The October Garden: What's Producing... Tomatoes

Well, as I said, I tire out toward the end of the season. But I did manage to get in my third wave of tomatoes, radishes, and kales. I was also lucky enough to have a string bean grow from some lost seed.

Here are some of my tomatoes. Waves 1, 2 and 3. I don't think wave 3 will make it. I will try and build and wire cage hot-house.

This is one of my 1st wave of tomatoes, planted back in May. It is loaded with large healthy green tomatoes. It did well. I will have fried green tomatoes when frost time hits. The variety is Whopper. I will save the seeds and grow these next year.

This is one of my 2nd wave of tomatoes. I planted it in Julyish. It is the standard cherry Super Sweet 100's. It started producing in early September. I will be using this as my standard 2nd wave.

These are my 3rd wave of tomatoes in the cages. In order front to back are Silvery Fir, Glacier and Sub Artic Max. I don't think they will mature. Some have set fruit. I plant to get these in the ground next year on April 1st. I'll put them in a hot-house cage.

Decorating for Next Year: Using A Butcher Block as A Planting Station

Well, as you can tell my blog is slowing down as the gardening season closes. My kids sports and other activities have picked up and that is taking over my time. I am shifting away from watching my garden grow to watching my kids grow another season. I figure there is about a month left before the frost comes. And this is the time I start thinking about growing plants indoors.

This isn't only the time for cleaning up the garden but a time for planning the next garden. We just finished our basement and one thing I added down there was a utility sink and growing closet. If you have the room I highly recommend you create a growing closet and if you are lucky enough to have the room... add a utility sink.  Having a utility sink makes gardening clean up easy and quick.

Now that we finished our basement. I plan to build a flagstone patio right at the top of the walk-out stairs. I planned out the stone and am looking for furniture. The classic outdoor look I want, in furniture, I was able to find here at adirondackchairsinc.com .  I prefer natural products and in this case stone and wood. It ties nicely into my garden style.  Another interesting piece of furniture that can be used in the finish basement is a butcher block. The butcher block is a great piece of functional furniture. The right style can function as a piece of decorative furniture and can also function as a planting station. The link shows different styles and one of them is perfect for a planting station.

Seeds from the State Fair for Fall Planting: Winter Radishes

I've cleared out more beds and am getting back into the swing of things. Here are some seed packets I bought at the fair. There was a large heirloom seed section.  I could have bought $100 worth of seeds. I decided to concentrate on seeds I could put in now and in the spring.

1. Radish: Round Black Spanish 55 days

This radish is known as a winter radish and can be harvested well in the winter. We will see.

2. Arugula: Wild Italian 45-60 days.

A different variety. Sturdy leaf that is cold tolerant.

3. Kohl Rabi: Purple Vienna 50-65 days.

Needs to go in 4 weeks before frost.

4. Radish: White Chinese Winter 25-30 days.

Develop best in cool weather.

5. Radish: Chinese Rose-Winter 20-50 days.

Fast growing and can stay in ground to continue maturing.

More State Fair Pictures: Tomatoes, Pumpkins and More

More pictures of Maryland grown vegetables.

What Good is the State Fair without Vegetables Pictures: Peppers, Gourds, Squash

Maybe one day, I may compete. Nah. But here are some interesting pictures.