Issue #206. APRIL 2024.

I'm having serious FOMO.

I'm still reeling from seeing our partial total eclipse here in Charlotte on Monday, and kind of kicking myself for not going to see it in full totality... you bet your buttons I'll be chasing the next one!

In this week's newsletter, I have NINE tips to share about growing members of the nightshade family or the Solanaceae plant family. If you want to learn even more about these delicious, summertime fruits, give this week's episode of The Growing Space Podcast a listen.

I'm glad to see you here, friend! Let's dig in.

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SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

There is ONE Consultation time left for Friday, 4/12 (at 1:30pm) and only a handful of days with remaining times available in April. If you want to snag a time to chat about plans for summer growing, take a look at the calendar.

Schedule a Consultation

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The Patio Farmer is here for YOU!

Sunday, 4/14 | Charlotte StrEATs Festival. This event is held in partnership with Charlotte SHOUT! and celebrates our amazing local food community. I have built a pretty adorable container garden display for the StrEATs sign this year... I'll have a booth with plants, supplies, and all the answers to your spring growing questions. Come say hi!

Wednesday, 4/17 | Backyard Gardening Basics. VIRTUAL. Join me at 7pm for the live SkillPop class or register to watch the class on your own time, later.

ANYTIME, ANYWHERE | Six S's to Success. Take my masterclass anytime you'd like. When you register, you will be given instant access to over 4 hours of recorded instruction from me covering the Six S's to Success (SUN, SPACE, SOIL, SEASON, SEED, SUPERVISION) to growing food at home. Plus, over receive over 20 downloadable tools, guides, and worksheets to use throughout the masterclass.

2 Spots Remain | PREMIERE PRACTICE. Looking for weekly support this year with making your growing space as productive and prolific as possible? Consider applying for my top-tier service today. Pro-rated fees available. Pssst... one of the participants in this new offering called me her "Fairy Garden Mother" when I showed up for our first visit. Made me giggle.

Level Up Your Growing Journey | Join Plant Club by The Patio Farmer at one of FOUR membership levels, starting at $14 / month. This monthly subscription service is designed to meet you where you are in your growing practice, and support you with resources and information.

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The Forecast:

Below is a list of what can be planted now in the greater Charlotte area / USDA ag zone 8a.

NOTE: Keep an eye on the 10-day forecast! Any time we get temperatures below 32 degrees and you have summer crops planted (basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.) you'll want to cover them up.

EXTRA NOTE: There's not a frost in sight for the next 10 days. Wee!

Seeds: Artichoke, Basil, Beets, Carrots, Cucumber, Dill, Edible Flowers, Fennel, Green Beans, Green Onion, Lettuce, Melon, Parsley, Squash (Summer)

Seedlings: Eggplant, Lettuce, Parsley, Peppers, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Fruit Trees / Plants (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries strawberries, and more!), Perennial Herbs (rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, mints, chives, and more!)

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Place an Order for Delivery

Peppers have landed! I repeat, peppers have landed! Last week I was out at Windcrest Farm, my amazing farm partner who grows Certified Organic seedlings and is based in Monroe, annnnd I picked up a whole new round of summer seedlings. Just for you.

Here's a little preview of what's in stock in my online store, and available for home delivery every week through June.

Seedlings:

• Peppers: Olympus Bell, Red & Orange Picnic, Purple Beauty Bell, Pimento, Early Jalapeno, Cayenne, Hot Hungarian Wax, Ancho / Poblano
• Eggplant: Diamond (traditional, Italian purple)
• Heirloom Tomatoes: Cherokee Purple, Striped German
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sungold, Black Cherry, Sunrise Bumblebee, Purple Bumblebee
• Dwarf Tomatoes: Fred's Tie-Dye
• Blueberries: Pink Lemonade, Powder Blue
• Perennial Herbs

Seeds:

• Basil: Genovese, Lemon, Thai
• Bush Beans: Green Beans, Wax Beans, Purple Beans, Edamame
• Carrots: Rainbow Blend, Yaya
• Cucumber: Pickling, Marketmore, Slicers
• Dill
• Dwarf Sunflowers
• Edible Flowers: Bachelor Button, Borage, Calendula
• Fennel
• Flower Mixes: Partial Shade, Southeast Natives
• Ground Cherries
• Melon: Cantaloupe and Watermelon
• Okra: Clemson Spineless
• Summer Squash: Zucchini, Yellow Crookneck
• Tomatillos
• Winter Squash: Delicata, Honeynut, Butternut, Spaghetti

PLUS, plant food, soil, grow bags, and grow kits!

Place an order via The Patio Farmer's online store for weekly delivery on Thursdays and Fridays through the end of June. Delivery is available for residents of Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, York, and Lancaster Counties as well as the Lake Norman area of Lincoln and Iredell Counties and western Rowan County.

SHOP NOW!

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Episode 29

Meet the Plant Families - Solanaceae

Episode Description: Ground cherries, tomatillos, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, oh my! In this episode, we discuss members of the Solanaceae plant family aka the nightshades. Everything from sunlight, to spacing, to watering, and more!

You can find The Growing Space Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and YouTube. If you enjoyed listening to the episode, be sure to share it with a friend or give it a like, review, or rating.

Listen to The Growing Space Podcast

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9 Tips for Growing Nightshades

If you're planning on growing any nightshades or members of the Solanaceae plant family this year, I'd recommend giving this week's podcast episode a listen AND taking a gander at this list of nine tips to keep top of mind -

1. The fruit of these plants is what we eat... peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tomatoes, etc. Fruit take the MOST energy for plants to grow, so be sure to plant your nightshades your most sunny spot (ideally 8+ hours of direct sunlight / day).
2. Members of the nightshade family produce large plants with big broad leaves. The fruit of this family require shade from the leaves above to ripen evenly, so be sure to give your plants LOTS of space between each other (ideally 2-3 feet).
3. Take note of your tomato and potato varieties. Check to see if they are determinate or indeterminate as they will grow differently for you in your space.
4. If you're growing these plants in containers, be sure to add a dry, granular, tomato & vegetable plant food every 4-6 weeks to support healthy production.
5. Sometimes these plants need additional support as they produce fruit. Consider staking them as they grow.
6. Water around the base of the plant, near the soil v. over the plants leaves. This helps keep the plants happy and healthy.
7. Peppers and eggplant are SUPER easy-going summer crops with limited pest and disease issues. Hallelujah!
8. Hot peppers like cayenne, jalapeno, etc. are great companion plants that can help keep squirrels, bunnies, and deer away from your other crops.
9. Tomatillos and ground cherries are the only members of the nightshade family that grow quick enough to direct seed in your space (v. start indoors).

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Earth Day Giveaway

Win a Year's Worth of Seeds

Have you scheduled a Consultation with The Patio Farmer this spring?

Have I helped you get your space set-up with new raised beds or a fresh round of seasonal vegetables?

Do you enjoy listening to my podcast, reading my newsletters and following me on social media?

Have you attended one of my classes or events recently?

If you answered YES to any of these questions... would you consider writing me a 5-star Google Review and sharing your experience? I'd love to get to at least 30 Google Reviews this month as we celebrate Earth Day!

Write a Google Review for The Patio Farmer before Monday, 4/22 and be entered to win a year's worth of seeds from me! The winner will be notified on Earth Day (Monday, 4/22).

Write a Google Review for The Patio Farmer

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See you next week, friends!

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