Sunday, November 1, 2015

Eggplant Frost Protection Again? How to Prevent Damage Saint George Court Gardens, Linda Maintanis

It seems like we started the year the same way. Back in early May I posted on Saint George Court about the frost warnings and how I protected my eggplant from damage. Sheets of bubble wrap were gently secured around the small plants with a tab of scotch tape.



This time, this past fall, I found the plants needed frost protection once again. A warm, sunny September had allowed another heavy crop of around fifteen or more eggplants to set up. 

But by the middle of October I was watching the temperatures each night with keen eyes. The days were still so glorious; strong sunshine that still branded pink cheeks. And this crop was a bit small, they could use every extra day of growth. So I left them on the vine. 

When temperatures dropped below forty degrees I conceived a plan. A cocoon of sorts, like a tent/greenhouse, to protect them from a freeze. My first idea was to drape a tarp around them, that was too heavy, and actually would have trapped condensate inside. So I kept the concept with one modification; cotton sheets. They would breathe and trap ground heat at the same time. Perfect.

The sheets were draped over the stakes at dusk. Tucked under the drooping eggplants, they formed a breatheable cocoon. Able to trap warmth but exchange moisture to avoid condensation.

Linda Maintanis, James Maintanis, saint george court, warwick, mary lou reynoldsLinda Maintanis, James Maintanis, saint george court, warwick, mary lou reynolds


 
It worked! I was finally forced to harvest this bowl of eggplants on November 1,2013.
They were definitely worth the effort, a very nice Halloween "treat". Try some of these recipes with your own crop, Minto Island.

Linda Maintanis, James Maintanis, saint george court, warwick, mary lou reynolds
Linda Maintanis, James Maintanis, saint george court, warwick, mary lou reynolds

Friday, September 25, 2015

Squash on the Vine - When Do You Harvest Your Crop? Saint George Court, Warwick, RI

If you've been reading me all summer then you know that I planted some butternut squash in the garden. Two on trellises, one in a patch near the cucumbers and several up and over the grape arbors.

For weeks now curious family members and spectators have said, "Your squash is ready." and I say      "No. Be patient. You have to wait until the stems turn brown".


saint george court, warwick, ri, linda maintanis, governor francis farms

saint george court, warwick, ri, linda maintanis, governor francis farms
When a squash grows in the wild there is no one
there to pick it. When does it fall from the vine?
When the vegetable matures and the stem withers. Turning brown indicates there is no nourishment passing through the plant to the squash.

The large squash to the left is a perfect example. Shown here hanging from the arbor, it has been looking large and fine for months.
But not ready til this week.

Notice how dry and brown the stem has turned?
You can't see it but it actually has a crackle to it.

Look at the additional photo below,
the withering vines seem too dry to do anything.

But it is all part of the process
and picking too soon will only yield
under-ripe, overly-wet produce.

saint george court, warwick, ri, linda maintanis, governor francis farms

Friday, September 4, 2015

Saint George Court, Warwick, RI - Butternut Squash Bounty of Governor Francis Farms Gardens

While we've been enjoying the splendor of these last few weeks of summer some mighty big things have been happening on Saint George Court. Butternut squash that was planted by the base of Turtle Pond Wines' grape arbors has been steadily producing a bountiful harvest!

Saint George Court, Linda Maintanis, Warwick, RI  Governor Francis Farms

Saint George Court, Linda Maintanis, Warwick, RI  Governor Francis Farms


Saint George Court, Linda Maintanis, Warwick, RI  Governor Francis Farms

Saint George Court, Linda Maintanis, Warwick, RI  Governor Francis Farms

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Bird's Nest Fungi on Saint George Court, Warwick, RI Tropical Mushrooms in Governor Francis Farms

While watering tomatoes this week I noticed a cluster of teeny-tiny 
cup shaped mushrooms in the compost. Memory flash to the guide books 
I read last year on identifying local fungi; I had seen this one before. 
Yes indeed, a quick trip to Google gave me the positive ID I needed. 

I had found Bird's Nest Fungi!

Notice the immature fungi; creamy beige, with a raspy exterior. 
They will soon open up to spread their spores.

Read more about the fungi here: Bird's Nest

Saint George Court, Warwick, RI Governor Francis Farms, Gaspee Bird's Nest Fungi

Saint George Court, Warwick, RI Governor Francis Farms, Gaspee Bird's Nest Fungi

Saint George Court, Warwick, RI Governor Francis Farms, Gaspee Bird's Nest Fungi

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Governor Francis Farms Gardens Grow Bigger and Better Saint George Court, Warwick, RI

Seriously? I never expected my tomatoes to outgrow this years' innovative new stake system. With about six and a half feet of stake above ground I thought that my tomatoes would never make it to the top. Instead I find myself at the end of the pole, literally.

James Maintanis, Saint George Court, Warwick, RI - Governor Francis Farms

As you can see here the Costoluto Genovese tomatoes, near the cucumbers at the right rear,  and the Yellow Pear tomatoes, at the forward end, have reached the top of their stakes.

