Picture May 19, 2011 TBerrys First Harvest of Peas and Green Tomatoes

Well here it goes.  You can guess what’s cooking for Dinner tonight.  I just picked my first harvest of peas and tomatoes.  Now my work is cut out for me.  Shelling them  is the job.  It’s all worth it .  I don’t mean to sound like I am complaining.  While shelling these peas.  I like to find me a Bible study lesson or a good old gospel preaching to listen at while I am shelling away at these peas my ears are open.

I have a favorite website for when I am not able to read the word.  Shelling peas is a good time for it.  I hope many will agree there is no excuse these days for not learning the Truth(Gods Word).  When I am not able to read I can just key in the KJV on my favorite website at Sermon Audio and it will read any Chapter and verse  for me.  This website has it all  click here Gospel preaching and Bible Study.  God has been good to me, so yes I do get excited.  No way can I ever take a stroll through TBerrys Garden and not say “Thank Ya Jesus!”  Right now it’s Beautiful and lot’s of work to be done.  Will you join me Sermon Audio.   To all my Gardening friends I am sure you’ve heard, my ears are open to the word.  Fingers dare not on the keys but shelling peas, Amen!!

.

May 17, 2011 Cow Horn Okra can see first Blooms

This is a borrowed picture of Scuppernong Grapes

The scuppernong is a large variety of muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia). This grape species has the distinction of being the first grape to ever be actively cultivated in the United States. It was declared the state fruit of North Carolina in 2001 The grape was named after the Scuppernong River of North Carolina, where it was first discovered. The word Scuppernong is from the Algonquian Indian word ascopo which means “sweet bay tree.” The fruit grows where temperatures seldom fall below 10  Fahrenheit.

Over 100 years of breeding has resulted in several bronze cultivars such as Carlos, Doreen, Magnolia and Triumph, they are distinguished by being perfectly flowered, which means the vine now produces male and female flowers. Opposed to the Scuppernong variety which only has female flower parts. The oldest cultivated grapevine in the world is the 400 year old scuppernong “Mother Vine” growing on Roanoke Island, NC 

Scuppernong is usually a green or bronze color and is similar in appearance and texture to a white grape, but rounder and about 50% larger. It was first known as the ‘big white grape. The skin is very thick and tart and several small green seeds are found in each grape. The pulp is viscous and sweet and the seeds are bitter – the most desirable part of the scuppernong is the sweet juice. The vine is an exceptionally strong grower, and its wood is the envy of the grape family.

Muscadines have a high tolerance to diseases and pests. There are no insect enemies, or fungus diseases that attack the fruit. Although black rot sometimes attacks the leaves in the spring, but never enough to affect the growth of the vines, or to cause any apparent detriment to a vine when given proper care. The blooms open during the first part of June, and the grapes ripen during September.

As with all grapes, muscadines need full sun with good airflow and proper drainage,  As with all grapes, muscadines need full sun with good airflow and proper drainage.  This grapevine can grow from  60 to 100 feet and should be planted 8 to 11 feet apart. 

It can be rooted so you can have more grapevines.  In rooting Scuppermong  grape vines, the first step is to look over the grapevine in mid-summer and find a cane that is in season.  Bend the cane to the ground and make sure that it is long enough to lie on the ground leaving the tip free.  Then score the stem in four or five places with a sharp knife where the brance touches the ground. Mound soil over the cane, leaving the tip uncovered.  Lay a brick or push down two u-shaped wires to hold the cane against the ground. 

You have to keep the ground moist so that the cane will produce roots.  The sections where you scored the cane  will produce roots.  Severe the cane from the parent in the fall when the grapes become dormant and roots have developed.  Last thing you will do is to dig up the rooted grape and plant it in your desired location.

The properly care of Scuppernong grapes you must fertilize them regularly.  Apply half a pound of 10-10-10 after planting.  Spread the fertilizer on either side of the vines a foot from the bases.  Apply another light sprinkling in late May or early June.  In the second year, apply double the amount.  Each year thereafter, apply 2 pounds of fertilizer in March and half a pound in June.  The scuppernong or muscadine grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia) is a fast-growing deciduous vine that can produce grapes for more than 50 years.  It is used for fruit, wine and shade.

Purple Periwinkle (Vinc Minor) April 2011 Oh how I love the sweet fragrance these flowers have.

Gladiolus

Impatients

I keep these in the shade at all times.   I have to keep them watered or else they droop very quickly.  They are so Impatient when it comes to watering.

Care for Impatients Flowers:

First Bloom Peas 4/28/2011

Peas are now in Bloom. Weather is very dry.  Rain is in the forcast. Praying for Rain!!!  Click here to see last years Field Peas 2010 growing

Celebrity Tomatoes Picture here is first of blooms 4/28/2011

Planting:  This year I planted each plant by digging deep whole and placing each tomatoe plant into hole with at least half of the plant covered with soil.  I first removed bottom leaves of each plant only leaving 2 branches of leaves sticking up from the ground.  I was told by a friend that this encourages more strength to the bush and root system. 

Fertilize:  I fertilized with 10-10- 10 very little after a week of being planted.  Lime: Tomatoes are lime lovers, and greener upper they absorb quickly so I only put aproxmately 2 tablespoons of lime around each plant  to start out with.  Then as plant gets bigger I monitor each plant according to how green it is.  I also think it keeps down tomatoe plant deseases.  Always watering plant at the base only is another thing I think keeps plant healthy and green.  Everyone may have other tips on growing tomatoes.  Please leave comments as to how your tomatoes are doing such as tips and tricks according to what state you live in is very important. 

Important Note: We can always add lime fertilizer but…remember we can’t take it away once it has been added to the soil.  Many vegetables according to soil by state and lacation varies with applying any kind of fertilizer.

Picture taken 4/28/2011 See here is first tomatoe

 Here is a Website I have found very useful information at growing tomatoes, diseases etc.  Click here   Also info adding  Epsom Salt, Magnesium to your vegetables Click here.