Comments on: The Growing Challenge: expanding my vegetable-growing horizons http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/ Gardening: from a West Coast, urban, organic perspective. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:35:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: mina http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-185240 mina Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:30:11 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-185240 Hi Andrea, have you ever tried growing bush beans during the winter here in Vancouver? Is it feasible? I've got a community garden and I was wondering if it is possible to grow green beans and carrots and onions? I'm glad I found a gardener's blog from someone in Vancouver! Hi Andrea,

have you ever tried growing bush beans during the winter here in Vancouver? Is it feasible? I’ve got a community garden and I was wondering if it is possible to grow green beans and carrots and onions? I’m glad I found a gardener’s blog from someone in Vancouver!

]]> By: Andrea Bellamy http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1934 Andrea Bellamy Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:01:04 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1934 Hi Erika - thanks for the offer. I've googled "kapunzer peas" and nothing comes up -- hmmm, a mystery! Anyone know anything about these trippy peas? Hi Erika – thanks for the offer. I’ve googled “kapunzer peas” and nothing comes up — hmmm, a mystery! Anyone know anything about these trippy peas?

]]> By: Erika http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1933 Erika Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:28:20 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1933 I'm trying kapunzer peas. They are an old heirloom sort from europe which have trippy purple pods with sweet green peas inside. A friend grows them and they look amazing. E-mail me Andrea if you would like me to send you some too. I’m trying kapunzer peas. They are an old heirloom sort from europe which have trippy purple pods with sweet green peas inside. A friend grows them and they look amazing. E-mail me Andrea if you would like me to send you some too.

]]> By: Andrea Bellamy http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1932 Andrea Bellamy Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:05:48 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1932 Kim - you're not ignorant! I went a couple of years without seeing any results from my zucchini plants before I realized they weren't being pollinated by bees. (Zucchnis have both male and female flowers that have to exchange vital fluids before a fruit will set). I wrote a post about it here: <a href="http://www.heavypetal.ca/archives/2007/08/have_you_heard_the_one_about_t.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.heavypetal.ca/archives/2007/08/have_you_heard_the_one_about_t.html</a> Kim – you’re not ignorant! I went a couple of years without seeing any results from my zucchini plants before I realized they weren’t being pollinated by bees. (Zucchnis have both male and female flowers that have to exchange vital fluids before a fruit will set). I wrote a post about it here: http://www.heavypetal.ca/archives/2007/08/have_you_heard_the_one_about_t.html

]]> By: Kim http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1931 Kim Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:01:51 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1931 My ignorance is about to show... why did you have to hand-pollinate the zucchini? The first few flowers are generally duds, but after that you should get some fruits (veggies, whatever) anyway, shouldn't you? I only grew one plant two years ago, didn't do any hand-pollination, and still ate zucchini until the powdery mildew put an end to my fun... that's why I'm confused. :) Oh, but I'll DEFINITELY try a new veggie. I'm thinking about trying pole beans this year. My ignorance is about to show… why did you have to hand-pollinate the zucchini? The first few flowers are generally duds, but after that you should get some fruits (veggies, whatever) anyway, shouldn’t you? I only grew one plant two years ago, didn’t do any hand-pollination, and still ate zucchini until the powdery mildew put an end to my fun… that’s why I’m confused. :)

Oh, but I’ll DEFINITELY try a new veggie. I’m thinking about trying pole beans this year.

]]> By: Anthony http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1930 Anthony Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:12:13 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1930 I'm doing the challenge too and picked Chioggia Beets, German Chamomile and Beetberry. I'm impressed at what you're able to grow on your balcony. And I was complaining that I was running about of space in my garden. Awesome. I’m doing the challenge too and picked Chioggia Beets, German Chamomile and Beetberry. I’m impressed at what you’re able to grow on your balcony. And I was complaining that I was running about of space in my garden. Awesome.

