We are really excited to offer a cute little planter for $5.00. We have others at 14.00, 18.00 and 25.00. We have hanging baskets at 12.00, 14.00, 18.00 so if you are need of a memorial planter we are here to help you. Open Mon thru Saturday 9-6, Sunday 1-6 and also I will be here on Memorial day. HAVE to always water so I am here. Come and see us. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 641-903-9365
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BOY is it humid. We all worked hard yesterday moving plants out of the greenhouse and organizing the wagons and tall racks. Today, I am just going to wait on gardeners and the rest of the stuff will come out another day. Too humid too early. Tomorrow again it looks like with temperatures in the 90’s and heat level about 100. It looks like next week more seasonable weather with temperatures in the 70’s.
We moved out almost all the tomatoes outside on a wagon and tall racks. With this warmer weather, they are looking just right. So now hardening them off for you before you put into the garden. What did you grow in tomatoes and peppers this year, Becky? Here is the list. Before the list, here is a short article about planting tomatoes. Tips For Tomato Planting – How To Plant A Tomato Tomatoes are probably the most popular summer vegetable for experts and novices alike. Once all danger of frost is past and nighttime temperatures have risen above 55 F. (13 C.) degrees, it’s time to think about tomato planting. If you live in the South, tomato seeds can be sown directly into the garden. In cooler zones, you’ll be setting out transplants, and questions about how to plant tomatoes will arise. Tips for Planting Tomato Plants When planting tomato plants for family consumption, here’s a helpful tip. If you only want fresh fruit, purchase about three plants per person in your household. If you’re looking for fruit to process, you’ll need from five to ten seedlings per person. Before we talk about how to plant a tomato, let’s talk about what to look for before planting. Tomato plants should be straight and sturdy and six to eight inches (15 to 20.5 cm.) high. They should have four to six true leaves. Those six-cell packs will transplant just as well as the individually grown tomato. Planting will be the same for both, but make sure to tear the peat pot off around the top of the individual or make sure it sits beneath soil level. How to Plant a Tomato When asking about how to plant tomatoes, the first question is how deep. Tomatoes have the ability to grow roots along their stems, so when planting tomato plants, plant deep; right up to the first set of leaves. This takes care of those leggy tomato seedlings. If the plant is too long and wobbly, dig a small trench and lay the plant on its side, gently bending it into a right angle. Bury the stem in this position leaving those first two leaves exposed. Some gardeners believe those leggy starters will form a healthier plant than those with a more compact form. Water your seedlings in with a weak solution of high phosphorus fertilizer [3]. Now is the time to choose your support: stakes, cages or unsupported. How far apart to plant tomato seedlings depends on your chosen support. If you decide to use cages or stakes, place them now so you don’t damage the growing roots later. How Far Apart to Plant Tomato Plants Plants should be about 3 feet apart when tomato planting with cages. Staking only requires about 2 feet (0.5 m.) between plants. Loosely tie the plants to their stakes as they grow, but set the stakes when you set the seedlings. You’ll need 3 feet (1 m.) between the plants and 5 feet (1.5 m.) between the rows if you’re planting tomato plants to grow naturally. What did you grow in tomatoes this year, Becky? Here is the list. tomato amish paste tomato beefsteak tomato better bush $ tomato big beef $ tomato big boy $ tomato candy land red tomato celebrity tomato choc sprinkles tomato grape gabrielle tomato La Roma tomato lemon boy tomato Marzito tomato midnight snack tomato red large cherry tomato sunsugar $ tomato sweet 100 tomato yellow pear I have some more in the seed trays so will be adding more to this list. All I need is time to get it done. Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 Just came off a great Saturday for weather, and had gardeners come to the greenhouse. Just can’t get 2 days in a row nice. So Sunday was cooler, windy and wet. NOW Monday it is very windy, and warming up with a front coming thru from the south. This will be hot, humid weather for the rest of the week. With that and the moisture we have there are 20% chance of rain each day. Tonight could be some severe weather, just have to see what the weather man said the CAP. If it stays in place, that will help with keeping the storms under control. See what happens. Have to keep an eye on the sky, because of severe weather then we can put under cover the wagons, and the tall racks. I hope to be back daily to share with you something from the greenhouse.
