70932723313643517182016-04-05T07:00:00.004-07:002016-04-05T07:00:40.020-07:00Ice-stormJust in case Mother Nature thought she didn't do enough damage this spring, she decided to wallop us with some more nastiness. Like ice-storm and hard freeze to top it off. That's my cherry tree covered in icicles. Too early to see how much damage it will do. <br />
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And woke up to go to work shivering, my car dashboard showed that it was below 20 degree as I was driving. Brrr.
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Looks like my orchard doesn't have a chance of producing this year. With peach and nectarine full in bloom this is a write-off, but I hope that later-blooming trees like persimmon will make it. Not sure if apples will make it this year. And hope blueberries won't get too much damage.Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-91412820680713651152016-04-04T07:17:00.000-07:002016-04-04T07:17:51.443-07:00Bye-Bye GazeboOne night, a freakishly strong windstorm and all my plans are down the drain. Yes, that's how fast things can change on you and in a blink of an eye you wonder why you even bothered and spend all that money and energy and what's the point of doing it all...<br />
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Ok I confess, I'm very depressed right now. Two days ago I was crawling around planting some flowers while watching my hubby finishing up some stone work and enjoying warm 72 degree weather. Then Mother Nature showed her fury and overnight we dipped into 20s as the polar vortex manage to reach us with the speed of a racing car. And no I'm not exaggerating. Honestly I'm surprised there wasn't more damage in the area - just few powerlines and broken branches, garbage cans flew away, destroyed fencing etc. And in my back yard I lost my Gazebo. The same one that took us nearly a year to find and i loved it so much as it was so pretty with intricate leaf-work :(<br />
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This is what we woke up to this weekend during that storm and it took a while to recognize damage. It's hard to see as I took a shot from upstairs balcony (and yes it was snowing too) - you can see the gazebo flew a good distance and crash landed on the fallen oak.<br />
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So there we have it - total loss. Or as my hubby said he'll try to salvage pieces and maybe build something out of them like an entry way to the patio or something.. but for now we have to find a new one to buy. Just like that over $1100 down the drain. So my plans to have a first BBQ is also gone. Maybe it's for the better but I'm yet to see that silver lining. For now I see damage. And snow. Did I mention that my peach, nectarine and cherry in bloom? The extend of storm damage and effect on fruit trees is yet to be assessed and will see it later. Now I'll crawl back to bed and pretend world doesn't exist for few more hours.Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-51727504254983971292016-03-25T06:21:00.003-07:002016-03-25T06:21:47.350-07:00First DaffodilsWinter is being stubborn and not leaving that easily, but spring is slowly moving along and showing up in more open flowers. First daffodils have opened up already and forsythia is in full bloom. <br />
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First colors peaking through from hyacinths even if they are a bit lost in grass, more will bloom soon. <br />
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Also first hellebore opened up - Golden Lotus variety, and my pink lemon is starting to bloom.
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Slowly but surely everything is waking up.
Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-21645030835338527012016-03-22T12:23:00.000-07:002016-03-22T12:23:46.382-07:00Springfest Flower ShowThis weekend was fluries and temperatures dipped into low 20s once again, but I spent a weekend surrounded by flowers - representing Master Gardeners of Sussex in NJ Springfest Flower and Garden show. It was awesome! Ok, so my role wasn't that important but the show itself was great. Flowers and wonderful landscaping, lectures and so many people! Loved it. Even people were wearing "flowers" which you'll see below. So here are some shots that I got and you can see more here: <a href="http://www.springfestgardenshow.org/gallery/">http://www.springfestgardenshow.org/gallery/</a><br />
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All of this just made me even more impatient to plant out my gardens. Of course I have to be patient and wait for winter to go away and temps to go above 30 before even venturing outside. Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106426376973109568.post-60126004051857346112016-03-17T06:23:00.000-07:002016-03-17T06:35:44.901-07:00Gardening JourneyCan you believe how fast time flies these days? Just as you think you did something "just the other day" turns into years. Case in point - looking back on progress of my gardens. 4 years ago on the same day (St. Patrick) I was totally exhausted from shoveling loads of dirt into the newly build beds that my hubby put together for me after I nagged him that I wanted something more useful than a brown lawn on the front of the house. Or more precisely, I really wanted more space to grow something as our original 5 beds on the side of the house was just not enough. But I guess I should step even further back in time to see bigger picture. Growing up in Ukraine we all gardened - that's how you got your food. You either grow it or foraged for it. And after moving to US I've missed that part of my life. Oh of course I had plants on balconies and patios but it was never the same. So the moment we moved into our home 6 yrs ago, Peter had build be a nice little playground on the side of the house. It was only one side that had more or less sunny location as the back side was filled with very old trees and to grow anything productively you need at least partial sunlight. <br />
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He had to work around the protruding fireplace on the side so decided to get creative and build beds in semi-circle design. As we quickly realized that wild life would be an issue given all the deer and groundhogs we saw on the back yard we had to fence it it. And put two "twigs" - cherry trees with the hopes that it will be nice and pretty eventually. And they've been growing into very pretty and productive darlings over the past few years.
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It even looks pretty in spring, but of course by the end of summer everything gets overgrown with grapes sprawling on the fence and pole beans climbing up the supports and sunflowers towering over everything. Still pretty in my view but I'm biased of course :)</div>
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And as I said - 5 beds was simply not enough. So my very patient and loving hubby set out to create a new garden. Since back yard was out of question, I finally convinced him to use front lawn. Not everyone would go for this choice, but we had a line of trees separating us from main road and not very visible from sides to the neighbor so we collaborated on the design and he build it. One of the deciding factors was that trees were on the northern side of the lawn and it got a lot of sunlight from east south and some on the west side. It is partially shaded on west, but it worked to our advantage as the garden got shielded at the hottest time of the day but got the beneficial sunlight in morning and early afternoon. This was crucial for the vegetable garden. And for the shaded part on the left side I wanted to use shade-loving greens. <br />
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It was no easy task by any means. We started in first week of March, and as indicated above by St. Patty I was shoveling. Oy. We worked non stop for several weeks, and as soon as the beds were in place and soil was in and amended with peat and perlite to make it lighter (soil was very heavy clay) I started planting. Potatoes were first. <br />
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And we kept building around it. The borders were next, then he made an Arbor for the entry. Yup, by hand all by himself. Did I mention how much I love my hubby? <br />
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And we kept shoveling more dirt and planting more and more to make it pretty and tried to keep up with the spring planting season. It was definitely a race as I was determined to have it up and running.<br />
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After the structures were in place and basic seeds were in soil I tried to make it "pretty". A lot of work went into it. But I also wanted to make it functional for a long term so we added grapevines to grow by the fence so we'd have our own grapes for next 30+ yrs.<br />
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That summer it flourished! Outside the garden we paired a lot of flowers like peonies, daffodils, lavender and mixed with herbs like thyme and oregano and some annual flowers to attract pollinator bees and beneficial insects. And of course by mid-summer it's a green maze! But I love it.<br />
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But the journey continues and I'm looking forward to cleaning up both gardens and planting them up in next few weeks and see how they'll do this year. Because this year I'll be traveling a lot more than usual I'm restricting myself on what I'll be planting and sticking to basics. And of course still working on building out back yard patio, but update on that will be in another post. One step at the time. For now I'm just happy to move along and share all ups and downs with you :)Jenny Rottingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09559432369642740389noreply@blogger.com4