Saw this in today's OKC Biz for all you gardners!!




OKCBiz > The Urban Gardner OKC opens its doors on Western Ave. (http://okc.biz/article/05-21-2010/The_Urban_Gardner_OKC_opens_its_doors_on_Western_A ve.aspx)

Hey,
Time to post your favorite plants photos..and why...
dont forget to weed..lol

I should have some soon. We were pulling grass and weeds out of the
garden today. I might post some photos of the backyard, too.

We had potato bugs today! Made a trip to the garden center to get dipel
dust, or something like that.

We had a report that the sand plums around Stigler are looking good. We
may have a harvest next month!

I wonder if NH is going to still having their hail and garden tour next weekend, does anyone know? This used to be my hostas and over here if you can imagine this once some lovely annuals. It would sure stimulate ones creativity and imagination.

I apologize for the poor picture quality. It was taken with my cell phone. Pic 1. Backyard looking West. Pic 2. Backyard looking North East.


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<a href="http://s395.photobucket.com/albums/pp31/rondvu/?action=view&current=0526101240-01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp31/rondvu/0526101240-01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

That's very nice.

Definitely!!
My compliments!

Beautiful photos!

What types of vegetables do most of you plant? We have a regular city lot, but we have tomatoes, onions, beets, turnips, dill, chives, radishes, two kinds of squash, three types of peppers, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and green beans. The spinach came and went. It's too early for the okra. We also have grape vines.

Aphids were a problem for the tomatoes, but a little Ivory soap-water solution seems to have taken care of them. We were lucky that the hail didn't damage most of the plants. We use shade cloth over many of them. Do any of you do that?

For some reason I can't grow tomatoes. I can grow peppers, potatoes, eggplant cucumbers as well as squash. I try to go chemical free and have had marginal luck with the soaps.

For some reason I can't grow tomatoes. I can grow peppers, potatoes, eggplant cucumbers as well as squash. I try to go chemical free and have had marginal luck with the soaps.

Tomatoes are dicey at best. Some years we have myriads; other years, nada. We go chemical free too; only use the Ivory soap, which is a real "soap"--not a detergent, which is a no-no, and only when the aphids are overwhelming the ladybugs, etc., that prey on them.

We have found certain varieties of tomatoes often [but not guaranteed] do better than others. Specifically, the Early Girl & Better Boy tend to do well. We buy the plants at Atwood's or at Walmart. The soil composition is a big factor [we have pure clay, but have added peat and other organics over the years], as is watering. Hubby does water the tomatoes by hand; they don't like the sprinkler that well. Likewise, he uses the shade cloth over them once it gets to be "real" summer.

I'm wondering if the patio tomatoes or topsy-turvey ones work? Anyone try those?

I have planted tomatoes,okra,squash,corn,beans,watermelon,yellow pepper,lettuce,carrots, strawberry and I planted a blueberry, and it seems more interested (I hope) in root development.
We lost the yellow pepper, strawberry,a tomato plant,a few squash plants.
I havent seen any pests, other then the squirrels, and Oklahoma hail and wind..lol
I TRIED the Topsy turvy bags and I wasnt able to grow anything past seedling...its bound to be a user error I am sure.

If you get mulch from a location.
Give its location.
Tell if there is a cost or its free.
Lets help each other!

Any suggestions for what I can plant under my Elm and Mimosa trees that won't disturb their roots? It's a blank canvas now, I was thinking Geraniums and Ipatiens ? Maybe near the sidewalk sweet woodruff or even mondo grass? any advice would be helpful.

Any suggestions for what I can plant under my Elm and Mimosa trees that
won't disturb their roots? It's a blank canvas now, I was thinking Geraniums
and Ipatiens ? Maybe near the sidewalk sweet woodruff or even mondo
grass? any advice would be helpful.
How about Begonias, ageratum &potted plants, too.? I doubt that they'll
disturb the roots. We've got Foxglove, hosta, and other annuals and
perennials in a raised bed under a large pecan tree.

Is the space shady/sunny?
Is the area well drained, or puddles?

Both areas our shaded, The Elm side has good drainage, but the mimosa side gets fairly wet since that is where our down spout is, but I was thinking of putting a rain barrel there.

Thanks for your advice I'll definitely be planting some these next weekend and I'll let you know how it goes.

Both areas our shaded, The Elm side has good drainage, but the mimosa side gets fairly wet since that is where our down spout is, but I was thinking of putting a rain barrel there.

Thanks for your advice I'll definitely be planting some these next weekend and I'll let you know how it goes.



I hope you do place a rain barrel for the down sprout.
This allows for a on site watering source for your lawn or garden.

Is anyone having issues with snakes?
I "think" I saw a copperhead pattern going by me,while mulching my garden.
I am told they are not aggressive, but since I have a small dog I am not going to risk it.
Suggestions?

