Collins Country

Bees, Zucchini & Pollination

While looking for information on growing zucchini, I came across this article.  Unfortuantely, though I saved it in Word, I didn’t mark the source.  Last year my zucchini plants were HUGE.  I would get so excited to see the fruit start to grow.  Then, at about 4-5 inches long, the fruit would begin to rot. 

It was suggested that the cause could be over-watering, poor lighting or constrictive environment (wine barrels).  I think poor pollination may have been the cause; we very rarely see bees, butterflies or hummingbirds around here.

Pollinating zucchini

Pollinating zucchini or squash by hand may be required in the absence of bees in your garden. They won't produce proper fruit without pollination.

A common reason for rotting and shriveling zucchini is lack of pollination by bees. Pollination is absolutely required for fruit set. Without pollination, the fruit that grows will yellow, shrivel, rot and die. Three solutions: Get some bees. Attract some bees (see "Butterfly and Bee Garden") or hand pollinate.

The zucchini has a male flower and a female flower, which must be pollinated in order for you to get proper fruit. To hand pollinate, break off a male flower, remove its petals to reveal the yellow pollen on its pistol, then roll the pollen onto the center stigma of the female flower.

You tell flowers apart because female flowers are larger and have a baby fruit behind their petals. The male flowers grow on a long stem and are smaller.

Some people use a cotton swab or artist's brushes to hand pollinate – a good idea.

If the bee crisis continues, everyone on earth needs to learn how to hand pollinate so please pass the word. I was remarking about the bee crisis to a famous gardener and mentioned that 1/3 of the human diet was derived from honeybee pollinated vegetables, fruits and nuts, and indirectly affected items. He wisely responded to me that if worse came to worse and all the honeybees died people could always hand pollinate their vegetable gardens to survive.

That does address the short term survival need with practical wisdom. However, most agricultural crops today are produced for the mass market by huge corporate farms. Honeybees are literally trucked in to accomplish pollination. Hand pollinating these large fields of crops does not seem feasible since it’s so tedious, and even if a way were found, it would still cause disruption in the food supply for an undetermined length of time. It would increase food prices exponentially too.

I'm Dreaming of a green Springtime..

It is pouring rain, and the wind is gusting hard enough to blow out the pilot lights in my wall furnace.  Sometimes I wonder how our giant-paned front windows withstand the onslaught.  Of course, I am curled up on one end of the couch with my laptop, making plans for the Spring.

My first seed catalog arrived less than a week ago.  I love picking through them and making list of all the wonderful fruit and veg varieties I will grow.  Anyone who has read my garden tales will know how successful that usually is.

This year, I am focusing on basic vegetables that I already have had some success with: Green Beans, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, basil and zucchini.  I actually haven't succeeded with the squash yet, but my studies indicate that it was probably a pollination problem.  I have been researching hand pollination and it doesn't seem too difficult for small crops.

I confess I do have a few "new" seeds I want to try.  One is a red current tomato; they are half the size of the grape tomato.  I can just see them in a salad.  The other is a squash called Long Island Cheese (It looks like a pumpkin to me).  Doesn't the name just grab you? LOL   It's supposed to be a great storage squash and good in pies.

Back to the topic of this year's planting.  I have been working on the composting of the chosen sites since fall, and I am going to try my hand at vermiculture as well.  I was given a very cool book on worms for Christmas - it's been on my wishlist forever!

Other than the tomato plants and basil, I will direct sow everything (to me, the two most exciting aspects of the garden are when the plants sprout and when I get to pick something!

Much time has been spent learning about the culture, diseases, pests and harvesting of my choices.  There is so much to know; I really hope that if I just learn everything I can about these particular plants and take proper measures and time with them, I will actually get a good harvest!

Then next year, I can review their care and add in something new to become expert on.  Or, perhaps for the fall I will study root crops (I have yet to have a carrot or beet that was big enough to eat).

Happy dreaming!

