Thursday, July 31, 2008

Mixed Results

I harvested the corn today. As you can see it is pretty pitiful. The pop corn did better than the sweet corn. It would turn out that my corn started making ears when the rain stopped. Moral of that story, start corn earlier. In fact, I should have started everything earlier. Next year, I am going to do a little math and try to plant backwards. Start from the the point that the drought usually begins and count backward the number of days each particular plant needs in order to produce fruit. Sort of like working with the last freeze date but backwards. Maybe that way the plants can produce fruit before the water runs out. So if the corn needs 70 days, then I need to plant it in the middle of April. I will have to go back and look, but I am pretty sure it was late May before I planted it this year. My tomatoes are suffering from the same fate. There have only been two tomatoes so far, though the yellow pear is still setting fruit. I will be fall before they begin again. I only plant indeterminate tomatoes.
I am still going to plant more corn this summer and give it one more shot. Maybe, we will get more rain. I will just grow the popcorn, not the sweet corn.
In other Debbi's Garden news, IT RAINED. We have had about half a inch so far. My rain barrel has rainwater in it. One-half inch of rain equals about half a barrel of water. I am pretty excited.
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15 comments:

  1. I could send you barrels of rain - but I think the postage might be a bit high.
    Good plan to work backwards to a planting date.
    Regards
    Karen
    An Artist's Garden

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  2. Thanks Karen. Glad you have plenty of water.

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  3. We got some rain today too, yay! I didn't check my rainbarrels yet. I think you have a great plan worked out for next year, and maybe your next crop of corn will turn out better. :)

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  4. It looks so good that whatever little you get you KNOW it tastes great!

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  5. Well, when in the hell are you going to send us some rain? We were SUPPOSED to get some today. We're DRY here! Never planted corn. Course I never cook it anymore unless it comes out of a can. I know, I'm pretty pitiful.
    Brenda

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  6. She doesth think too much!!!! Shes had so many veggies before... she gave everyone aplenty! Ya'll shoulda been here a few years ago, we'uns woulda starved w/o her!! I sware she can put a stick in the ground and it would feed a nation. Do what you've always done..close your eyes, throw your seeds and hope for the best.

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  7. Aw, I'm sure it's just been a weird year just like here.

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  8. I'm glad you got some rain. I could send you some more along with some Indiana corn if you like.

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  9. That made me think of what our pioneer families must have felt during their lean years. It was life and death for them though. I think your popcorn is beautiful and well worth the try again. I'll be interested to see if next year's crop is successful.

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  10. Hi PG, live and learn and try again

    Hi Tina, I had to tell Mr Monkey to keep the monkeys out of the pop corn or they would have eaten it all before it had a chance to dry out and be popped.

    Brenda, that rain was headed your way, but it died over my sister's house. Not my fault, my sister's fault. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

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  11. Meme, Thanks for the confidence meme. We have a little bitty cucumber coming along. Guess what I will have for you soon? Pickles.

    Cinj, we just wait for the weather to change around here. It always seems too wet or too dry.

    Sherry, Mmm Indiana corn sounds good.

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  12. Hi Anna, I am happy I don't have to feed myself and this little family or we might be doomed or at least a lot thinner. Thanks for the corn compliment. I think I might keep the popcorn around for fall decorations.

    Hey Nancy, my boys won't let that sad little sweet corn go to waste. Two of them eat it raw.

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  13. It is raining here right now as I type I have a shed with a metal roof, pretty close to the back porch, and I can sit here in the bedroom and hear it rain on it. A lovely sound.
    I have found since growing organic, that the way something looks in no way means it won't taste good. : )
    I planted a little too early for me down here, and had to replant my beans. It does pay to know your own particular weather pattern.

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  14. That does it! I'm going to wash my car, leave out a rug, and leave my bedroom window open all night to get some rain going around here! Maybe I'll even evict the cats for good measure! ;-) (Just kidding, they've never been outside and would FREAK!)

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  15. Hi Eve, you are right. Appearance does not dictate taste. People are just used to picture perfect grocery store produce. I also love the sound of rain on a tin roof. Reminds me of being a little girl at my grandparents ranch house.

    Lisa, May Murphy's law work for you and rain comes soon.

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