Table Talk: August 12

Amy Pennington’s edible garden

By Kim O'Donnel

August 10, 2010

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(Editor’s note: This chat is over, but the transcript is available to read here. And join Kim for another Table Talk chat, most Thursdays.)

You may recall that twice in recent months, Amy Pennington, author of Urban Pantry, has joined Kim for an hour of edible gardening discussion. Now, back by popular demand, Amy will join Kim this week for an August garden-themed chat.

Bring your gardening and preserving questions — nothing is two challenging for these grow-your-own-and-preserve-it-too mavens.

Join Kim and Amy, right here, on Thursday, August 12, at 1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT. Sign up below to receive an email reminder of the chat.

Kim, a trained chef and longtime food journalist, will soon publish a cookbook for people trying to eat less meat. Every week, she brings ideas, tips, and recipes to her live chats — right here at Table Talk, most Thursdays.

Table Talk with Kim O'Donnel -Aug. 12, 2010

(08/12/2010)

  

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10:02

Kim ODonnel:  Hey folks! I've had technical issues all morning -- sorry for the delay! Let's get started with Amy Pennington, urban gardener extraordinaire. What's growing in your edible plot these days? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:02 Kim ODonnel

10:04

Kim ODonnel:  Hey -- and for another trick -- I forgot to get our guest up & running! She'll be here in just a jiff. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:04 Kim ODonnel

10:04

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  tomatoes, beans, zucchini, peppers, greens, potatoes… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:04 Shibaguyz

10:05

[Comment From Lizka Lizka : ]  Hope everyone is well! Amy - I've never done fall gardening. I only have one mid-sized container open right now; what would you suggest as an easy crop to give me a taste? My balcony gets a lot of sun. Thanks! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:05 Lizka

10:05

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  I have completely failed in my quest to grow things this summer. My grand ambitions were quickly turned under (metaphorically) by lack of time, man-power and... well, mostly those two things. With cooler weather coming, there is still time, right? What is the best way to prep a plot for planting? On a more positive note, I stuck three pepper plants in a deep pot, and they've been prolific. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:05 Erin

10:06

amyp:  Hi All Thursday August 12, 2010 10:06 amyp

10:06

amyp:  Here now, finally! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:06 amyp

10:06

Kim ODonnel:  Blame on it your host with head chicken cut off style Thursday August 12, 2010 10:06 Kim ODonnel

10:06

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  heya Amy Thursday August 12, 2010 10:06 Shibaguyz

10:07

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Hi Shannon! Long time, no see! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:07 Jeanne in Seattle

10:07

amyp:  Hi Lizka - how big is your pot? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:07 amyp

10:07

amyp:  Hi Erin - sorry 'bout your failed start. Where do you live? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:07 amyp

10:07

amyp:  Hey Shiba Thursday August 12, 2010 10:07 amyp

10:07

Kim ODonnel:  I'm pretty stoked -- I planted lacinato kale seeds less than 2 weeks ago in a big ole container & I've got seedlings already! First time for me. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:07 Kim ODonnel

10:08

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Heya hotpants! LOL Thursday August 12, 2010 10:08 Shibaguyz

10:08

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I'm one of those people who has squished an entire farm's worth of edible plants into my urban backyard. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:08 Jeanne in Seattle

10:08

Kim ODonnel:  how's that working out for you, Jeanne? The squishing, I mean... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:08 Kim ODonnel

10:08

amyp:  Congrats, Kim! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:08 amyp

10:08

amyp:  You planting in pots or in the ground? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:08 amyp

10:09

Kim ODonnel:  Yes, very proud of meself. I can only do a container garden here at the beach. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:09 Kim ODonnel

10:09

amyp:  Ahhh, that's right. Poor, gal. Just living on the beach! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:09 amyp

10:09

[Comment From Lizka Lizka : ]  hmm - without it in front of me, I would say about 15" tall and 15" acroos the mouth. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:09 Lizka

10:09

amyp:  Kale roots are very deep. How big is your pot? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:09 amyp

10:09

Kim ODonnel:  I would say it's about 5 gallons. Adequate? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:09 Kim ODonnel

10:10

amyp:  Lizka, remind me where you live? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 amyp