PS:  OFF TOPIC- Does anyone have ideas for leftover candy canes (not just peppermint...all flavors)?  My son brought home 61 boxes from the store he works at.  He did it thinking I could use a bunch so I want to show him how much I appreciate the thought.  However, I can only make so much peppermint bark! LOL  All suggestions welcome!

Bean Questions

When I read that a bean can be used as "snap, pod, or dried", what does that mean?

I have a few Scarlet Emperor Pole Beans.  The pods are large (they seem too thick to serve as "green beans")...Anyone familiar with this variety?  Do I eat the whole pod, or pull the beans out and eat them?

Do beans have to have supports(One of mine keeps falling over and I am tempted to just let them trail on the ground...will that work?)?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Patti

Fall Planting

Garden Photos-Part Two

Just a few pics of my veggies:

This is my Early Girl; I'd never planted this variety before and I am shocked at huge it is (It takes over the whole barell).  The little red spot you see is my first little tomato.

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This is my zucchini, another surprise.  I have too many plants in this barell, so I need to plant a couple some other place.

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My hay-bale snap peas.

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My current favorite in the garden are these...Scarlet Emperor Beans.  Even if no beans appear, the blossoms are gorgeous aren't they?

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These are my Bell Peppers...I forget the variety, but they are supposed to be a very dark red (almost black).  I grew them just because I was given the seeds.  I need to put them outside, but can't make up my mind where.  Plus, I need to "harden" them.  Guess I'd better get busy.

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Answering my own question

One thing I did this year was observe.  When the leaves looked wilty, I watered lightly.  Then I checked the next day.  If they were still wilty, I watered a bit more.  This is the way I have found to prevent over watering without killing the poor plant through moisture deprivation!  LOL (Dry and crispy may mean you went too long LOL). 

So simple…I guess it’s just something you have to get a feel for over the years. 

Over-watering is a bit harder for me to detect.  Mildew is one way of seeing over watering, but I have also discovered that a certain type of growth indicates it, too.

 My mint and marjoram were very spindly…few leaves, but growing very tall.  I read somewhere that most people over-water their herbs, so I just stuck the mint on the porch and ignored it for a couple of weeks.

 One day I noticed that the leaves had filled in and gotten much larger.  Now it is full and lush!  So, I keep my eyes open for that and the wilting and have good success gauging the watering levels.

 I would love to hear anyone else describe the signs they’ve noticed when over or under watering!  You could save a life LOL

A list of things I’ve managed to grow:

On Hay bales

Before I vanished from blogland, I had begun my experiment with hay bales.  Three months later, I am here to give you an update.

I planted snap peas and lettuce, cucumbers and broccoli.  The snails ate most of the broccoli (I have two shoots) and most of the cucumbers, but the peas and lettuce did quite well.  After the fact, I can't quite remember why bales were preferable to soil.

They are unsightly (They turn gray when weathered, and they grow mushrooms on the shaded sides...black and glistening...disgusting).  They are hard to move (Of course, most people don't try to move the garden once it's planted, so that's not a real problem...I'm just mentioning it).  The bales cost between $5-$7 a piece; the dirt in your yard is free.

On the plus side, they are easy to care for and don't get very weedy (except for the hay seeds that try to sprout).  They hold water pretty well, but don't drown plants...so good if you have drainage problems.  Also, once the planting is over, the hay will make great compost!

In the long run, I did not find them cheaper, or THAT much easier to work with. 

The same with growing spuds in a can.  FAILURE!  I planted a few in the dirt and they did great until the snails ate them (I have a few taters that I am going to cook tonight.

I am swearing off garden experiments,which means I will not be planting my tomatoes in buckets, upside down! LOL  From now on, I am preparing my soil like a good little farmer and will put things in the dirt. 

I will also be patient!  So many things that I started from seed took forever then suddenly grew huge! 

Seed, time, harvest.

White Leaves on Tomato Plant

Question: I just planted my tomatoes outside and the leaves have turned all white on the top. What should I do?

Things are sprouting!

There are so many things growing in my little garden!

