{"id":303,"date":"2010-08-30T09:58:35","date_gmt":"2010-08-30T13:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=303"},"modified":"2010-08-30T09:58:35","modified_gmt":"2010-08-30T13:58:35","slug":"ask-montys-for-8302010-rain-barrels-tomatoes-and-herbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=303","title":{"rendered":"Ask Monty’s for 8\/30\/2010 Rain Barrels, Tomatoes, and Herbs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ask Monty\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to put in some rain barrels at the bottom of my downspouts for all the right reasons.\u00a0 I was\"\"<\/a> wondering if it makes a difference as to what kind of material the barrels are made of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lowell,
\nClifton, Colorado<\/p>\n

Lowell<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to one of the most rewarding and easiest forms of water conservation!\u00a0 Your plants and garden are going to love your mineral rich rainwater, while slashing your water consumption by up to 40% depending on how much you use it.\u00a0 Plastic or wood rain barrels are fine and are sold commercially.\u00a0 The normally come in 25 to 100 gallon options.<\/p>\n

Just something to keep in mind though as a note of caution, rain barrels that collect water from copper roofs or from roofs where wood shingles or shakes have been treated with chromated copper arsenate to prevent moss or algae growth should not be used on editable plants.\u00a0 If you have treated your roof with any chemicals at all you won\u2019t want to use that water either.<\/p>\n

Two other notes on rain water collection barrels:<\/p>\n

In your neck of the woods especially, you\u2019ll want to empty your rain barrel when the weather starts to freeze over the winter.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have a protected indoor area to store it, just turn it upside down and secure it to prevent animals from making a winter home in it or getting water accumulation in it which can freeze, expand, and potentially crack the barrel, especially one that is made of plastic.<\/p>\n

Finally, make sure you keep a mesh screen over the top and that you clean it frequently.\u00a0 The mess can collect debris which will interfere with collection and provide a place for mold and mildew to form.\u00a0 However, without one all of those items will end up in your barrel and can foul your water.\u00a0 Additionally, mosquitoes look for ponded, still water to lay their eggs.\u00a0 An open rain barrel would make an ideal breeding ground for them.\u00a0 Not only will that make time in your yard less pleasant, across the south this year there has been another outbreak of west nile virus. By eliminating standing water form your property you can greatly reduce mosquito populations for you and your neighbors.<\/p>\n

If you are having trouble finding a barrel in your area, may we suggest you talk to one of our friends in Louisville?\u00a0 This is the link to Naturally Horton’s<\/a>\u00a0 for those in the Louisville Metro, its in The Highlands.<\/p>\n

Ask Monty\u2019s:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen is the best time to harvest herbs?\u201d<\/p>\n

Carol
\nAitkin, Minnesota<\/p>\n

Carol:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best time to harvest herbs is right before the flowers open.\u00a0 This is when their aroma and taste in their essential oils are at their peak like thyme, basil and mint.\u00a0 The preferred time to pick them is also in the morning when they are at their freshest and the most potent.\u00a0 Never pick herbs in wet or humid conditions. Finally, Monty’s 2-15-15<\/strong> <\/a>works well to keep the plants in the flower cycle and may help elevate brix levels, which in herbs will increase the aromatics and flavors as well as improve shelf life.<\/p>\n

Also, don’t forget one of our favorite places to visit and to visit virtually is Beagle Ridge Herb Farm in Wytheville, VA.\u00a0 They are a great source for information for all things herbs, natural gardening, and GARLIC!\u00a0 check them out here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Ask Monty\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve read that instead of pulling out spent tomato plants, you can simply cut them back and keep watering them to encourage new growth and fruit.\u00a0 Is there any truth to this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike
\nNorwalk, Iowa<\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on your weather cooperation, this is true and new growth will develop, along with a respectable new harvest.\u00a0 Make sure you pick tomatoes often, keeping the weight off the stems and branches so they don\u2019t break or bend.\u00a0 It\u2019ll also give your other plants more room to produce freely.<\/p>\n

Once you prune them, you will want ot help encourage new growth as well as help the plant deal with the stresses involved with pruning.\u00a0 Monty’s 8-16-8<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0should help with that, then once your plants have regrown and have begun to set blooms again, switch to Monty’s 2-15-15<\/a><\/strong> to enhance flower set and fruit production.<\/p>\n

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Ask Monty\u2019s: \u201cI want to put in some rain barrels at the bottom of my downspouts for all the right reasons.\u00a0 I was wondering if it makes a difference as to what kind of material the barrels are made of.\u201d Lowell, Clifton, Colorado Lowell: Welcome to one of the most rewarding and easiest forms of […]<\/p>\n

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