10:10

amyp:  Kim, no Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 amyp

10:10

Kim ODonnel:  Crap. Really? How big do I need? I may need a house call! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 Kim ODonnel

10:10

amyp:  Kim, will only support 1 kale plant, and it will not grow uber tall at that. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 amyp

10:10

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  our kale does really well in 3 gal pots… hhhmmm… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 Shibaguyz

10:10

amyp:  I'm looking for a pic to show you root system. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 amyp

10:10

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  It's working well. I just need to remember to water and fertilize regularly. I mainly fertilize with compost and compost tea. And I've interplanted everything--flowers and edibles--together. Looks so nice. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 Jeanne in Seattle

10:10

amyp:  Define "really well" Thursday August 12, 2010 10:10 amyp

10:11

[Comment From Lizka Lizka : ]  I live in Alexandria, VA Thursday August 12, 2010 10:11 Lizka

10:11

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  pretty much had to hack 'em down to plant our tomatoes in there this year LOL Thursday August 12, 2010 10:11 Shibaguyz

10:11

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Kim's beach container garden is awesome. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:11 Jeanne in Seattle

10:12

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  we harvested off of it all winter and spring… robust leaves, great harvests. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:12 Shibaguyz

10:12

amyp:  Jeanne, are you growing in ground? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:12 amyp

10:12

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - are you making your own compost tea? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:12 Shibaguyz

10:13

Kim ODonnel:  Can I make a "tea" from worm castings? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:13 Kim ODonnel

10:13

amyp:  Yes, you can. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:13 amyp

10:13

amyp:  Better yet, make a tea from worm drippings Thursday August 12, 2010 10:13 amyp

10:13

amyp:  do you have worms at home? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:13 amyp

10:14

Kim ODonnel:  Nope. Bought a bag of castings at the nursery. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Kim ODonnel

10:14

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Worm drippings! I love it! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Jeanne in Seattle

10:14

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shibaguyz: no, though I really should. I'm a bit lazy. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Jeanne in Seattle

10:14

Kim ODonnel:  Come on Shiba -- you can do it! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Kim ODonnel

10:14

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Yep, everything in the ground except for the basil, which I move around for the sun. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Jeanne in Seattle

10:14

[Comment From Lizka Lizka : ]  worm drippings - how do you get that? I have worms in my containers currently. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Lizka

10:14

amyp:  Kim, I would just apply directly. don't bother with tea. Why the extra step? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 amyp

10:14

Kim ODonnel:  Ok. Cool. Still a virgin with all this stuff. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 Kim ODonnel

10:14

amyp:  And how often are you fertilizing? You shouldn't need to add much, if you're rotating crops. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:14 amyp

10:15

amyp:  Shiba, very rare for Kale. Congratulations - you've cracked the code. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:15 amyp

10:15

Kim ODonnel:  Had yellowing leaves on tomato plants, so fed them a bit about 2 weeks ago. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:15 Kim ODonnel

10:15

amyp:  I can not upload pic, for some reason. To show you all. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:15 amyp

10:15

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: what's your thought on organic fertilizing? I used to mix up my own organic fertilizer, but got lazy years ago. I now mainly use compost, though I think my plants need more. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:15 Jeanne in Seattle

10:15

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Kim: you can just side dress everything with the worm castings. Those are gold. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:15 Jeanne in Seattle

10:16

amyp:  Yes, yes, yes - compost is great Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 amyp

10:16

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Kim - we use the water that drains from our worm bins. fertilized with that all last summer. Still haven't made compost tea though… just never thought to do it… hhhmmm… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 Shibaguyz

10:16

amyp:  And you may need to feritilize as you continue to use your yard. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 amyp

10:16

amyp:  Best way to know is to test the soil this fall. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 amyp

10:16

Kim ODonnel:  Just don't go canning that compost tea, Shiba... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 Kim ODonnel

10:16

amyp:  you can ammend for next year - see what is being leached and what is in excess. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 amyp

10:16

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  LOL @ Kim Thursday August 12, 2010 10:16 Shibaguyz

10:17

Kim ODonnel:  I've got tons of green fruit on my paste tomato plant, but no red babies yet. Waiting, waiting. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:17 Kim ODonnel