Moneywort or Creeping Jenny comes to mind. It comes in green and chartreuse. Stay away from Vinca Major it is a plant from hell. Vinca Minor is not bad is has light blue flowers in the late Spring. You can also plant large pots with colorful shade annuals. A bench to sit in the shade perhaps a birdbath. Hope this helps. FYI "I HATE SNAKES"

"Garden" has officially arrived! We picked our first two full-size ripe tomatoes today! We have tons of green ones on the vines and are hoping they will make too; otherwise, we'll be having lots of fried green tomatoes! :bright_id

We've canned several quarts of dill & sweet pickles, plum jelly & apricot jam.
Not to mention we've had several tomato sandwiches.

We've canned several quarts of dill & sweet pickles, plum jelly & apricot jam.
Not to mention we've had several tomato sandwiches.

"Tomato sandwiches"!!! Oh how yummy are those! I LOVE them; hubby not so much--he likes something on the sandwich to go with the tomato. What do you put on your tomato sandwiches? I can't wait to have enough tomatoes to make them.

As for the pickles and jelly/jams, yum for you! Our cucumbers haven't made yet, but since I can't eat them, we don't make pickles. Our grapes are looking good, but making jelly/jam isn't my forte, so we don't do that.

Now as far as freezing the green beans & okra, count me in! We've 8 gallons of green beans from this year's crop in the freezer. Okra is now sprouted; will be a while for it to be ready, though.

'Mater Sammich Recipe

Tomato slices - room temperature for the full flavor of the 'mater
1 tsp or heaping Chopped black olives - or how much you like
1 or 2 fresh Basil leaves
1 TBL Mayo - your liking
Favorite bread - toasted to your liking or not at all.
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix the mayo and chopped olives and spread it on the bread. Arrange the
'maters on top of the spread. Roll the basil and slice it up and place on top
of the 'maters. Salt and pepper.

Oh my!

A favorite thing to do is to eat a tomato, basil leaf & onion from the garden.

'Mater Sammich Recipe

Tomato slices - room temperature for the full flavor of the 'mater
1 tsp or heaping Chopped black olives - or how much you like
1 or 2 fresh Basil leaves
1 TBL Mayo - your liking
Favorite bread - toasted to your liking or not at all.
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix the mayo and chopped olives and spread it on the bread. Arrange the
'maters on top of the spread. Roll the basil and slice it up and place on top
of the 'maters. Salt and pepper.

Oh my!

Oh that sounds good. Hadn't thought of adding the olives and basil! Mine are just thick slices of tomato [you are right about it needing to be room temperature] on fav bread with fat-free mayo...or yes, light margarine! A slice of low fat pepper jack cheese is also good with it.

Will definitely try the black olives! Love 'em; basil, not so much, plus we didn't grow any--just have dill and the black swallowtail caterpillars are all over it.

A favorite thing to do is to eat a tomato, basil leaf & onion from the garden.

That's hubby's trick; he'll eat the goodies right there in the garden!

I love homemade pickles. Does anyone know where I can purchase some? I live near tge 63rd and Meridian area.

A favorite thing to do is to eat a tomato, basil leaf & onion from the garden.

I prefer a slice of tomato,mozzarella cheese, chopped stripped basil,balsamic vinegar drizzle over it.

I prefer a slice of tomato,mozzarella cheese, chopped stripped basil,balsamic
vinegar drizzle over it.
Okay, that's the next one we're makin'! We have a few Sweet Sue's that are
almost ready. Mozzarella rocks as does balsamic vinegar. Do you have a
fave Balsamic? Prunette and I have one that's good, not awesome, but I
don't know the name of it.

Stripped as in torn?

Honey bees seem to be making a come back or at least at my house. I have some Creeping Thyme and Boston Ivy. Both are filled with honey bees. So if you are wanting bee's in your yard you might try planting the ivy and or thyme.

Well, we've been covered up with tomatoes! One day we picked 60; the next day, 36, and so on. Can't give them away fast enough, and having a tough time finding folks nearby who want them. Been freezing extra squash, but the squash isn't making as well as usual. Cucumbers have been very slow this year, but we are getting some now. Okra is still several weeks away; got a late start on it as we had to wait for space to be cleared for it. Peppers are so-so this year as to quantity, but hubby says they are good-flavored; I don't eat them.

How's everyone else's gardens doing?

Honey bees seem to be making a come back or at least at my house. I have some Creeping Thyme and Boston Ivy. Both are filled with honey bees. So if you are wanting bee's in your yard you might try planting the ivy and or thyme.

Yes, the bees are here! They LOVE the big yellow squash blossoms...and we see loads on the crape myrtles and cucumbers. Glad to see so many of them, and that they are "acting" normally.

