I have one bed ready to begin planting tomatoes. I brought over one tomato cage but will need to wait for Tony to help me set it in. We have three of these cages that he built using a design that a friend of ours created out of PVC pipe; we went with the wood because it was cheaper. So far they have lasted three seasons and looks like we will get a few more years out of them. We could also replace the lower legs as that is the only section that is affected by rotting wood. At least it is organic material! We will flip this over to set in the raised bed. I plant two tomatoes in each section, for a total of eight tomatoes in this bed. I do place one cane pole in the center of each square to tie the tomatoes to when young to help support the initial growth, then they are off and growing with no more need of support as the cages keep them contained, with plenty of space and height to grow.
I have the tomato seedlings outside now getting stronger; I am hoping to get a few of them planted this weekend. I have plenty of each variety that I will be planting so if I lose a few I can replace them with older seedlings. I generally plant around the middle of March and with the weather we have had of late I think they will be fine. Today is around 78-80 and the soil is nice and warm.
Our oranges are really coming in now, even the Navels are getting sweet enough to eat. I knocked a few off the tree when I was pulling over the tomato cage; they tasted sweet but could use a few more weeks. The tangerine tree is loaded, more oranges than leaves. Our lemon tree is the best I have seen it in a few years, the fruit is large and in great condition. The Valencia is setting blossoms now and we still have a few to pick. I picked a huge basket yesterday and still need to get those juiced and in the freezer for summer smoothies.
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| Lemon's hanging close to the Tangelo Tree |
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| Tangerine Tree loaded with fruit |
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| Lemon Tree, looks small here but the tree is huge. |
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| Morning Snack |
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| Coffee and Oranges? Why not! |
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| They were a Sweet Treat! |
Posts
Oh my Carla. 78 to 80. Sounds wonderful. I love that tomato cage. Garden on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by George. I know, we are lucky to have temperatures like that this early in March.
DeleteMajor envy here! I am just starting some things inside and maybe some peas in the ground next week, but it is only 44 degrees here today and that is quite mild her in Massachusetts. I love seeing the citrus trees. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDonna
Hi Donna, thank you for visiting my blog. Our overnight temperatures have been in the mid 40's here and I still have to bring the seedlings in at night. I think one more week and I will be able to set the plants out in the beds.
DeleteMassachusetts is a beautiful state!
Our oranges and grapefruits ripened in December here in the desert. We ate them all. Nice tomato cages you've built. I used to tie up our tomatoes with twist ties on a wire coated fence that ran alongside the garden where they were planted.
ReplyDeleteL. Ambler, we had grapefruits and Valencia oranges in December too, but the lemons are a little behind those and the navels and tangerines are ready now and last until late May.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
I was just out in my garden today, standing on frozen clumps of hay, surveying the remaining patches of snow. Planting time is over 2 months away yet. So you can imagine my delight in seeing where YOU are at on the garden path! FABULOUS. Ahhh, to have citrus growing in your yard...
ReplyDeleteW S Wanderings, I know, we are lucky here to have this type of weather. But there are so many wonderful things about a snowy location too. I often wish I had a place in Wisconsin, where I grew up.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to stop by my blog.
Carla
Yes, you are so lucky to live in San Diego. IT's a great place we love to vacation at. Your tomatoe supports look like the ones my Uncle Ernie used in the 60's when I would spend my summers there as a girl. I hadn't seen anything like that until yours. I'd forgotten. I'm going to try to make some!
ReplyDeleteResa, you will be so happy with the tomato cages. I do use a cane pole to support them when small, but after that the vines spread all over the rack and that is all you will need for support.
DeleteYou're lucky to have warm weather, you can plant tomatoes in March? Mine are just tiny seedlings and won't be ready for transplanting until May or June depending on the weather. We used to live in Cali as you know but it's too expensive for us. We're feeling more like home in Idaho and the quality of life is nice. Your tangerines and lemons looks wonderful, definitely a treat!
ReplyDeletePriscilla, I am looking forward to seeing your garden updates on your blog. It must be exciting to garden in a new location. I think you will grow all of your vegetables in one season in Idaho. That will keep you very busy.
DeleteThank you for stopping by.
Wow! Your citrus trees are loaded! That's one thing I miss about Florida living. The years I lived there, the fresh citrus was in my home in abundance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. I hope you'll join the fun each week.
Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
HI Liz, yes we are going to have a bumper crop this year; must be from the mild winter we had.
DeleteI will be by again soon. Thanks for the visit to my blog.
Carla