What are some good tomato varieties for the home garden?
Tomato varieties are classified as determinate or indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are small, compact plants. They grow to a certain height, then flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. The harvest period for determinate tomatoes is generally short, making them good choices for canning.
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow, flower and set fruit until killed by the first frost in fall. Accordingly, the harvest from indeterminate varieties often extends over a two- or three-month period. Indeterminate tomatoes generally produce heavier crops than determinate types, but are usually later to mature. Indeterminate tomatoes are tall, sprawling plants which often perform best when supported by stakes or grown in tall wire cages.
Suggested tomato varieties for Iowa include ‘Jet Star’ (indeterminate plant; red, oblate, medium to large fruit), ‘Better Boy’ (indeterminate; red, round, medium-sized fruit), ‘Celebrity’ (determinate; red, oblate, medium to large fruit), ‘Big Beef’ (indeterminate; red, oblate, large fruit), ‘Red Sun’ (determinate; red, globe-shaped, large fruit), ‘Applause’ (determinate; red, round, large fruit), ‘Biltmore’ (determinate; red, oblate, large fruit), ‘Carolina Gold’ (determinate; golden orange, oblate, large fruit), ‘Sweet Olive’ (determinate; red, oval, grape-type fruit), and ‘Golden Sweet’ (indeterminate; yellow, oval, grape-type fruit).
What would be a good planting site for lungworts?
Lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.) are perennials grown for their attractive foliage and flowers. The leaves of most species and varieties are hairy, ovate to elliptic in shape and spotted with silver or white. However, some of the newer varieties have silver or white leaves with green spots or margins. Lungworts also produce clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in early spring. Flowers may be red, violet, blue, pink or white.
Lungworts grow best in partial shade. Pulmonarias also prefer moist, well-drained soils that are high in organic matter. Soils with low levels of organic matter can be improved by incorporating compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure into the soil prior to planting. Lungworts do not perform well in dry or wet sites. Plants will wilt badly in dry areas. They often die in wet soils.
When should I start calla lilies indoors?
Plant calla lily rhizomes 1 to 2 inches deep in a well-drained potting mix about six to eight weeks before the average last spring frost in your area. After potting, water well and place the containers in a warm, 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit location. Keep the potting mix moist, but not wet.
When foliage appears, move the plants to a sunny window or place them under fluorescent lights. Before planting outdoors, harden or acclimate the calla lilies to outdoor growing conditions. Initially, place the plants in a shady, protected location and then gradually expose them to longer periods of sunlight. After they have been hardened, plant calla lilies in a moist, partially shaded location.
--30--