Heirloom Tomato Plants

For information on quick-growing heirloom tomatoes, click here.

This is way too pretty to be an heirloom tomato. Most tomatoes have been hybridized to look perfect. The downside to messing with the natural order of things is that it also removes most of the flavor.

All I really needed was one itty bitty tomato seedling. One - quick growing, sweet, juicy, perfect for a container, willing to happily flourish on my deck - tomato plant. But, turning me loose at a Community Garden plant sale is just asking for trouble.

So, I went a little hog wild. I bought these luscious veggies pictured below, plus a trunk load of flowering perennials and one ultra risky 99 cent investment in a Rouge Vif D'etampes.

But that's okay. It's for a really good cause: Wasatch Community Gardens

Heirloom Veggies:
When you think of heirlooms, visions of Grandma's jewelry box dance in your head. Well, most Grandmas. Mine preferred junk jewelry over the diamonds, rubies and emeralds we all hope to inherit.

When you think of heirloom tomato plants think.... ugly. Ugly, ugly, ugly... the best tasting tomatoes you'll ever find would have a tough time winning a beauty contest.

This is what I'm planting in my garden:



Black Russian Tomatoes











Armenian Cucumbers












King of the North Red Bell Peppers





It's entirely possible to grow veggies at high altitudes. Raised beds, with amended soil, improve your odds. Containers are great. Because up here in the mountains Mother Nature really is out to get you. If she discovers you're trying to grow veggies, she'll schedule a late season freeze in your honor, just to ruin your plans.

Veggies grown in containers grow faster. Plus, you can drag them back into the house on an exceptionally cold night.

Looking for unusual veggies and heirloom seeds? Look no further than Seeds of Change. They are working hard to improve your odds of growing heirloom, ultra rare, and good old fashioned farmhouse vegetables.

It's a Miracle!

Let me be perfectly clear --
I love Burpee.

I order from them every year and you should, too.
They are one of the GOOD GUYS.

Their vintage ads are pretty enough to frame and hang on the wall.

When I was young and naïve I wanted a job that involved cute clothes and great shoes so I took a job in advertising. It was hard for me to believe an ad career involved much more than that. Suffice to say, my attitude was a bit problematic.

That's why I pay a lot of attention to advertising. And, also why gardening ads drive me a little batty.

Ever notice how gardening commercials put the fear of God in you?

Buy this or that or you’re gonna fail for sure?
That's me! Well, not me precisely, I'm retired, but there's always someone eager to fill your shoes.

Companies predict doom and gloom because they have to. Gardens grow just fine without their products. If brands like Miracle-Gro can’t create hysteria you might figure out you don’t need them.

This being my blog, I'm free to throw a fit about all sorts of things. So, let's start with the 'thing' that spends $50 million on television commercials telling you how you'll fail if you don't use their product.

Miracle-Gro is a synthetic fertilizer that is prohibited from use in certified-organic farming.*

How could that be? Their commercials are so pretty!

• It works just like addictive drugs for humans. Once your soil has some, it wants some more. Over time, the ingredients in Miracle-Gro (and similar fertilizers) deplete the nutrients your soil creates naturally.

What to do?
It's this simple: Mix grass clippings into your flower beds. As the grass decomposes, it will improve your soil’s texture, stimulate microbial life and help prevent disease, all the while releasing plenty of nutrients to feed your plants.

Real gardeners don’t need miracles. This entrance way has never been fertilized:
* Studies conducted at the University of Wisconsin, Wallace Laboratories in El Segundo, California, among others. Write to me for more details.

Biking the C & O Canal

May is a tough month for mountain gardeners. First it's warm and then it snows and all it does all month long is tease you... Do what I do: run away.
Maryland is zone 7 - temps are warm and everything is blooming!

There are no mile markers on the road to self-discovery. Sometimes it feels like a super highway. Other times, a dead end.

Right when I think things are going just fine, I bump into more potholes and detours.... Days when I'm not quite sure where I'm heading... Or, even if this is where I should be, once I arrive.

It's these feelings, of being slightly lost, that have plagued me for a couple of months, now.

Good thing BK was in charge of the map.

Pretty soon I'm gonna have life all figured out. (And, when I do, you'll be the first to know.)

What I do know, for certain sure, is that when life becomes tiresome there is only one place to go - far, far away from where you are right now.


We pedalled up the C & O Canal.

Where Bluebells outnumber dandelions.