10:17

amyp:  Jeanne - I use nitrogen fixing cover crops and ammend with bone meal and fish meal - that sort of thing. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:17 amyp

10:17

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Walt's Organic Fertilizer in Fremont (Seattle) has some sort of canned compost tea. I kid you not. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:17 Jeanne in Seattle

10:17

amyp:  Hard summer for tomatoes. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:17 amyp

10:17

Kim ODonnel:  Just had my first two sungolds this week! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:17 Kim ODonnel

10:18

amyp:  Lizka, I'm still thinking about your pot BTW Thursday August 12, 2010 10:18 amyp

10:18

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  we get so much rain around here during the winter they recommend we compost with a slow decaying compost in fall then amend in spring Thursday August 12, 2010 10:18 Shibaguyz

10:18

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - I saw that! Have you used Walt's yet? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:18 Shibaguyz

10:18

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: yes, my pal from Seattle Tilth told me to test my soil this summer. Apparently soaker hoses are full of lead. And guess what I use to water. Bleh. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:18 Jeanne in Seattle

10:19

amyp:  Jeanne - there are exceptions to every rule. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 amyp

10:19

amyp:  Lead is often only an issue in highly industrial areas. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 amyp

10:19

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shibaguyz: That's what I do--mulch w/compost in fall and let it sink in. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 Jeanne in Seattle

10:19

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Kim - we're about a month behind too but the tomatoes look fab right now. planning on putting up tents this fall to extend the ripening window. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 Shibaguyz

10:19

amyp:  I would not stress. Plus a regular soil test will measure nutrients, not elements. Those are pricey. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 amyp

10:19

Kim ODonnel:  That's a swell idea, Shiba. Good thinking. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 Kim ODonnel

10:19

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shibaguyz: I have not used Walt's canned compost tea yet Thursday August 12, 2010 10:19 Jeanne in Seattle

10:20

Kim ODonnel:  Amy, I know it varies from region to region, but what would be generally good to plant now for fall? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:20 Kim ODonnel

10:20

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: the Tilth folks said that the lead in soaker hoses is only now become really known. They recommend anyone who uses soaker hoses on edibles get their soil tested. The good news is that lead just sits there--doesn't move in the soil. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:20 Jeanne in Seattle

10:21

amyp:  Great update! Thanks, Jeanne. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:21 amyp

10:21

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shiba: tents? What kind of tents. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:21 Jeanne in Seattle

10:21

Kim ODonnel:  Poor LIzka. I know your'e trying to say something & it's coming out all broken up in your posts... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:21 Kim ODonnel

10:22

amyp:  Spinach, bitter greens like chicory and some mustards Thursday August 12, 2010 10:22 amyp

10:22

Kim ODonnel:  Spinach. Oh that would be nice. Container or ground? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:22 Kim ODonnel

10:22

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - we switched to the hoses used on boats. no lead. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:22 Shibaguyz

10:22

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  This year my zucchini and squash plants are doing absolutely nothing. I think it's because it's been so cool this summer. Makes me sad because those are what we absolutely love in the garden. The chard is doing really well right now, though. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:22 Jeanne in Seattle

10:23

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - tents = tall poles with heavy mil plastic covers. keeps the temp up Thursday August 12, 2010 10:23 Shibaguyz

10:23

amyp:  Yes, Jeanne - very cool summer Thursday August 12, 2010 10:23 amyp

10:23

amyp:  which greens LOVE Thursday August 12, 2010 10:23 amyp

10:23

amyp:  Lettuces have barely bolted Thursday August 12, 2010 10:23 amyp

10:23

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  spinach, chicory and mustard… now I'm hungry again… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:23 Shibaguyz

10:24

Kim ODonnel:  With all the cool weather in this part of the country, Amy, any interesting lessons learned? Or have you done been there, done that? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:24 Kim ODonnel

10:24

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shiba: Yeah, I need to switch. It's just the soaker part. How do you get targeted water to your plants and not anywhere else? I haven't invested in a drip system yet. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:24 Jeanne in Seattle

10:24

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I think I may sow another crop of lettuce at this point. Only thing that is growing well here. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:24 Jeanne in Seattle