We measured today and have recorded SEVEN feet and four inches! HOLY TOMATO!

Let me give you a few points of reference. The eggplant in the front, left corner is about 34".
And the frame of the raised bed, by the cobblestone pavers is close to a foot, at 10".

Do the deductive reasoning.



Linda Maintanis, Saint George Court, Warwick, RI - Governor Francis FarmsThe cucumbers at the other end of the beds were planted in boxed cages. There are nine of them total and we have picked about a dozen cukes so far. Check the Food for Thought blog soon for ways to use cucumbers!

Eggplant progress is much better this week. There are five trees and each one has some heavy produce setting up.


Linda Maintanis, Saint George Court, Warwick, RI - Governor Francis Farms

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Saint George Court Warwick, RI - Governor Francis Farms The Italian Tomatoes Top Six Feet Tall!

We planted nine tomato plants in our raised beds. Additionally there are four more nearby including some Black Cherries. Of the nine there are two San Marzano, two Black Krim, two Costoluto Genovese, one Lemon Boy, one Yellow Pear and one Early Girl. Below you see the baby Yellow Pears forming a string on one of many stems.

Linda Maintanis - Saint George Court, Governor Francis Farms


Linda Maintanis - Saint George Court, Governor Francis Farms

This past week the C.Genovese had climbed past the six-foot mark to
six feet and nine inches, and was still growing; to where though? These Italian heirlooms were purchased from Williams-Sonoma with the Black Krim and San Marzano. And while both of those are at a strong five feet tall, they somehow seem dwarfed next to their
leggy cousins.

Elsewhere in the garden there are just about a million cucumbers growing on the nine caged vines. Some are ready to pick today.


by Linda Maintanis

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Saint George Court Gardens Bursting With Promise Governor Francis Farms, Warwick, RI

The gardens at Saint George Court are growing faster than Jack's beanstalk. This past week the deluge of rain showers finally cleared and led to a small drying spell to help out the drainage.
                                                                                                
Saint George Court, Governor Francis Farms, Warwick, RI Linda Maintanis
The Farmer D raised garden beds
are making gorgeous homes for our
vegetables. The organic cedar is a
strong and sturdy material for the job
and they look great next to the
cobblestone paved sidewalks.

While the peppers, eggplants and
cucumbers build a sturdy frame
and root system, the tomatoes
seem to be working double-time.
The assortment of Black Krim,
San Marzano, Costoluto Genovese,
Yellow Pear, Lemon Drop and
Early Girl tomatoes all have large fruits
set up for an early harvest in July.

Saint George Court, Governor Francis Farms, Warwick, RI Linda Maintanis



Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Saint George Court, Warwick RI - Governor Francis Farms Soaking Rains Boost Plant Growth

Wild rain storms have soaked our little Saint George Court 
for the past few weeks. 
Over six inches of rain fell in just ten days in 

Take a look at the views of our garden and scroll back to a previous post HERE for a look at them on May 23, 2013, just about two weeks ago...

Saint George Court - Turtle Pond Wines - Linda Maintanis


Saint George Court - Turtle Pond Wines - Linda Maintanis

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Governor Francis Fig Trees Promise a Bountiful Harvest! Saint George Court, Warwick, RI

I love figs. Fresh figs, just picked, are out of this world.
Soft, sweet and indescribably delicious!
Sprinkled with sugar and crisped with a blowtorch and they are pure heaven!

Linda Maintanis - Saint George Court, Governor Francis Farms, Warwick, RI


So it goes without saying that I would grow my own. Anyone who knows me knows that when I hook onto something I really love I learn how to make it, or in this case grow it, for myself. This behavior led me to Roslindale, Massachusetts last April to the Fig Tree shop.

That was about six weeks ago. A couple of hard frosts and heat waves later I decided to check my trees for progress. They have held up quite well. I was lucky enough to have figs already formed on my trees. However, the shock of the transplant caused this first set of fruit to drop. Sad but completely normal.

Yesterday I noticed that my trees were already making new fruits! Here is what it looks like when the baby figs appear.

Linda Maintanis - Saint George Court



Linda Maintanis - Saint George Court, Warwick, RI Governor Francis Farms

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

A Good Beginning to a Bountiful Garden - Saint George Court

My garden project just seems to be hitting snags left and right. The first tray of seedlings that couldn't send up a single sprout.  
Finally I got a half dozen in round two.

Then there was the whole cage vs. stake debate.
The sheer cost of making stainless steel cages in a new design was outrageous. And the time it would take; so, I ended up with one inch stakes, eight feet long, from Lowe's garden center. We'll see.

Then there was the arduous task of hauling the two yards (over 3000 pounds) of soil into location. And lots more compost. Backbreaking but necessary.
Done now though.

Linda Maintanis - Saint George Court
 As you can see we've started planting! The garden now holds three pepper, nine cucumber, five eggplant, and eleven tomato plants. Also many herbs such as  basil, cilantro and parsley with a front row  of mixed lettuce to pick while the other vegetables grow larger.