Ramsey County

May 19, 2008

Howdy!!!

A bit cool this morning but it appears no frost in my yard.  I see many plants covered this morning so am thinking that many gardener’s were a little early.  I have never seen the early bug as we have had this spring season. 

Last night, on the way home, I saw a group of young and old adults out picking up garbage along highway 20 south.  It is amazing how us slobs can not put garbage where it belongs and that is not out the window, as we are driving 50-60-70 mph.  I have never figured that out.  We find garbage just about every where we look, why is that???  On the other side of that scenario, I would like to thank all of those that do try hard to keep our community looking clean, it really does look nice all cleaned up.  So, for those of us that need to liter, clean up your act and our world will look much better.  One morning last summer a business owner was mowing and cleaning the highway ditch in front of their business south on highway 20 and guess what it looked like just one week later, a mess.  So please deposit your garbage where it belongs, in the garbage container.

There have been many questions coming into my office about potatoes.  Last year I grew 5 different varieties, with all five varieties acting and growing differently. There are tremendous differences in potatoes from red to white and even some dark purple or black, on the specialty market.  Some make very good baking potatoes and others are better served mashed and yet others grow to only need one potato to make a meal for four.  In my potato patch last year I grew Norland, Viking, Kenebec and Pontiac potatoes.  They were all very good potatoes but with one big difference in my garden.  Because I had hauled in cow compost as my fertilizer source and also a mulch I had a very bad case of scab.  One potato shined for me and that was Norland.  I want to mention at this point that does not mean these same potatoes will act the same in your garden as I am only mentioning what happened my garden.  There two varieties that really took a beating and the other one was quite a bit better.  All four varieties all yielded very well with Viking probably yielding the best.

Another topic about my garden is tomatoes.  I grew 9 different tomatoes last year and as with potatoes a large varying difference.  The one tomato that I did not have and missed was one called Sun Sugar.  This tomato grows big marble sized tomatoes and ripe is orange in color.  Sun Sugar is thin skinned and very sweet to eat and like all other grape and cherry tomatoes, fruit is endless.  Last year I could not find any plants in town or out of town but this year one local greenhouse grew some out and has plants for sale.  I am not advertising for any greenhouse but just to let you know there are plants in town for your use.  Highly recommended and you only need one.

Just a reminder of the garden tour, fast approaching Sunday, June 22.  The bus is filling up fast and you do need a $20 registration fee to hold a seat on the bus for you.  We will be leaving the east side of the court house approximately 10 am. and should return about 6 pm. I will be providing lunch and refreshments for you but if have a need for something other than water please bring along.  If you are interested in joining us on the Tolna tour please stop by our office and get signed up.

  Calendar

June 22            Ramsey County Extension Garden Tour  

524 4th Ave NE #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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