10:25

amyp:  No, it's new every year, so no new lessons. I pushed sow dates on a lot of greens. Planted out by seed much later than I normally would. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:25 amyp

10:25

Kim ODonnel:  I feel like it's all learning. I'm trying to keep notes so that I remember for next year. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:25 Kim ODonnel

10:25

amyp:  And I"m still doing that - sowing things later than I would. Don't think the heat is coming on. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:25 amyp

10:25

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Weirdly enough, our raspberries didn't do well this year, but our boysenberries went nuts. What's up with that? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:25 Jeanne in Seattle

10:26

amyp:  Absolutely - learning learning. And every micro-climate is different. A four degree weather variance makes all the difference. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:26 amyp

10:26

amyp:  Not sure, Jeanne - all fruiting plants will suffer this year. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:26 amyp

10:26

amyp:  They will likely not produce prolifically. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:26 amyp

10:27

Kim ODonnel:  And yet, it's broiling on the other side of the country. Plants are shriveling up over there. Right, Lizka? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:27 Kim ODonnel

10:27

amyp:  Cane fruits need sun on the cane to produce fruit. No sun = no fruit. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:27 amyp

10:27

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - we water it all by hand at the base of the plants. Didn't install the soaker system this year because of the lead study you mentioned. Investigating for next year though. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:27 Shibaguyz

10:27

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  (sorry for the delay) I live in Central PA. P.S. I purchased some vermi-compost at our market the other week and their recommendation for watering is to combine the compost 1:3 with water, let it sit over night, stir, and water plants as usual. Or, sprinkle it on the soil around the plant and lightly work in to the top layer. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:27 Erin

10:27

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Kim: I have a garden notebook that I put all my garden notes in. So interesting to look back at past years. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:27 Jeanne in Seattle

10:28

[Comment From Lizka Lizka : ]  Ii's been horrible Thursday August 12, 2010 10:28 Lizka

10:28

amyp:  GARDEN NOTEBOOKS! So smart. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:28 amyp

10:28

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Erin: that is gold for the plants!! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:28 Jeanne in Seattle

10:28

Kim ODonnel:  Amy, maybe there could be an Amy P garden notebook in our future...? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:28 Kim ODonnel

10:29

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Yeah, only one of my apples fruited this year, my pears didn't fruit at all, the nectarine got curl, and the figs all fell off of the tree. Eek. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:29 Jeanne in Seattle

10:29

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shiba: the drip ones are OK as far as I know. No lead. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:29 Jeanne in Seattle

10:29

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: I know! I love mine! I've had it for 15 years now. Makes me so happy to work in it. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:29 Jeanne in Seattle

10:29

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  my grandfather kept little notebooks like that about the whole farm… interesting to read them from years and years back. like our own farmers almanac Thursday August 12, 2010 10:29 Shibaguyz

10:29

amyp:  Hi Erin, I vote sprinkle around plants - aka side dress or top dress. I'm a bit lazy, so can't quantify the extra step unless you're trying to minimize nutrients/plant burn because you have just fertilized. Does that make sense to you? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:29 amyp

10:29

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - good to know… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:29 Shibaguyz

10:30

amyp:  You would DIE if you saw my notebook Thursday August 12, 2010 10:30 amyp

10:30

amyp:  It's in shambles - I don't practice what I preach, as I only grow in pots and they don't count as much as land. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:30 amyp

10:30

Kim ODonnel:  why? cause it's all scribbly and in hieroglyphics? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:30 Kim ODonnel

10:30

amyp:  I don't have to crop rotate my pots, so no need to remember what went where. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:30 amyp

10:31

amyp:  It's shitty graph paper, torn at the edges, crazy handwriting, shorthand Thursday August 12, 2010 10:31 amyp

10:31

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  good grief Jeanne! sounds like you got hit with a couple of biblical plagues!! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:31 Shibaguyz

10:31

amyp:  Only I know what it says! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:31 amyp

10:32

Kim ODonnel:  Hahah. For those not in Seattle today, let me give u a visual. Fog thick as soup. only about 60 degrees. And they keep promising loads of sun and temps in the 80s. And guess what? It could actually happen. That's how wacky the weather is here. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:32 Kim ODonnel