Pink Dogwoods wildly bloom, in defiance of the forest canopy covering our trail.


We biked 184 miles in 3.5 days!

(This does not include the side trips which were uphill in every direction.)


Swallowtail Butterflies danced along the trail, keeping pace with our bicycles.



We were... attacked by a goose, threatened by snakes, glared at by a hoot owl and mocked by a beaver.


We learned that booking lodging at a hotel called 'Hill Top' might not be the wisest choice if you're on your bicycle.







We determined that negative people have a leg up on us happy gals when it comes to the 4-petal dogwood flowers predicting romance.*




And, we found that there are some truly heroic B&B owners who will drive through the backroads of West Virginia to pick us up in the pitch dark, in the middle of freakin' nowhere, when we had most definitely run out of steam.


"I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me." - Emo Phillip

There's about a million locks along the C & O Canal, between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland. But, after you've pedalled 100+ miles they all start looking the same.

* True love is a slam dunk when it comes to the Dogwood Trees, adored for their consistent, 4-petal flowers. Predict your fortune by plucking the first petal and say 'he loves me not.' The last of the 4 petals will always confirm that he does, indeed, 'love you.'

Long-Blooming Perennials

I work hard for a living and my flowers should, too. That means nixing lazy perennials that think they can get away with a bloom time of 4 weeks or less. (Slackers with the name Day Lily need not apply.)

These high altitude work horses flower 8-16 weeks with minimal care. All are drought-tolerant, much-loved by hummingbirds and butterflies.

Johnson's Blue Geranium
Geranium himalayense x pratense
Flowers: May - September
Full Sun
USDA zones 4-8




Redbirds in a Tree
Scrophularia macrantha
Flowers: June - September
Happiest at 6,000 feet or higher
Full to part sun, shield from wind
USDA zones 5-10





Cat Mint
Nepeta x faaseenii 'Select Blue'
Flowers: June - August
Full to part sun
USDA zones 4-9




Jupiter's Beard
Centranthus Ruber
Flowers: June - August, with deadheading
Full to part sun
USDA zones 4-9





Corkscrew Ornamental Onion
Allium senescens 'Blue Twister'
Flowers: June - September, with deadheading
Full to part sun/Loves clay soil
USDA zones 3-8







 
* Tip: Some of the most spectacular perennials bloom for very short lengths of time. Plant them among these long-flowering varieties for continuous color all summer long.

Aching Back

Raking, hoeing, weeding, mowing...

Schlepping hundreds of pounds of compost and mulch...

Digging halfway to China to find the roots of a stubborn dandelion...

Whoever thinks gardening is 'easy labor' hasn't toiled in my yard.

According to the calorie count website, this hard day's work burned off 3 Big Macs, a half dozen Snicker bars or 10 glasses of wine. (Now you're talkin'...)

Early Bloomers: Primrose

Perky little Primroses are so misunderstood. They're generally sold as houseplants and most folks (me, too) assume they're tender annuals. Who can resist these cheery little flowers? So, we bring them home and put them in a sunny window and... watch them curl up and die.

Primroses can't take the heat. They're winter-hardy, zone 3 perennials who would love you to death if you'd just put them outdoors in a shady spot. They happily bloom, in early spring, at the same time as your Daffodils.

Down & Dirty

"You can bury a lot of problems in the dirt."

I don't know who originally came up with this quote. Perhaps a savvy gardener who understood the Zen factor in putzing around the flower beds.

Or, maybe Tony Soprano. He might have invented the term 'pushing up daisies,' too.

Whatever the case, you can bury a lot of problems in the dirt.

But, what if your biggest problem IS the dirt?

Testing soil is something people hardly ever do, though it's a nifty way to finger somebody else for your garden woes. Some plants need special types of soil. Nurseries sell what's pretty, not what's guaranteed to grow.

Why test your soil?

Because flying blind isn't exactly saving the world...

- When plants start suffering, the first thing we do is layer on the chemicals.
- Gardeners use 4 times more chemicals per square foot than farmers.
- Runoff from lawns and gardens is a bigger water pollution problem than farms and industry combined.

* Soil tests expose the failings in your soil, not your abilities as a gardener. I've got lots of things growing that I never should have planted (I just don't tell anybody.)
* Learn what your soil has an abundance of and also what it's lacking. Then you can amend your soil with dirt cheap organic matter that improves your odds.

