Our First Baby Pumpkin!!
The Tower is growing and thriving...though not with some lessons in the School of Hard Knocks.
Some of the lessons I've learned:
Check! Check! Check! The water level when you are growing water loving plants such as Watermelon and Pumpkin. (Note to self: it's probably not a great idea to plant this many heavy water seekers...at once). The reservoir has run dry on one occasion and I thought it was over. But quick hustle and gentle words of encouragement brought the Tower back. Lesson learned.
Another chapter: when Tomato Worms invade and you ask a Certified Organic Farmer what action to take to correct the problem, take his advice! Not the advice of the internet!! I used a combination of Dawn Dishwashing Soap and cooking oil then sprayed the leaves. Let's review what happens when you add oil in the hot sun...yep. Fried green tomato leaves. I thought the plants were goners; they turned brown and shriveled. And the worms thrived! I was sick! But time and patience resulted in new leaves sprouting. Blooms are coming back and baby tomatoes are on the vine. I now have the correct organic worm repellent should I have a need. Lesson Learned.
And final Lesson: just enjoy the process. Each stage is exciting and enjoyable. I am thrilled about everything that is new and the fact the theTower is productive is exciting! And now, some pictures of my pride and joy:
Some of the lessons I've learned:
Check! Check! Check! The water level when you are growing water loving plants such as Watermelon and Pumpkin. (Note to self: it's probably not a great idea to plant this many heavy water seekers...at once). The reservoir has run dry on one occasion and I thought it was over. But quick hustle and gentle words of encouragement brought the Tower back. Lesson learned.
Another chapter: when Tomato Worms invade and you ask a Certified Organic Farmer what action to take to correct the problem, take his advice! Not the advice of the internet!! I used a combination of Dawn Dishwashing Soap and cooking oil then sprayed the leaves. Let's review what happens when you add oil in the hot sun...yep. Fried green tomato leaves. I thought the plants were goners; they turned brown and shriveled. And the worms thrived! I was sick! But time and patience resulted in new leaves sprouting. Blooms are coming back and baby tomatoes are on the vine. I now have the correct organic worm repellent should I have a need. Lesson Learned.
And final Lesson: just enjoy the process. Each stage is exciting and enjoyable. I am thrilled about everything that is new and the fact the theTower is productive is exciting! And now, some pictures of my pride and joy:
A picture of the watermelon/pumpkin side of the Tower.
A baby Watermelon
A Tomato!! Never thought I would see this after the leaf burn.
Beautiful Basil
Tomato view...you can see the burned leaves and the come back new growth
My beautiful Pumpkin Leaves
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