10:32

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shiba: I know! It's been horrible. Our garden is not so fruitful this year. Bleh. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:32 Jeanne in Seattle

10:32

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  we only have a few pairs and only harvested a handful of cherries… but the trees out at the P-Patch are LOADED with apples and pears… magic soil, I think Thursday August 12, 2010 10:32 Shibaguyz

10:32

amyp:  Kim, what else did you try since June? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:32 amyp

10:33

Kim ODonnel:  Mine's all pots too. I've got rosemary, thyme, flat-leaf parsley (which is doing great, continues to rebound), 2 kinds of basil (actually hanging in there), 1 paste tomato plant, 1 sungold plant & my newly sprouted kale seedlings. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:33 Kim ODonnel

10:34

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Actually, I see new baby figs on the fig tree. Do figs usually do that? I've never seen a fig fruit twice. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:34 Jeanne in Seattle

10:34

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I love my garden notebook because I used to draw grids of what I had in the garden, what I planted where and when and how it all turned out. Also, listed all my roses and other things. I've tapered off in the past few years. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:34 Jeanne in Seattle

10:34

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  opps… pairs = pears (typing while I'm working) Thursday August 12, 2010 10:34 Shibaguyz

10:34

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Kim - you're not kidding about the fog… rolled out then rolled back in… crazy today Thursday August 12, 2010 10:34 Shibaguyz

10:35

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  It's foggy here in Wallingford (Seattle), too. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 Jeanne in Seattle

10:35

amyp:  Nice work! No lettuce for you? Lettuce is prolific in pots! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 amyp

10:35

Kim ODonnel:  No lettuce for me. Is it too late? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 Kim ODonnel

10:35

amyp:  And so pricey at the market, that it's a good cost-saver Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 amyp

10:35

amyp:  Nope, not too late. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 amyp

10:35

Kim ODonnel:  romaine? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 Kim ODonnel

10:35

Kim ODonnel:  that's one of my faves. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 Kim ODonnel

10:35

amyp:  Romaine, sadly, no Thursday August 12, 2010 10:35 amyp

10:36

amyp:  TOO late for that one, of course! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 amyp

10:36

Kim ODonnel:  Arugula? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 Kim ODonnel

10:36

amyp:  Romaines take 60-75 days to mature Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 amyp

10:36

Kim ODonnel:  Wow. Good to know. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 Kim ODonnel

10:36

amyp:  something smaller! A sucrine or little gem Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 amyp

10:36

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Amy, what kind of soil should we put in the pots for container gardening? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 Erin

10:36

amyp:  Something that doesn't take long. A 45 day. And yes, arugula at months end. Post solstice Thursday August 12, 2010 10:36 amyp

10:37

amyp:  HI Erin - great q. You should use a potting soil mix. They are made to be light (as opposed to dense) and filter water properly. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:37 amyp

10:37

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  what is that fig tree everyone has in their yards around here? it fruits twice… can't remember the name of it… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:37 Shibaguyz

10:37

amyp:  Buy a straight up mix - I see all these fancy mixes with "water-saving" and "slow release water" and they're bullshit. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:37 amyp

10:37

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: can I plant carrots now for fall harvest? Too late? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:37 Jeanne in Seattle

10:37

[Comment From Jennifer Jennifer : ]  Geez, just heard we've had more than 40 days of 90+ temps this summer here in D.C. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:37 Jennifer

10:37

amyp:  Just get the regular organic kind and then a small bag of compost for side dressing. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:37 amyp

10:38

Kim ODonnel:  Wow, Jennifer! Anything survive in your garden? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:38 Kim ODonnel

10:38

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Ooooh... how do we get ready for planting garlic for over-wintering?!? I'd love to have a ton of the good stuff next year! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:38 Erin

10:38

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Jennifer: I was just in NYC and I was dying. You guys are having a crazy hot summer! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:38 Jeanne in Seattle

10:38

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shiba: mine is a honey fig. Has green figs, not the purple Thursday August 12, 2010 10:38 Jeanne in Seattle

10:38

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  cimmaron romaine. our fav! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:38 Shibaguyz