Get your soil tested.

Jacobs Ladder

When Amy made the long, lonely drive over Parley's Summit to pay me a visit, she came bearing gifts. That might have something to do with the fact that I have Tivo and she does not. Or, because I promised her dinner and she was probably expecting something fancier than chili and Fritos. Whatever the case, I made out like a bandit on this particular night.

Jacobs Ladder 'Apricot Delight' is destined for a prominent place in my butterfly garden. It's a long-blooming perennial that does well in high altitudes and partial shade. (In higher elevations, flowers fade quickly when planted in full sun.)

Jacobs Ladder gets its name for the leaf structure: successive pairs of leaves, on opposite sides of the 18" stalk, resemble a ladder.

• Herbalists use this plant as a natural cough remedy.
• For cats, it doubles as a punching bag.
• I prefer it in a vase on the kitchen counter: bright green foliage and wispy pink blooms make a lovely wildflower bouquet.

* Jacobs Ladder, Polemonium caeruleum, 'Apricot Delight,' perennial, USDA zones 4-8. Pair it with the more common blue Jacobs Ladder variety to attract a number of unusual butterflies.

Crossin' the Line

Back in 1928, a group of friendly folks started a service called the Welcome Wagon. It was a sweet, little gesture to anyone new moving into the neighborhood. My Aunt took on this job for about 5 minutes, when I was a little girl. Problem was, we lived in a crappy town in South Dakota where everyone was eagerly moving out, not in, so the position was fairly useless.

These days, people's attitudes show up long before they do. We generally discover we're getting a new neighbor when we bump into a barbed wire fence and a sassy orange sign that indicates we're on another hiking trail that no longer exists.

I didn't have much of a criminal record until Robert moved in next door. Since then, the sheriff has visited me three times. (I kid you not - his last name is Gunn.)

It's all because my cat, Pete, has the audacity to stroll over there and sun himself on the guy's porch. I don't know how to reason with a cat. Today was Pete's third offense and Sheriff Gunn was back. Lucky for me there are no laws on the books, with respect to cats trespassing, though it's his duty to investigate. And would it kill me to try to be a better neighbor?

Well, yeah. At this point it would. And, why don't you ask Robert that question?

WIND CHIMES
No garden is complete until you add a pretty, little wind chime. Or, in the case of the garden closest to Robert's bedroom window, a half dozen wind chimes are in order. Big ones, small ones, I don't care, as long as they make noise. (Sandy, your solution is brilliant.) They don't call my neighborhood High Wind Estates for nothing... Visit the Wind Chime store.

A Nuturing Place for Wildlife

"What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for others?"
- George Eliot

I busy myself with garden plans while I wait, impatiently, for the chilly rains of April to give in to the warmth of May. If you find yourself doing the same thing, spend a little time here.

Over 70,000 families have turned their gardens into backyard habitats, with the help of the National Wildlife Federation.

It's easy. A fantastic learning experience for kids and adults, alike. Plus, the end result is infinitely more beautiful and rewarding than a typical garden.


1) Set aside a portion of your yard for the habitat.



2) Discover native flowers and vegetation, important to local wildlife.



3) Create a water source to encourage them to stay.



4) Provide protection for nesting and raising young.




5) Tell NWF about your hard work! They'll certify your yard and send you a sign so you can tell the world that yours is a wildlife-friendly habitat!


Complete how-to instructions.

There are 2 schools of thought when it comes to human involvement with wildlife. Some say we should step aside and let nature take her course. Others feel that a people population in the billions is forcing nature to take another course. I tend to agree.

We're here. They're here. Nobody's going anywhere. So, perhaps we could find ways to co-exist. Local wildlife is adapting. Maybe we can, too.

Upcycle

In honor of Earth Day, 4/22, we're looking for new uses for items that would be heading to the recycle bin. It's what we call upcycling.

Wunx had such a clever idea, I thought I should pass it along. Two-litre, plastic Coke bottles make great, temporary planters for big perennials who have outgrown their seed pots.

Have you ever noticed that most of the perennials you purchase from the garden shops have a thick, circular matt of roots at the bottom of the pot? They won't change their bad habits, when placed in the ground. These 12-inch deep 'planters' allow plenty of wiggle room for a healthy root system.

Tip:
Buddy up to the neighbors who have teenage kids. It's your best bet for finding left over soda bottles. Don't bother with the neighbors who have younger kids. They're still slightly brainwashed by Mom & Dad. (They probably haven't figured out that the stories about juice being 'better' than soda are lies, all lies.)

