Early this morning, I saw my first glorious pumpkin bloom, but by mid-day, the bloom had closed. That’s how pumpkin blossoms behave. Because there is no bulbous protrusion at the base of the blossom, indicating that the blossom is female, I can see that this is a male pumpkin blossom. I wish that I know when planted the seeds for this pumpkin vine. I can’t even remember which pumpkin seeds are blooming in this spot, but I am almost sure that this is the blossom of a Sugar Pie pumpkin vine, but if I had taken the time to tag the seeds, I would be sure which variety of pumpkin has elected to bloom today. I have resolved to keep better records in my garden. This post will become my official garden log.
Tomatoes
Cherokee Tomato Plant in Jacki Kellum Garden July 9, 2022
Yesterday I noted that my Cherokee Tomato Plant is the most productive of the plants that I set out in 2022. As of July 9, there were 8 green tomatoes on this plant, and they range in size from about 1/2″ to 2,” and the plant is in a spot that is far too shady. Yet, I do have a few tomatoes heading my way.
I bought my Cherokee as a young plant. I did not grow it from seed. But I don’t even know when I set out this plant. Again, I will do better next time.
Super Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato in Jacki Kellum Garden July 6, 2022, Sharing an Obelisk with Nellie Moser Clematis. Nellie Moser flowers seem to be lavender in shade, but they are pink in sunlight.
Super Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato in Jacki Kellum Garden July 9, 2022. A couple of the little tomatoes were almost ripe that day.
Super Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato in Jacki Kellum Garden July 16, 2022. I ate at least 10 of these little delights on July 16. My favorite part of summer is picking and eating cherry tomatoes straight from the vine. In case you are wondering, the green and white polka dot fabric is a quilt scrap. I use quilt scraps to tie up my tomatoes.
My Lemon Boy has a few blossoms today, but there is no fruit on the vine. I planted Super Sweet, Cherokee, and Lemon Boy plants on the same day.
On May 24, I ordered several packets of pumpkin seeds from Amazon, and although I planted the seeds weeks later, I believe that the seeds that produced a flowering plant today are those of the variety Sugar Pie, which is a smaller variety, but it is not the tiny pumpkin that I attach to wreaths. A mature Sugar Pie Pumpkin weighs 6 to 7 pounds. It takes about 90 days for a Sugar Pie seed to mature.
Sugar Pie is an heirloom pumpkin. It has been the source of great pumpkin pies since at least the 1800s.
Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
Sugar Pie Pumpkin Vine in Jacki Kellum Garden – July 3, 2022
I planted some Cinderella Pumpkin seeds in my garden on July 15, 2022
Cinderella Pumpkin Seeds
Heirloom
Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima
Days to Maturity: 110 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native: Southern South America
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Dimensions: 10′ vines
Variety Information: 12″–24″ diameter, 6″ tall fruits weighing 15–20 pounds each. “Flattened” shape with deep ribs.
Attributes: Heat Tolerant
110 days from today July 10, 2022, is sometime during the first week of November. Not to myself: If I were aiming to carve one of these beauties for Halloween, I should have planted these seeds a week or two. But my greater joy stems from watching pumpkins grow, bloom, and set fruit. I have plenty of time to reap that greater pleasure.
Connecticut Field Pumpkin Seeds
Heirloom
Connecticut Field is an heirloom favorite that’s perfect for carving and pies. The pumpkins are usually 15 to 20 pounds, orange in color and have flat bottoms. The plants will grow to a mature height of roughly 12 to 24 inches tall and a vining length of 10 to 15 feet or more. Each vine will produce 2 to 4 pumpkins which are ready for harvesting in roughly 110 days after first sprouts appear.
GERMINATION & GROWTH
Connecticut Field Pumpkin seeds will begin to sprout open in roughly 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of 1 to 2 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet long. These plants will need a large area to grow outwards and can be spaced by hills or mounds of dirt, rather than rows. As explained above mounds should be 18 to 24 inches wide and at least 8 inches tall. Space each mound at least 6 feet apart from one another. When sprouts become visible, direct the vines outwards towards areas that do not contain other plant life.
HARVESTING
When your vines start to establish pumpkins, be sure to place straw under the fruits to prevent them from touching the bare ground beneath, as this can cause rotting. Your Connecticut Field Pumpkins will be ready for harvest in roughly 110 days after first sprouts appear. Cut the stems at least 2 to 3 inches from the actual fruits, otherwise the fruits will rot. Seeds Needs
Big Max
Heirloom
Hardy Hibiscus
By the end of June, all of my hardy hibiscus plants had set buds, but by July 10, 2022, none had bloomed.
Vintage Wine Hardy Hibiscus bud July 13, 2022 – Jacki Kellum Garden
The yellow blossoms are Sugar Pie Pumpkins.
Vintage Wine Hardy Hibiscus blossom July 14, 2022 – Jacki Kellum Garden