10:38

amyp:  Jeanne - carrots for fall harvest may be too late Thursday August 12, 2010 10:38 amyp

10:39

amyp:  But I'd try a row. Choose a small variety - maybe a thumbelina - which will go faster than a standard carrot Thursday August 12, 2010 10:39 amyp

10:39

[Comment From Jennifer Jennifer : ]  Our cherry tomatoes are doing better than my Roma plant which so far is just producing green tomatoes - I'm still hopeful they'll turn red. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:39 Jennifer

10:39

Kim ODonnel:  In that heat, how can they not, Jennifer? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:39 Kim ODonnel

10:40

amyp:  Jennifer, that is b/c cherry toms are smaller fruits. They ripen faster. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 amyp

10:40

[Comment From Jennifer Jennifer : ]  I brought my dill inside and may do the same for my basil. But rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender are all thriving. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 Jennifer

10:40

amyp:  So, it's not that your cherry plants are doing "Better" - they are just quicker to produce a mature fruit. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 amyp

10:40

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  what about those little shorty varieties of carrots… the ones that come on first in the spring? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 Shibaguyz

10:40

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: shoot. What can I plant now for fall harvest? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 Jeanne in Seattle

10:40

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: Oh, good. I have a ton of Thumbeline seeds. And it's so dang cute. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 Jeanne in Seattle

10:40

amyp:  Bitter greens. See above Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 amyp

10:40

[Comment From Jennifer Jennifer : ]  Good to know. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 Jennifer

10:40

amyp:  I love the Thumbelinas, too. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 amyp

10:40

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Can I confess something to folks? I don't plant any of my veggies in rows. For years I did the Square Foot method. Now I just plant things in and around everything else. Clumps, mainly. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:40 Jeanne in Seattle

10:41

Kim ODonnel:  Gardening confessions. I love it! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:41 Kim ODonnel

10:41

amyp:  Jeanne - whatever works! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:41 amyp

10:41

Kim ODonnel:  It's in the vault, Jeanne! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:41 Kim ODonnel

10:41

amyp:  But that may lead to a nutrient issue if you have trouble tracking. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:41 amyp

10:41

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  My name is Jeanne and I'm a veggie clumper. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:41 Jeanne in Seattle

10:41

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  ditto, Jeanne… no room for rows Thursday August 12, 2010 10:41 Shibaguyz

10:42

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: yes, true. Don't forget the garden notebook--helps me remember! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 Jeanne in Seattle

10:42

amyp:  Veggie Clumper! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 amyp

10:42

amyp:  Well, I don't water Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 amyp

10:42

Kim ODonnel:  Bad girl. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 Kim ODonnel

10:42

amyp:  I'm into "dry gardening" - never mind that it's unintentional. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 amyp

10:42

amyp:  HORRIBLE FOR POTS! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 amyp

10:42

amyp:  Those I water! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 amyp

10:42

amyp:  DO NOT let your pots dry out! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:42 amyp

10:43

Kim ODonnel:  My brother is a tropical plant expert in Key West, and he's always on me about gardening. I'm learning, I'm learning. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:43 Kim ODonnel

10:43

amyp:  But I just inherited a p-patch and it's every plant for itself up there Thursday August 12, 2010 10:43 amyp

10:43

Kim ODonnel:  I meant, he's always on me about watering. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:43 Kim ODonnel

10:43

Kim ODonnel:  Oh. Wow! how's that been for comparison's sake, Amy? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:43 Kim ODonnel

10:44

amyp:  Well, I grow for people in their backyards as a 'job' - so I've had lots of experience in the dirt, and pots are always 2nd best as far as I'm concerned. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:44 amyp

10:44

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Yes, I'm a stingey waterer. I remember a whole discussion about that last year--if you do it right, it makes fruit sweeter or something. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:44 Jeanne in Seattle

10:44

amyp:  In my pots, I stick mostly to herbs, rare herbs & flowers Thursday August 12, 2010 10:44 amyp

10:44

amyp:  So it's nice to have room for other things like Black Garbanzo beans and tomatoes. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:44 amyp