My hay bales are now growing (in addition to HAY! Grrrr.) Peas, lettuce, spinach, strawberries, cucumbers and broccoli (these are in small amounts as I only have limited space).  I think I will plant  more lettuce this weekend on my last bale.  My potatoes have started shooting up (about an inch tall) in the dirt (nothing happening in my garbage cans yet), and so have several of my green beans.

My basil and sage starts are going town.  The dill, parsley and chamomile aren't flourishing, but they aren't dead either! 

There are at least three pepper starts, too.  I am nervous about trying to transplant them.  I wonder if I could just grow them in pots by the window?  My basil, and Early Girl tomato are doing great out front, but my Roma tomatoes aren't looking too hot. 

When the leaves turn sort of white is that a temperature problem?  I haven't been over watering them, so that's the only thing I could think of.  It doesn't seem to be a mold or anything...the leaves have just lost their color.  We are supposed to have a frost tonight or tomorrow night, so I have them covered now.  Hope they make it

The hyacinths are doing well, but I still haven't planted any other flowers.  I ran out soil and time.  Maybe this weekend if the weather cooperates.

Hope Spring has finally sprung for you all.

No silver bells or cockle shells

I do have other growth in my garden, though!

I planted six Roma Tomatoes, some sunflower seeds (not the roasted kind of course), my cucumbers, and broccoli.

In the herb department, suddenly lots of basil! 

I just read that sage is very hard to grow from seeds and I was so dissappointed.  Then I realized what I thought was a pepper sprout was actually a sage sprout!  HOORAY!  And, I saw my first lavender sprout today, too.

I have to keep reminding myself it's only the first week of April and that things are going to grow!  Still, I think I should have taken better care of the first set of seeds I planted...I would have a lot more by now! sigh.  Live and learn.  Sometimes, 41 years old seems kind of old to be learning new tricks!

I've been keeping an eye on the sun to see which areas are getting the most light.  Unfortunately, almost every spot in my yard at some point gets the sun blocked by trees, or our house. 

If each area gets about 6-7 hours of direct sun, is that enough?  It seems like no matter where I plant that's as good as it gets (I think it will improve as Summer gets near...)

I think I've bored everyone enough with my herbs. 

Hope you are all having a great day!

Alternatives

I want to plant some cucumbers and the package says to use black plastic mulch and/or floating row covers.  I would prefer to keep my gardening simple.

Do you think those things are necessary?  Are there other things I can do besides go out and buy the mulch or cover?

And suggestions will be interesting to me.

Strange Happenings

Anyone who reads my blog knows about my gardening impatiance!  I want everything to grow NOW!

Friday, I had given up on my herbs and purchased two four inch pots of basil.  The next morning, I was watering my "herbs" (Okay, I hadn't entirely given up) and noticed that there are at least four shoots of...guess what?...BASIL!  So irritating...if I had just waited.

Then, one of my other planters got knocked over.  Since nothing was growing in it (I check DAILY and not a hint of green) I wasn't that upset.  I just tipped it back in place and what do you supposed I saw?  About ten Parsley shoots!  Isn't that weird?  I guess they were just about to break through the dirt when it was bumped!

Now I am tempted to kick all the planters around a bit and see what happens.  My husband is encouraging me to resist that temptation and just wait.  We'll see...

Hopeless Gardener Needs Your Expertise!

Last year I ruined my little pumpkin patch by watering regularly every day (I found out later that in our area it's not necessary - the local pumpkin patch never waters!).

I live on the North Coast of CA, so we don't have hot, dry summers.  I have planted potatoes both in garbage cans and the ground.  According to what I've read, the potatoes need plenty of water, but not too much.  So helpful.

1. How often do they need to be watered (once a day/once a week)?
2. How do you know how much to water?
3. What should the soil feel like?
4. What are signs of too much water?  Too little water?

My starts may have been over watered, but then, they may have been under-watered.  They are in front of windows in my house, so a nice even temperature.

