Growing season STX

i think you should have started your seeds a bit ago. the summer is far too hot to have things thrive.we did ok with tomatoes last year and they did good. peppers not so good. nothing like a blt with fresh tomatoes. southgate farms by cheeseburgers might be able to answere a few questions for you about proper planting time and what grows here. we had some good basil but it died in the summer but the parsley lived. both in the same planter. good luck to you and if you find out anything post here so we know what you found out.

Thnx speee1dy, I think I might call the botanical gardens too.

I have had pretty good luck growing all year. Okra, peppers, rosemary, basil do good for me all year. Tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, kale, and corn do very well in the winter. Caterpillars, snails and white fly have been the hardest for me to control.

DanBec,

The Dept of Ag sell veggie "slips" yearround. At the main entrance, go around the office building and head to the back area of the property. You will see a couple large shadehouse. They sell slips all day, except lunch (12-1) and they cost about 0.10 each.

Charlie

I highly recommend the Dept of Ag as well. I've gotten great starts there for pennies and I hate waiting for seeds to sprout. Its fun to go there and they always have different things each week... Walking away with a bag full of baby plants for a couple of bucks seems like such a steal!... The eggplant, cabbage, squash of all types, lettuce, okra, peppers... have all done well for me in past years. They are a farmers co-op place so ask about other things like fertilizer, soil, etc... they are very helpful!

Another 'must do' for gardeners is the Saturday Market at LaReine. Its a good place to get small herb plants for your garden.

One thing I do grow from seed here... and they grow great... is green beans. Somehow... I just can't master tomatoes tho... any tips? I've restricted myself to cherry tomatoes in pots, they seem to do the best for me. (love the little yellow ones). When it comes to tomatoes now... I mostly leave it to Pente and the guys out west and just buy from them.

If anyone knows of a good mint plant that grows well here... I'd love some tips... mine seem to die and I was under the impression that they should grow like weeds (like basil does).

Both Dept of Ag and the Saturday Market are great options for other plants as well... lime trees, mango trees, etc.

Hmmm... I don't have my own garden started yet this year... maybe I should get cracking.... fresh green beans sounds yummy.

Lifetime, my green beans did great and so delicious. I also grew corn in raised beds and it was the best I have ever tasted. Try growing heirloom tomatoes. Romas seem to do well also. My biggest problem with tomatoes was white fly. They also got bottom end rot but if you pick off the ones that have the dark spots on the bottom right away the rest do fine. I don't know what to about the whitefly problem nothing I tried worked.

dougtamjj, if you're seeing blossom end rot it's usually a calcium deficiency. You can get a soil test to determine how much lime to add. I have the same problems where I live and I add lime. If you're soil is already alkaline considering adding bone meal.

Cheers, RickG

Thanks RickG

You all have been so wonderful! So much info - wow!
Thanx for the Dept of Ag tip! I can't wait to check it out and the farmers market. :@)

White Fly is usually attracted to plants which are stressed. Try sticky traps ( yellow glue boards) next to infected plants. The white flies like the color yellow for some reason and land on the glue and get stuck. You can buy spray glues and spray Pennzoil plastic oil containers, they seem to be the correct color. Keep washing off the plants to help keep the flies from landing and laying eggs.I find twice daily seems to reduce the population.

great advice everyone

Growing tomatoes from local seeds super-hardy. They survived Omar with tomatoes!

Grew zucchini it came really big and fast but as squash formed terrible little black coffee ground little things and cocoons devoured the plant practically overnight! Managed to get one young squash. Went after my cukes, too... What was that blight?? How to stop it next time?

Thanks for any info