10:44

Kim ODonnel:  Right. I hear you. But pots better than nothing. One of these days, I'll have a patch of dirt. Black garbanzos? Do tell! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:44 Kim ODonnel

10:45

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: rare herbs? Like what? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 Jeanne in Seattle

10:45

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  so you don't grow beans, tomatoes, etc in pots, Amy? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 Shibaguyz

10:45

[Comment From Jennifer Jennifer : ]  Here in D.C., we sometimes water the tomatoes in pots and flower boxes twice a day. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 Jennifer

10:45

amyp:  No, I do not. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 amyp

10:45

amyp:  Cukes, peas - sometimes. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 amyp

10:45

Kim ODonnel:  Jennifer, that sounds about right, remembering my years back in DC. The heat bake those plants. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 Kim ODonnel

10:45

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Black garbanzos sounds like a terrific TV show... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:45 Jeanne in Seattle

10:46

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jennifer - you have my deepest sympathies… not a hot weather fan Thursday August 12, 2010 10:46 Shibaguyz

10:46

amyp:  Cumin, wacky Croatian stuff my cousins send me, chamomile, nigella (lots of that), fruit sages, scented thyme, scented geranium, etc. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:46 amyp

10:46

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Amy - why do you not grow those in pots? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:46 Shibaguyz

10:46

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I once grew potatoes in a flower pot. Got tiny potatoes. Invited friends over for the potato harvest and bake. We each got a thumb-sized potato. Pass the butter and chives! LOL! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:46 Jeanne in Seattle

10:46

amyp:  jennifer, in Seattle's heat, we need to water pots twice, as well! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:46 amyp

10:46

amyp:  Space + production of plant = prohibitive Thursday August 12, 2010 10:46 amyp

10:47

[Comment From Jennifer Jennifer : ]  Nor am I. But I just can't let the tomatoes go when I see them wilting in the afternoon heat. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:47 Jennifer

10:47

Kim ODonnel:  Amy, have you ever grown anything in a plastic garbage can? I recently saw this being done. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:47 Kim ODonnel

10:47

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Cumin. I need to grow that. That's one of my favorite spices! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:47 Jeanne in Seattle

10:48

amyp:  No, but you can. Not very attractive though, eh? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:48 amyp

10:48

Kim ODonnel:  I know. Thinking same thing. I think the person was growing potatoes actually. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:48 Kim ODonnel

10:48

amyp:  Yes, that is common Thursday August 12, 2010 10:48 amyp

10:48

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  hhmmm… has not been our experience… Thursday August 12, 2010 10:48 Shibaguyz

10:48

amyp:  Do you know why people grow potatoes in deep vertical containers? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:48 amyp

10:48

Kim ODonnel:  Please enlighten us... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:48 Kim ODonnel

10:49

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  makes it easier to "hill" the potatoes in a small space garden? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:49 Shibaguyz

10:49

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I grow potatoes in a 1/2 barrel. Plant them at the bottom, hill up as they grow. At the end you have a barrel of potatoes! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:49 Jeanne in Seattle

10:50

amyp:  Shiba, as you know, every garden is different. I face due east. Not conducive to tomato plants. Additionally, fruiting plants as those need heavy fertilizing and I am not particularly interested in continual feeding. Too much run off. Too much maintenance. And I live on Lake Union, so I'm careful about what I put in my pots. No need to force a round peg in a square hole, you know? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:50 amyp

10:50

amyp:  Well, potatoes produce off the root of the plant Thursday August 12, 2010 10:50 amyp

10:50

amyp:  so the deeper you bury the stem/root, the more potatoes will produce Thursday August 12, 2010 10:50 amyp

10:51

amyp:  that's why you "trench" potatoes when you start them ou Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 amyp

10:51

Kim ODonnel:  So the trash can makes good sense then... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 Kim ODonnel

10:51

amyp:  you dig a hole, lay in potatoes, and cover the plant as it grows, only leaving top set or two of leaves. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 amyp

10:51

amyp:  Right! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 amyp

10:51

Kim ODonnel:  Cool. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 Kim ODonnel

10:51

amyp:  B/c the deeper you can get them, conceivably the more potatoes you'll have Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 amyp

