This is my Paradise Floribunda Rose - planted last month. After a long hiatus it is finally blooming again.
I noticed several aphids on the little rose buds a few weeks ago and have been removing them by hand - today I ordered some ladybugs from amazon - trying to save myself some effort. I don’t want to spray my roses (at least not yet) so am trying natural methods first.
These are a few of my Viola Sorbet Panseys I planted and thought would die they did so poorly at first - but they made it.
The weather has finally warmed up to the point I feel safe planting tomatoes - plus hubby’s are doing well and starting to fruit (yum!) so I gotta catch up. I bought 3 heirloom tomatoes today - the only name I remember was Cherokee Purple, which I’ve always wanted to try. Will post names of others later - also bought some sweet basil as a companion plant for ‘em.
Anyone growing heirlooms? How is it going and do they have more problems than newer varieties?
P.S. Thanks for all your encouragement about waiting for the baby - now that everything is ready I’m trying hard to chill - she’ll get here when she gets here. 
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Your roses look wonderful. Mine were nice earlier in the year, but now the heat and Sun are just burning them up. I planted one heirloom tomato this year, the Black Prince. It’s a Siberian variety and is doing great. Have had far fewer problems with it than the Better Boys I planted. Great blog!
http://desertcontainergardening.blogspot.com/
Your Violas are very charming and the Floribunda Rose was gorgeous. Great pictures.
John - I think I saw that variety at the nursery - may have to go back & look at it again - thanks for visiting
Racquel - thanks - was worried about those plants but leaving them alone a few weeks seems to do them good
Beautiful flowers. I’ve never grown heirlooms, but my tomatoes are fruiting like crazy. So many tomatoes, but they take forever to change color. Just make sure the aphids and bugs stay away from the tomatoes. Anyway good luck!
Hi PG
I have 3 heirloom varieties growing at the moment :
Big Red (from my own seedstock)
Old Virginia
Giant Beefsteak
This year I gave away 30+ heirloom plants, which I’d grown from seed to friends in an attempt to get them to grow their own and save seeds for themselves.
I got lots of favourable feedback last year from the fruit I handed around so I hope it encourages others to try.
The taste of these tomatoes is wonderful.
Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments.
Good luck with the growing!!
Mick
Lovely photos.
All our tomato plants are heirlooms grown from seed. Some from seeds from last years heirlooms, and a couple of new varieties, all are doing great. My hubby has posted some pics on his blog at
http://oklahomegrownveg.blogspot.com
DP- have heard blossom set spray can help em change color faster - know if it’s true?
Mick - thats wonderful. the one time I had an heirloom tomato was an unforgettable experience - why I want to grow my own now.
Jan - am trying to grow a few from seed but got started late - they will probably end up as container plants later on
Heirlooms are so much better than other kinds of veggies. Tastier too. You will fall in love with those purple guys.
Organic gardening -
still trying to get ‘em planted - hopefully today
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. We’ve just started some tomatoes, peppers, basil, etc. Hopefully all will come out as well as yours.
All of our tomatoes are heirlooms my hubby grows
from seed…we have a list on our blog.
We haven’t noticed any more problems, but much greater taste.
Cherokee Purple is a fave here!
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