Karl's Garden Blog

It was rainy for most of this weekend, which kept me indoors (and a bit grumpy, headachey, and out of sorts — I’d say swine flu, but I think I just needed a few days off). The cold front caused problems (unseasonably late frosts and thunderstorms with hail) for some of my northern neighbors, but it was a welcome relief here. The garden immediately put the lower nighttime temperatures, which had been well up into the seventies, to use and set fruit or flowered on several types of plants.

By far, I’m the most excited about the Sweet 100’s cherry tomatoes. I grew these last year (and even have a few volunteers on the side of the house that I keep meaning to transplant) and they’re awesome for snacking.

Sweet 100's Cherry Tomato

It’s worth noting that I’m letting the Sweet 100 get a bit indeterminate, because I’ve noticed that it tends to flower mainly on the suckers. I’m trying to train most of the plants I have into more of an upright habit, but it’s going to be a race and a struggle to keep them pruned appropriately. I just spent at least an hour in the garden just pruning suckers off tomatoes. The nice part is that my hands smell like tomato. The bad part is that I feel like I cut off half the plant in order to discourage growth patterns that would crowd something else or weaken the plant.

Next up is some members of the squash family. I’ve had a hell of a time getting any of them to grow, but this Bush Champion cucumber finally decided that it was time to get down and boogie. Probably helps that I direct-seeded it. The plant itself is about a foot tall now and this flower is close to the base.

Cuke flower, complete with helpful pollenating ant!

And the eggplant is not to be outdone! Not having grown eggplant before, I didn’t realize that the flowers themselves are a delicate lavender color.

Eggplant Flower

Right behind the eggplant is a Sweetpea that compliments it nicely. I started these over the winter and absolutely adore how delicate and soft the blooms are.

Hello, Sweetpea!