WHAT is new this year? Is a question always asked…..so how about fingerling potatoes? Give them a try and this is how. How to Grow Fingerlings Grow fingerling potatoes just as you would any potato. But keep in mind that all but 'French Fingerling' need at least 90 to 100 days of frost-free weather to produce tubers. Plant seed pieces in the garden after the last frost in your area. To avoid diseases, plant where potatoes or related plants (tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants) have not grown for at least a year. Make fingerling seed pieces smaller than those for ordinary potatoes. Cut tubers into 1-ounce disks that have at least 2 to 3 eyes per disk. Larger potato varieties usually require a 2-ounce piece. Set the seed pieces in 4- to 6-inch-deep planting holes or trenches. Because fingerling plants are usually larger and rangier than modern varieties, give them more room than you would typical potatoes: Space seed pieces about 18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. Like other potatoes, fingerlings need a loose, deep, sandy, or sandy loam soil, or soils generously amended with organic matter such as compost. Ideally, cultivate a 3- to 4-inch layer of composted manure into the planting bed early in the season. All potatoes need regular irrigation or rainfall throughout the season. But be especially careful to keep fingerlings' soil moist. Even brief dry periods will produce misshaped or smaller tubers. Once the plants have emerged from the ground, hill soil up, covering all but one-third of the sprout. Repeat hilling three to four weeks later. Mulch the rows with a 4- to 6-inch-thick layer of straw mulch when plants emerge to help conserve moisture and stop weed seeds from germinating. How to Grow Fingerling Potatoes in a Container By: Caryn Anderson Thanks to the ease of container gardening, you don't even need a garden to grow a bumper crop of elegant, delicious fingerling potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). These small, finger-shaped potatoes typically take 90 to 110 days to mature, and they grow well in soil temperatures ranging from 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, making them ideal for early- or late-season gardening. Place the container-grown fingerlings in a spot that receives direct sunlight for six hours or longer. You can use nearly any type of container to grow fingerling potatoes, including barrels, garbage cans, terracotta or plastic planters, or commercially available potato growing bags, which can be found online or at garden centers. Drainage and container size are two of the most important factors to keep in mind while choosing a planter. If the container lacks drainage holes or only has one hole, drill at least three to five 1/4-inch holes on the bottom to prevent soggy conditions. Allow 2 to 3 gallons of planter space for every fingerling potato you plan to plant. If you intend to plant three or four potatoes, select a 15-gallon container. If you're only planting one, a smaller container may suffice. Thanks to the ease of container gardening, you don't even need a garden to grow a bumper crop of elegant, delicious fingerling potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Selecting Varieties Growing potatoes from fingerling potatoes purchased from the grocery store typically yields disappointing results because the potatoes are treated with a substance designed to retard sprouting. Instead, buy certified disease-free fingerling potato seeds from a local nursery or from a garden catalog. Growing fingerlings in a container Many varieties of fingerling potatoes grow well in containers, including "Russian Banana," a variety with 1- to 3-inch potatoes with yellow skin and yellow waxy, moist flesh. "Swedish Peanut," which yields tubers that grow 1 to 2/1/2 inches long, has yellow, nutty-flavored flesh. For show-stopping color, try growing "Purple Peruvian," which grows 3/4- to 2-inch potatoes with purple flesh and skin. Planting Fingerlings Prepare the fingerling seeds by cutting tubers into small 1-ounce rounds with at least two eyes on each piece. Choose a high quality, soil-less potting mix to reduce exposing the fingerling potatoes to the diseases and pests that naturally occur in garden soil. Growing potatoes from fingerling potatoes purchased from the grocery store typically yields disappointing results because the potatoes are treated with a substance designed to retard sprouting. For show-stopping color, try growing "Purple Peruvian," which grows 3/4- to 2-inch potatoes with purple flesh and skin. Place 3 to 4 inches of the potting mix on the bottom of the container. Mix in two handfuls of organic starter fertilizer and arrange the seed pieces in the container. According to the National Gardening Association, fingerling potato plants generally grow larger and need extra room between seeds than other potatoes. Allow approximately 18 inches of space between the seed pieces. Cover the seeds with another 4 to 6 inches of soil, lightly tamp it down and water the container thoroughly. Caring for Plants Water the container regularly, adding at least 1 inch to the container weekly. Feel the potting mix every few days, and add water as needed to maintain evenly moist -- but not wet or soggy -- soil. As the young potato plants grow, hill them by adding enough soil or compost around the seedlings so that only 3 inches of the plant shows. Place 3 to 4 inches of the potting mix on the bottom of the container. Cover the seeds with another 4 to 6 inches of soil, lightly tamp it down and water the container thoroughly. Fertilize the plants once every month with an organic fertilizer formulated for vegetables. Blend approximately 2 tablespoons of the fertilizer for every 1 square foot of planting space into the top 1 to 3 inches of potting mix. Avoid overhead watering and check the plants once a week for signs of a Colorado potato beetle infestation, heralded most commonly by the presence of orange eggs located on the leaves' undersides. Remove and crush the eggs. Spray the leaves of the plant with Bacillus thuringiensis san diego, a food-safe insecticide, to kill larvae. Good luck and give these a try. Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 What a thrill to have a hummingbird fly into the greenhouse and just a foot from me. He will find lots of nectar with all these blooming plants. I forgot to show pictures of my newest display. Potted plants ready to go into your home or office. Pick up, enjoy and watch them grow. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa 641-794-3337 cell phone 641-903-9365 Enjoy this warmer day and sun is going to be out.
Looks like a better Friday, and Saturday sounds like it will be an awesome day. How we appreciate when the weather is like that. We have been working hard to get plants outside for your shopping and really make room inside for more planting to do. Yes, we are still planting.
What do you have for my mom this Mother’s Day? I will name and show you a few ideas.
We are OPEN. Monday thru Saturday 9-6, Sunday 1-6. We have moved plants outside, and the greenhouse is still full. We are still planting so adding more and more things. Pictures from walking around the front and inside the greenhouse. Lots of plants and more color.
What I have taken in these pictures is what we have grown here in the greenhouse. I am a grower,so we have been planting since Feb. When asked," Did you get your plants in?' Yes little plugs in Feb. March and April. We plant, we water and then the plants grow in this miracle greenhouse. We have in our trees/shrubs/roses. The perennials are here too. These were brought in and didn't grow just maintain now. It has been busy moving plants out and all of that. Sorry I haven’t written much. I will be continuing to do more talking about the plants that are here. Stop in and see us. Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 641-903-9365 cell |
AuthorHi! My name is Becky and I am a master gardener. I own Becky's Greenhouse in Dougherty, Iowa. Archives
February 2023
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