How's everyone else's gardens doing?
Our squash didn't make it. The cukes did very good, we've canned
dozens of jars of pickles & relish. The maters are doing fine. Can't
tell you how many jars of tomatoes and many lbs are in the freezer
to make sauce. Friends have given us 10 gallons of blackberries.
The beets are fair and the okra is starting to produce. Turnips are
small. Have I missed anything?

Our squash didn't make it. The cukes did very good, we've canned
dozens of jars of pickles & relish. The maters are doing fine. Can't
tell you how many jars of tomatoes and many lbs are in the freezer
to make sauce. Friends have given us 10 gallons of blackberries.
The beets are fair and the okra is starting to produce. Turnips are
small. Have I missed anything?

We had GREAT beets this year! Turnips were awful. Put about 10 gal. of green beans in the freezer. They did well.

Hubby just has the cukes on salads or plain; I can't eat them; we don't do pickles or relish. Tried making some salsa, but the jalepenos were so hot, as were the onions this year, that it just didn't turn out well.

We had GREAT beets this year! Turnips were awful. Put about
10 gal. of green beans in the freezer. They did well.

Hubby just has the cukes on salads or plain; I can't eat them;
we don't do pickles or relish. Tried making some salsa, but the
jalepenos were so hot, as were the onions this year, that it just
didn't turn out well.
Forgot to mention the beans and cow peas. They're slow.
Salsa is on the canning list.

I wouldn't have any problem taking those tomatoes off your hands, old okie!

I wouldn't have any problem taking those tomatoes off your hands, old okie!

Well, the bounty "dried up"--literally, once the heat hit. We dropped from an average of 30 or more per day to just about 8, and they are small. It was good while it lasted! And if it were still rocking and rolling, I'd be giving you some!

We picked about 15lbs of tomatoes last night. The okra is coming
on real good. Trying to cut it before it's more than 4in is hard.
We'll be pickling a good part of it. The cucumbers are finished.
We roto-tilled, too.

A friend found a green apple tree and pear trees.

Anybody know where to get onion sets right now?

The okra is coming along great! Does anyone have
a favorite way to fry it?

We've been canning pickled okra, green pepper jelly, pepper jelly
and tomato sauce. Tomorrow will be peaches from Stratford.
A bushel of free stones and whites. 1/2 bushel, 25lbs, is $12.
In two weeks the green apples will be ready.

Okra finally made it! Right before frying, I rinse it, cut it, and dust generously with yellow cornmeal; salt & pepper while frying in about 1/4" canola oil. Freeze it by doing steps 1-3; it lasts nearly a year. I put the amt. in freezer bags that make one mess so as not to have to break up a frozen 'chunk.'

Just discovered that the squash freezes well for casseroles: just rinse, slice about 1/2" thick, and toss in freezer bags. Wouldn't do for frying, but it's super for the casseroles. Supposedly it will be "fresh" for six months after freezing. We were very pleased with the taste and the texture of both yellow & zucchini.

Only have okra, peppers, cukes, & tomatoes left...and those aren't producing much. We need RAIN!

We're planning our fall garden. Right now it's only potatoes and
pumpkins. I'm going to plant onions as soon as the sets are
available. Maybe peas.

For any of you who might be interested in growing blackberries, I highly recommend Navaho Blackberries, as they are self-erecting, thornless, and especially sweet. This summer was my first harvest, and I was floored with the flavor of our Navaho. Forget overpaying for tart blackberries at the market; grow your own. They're hardy in Oklahoma clay soul and dry heat, and you almost can't kill them even if you tried.

My wife and I are growing various fruits, vegetables, and nuts, but I don't know enough yet to discern how our crops compare to other varieties except for the blackberries. If you're looking to grow your own, you can't go wrong with Navaho. And while I haven't made my own yet, blackberry wine is often considered to be the best-tasting wine that one can make at home. Happy gardening.

For any of you who might be interested in growing blackberries, I highly recommend Navaho Blackberries, as they are self-erecting, thornless, and especially sweet. This summer was my first harvest, and I was floored with the flavor of our Navaho. Forget overpaying for tart blackberries at the market; grow your own. They're hardy in Oklahoma clay soul and dry heat, and you almost can't kill them even if you tried.

My wife and I are growing various fruits, vegetables, and nuts, but I don't know enough yet to discern how our crops compare to other varieties except for the blackberries. If you're looking to grow your own, you can't go wrong with Navaho. And while I haven't made my own yet, blackberry wine is often considered to be the best-tasting wine that one can make at home. Happy gardening.

Very much agree. We have these growing wild and in abundance on our property. We pick them every year and the wife and neighbor makes tons of pies, cobbler, jam and croustades. You can kill these once established, even if you tried.