The Cole Homestead

Garden update

I thought that I would share an update about our garden.  So far most of the plants have been started.  The only seeds that did not germinate were the soapwort.  I tried these twice so I must be doing something wrong.  Not quite sure.  Maybe they need special attention.

Most of my seeds this year came from www.rareseeds.com  I Have been so impressed with others have been saying about em and there selection is amazing!  Plus these are heirloom seeds and seeds from around the world.  When I looked at the category for red tomatoes ( yes there are separate cat for each color of tomatoes) there were 66 different varieties.  Amazing!

One type we ordered just to try were called German red strawberry.  Here is the description: Big, flavorful 1 lb fruit are shaped like a giant, red strawberry. These beautiful tomatoes are loaded with a rich, sweet flavor. With only a small amount of seeds and juice, they are great for canning and sandwiches. This superior tasting tomato is a family heirloom from Germany.   That sounds just what we need.  Here's a pic

Other type that we ordered was a grape tomato.  So many of my extended family loves these so I thought that I would order a start.  They are called Principe  Borghese.  I have no idea how to pronounce that but they look great!  Here's the description a pic.  The Italian heirloom that is famous for sun drying. Small 1-2 oz. grape-shaped fruit are very dry and have few seeds. They have a rich tomato taste that is wonderful for sauces. Determinate vines yield clusters of fruit in abundance, perfect for selling in fresh markets and making specialty products. We offer pure Italian seed. 

I also ordered more wonderberries.  I thought these would look great on my front porch in a few pots.  I also want some for the garden and for family.  These are supposed to be very easy for kids to grow.   

This weekend I plan on starting the cabbage and broccoli.  I hope I have room!  Hope every ones gardens are doing well!
 

Great looking plants!

01:06, Wednesday, April 2, 2008 .. Posted by Lancelot

I just wanted to say that your seed starts look great! I also wanted to say that you will love guineas. We don't have any right now and I miss them a lot. They are the greatest watchdogs. They are very loud, but we found them entertaining rather than annoying. They make a little 'eh' or 'eeet' sound with every step they take around the yard...that is when they are calm. If they get worked up they get really loud. Ours would run at vehicles as they came up the driveway. LOL. They are great fun and they eat ticks! Big bonus! Ours lived right with our chickens and got along great. I think they thought they were chickens since we raised them all at once from chicks/keets. We did have two male guineas that got mean with my rooster (I love my rooster) so we got rid of them, but the other male and all the guinea hens were fine with the chickens. It was in the spring / mating season, so that's probably part of it. Anyway, I really do think you will enjoy them, they are so much fun to watch.

I enjoyed reading your blog. I'm new here but hope to post often.

Hugs,
Lisa

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10:29, Saturday, April 5, 2008 .. Posted by mcgyver959701

Great looking plants. We're getting our garden ready as well. We had a great start on preparing the soil and then it started raining and hasn't let up for a couple of days. So hopefully, we'll be able to get back to it later this week.

You will love those guinea's, we raise the Royal Purple and Love them. Great for watchdog's and they are very great with the insect's as well.

Blessings,
Lynn