]]> By: Andrea Bellamy http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1929 Andrea Bellamy Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:57:22 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1929 That's a good idea, Jenn. Maybe I'll use my leftover seeds and guerilla plant them in the traffic circle by my place. I don't have room in my garden, but you're right - that doesn't mean someone - or something - else can't enjoy them. Good luck with your desert gardening! That’s a good idea, Jenn. Maybe I’ll use my leftover seeds and guerilla plant them in the traffic circle by my place. I don’t have room in my garden, but you’re right – that doesn’t mean someone – or something – else can’t enjoy them. Good luck with your desert gardening!

]]> By: jenn http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1928 jenn Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:23:59 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1928 You could grow fennel strictly as a food source for the swallowtail butterfly...? I think anything I put in the ground this year will qualify as 'new' for me, as I am in such a different climate than in the past. I'm thinking tomatoes, squash, and hot peppers. And I'd better get cracking, we are in veggie planting season NOW. Phoenix, and living in the desert, is so strange. You could grow fennel strictly as a food source for the swallowtail butterfly…?

I think anything I put in the ground this year will qualify as ‘new’ for me, as I am in such a different climate than in the past.

I’m thinking tomatoes, squash, and hot peppers.
And I’d better get cracking, we are in veggie planting season NOW. Phoenix, and living in the desert, is so strange.

]]> By: Andrea Bellamy http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1927 Andrea Bellamy Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:07:08 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1927 Wow, what a response! Glad to see so many people joining -- I can't wait to see what you all grow! Elaine - thanks for delurking and leading me to your blog. I see you use West Coast Seeds (their catalogue is my veggie-growing bible, too) - do you live in BC? Teacher A - so glad I could inspire :) I bet you'll get hooked! You'll see. Kate - I *heart* blackberries. Any berry, actually. Glad you're joining. Yes, sign up at Melinda's blog. I added a link straight to the sign-up page at the bottom of the post. Top Veg - thanks for commenting and leading me to your blog. I agree - the number of interesting varieties of vegetables out there makes it difficult to choose! Delilah - I've never grown cucumber! Great idea about growing it along the railing. Hmmm... I wonder if I can squeeze that in. Colleen - Don't you love the look of Lacinato? I'll admit, I was first attracted to its octopus-like appearance in a perennial bed. Then I tasted it sauted! Glad to have you on board. Natalie - not at all too late! In my neck of the woods, it's actually too early to direct seed (tomatoes or onions, anyway). But never too early to plan! Wow, what a response! Glad to see so many people joining — I can’t wait to see what you all grow!

Elaine – thanks for delurking and leading me to your blog. I see you use West Coast Seeds (their catalogue is my veggie-growing bible, too) – do you live in BC?

Teacher A – so glad I could inspire :) I bet you’ll get hooked! You’ll see.

Kate – I *heart* blackberries. Any berry, actually. Glad you’re joining. Yes, sign up at Melinda’s blog. I added a link straight to the sign-up page at the bottom of the post.

Top Veg – thanks for commenting and leading me to your blog. I agree – the number of interesting varieties of vegetables out there makes it difficult to choose!

Delilah – I’ve never grown cucumber! Great idea about growing it along the railing. Hmmm… I wonder if I can squeeze that in.

Colleen – Don’t you love the look of Lacinato? I’ll admit, I was first attracted to its octopus-like appearance in a perennial bed. Then I tasted it sauted! Glad to have you on board.

Natalie – not at all too late! In my neck of the woods, it’s actually too early to direct seed (tomatoes or onions, anyway). But never too early to plan!

]]> By: Natalie http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/comment-page-1/#comment-1926 Natalie Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:02:42 +0000 http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2008/02/the-growing-challenge-expanding-my-vegetable-growing-horizons/#comment-1926 I want to try onions and some heirloom tomatoes. If I start now, I may actually be ready for them in the spring, right! I want to try onions and some heirloom tomatoes. If I start now, I may actually be ready for them in the spring, right!

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