I planted them in paper egg cartons and water with a spray bottle.  How much is too much.  I was probably spritzing each egg cup two sprays in the morning,that's it...now I am doing four squeezes.  Daily.

Help.

Bean Varieties

I planted three different Green Beans today. 

Fortex: An early and productive gourmet delight.  The exceptionally long pods grow to 10 inches in length.

Kentucky Wonder: An old-time, brown-seeded variety with good old-time flavor.  Grows to 7 feet tall.

Scarlet Emperor:  The large sprays of scarlet-orange flowers are the showiest of all varieties.

I am embarrassed by my lack of knowledge.  I made a 18-20 inch diameter circles for each variety and planted 3 seeds, 1 inch deep, in four "corners" (no real corners in circles, right? LOL).  So, 12 seeds for each variety.

Is that enough, or too much?  I like exact rules and there don't seem to be any for planting vegetables. 

I would like something to produce this year.  I am not to the point of confessing myself a "brown thumb", but it's obvious I haven't developed a green one yet!

On my list

Herbs I have tried to start (*things that have actually sprouted after thirteen days):

1. Lavendar
2. Sweet Basil*
3. Chives
4. Dill
5. Parsley
6. Chamomile*
7. Sage
8. Non-herb: candlelight peppers
9. Non-herb: sweet peppers

Hay Bale Plants (done so far and growing):

1. Lettuce
2. Spinach
3. Snap Peas
4. Strawberries

Things on my list "To Plant":

1. Potatoes
2. Green Beans
3. Cucumbers
4. Cherry Tomatoes
5. Other tomatoes (I forget which variety)
6. Zucchini
7. Melon
8. Black-eyed Susan
9. Stasis (sp)
10. Flax
11. Sunflowers

I think time is of the essance for those things not yet planted, but I am having such trouble starting from seeds.  I really don't want to give in and buy starts from the nursery after all this effort...but I will! LOL

Rain, sun, rain, sun...

Yesterday it was rainy and very windy, and we had a slight frost this morning.  Now it is clear and sunny out (not very warm, though).  I am going to take my dog for a walk and then get down and dirty in the garden (I think that is the funniest phrase...down and dirty LOL).

My plans are:

1. PLANT THE POTATOES!! (I keep stalling)
2. Plant my green beans
3. Treat my bales (I have been slacking on the application of the A.S.)
4. Hem my daughter's dress (I was supposed to do that yesterday, but the rain made me feel lazy)

That's all I am committing to, today.  If I make my list too long, I don't finish it and I feel like a failure.  This is my way of tricking myself into thinking I've got a lot done "Look, I crossed everything off my list!" LOL

Out of all my seeds planted in egg cartons, one lonely little basil is peeking up.  I hope to see some more action this week!  I don't know why I have such a hard time growing things.  You wouldn't think it would be that hard!

~NOTE:  I got everything done on my little list.  I feel so victorious! LOL

A few answers

On my herbs:

My local nursery told me that it could be due to not enough water.  I use a spray bottle and he says that I should just try more spritzing daily and see what happens.

It is very cold out tonight; I hope my veggies don't suffer.

I saw these cute little "jiffy greenhouses" today.  It gave me an idea.  I went to the dolalr store and purchased four aluminum casserole pans with clear covers...I have my own Jiffy Green houses!

Tomorrow I plant the taters and green beans. 

Later, all!

Sage

I just read yesterday that sage should germinate in 7 days.  It's been over ten since I planted all my herbs and only the chamomile is sprouting.

Should I be concerned?  When my first attempt a month or so ago didn't turn out, I assumed I'd neglected them. 

Could soil be an issue?  The bag has been out front under a pew for a few months.  I don't see how soil could go bad, but maybe it could?

I'd say old seeds, but all of them are the same date as the chamomile, except the Sage which is new!

I planted my seeds in paper egg cartons, which I did last year (and they all sprouted), but nothing is happening! 

I planted them on the 15th, so maybe I am worrying for nothing?

Any ideas or advice on herb growing would be helpful!

In my hay day!