Here's a story about fellow TFFer AdvTX

Figured yall might like it...

DMN Story

great story. i have about 25 chickens in different age groups running around my property. i put 5 cherry tomato plants in different areas on 3 acres for the chickens to use as food and shade but they are barley surviving because of no rain since the winter. i pull 5-10 serrano peppers per week and have plenty of green tomatos but no red yet. my lettuce is pretty much wilting and dead but i still manage to get some leaves to the chickens and rabbits. the beets and radishes are good but they are fed mainly to the animals for fresh food. i planted 20 blackberry plants and only have about 5 that made it even with being watered everyday to every otherday, it is that dry here now. man, do we need some rain.

blackberrys are picky...that may have something to do with soil pH...and yes rain...need rain.

Man, I must be doing something wrong cause I don't have any tomatoes yet. I've got plenty of blooms but no maters yet. I guess I'll just get out there and spank them some more.

may be lacking some nutrients or too wet...try a complete fertilizer and less water

Unfortunately, we've had a lot hot days this past month. The heat makes it difficult for most varieties of tomato plants to set the tomato. I only have a few myself right now, out of 40+ plants...I'm hoping with the cool front, they will set...So spank them this coming week and see what happens.

Been awhile but, the garden looks good. Have a few tomatoes set on the celebs and the bastage tomatoe from Wally world. Do'nt know what else to call it, was simply labled Tomatoe .99, not really a bargain but could'nt resist. As usual, some successfull new ventures this year, and some not so. Herb seed planted in the afternoon shade of the garage are doing well. In the past I've had a hard time getting dill and parsley to survive the late afternoon sun. Parsley looks right at home under the garden bench.
Getting some squash already, seems that the straight neck yellow is more resistant to squash borers, as the Gold Rush and white scallops are already showing signs of decline.
Jury's still out on the green beans, may have got them in too late. They are just beginning to put on, but I'm thinking it may get hot enough they will turn to seed.
Ren the dominicker hen trashed the squash in the back yard. Guess that's what I get for turning her out, had to dedicate the space in her coop for a "brooder" for the production red chicks.
The best news is that I've not had any insect problems YET, other than the squash borers.
Maybe I'll get some pictures posted before it turns hot and all goes to he11!

His set up is phenomenal. Makes me want to go back to gardening at Kroger.

I have 12 green maters on the two "patio" plants and 10 < 1" on the "Black Prince" Russian heirloom. Nothing on the Early Girls or the Better Boys yet (although they're blooming).
Looks like a good year for chilis. Ate a serrano with my corn-mealed sand bass this evening and got a good scalp sweat.

Really was'nt using the hen for insect control, just a pet that happens to yield fresh eggs. I knew chickens do what chickens do. Got only myself to blame on that one. I do kinda' like the idea of the green snakes. Should cut down on interuptions from the wife and them pesky kids.

Guys and gals, this will be the best week to spank the tomato plants. I doubt we'll have many more days where we're well below the 90 degree mark. Once we hit that consistently for 14 days in a row, it's almost impossible to get tomato plants to set the tomato...unless you have a variety specified for that...

I picked 2 squash and 4 peppers yesterday. I would post a picture, but the connecting cable for my phone is at the lake house...I'll try to post one tomorrow.

I've been getting ripe tomatoes for about 10 days. I've been sharing them with my neighbors, but will start canning some salsa next week. My onions and jalapenos are read.