10:51

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I also have pals who grow stuff in a burlap coffee bean bag. They can move them around and then compost the whole thing when the season is over. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 Jeanne in Seattle

10:51

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Potato Condos!! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:51 Shibaguyz

10:52

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I think potatoes are amazing in how they grow. Makes me so happy to harvest them! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:52 Jeanne in Seattle

10:52

amyp:  Tubers are rad Thursday August 12, 2010 10:52 amyp

10:52

amyp:  that's our 2nd TV show, Jeanne! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:52 amyp

10:53

Kim ODonnel:  Amy, we need to get you a contract first to design a uber-cool garden notebook. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 Kim ODonnel

10:53

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: yes! And the garbage can or barrel method is so very easy and convenient that anyone can do them. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 Jeanne in Seattle

10:53

amyp:  Love it! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 amyp

10:53

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - we salvaged some bags for doing that this year then forgot to use them! How do the bags work out for them? well? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 Shibaguyz

10:53

amyp:  We just need graph paper Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 amyp

10:53

amyp:  I think someone designed those notebooks already! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 amyp

10:53

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy and Kim: yes! I love the notebook idea! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 Jeanne in Seattle

10:53

amyp:  But that would be a fun project. Any graphic designers? Bring it on. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 amyp

10:53

Kim ODonnel:  I'm telling you... Thursday August 12, 2010 10:53 Kim ODonnel

10:54

amyp:  I like it Thursday August 12, 2010 10:54 amyp

10:54

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  we feed our containers once a month with the rest of the plants and they do really well Thursday August 12, 2010 10:54 Shibaguyz

10:54

amyp:  I'm working on some paper products now Thursday August 12, 2010 10:54 amyp

10:54

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Shiba; they work really well. Was just over there yesterday and everything was happily growing. The drip system just went from bag to bag. So clever! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:54 Jeanne in Seattle

10:54

amyp:  Yes, they do well with continued feeding. Not my thing. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:54 amyp

10:54

Kim ODonnel:  Curious: Do cucumbers work well in containers -- or have we already covered that? Thursday August 12, 2010 10:54 Kim ODonnel

10:55

amyp:  YES! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 amyp

10:55

amyp:  Cukes have a shallow root system Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 amyp

10:55

amyp:  Won't need too much fertilizer Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 amyp

10:55

amyp:  great container plants Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 amyp

10:55

amyp:  Squash, too Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 amyp

10:55

Kim ODonnel:  I know it's too late this year, but good to know. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 Kim ODonnel

10:55

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Cukes in containers with a trellis in back. Works well! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:55 Jeanne in Seattle

10:56

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Amy: a woman after my own heart. I'm not a huge continual feeder myself. I burn out after awhile. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:56 Jeanne in Seattle

10:56

[Comment From Shibaguyz Shibaguyz : ]  Jeanne - great to know… will have to remember to drag them out next year… can't believe we forgot them! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:56 Shibaguyz

10:56

Kim ODonnel:  As we wrap up, Amy please remind everyone how to find you online! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:56 Kim ODonnel

10:56

amyp:  I'm at www.gogogreengarden.com! And for anyone looking for more garden space, or with extra space to share, please check out www.urbangardenshare.org! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:56 amyp

10:57

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I have friends who grow squash up and over the trellis they have over their garden bench. Squash in containers. Looks so great and edible, too! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:57 Jeanne in Seattle

10:57

amyp:  Urban Pantry, my new book, is available on Amazon.com - it has a small chapter on keeping a pantry garden. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:57 amyp

10:57

Kim ODonnel:  Amy's such a wealth of info -- please lets' give a big round of virtual applause! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:57 Kim ODonnel

10:57

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Also, CanningAcrossAmerica.com will have a review of Amy's book, Urban Pantry, up tomorrow!! Yay! Thursday August 12, 2010 10:57 Jeanne in Seattle

10:57

amyp:  THANKS, all! Fun, as ever. Keep growing. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:57 amyp

10:59

Kim ODonnel:  Next week, Thur 8/19: Marisa McClellan, who writes the blog, Food in Jars, will lead the conversation on preserving and pickling. Type to you then! Great hour as always. All best. Thursday August 12, 2010 10:59 Kim ODonnel