What's Eating the Tulip Bulbs?

At dawn, my wayward friend climbed back into bed, snuggling against me in an effort to warm his chilly hide. It annoyed me for barely a moment. I draped a blanket over his damp body and fell back asleep.

That cat, my Mother used to say, is not worth the fur he's printed on.

She's got a point... We had an agreement. Unrestricted freedom in exchange for a nightly patrol of the garden perimeter. His job is to keep the critters from eating my tulip bulbs.

Dine & Dash:
Near as I can figure I've donated at least 50 bulbs to the wildlife who determined I've got a slacker for a night watchman.

High mountain gardening tips I should have followed:

• Sharp gravel around the bulbs improves drainage and deters critters.
• Cover newly planted bulbs with wire mesh.
• Surround your tulips with daffodils and frittilaria. Critters hate the smell of these bulbs.
• And, I hate to rain on your parade but even if you do all of this and they bloom, your troubles are just beginning. I met a new lady Moose last spring who was utterly thrilled with the tulips that did survive.
  

Glory of the Snow

The real 'glory' of this morning's freshly fallen snow is the knowledge I couldn't possibly get back on my bike for another training ride. For that, this aching body is eternally grateful.

Dwarf, six petalled flowers are peeping through a blanket of white. C. forbesii, Glory of the Snow, is proof positive there's more to a spring garden than Daffodils and Tulips.

Small, lily-like blooms poke their heads through melting snowdrifts, gracing my garden with a month-long show of icy blue flowers.

They do their best work in a sunny location though most bulb companies recommend partial shade.

Naturalizes beautifully, critter resistant...
Bonus: Drought tolerant after flowering.
What's not to love?

* Plant Glory of the Snow bulbs in late autumn. Available in blue, pink and white. USDA zones 3-8. Blue is the wild variety, blooming first and blooming longer. Before you invest in white, think about it... If they peek through white snow, how would you ever see them?

Comfort Foods

My daughter is moving home for the college summer break. Aside from the fact that I miss her, an important benefit of L living at home is that she hardly ever has 2 dimes to rub together. That means each time she tries to borrow money I can put her to work pulling weeds! Seeing as how my weeds outnumber my flowers 10 - 1, I'm getting more excited by the minute!

Comforting traditions tie us together more so than any of the 'defining moments' of our lives. My Grandmother made this recipe for her daughters. Mom made it for me. I make it for L. And, though she swears it will never happen... Someday, she will be walking down the hallway, to deliver a plate of these cookies to her own daughter, who is pulling an all-nighter on a term paper she should have started weeks ago.

Chocolate Drop Cookies
Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 12 minutes. Makes just enough for a study break.

Combine:
1 Egg
6 Tablespoons Butter
6 Tablespoons Dutch Cocoa
6 Tablespoons Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1/3 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Mix in:
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/4 Cup Flour

* Don't even think about lowering the fat in this special recipe.
** Looking to satisfy a sweet tooth? Double the sugar. This family loves chocolate, but not sweet treats.

Uphill Battles

Bevy and I are going on a bike trip. I started my training this weekend.

The fact that I even got on a bike this morning, after yesterday's hellacious ride, is strong testament to the fact I am ready to rekindle an age-old love affair. (Don't get too excited. It's with an inanimate object named Bianchi.

Saturday wasn't half bad. I didn't start swearing out loud until I hit the first high hill. Sunday, on the other hand, was a completely miserable experience though I know it will get better.

While I was flying down the other side of that big hill, I started thinking about the old me. Recalling the days when I loved biking - truly, madly, deeply loved being on my bike. And, how over the years I've allowed too many things to chip away at my confidence and ultimately defeat me.

Sometimes I think I hide in my garden because I'm so damn tired of people passing judgement on me for all the mistakes they're pretty sure I made. You see, maybe those mistakes were intentional. Maybe I needed to walk away from certain things in order to figure out whether I really loved them or not.

If you open the book of my life, I doubt you could start in the middle and really know what's going on. Yet, I think, in a nutshell, that is what most people do to me.

I know getting back into tip top shape will be an uphill battle (pun intended,) but I am thrilled to have become reacquainted with the old me. Because I kind of like that girl. She was a whole lot more fun-loving, and passionate, than the girl I see in the mirror today.