Archive for January 3rd, 2008

Blackjack Zucchini

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Jan 03 2008

Blackjack Zucchini is a high yielding variety. It produces the typical long dark green fruit with juicy and white flesh. It is probably the most commonly grown variety of zucchini given its hardiness. Despite that, my previous attempts have failed miserably. My previous seedlings have all looked dodgy when purchased, and I am hopeful that was the case as I am giving it another go.

Today I picked up 4 new, healthy, and budding seedlings from big kids toy shop Bunnings. I have decided on a new strategy rather than clump them all together. Of course, the potting mix remains the Rich Gro Pro Mix. My planting strategy has two of the Blackjack seedlings planted with the successful and large Lebanese Zucchini which was in a large tub of its own. The Blackjacks’ are at the opposite end of the tub and have a lot of room to grow for themselves. As they will get the same conditions as the Lebanese variety does I am hopeful that they will take.

The remaining two Blackjack seedlings are planted in a separate large tub. They are cohabitating with a number of Long Yellow Capsicum seedlings. The tub is also next to my new tomatoes. So they will receive similar conditions to the Lebanese/Blackjack tub, though not exactly the same. All have been well watered in and I will be fertilising those tubs in the next few days to encourage growth.

I am hopeful that I will finally have success with these plants as I really do enjoy the fruit.


Tomato Bushes

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Jan 03 2008

I love tomatoes of all varieties. From the cherry and grape tomatoes, to the big juicy beefsteak varieties. I currently have 9 tomato bushes in the garden. The beefsteak tomato is fruiting the heaviest. Here is the first picture of this wonderful plant.

Beefsteak Tomato

The Beefsteak Tomato is a large juicy fruit. It is a large bushy plant and is relatively hardy. The only thing that this bush has had in encouragement is sufficient water, the odd shot of worm juice, and some 2 small doses of a commercial liquid fertiliser. It has gone well right from the time of its planting in the Rich Gro Pro Mix potting mix. I am very much looking forward to consuming one of the developed tomatoes.

Cherry Tomato

The Cherry Tomato plant is also doing remarkably well. It is a paltry 6 inches tall but has fruited incredibly heavily. In fact it was purchased already fruiting. At one point I really worried that we would lose this plant, however since its relocation to a sunnier position it has gone gangbusters and has produced many small sweet and juicy fruits.

The recent additions are also doing well in a growing stage. I am not expecting any fruit from these this season, however they should be mature and hardy by next year. I then expect a heavy successful year. From left to right the varieties are Black Russian, Mortgage Lifter, Tigerella, and Green Zebra. These should be great fruits next season.

New Tomatoes

I also have a grape tomato bush growing, however do not have any associated imagery. I will get some soon.

All these plants have only had worm juice and the very odd application of a commercial liquid fertiliser. All are growing well and we are confident of continued success for this year and the next.