Ginkgo Seedlings

These were started last year without much effort. The seeds were collected in Fall 2004. They were kept in the fridge over the winter and planted in containers that had other things growing (like tomatoes and peppers) so that they did not need individual attention. Only about 1/2 of them survived the winter - something ate the others. Some people are more scientific about starting ginkgos from seeds. I did the same this winter. The seeds looked a bit moldy so if they grow it will be a surprise - but last year's were a surprise as well.

Brown Turkey Fig

This tree was very productive last year - at least 2 dozen figs. The flavor was "pretty good" - the Petite Netgri and Brunswick seemed more flavorful, but were not nearly as productive last year. It was overwintered in the garage on the coldest days this winter. In the Spring while still dormant, it was removed from the pot, as much soil removed as possible, and moved into a wooden container in hopes that the roots could keep cool.

Today the first signs of tiny main crop figs were visible. There are no breba (overwintered crop) because they all fell off after looking promising, in about April.

The soil is an organic mix, with a big handful of crushed eggshells for calcium, a handful of commercially available dried crushed fish bones, and a handful of organic slow acting tomato food.

Brown Turkey appears to be popular in the UK, and seems also to be known as "Brown Naples" which is interesting because this variety is thought to originate in the Provence region of France. I have not been able to find out why it is called "Brown Turkey". The Calimyrna fig originates in Turkey, but that is a different variety.

Italian Honey = Marseilles = Blanche = Lemon Fig

This fig tree is in a container due to no room in the yard. Also, it can be hauled into the garage if the winter days get too cold. I haven't tasted these yet - there MIGHT be one tiny main crop fig starting but the bud is still to small to be sure. This variety (which, like many figs, has many names) was a favorite fig of Thomas Jefferson. This variety is apparently popular in the Northwest, but is also a heritage variety in the south.

Developing tomatoes: Lemonboy and Sungold

Lemonboy was productive last year - the first large tomato that I have been able to grow here. This plant has the most and largest so far - about plum size - but they will probably continue to grow until they ripen. My guess is that we will get fresh tomatoes in late July.

Sungold is listed on many garden sites as the "best and tastiest" cherry tomato. The small white flowers are cilantro (cilantro plants make coriander seeds, so they are the same thing) - planted for fresh leaves when small and to attract beneficial insects when blooming.

Main crop figs starting to develop: Brunswick

It's not certain yet if this is a Brunswick (= Magnolia = Dalmatian = Madonna) but it matches most of the descriptions. Like other varieties, it is grown around the US and in Europe - here is a photo of a Brunswick fig in France - it does look like this. In 1860 Brunswick figs apparently looked like this (page down to the drawing).

I like this fig. It is the first one that I grew from a cutting. Last year there were several figs on this tree, and they were juicy and sweet, with a good 'fig' flavor.

It's still better to bike

Still achy from yesterday. I went to Fred Meyer on my way to work and bought some wrist straps, since the wrists are what hurt the most.

Naproxen helps.

It's not as bad today as I worried that it would be. Still hurts to breathe deeply. I will be back on the bike by either the weekend or next week, for sure.

It's still better to bike if possible.

Vancouver bike link.

Biking is better for the environment.

Biking is good for your health except when it kills you.

Today I fell off my bike.

Ow ow ow ow. I stopped too fast on a bump, flew over the front. What hurts? Left wrist, Left calf, Right knee, Right rib or diaphram - it hurts to take a deep breath. I dont think anything is fractured - I would know. Charlie is attentive as always - or maybe he just wants a cookie. Not in the mood for philosophizing. Think I'll turn in now.

Veggies=good.

Veggies are better for you and better for the environment.

If you grow your own, then they can be free of pesticides, more flavorful, and there when you want them. You know where they've been. You can fertilize them with compost and coffee grounds.

There are lots of good arguments for avoiding meat. I used to think that every meal needed meat - but for 25 years, I've gone without. It isnt missed at all.

The main thing is that people just dont think that way. Even though I love eating food, I dont feel like I miss anything just because my diet doesnt include meat. I get the full effect of flavors that I think would be muted by meat. I love spices, strong flavors like garlic and hot pepper, and rich flavors like coffee and chocolate. I think that meat would leave my palate less able to taste those great flavors. But I realize I am in a minority.

If people just started to think of beef as the dietary equivalent of an SUV (conspicuous consumption, not necessary, bad for the environment, bad for safety and health) then maybe quantities used would decrease and people, and the world, would be healthier.

Man's Best Friends

Posted so that there would be a profile photo. Spring 2006.

Tomatoes are the holy grail of the home gardener

Tomatoes are not as easily grown in the Pacific Northwest as in other parts of the country - in the SPring and Fall, the days are too short, and during the summer, the nights are too cool. Even so, after 4 years of trying, last year there were lots of tomatoes - big ones, cherry tomatoes, red, and yellow. The "secret" seems to be a combination of factors: right variety, right location, right soil treatment, right grooming (some would say pruning).

For variety, my luck has been best with hybrids such as Better Boy, Lemon Boy, and Celebrity. Heritage varieties, like Brandywine and Cherokee do have great flavor, but it's a lot of effort to get just a couple of tomatoes. Of the Cherries, Sweet100 has been very productive. This year, Lemon Boy and Better Boy both have small tomatoes the size of small plums. I am growing Sweet100 again, which has bebe sized fruit now. New varieties for this year include Sungold (also with bebe sized fruits), Sugar Snack, Tomande, and Sweet Baby Girl. Plus a few more. So, a few proven performers, a few to experiment on, and 2 heritage varieties (Cherokee and Yellow Brandywine).

For location, some are in a bed on the south side of the house. This is starting to be shaded by grape vines, so may not be as productive this year. Others are in a free-standing bed, and get full sun all day.

For soil treatment, the beds were treated with many bags of leaves last fall, turned into the soil. They were given kitchen scraps dug into the soil for compost. In the Spring, the soil was covered with a layer of leaf compost. When it became warmer, they were mulched with bark dust.

For grooming, they are all being trained to stakes, and each sucker pruned off after the first leaf ("missouri pruning")

None of this is scientific. Maybe this year will be productive, and maybe it wont - but it's starting to look promising.

Of course, there are as many ways to grow tomatoes as there are gardeners. Even upside down - this one is Sweet100. A close look shows lots of blossoms and a few bebe sized tomatoes on this plant too. This one is in full sun on the south side of the house.