Colorado Newbie

Wyldflower on 3/21/2010, 10:43 am

Hi, I'm Carolyn from Colorado Springs.

I'm a newbie - both at SFG and at gardening in general. I planted a small plot last year (my first year as a homeowner), and it didn't do well. I had heard about SFG many years ago, and decided that I need to do my gardening this way.

I've got seedlings started for my cold season crops, and I'm starting my tomato and pepper seeds this weekend. Next week is when I'll be putting my raised beds together. I'll be doing two home-made frames, 4x4x8" from lumber gleaned on Craigslist (all untreated pine).

I'm hoping to grow the following: Tomatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, jalapenos, tomatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, oh.. did I mention tomatoes? I'll also be doing lettuce and various herbs. My cold crop includes broccoli, kohl rabi, kale and brussels sprouts.

Wish me luck!
~Carolyn
(Wyldflower)

choksaw on 3/21/2010, 11:59 am

hello carolyn and welcome to the forums Im gonna take a huge shot in the dark by saying i guess you really like tomatoes lol we are a wealth of knowledge here be it simple questions to expert advice, keep an eye out for others pictures and post some of your own as well pictures are good things it helps everyone share thier success and mabe even gives someone a new idea on something they could use again welcome dont for get to stop by your regional forum to hook up with people in your area and hardiness zone

**WardinWake** on 3/21/2010, 6:01 pm

Colorado Newbie

Welcome to our little slice of heaven. When Mary and I moved to our present home there was an established fruit tree orchard in the front yard. Most we could ID by looking at them. "Yep", I would say to my bride, "That's an apple. And from the looks of it it is a red apple. She replied, "Oh my wonderful husband, you are so smart, but, pray tell what is that one?" "Ah, love of my life, that is also an apple and I would dare say it is not a red one." Other than that we did not have a clue as to whether the apples were Red Delish or Granny's Big Red because the previous owner did not keep a log of what they planted. So Colorado Newbie what types of tomatoes do you like best and what gives them the edge over other toms? Big Grin and God Bless, Ward.

Wyldflower on 3/21/2010, 6:50 pm

Thank you for your kind welcome, Choksaw and Ward

Yep... you guessed it - I LOOOOVE Tomatoes - all sorts!

Actually, I'm going to try a few heirlooms and older hybrids to see if I can find one that seems like what my grandfather used to grow, way back when - he was an organic gardener, and I think he used heirloom varieties.... I'll be trying Red Brandywines and an heirloom beefsteak. But since I'll be dealing with a shorter growing season, I'll also be putting in some Early Annies (heirloom - 60d), some sort of cherry tomato (possibly Sugary Hybrid) and a plum - most likely San Marzano Redorta. I may also put in a bi-color heirloom. I'm looking at Virginia Sweets - a gold-and-red beefsteak. My biggest issue is going to be the short growing season, so I probably should choose just one or two of the larger, longer season tomatoes - especially since I'm an inexperienced gardener. (Looks like I'll need a couple of boxes just for the 'maters!)

Colorado Newbie

Colorado Newbie

Re: Colorado Newbie

Re: Colorado Newbie

Tomatoes